Dunwoody Crier - September 25, 2025

Elections Board removes dropbox from VRE office

By ZOE SEILER zoe@appenmedia.com

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — During early voting this year, there will not be an absentee drop box at the DeKalb Voter Registration and Elections Office on Memorial Drive.

At its Sept. 10 meeting, the DeKalb

Elections Board decided to remove the drop box due to a decline in active voter registrations, which have fallen below 500,000.

State law requires counties to have at least one drop box, but they can have no more than one per 100,000 voters, according to NPR. DeKalb County typically has six drop boxes and needs to have at least

500,000 active voters to maintain them.

As of Sept. 10, there are 565,511 registered voters; of those, 499,453 are active and 66,058 are inactive. Those numbers are a moving target and change daily, DeKalb Voter Registration and Elections Executive Director Keisha Smith said.

See DROPBOX, Page 27

Massiah, Michelle Long Spears, Chakira Johnson, Ted Terry and LaDena Bolton discussed an operational assessment, and minimum square footage requirements during the county commission meeting Sept. 9, 2025.

Commission divided over minimum unit size amendment

By ZOE SEILER zoe@appenmedia.com

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — The DeKalb County Commission is considering reducing the minimum unit size for single-family homes.

The legislation is slowly moving through the approval process.

Redistricting strategy nears as enrollment trends lower

By JIM BASS jim@appenmedia.com

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — DeKalb County School District lost 10,000 students over the past decade, but there’s been little to no change to the district’s attendance boundaries and school programs.

That will soon change.

The district’s Student Assignment Plan process is evaluating data, including school capacity, enrollment and facility conditions. The process will guide school officials as they decide which schools could face closure or repurposing.

Commissioners deferred the item for another two weeks during their meeting Sept. 9.

If approved, the change would apply to homes zoned R-75 and R-85. The current minimum home size in R-75 is 1,600 square feet. Zoning of R-85 carries a minimum of 1,800 square feet, which was established in 1999.

County staff have not recommended the amendment and say it’s up to the commissioners. The zoning amendment was first introduced in June 2024 and brought forward by Presiding Officer Michelle Long Spears. See

Executive Director of Student Assignment Sarita Smith will lead the charge and make preliminary recommendations about redistricting starting in January. She’ll receive input from a nearly 150-person committee that has met monthly since last autumn.

Currently, 83 percent of the county’s elementary school seats are filled, with 9,000 seats open; 79 percent of middle school seats are filled, with 5,000 seats open; and 87 percent of high school seats are filled, with 4,000 seats open.

Page 27

Overall, that’s 18,000 empty seats in the district.

ZOE SEILER/APPEN MEDIA

DeKalb County Commissioners Robert Patrick, Mereda Davis Johnson, Nicole

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DeKalb Sheriff did not publicly report two inmate deaths

By DAN WHISENHUNT dan@appenmedia.com

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Two inmates died at the DeKalb County Jail in June, but DeKalb County Sheriff Melody Maddox’s office did not notify the press.

Typically, the Sheriff’s Office sends out a news release when an inmate dies. Based on the number of news releases the Sheriff’s Office issued, Decaturish previously reported that four inmates died at the jail this year.

However, Decaturish learned about two deaths after contacting the Medical Examiner’s Office seeking information about two inmates who died in August, whom the Sheriff’s Office would not identify. The Sheriff’s Office still has

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.

Perimeter store alleges employee stole money

DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody Police arrested a 39-year-old Atlanta man Sept. 8 after his employer accused him of taking cash out of the register while he was working at a Perimeter Mall department store.

The Macy’s loss prevention team told officers they caught an employee taking money out of the cash register on video several times on different days.

Employees said the total amount of cash taken totals $980.

After viewing the security footage, the officer said he read the suspect his Miranda rights and began questioning him.

According to the officer, the Atlanta man confirmed he stole money on multiple occasions.

The officer said he then transported him to DeKalb County Jail on a theft by taking charge.

— Hayden Sumlin

AAPPEN PRESSCLU B

Officers arrest suspect accused of forging check

DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody Police arrested a 58-year-old Atlanta man Sept. 10 after he allegedly tried to cash a fraudulent check at the Renasant Bank off Dunwoody Village Parkway.

An officer said he detained the suspect in his vehicle after he attempted to cash a $9,700 check.

The bank manager said the man attempted to cash what appeared to be a fraudulent check written out to him, so he called the payor’s local branch in Lawrenceville.

The Dunwoody branch manager told the

not released the names of the inmates who died in August or provided any information about what happened.

The medical examiner provided a list that showed six inmate deaths and identified the two inmates who died in August.

While the Sheriff’s Office has announced inmate deaths in the past, a spokesperson for the agency said the law does not require these announcements.

“Reports of these incidents are public record and can be requested at any time through open records,” the spokesperson said. “Although we recognize that the press aims to share information on topics of public interest, there is no policy mandating immediate public notification of these incidents

officer that the owner of the check was currently out of the country.

The officer said he called the payor’s son, who also had access to the account, to verify whether the check was fraudulent. The son said he had never heard of the Atlanta man and did not know where he could have gotten the check from.

The officer said the check was made out to the suspect using black ink, and he did not observe any alterations.

While speaking with law enforcement, the Atlanta man said he received the check from someone as payment for the purchase of a trailer in Doraville. He said he is a local contractor and his boss set up the sale.

The Atlanta man said he originally wanted to sell his trailer for $10,000 but only received the $9,7000 check from the buyer. When asked why he tried to cash it, the man said he did not want the bank to hold the funds.

Police transported him to DeKalb County Jail with a warrant for third degree forgery.

— Hayden Sumlin

Dozens of vehicles burglarized at complex

DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody Police are investigating a series of larcenies and property damage after finding 50 vehicles burglarized Sept. 12 at the Bell Apartments off Perimeter Center East.

Officers said they responded to the apartment complex just after 4 a.m. and met with a 36-year-old Dunwoody woman who had her Jeep Wrangler burglarized.

The woman said she found her front passenger window shattered when she returned to her locked vehicle on the lower level of the 2000 building’s parking garage.

While officers said they found the center console had been tampered with, the Jeep owner reported no missing items.

Officers said they noticed three additional vehicles with broken windows in the same garage and split up to investigate the damages and contact each registered

via the news media. Our primary commitment is compassionate, immediate communication with the family of the deceased.”

The spokesperson added that the office’s priority is treating families with empathy and respect and supporting and notifying them when there is a death. Some circumstances related to the deaths are sensitive, the spokesperson said.

“While we understand the media and public’s interest in these matters, it’s important to clarify that our initial focus is always on notifying and supporting the next of kin,” the spokesperson said. “The Sheriff’s Office has always aimed to be transparent and will continue to do so.

owner.

While on the scene, officers said they received reports of a suspicious person looking into vehicles.

As they searched for the suspect, officers said they discovered numerous vehicles that had been entered throughout the entire apartment complex.

According to the report, there were 50 vehicles burglarized. The property damage across all vehicles totals $10,000.

The stolen items include cash, credit and debit cards, personal bags, at least two handguns and a taser.

No suspect has been identified.

— Hayden Sumlin

Roswell apartment couple report hearing gunshots

ROSWELL, Ga. — A Roswell couple reported hearing around 15 gunshots around 11 a.m. Sept. 12 at their apartment off Old Holcomb Bridge Road.

There were no reports of any injuries or gunshot victims.

Officers said he and five other sworn personnel arrived and spoke with the reporting party, a 33-year-old Roswell woman.

Officers said she told them she was listening to music inside her apartment when she heard five consecutive gunshots.

The woman said her husband was outside and heard around 15 shots fired. She said she saw a group of five or six males behind the apartment building firing bullets into the wood line.

The weapon used was not specified in the report.

While she was unable to identify any individual suspect, she told officers that they got into white Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck and drove away.

After conducting a premises check, police found no casings or suspects.

The suspects remain unidentified.

— Hayden Sumlin

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TALK BACK TO THE CRIER

City at a crossroads; are we ready to lead?

