Forsyth Herald — May 14, 2020

M ay 1 4 , 2 0 2 0 | N o r t h F u l t o n . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 2 3 , N o . 2 0

County launches probe into release of emails ► PAGE 2

Georgia businesses flock to loan program ► PAGE 10

A note to our readers

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Two shoppers don facemasks while walking around Halcyon Friday afternoon. Many of the businesses inside the mixed-use development that locked their doors weeks ago are now reopening with new procedures and altered hours. Read more, Page 11

Appen Media Group and the Herald newspapers are committed to providing our readers with the latest information to keep them safe and aware during the coronavirus pandemic.

Our staff is working overtime to provide the latest updates from state and local governments who make decisions that impact our lives. We are also tracking the impact of the crisis on our schools, our businesses and our quality of life.

While the information in this publication is timely when printed, the pandemic is evolving rapidly.

For the most up to date information, visit our special COVID-19 online section at northfulton.com/ special/coronavirus which is being updated daily.

With a focus on your neighborhood like no other news service, we strive to deliver the most relevant information to our readers.

NEWS

2 | May 14, 2020 | NorthFulton.com

Forsyth County launches investigation into document release Probe centers around release of official’s email account

770-442-3278 | ForsythHerald.com 319 N. Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009 PUBLISHER EMERITUS: Ray Appen PUBLISHER: Hans Appen MANAGING EDITOR: Patrick Fox EDITORIAL QUESTIONS: Alpharetta-Roswell Herald: Alpharetta: ext. 118, Roswell ext. 122 Dunwoody Crier: ext. 143 Forsyth Herald: ext. 118 Johns Creek Herald: ext. 123 Milton Herald: ext. 139 Northside Woman: ext. 128 Calendar: ext. 122 TO SUBMIT EDITORIAL: News/Press Releases: NorthFulton.com/Sponsored Calendar/Events: NorthFulton.com/Calendar ADVERTISING QUESTIONS: General Advertising: ext. 100 advertising@appenmediagroup.com Classified Advertising: ext. 119 classifieds@appenmediagroup.com Circulation/Subscriptions/Delivery: ext. 100 circulation@appenmediagroup.com OUR PUBLICATIONS: Alpharetta-Roswell Herald: 28,000 circulation Johns Creek Herald: 20,000 circulation Dunwoody Crier: 18,000 circulation Forsyth Herald: 17,000 circulation Milton Herald: 10,000 circulation Answer Book: 40,000 circulation Northside Woman: 18,000 circulation

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By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com METRO ATLANTA, Ga. — Forsyth County has launched an investigation into an incident in which a member of the county commission allegedly secured electronic information, including emails, from another commissioner without their knowledge.

In a 5-0 vote May 7, the Board of Commissioners agreed to hire an outside counsel to lead the probe. The discussion did not include the names of the commissioners involved in the incident.

Commission Chairwoman Laura Semanson said she recently learned of the incident in which email, email addresses and possibly other information relating to one commissioner had been requested by and turned over to another commissioner. The incident occurred, she said, without the recipient of the information

going through the normal Open Records Request protocols.

Some of the information released, Semanson said, included private email addresses that would have been redacted in the normal Open Records process before the documents were released.

“We would like to get to the bottom of that and find out what that potential breach of information included, how it occurred — if it did in fact occur — and what was done with the information,” Semanson said.

The commissioners approved $20,000 in funding for the investigation.

County Attorney Ken Jarrard said he could not participate in the investigation because of a conflict of interest.

“I am conflicted,” he said. “I represent each one of you, and therefore, I will not be able to participate in this.”

Earlier in the same meeting, commissioners approved a policy clearly

stating that any elected county official or county employee who seeks to review the records or communication of an elected county official is required to follow protocols laid out in the Open Records Act. Once the request has been made, the policy reads, to do so, and upon receipt of the Open Records Act Request, the official whose records are being sought shall be promptly notified.

During discussion of the item, Commissioner Molly Cooper asked the county attorney whether it constituted a crime for an elected official to circumvent the Open Records Act to obtain information.

Jarrard said he could not provide a clear answer to the question.

“I will say that this policy speaks to law with respect to getting communications, even if they’re public documents, that involve board members,” he said.

“This is the policy that this county has adhered to and will adhere to in the future.”

Delta Community Credit Union to open Forsyth County branch FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Delta Community Credit Union will open its first Forsyth County branch later this year.

The branch will be located at 445 Peachtree Parkway at a former Regions Bank branch building that includes three drive-thru lanes and two ATMs. Delta says 3,000 members live within 5 miles of the site, which is slated to open in the fourth quarter of 2020.

The branch will provide full-service banking for members, and staff will include loan officers and retirement and investment professionals.

“Choosing Cumming for our newest location reflects our continued commitment to expansion in metro Atlanta, and we look forward to serving our

members who live and work there with additional convenience,” said Hank Halter, chief executive officer of Delta Community. “We are also excited to be able to welcome other Forsyth County residents and businesses as new mem-

bers so that they, too, can enjoy the benefits and superior service of Delta Community.”

The Forsyth County location will be Delta’s 27th branch in metro Atlanta and 30th nationwide.

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Local hospitals worried over delays in seeking emergency treatment

By JULIA GROCHOWSKI julia@appenmediagroup.com NORTH METRO ATLANTA, Ga. — A new trend born out of COVID-19 anxieties has been popping up recently that has some medical professionals worried: delays in seeking treatment during a health crisis.

Dr. Hunt Anderson, cardiologist with WellStar Health System, says he has seen the issue arise firsthand.

While hospitals at first asked people with non-urgent issues to stay home when the pandemic was first unfolding, that is no longer the case.

“When the pandemic was first announced and we saw our first cases in the U.S. and Georgia, health systems like ours felt that it was important to try and reduce the number of people coming to emergency departments with non-urgent medical issues,” Anderson said. “As the patient influx has currently stabilized, we believe that people are worried about contracting COVID-19 if they need to go to an emergency department. There also may be people in our communities who think that we are only treating COVIDpositive patients or that our facilities are closed for other emergencies, which is not accurate.”

In fact, he said, WellStar is open.

“We are here to treat patients with a full range of medical issues,” he said.

“And we have more measures in place than ever before to keep everyone safe in our facilities.”

A delay in seeking treatment could mean the difference between life and death for some patients, especially those potentially experiencing a heart attack or stroke.

There are simply some symptoms that cannot be ignored, Anderson said.

Chest pain, shortness of breath, left

arm discomfort and profuse sweating could all signal a heart attack. Slurred speech and facial numbness could be signs of a stroke.

Anderson urges anyone experience those symptoms to call 911 or visit their nearest emergency room immediately.

“Here’s the thing: people will often, even under normal circumstances, talk themselves out of needing treatment,” he said. “No one wants to admit that they might be experiencing a life-ending emergency, but the only way you can know for sure is to go in and let a medical professional look at you.”

WellStar Health System has upped its precautionary measures to keep its patients and employees safe during the pandemic. It continues to promote social distancing while regularly screening team members, patients and visitors and employing stringent disinfecting measures.

Patients and visitors can likewise protect themselves and others by practicing hand hygiene, avoid touching their face while outside and wearing a face mask. Those experiencing cardiac arrest, however, are advised against wearing a facemask as it may further complicate already labored breathing, Anderson said.

“We don’t want to people to die at home over the misperception that they could be exposed to the coronavirus in the emergency room,” he said. “Delaying care during a heart attack or stroke is deadly, plain and simple. If we could say one thing to people experiencing heart attack or stroke symptoms, it would be this: we know you are scared, but we are here for you, we can treat you safely, and we can give you the best chance not only of survival but recovery if you call 911 or come in as soon as possible.”

For more information, visit WellStar. org/call911.

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4 | May 14, 2020 | NorthFulton.com

NEWS

Fulton commissioners urge residents to continue to shelter in place

By CARSON COOK carson@appenmediagroup.com FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — As new COVID-19 cases continue to be found in Fulton County, May 6 the Board of Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution urging residents to remain at home.

As of May 8, there have been more than 3,250 confirmed cases of the disease in the county, and more than 130 deaths, according to the county Board of Health.

Though the state its rolling back its regulations, Fulton commissioners are striking a more cautious note. The resolution passed last week encourages residents to continue to shelter in place, practice social distancing, wear cloth masks while in public, refrain from nonessential business and follow other guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control to minimize potential exposure to COVID-19.

The county also extended the emergency powers granted to Chairman Robb

Pitts and the county manager to June 30.

Most of the longer-than-six-hour meeting May 6 was dedicated to updates on the county’s response to the pandemic. Fulton recently brought on a new health director, Dr. Lynn Paxton, who comes to the county after a long career at the CDC. Paxton said one of the health department’s main goals is to test as many people for COVID-19 as possible. In late April, the county opened two new free, drive-through testing sites at Wolf Creek Amphitheater in College Park and on North Point Parkway in Alpharetta.

The county also operates mobile testing sites.

Paxton said health officials have expanded the groups recommended to be tested. In addition to people with symptoms of COVID-19, asymptomatic persons from disproportionately affected groups, like African Americans and Native Americans, and employees going back to work should be tested, she said.

