Johns Creek Herald - January 26, 2023

Johns Creek court launches program to promote safety for teenage drivers

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — The Johns Creek Municipal Court has launched a free safe teen driving program.

Driver Risk Intervention and Vehicle Education (DRIVE) is an online program designed to teach teen drivers long-lasting safe driving habits. The class will help young drivers become aware of the serious consequences of their driving behavior by providing resourceful information for making safer choices when behind the wheel.

“The safety of our teen drivers and the driving public at large is of the utmost importance to the city,” Johns Creek Mayor John Bradberry said. “We all make mistakes, but our hope is that DRIVE will help these younger drivers to make better decisions in the future.”

The Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety reports that the first year of independent driving is the most dangerous period for beginning drivers based on mileage exposure. Teens between the ages of 15 and 19 are more likely to be injured or killed as a result of motor vehicle crashes than by any other cause.

The information covered in the new DRIVE program provides

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Woman claims Alpharetta hotel was complicit in sex trafficking

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTTA, Ga. — A purported victim of sex trafficking filed a complaint in U.S. District Court Jan. 10 against the Alpharetta location of Ramada Worldwide Inc. for allegedly allowing her to be trafficked there as a minor.

The victim, an Alpharetta resident who is referred to as “J.K.” in the complaint, alleges that she was trafficked by a man identified in the filing as “Kelvin” at the Ramada Limited Suites at 3020 Mansell Road from 2013-2014.

The complaint alleges that Kelvin threatened J.K. with violence and distributed video footage of her performing sex acts to individuals she knew as a form of punishment when

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.

Men’s spa employee receives disturbing email

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Johns Creek Police were dispatched to Jonpaul’s Salon and Spa for Men on Medlock Bridge Road Jan. 13 in response to harassment from a customer.

A woman told police a “disgruntled” customer sent an email in regard to how one of the employees made him upset. The woman was not sure who the customer could be because they have two customers with the same name. The customer sent an email talking about political standpoints and race and how his life was hard when growing up, the police report said.

The woman could not give police a physical description of the customer. Business staff haven’t seen the customer in a couple of days, the police report said, nor has the customer made any other attempts to contact staff.

Woman reports fraud from her Tulsa business

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A woman reported to Johns Creek Police Jan. 13 that someone forged a business check in the amount of $210,000 at the United Community Bank on McGinnis Ferry Road.

The woman, calling from Tulsa,

she threatening to quit.

The complaint filed by attorneys Matthew B. Stoddard and M. Janine Bell of The Stoddard Firm, who represent J.K., stated that Kelvin would pay for rooms one night at a time in cash and that the hotel had knowledge of online reviews by individuals claiming they were solicited for or mentioning evidence of prostitution during their stay.

The complaint stated that J.K. is entitled to a claim against the hotel under the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, which states that “whoever knowingly benefits, financially or by receiving anything of value from participation in a venture which that person knew or should have known” is in violation of the act.

By allowing Kelvin to rent rooms at the hotel, profit off these rooms

Oklahoma, said she already filed a report with the Tulsa Police Department and informed her bank that the transaction was made within the city limits of Johns Creek.

The woman said she knew the check was created fraudulently because it was different from the checks her business uses. She said the banking information printed on the check was correct, but the watermark and other small details were not the same.

If the check had been deposited on the weekend, the woman said, there was a chance the check would have cleared, and their business account would have been severely depleted.

Firm’s owner alleges worker embezzled funds

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — The owner of a logistics company alleges that one of his managers has stolen $1.8 million over eight years.

The owner told Johns Creek Police Jan. 13 that his manager has access to all of his financial accounts to pay for expenses and work-related items. The owner provided police with multiple documents that reflected money had been removed from the business accounts at Metro City Bank, the police report said, as well as a thumb drive filled with transactions the manager had made.

The owner said he thinks his manager and his manager’s wife created a small business, Asiana Export, to move the money. The business was started in 2013, the owner said. Because the owner does a lot of business with the similarly named Asiana Airlines, the

and Kelvin’s use of the hotel Wi-Fi network to advertise J.K. for sex, the Ramada knowingly benefited from the trafficking, the complaint alleges.

Stoddard wrote in an email that the firm has faith in the courts to “interpret the TVPRA such that franchisor entities cannot escape justice.” Stoddard also wrote that the case would pursue theories that were not pursued in in Doe v. Red Roof Inn, a previous TVPRA sex trafficking case in which the plaintiffs failed to prove their claims.

“Our firm remains committed to helping survivors of sexual assault,” Stoddard wrote.

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has not provided a comment as of publication.

The case, number 1:23-cv-00108, will be presented before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.

transactions were not noticed until recently.

The owner found out about the theft because Asiana Airlines contacted him about payment. He then verified that payment had been made Dec. 22, but also found two additional payments dated the same day to Asiana Export.

The owner contacted the manager’s wife about the payments, and she apologized and returned the money. Out of suspicion, the owner went to Metro City Bank and found that all passcodes had been changed on his accounts, and only his employee had access.