When Dunwoody became a city in 2008, we had nothing but determination — and the chance to set our own course. We built a government from scratch, and for a while, our energy was focused on the essentials: police, parks, zoning, roads. But now, more than 15 years later, it’s time to ask: What kind of city do we want to be today?

Our neighbor Peachtree Corners had the same question. They chose innovation. Their Curiosity Lab has become a global stage, where companies test technologies that improve traffic, public safety and connectivity. In August, more than 200 international leaders toured their living lab. This November, Peachtree Corners will showcase Georgia’s smart city leadership in Barcelona, joined by technology partners like T-Mobile and Digi.

Meanwhile, Dunwoody — home to the largest concentration of Fortune 500 companies in the Southeast outside of Midtown — has not stepped onto that stage. We still talk about traffic, safety, and infrastructure, but we’re not

Talk Back to the Crier

The Crier is committed to its role as Dunwoody’s community thread. As readers have reminded the paper, part of that role means budgeting premium space for letters from residents. Talk Back to the Crier by Sunday night and your note will be on page 3 that week. Email letters to newsroom@appenmedia.com. The Crier won’t publish it without explicitly getting your approval.

building the future solutions here.

Imagine if we had launched our own innovation center a decade ago. Today we could be:

• Testing smart traffic systems to ease Ashford-Dunwoody gridlock.

• Piloting AI-powered safety tools in our neighborhoods.

• Partnering with Perimeter businesses and Georgia Tech to create jobs of the future.

• Hosting conferences that bring investment and talent into Dunwoody.

Instead, those opportunities are passing us by.

It is not too late. Dunwoody can lead again—but only if we summon

the courage to move beyond shortterm fixes and incrementalism. The same spirit that rallied this community to preserve the Donaldson-Bannister Farm and to secure Brook Run Park can now rally us to build an economy of ideas, not just offices.

Our City Council has a choice: to manage what we have, or to shape what we can become. Peachtree Corners shows us what’s possible. Isn’t it time that we rebrand our city: Smart City – Smart Innovation?

DANNY ROSS Founding member, Dunwoody City Council

DeKalb County named for Revolutionary War hero

VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF Columnist

DeKalb County, Georgia, was formed in 1822 primarily from Henry County, but the formation included parts of Fayette and Gwinnett counties. Part of what became Fulton County in 1853 was included in DeKalb County. DeKalb was named for Revolutionary War hero Baron Johann de Kalb, although he never was in the area. (dekalbhistory.org)

It was not the only place to take his name. There is DeKalb County, Alabama, Missouri, Indiana and Tennessee. There is also a city of DeKalb in DeKalb County, Illinois. He was born Johann Kalb on June 29, 1721, in Huttendorf Bavaria, Germany. The second son in the family, he was not set up to inherit from his father. He went to France and became a soldier in the French Infantry. There were bonuses being offered for tall enlistees, and Kalb was 6 foot 5 inches. (“The History of DeKalb County, 18221900, by Vivian Price) He eventually earned the title of baron but added the “de” to his name earlier to advance in rank. He fought in several battles before he was sent to train in the Military School of Marshal Saxe. Then, he fought in the Seven Years War. Following the end of the war,

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de Kalb married Emelie van Robais, the daughter of a French lace and cloth manufacturer with a sizeable dowry. He was sent to America as a French agent to assess the strength of the American freedom movement. He went home to report on his findings, later returning along with Lafayette when fighting began.

General George Washington gave de Kalb his commission of major general on October 4, 1777. He fought with Washington at Valley Forge, and in battles at Philadelphia, Brandywine, and Germantown. Later, he was ordered to travel south and fight against the British occupation of South Carolina and Georgia. Fighting with North Carolina troops at Camden, South Carolina, de Kalb fought hand to hand even as his horse was killed beneath him.

He died Aug. 19, 1780, three days after the battle and is buried at the Bethesda Presbyterian Church in Camden, South Carolina. His memorial was designed by Robert Mills who also designed the Washington Monument. Lafayette laid the cornerstone of the memorial.

The Camden marker reads, “He was second in command in the battle fought near Camden on the 16th of August 1780 between the British and Americans and there nobly fell covered with wounds while gallantly performing deeds of valor in rallying the friends and opposing the enemies of his adopted country.”

Baron de Kalb has been memorialized in various way across the U.S. At the old DeKalb County Courthouse in Decatur, home to DeKalb History Center, a Georgia Historical Marker commemorates the namesake of the county.

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

Portrait of Baron Johann de Kalb, painted by Charles Wilson Peale in 1782.

Julia and Doyle Cheatham stand outside the All Saints Catholic Church’s annual Pumpkin Patch at Mount Vernon and North Peachtree roads. This year’s Halloween season sale kicks off Sept. 28.

All Saints Pumpkin Patch to return with more variety

DUNWOODY, Ga., — The Knights of Columbus, Council 11402 announced the 14th annual All Saints Catholic Church Pumpkin Patch is back at 2443 Mount Vernon Road starting Sept. 28 at 9 a.m.

The Knights promise an even greater selection of pumpkins, gourds and heirloom varieties to brighten front porches this fall season.

The annual pumpkin patch sale runs until Oct. 31 with weekday hours between noon and 7 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

All proceeds benefit local causes — supporting neighbors in Dunwoody, Sandy Springs Peachtree Corners and the metro area.

The All Saints Catholic Church Pumpkin Patch is a family tradition for many in the community, including a Sandy Springs mother Deborah and her daughters who come each year to enjoy the fall festivities.

The Knights of Columbus says it’s more than just pumpkins: it’s an

Pumpkins, gourds and heirloom varieties will be available at the pumpkin patch on Mount Vernon Road starting Sept. 28.

opportunity for families and friends to come together, enjoy fall’s beauty and give back to the community. For more details, including varieties available and tips for creating displays, visit www. kofcpumpkins.com.

Hayden Sumlin

PHOTOS BY: ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC CHURCH/PROVIDED

‘The Cottage’ to open at Stage Door Theatre

DUNWOODY, Ga. — Stage Door Theatre, Dunwoody’s own local production group at the Cultural Arts Center, is kicking off its 52nd season with Sandy Rustin’s “The Cottage” Oct. 4-19.

After closing its most successful season since the pandemic, Stage Door is continuing to create art in the heart of Dunwoody with a season that features holiday favorites and hilarious tales.

The season begins with “The Cottage,” fresh off a Broadway run directed by Seinfeld’s Jason Alexander. The side-splitting romp is about one woman’s decision to come clean about a torrid affair to her husband and her lover’s wife.

With effervescent wit reminiscent of Nöel Coward and wild, farcical gags, the show is sure to leave audiences laughing. The show is directed by Damian Lockhart and runs Oct. 4-19.

Lockhart said Sandy Rustin’s musical invites audience members to laugh together in a moment when society often feels divided.

“With its mix of sex, betrayal and desire, served with classic British wit and charm, the play offers a joyful chance for community connection,” he said. “My hope is that audiences leave with sore cheeks from laughter and full hearts from the experience.”

Stage Door Theatre Artistic Director Justin Ball said his team is proud to offer Dunwoody a well-balanced season.

“We have a farce, a holiday classic, a one-woman powerhouse show and a theatrical chestnut,” Ball said. “There is something for everybody in each play we’re offering.”

In December, Stage Door will present a new adaptation of “A Christmas Carol.”

Adapted by local playwright Claire F. Martin and directed by frequent Stage Door collaborator Lauren Morris, the show is perfect for families looking to indulge in some holiday cheer Dec. 6-21.

CASEY GARDNER FORD/PROVIDED

From left, Alishah Bhamani, Shashi Yammada and Mala Bhattacharya perform Aditi Brennan Kapil’s “Orange” during Stage Door Theatre’s 51st season. The Dunwoody production group just announced its new season, running October through April.

During Valentine’s season, Stage Door invites audiences to have a great date at Theresa Rebeck’s “Bad Dates.” The onewoman show chronicles the stories of a single mother with anecdotes that are at once hilarious, heartbreaking and sweet.