When asked about antibody tests, which detect whether a person has been previously exposed to the virus, Paxton warned against giving the tests too much weight.

“Antibody testing is not something that we can use to give people like an all clear to say you’re immune,” she said.

“We simply don’t have that data. It’s useful for doing surveys, to get an idea of how many people have been infected on the population level.”

The Health Department is also working to expand contact tracing, which the CDC considers a core strategy to control infectious diseases. The process involves public health staff working with a patient to identify everyone with whom they have had contact during the timeframe while they may have been infectious. Public health staff then warn these exposed individuals of their potential exposure and urge them to self-isolate.

Fulton County has brought on new staff to implement COVID-19 contact tracing and is also rolling out a web-

based app to assist the process.

“Traditional contact tracing is incredibly time and personnel intensive,” Paxton said. “Usually it involves going out to a person’s house, finding them, talking to them. It is hoped that with this web-based application we can cut down on that.”

Use of the app will be voluntary, but Paxton said she hopes patients who have a smart phone will see it as a convenience.

The county received $104 million in federal funds for efforts to combat COVID-19. The county is still working out how to spend the money, and commissioners debated whether to distribute a portion of it to Fulton cities.

Commissioners also discussed the chief operating officer’s plan to reopen county services. The staff’s proposal included a phased approach, starting with certain tax commissioners’ offices and with libraries and arts centers opening last. The timing for reopening will be based on a decline in cases and ability to test for COVID-19.

Alpharetta to add another Main Street crossing signal City also reviews plans for ‘Alpha Link’ trail

By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Downtown Alpharetta’s surge in pedestrian traffic has spurred city officials to add a signaled crosswalk at Main Street and Marietta Street.

The spot is a frequent unprotected crossing for pedestrians and lies about midway between the two nearest protected crosswalks at Old Milton Parkway and the HAWK signal at the Town Green.

At its May 4 online meeting, the City Council awarded a contract for $192,000 to Total Chattahoochee Group for construction of the crosswalk that will include the construction of brick medians to offer a refuge area to pedestrians and installation of a mast arm with a HAWK beacon system. Additional work will include upgrading the existing handicap ramps and additional concrete medians and striping.

Public Works Director Pete Sewczwicz said the company is requiring a sixmonth lead time before the mast arms for the signal can be supplied, which puts completion of the project in the fall.

He said the department will work to expedite the project by beginning work 30 days before the mast arms are delivered.

Sewczwicz said the department is also looking to add some landscaping to the northern side of the crosswalk, most

likely low shrubs so as not to impair sight distance.

Councilman Dan Merkel said the protected crosswalk is needed to improve safety in the city’s downtown.

“I think this is a great thing,” he said.

“It’s going to slow things down going into downtown, because you come down crossing Old Milton Parkway, and you’re picking up speed.”

In other action at the May 4 meeting, the City Council heard an update from representatives from urban planning firm MKSK Studios on plans to construct a pedestrian connection between the Alpha Loop, a linear park surrounding the downtown business district, to the Big Creek Greenway that runs east of Ga. 400.

The so-called “Alpha Link” would be a multi-use trail connecting the two paths at North Point Mall.

MKSK principal Darren Meyer told council members designers are looking at three options currently. The first includes a crossing at Haynes Bridge Road, then up the Ga. 400 corridor to Encore Parkway. A second option would start at Encore Parkway, across the Ga. 400 bridge east to North Point Parkway, then to the mall and Greenway. The third option would be at Encore Parkway with a trailhead near North Point Parkway.

MKSK is conducting an online survey for residents to review the proposals and express their thoughts. The survey, available at visionalphalink.com, runs until May 25.

City Center residents call for crackdown on skateboard activity ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Residents at Alpharetta’s City Center say they’re fed up with the constant rumble and clacking of skateboarders using the nearby four-level parking deck and areas around City Hall for their evening activities.

A group of tenants addressed the City Council about the matter in March, but they say they plan a repeat visit, likely at the May 18 online meeting.

“The sounds you expect in a city — sirens, trucks, music, people talking — you expect those sounds,” Amorance Apartment resident Ashley

Whitt said. “You do not expect the constant crashing and banging and clickety-clacking of skateboarders.”

Whitt moved from Windward to the apartments last August with her husband to enjoy the new City Center experience, she said. The food trucks, entertainment, shops and restaurants all added to the draw, she said.

Whitt was one of about a half dozen who spoke at the City Council’s online meeting in March, and she plans to remind the City Council of the situation again. She suggests the council hold a public hearing on an ordinance, inviting residents and the parents of the skateboarders to sort out the issue.

“We live here,” Whitt said.

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Georgians aid local nonprofits in time of need

By JULIA GROCHOWSKI julia@appenmediagroup.com GEORGIA — The COVID-19 pandemic essentially severed many area nonprofits from their main sources of financial donations and volunteer support.

“The pandemic has been hard on the Chattahoochee Nature Center as two-thirds of our income is from earned revenue (ticket sales, program fees, rentals),” said Nature Center Senior Director of Development and Marketing DeAnn Fordham. “Closing to the public on

March 17 devastated our operations.”

Area nonprofits have found themselves cancelling major fundraisers and moving operations online. Some have questioned if adapting to the new normal is even possible.

“Will people be able to continue to support nonprofit animal shelters?” asked Samantha Shelton, CEO and founder of Furkids Animal Rescue and Shelter in an early April interview. “We’ll have to wait and see.”

In response to the unprecedented events and need, the national Giv-

ingTuesday nonprofit organized its first #GivingTuesdayNow campaign modeled after its annual campaign held the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.

The new event, held May 5, acted as an extra #GivingTuesday to help nonprofits weather the effects of the pandemic.

The generosity of local citizens has exceeded expectations for some nonprofits, including The Place of Forsyth County, which provides emergency financial assistance and support services for those in need.

“As we have been so focused on food distribution, we did not have opportunity to put much time towards planning for Giving Tuesday [in the past],” said Jacob J. Granados, director of Purposeful Engagement at The Place. “A little less than a week before Giving Tuesday Now, our insurance broker Ed Gillman (Gillman Insurance Problem Solvers) offered us a $1,250 matching grant for Giving Tuesday. We put the word out to donors, volunteers, friends, and supporters were able to turn that matching fund into $43,200. In the end, we were able to raise over $85,500.”

The financial assistance was sorely needed. Granados said that since March 16, the number of first-time visitors to their pantry has increased by more than 500 percent, and the number of families they typically serve has doubled.

The Chattahoochee Nature Center reported that it earned $18,000 from the #GivingTuesdayNow campaign, almost double of what it usually receives from #GivingTuesday. It has also moved several of its fundraisers online, including the annual Water Drop Dash 5K, which raised $40,000, and its annual bird seed sale, which also netted $40,000.

Its spring break camp was also conducted online, and the center is now offering free virtual field trips and education modules for teachers.

The Drake House, which serves women and children experiencing homelessness, has received almost double what it usually receives from the #GivingTuesday campaign. On May 5, donors exceeded the organization’s goal with about $20,000 in donations.

The Johns Creek Art Center, which provides art enrichment classes to the children at The Drake House, aided in these donation efforts by urging its patrons to give to The Drake House on May 5.

“The Roswell community has once again gone above and beyond to meet the physical needs of The Drake House during this crisis,” said Kimberly Jackson, director of Volunteer Engagement for The Drake House.

Nonprofits are still accepting donations, which can be made online.

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School districts’ 2021 budgets in disarray from COVID fallout State funding reductions will hit local classrooms

By CANDY WAYLOCK candy@appenmediagroup.com NORTH METRO ATLANTA — With classrooms set to open in three months, school leaders in Fulton and Forsyth counties are tackling budget issues that may present the next great challenge.

Last month, Georgia legislators directed all agencies, including the Georgia Department of Education, to prepare for a 14 percent cut in Fiscal Year 2020-21 spending. To date, the state has lost more than $1 billion in revenue tied to the COVID pandemic.

Meghan Frick, communications director for the Georgia Department of Education, said the budget cuts will impact student allocations under the Quality Based Education (QBE) formula, which allocates state education funds based, in part, on student enrollment. This will be a departure from previous budget cuts in which QBE was exempt from reductions, she noted.

For Fulton County Schools, a 14 percent cut translates into a $56 million loss in revenue it receives from the state.

That’s about 35 percent of the district’s billion-dollar budget.

In Forsyth, state funding accounts for 52 percent of the district’s $479 million budget this year. A 14 percent cut in state funding for 2021 could leave a $33 gap.

Fulton Chief Financial Officer Marvin Dereef said the district is leaning hard on lessons learned during the recession of 2007-09 to navigate the COVID pandemic.

He noted “healthy reserve funds and conservative spending’’ by the school board mitigated the need to furlough staff or raise taxes during the recession.

Today, that same approach will likely weather the pandemic as well.

Fulton, Forsyth schools share in $411M fund for COVID response

Georgia’s 181 public school districts received nearly $411.5 million in federal relief funds to help manage and respond to the COVID pandemic.