The owner told police he locked all business accounts, except Metro City Bank, and was working on getting financial records from the bank.

HANS

Johns Creek ushers in Year of the Rabbit

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A red, ornate lion costume paraded across the stage at Mark Burkhalter Amphitheater in Newtown Park, effortlessly operated by two performers raising and lowering its body.

The lion dance, one of several cultural performances at the Johns Creek Lunar New Year celebration Jan. 21, is a Chinese tradition intended to bring good fortune.

Saturday afternoon’s performances were rooted in traditions that spanned countries across East Asia, including Laos, Thailand and Korea.

Commonly known as the Spring Festival in East Asia, Lunar New Year commemorates the beginning of a new year on the lunisolar calendar. Several thousand visitors gathered around Newtown Park’s amphitheater throughout the event, which featured traditional food offerings, local vendors and an activity area for kids.

Asian, Indian and Pacific Islanders represent around one-quarter of the city’s population, Johns Creek Volunteer Coordinator Stacey Gross said, and the cultural celebration was intended to provide visitors with a chance to learn and immerse themselves in the Lunar New Year festivities.

Midway through the event, Johns Creek Mayor John Bradberry took the stage.

“Welcome to the Year of the Rabbit,” he said.

The rabbit is the fourth celestial animal of the Chinese zodiac. Its sequence is based on Chinese folklore.

Sparkle Oh, who sat alongside her parents on the tiered area at the back of the amphitheater, said she has always celebrated the Lunar New Year with relatives, especially when she lived in South Korea, where her parents are from.

Oh made the trip from Doraville because she wanted to know more of the holiday’s history to share with her friends who don’t celebrate.

“I didn’t know so many other countries celebrate the Lunar New Year,” Oh said. “So coming here and seeing the performers who did the Laos traditional dance was cool to watch.”

In a grassy area to the left of the stage, the Magic Eastern Ensemble played the guzheng, a traditional Chinese instrument with 21 strings that was once used to entertain the emperor.

Formed in 2018, the Magic

Eastern Ensemble is a nonprofit committed to promoting traditional East Asian instrumental music culture through its combination with Western music culture. Member Cindy Fang said the organization is not specific to one country, and it combines new audiences with many ethnicities.

Linhan Feng, 17, has been playing the guzheng since she was a freshman in high school. With a personal interest in music, Feng said she likes to perform so others can get to know Chinese culture.

Feng and other members of the Magic Eastern Ensemble wore traditional Chinese attire. Feng wore a red, floral hanfu, or robe, which, she said, is what older women wear in the winter. White fur lined the robe.

Feng’s updo was decorated with floral pins with beaded chains hanging from them. She said the hairstyle is worn by married women, while teenagers wear their hair half down. The hair pins, or buyao, are a way of measuring whether someone is a “good lady or not,” Feng said. The objective is to walk around poised so as not to make the buyao swing.

Feng said Lunar New Year is an important holiday for her, despite being in America where the calendar is different.

“I’m really glad that there’s some people that set up events,” Feng said. “We can celebrate together — all different races. It doesn’t matter where you’re from, you can still celebrate the same holiday.”

Lion dance performers enter the stage Jan. 21 at Mark Burkhalter Amphitheater inside Newtown Park, bringing the creation to life by raising and lowering its body. Intended to embrace the cultural diversity of Johns Creek, the city’s Lunar New Year celebration commemorates the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar.

PHOTOS BY AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

Several thousand people gather for the Johns Creek Lunar New Year celebration inside Newtown Park Jan. 21.

Sparkle Oh and her father sit in the back of Mark Burkhalter Amphitheater, enjoying the Jan. 21 Johns Creek Lunar New Year cultural performances.

Dunwoody police obscure arrest locations

City Hall stands in as reported location of prostitution stings

By CARL APPEN and ALEXANDER POPP carl@appenmedia.com alex@appenmedia.com

DUNWOODY, Ga. — This summer, a series of prostitution arrests in Dunwoody had a peculiar similarity – the police reports all said they took place at City Hall.

It wasn’t the only occurrence. In the past three years there have been at least 51 police reports involving prostitution using the location ID of 4800 Ashford Dunwoody.

It turns out, there was no underground brothel operating out of City Hall. Instead, officers follow an “informal policy” meant to preserve the department’s ability to conduct sting operations at local hotels.

When arrests are made in stings, Dunwoody officers use the address of Dunwoody City Hall in police reports because Chief Billy Grogan says hotels wouldn’t let them use their space otherwise.

“I think if we had to put the exact address, then we might as well stop trying to enforce human trafficking,” Grogan said. “If we started saying, ‘Okay, we made 15 arrests here at the Crowne Plaza today.’ Well, then, the Crowne Plaza could get bad publicity from that, and then say, ‘Hey, y’all, this is hurting our business. We’re not gonna allow you to do this.’”

Instead, the Police Department treats the hotels they operate out of for these stings the same as a confidential informant.