The show is directed by Amy Duffy and will run February 7-22.

Closing out Stage Door’s season is the Southern classic “Steel Magnolias.”

The story is about the bonds built in a beauty shop in Louisiana and among sisters. It demonstrates the power of friendship and that the antidote to heartache is laughter, verve and resilience. Jaclyn Hoffman will direct the show, running April 4-19.

Season subscriptions are currently on sale.

For tickets and more information visit stagedoortheatrega.org/.

Hayden

Sumlin

PUBLIC NOTICE

The 2025 Atlanta Kosher BBQ Festival will be held on Sunday, November 9, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Brook Run Park in Dunwoody, Georgia.

The festival will feature more than 10 teams competing in the categories of Beef Brisket, Beef Ribs, Chicken, and Chili. Admission is free and the event is open to the public. This is not just a BBQ event—it’s fun for all, with a vendor village, artisan marketplace, free children’s activities, live music, a silent auction, and more.

For more information, visit www.theatlantakosherbbq.com.

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Seasonal skin care matters in Atlanta

Brought to you by – Dr. Kehinde

Olumesi, Epiphany Dermatology

As we welcome September and National Skincare Awareness Month, it’s important to remember that your skin’s needs change with the seasons. Here in Atlanta, the transition from humid summer days to cooler, drier fall air often brings new challenges for the skin.

Dryness, eczema flare-ups, and contact dermatitis from seasonal triggers are especially common this time of year. For some, cooler air means tight, flaky skin. For others, the shift in weather can worsen chronic conditions, leaving them uncomfortable or even painful. Environmental changes, combined with irritants like pollen or fragrances, can also trigger bouts of contact dermatitis. The good news is that with the right care, you can get ahead of these seasonal skin concerns. Partnering with

a board-certified dermatologist is the best way to create a plan tailored to your needs. Whether that means adjusting your skincare regimen, prescribing targeted treatments for eczema, or identifying and avoiding triggers, we can help keep your skin healthy and comfortable year-round.

National Skincare Awareness Month is also the perfect reminder to schedule your annual skin exam. In addition to treating troublesome conditions, dermatologists play a vital role in detecting skin cancer early and helping you prevent long-term sun damage. And for those interested in cosmetic dermatology, this season is an ideal time to explore rejuvenating treatments before the busy holiday months.

Your skin is unique—treat it that way. Don’t wait until flare-ups disrupt your life. This fall, take proactive steps to protect, treat, and renew your skin.

DUNWOODY HOME TOUR

PAID CONTENT

From Delightful to Dazzling: How a 1968 Home Got the HGTV Star Treatment

Provided by the Dunwoody Woman’s Club

Imagine if your home was chosen by HGTV to make home improvements from your own wish list. When the casting director from the HGTV show “Luxe For Less” series called these creative homeowners, they said “Yes, please and thank you!” The homeowners provided their own strict budget and the desire to have a fabulous, functional kitchen, a butler’s pantry and mudroom with much needed storage, an upstairs laundry room, updated powder room and reconfigured guest bathroom. All they had to do to achieve professional design help for their dated,1968 dwelling was be willing to work with the show’s three professional designers, live with a bit of transformation chaos for 4 weeks and finally move out of their home for an additional 3 weeks…a real plus because they escaped to the Blue Ridge North Georgia Mountains for a vacation. The rest is history. The walls of several rooms were taken down to the studs and the dust started to fly. The trucks arrived and filming documented all the milestones and design details.

This home is one of the beautiful homes featured in the 52nd Annual Home Tour set for Wednesday, Oct 8, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and is hosted by the Dunwoody Woman’s Club. All profits from the home tour are used to fulfill the club’s charitable initiatives. Home tour tickets can be purchased in several ways, as outlined below at the end of this article.

Visitors to this home can now enjoy the results of this creative, upscale renovation. The living room has style added to the “Fifth Wall,” proving that ceilings are the next frontier in home design. A graphic black and white wallpaper blankets this living room ceiling and begs you to look up. Artwork gifted to the homeowner featuring New York Fashion Week illustrations of Valentino and Chanel by artist Gladys Perint Palmer, set a precedence for the jewel tones to be discovered in the rest of the home.

Behind the living room, a spacious family room features a mix of antiques and custom furniture including two demilune tables that can easily convert to a round or oval shaped dining table. Note the homeowners gallery of selfies on the wall over the couch…started

More information

Purchase tickets now in any of the following ways:

• Online at www.dunwoodywomansclub. com/event-tickets/

• In person at The Enchanted Forest, located in the Dunwoody Hall Shopping Center or at Judy & Grace Boutique in the Shops of Dunwoody

• Directly from any member of the Dunwoody Woman’s Club

•Scan the QR Code on the right

•Will Call: Tickets purchased online can

on a whim in 2013. A large signed giclee photography print “Storm Over the Marsh,” anchors the wall adjacent to the powder room, which features oversized, porcelain tiles veined to resemble marble. Thanks to a local artist, the powder room walls are hand painted with the same veining to extend the marble effect up to the ceiling.

The kitchen, which absorbed most of the homeowners’ allotted budget, is sophisticated, functional and thoughtfully designed. And per the homeowners’ request…it is not white!

be picked up on tour day Wednesday, October 8, starting at 9:30 a.m. at the Spruill Center for the Arts (5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd., Dunwoody)

Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 on tour day. We look forward to seeing you at the home tour and appreciate your support. Remember, profits of the tour help fund our charitable projects. Buy your tickets today! For more information about the Dunwoody Woman’s Club go to www.dunwoodywomansclub.com

Black reclaimed steel windows crank out to the outdoors. Honed charcoal quartz countertops combine beautifully with the white oak and shaker style cabinets. There is a Venetian plaster range hood, many hidden outlets, and Fulgar Milano appliances from Italy. By reconfiguring the garage entry, a custom-built laundry mudroom and butler’s pantry appear behind floor-toceiling reclaimed glass and steel doors, making an impressive and aesthetic statement.

Back by Popular Demand: Our Raffle! Enter for a chance to win one of three fabulous prizes, each valued at $500 or more:

• A shopping spree at Lauderhill’s Fine Jewelry

• A luxurious Face Haven spa gift basket

• An original painting by the talented artist Pat Fiorello

Raffle tickets will be sold exclusively on tour day so be sure to bring cash or a credit card to enter for a chance to win.

This renovated home has become a wonderful setting for modern life. The HGTV designers, along with the homeowners, transformed a charming, but not super functional house into one that not only lives larger but is more efficient, beautiful and truly reflects the personalities of the homeowners… all while sticking to a strict budget.

HAVEAN ANNOUNCEMENT TOSHARE?

The DeKalb County Medical Examiner provided a list of all inmates who have died at the DeKalb County Jail in 2025.

Report:

Continued from Page 2

While there was no formal public release in June, information has always been available when requested, and we remain committed to lawful and compassionate communication.”

The medical examiner provided completed reports about two of the inmates: Regis Jackson, who died in February, and Cheryl Driscoll, who died in June. Jackson’s death was deemed natural, caused by blood clots. Driscoll’s death was caused by fentanyl and cocaine toxicity and was ruled accidental.

Driscoll was arrested on June 13. Upon intake, she tested positive for cocaine and marijuana. Early the next morning, she complained of nausea, vomiting, and increased agitation. She later became unresponsive in her cell and was transported to the hospital. She was pronounced dead on arrival.

The report doesn’t indicate if she took fentanyl before or after she was booked into jail.

There were four deaths in 2024 and four in 2023, a decline from 2022 when nine inmates died, the most in a decade. In 2023, Decaturish published a lengthy investigative story about deaths at the jail in 2022. Several of the inmates who died in 2022 had a history of mental illness, records show.

In 2023, the sheriff hired a new medical services provider for the jail, Armor Health of Miami, replacing Wellpath and Centurion, contractors named in a lawsuit filed by the family of Anthony Walker, an inmate who froze to death in the jail. Armor Health is still the jail’s medical services provider, a spokesperson said.