Locally, the Fulton County School System received $18.3 million. Forsyth County Schools received $1.7 million.

The funds were part of the federal stimulus package known as the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act passed by Congress in April.

State School Superintendent Richard Woods said Georgia applied for the funds as quickly as possible to get help to schools. All districts closed their school buildings and moved to remote learning in midMarch at the direction of Gov. Brian Kemp.

“[We] again will take a conservative budget approach and use a three-tier budgeting process to ensure resources will be available for our students and staff,” Dereef said.

The process includes adopting the FY21 budget on time June 30, continuously assessing needs and re-allocating as needed, and making mid-year adjustments as new information on finances and the pandemic impact are available.

Dereef said the FY21 budget will maintain the current millage rate on property and not raise student meal prices. Any gaps between revenues and expenditures will be closed through a drawdown from the district’s reserve funds, he said.

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CARES Act funds are flexible and allow districts to use them for remote learning, school meals, supporting atrisk student populations, mental and physical health, supplemental learning, facilities/equipment, and keeping essential staff and services.

In both Fulton and Forsyth, the funds are being used to support remote learning, including devices for students, and supplement the meal delivery programs.

School districts were allocated funds based on Title I eligibility and funding. Districts were granted the exact proportionate amount of their 2019-2020 Title I allocation. For example, if a district received 10 percent of Georgia’s Title I funding this year, it would receive 10 percent of the CARES Act funding.

Funds ranged from DeKalb County Schools which earned $33.6 million to Glasscock County Schools which earned $91 million. cial Officer Larry Hammel presented a budget overview in April for the School Board in which he projected measured optimism for the district’s financial picture for the current fiscal year.

Local tax collections, including property, ad valorem and intangibles, through March were significantly ahead of figures from last year. However, April and May figures will likely present a different picture, he noted.

“So, do I think these [March] figures are going to hold? I don’t think so, especially for the month of April,” Hammel said. “We’ll have to see how May goes with the opening up of the economy again.”

The May 12 meeting of the Forsyth Board of Education did not contain a budget update on the agenda.

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Deadline is through May 15 for Fulton open enrollment More than half of the schools in the Fulton County School System will be eligible for open enrollment transfers for next school year, giving parents a wide variety of options for their children’s education.

While space is available, time is not.

The deadline for application is May 15.

Georgia law allows parents of students enrolled in a public K-12 school to enroll in another school within the district, as long as space is available. As Fulton Schools’ enrollment has declined over the past several years, those options have grown, primarily in elementary schools in North Fulton.

For the 2020-21 school year, Fulton Schools has identified 53 schools with available space for transfer students, including nearly all elementary schools in North Fulton. The options narrow for middle and high schools, with only two middle and two high schools with room in North Fulton.

Transportation to the new school is not provided by the school district.

Applications must be submitted online (fultonschools.org/transfers) by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, May 15. If applications exceed space, a lottery will be used. Siblings are not guaranteed placemen together, according to district protocols. Parents will be notified of the decision by June 30.

North Fulton schools participating in open enrollment include: Elementary - Abbotts Hill, Alpharetta, Barnwell, Birmingham Falls, Crabapple Crossing, Dolvin, Esther Jackson, Findley Oaks, Hembree Spring, Hillside, Mimosa, Mountain Park, New Prospect, Northwood, Ocee, River Eves, Roswell North, Shakerag.

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Students’ upstart business deliver thousands in protective equipment

By JULIA GROCHOWSKI julia@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. — What started out as a simple venture into food delivery for a group of Alpharetta High School students has quickly ballooned into a vital service delivery life-saving equipment for local hospitals.

The service, Pluto Delivery, is entirely run by local high school students and has donated tens of thousands of personal protective equipment to healthcare workers. And their efforts have attracted some national attention, with help and advisement coming from top companies and universities.

“We’ve never done anything like this before,” said Chief Executive Officer Edward Aguilar, a junior at Alpharetta High School. “It was crazy going into it, a trial by fire… My email went from being spam to being Stanford professors.”

It began in January 2020, when a handful of Alpharetta High School students entered a robotics competition and ordered some food for delivery. But the bill, which came out to over $70, astonished the group, said Chief Operating Officer Shourya Seth, a junior.

“There had to be a better way [of food delivery],” Seth said. “We had to find a solution for this.”

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About a month later, the idea for Pluto Delivery was born, and in March, the group conducted a soft launch delivering to Alpharetta High School staff.

It was about a week after the launch that the COVID-19 pandemic hit Georgia, and schools closed. Like other businesses and organizations, Pluto Delivery found itself on hold and facing an uncertain future.

Aguilar said several people advised them to simply wait out the pandemic and revisit Pluto Delivery later, but they were determined to find a way to help people.

It didn’t take much for them to switch from food delivery to personal protective gear, including facemasks, hand sanitizer and disinfectants. Pluto Delivery representatives spoke with 15 Atlanta and Alpharetta area hospitals and partnered with organizations such as Atlanta Beats Covid to create a strategy for delivering what soon became tens of thousands of donations to healthcare workers.

So far, the team has delivered upwards of 34,000 pieces of equipment, and the numbers have been growing rapidly, Aguilar said. Pluto Delivery is expecting to soon expand into other areas in need, such as Albany, an epicenter of the state’s outbreak.

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Alpharetta High School students continue to delivery personal protective equipment to local hospitals through their company Pluto Delivery.

The experience running Pluto Delivery has been at times surprising, with the team leaning on a whole set of skills not taught in their classes, said Chief Marketing Officer Manu John, a junior.

To cover some of their gaps in experience and address their growing frustrations with changing variables and effective operations, Pluto Delivery representatives reached out to universities like Yale and Stanford and companies like Converse and Delta Airlines.

“We thought maybe we don’t need to figure this out,” Aguilar said. “We can find people who are already incredible in their field, who are already experienced, and call them, send them an email.”

The idea bore fruit. Soon, their email accounts were inundated with information from experts in fields such as organizational management, marketing and logistics.

“It’s been unreal,” Aguilar said.

“We’re sitting there, connecting with people, and I recognize one of the names that adds me back and replies to my email… I look over on my desk and see this guy’s book, ‘Contagious: Why Things Catch On,’ [by Jonah Berger], a book I read two years ago…

“Every day has been like that. It’s incredible to see how many people care about what we’re doing and support what we’re doing.”

For now, the team said it’s too early to nail down plans are for the future, but depending on its success, they want to continue involving Pluto Delivery in some manner.

“We don’t want to stop,” Aguilar said.

“If it’s not medical delivery today, maybe it’s soup kitchens or homeless shelters the next day… Our work here, despite what we’ve done, there’s still so much.”

For more information, to get involved or make donations, visit pluto.delivery.

Crier 5/14/20 Crossword

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NorthFulton.com | May 14, 2020 | 9

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We had more than 113,000 Georgia small businesses approved for those loans over a relatively short period of time.

DAVID OLIVER, senior vice president of the Georgia Bankers Association 10 | May 14, 2020

Small businesses hungry for federal loan aid Georgia banks approve over $14 billion in loans through SBA program

By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com METRO ATLANTA, Ga. — Small businesses have been rushing to get a share of more than $600 billion in relief loans made available through the Small Business Administration.

The first round of SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program loans, issued in mid-April, totaled some $350 billion and were gone in less than two weeks.

A second round for $310 billion was made available April 27, and half the money had been awarded within the first week.

David Oliver, senior vice president with the Georgia Bankers Association, reported that over the past month, virtually all the state’s banks — about 200 in all — participated in distributing $14.1 billion in the government loans.

“We had more than 113,000 Georgia small businesses approved for those loans over a relatively short period of time,” Oliver said. “It’s going to help them cover their payroll costs, help them cover their rent and utilities, help them weather this public health crisis.”

The special Paycheck Protection Program loans were created to allow small businesses to get their footing after the devastating shutdowns created by the coronavirus pandemic. SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest or utilities.

www.gnfcc.com

The president of the Small Business Administration reported last week that the agency processed more loans in less than 14 days than it had in 14 years.

Local bank stays busy The rush was on locally, as well.

Brad Serff, president and CEO of Providence Bank in Alpharetta, said banks are not immune to the pandemic. He’s had to close the lobby to protect his staff and customers. He also rotates employees so half are in one week, while the others work from home. Customers are serviced either by phone, the drive-thru or SERFF online.

“So, you’re running a bank with about half the staff, and you’re still trying to do all the things for your client that you’ve always done,” Serff said. “For our bank, we’re looking to do a year’s worth of lending in a month’s time.”

Much of Serf’s attention lately has focused on getting small businesses help through the loan program.

“Businesses aren’t designed to have zero revenues or limited revenues for any extended period of time,” he said.

“The loan program was put into place with the idea employers would continue to pay their employees and not furlough them or lay them off. This is basically an eight-week incentive to keep employees employed.”

Serff said payroll accounts for somewhere around 30 to 40 percent of most business’s expenses. The loans will give these businesses a little breathing room to meet their other expenses, he said.