“The crime would never have been committed if the police had not been proactive,” Dunwoody Assistant City Manager Jay Vinicki said. “So therefore, do not penalize the property owner by saying a crime was committed.”

Open Records law

However, Georgia First Amendment Foundation spokesman Richard T. Griffiths said the practice that Grogan and Vinicki describe basically amounts to filing a false police report and violates Georgia’s Open Records law.

“There are minimal reporting requirements for the Open Records Act,” Griffiths said. “It doesn’t get into the investigative files, but it does

For the last 10 years, the

cover sex trafficking operations occur in

Behind the story

For this reporting Appen Media filed 28 Freedom of Information (FOIA) requests and inspected 271 pages of documents. Two reporters, two editors and a number of other staff members contributed to

require accurate information to be published in incident reports that are available to the public for inspection.”

He said he thinks the practice is, “a deliberate attempt to mislead the public about what’s happening in their community,” which isn’t mitigated by the fact that it may, or may not, protect the identity of a local business.

“The public has a right to know what is happening in their community, and for police departments to deliberately falsify their incident reports for an alleged protection of the investigation doesn’t serve the public very well,” he said. “It doesn’t build trusted institutions.”

the project over the course of six months.

Support dogged reporting of local issues by joining the Appen Press Club at appenmedia.com/join.

The practice also goes against the department’s own Standard Operating Procedure, which states that incident reports will include, among other information, the “location of the incident.”

Grogan said it was a longstanding informal policy, but one he believes is justified given the city’s history with sex trafficking crimes and the efforts they’ve taken to combat it over the past decade.

When the Dunwoody Police Department began targeting human trafficking and sex trafficking about 10 years ago, Grogan said the city was dealing with an influx of what amounted to “open air” prostitution

markets at local hotels.

In interviews with those arrested for orchestrating sex trafficking operations, Grogan said police learned over the years that Dunwoody is viewed as the perfect place for sex workers and sex traffickers because it’s a gateway between the north, south, east and west, with easy access to Gwinnett and Cobb counties on I-285, and on Ga. 400 into north Fulton cities and into the heart of Atlanta.

Crackdown has worked

Through operations and educational events, Grogan said police have been able to slow sex trafficking in the Dunwoody area down to a trickle. So now they’ve taken the fight online, setting up stings for people coming into Dunwoody from other areas to buy or sell sex, using sting operations targeting suspects online.

“Because we’re being proactive and addressing this, even now, it’s sometimes difficult for us to attract people to come to them,” Grogan said.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY CARL APPEN/APPEN MEDIA

Dunwoody Police Department has held an informal policy to obscure the location of where under-

published documents, using the address of Dunwoody City Hall.

Alex Popp to lead Perimeter coverage

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — North Georgia journalist Alexander Popp has been selected to spearhead coverage of the Perimeter area for the Dunwoody and Sandy Springs Crier newspapers.

He will report to Carl Appen, director of Content and Development, and will be based in Alpharetta.

"Alex is our most experienced reporter and has proven himself as a great representative of the newsroom. It just makes sense for him to be our vanguard into a brand-new coverage area," Appen said.

For the last six months, Popp has reported on local government and public safety in Forsyth County and

Obscure:

Continued from Page 4

Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch said she wasn’t aware of the Police Department’s informal policy to obscure confidential crime locations using the address of City Hall. She said she has no authority over the Police Department’s policies.

“In a city manager-council form of government, the layers of authority as it relates to police are very clearly defined … So those are decisions that aren’t made by myself and are not reviewed by myself or the council either,” Deutsch said.

However, Deutsch said she stood by the policies and decisions made by the Police Department and city leaders and believes they have “good reasons” for everything they do.

“I have a lot of confidence in those types of decisions being made by the people who do it for a living, or for the city manager who has worked in local government for decades,” she said.

Grogan later told Appen Media that the department’s informal policy to obscure locations where crimes occur is very limited, and by necessity only.

“Everything can’t be a policy. You’d

the City of Alpharetta. Recently Popp and his wife Ellen moved to Sandy Springs.

Originally from the Alpharetta area, Popp graduated from the University of North Georgia in 2016 and subsequently spent a 6-month sabbatical Thru-Hiking the Appalachian Trail before starting work as a Forsyth County crime reporter in 2017.

To contact Popp with news tips or story ideas, email alex@appenmedia. com or call (770) 847-7404.

The mantle of Appen Media’s Forsyth County and Alpharetta reporter will be taken up by recent UGA Grad Shelby Israel.

have a book that big,” he said, holding his hands about a foot apart.

He said that even with the sex trafficking cases they do value the importance of accuracy at some point along the line. Some cases, like those with attached felony drug charges, must be bound over to DeKalb County Court. In those scenarios the obscured address goes away and the real address of where the crime occurred is entered into the public record.

“It’s one thing for us to put it on our system,” he said. “But if they had taken a warrant out, they should put the actual address where it happened.”