In addition to switching contractors, the jail changed its policy regarding accepting inmates with potential medical issues. At a DeKalb County Chiefs’ Association meeting on March 13, 2024, Sheriff Melody Maddox announced that people who are arrested are not inmates until they are booked in the county jail and that if someone arrested is injured, they must be medically cleared before the jail will accept them.

Sara Amis contributed to this report.

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DEKALB COUNTY JAIL/PROVIDED

Sheriff Melody Maddox runs the DeKalb County Jail, located on Memorial Drive in Greater Decatur.

From diner to interstate icon

Waffle House marks 70 years

By DEAN HESSE dean@appenmedia.com

AVONDALE ESTATES, Ga. — Waffle House celebrated its 70th anniversary on Sept. 6 with free waffles and a look back at how a neighborhood diner became an American institution during an open house at the Waffle House Museum.

"Today's event is all about supporting the community and celebrating our 70th anniversary," said Bud Whitmire, vice president of corporate affairs for Waffle House.

The Waffle House story began on Labor Day weekend in 1955, when neighbors Joe Rogers Sr. and Tom Forkner opened the first Waffle House at 2719 E. College Ave. in Avondale Estates. Their vision was straightforward: create "a good, neighborhood-friendly restaurant that folks could enjoy 24 hours a day," Whitmire said.

That original location, now preserved as the Waffle House Museum and designated as Unit No. 1, has grown into a chain of over 2,000 restaurants in 25 states.

Waffle House's expansion paralleled the development of America's interstate system.

"The highway system kind of grew us," Whitmire noted. "People wanted a good, safe, friendly place to stop on the road, and so we really grew along with the interstate system."

This growth strategy helped establish Waffle House as more than just a restaurant—it became a reliable roadside beacon for travelers.

The chain's commitment to staying open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, led to an unexpected claim to fame: the Waffle House Index, an informal measure used to assess storm damage.

"We're always open, unless there's a really bad storm. But safety is first," Whitmire said. "If we've got people, and we've got power and we've got food, we can serve the community. If we're closed or can't get back open, then it got hit really hard, but we try to be there for the community as quickly as we can. That's one of our signatures."

Behind the Scenes

Visitors to the 70th anniversary celebration learned some insider secrets, including how Waffle House cooks manage orders as they’re called out. The chain uses a unique coding system involving condiment packets and their

Madden Perry, who worked three years at Waffle House and

anniversary celebration at the Waffle House Museum on Sept. 6.

placement on plates to communicate order specifications.

"We've got a kind of coding system on the plates," Whitmire revealed. "You mark the plates with a jelly packet or condiments. Different positions on the plate represent different ways to cook your eggs, how you like your sandwiches and meats cooked, all that sort of stuff."

As for the most popular menu items? Hash browns and waffles remain the crowd favorites, according to Whitmire.

The celebration featured free waffles, including a limited-availability birthday cake waffle, self-guided museum tours and Waffle House merchandise. The Waffle House Museum welcomes visitors through quarterly open houses, with dates posted at wafflehouse.com/museum/ and guided tours on request.

"Thank you to our customers and our community for being loyal to us," Whitmire said. "We appreciate the loyalty, and we're just honored to continue serving for another 70 years, at least."

PHOTOS BY: DEAN HESSE/APPEN MEDIA

has the tattoo to prove it, attends the open house and 70th

From left, Anthony McFarlane, mom Leslie McFarlane and Lauryn McFarlane enjoy free waffles at the Waffle House Museum open house on Sept. 6. Anthony's favorite is the chocolate chip waffle, Leslie's is the pecan waffle and Lauryn likes her waffles plain.

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2025

In its 18th year, the Best of North Atlanta contest has become one of the year’s most exciting corporate events. Top businesses in North Atlanta participate and covet the honor with enthusiasm. This year’s votes were once again record breaking with over 111,000 people voting! Now here is your 2025 list of the Best businesses in North Atlanta, drum roll please...

Presented by

Proud to be North Atlanta’s best credit union

Brought to you by – Georgia’s Own Credit Union

We’re honored to be recognized as the Best of North Atlanta for 2025. As a full-service credit union, our mission goes beyond financial products. We’re dedicated to strengthening our communities and supporting our members, no matter where life takes them.

Since 1934, we’ve made Georgia’s Own a place where Banking on Purpose comes first. Because we’re owned by our members, we offer lower loan rates and fewer and lower fees, which equals huge savings—and more money back in your pocket.

We serve Georgians with financial solutions designed to help them thrive. From flexible auto loans and competitive mortgages to everyday checking and savings options and robust business products, we take pride in being more than just a credit union. Our goal has always been simple: to put people first and provide the tools needed to reach your goals.

Our success is built on relationships— not transactions. That’s why we work to improve what matters for our communities and the people who live in them through our charitable arm, the Georgia’s Own Foundation. We serve by volunteering with organizations that work to empower local youth, fundraising to help address food insecurity, and providing scholarships to support the next generation. We believe that when our community thrives, we all thrive.

This award reflects the passion our team brings daily, plus the support we receive from our members and neighbors. We’re proud to be part of what makes North Atlanta so great. From all of us at Georgia’s Own, thank you for voting us the Best of North Atlanta. We look forward to continuing to serve you with the same dedication, care, and excellence that earned us this recognition.

Experience what makes us the best— visit georgiasown.org to learn more about our lending and savings options or find a branch near you.

Insist on the BEST

Dr. Brent Taylor is a Board-Certified Dermatologist, a Fellowship-Trained Mohs Surgeon, and is certified by the Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine in the field of Vein Care.

He is an expert in skin cancer and melanoma treatment, endovenous laser ablation, minimally invasive vein procedures and cosmetics procedures such as Botox and injectables.

Kathryn is a certified physician assistant with over 23 years experience as a Dermatology PA and cosmetic dermatology.

Her specialties include general dermatology such as acne, eczema, rashes, hair loss, full body skin exams, abnormal growths etc. Kathryn also specializes in cosmetic dermatology including lasers, injectables, micro-needling, PRP, facial peels, sclerotherapy for spider veins and at home skin care.

Accepting new patients. We accept Medicare.

Schedule your appointment with Premier Dermatology today.

Dr. Brent Taylor

Kathryn Fillpek, PA-C

Premier Dermatology – Providing Excellence. Every Patient. Every Time.

Brought to you by – Premier Dermatology

Congratulations to Premier Dermatology and Mohs surgery of Atlanta for its eighth year in a row of being voted Best Dermatologist and Best Vein Specialist of North Atlanta! Since opening in 2017, Premier Dermatology has quickly become the go-to dermatology practice for Mohs surgery and comprehensive dermatologic care. As in years past, I decided to sit down with Dr. Brent Taylor to get his take on his success and to learn a bit more about him.

Alyssa: Hey you two! Thanks for meeting with me again. Winning the Best Dermatologist and Best Vein specialist for seven years in a row means you must be doing something right! To what do you contribute your continued success?

Dr. Taylor: Thank you! Well, I believe that my patients understand our sincerity and our dedication to their healthcare. Kathryn and I and our amazing team all honestly care about our patients and their wellbeing. I hope that that sincerity comes through during our interactions. We always strive to give our patients our complete attention and to learn more about an individual as a person as well as a patient. There are plenty of times when a patient brings something to our attention or when a case compels us to do additional research. Kathryn and I are constantly collaborating and advocating on our patients’ behalf. I believe that comes through.

Kathryn: I agree with everything that Dr. Taylor said, our team really is wonderful. And we have received a lot of compliments that the practice has a personal and “boutique” feel, even as we deliver care that is scientific and academic.

Alyssa: Do you have a patient care moment or a diagnosis of which you are exceptionally proud?

Dr. Taylor: Well it is always our goal to deliver outstanding dermatologic care. Regarding diagnoses that I’m proud of, the first instances that come to mind involve catching a disease that is technically outside my specialty. For example, a patient looked a bit yellow, and I ordered a liver function test and caught acute liver failure. I helped another patient discover that one of his ureters had been accidentally cut during a surgery at the hospital.