There is no way to know whether the two waves of SBA loans will be enough, Serf said, but he is hopeful.

“I think it depends on how the reopening of our state goes,” he said. “The ones that applied, eight weeks forward should give them enough buffer to be back up and running as normal. If this thing spikes and we have to go back to a stay at home order or we can’t open up different industries or there are more strains put on our business economy, then it might not be enough.”

Loan program relieves pressure One business breathing a little easier now is Axios Research in Alpharetta.

President and founder David Holcomb said, at first, he didn’t know whether to apply for the SBA loan, but he’s glad he did.

“For us, the money is simply used for payroll,” he said. “Also, we will use it for insurance, I cover 100 percent insurance for my employees. That’s not cheap.”

Holcomb launched the title search and services company in 1997, so he’s seen a few rough spots. He has nine employees on the payroll.

At the outset of the Great Recession in 2009, Holcomb said he made payroll by shorting his 401(k).

“This time I didn’t have to do that,”

The Greater North Fulton Chamber remains open for business and is taking a lead role in supporting businesses across the region.

We have compiled numerous resources for the entire business community – both Chamber members AND non-Chamber members. We are still signing certificates of origin for exports and have moved weekly leads generation virtual so that business pipelines are full when we find our path forward.

Our goal is to identify important information to assist all of you and to keep the North Fulton economy moving.

he said. “That’s what some business owners do, because those who work for us, they’re as important as family.”

Axios has been open every day, performing most of its work, albeit in a modified form and with limited exposure to clients.

The PPP will enable Holcomb to provide his employees some sense of security. These are not easy times for anyone, Holcomb said, and small businesses need support.

“Our business, we’re down in the financial gutter with everybody else,” he said. “We’re down 35 percent this month, from April of last year. So, it’s real. There is a real need for something like this, because I don’t have a 35 percent profit margin.”

Inspired by the necessity of the loan program, Holcomb reached out to U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath’s office, not once, but twice.

“I told them this is as important as it gets, because if small business goes under, the millions of people who file unemployment will be amazing to people.

They will have no clue how many people [small business] employs.”

Holcomb weathered the first part of the storm meeting payroll for three weeks before the loan came through.

“I never, ever expected to get a dime,” he said. “Providence [Bank] did an amazing job.”

Holcomb said he’s hopeful the loans, along with a recovery, will be enough.

“I’m sure there are a lot of small businesses that are in worse shape than we are, those who couldn’t make their first payroll, and, by the second payroll, they couldn’t pay their mortgage,” he said. “There are a lot of people like that.”

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COMMUNITY

NorthFulton.com | May 14, 2020 | 11

Most Halcyon tenants get back to businesses Development blindsided by economic challenges in first year of business

By JOE PARKER joe@appenmediagroup.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — For the second time in a year, many Halcyon businesses are opening their doors to customers. Most restaurants and retailers at the 135-acre mixed-use development had their grand openings last fall, but the coronavirus pandemic forced those companies to lock their doors or completely alter their business approach. Now, with the state’s shelterin-place order expired May 1, Halcyon General Manager David Silver said most have come back online.

“Nearly all of Halcyon’s tenants were back open to the public as of May 1, all following social distancing and other guidelines,” Silver said. “Centered around the Village Green, Halcyon’s spacious, outdoor-centric design has helped make these transitions as smooth as possible and will continue to be an asset moving forward.”

As of May 7, nine of Halcyon’s 12 eateries were doing businesses and nine of its 12 retailers were operating, two by appointment only. During March and April, a total of 10 businesses closed their doors.

While all businesses are feeling the financial crunch of the pandemic, Silver said Halcyon’s tenants are better off than most.

“Though tenant revenues may vary, as they do at any retail center, our tenants that remained open continued serving guests through curbside, and other retailers we able to fill orders via online and by-phone sales,” he said. “Any impact to revenues will be shorter lived at Halcyon than at other center who may have closed all aspects. And we’ve continued a strong and appropriate communications program to stay topof-mind during the pandemic, as well as the prior year as we opened.”

A backbone of Halcyon’s operations has been hosting events, but with social distancing and shelter-in-place orders, those gatherings have gone virtual.

“We were able to quickly pivot our calendar of events to a virtual format, and we’ve been delighted to see a lot guests have ‘attended’ these virtual events, such

as our Virtual Kids Discovery Club or Ladies Night out,” Silver said.

Virtual events will continue, but Halcyon does plan to open its weekly farmer’s market on May5/14/20 19.

Dunwoody Crier Crossword Amid the worldwide health crisis, Halcyon is still committed to being a good neighbor for the community, Silver said.

“We have hosted a food drive and other initiatives to benefit The Place of Forsyth, and our main goal over the course of these difficult time have been to be both a good community partner and a good landlord,” he said. “In the short and long terms, Halcyon will continue to focus on creating a sense of community. That’s what we’re build on, and that’s not changing.”

For those visiting the development, Silver said social distancing and sanitization guidelines have been set out for the entire complex.

Meanwhile, at Avalon in Alpharetta, retailers and restaurants are ramping up their reopening efforts.

The popular shopping and dining development has close to 20 restaurants offering takeout, drive-thru or delivery options.

Bocado Burger is going a step further

by offering customers the opportunity to make their own burgers at home. In addition to takeout and delivery meals, the restaurant is selling its three-blend special grind for $12 a pound.

Goldberg’s Fine Foods is closed for now, but the company is matching every dollar donated to their employees to help them get through the shutdown.

Some two dozen Avalon retailers are now open for business, most with special hours and some with pick-up or by Solution appointment only.

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12 | May 14, 2020 | NorthFulton.com

OPINION

Journalists are a committed breed of people Most journalists work a lifetime in the industry writing thousands of articles and never come close to winning a Pulitzer Prize. It is the hall of fame for reporters, photographers, novelists, poets and HANS APPEN cartoonists. InductPublisher hans@appenmediagroup.com ees include the likes of Robert Frost, Bob Woodward, Carl Bernstein and Margaret Mitchell.

Now, that echelon includes Joe Sonka, a politics reporter for the Courier Journal in Louisville, Kentucky.

He and his coworkers won the 2020 prize for “Breaking News Reporting” for their work chronicling outgoing Gov. Matt Bevin’s flood of commutations and pardons he’d issued in his final weeks in office. These last-minute orders raised eyebrows across the country for the nature of the crimes forgiven: murder, rape, child abuse and the like.

Over 600 in all.

When the pardons started coming in, Joe Sonka and reporters at the Courier Journal got to work. They analyzed and investigated each commutation and laid

out their findings to readers in the form of comprehensive online presentations and an eight-page special section in their print edition.

They had, for example, found that one of the murderers pardoned by Bevin had donated over $20,000 to retire the debt of Bevin’s 2015 gubernatorial campaign.

The Pulitzer Prize committee had said that the coverage exposed the process to be “marked by opacity, racial disparities and violations of legal norms.”

It wasn’t the Courier Journal’s first clash with the governor. In 2018, the newspaper partnered with ProPublica, a nonprofit newsroom that often partners with print publications to produce and distribute its investigative journalism.

The two news organizations investigated a Kentucky state agency – the type of reporting that tends to shine a light on abuse of power, corruption or misuse of taxpayer dollars.

In a series of social media posts and a pre-recorded 3-minute video, the governor ranted about the credibility of the 150-year-old newspaper, calling it a biased, left-wing, George Soros-funded propaganda tool.

The Courier Journal had yet to publish a single article on its findings. But they would.

Seemingly unphased, he took to his Twitter account to call on people to subscribe to his newspaper, the newspaper that had just furloughed him, the newspaper that he’d just handed a Pulitzer Prize. All he wanted now was to get back to work.

And so, Joe Sonka, after years of keeping his head down and doing his job, had just won the Pulitzer Prize.

Validation, after years of abuse, that his work was worthwhile and appreciated.

The cruel irony was that two weeks

earlier, through no fault of his own, the newspaper had put him on an unpaid furlough. It wasn’t his critics, Governor Bevin, or the social media giants that have long threatened the industry that put him out of work. It was a once-in-a100-year virus.

Sick, twisted, irony.

Seemingly unphased, he took to his Twitter account to call on people to subscribe to his newspaper, the newspaper that had just furloughed him, the newspaper that he’d just handed a Pulitzer Prize. All he wanted now was to get back to work.

Journalists are a special breed and Joe Sonka is one of the best. Well done sir, keep up the good work.

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Cumming Goodwill announces ‘measured’ opening of stores

By JOE PARKER joe@appenmediagroup.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Cumming Goodwill Store and Donation Center unlocked its doors last week after a monthlong closure. The Ga. 9 store is one of 20 locations included in a “measured” reopening of Goodwill of North Georgia’s 65 stores and 55 donation centers. The Cumming location will operate from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. throughout the week.

As a part of the reopening, the Goodwill location has implemented safety standards and means to keep employees and customers safe.

Keith Parker, CEO of Goodwill of North Georgia, said if the metered opening of stores is successful, more will come back online.