But Grogan said that nearly 100 percent of cases generated from their sex trafficking sting operations are settled in municipal court, either for a plea deal or other type of negotiation, so often cases don’t ever reach the DeKalb County Court.

Grogan said “maybe” it’s a double standard to obscure information in local reports and the municipal court, and not in county court documents, but he believes it’s worth it if it allows them to continue fighting human trafficking.

“Because if none of the hotels will cooperate … it just wouldn’t happen,” he said.

Liz Hausmann reflects on decades in public office

NFULTON COUNTY, Ga. — ewly retired Fulton County Commissioner Liz Hausmann sat down with Appen Media Managing Editor Patrick Fox Jan. 6 to reflect on her 25-year career in politics, Georgia State Senate campaign loss and her future plans.

A lifelong Republican, Hausmann ran on a platform of fighting crime, election integrity, low millage rates, job creation and increased mental health funding in schools.

Looking back, Hausmann said she doesn’t know if the seat was ultimately winnable for a Republican. The District 14 seat covers parts of Roswell, Sandy Springs and north Atlanta, but that was not always the case.

The senate district originally covered rural Bartow County but was moved to the more purple North Fulton as part of the 2021 legislative redistricting.

“North Fulton is changing

By DELANEY TARR | delaney@appenmedia.com

For the past 12 years, Hausmann has represented District 1 seat on the Fulton County Commission, which covers much of North Fulton. Prior to her time on the County Commission, she served as a charter member of the Johns Creek City Council, a member of the Fulton County Board of Education and on the

demographically,” Hausmann told Fox. “It was viewed as a toss-up seat initially, but I think something’s happened nationally that affected the outlook of folks in the district.”

After losing the election, Hausmann decided to retire.

Volatile beginnings

Hausmann has built a career as a connecter between county and city governments. She was a charter member of Johns Creek City Council and assisted in its incorporation efforts in 2006.

Hausmann said tension between the county and local communities helped spur the drive to form Johns

Fulton County Board of Registration and Elections.

Hausmann retired after losing her bid for the Georgia State Senate District 14 seat in November. In her only career loss, Hausmann finished 9 percentage points behind her Democratic opponent Josh McLaurin.

Creek.

“It was very much the cities had to be created in order just to get basic services,” Hausmann said.

Residents in the area, she said, felt neglected by a county that was too large to provide communities with the service levels they needed on issues like traffic.

“The entire reason was just to have control over what kind of developments come in your community, what the road projects might be, what the parks may be like,” Hausmann said.

Her time in the city’s early years motivated her to run for Fulton County Commission, even

though Johns Creek had a tenuous relationship with the county government.

“Fulton County is so unique, with all the cities that we have, that it was so important to me that we learn to live with each other and work together,” Hausmann said. “Having come from a city that's really been one of the main reasons I ran.”

Joining the ‘bad guys’

It was a change for Hausmann, noting that Fulton County had been painted as “the bad guy that didn’t pay us any attention.”

ALEX POPP/APPEN MEDIA

Former District 1 Fulton County Commissioner Liz Hausmann, who vacated her seat at the end of 2022, was honored by Alpharetta officials at the Dec. 12 City Council meeting. City representatives said that Hausmann was an invaluable ally to the people of north Fulton County, and they honored her with a city proclamation. Hausmann, a Republican, ran unsuccessfully for Georgia’s District 14 Senate seat in this year’s election.

Hausmann:

Continued from Page 6

Hausmann said that was the climate she faced when she won the District 1 commission seat as the only voice representing North Fulton.

Despite the tension, Hausmann said she was determined to forge relationships and avoid being antagonistic.

Within a couple of years, composition of the commission districts changed and a new District 2 seat was created to add more representation in North Fulton. The new districts equalized the county with three representatives from the north, three in the south and the chairman at large. It solved the problem of representation, but there were many other issues to tackle.

In Hausmann’s first term, the county went through three different managers, in a period she describes as “volatile.”

By the time the county chose a sound manager, commissioners had to inform him the county was near bankruptcy. When current County Manager Dick Anderson came on board in 2015, he sat the commissioners down for training, helped with policies and worked on changing the entire environment.

Hausmann said it was the start of solving their dysfunction as a county, with commissioners sitting down to eat lunch with city mayors for the first time to attempt to find common ground.

Even so, through the years, some city mayors offered few good words for Fulton County.

Fox cited former Johns Creek Mayor Mike Bodker as one key official who seldom trusted the county and was often quoted blasting it for some of its decisions.

When Fulton County commissioners voted to distribute $2.5 million of the $104 million it received in federal coronavirus relief to the cities, Bodker and a number of other mayors were outraged and threatened to sue.

The county relented and bumped the cities’ share to $25 million.

“Fulton County screws all its residents equally,” Bodker said after the agreement.

For those who continued to butt heads with the county, Hausmann had a simple answer.

“Just give them a job, let them be part of the solution,” Hausmann said.

So, in 2021, with Bodker announcing he would not seek

another term as Johns Creek Mayor, Hausmann nominated and won approval to place him on the Development Authority of Fulton County, where he now serves as treasurer.