Within my own specialty I’m often most proud of how simply being thorough can be critical to a patient’s care. By being thorough, I have caught

melanomas on the scalp and bottom of the feet of patients who were sometimes surprised I asked them to take out a hair tie or take their socks off. Likewise, photography helps us monitor moles for change, and just last month we caught a melanoma early because a slight change from a previous photo prompted an early biopsy.

Alyssa: Is there a funny medical fact that you have learned?

Dr. Taylor: Actually I have a good one! An ENT professor in medical school told us that as men age they lose the ability to hear higher pitch sounds, and, as women age, their voices increase in pitch. Thus, men naturally lose the ability to hear women with time. So the next time your wife accuses you of ignoring her: blame biology, not the football game!

Alyssa: If you could tell your 16 year old self something, what would it be?

Dr. Taylor: To not put too much stock in timelines. I was raised very traditionally, and I thought that I was going to meet my wife in college, get married right after we graduated then start a family a few years later, and it made me worried when I hadn’t met the right person by the time that I expected. My advice to the teenage me would

be to just pour yourself into positive and worthwhile activities and that the result would be becoming who you are supposed to and meeting who you are supposed to all in its own time.

Kathryn: Stop stressing. You’ll make it happen. I was so focused on my future, worrying about not achieving my goals, and how I was going to put myself through school that I didn’t stop to enjoy being 16. In hindsight, I realize that having a bit more faith would have gotten me to the same endpoint without all of the pressure I put on myself.

Alyssa: Do you have a pet peeve of which patients or staff are guilty?

Dr. Taylor: I really don’t get frustrated easily. I understand that everyone has a life and everyone’s lives have struggles about which we often know little. If someone is being rude, I usually chalk it up to unseen struggles. That being said, I do wish that certain patients would realize what a marvel Mohs surgery really is. My primary pet peeve is patients mistreating my coworkers. Sometimes, patients get frustrated waiting on their tissue to process during a day of Mohs surgery. And they sometimes take it out on my medical assistants, who are wonderful and caring and are in healthcare for the

right reasons.

There is a comedian who has a bit on youtube called “everything’s amazing and nobody’s happy.” He talks about how upset people get on airplanes when just a few hundred years ago a trip across the country was like the videogame Oregon Trail – the journey took months, and half of the wagon party died of cholera on the way. Like air travel, skin cancer treatment nowadays is miraculous. Prior to Mohs surgery, far more skin cancers routinely caused disfigurement and even death. Now, Mohs surgery offers a cure rate of 99% for most skin cancers, and the aesthetic results are often outstanding. Modern skin cancer care truly is fantastic. Unfortunately, the same day shipping world in which we live has made people expect immediate results, and they sometimes take out their frustrations on my coworkers. The world can always use a little more kindness, patience and grace.

Thank you to Dr. Brent Taylor and Kathryn Filipek PA-C for sharing a little more about themselves and congratulations again for winning both Best Dermatologist and Best Vein Specialist in North Atlanta for 2025!

A firm commitment to personalized service

Brought to you by - Spaulding Injury Law

At Spaulding Injury Law, we are driven by our commitment to you, your family, and your future. We want to help you make the best decisions regarding your personal injury or car accident case. And when you leave our office, we want you to feel relieved that your case

is in the right hands. In every case, we base our advice on what we would tell our own family members if they were in your shoes. Our attorneys understand the stress you are under just dealing with a serious injury. That’s why we handle every aspect of your legal claim from start to finish. Once you trust your case to us, the only thing you should be focused on is your recovery.

Deeply honored

Brought to you by - Atlantic Institute

The Atlantic Institute is deeply honored to have been named the 2025 Best Nonprofit in Appen Media’s Best of North Atlanta Awards, after also receiving this recognition twice in previous years. With branches in Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, and South Carolina, we are humbled by this continued support and grateful to our community, partners, and friends who inspire and uplift our purpose in serving the Southeast by building bridges of kindness and understanding. The Institute has also received a commendation resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives, recognizing its dedication to fostering conversation, mutual understanding, and peaceful coexistence through multifaith, multicultural, and educational programs designed to build connections across communities.

At the Atlantic Institute, we believe in the power of dialogue, compassion, and service to create bridges that unite. Last year, the Institute organized over 60 programs in partnership with more than

200 organizations. Our initiatives included international exchange and cultural trips, lecture series with distinguished speakers, friendship gatherings, multi-cultural programs, annual dinners, community service projects, and multi-faith educational programs. Each gathering nurtured shared values and meaningful understanding. This recognition is an honor and celebration of the values that guide us to a future together inspired by understanding and kindness.

Cultivating Lifestyles and Curating Homes.

Brought

to you by –

Kat Nelson Designs Inc.

North Atlanta-based interior designer Kat Nelson believes every space should reflect the spirit of it’s inhabitants. Nelson brings visions of beauty, comfort, and functionality into homes across the city and beyond, earning her a reputation as an industry visionary.

What sets Kat apart is her diverse design style and ability to bring any vision to life. She stands by the importance of meeting every clients’ individual needs and continues to create stunning, yet functional homes.

“The best part of my work is when clients tell me they don’t want to leave their home”, says Kat Nelson For the last two decades, Kat has been rising as one of Atlanta’s top designers. Her collaborative approach, combined with philosophy on design, allows her to step into nearly any space and create a look and style that completely reflects her clients’ lifestyles. And while it might sound counterintuitive, Kat says she works extra hard to make sure her spaces never look like a designer decorated them. “Beautiful design is collected, not fixed”, she says.

From performance fabrics that invite a “put your feet up” aesthetic, to one-ofa-kind touches that add a head-turning wow factor to every space, Kat has brought a new depth and dimension to the idea of functional beauty. “I know that functional is a huge buzzword in the design community right now, but if a space isn’t beautiful and comfortable, then you can’t enjoy living in it”, she says. “Anyone can create a pretty room. But we want you to experience a level of design that empowers you to live better lives. We want you to walk in and feel HOME”

As a child, part of a military family we lived around and traveled the world. I have seen firsthand many of the beautiful places this world has to offer

and naturally drawn to beautiful things. I was always putting things together uniquely. It took me a while to realize this was actually my gift. I bring this passion and love of beauty into every one of my design projects, blending beautiful layered textures, a variety of finishes with eclectic and unexpected twists.

“The best part of my work is when clients tell me they don’t want to leave their home”, says Kat Nelson

Kat Nelson Designs has over 19 years of experience as a full-service design firm, based in Atlanta Georgia. Our projects exist from West to East coast with many repeat clients.

www.katnelsondesigns.com

“Our projects include new construction, major renovations and interior design. Establishing a professional team of resources and relationships with contractors and vendors always ensures the best results. Kat’s strength is her ability to interpret her client’s vision and discern their

Home Helpers of North Atlanta Voted Best Home Care for Seniors for the Ninth Time!

Brought to you by – Home Helpers of Alpharetta and North Atlanta Suburbs

Home Helpers of Alpharetta and North Atlanta Suburbs says thank you to our clients, their families and our community for recognizing our commitment to providing exceptional in-home care for the ninth consecutive year.

“It’s been so rewarding to see how skilled, heart centered caregiving can move your best quality of life forward” say Hilary and Greg Eldridge. “ Since we started over fourteen years ago, we’ve been committed to raise the bar for in-home care. Listening to the input of our clients continuously inspires us to find new ways to adapt to their unique needs as we share their journey through ongoing care changes.”

The most recent surveys show that an increasing number of adults over age 65, between 88% and 92%, want to age in place in the comfort of home. Having control over their daily routines, activities and lifestyle choices in a familiar environment provides a wonderful sense of confidence and emotional well being. The ease of family involvement, tailored personalized support, and companionship from a well matched caregiver provide a boost to morale and maintains connections with friends and their community.