“We are excited about reopening, but we are doing so in a very careful, measured way,” Parker said. “We won’t take any chances in terms of the health of our employees or customers.”

That begins outside the store where Goodwill has drawn up spaces to enforce social distancing.

The traffic flow at the Cumming store will be orchestrated to keep people moving in one direction, and employees will limit the number of customers allowed inside the store and restrooms at one time. Parker said Goodwill’s regulations on people allowed in the store per square foot are more stringent than those outlined by the state.

Parker said each store will be sanitized with a product recommended by the CDC, and protective screens will be installed at all registers.

While the shopping floor will be open,

fitting rooms remain closed. In response, Goodwill is permitting customers to return items, “in a reasonable amount of time,” they were not able to try on in stores.

Donations are again being accepted at the Cumming location, and Goodwill has two methods to drop off items without coming into contact with others.

Drivers can either open their trunk to allow employees to remove items, or they can drop them off at the donation center and pick up a receipt.

Donations have been pouring in.

“We have recently collected more donations than any time in our history,” Parker said.

Funds from sales help put people back to work during a time in which unemployment is skyrocketing.

Parker said Goodwill of North Georgia assisted more than 3,000 prospective employees last month in finding jobs at small mom-and-pop stores all the way to giants like Amazon.

Those in Forsyth County and North Fulton can take advantage of Goodwill of North Georgia’s Career Centers and online portal to pursue certificates, training, resume reviews and other services.

Parker said the organization will continue to provide support for those facing employment barriers or for workers who have been laid off due to the economic downturn.

He is urging those in the area to continue to donate and shop as the Cumming Goodwill and others.

“We encourage people to still donate and know it is going to the greater cause to get Georgians the career of their dreams,” he said.

NorthFulton.com | May 14, 2020 | 13

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14 | May 14, 2020 | NorthFulton.com

Local legislator hosts town hall on mental health

By CARSON COOK carson@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Rep. Angelika Kausche, who represents most of Johns Creek in the State House, hosted a virtual town hall with local and state mental health experts on May 6.

Kausche said she decided to devote a town hall to the topic of mental health and substance abuse because the global health crisis has been a traumatic experience for everyone.

“Let’s be honest, all of us have experienced some sort of anxiety with the sudden change,” she said. “Within weeks, our normal lives were turned upside down …

My stress and anxiety level has definitely gone up significantly, and I can only imagine how it is for people who are suffering from clinical mental health issues.”

Joining Kausche in the discussion were Jeff Breedlove from the Georgia Council on Substance Abuse; Tom Connell, executive director of Pyramid Family Behavioral Healthcare; and Marti Vogt, chairman of the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Georgia. Each discussed how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted their work.

Vogt said that everyone, regardless of a history of mental illness, should take care of their mental wellbeing, whether through calming hobbies, faith or virtually connecting with loved ones.

“The four common feelings associated with suicide really fit into what everybody is going through right now: feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, loneliness and worthlessness,” she said. “Mental health is everybody’s business. Be on the lookout for changes in loved ones’ behaviors, thinking, emotions, sleep and eating habits.”

The experts agreed that the pandemic has caused an unprecedented disruption to mental health and substance abuse treatment.

“We believe the opposite of addiction is connection,” Breedlove said. “We mean that literally: hugging, being in fellowship with people at events. That’s gone.

CARSON COOK/HERALD

From top left, State Rep. Angelika Kausche; Suicide Prevention Coalition of Georgia Chairman Marti Vogt; Pyramid Family Behavioral Healthcare Executive Director Tom Connell; Kausche’s Chief of Staff Johnathan Liu; and Jeff Breedlove from the Georgia Council on Substance Abuse discuss mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic on May 6.

It was taken away from people in longterm recovery and in early recovery.”

They all emphasized the importance of maintaining relationships with friends and family.

“Making connections is the number one factor in building resilience,” Vogt said. “Even though we can’t connect personally with people, we can connect through all these other vehicles of communication. I think that’s very important.”

Connell said those connection are not only important while we isolate our homes, but also as we transition to the next phase of the pandemic, whatever that looks like.

“I think compassion for others and maintaining a connection to others — whether it be friends, family, a spiritual practice — all of those things are going to be very important to help us propel forward,” he said.

Breedlove encouraged listeners to accept uncertainty and awkward adjustments as we try to return to a sense of normalcy.

“Part of recovery for me was surrendering to the reality of the disease, because I couldn’t beat it for a long time,” he said. “Now, I think we’re going to have to surrender to the reality that

we may do the things that we used to do, but we may do them in a slightly different way, at least for a little bit.”

Even as businesses slowly reopen and social distancing restrictions lessen, the impact of COVID-19 psychologically is far from over, Vogt said.

“Trauma doesn’t always manifest itself right away,” Vogt said. “Sometimes it takes months, and sometimes decades.

I think that we’re going to see more from this down the road.”

Anyone who is or knows someone struggling with a crisis or is at risk of suicide is urged to reach out for help.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-8255, is toll-free, confidential, and always open. The deaf or hard of hearing can contact the lifeline at 1-800799-4889. People can also text 741741.

Possible warning signs vary from individual to individual but can include feeling hopeless, reckless behavior, increased use of drugs or alcohol, sleeping too much or too little, loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed and giving away prized possessions.

More crisis services and suicide information can be found at suicidepreventionlifeline.org, thetrevorproject.org and veteranscrisisline.net.

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We’ve got Covid covered! How to return a stimulus check

By DR. VEENA BHAT North Fulton Smiles Dental offices are starting to open.

During the past few weeks, dentists have been busy staying up to date with the new post Covid-19 standards. We have attended webinars, chat rooms, read regulations, purchased PPE, cleaned our offices, modified protocols and trained our staff. Dental offices that were in good standing prior to the outbreak are in great standing now because of the preparations we have made to protect our staff and our patients. The universal precautions and the standard of sterilization in dentistry was already stringent even prior to Covid, but many of us have taken even more steps to further protect our community. I urge patients to call their offices and express concerns, ask questions and confidently proceed with their dental visits, for dental health is part of total health and should not be neglected.

North Fulton Smiles is eager to welcome back our exceptional patients Like other establishments, we will limit the number of patients that arrive and remain in our office, we will screen our patients, we will maintain social distancing for a period of time, we will be cleaning rooms even more stringently and using air filtration units to clean the air after treatment. We are confident that we are protect ourselves and you.

North Fulton Smiles is eager to welcome back our exceptional patients and invite new patients to come experience the changes we have made to our practice. We will reopen on Monday May 18th and we are looking forward to resuming a new sense of normalcy.

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If the payment was a paper check: 1. Write “Void” in the endorsement section on the back of the check.

2. Mail the voided Treasury check immediately to the appropriate IRS location listed below.

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16 | May 14, 2020 | NorthFulton.com

HEALTH & WELLNESS • Sponsored Section

Catching it early – Exciting treatment options exist for pre-empting skin cancer

By DR. BRENT TAYLOR Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta The question of whether someone has skin cancer is not always black or white. Often, there are shades of gray. Yes, DR. TAYLOR many moles are simply healthy while other growths prove to be melanoma, but, for most people and for most concerning growths, skin cancers progress through early stages when they can be more easily treated and can be addressed non-invasively and non-surgically.

Squamous cell carcinoma is more common than melanoma and is less dangerous. Many squamous cell carcinomas begin as a “pre-cancer” called an actinic keratosis or “AK” – a rough or discolored area that usually arises in an area of sun-damaged or sun-exposed skin. AK’s typically grow slowly with perhaps 1-2% progressing to skin cancer per year. This slow growth rate means that there is time to treat AKs before they become skin cancer.

Many more treatment options exist for addressing actinic keratoses than exist for treating skin cancer. Most skin cancers are best treated by excision (cutting the cancer out) or radiation therapy (typically for areas not amenable to surgery). AKs are typically treated non-surgically, and many options are available. AKs can be frozen with liquid nitrogen. They can be treated with topical creams that work by a variety of mechanisms. Some creams kill fast growing cells while others stimulate the immune system to attack unhealthy cells. An additional therapy that treats an entire area is called “blue light therapy” also known as “photodynamic therapy” or PDT. During PDT, a nurse or physician applies a medicine called ALA to the area to be treated.

The ALA incubates and sits on the skin for one to three hours (depending on the body part being treated). ALA is absorbed by unhealthy cells during the incubation phase. A blue light specially designed to activate ALA is then applied for about fifteen minutes.

The light causes the ALA to damage the precancerous/unhealthy cells allowing them to be eliminated and replaced by the healthy cells that have been left undamaged.

Which treatment is best depends on the individual. Factors include how many precancers a patient has, which treatments they have tried in

the past, and a patient’s lifestyles and hobbies. For example, one patient with a single precancer would likely opt for having the area treated with liquid nitrogen because this would avoid a long incubation time with PDT or prolonged treatment with a cream. Another patient who has one or two dozen AKs on the scalp would do better to have the entire area treated all at once. This patient might choose PDT, which, with common protocols, can eliminate 75% of the patient’s precancers leaving behind a few stubborn areas that might then be eliminated by freezing or by trying an alternative topical therapy such as Efudex, a cream that targets fastgrowing cells such as those populating a pre-cancer.