For her first four years in office, Hausmann was the only Republican on the commission. It left her often a dissenting vote on issues, like her contentious support in keeping the old Alpharetta library so it could later be converted into an art center.

For the entirety of her career, Hausmann was rarely at the center of conflicts, even in the face of inflammatory conflicts and tensions with local governments.

“I told y’all, I’m not going to go and be a bomb thrower, I’m just going to get things done,” Hausmann said.

With a mix of Republicans and Democrats on the commission, Hausmann pointed out the vote splits were often not along party lines.

According to Hausmann, even with all of the existing challenges, the steps she and the commission took led to a period of peace between the county and local cities.

But the group hug didn’t last long.

Sales tax negotiations

The Fulton County local option sales tax, or LOST, is used by local government to fund projects and services like parks, public safety, recreation, elections, courts, jails and health.

Revenues from the tax, which run in the billions, are split between Fulton County and its 15 cities through a negotiated agreement every 10 years.

In 2022, county negotiators introduced a distribution that would increase the county’s share of sales tax revenues from the current 5 percent to 35 percent, leaving the 15 cities to split the remaining 65 percent. It was a distribution formula not seen since before 2000 when there were still large chunks of unincorporated areas the county serviced.

Mayors from the 15 cities were outraged, pointing out that the landscape of Fulton County had changed drastically since the pre-2000 rate. They said that with the creation of almost half a dozen new cities, Fulton County now presides over 1.5 square miles of unincorporated land today.

The relevancy of Fulton County

Over the past 25 years, the might of Fulton County has diminished. New cities, like Sandy Springs, Johns Creek, Milton, and South Fulton have all but closed the door to county sway in many areas.

Hausmann admitted she was taken aback by the county’s initial proposal and stressed that the pitch came from consultants and not commissioners.

“We had just determined there’d be negotiating teams that would meet,” Hausmann said. “The first meeting when the outrageous 35 percent was thrown out there turned everything on its ear.”

In response, cities tried to put forward a proposal that would leave the county with nothing, a move Hausmann called “unrealistic.”

“There are things that the county does that do qualify under the law for the use of LOST revenue that we were using their money for,” Hausmann said.

Cities are more dependent on the funds than the county, but the county needs the funds for elections, courts, libraries, tax assessments, safety net services and public health, she said.

Over time, the county and cities negotiated an agreement by which the county will receive about 10 percent of LOST revenues over the 10-year period. Across the decade, the county share will slowly increase from 4.9 percent to 9.9 percent, leaving the cities with a slow decrease in their share.

The agreement still leaves the cities with 90 percent of the funds, and officials predict economic growth will offset the staggered decrease in LOST funds.

“For years we were making such progress and to see it all, you know, be blown apart was really, really hurtful,” Hausmann said. “I think we did some serious damage over these LOST negotiations.”

She said the resolution is fair but took longer than she hoped for.

The county covers 534 square miles, but it only has exclusive jurisdiction over 1.5 square miles.

Hausmann defended the relevance of the county government.

“See, the services are different,” Hausmann said. “I think that’s what people need to understand.”

At their core, the county serves different areas than the cities, a fact shown by the uses for LOST funding in different areas.

As an example, Hausmann pointed to the County Health Department. Before COVID-19 hit, she said nobody cared about the department. The onset of the pandemic changed that mindset significantly, especially since Fulton County is responsible for Grady Hospital, which has 953 beds.

“I would say that Fulton County serves all 1.1 million folks that live in Fulton County,” Hausmann said.

As Hausmann exits a political career that spans a quarter of a century, she points to North Fulton’s rapid development as a source of pride.

When she joined the Fulton County Board of Education in 2003, there were only about four high schools in the area.

“All the kids were in trailers, and you know, we’re bursting at the seams,” Hausmann said.

Now, the county contains 20 high schools. Hausmann said that level of growth in that time period is significant.

“I really feel honored to have served as long as I did, and to be at all levels of local government,” Hausmann said. “I’ve seen a lot in this community, you know, during a period of high growth.”

“I told y’all, I’m not going to go and be a bomb thrower, I’m just going to get things done.”

LIZ HAUSMANN, former District 1 Fulton County Commissioner

Liz Hausmann, Former Fulton County Commissioner Pat Fox, Appen Media Group Managing Editor

Roswell Police Department reaches full staffing level

By DELANEY TARR delaney@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — For the first time in 20 years, the Roswell Police Department is fully staffed.

The department announced there were 160 officers employed at the start of 2023, leaving no vacancies.

“Staffing for law enforcement and retention is a challenge, it’s not a Roswell, North Fulton, Georgia issue, it’s worldwide,” Police Chief James Conroy said.

When Conroy was appointed chief in 2019, he said the department had many vacancies. Hiring new officers and keeping them was his top priority.

He said the department worked with the city to take steps to encourage applications. The first was salary. Historically, Conroy said Roswell has played “catch up” with the salaries in neighboring cities.