In-home care has the unique ability to provide what you need, when you need it – without having to wait. You start at a level that’s right for you that can change when life poses unexpected challenges. You never have to fit into a set plan of services. When the basic

activities of daily living get more difficult to navigate for your older loved one, or specialized care is needed for Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s support, a skilled, heartcentered caregiver can manage daily personal care, help around the house and help make each day the best it can be. After surgery, round the clock care for those first few days home is critical and can be revised as you improve. After an extended hospital stay or recuperation after a stroke, in-home care can be the key to a speedier recovery. When home is in an assisted living community, in-home care can provide a bridge that provides immediate response to your care needs and the flexibility to remain in the setting and with the friends and lifestyle you want. Whether it’s due to an increased fall risk, changing health condition

or recuperation from a procedure, a dedicated caregiver can get you through unexpected times.

We can also assist if your loved one is a Veteran who may be eligible for Aid and Attendance or Community Care programs. When your loved one has a Long Term Care Policy we can handle the reporting you need to realize the benefits of a policy you’ve carefully paid for over the years.

“I saw the difference personalized service made for my Dad and always strive to provide the kind of care he’d be proud to have inspired” says Hilary. We’re here to help, from six hours a day, several days a week to 24/7 care. For a free consultation, please call Home Helpers of Alpharetta and North Atlanta Suburbs at (770) 6810323.

Why a turnkey, one-stop shop is essential for your bath or kitchen remodel

you

When it comes to remodeling your kitchen or bathroom, the process can quickly become overwhelming. From creating ideas and solutions, and selecting materials to finding contractors for plumbing, electrical work, and installation, managing multiple vendors and services can be stressful.

Remodeling projects start with a vision but bringing that vision to life requires expertise. An in-house design team needs to work closely with you to create a customized plan that reflects your personal style, and preferences, and stays within your budget—offering

services like 3D renderings, so you can visualize your space before any work begins. With expert guidance every step of the way, you can be confident your project is set up for success. Coordinating multiple contractors— plumbers, electricians, tile installers, and more—can be time-consuming and frustrating. With a turnkey remodeler, you get full-service project management, to handle every aspect of the renovation. Having a team to ensure that the design, material selection, scheduling, and installation are all aligned to create a smooth, stress-free experience is key. You don’t have to worry about chasing contractors or keeping up with timelines—it will be done all for you.

One of the biggest advantages of working with a one-stop shop is the convenience of having everything you need in one place. A great showroom should be filled with an extensive selection of cabinetry in a variety of styles and finishes, plumbing fixtures from top brands, countertops including granite, quartz, marble, and more, tile for floors and backsplashes, and hardware to complete your design.

Rather than running around town searching for materials, you can explore all your options under one roof, with our team guiding you through each choice.

Choosing a turnkey, one-stop-shop remodeler like Bath & Kitchen Galleria means more than just convenience—it

means a smoother, more enjoyable remodeling experience with expert guidance, seamless coordination, and a wide selection of top-quality products to choose from while staying in your budget.

Whether you’re transforming your bathroom or remodeling your kitchen, Bath & Kitchen Galleria is here to handle every detail, so you can sit back and enjoy the results! For more information visit Bath & Kitchen Galleria’s showroom at 10591 Old Alabama Rd Connector in Alpharetta (no appointment needed) M-F, 9-5 and Saturday, 10-4, or call them at 678-4592292 or visit BathandKitchenGalleria. com to schedule an appointment online.

Brought to

by – Bath and Kitchen Galleria

Tune-Up Projects

Kitchen Tune-Up

Paint Cabinets

New Countertops, Sink & Faucet

New Backsplash

Cut Down 2-level

Island

Bathroom Tune-Up

New Countertops, Sink & Faucet

Enlarge Shower

Shower Glass

Shower Safety

Full Remodel Projects

Kitchen Remodel

Total Cabinet Replacement

Large Island

Optimize Cabinet / Appliance Locations

Open Concept –Move Walls

9-5 Mon-Fri • 10-4 Sat

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Bathroom Remodel

New Larger Shower

Vanity Replacement –Cabs, Counter, Sink

Free Standing Tub

Floor Tile, Wall Tile

Plumbing Fixtures

Brought to you by – Mobility Plus Alpharetta

Mobility Plus Alpharetta is humbled by earning a top spot in the Best of North Atlanta rankings during its’ third year in operation!

This family-owned small business, owned by Scott and Mary Block of Alpharetta offers a customer-focused experience for those needing powered or manual wheelchairs, mobility scooters, stairlifts, lift recliners, walkers, portable and modular ramp systems or home health items.

Mary, a former Fulton County teacher, was led to working with seniors after caring for her father. She quickly realized how difficult it was to find informational resources, products and support services. When seeking a professional change, she wanted to address some of the deficits that she had previously encountered by offering as many products as possible under one roof, and by serving as a community educational resource.

The Blocks partner with local experts like move managers, senior living placement specialists, and occupational therapists to be as informed as possible about the variety of needs that their customers have. They host lunch and learns in their 3500 sq. ft. Space on a variety of topics once a quarter. “No one that comes in for a wheelchair, stairlift, or ramp, needs just that one item. Our customers are seniors, children supporting aging parents, or those living with chronic degenerative diseases. There are always other needs besides a product purchase” says Mary.

They look forward to serving the North Atlanta community for many years to come and are so grateful for your votes, and support!

Mobility Plus Alpharetta 4020 Nine McFarland Drive Alpharetta, GA 30004

470-545-1827

Mon-Fri. 10:00am-5:00pm Sat. 9:001:00pm www.mobilityplus.com/alpharettaGA

Divided:

Continued from Page 1

The commission held a public hearing in April and deferred the item for 30 days at the time. Since then, the legislation has been held in the Planning, Economic Development, and Community Services Committee.

Spears said that in addition to adjusting the square footage, the amendment would allow smaller homes to be built by right, and wouldn’t place requirements on sales or rent prices.

DeKalb County resident Larry Lowe lives in a 1,000-square-foot house built in 1950. He said that reducing the minimum square footage would help alleviate some of the financial burden of expanding a home.

Thomas Billups, a representative of the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association and president of Billups Homes Inc., develops affordable housing.

He has worked on projects with Habitat for Humanity in DeKalb and Rockdale counties and the Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership. He has built homes ranging from 1,100 to 1,600 square feet.

“The prices and the costs that you see before you don’t really qualify as affordable anymore,” Billups said. “Continuing along these lines of requiring 1,600 square feet or more continues to prohibit us from building anything affordable.”

Recently, he had a 1,600-square-foot home sell in Stone Mountain, which required

Dropbox:

Continued from Page 1

“Out of an abundance of caution, we want to make that change to comply with the law, but if it reaches above 500,000 before early voting starts, then we’ll add that drop box back to this location,” Smith said.

The number of active voters is still below 500,000 as of Sept. 15. In other business at the Sept. 10 meeting:

• The Elections Board disqualified a candidate running for the Doraville City Council.

Abu Zahed was running for District 1, Post 3 against incumbent Warren Simmons. Simmons challenged Zahed’s candidacy due to his residency. Candidates must live in the city for at least one year to run for office. Zahed has lived within the city limits for about 11 months.

He lives in an area that was annexed into Doraville as of Dec. 1, 2024. However, to qualify for the City Council, he would have had to have lived in the city since Nov. 4, 2024.

• The VRE office has to process 2,315 voter registration applications. Of those, 1,615 come from driver services, one was online and 699 are handwritten applications.

• Over the summer, about 58,000 DeKalb County residents received voter verification notices, known as “No Contact” and

a variance to be in line with the existing houses in that neighborhood.

“It’s extremely frustrating as a developer to have to come and ask to build what you see driving down the street in these neighborhoods where we’re building and developing,” Billups said. “We’re asking that we be allowed to build sensibly where we are building.”

Hassle not worth it

Billups later said that it’s not worth asking for a variance in some cases when the approval process takes several months.

In total, the county has received two variance applications in the past five years to reduce the minimum square footage.

Commissioner Ted Terry said the ordinance provides flexibility.

“It’s not a broad stroke. It’s a scalpel to get into the areas that are distressed, that have abandoned lots,” Terry said. “What this ordinance is doing is allowing a very narrow slice of certain types of lots to not have to go through the variance process. It could simply go through the administrative process.”

Some commissioners had concerns about a blanket approval and whether this change would lead to more affordable housing.