For many patients, a trip to the doctor is nerve-racking. No one wants to receive a skin cancer or pre-cancer diagnosis. However, dermatology is one field where it is absolutely true that it is much easier to treat a disease when it is caught early than after it has progressed. If a growth is caught at the AK stage, often surgery can be avoided with one of several non-invasive treatments. Treatments such as PDT on the face/head or neck are usually covered by insurance according to your insurance plan (80/20, 90/10 etc) and can help eliminate the need for more invasive surgery in the future. Contact Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta to schedule your consultation and PDT apt.

HEALTH & WELLNESS • Sponsored Section

Three ways home care can be a lifeline during Covid-19 Brought to You by HOME HELPERS HOME CARE In these uncertain times, navigating the needs of your older loved one in the face of challenges posed by COVID-19 can be very daunting. Keeping your older loved one safe is a critical priority, but how do you provide care during this pandemic for those who are most at risk and in need of daily assistance? Managing the potentially devastating effects on mental health that come with social isolation adds another aspect to this challenging time. During this crisis, a professional caregiver can keep you connected and ensure the well-being of your older loved one. Here are three situations where home care can be a lifeline.

Assisted Living. If your loved one lives in an assisted living community, family members and friends often can’t visit, which can be devastating for all involved.

You and your older loved one do not need to face this situation alone. Home Helpers connects with these communities and matches a heart-centered, skilled professional caregiver who provides dedicated daily support, carefully monitors infection control and creates a touchpoint for you to stay connected. As essential care aides, we can check on and support loved ones you may not be allowed to visit. We’re there to keep you up to date on their daily needs, maintain communications, boost their spirits and monitor their condition.

Post-Hospital Recovery. Life doesn’t stop during a pandemic, and your loved one may be recovering from a stroke or other serious condition that typically would see their release to a skilled nursing facility for rehabilitation.

For many of our clients, the increased potential for exposure to the COVID-19 virus in these facilities causes serious concerns. Recovery in the safety of home is possible with professional caregivers working with home health specialists.

Home health therapists typically come 2-3 times/week and assign “homework” to do on the other days. Our caregivers are very proactive in helping our clients with their therapy “homework”. Carrying out the exercises and steps required for speech, physical and occupational therapy is the key to a successful recovery.

Home. For the senior who needs daily assistance, keeping them healthy is a critical path to avoid an emergency. Our caregivers can assist with personal care, companionship, meal preparation, help around the house, errands, and provide specialized care for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, etc. The companionship and assistance a carefully matched caregiver can provide helps calm anxiety, fight depression and boost self-confidence.

Following a careful hygiene routine is particularly important during this pandemic. We provide Infection Control kits to each client for use by our caregivers, including face masks, gloves and hand sanitizer to maintain a safe environment. Our caregivers have been trained in COVID-19 Infection control and we request everyone practice social distancing to protect each other.

As part of our community, we are committed to keeping our older loved ones safe and help them thrive – never more so than in these times. For a free consultation and personalized plan of care contact Home Helpers Home Care at (678) 430-8511.

NorthFulton.com | May 14, 2020 | 17

18 | May 14, 2020 | NorthFulton.com

HEALTH & WELLNESS • Sponsored Section

Emergency care during COVID-19 At Wellstar, we know many people are anxious about the COVID-19 outbreak.

But medical emergencies such as heart attacks, strokes or other serious health issues don’t stop during a pandemic.

While we are on the frontline fighting COVID-19, our expert medical team is still equipped to safely treat patients with other life-threatening conditions.

According to the American Heart Association, hospitals nationwide are experiencing a major drop in emergency calls for serious medical issues such as heart attacks and strokes. However, the lower volume in calls may point to an alarming trend: people with life-threatening conditions may be afraid to go to the hospital during the outbreak.

Wellstar Cardiologist Dr. Hunt Anderson addressed the issue and urged people to seek medical attention in the event of an emergency.

“If you are experiencing a lifethreatening medical emergency such as a heart attack or stroke, don’t delay treatment. Avoiding calling for help or going to the hospital may only cause your symptoms to worsen,” Dr. Anderson said. “At Wellstar, we are ready to provide safe, quality care and protect you from infection. It’s important to do your part by getting help—and we’ll make sure to keep you safe.”

Don’t Delay, Get Help Right Away Don’t take a chance with your health. If you are experiencing the warning signs of an immediate medical emergency such as a heart attack, stroke or other serious condition, call 911 right away. Emergency medical symptoms include: • Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath • Chest or upper abdominal pain or pressure • Fainting, sudden dizziness, weakness • Numbness or drooping in the face • Numbness or weakness in the arm • Changes in vision • Difficulty speaking • Confusion, slurred speech, difficulty walking • Changes in mental status or unusual behavior • Any sudden or severe pain • Uncontrolled bleeding • Severe or persistent vomiting or diarrhea • Coughing or vomiting blood • Suicidal or homicidal feelings • Unusual abdominal pain Keep in mind, medical emergencies are just as serious for children as they are for adults. Don’t delay care if your child is experiencing any of the following: • Fracture

• Head injury • Gastrointestinal (GI) obstruction or severe abdominal pain • Acute asthma • Pulmonary issues • Diabetic emergency • Severe allergic reaction • Seizure Waiting to get help for you or your child may result in worsening symptoms, permanent damage or, in extreme cases, even death.

To learn more about emergency care during COVID-19, visit wellstar.org/ call911.

We’re Here to Protect You At Wellstar, the safety of our patients and team members is our top priority. Our team of dedicated healthcare professionals provide quality and safe medical care to adult and pediatric patients every day.

As a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, Wellstar facilities have put additional measures in place to protect you from infection. For details about how Wellstar is ensuring the safety of patients and team members at our locations, visit wellstar.org/call911.

For more information and helpful tips, visit wellstar.org/COVID-19 or call (770) 956-STAR (7827).​

Right at Home of North Atlanta recognizes unsung COVID-19 heroes As the world is told to shelter in place, some very special Right at Home (RAH) caregivers are enabling the most vulnerable population, seniors and disabled adults, to do just that- remain at home where risk of exposure to COVID-19 is the lowest. And, they are doing this fearlessly with compassion and caring at this time of crisis and uncertainty.

“When my husband’s RAH cargiver, Cynthia McKenzie, asked me what we

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU

BROWN

were having for Easter dinner, I told her ‘nothing special,’” says Betty Bowling. “The next day, Cynthia showed up with a wonderful Easter meal. We were blown away at her thoughtfulness.”

RAH owner, Susan Brown, relays a recent

incident: “A client’s mom contacted us to let us know that her mom’s caregiver went out of her way to get fruit for her mom’s morning smoothie when it was not readily available. She told me how that small act of kindness made such a difference to her mother’s day. It’s the little things that can add normalcy and have a big impact in the lives of those we serve.”

For Maura Corona, whose dad and

During these trying times, Right at Home stands ready to assist the most vulnerable population, seniors and disabled adults with: • Alzheimer, Parkinson’s, stroke and cancer recovery

dad’s wife are in an independent living community, RAH has been a lifesaver.

“My dad and his wife didn’t want help.

That changed when caregiver, Telama Reese, began caring for them. They actually look forward to her visits. God has given Telama a gift to work with even the most resistant seniors. She is proactive, but not pushy. I am very grateful for

See HOME, Page 22

Our caregivers are trained in COVID-19 safety protocols and practices and can provide help a few days a week or 24/7 care.

• Showering, dressing, toileting and ambulation assist • Medication reminders and fall prevention • Safe transition from hospital or rehab to home

770.343.6235 | www.rah-northatl.com A global network where most offices are independently owned and operated.

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HEALTH & WELLNESS • Sponsored Section

NorthFulton.com | May 14, 2020 | 19

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20 | May 14, 2020 | NorthFulton.com

HEALTH & WELLNESS • Sponsored Section

COVID-19: Staying safe as the state reopens As Georgia and other states across the nation begin to reopen, many people may be concerned about how to safely move forward as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Returning to society requires everyone to work together. As more businesses and public spaces open their doors, it’s important for us to continue to practice social distancing and daily preventative health measures.

Wellstar Chief Surgical Officer Dr. William Mayfield weighed in on the issue, sharing advice to stay healthy and safe during this transition time.

“As Wellstar begins welcoming patients for all types of medical services, we continue to practice the extra precautions that keep patients safe under our care,” Dr. Mayfield said. “It’s also important for people to remember to exercise caution when they leave their homes, and continue to social distance, wash their hands often and disinfect high-touch surfaces.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are several ways to help you and your family stay safe as the state reopens: • Create a cleaning routine. Continue cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces in your home such as light switches, doorknobs, phones and sink faucets.

• Follow best practices for better health. Practice preventative health measures like frequent handwashing (for at least 20 seconds) and laundering dirty clothes often.

• Keep your distance. Whenever you enter a shared or public space, maintain a safe distance of six feet between yourself and others.