“Salary is just one component, but it is the big headline grabber,” Conroy said.

He met with Roswell Mayor Kurt Wilson and the City Council to address police pay, and in July 2022 the council agreed on a “Best in Class” salary template.

The policy raised existing officer salaries by 20 percent and boosted starting salaries by 20 percent across the board. Brand new officer’s salaries start at $58,553, and officers with experience and a college degree can make up to $71,635.

Conroy said the salary increase worked— in 2022, the department hired 36 new police officers, 23 of them with experience at other agencies.

The mix of new and experienced officers was intentional. Conroy said the department received 737 applications in 2022 alone, but they wanted some officers with experience who could start the job faster.

Still, Conroy wanted to put some officers through the academy so they could learn about Roswell from the ground up.

“This is where they develop their policing skills, many of them grew up here, then became officers,” Conroy said. “They work where they grew up, which is important.”

Salary increases aren’t the only measure the city is taking to bolster its police department. In November, Roswell residents approved a $52 million public safety bond, almost half

of it committed to a new public safety headquarters for police, fire and the 911 call center.

The Roswell Police Department has been in the same building on Hill Street since 1991. Back then, there were 88 officers serving 49,000 residents. Since then, the population has nearly doubled to 93,000.

With a nearly doubled officer size, Conroy said the department has “outgrown” its existing headquarters.

Mayor Wilson said the decision to support the department financially was an easy one, even if it went against some people’s wishes.

“For the last couple of years, there’s this narrative out there about defunding the police,” Wilson said. “We’re going to do the opposite; we’re going to fund the police.”

The “defund the police” movement gained some popularity in 2020 in the wake of the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis, Minn., police.

The Defund the Police website calls for channeling money away from police and investing in community initiatives.

Locally in Metro Atlanta, and more specifically in North Fulton County, police funding was never threatened, and a host of cities have raised salaries to retain and recruit police.

Roswell Councilwoman Lee Hills, who serves as liaison to Public Safety, supports the initiative to reward good policing.

“Our residents don’t know all that most officers do, but I would say in the top three items if you ask any of our residents, brand new or been here forever, why do you love it here?” Hills

said. “It feels good, it’s safe.”

Conroy emphasized the department takes a less traditional approach to some aspects of policing.

The department abides by a 21st-century policing, a six-pillar framework focused on reducing crime and building trust with the public. It also has an active policy of deescalation, an alternative police tactic focused on decreasing the intensity of confrontations.

A 2022 University of Cincinnati study showed that training officers in de-escalation techniques resulted in 28 percent fewer use-of-force incidents, 26 percent fewer injuries to community members and 36 percent fewer injuries to police officers.

Conroy said teaching officers the policy was hard, but the department is “being smart” about interactions, and there is still work to do. In the coming weeks he expects a few vacancies, but he already has a list of candidates lined up.

Mayor Wilson and Councilwoman Hills said they plan to continue their support for sound policing through 2023.

Wilson said city support needs to be more than financial.

“They look at more than salary, they look at support,” Wilson said. “Are we supported by our elected officials, are we supported by our community?”

He also lauded the standards the department has set.

“The department has a 5 percent acceptance rate, which is pretty impressive for a job that doesn’t pay out and doesn’t give you a lot of glamour,” Wilson said.

FILE PHOTO

Roswell Police Officer R. Ateca introduces himself at a community event June 9, 2022. Ateca is one of 160 officers in a department that is fully staffed for the first time in 20 years.

LNB Candles brings Alpharetta clean, safe scent alternatives

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Entering LNB Candles, visitors are greeted by a small, white chihuahua named Johnny Depp and a modern entryway, featuring floral backdrops and neon lighting one might find on a chic Instagram page.

LNB owner Michelle Walters says she offers something other major fragrance retailers do not: safe and clean scents with simple ingredients.

“It was not ever intended to actually be a full-time business, and it ended up turning out to be one, which is kind of cool,” Walters said.

A self-proclaimed “type A personality,” Walters said her business, located at 6778 Jamestown Drive in Alpharetta, relaxes her and helps her feel her own sense of Zen.

“I want you to feel like you walked into a place that’s here for you, that’s personalized for you,” Walters said. “So, if you have questions about anything, if you have concerns about anything, if you want to know, can I customize something. Like, I can do things more so than a big box retailer can do, and I want to do those things for you.”

Business background

Walters started making candles 10 years ago. Her daughter loved burning candles, Walters said, but after being diagnosed with a health condition, her daughter developed headaches, sleeplessness and cystic acne from the candles.

Some candles, Walters said, contain chemicals that make the scents harmful when inhaled. A study conducted by the South Carolina State University from 2006

to 2010 showed that candles made with paraffin, a wax made from petroleum, release dangerous chemicals that are “health hazards and could cause various diseases.”

The study also states that candles with bases made from soybean, the base that Walters uses at LNB, do not release similar pollutants.