“I know that once that’s approved, I know that I’m going to have a lot of neighborhoods coming to me saying ‘why did y’all approve that,’” Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson said.

She asked whether affordability requirements could be added to the zoning changes,

NGE (No Activity for Two General Election Cycles) mailers, as part of statewide voter list maintenance.

According to a news release, the Georgia secretary of state’s office sent the notices to help ensure accurate and up-to-date voter rolls.

The “No Contact” mailer, which was distributed in July, is sent to voters who have had no contact with their county elections office for at least five years. The NGE mailer is sent to voters who have remained in “Inactive” status for two consecutive general election cycles.

In DeKalb County, 15,081 voters received the “No Contact” mailer, and 402 responded and remained in active status. About 14,522 did not respond and became inactive.

About 42,300 voters received the NGE notices. Of those, 197 responded and were returned to active status, but 42,119 voters did not respond and their registrations were cancelled.

“Cross State” notices and “National Change of Address” notices have also been sent out to about 23,000 voters.

“Voters who receive those notices can respond by returning the notice, updating their information on the My Voter Page, or submitting a registration application,” Smith said.

To check your voter registration status, visit https://mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/.

and County Attorney William Linkous said the Law Department can look into it. She was concerned about smaller homes being sold at market rate.

“That’s my major concern, that you’re trying to hoodwink us,” Davis Johnson said. “Just tell us what you’re trying to do. If it’s market value, tell us it’s market value. But don’t come in front of us … and use folk to try to present that this is affordable housing.”

Variance process

Going through the variance process also requires public hearings, which Deputy Presiding Officer Nicole Massiah said is important.

The variance process requires an applicant to submit a site plan and letter of intent, have a public hearing with the zoning board, and show that strict enforcement of the zoning code would create an undue hardship.

“There’s a process for a reason. It’s not about inconvenience,” Massiah said. “They have to show that there’s an undue hardship and that they can’t meet the existing conditions and standards.”

She said that without a public hearing, residents may not be notified of a new development nor have the opportunity to give input.

“The neighbors deserve to know whether or not that change…will not have a detrimental impact on the surrounding properties or for public welfare,” Massiah said.

Terry said that he’s not worried about luxury home builders taking advantage of

the ordinance due to low profit margins with building smaller homes.

“None of the luxury home builders are asking for this ordinance change,” he said.

Commissioner LaDena Bolton suggested the process be more of an administrative process rather than a variance. Zoning Administrator Rachel Bragg noted that staff proposed the process be an administrative variance.

Administrative solution

According to a draft ordinance dated July 18, the planning director could reduce the minimum unit size by up to 40 percent for new construction, expansion, or renovation of single-family homes zoned R-75 and R-85.

The administrative waiver could only be considered if a project “contributes to the development or preservation of housing that is affordable to income-eligible households who earn greater than 60 percent and up to 120 percent” of the area median income. It could also be considered if the proposed unit size complies with building codes, and “facilitates a broader range of housing options to meet diverse household needs in the community,” the draft says.

Bolton encouraged the commission to consider the staff’s proposal. Billups said, while responding to a question, that the Home Builders Association would support an administrative waiver.

“I think that it would help, and I think that it would be somewhat of a stopgap while we’re doing the entire zoning rewrite,” Billups said.

SOLUTIONS

Redistrict:

Continued from Page 1

“Financially, the math isn’t connecting with the need,” Smith said.

She said it would be “completely irresponsible” to continue operating with such a high number of open seats, and the district is adjusting. This enrollment decline is not just affecting DeKalb County Schools.

Student enrollment has been on the decline nationwide due to a variety of

In 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the U.S. birth rate hit an all-time low, with women having fewer than 1.6 children in their lifetime, down from 2.1 in 2007, just before the number started to decline.

Smith said during a recent Student Assignment Project meeting that housing affordability could be another cause of the enrollment decline, with some families leaving the Atlanta area for more affordable

The declining enrollment has left many school districts scrambling to “right-size” their district to run efficiently.

Atlanta Public Schools just released a Comprehensive Long Range Facilities Plan that looks to balance the district’s population and align enrollment to building capacity. Currently, APS operates for 70,000 students, but only 50,000 are enrolled, according to an APS video on possible future scenarios.

DeKalb County Schools are in a similar

State of the facilities

During the DeKalb School Board’s Sept. 8 meeting, a state of the facilities presentation that broke down schoolby-school data — including capacity, enrollment and building condition — had DeKalb School Board members eager to do

The data is an introduction to a dashboard created by a third-party vendor, HPM. DeKalb Schools began working with the company earlier this year. HPM helped Atlanta Schools craft its redistricting plans.

This dashboard, which is being released to the public in the coming weeks, shows that the DeKalb County School District projects an enrollment decline of approximately 4,000 students over the next decade.

The report showed the capacity of each school and found a distinct correlation between northern high schools being at or

DEATH NOTICES

David Greene, 67, of Roswell, passed away on September 6, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

above capacity. Schools in the southern area are mostly below capacity.

The report includes a chart showing the size of each school and its capacity. There are 22 elementary schools, nine middle schools and nine high schools with a capacity utilization of under 70 percent under this metric.

Another chart displays each school’s Facility Condition Assessment score, which is the inverse of the building’s Facility Condition Index score. The score is calculated by dividing the cost of repairs by the theoretical cost to replace a facility.

Currently, no facilities are labeled as “critical” category, but several appear in the “poor” category, and by 2030, a majority of facilities will be in that metric.

The HPM dashboard will be a key element to the Student Assignment Plan’s decision-making, Smith said. Everyone, from board members to the SAP Committee members, wants more data.

DeKalb County Schools Chief Operations Officer Erick Hofstetter said that HPM has been doing the district’s facility conditions assessments since March.

Hofstetter said that with the amount of data collected, people could start playing “armchair quarterbacks” on what they think would be best for the district, but moving forward will take buy-in from everyone.

“There are a million combinations and what we have to do is just get to what is the one we can all support,” Hofstetter said.

Even if some schools close, Hofstetter said that the buildings will remain and could be converted into a career academy or a pathway school. Some schools could end up merging, depending on the recommendations.

“I really look forward to the innovation and collaborative ideas that hopefully the SAP process will help reveal,” Hofstetter said.

The SAP Committee

The Student Assignment Plan will change the district’s attendance boundaries, building uses and school programs, including school choice, based on the latest data and projections. School choice allows parents to attend schools outside their school zone if space is available. The committee, made up of community members, has been meeting monthly for nearly a year.

Originally split into four different committees that focused more on their respective areas, all members have begun meeting as a whole through virtual meetings, including one held Sept. 10.

SAP Committee member Sonja Szubski has been on the committee since it began and knows that the process will be challenging.

“I signed up for this knowing that it was going to be difficult and not well-liked and not well-received, but I also felt like I would be contributing to something good within our community,” Szubski said.

She is confident the committee will be able to unite and help lead the bigger group and get everyone’s input, even though some people are quieter than others.

“It’s going to be a little bit more unwieldy when it comes to being able to express ourselves directly, or anything like that,” Szubski said. “Some people who tend to be more outspoken are going to be the ones who speak the most, but I trust Smith.”

No specific school closings have been discussed during these meetings, but the committee will create guiding principles before evaluating the schools so they can make decisions with less emotional attachment to individual areas.

Szubski said that due to the “ebb and flow” of the district, this change was past due, even though it could affect her own school zone.

“Redistricting specifically is something that should have been done over a decade ago, and in my opinion, done consistently…” Szubski said. “It’s something that has to happen, because what we currently have in the DeKalb County School District is not sustainable.”

While the data will be important to begin the discussions, Smith is hoping for as much community feedback as possible.

“We want to be able to think through this process, not just straight off of data and the facts that we have, and then take that back, and bring that humanistic piece to it,” Smith said. “What are we missing? What did we not consider?”

Smith foresees these changes will upset some residents who will take the recommendations personally.

“We can do everything right on the back end. It is still going to be a storm,” Smith said during the Sept. 10 school board meeting.