• Be safe outside your home. Be sure

to wear a cloth face covering when going out in public places like the grocery store.

• Take steps to reduce your risk. To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

• Stay home if you feel sick. If you aren’t feeling well, stay inside to help keep others healthy. However, if you are experiencing an immediate medical emergency, get help right away.

As more time passes after reopening, safety recommendations may adjust or change. For the most updated information, please visit cdc.gov.

Safe Care for the Whole Family At Wellstar, we know just how important it is to protect your and your loved ones’ health today and every day.

Our hospitals, emergency and trauma departments, urgent cares, health parks and office locations are open and ready to provide healthcare to Georgia.

Whether you need an elective or complex surgery, specialty medicine services, a routine checkup, imaging or urgent care, Wellstar is here to provide quality, safe medical treatment. In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, our locations have put additional measures in place to protect you and your loved ones from infection.

Together, we can take the first steps toward the future. At Wellstar, we’re open for business—and ready to care for you.

For details about how Wellstar is ensuring the safety of patients and team members at our locations, visit wellstar. org/safecare or call (770) 956-STAR (7827).​

HEALTH & WELLNESS • Sponsored Section

NorthFulton.com | May 14, 2020 | 21

5 Years in a Row! WINNER 2017

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Dental implants – Restore your smile and quality of life

By Dr. David Remaley Roswell Dental Care Losing one or more teeth doesn’t have to spell the end of your healthy, beautiful, natural-looking smile. At Roswell Dental Care, we’ve rejuvenated many patients’ smiles and protected their oral health for future years with dental implants.

Did you know … if you happen to lose just one tooth due to gum disease, decay, or trauma, neighboring teeth will shift, potentially causing a change in the way your teeth fit together. This could create pain and affect enjoyment of your favorite foods. It could also cause a change of facial structure and, depending on the location of the tooth loss, cause difficulty speaking. For most people, a gap in their smile also means a sharp decline in self-esteem.

At Roswell Dental Care, we have an excellent way to get you off the slippery slope and return you to your best oral health … and it’s by placing a dental implant.

An implant is a replacement tooth root and crown that permanently replaces the lost tooth – or teeth.

Here are a few of the numerous benefits to dental implants …

Save your smile. By getting implants immediately after tooth loss, you

can prevent bone loss and maintain – or even improve – your facial appearance.

Enjoy eating your favorite foods just like you did with your natural teeth (or maybe even more). Pain or discomfort won’t get in your way!

Speak clearly. Since implants don’t slip, click, or shift, you’ll deliver your next speech or have a one-on-one conversation with well-founded confidence.

Restore self-esteem. With a complete smile, you are much more likely to share it with those around you.

Easy care. There are no special instructions for caring for your implant(s).

Your excellent home care and regular professional hygiene visits are all you need.

When properly cared for, implants can last for many years. . Dental implants have a success rate of 98%.

Risk factors that can affect longevity are related to poor homecare, irregular dental appointments, and illnesses such as diabetes.

We ALWAYS welcome new patients!

Please call 678.802.8576 today to book your consultation or to ask any questions about our practice.

Yours in excellent dental health, Dr. David Remaley and Dr. Destinee Hood, your Roswell dentists www.RoswellDentalCare.com

Dedicated to providing exceptional dentistry and creating beautiful, healthy smiles for over 30 years.

Our services include: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Crowns and Bridges in a few days Porcelain Veneers Tooth Colored Composite Fillings Teeth Whitening- no sensitivity Oral Cancer Screenings on all patients Teeth Cleanings, Digital X-Rays and Comprehensive Oral Exams on all new patients Cosmetic Smile Makeovers and Full Mouth Reconstruction (Complimentary Consultation) Occlusal Guards and Bite Adjustments Snore Guards and Sleep Apnea Analysis Digital X-Rays (90% less radiation) and Intra-Oral Photos Digitally Scanned Dental Impressions- No more gooey impressions!

Electronic Records Accept and File all Major Insurances Implants Root Canals

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470.288.1152 • roswelldentalcare.com 1570 Old Alabama Rd • Ste 102 • Roswell, GA 30076

22 | May 14, 2020 | NorthFulton.com

HEALTH & WELLNESS • Sponsored Section

The Memory Center Atlanta The Memory Center Atlanta is the most unique and comprehensive community for those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Devoted specifically to memory care, our expertly designed program meets the challenging conditions of an aging brain with a caring, interactive community. We understand a diagnosis of dementia doesn’t mean you or your loved one stops living, rather it means finding new ways to live by providing assistance to maintain an active and meaningful lifestyle.

Our residents enjoy music, dancing, live entertainment, art, gardening, - even outings, pet therapy and religious services. Enjoy a drink in the Chattahoochee Tavern, grab a movie in the Fox Theater or ice cream at the Bull Dog

Café. All residents experience socialization and activities accessible across all levels of dementia.

Even those who need 24/7 care benefit from life at The Memory Center.

Overseen by our medical director who specializes in the field of geriatric healthcare, our team of Licensed Practical Nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants provide the best 24/7 care.

Don’t let a crisis determine where your loved one receives care. If you are considering memory care, we encourage you to explore options as early as possible. Take the time to ask questions, tour and include your loved one in the decision making process. Transitioning to memory care early ensures the best quality of life with daily socialization and

engaging activities designed to meet the needs of you or your loved one.

Get in touch - ask us a question or schedule a tour of The Memory Center Atlanta to learn more about how our team provides a seamless transition for

Stimulus: Continued from Page 15 2. Write on the check/money order made payable to “U.S. Treasury” and write 2020EIP, and the taxpayer identification number (social security number, or individual taxpayer

Home: Continued from Page 18 the services RAH provides and people like Telama who don’t shy away from COVID-19, but who continue to go above and beyond to provide exemplary care for the most vulnerable population,” says Corona.

“I’ve owned RAH North Atlanta for over 10 years and have never been prouder of our caregivers,” says Brown.

“Seeing how they are stepping up at this

your loved one into their new home. Located at 12050 Findley Rd, Johns Creek, GA 30097, less than ½ mile from Medlock Bridge Rd. directly behind Emory Johns Creek Hospital. Call Today, (770) 476-3678.

identification number) of the recipient of the check.

3. Include a brief explanation of the reason for returning the EIP. Mail it to (I recommend using a method that includes a tracking number): Atlanta Refund Inquiry Unit 4800 Buford Hwy Mail Stop 112 Chamblee, GA 30341

time of health crisis to serve those in our community is humbling. They are truly heroes.”

RAH caregivers are trained extensively on limiting exposure to COVID-19, and RAH North Atlanta continues to actively monitor the recommendations and guidelines provided by the CDC, the World Health Organization, and our state and local departments of health. We have an amazing staff of caregivers ready to help seniors and disabled adults. Contact us at 770.343.6235 or www.rah-northatl. com.

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HEALTH & WELLNESS • Sponsored Section

Arbor Terrace of Johns Creek offers exemplary memory care Who can you trust for accurate cancer information?

By JONATHAN STEGALL, MD The Center for Advanced Medicine If you or a loved one has cancer, you probably looked online to obtain more information. The informaDR. STEGALL tion you found probably caused you to feel overwhelmed and confused.

As an oncologist, I am glad that patients have so much information at their fingertips online. A better-informed patient who understands his or her diagnosis and asks thoughtful questions is always a good thing. However, because anyone can post anything online, the information there is not always accurate or reliable.

My advice is to always question the source. Who is giving the advice? Is the advice applicable to you and your situation? What scientific support does he or she have for that advice? Is he or she open-minded to consider other options?

Does he or she even have the training and experience to be giving advice in the first place?

As you can see, it is uncommon to find advice from someone who fulfills all of these requirements. For this reason, I decided several years ago to develop resources to better educate cancer patients and their families. My book, Cancer Secrets, became a bestseller. I also started The Cancer Secrets Podcast, which has includes current information you need to know about. Please visits cancersecrets.com to learn more.

Arbor Terrace of Johns Creek uses Teepa Snow’s trademarked Gem Programming, Positive Personal Approach and other techniques in caring for residents with a dementia challenge. This approach helps families relate to their loved one in a meaningful, engaging way.

They offer personal appointments and tours for families to come and learn more about the Arbor Advantage and their 60-day guarantee of satisfaction.

This exemplary resort-style community offers beautiful apartments for Seniors at every stage of their care needs.

They have several floorplans for Assisted Living and in their Bridges neigh-

borhood. Families love Bridges higher engagement activities designed for early cognitive challenges. Their Evergreen Memory Care Neighborhood is available for when higher care is needed on their dementia journey. They also offer a furnished suite when needed.

Families can now focus on the relationship with their loved one in a less stressful manner and begin to feel the peace of mind that comes from knowing their loved ones are exceptionally cared for by a well trained caring team of professionals. Call Arbor Terrace of Johns Creek at 770-676-2410 to schedule a personal tour.