“So, I made some candles, and then her friends came over to the house, and they’re like, ‘Mrs. Walters, could you make us a candle for our room?’” Walters said. “And then it turned into making candles for their parents that had businesses, and then making them for parties and events and weddings, and then just happened to walk by a location that had a for-lease sign

and signed up and opened up the store.”

Walters has grown beyond candles, now selling car fresheners, room sprays and diffusers. She said LNB will experiment with body sprays and body lotions.

LNB Candles has already branched out into various retailers, including Walmart

“I want you to feel like you walked into a place that’s here for you, that’s personalized for you.”

MICHELLE

WALTERS,

owner, LNB Candles

SHELBY ISRAEL/APPEN MEDIA

Michelle Walters sells candles, room sprays, car fresheners, wick trimmers, diffusers and wax melts at LNB Candles, located at 6778 Jamestown Drive, Jan. 17. Walters’ candles and wax melts are soybean-based and are safe to inhale when burned.

BUSINESSPOSTS

Candles:

and Amazon.

“I got to the point now where I started off with a very small candle-making process, and now I’ve gotten to the point where I’m having a very large candlemaking process, melting wax for me every single day,” Walters said. “So it’s pretty cool.”

Walters said being environmentallyconscious is an important part of her business.

“That’s one thing I like about the products that I use, like a lot of times people bring the candles and are like, ‘Hey, can I refill them?’” Walters said. “And I’m like, ‘Yeah, absolutely, come to the shop.’

Instead of throwing a candle container away, you can refill it again, and you can even choose a different scent to go in it.”

LNB’s products are also pet-friendly and non-toxic, she said. Her room sprays, unlike oil-based air fresheners, do not stain walls.

Setting up shop

Walters opened her shop last year. Part of choosing what products to make and sell depends on a customer’s scent preferences.

“Usually, I go in, and I’ll bring them three types of scents,” Walters said. “So, I’ll

bring them something that’s maybe like a floral, something that’s like a herb-type of scent and something else that’s a musk.”

Walters said candles are a very personalized item, and part of expanding on a scent line is deciding what customers most like.

Candles like the “Great Gatsby,” are inspired by personal anecdote. Walters

said the scent reminds her of her grandfather, who smelled like aftershave when she hugged him.

Walters said the number of products for a particular scent she keeps in stock depends on demand and whether the scent is part of a limited holiday collection.

Whether it’s out of stock or a request for something new, however, Walters said

she accepts custom scent orders to find a customer’s perfect product.

Customers will see the LNB logo displayed behind the front counter and a holiday display table when they enter. Down the hall and to the right is the showroom, which Walters said she likes decorating for holidays. Heart pillows, the word “love” and a giant pink Teddy bear Walters stuffed herself get customers into the Valentine’s Day spirit.

Next up

This year, Walters said LNB is going through the trademark process, which would allow her to expand the business’s wholesale contracts.

“I would love to just keep expanding it into stores and into more boutiques and expand our line also on Amazon,” Walters said. “We have candles on Amazon, which have sold really, really well, but I was waiting for the trademark protection to come in before we continue to expand the line, just so we’re able to protect it.”

LNB makes stops at the Halcyon Farmers Market, the Vickery Village Farmers Market, the North Main Street Market at Alpharetta and the Milton Farmers Market.

The shop is open weekdays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays, noon to 6 p.m.

“I love what I do, and I know it’s going into someone’s home, so I want them to love it when they get it and to enjoy the product,” Walters said.

SHELBY ISRAEL/APPEN MEDIA

Michelle Walters, owner of LNB Candles at 6778 Jamestown Drive, decorates her showroom with Valentine’s décor Jan. 17. Walters said she decorates for Christmas, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter and summertime.

Barnacles on the ship of life

Over the next few months, we’ll take a closer look at a few of the most common spots that pop up on our skin. Today’s article is about the most common new growth that develops after the age of 40 – the “seborrheic keratosis” or SK for short.

SK’s are benign, which means that they are not cancerous. Still, they are probably THE growth that patients ask me about most frequently. It is understandable that SK’s generate worry because they exhibit many of the features that we teach people to fear. SK’s grow and sometimes itch. If scratched or traumatized, they can hurt or bleed. They can be brown or black. Such spots often cause alarm.

Changing brown or black growths should be examined by a dermatologist to rule out melanoma. The most common differences between SK’s and melanomas are fairly easy to list but can be hard to apply without practice. And because the stakes for misdiagnosing one’s self are so high (death), having a dermatologist look at spots with you is completely justified. Some patients feel silly coming in for something that turns out to be “nothing” but getting checked is smart. Self-diagnosis is not advised, especially not initially. But, with time, patients can often identify most SK’s confidently using these rules:

SK’s have a few reasonably consistent features: they are usually rough or waxy in texture. They are almost always “stuck-on” in appearance similar to a barnacle on a ship. SK’s often feel as if you can get a fingernail underneath the edge and just pop them off (and some patients can and do!). Waxy SK’s are not particularly rough whereas the rough SK’s are often “warty” in appearance.