Change will not happen overnight.

Once the board approves the committee’s recommendations, it may take five to 10 years to come to fruition, Hofstetter said.

Editor’s note: All school redistricting updates can be found at this website: www. dekalbschoolsga.org/divisions/access-andopportunity/student-assignment/sap.

Alan McDonald, 80, of Alpharetta, passed away on September 14, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Bruce Taylor, 88, of Roswell, passed away on September 9, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Bilingual (English / Spanish) Donor Operations Supervisor

Administrative and HR Coordinator

The Administrative & HR Coordinator provides comprehensive administrative support to the President and essential human resources functions to the Vice President of People and Culture. This dual role combines executive administrative duties including board meeting preparation, correspondence management, and event coordination with HR responsibilities such as recruitment support, benefits administration, and employee record maintenance.

The Bilingual (English / Spanish) Donor Operations Supervisor (Full-time) manages the donation door process and delegates tasks to staff, volunteers, and community service workers. As the face of NFCC, they provide excellent customer service while greeting donors and ensuring donations are properly removed from vehicles and sorted in designated areas. They are responsible for maintaining the security of merchandise and keeping all areas clean and organized.

The Administrative & HR Coordinator takes initiative, can multi-task and remain very organized. The role requires exceptional organizational skills, discretion with confidential information, and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.

The Supervisor must be able to lift up to 75lb frequently and be on their feet most of their shift. They must enjoy staying busy, training and influencing others to work as a team in a professional manner. Must have the ability to work Tuesday through Saturday 9am – 5pm. An extraordinary Total Rewards Package is included with this opportunity!

If you have a bachelor’s degree in business administration, human resources or another relevant field, at least two years of administrative experience and enjoy project management and coordination, we’d love to hear from you!

Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org

If this sounds like the role for you, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org

Bilingual (English / Spanish) Donor Operations Supervisor

The Bilingual (English / Spanish) Donor Operations Supervisor (Full-time) manages the donation door process and delegates tasks to staff, volunteers, and community service workers. As the face of NFCC, they provide excellent customer service while greeting donors and ensuring donations are properly removed from vehicles and sorted in designated areas. They are responsible for maintaining the security of merchandise and keeping all areas clean and organized.

The Supervisor must be able to lift up to 75lb frequently and be on their feet most of their shift. They must enjoy staying busy, training and influencing others to work as a team in a professional manner. Must have the ability to work Tuesday through Saturday 9am – 5pm. An extraordinary Total Rewards Package is included with this opportunity!

If this sounds like the role for you, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org

Education Manager

Bilingual (English / Spanish) Donor Operations Supervisor

The Education Manager is responsible for coordinating the educational activities ranging from formal classroom to on-line programs, and workshops. Programming includes ESL, GED, Workforce Development and Financial Support events for families working toward financial stability. The Education Manager supervises NFCC team members within the program department including the Sr. Education Specialist, Workforce Development Coordinator and contract ESL Instructors.

The Bilingual (English / Spanish) Donor Operations Supervisor (Full-time) manages the donation door process and delegates tasks to staff, volunteers, and community service workers. As the face of NFCC, they provide excellent customer service while greeting donors and ensuring donations are properly removed from vehicles and sorted in designated areas. They are responsible for maintaining the security of merchandise and keeping all areas clean and organized.

If you have a bachelor’s degree in Adult Education or other relevant field and 3 years’ experience in a non-profit program manager role or other relevant experience, we’d love to hear from you.

Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org

The Supervisor must be able to lift up to 75lb frequently and be on their feet most of their shift. They must enjoy staying busy, training and influencing others to work as a team in a professional manner. Must have the ability to work Tuesday through Saturday 9am – 5pm. An extraordinary Total Rewards Package is included with this opportunity!

Truck Driver

Bilingual (English / Spanish) Donor Operations Supervisor

NFCC is seeking a Truck Driver (Donor Operations Services Associate II) to join our Facilities team. Our Truck Driver collects scheduled donations from businesses, residential locations, and special events while serving as a key point of contact for donors to coordinate pickup appointments. As the face of NFCC during donor interactions, this role requires maintaining a professional and a welcoming presence that reflects the organization’s values. Additionally, this position contributes to facility maintenance operations as needed.

The Bilingual (English / Spanish) Donor Operations Supervisor (Full-time) manages the donation door process and delegates tasks to staff, volunteers, and community service workers. As the face of NFCC, they provide excellent customer service while greeting donors and ensuring donations are properly removed from vehicles and sorted in designated areas. They are responsible for maintaining the security of merchandise and keeping all areas clean and organized.

The Truck Driver works Monday through Friday 9am – 2pm and periodically on Saturdays or Sundays for special events.

If you have 1-2 years of Box Truck delivery experience, maintain a valid Ga Driver’s License free of any traffic violations for the past 3 years and enjoy providing excellent customer service, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org

ESL Contractor Instructor (Evening)

Bilingual (English / Spanish) Donor Operations Supervisor

NFCC is seeking an Evening ESL Contractor Instructor to teach English classes through our Adult Education program, serving students throughout North Fulton and surrounding counties. Our ESL Program runs three sessions annually, with comprehensive lessons covering speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills, along with regular assessments to track student progress.

The Bilingual (English / Spanish) Donor Operations Supervisor (Full-time) manages the donation door process and delegates tasks to staff, volunteers, and community service workers. As the face of NFCC, they provide excellent customer service while greeting donors and ensuring donations are properly removed from vehicles and sorted in designated areas. They are responsible for maintaining the security of merchandise and keeping all areas clean and organized.

place a classified ad, email classifieds@appenmedia.com. Deadline is Thursdays by 3pm.

If this sounds like the role for you, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org

Sr. Embedded Engineer to Dsgn, devlp & verify FW/SW solutions for Med Dev focus on Emb Sys for Cls II &III Products. Devlp emb FW for ARM based microcontrollers & Emb Linux platform and implmnt GUI apps for device ctrl, diagnstcs, & UI. Implmnt actuator cntrl algrthms for stepper/servo motors & hydr actuation sys and Devlp comm interfaces via I2C, SPI, UART, CAN for intg w/ sensors, ctrl brds, & extrnl sys. Manage/trck of sys/SW reqs us’ng Jama (Req MGMT Tool) & Polarion. Tools: C, C++, Phython, ARM-based microcontrollers, Emb Linux, I2C, SPI, UART, CAN, stepper/servo motors, hydr actuators, Jama connect, Polarion. Sr. Quality Engineer to Investigat’g, plng & impl medical prdt improv & Eval critical qlty mnftr procs directly affect patient safety & prdt qlty. Reduce defects of cl’nts devices, create qlty prdt neatly. Writing, execut’g physical, chem test meth’d protocols. Use qlty policies like EU MDR, 21CFR820 set forth by FDA, reply to cust cmpnts., perf. audits, dvlp test methods, validat’n etc. Travel in the cntxt of reloc may be required at least 1-2 times/yr based on clients’ needs. Apply with 2 copies of resume to HR ValidIT Solutions LLC, 8737 Dunwoody Pl Unit 4, Atlanta, GA 30350

The Supervisor must be able to lift up to 75lb frequently and be on their feet most of their shift. They must enjoy staying busy, training and influencing others to work as a team in a professional manner. Must have the ability to work Tuesday through Saturday 9am – 5pm. An extraordinary Total Rewards Package is included with this opportunity!

If this sounds like the role for you, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to

We’re looking for an instructor who is available to teach evening classes. The ideal candidate will be committed to maintaining strong enrollment of at least ten students per class and who can create an engaging learning environment that supports adult learners in achieving their English language goals.

If you have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in TESL, TESOL, English with a TESL certificate, linguistics or applied linguistics with a TESL certificate, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org

The Supervisor must be able to lift up to 75lb frequently and be on their feet most of their shift. They must enjoy staying busy, training and influencing others to work as a team in a professional manner. Must have the ability to work Tuesday through Saturday 9am – 5pm. An extraordinary Total Rewards Package is included with this opportunity!

If this sounds like the role for you, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org