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NorthFulton.com | May 14, 2020 | 23

COMMUNITY

24 | May 14, 2020 | NorthFulton.com

Your stories: How COVID-19 is impacting the community

By JOE PARKER joe@appenmediagroup.com NORTH METRO ATLANTA — Troy Matthews says he’s no different from almost

family owned & operated since 1928

210 Ingram Ave. Cumming, 30040 770.887.2388 ingramfuneralhome.com

all restaurant owners, forced to find more ways to do business and keep his eateries afloat. Matthews is the owner of two Freshii locations, in Alpharetta’s Avalon and in midtown Atlanta. Both have seen sharp revenue declines COVID-19.

“It has really forced us to shift how we are doing things as a business,” Matthews said. “Folks are just not coming in. We do support the grab-and-go model and take-out, but taking away the traffic coming in, even just for a quick bite or to pick something up, almost 50 percent of our business has gone down.”

That figure is for the Avalon location, which is faring better than the Midtown location that is surrounded by now mostly empty office buildings.

While restaurants are now permitted to offer dine-in services, Matthews said his stores are still operating for takeout only. Though third-party delivery services like Uber Eats and DoorDash help

bring in some revenue, Matthews said it is a love-hate relationship.

“They bring a lot as far as the service they provide and marketing, but the hate part comes from them taking a big chunk of that revenue,” he said. “Most people don’t realize that some take almost 20 to 30 percent of those gross sales. It puts pressure on our margins.

And we have higher margins because of food costs, than say, a pizza place.”

Some delivery services lowered the percentage of sales they earn from deliveries in the initial stages of the pandemic, but Matthews said those percentages have been rising.

“We even have corporate lobbying on our behalf to work out a deal, so my heart goes out to these smaller restaurants who don’t have that support,” he said.

There are positives, however, to the coronavirus situation related to Freshii,

Now in our 91st year Family owned and operated On site crematory • Serving all faiths Offering: Burials • Cremation • Prearrangements Out-of-state transportation

which focuses on providing fast-casual healthy foods for better overall nutrition.

“The positive side is that I’m hoping this will lead to heightened awareness of eating better to improve overall wellness,” Matthews said. “What has been coming out of the data is that those who have underlying conditions, such as high cholesterol, are more at risk, and that can be attributed to what we are feeding our systems. There is added importance on eating those things that will not make us susceptible to virus or disease.”

Another positive impact is the affirmation of the area’s sense of community, Matthews said.

“We have seen a tremendous amount of support from the community,” he said. “It has been heartwarming to see people we have sponsored coming to us and asking how they can help. It gives us such joy when you see Milton High School, the football team, baseball team, softball team and chorus, all trying to support us. It is unique to Milton and unique to our sense of community and sense of family.”

Matthews said the more successful his business is, the more they want to give back. Customers can purchase meals through to the Alpharetta Freshii website to be donated to local frontline healthcare workers.

Despite the financial crunch from the pandemic, Matthews said he believes his business and the community will benefit.

“I am confident we will get through this and be stronger coming out of it,” he said.

DEATH NOTICES Crematory.

Dorothy Bartlett, 90, of Cumming, passed away April 28, 2020. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home and Larry Castleberry, 76, of Alpharetta, passed away May 4, 2020. Arrangements Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory.

Crematory.

Constance Cunningham, 84, of Alpharetta, passed away May 3, 2020.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors &

Geraldine Davis, 79, Roswell Funeral Home of Roswell, passed Green Lawn Cemetary away April 25, 2020.

Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home and Green Lawn Cemetery.

Faithfully Serving Families Since 1839

Roswell Funeral Home Green Lawn Cemetary Faithfully Serving Families Since 1839

Roswell Funeral Home Green Lawn Cemetary Faithfully Serving Families Since 1839

Lawn Cemetery.

Roswell Funeral Home Green Lawn Cemetary Faithfully Serving Families Since 1839

Roswell Funeral Home Green Lawn Cemetary Faithfully Serving Families Since 1839

Roswell Funeral Home

Green Lawn Cemetary Lawn Cemetery.

Christopher Dodds, 58, of Roswell, passed away April 28, 2020.

Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home and Green Keith Farver, 93, of Roswell, passed away April 24, 2020.

Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home and Green

Faithfully Serving Roswell Since 1839

Roswell Funeral Home Green Lawn Cemetary Faithfully Serving Families Since 1839

Roswell Funeral Home Green Lawn Cemetary Faithfully Serving Families Since 1839

Roswell Funeral Home

Green Lawn Cemetary Lawn Cemetery.

Faithfully Serving Roswell Since 1839

Roswell Funeral Home Green Lawn Cemetary Faithfully Serving Families Since 1839

Roswell Funeral Home Green Lawn Cemetary Faithfully Serving Roswell Since 1839

Roswell Funeral Home Green Lawn Cemetary Faithfully Serving Families Since 1839

Lawn Cemetery.

Gene Grissom, 84, of Alpharetta, passed away April 25, 2020.

Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home and Green

Lawn Cemetery.

Roswell Funeral HomeRoland Green Lawn Cemetary

Roswell Funeral Home Green Lawn Cemetary

Faithfully Serving Families Since 1839

Faithfully Serving Families Since 1839

Harding, 98, of Alpharetta, passed away May 4, 2020. Arrangements

by Northside Chapel Funeral Roswell Funeral HomeDirectors & Crematory.

Green Lawn Cemetary

Nanelle Perrmann, 80, of Alpharetta, passed away April 20, 2020. Arrangements

by South Care Cremation & Funeral Society.

Faithfully Serving Roswell Since 1839

Virginia Greenway, 93, of Roswell, passed away April 29, 2020.

Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home and Green

Roswell Funeral Home Green Lawn Cemetary Faithfully Serving Families Since 1839

Lou Scott, 95, of Alpharetta, passed away May 1, 2020.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Roswell Funeral Home Green Lawn Cemetary Faithfully Serving Families Since 1839

Roswell Funeral Home

Green Lawn Cemetary Lawn Cemetery.

Martin Smith, 72, of Alpharetta, passed away April 30, 2020.

Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home and Green Louise Wiley, 89, of Alpharetta, passed away April 25, 2020.

Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home and Green

Faithfully Serving Roswell Since 1839

Roswell Funeral Home Marjorie Green Lawn Cemetary

Woods, 100, of Alpharetta, passed away May 2, 2020. Arrangements

by Northside Chapel Funeral Roswell Funeral HomeDirectors & Crematory.

Faithfully Serving Families Since 1839

Green Lawn Cemetary

Faithfully Serving Roswell Since 1839

NorthFulton.com | May 14, 2020 | 25

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26 | May 14, 2020 | NorthFulton.com

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Reader Advisory: The National Trade Association we belong to has purchased the following classifieds. Determining the value of their service or product is advised by this publication. In order to avoid misunderstandings, some advertisers do not offer employment but rather supply the readers with manuals, directories and other materials designed to help their clients establish mail order selling and other businesses at home.

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contact us at 770-442-3278

NorthFulton.com | May 14, 2020 | 27

LOCAL HOME SERVICES GUIDE CONCRETE

McKemey concrete

Driveways • Patios • Walls • More Call or Text to

678.648.2010

Call Us For A FREE Quote

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99

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New Roof Purchase

Call 678-250-4546 Minimum job is $4,500

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ARBOR HILLS CONSTRUCTION INC.

TREE SERVICE

Cannot combine with any other offer or discount.

Valid GA only. Present coupon AFTER getting quote.

Roof Repair and Replacement

99

*Offer expires 10 days after publication

*Offer expires 10 days after publication

TREE SERVICE

PRESSURE WASH

ST !

BEVER 999 E ce 1 n

Si

(Formerly 404-CUT-TREE)

678.506.0006

Call Us For A FREE Quote

Call or Text to

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98

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Let Us Connect You Alpharetta-Roswell Herald Delivers to 28,000 households every Thursday Zip Codes: 30005, 30009, 30022, 30075, 30076.

Alpharetta & Roswell’s primary news source. Est. 1983. Alpharetta’s paper of record.

Forsyth Herald Delivers to 17,000 households every Thursday Zip Codes: 30040, 30041. Forsyth County’s largest circulation newspaper. Est. 1998 Johns Creek Herald Delivers to 20,000 households every Thursday Zip Codes: 30022, 30097. Johns Creek’s primary news source. Est. 1997. Johns Creek’s paper of record.

BUSINESS

Offices • Apartments • Tennis Courts Restaurants • and more

Ask for Mark Wegorst

99

FREE ESTIMATES Call 770-766-5566 Milton Herald Delivers to 10,000 households every Thursday Zip Code: 30004.

Community news for and about the City of Milton. Est. 2006. Milton’s paper of record.

Dunwoody Crier Delivers to 18,000 households every Thursday Zip Codes: 30338, 30350, 30360, 30346, 30319.

Community news for and about the City of Dunwoody and surrounding areas of Sandy Springs and Brookhaven. City of Dunwoody paper of record. Est. 1976. p: 770-442-3278 | f: 770-475-1216 e: advertising@appenmediagroup.com 319 North Main Street Alpharetta, GA 30009

28 | May 14, 2020 | NorthFulton.com

WE BUY ALL JEWELRY! Your estate jewelry & diamond specialists for 60 years.

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