Other features of SK’s are less consistent. SK’s are often tan or brown, but they can be black, pink, multicolored or even white. On the feet and ankles, white SK’s are called “stucco keratoses and look as if the ankles and feet were spackled with stucco. Seborrheic keratoses range in size from pinpoint to as big as an oyster shell. Given these variations, color and size are not helpful diagnostic features. They often get thicker and bigger with time, so growth isn’t a helpful differentiator either.

What do you do once you’ve confirmed that a growth is “only” an SK? Seborrheic keratoses are easily treatable and can often be frozen away with liquid nitrogen or curetted away with ease. Insurance unfortunately only considers it medically necessary to treat SK’s that are bleeding, irritated, painful, getting rubbed on by clothing or otherwise symptomatic. “Cosmetic” SK removal is available at most dermatology clinics for a cosmetic fee.

Small SK’s can usually be removed with minimal residual blemish, but larger SK’s may leave a lighter-colored area or subtle scar after removal. In one U.S. study, the average American over the age of 40 developed one new SK per year with the average 65-yearold exhibiting 33 SK’s upon a thorough counting. Given how pleasingly SK’s can be removed when they are still small, a “debarnacling” every year or two is a reasonable choice for most individuals.

Given that skin cancer is more than ten times more common than any other cancer, it pays to familiarize yourself with the appearances of skin cancer and its mimics (Google Images is a great tool for this purpose). For patients with concerning spots, a family history of skin cancer or risk factors such as a history of sun damage or tanning bed use, a visit with a dermatologist is highly recommended.

Brought to you by - Brent Taylor, MD, Premiere Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta

Misconceptions about Active Adult 55+ Living

Assumption: Active Adult and Independent Living are the same thing Reality: FALSE! Active adult communities serve as choice-based option for individuals 55 and better who may not be ready for the needs-based services and amenities of a traditional senior living community.

Assumption: Active Adult site staff are medically certified

Reality: FALSE! Our staff does not provide any medical care or interventions. This allows our residents to maintain their long-time health care providers and medical independence.

Assumption: I have to be retired in order to move into an Active Adult community

Reality: FALSE! Just like living in a multi-family community, we encourage our residents to continue to engage in their career and social interests as they did prior to moving in!

The Active Adult environment caters to older adults who typically have lower

health needs and prefer an active, community-based lifestyle where they can engage with their neighbors of similar age. This may allow for a stronger sense of community and an easier adjustment to apartment living. Here at Outlook Gwinnett, we seek to provide luxurious, worry-free living long before you are ready to relinquish your independence. Look forward to spending hot summer days lounging by our meticulously cared for outdoor pool! Or connect with your neighbors and plan your evening get-togethers around our stocked wine nook and sports lounge. Add in our community calendar, packed with a never-ending variety of SUN program activities, the possibilities are limitless here at Outlook Gwinnett!

Stop by our leasing office today to find out how to reserve a spot in this unique community today.

1500 Laurel Crossing Parkway Buford, GA 30519

(678) 890-5371

outlookgwinnett.com

Brought to you by - Outlook Gwinnett

» Spacious and open, one- and two-bedroom floor plans

» Masterfully-appointed kitchen with luxury finishes

» Walk-in closets

» Pet friendly

» Washer and dryer in every unit

» Balcony or patio in all units

Pain relieving Laser Therapy

Brought to you by - Johns Creek Physical Therapy

Having treated hundreds of patients over the past 6 years with Pain Relieving Laser Therapy, it’s not hard for me to appreciate how well it works. But if you’ve never tried it, trust me when I tell you…. you’re missing out!

Several years ago, John Deere ran a promotion on their zero turn lawn mowers. They used a fun tag line,

“It’s not how fast you mow, it’s how well you mow FAST!” I wish I could come up with a similar tag line for Pain Relieving Laser Therapy because it can deliver pain relief in just a few minutes. It’s not uncommon for patients to have their pain be reduced by 50% on the first treatment.

How does it work? Pain Relieving Laser Therapy uses light energy to

promote healing and reduce pain. Laser Therapy is FDA cleared to treat pain, inflammation, arthritis, and muscle spasms and is a great alternative to medications and injections.

The most common thing we hear after someone tries it for the first time is “WOW!” I’m sure if you are just reading this article, you are probably

thinking, “yeah, RIGHT??!! Nothing works that fast!” But don’t take my word for it, call our office today and schedule your FREE TRIAL. The only thing you have to lose is your pain!

Johns Creek Physical Therapy 4060 Johns Creek Parkway, Suite H Suwanee, GA 30024 770-622-5344

Understanding drug use and addiction

Drug use has become a concerning health issue in our society today. It is generally misunderstood to be a lack of moral principle or willpower when in reality, drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting can be very difficult.

What is drug addiction?

“Addiction is a chronic disease characterized by drug seeking and use that is compulsive, or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences” (National Institute on Drug Abuse)

While the initial decision to take drugs is voluntary for most people, continuing to use drugs changes the brain in a way that affects a person’s self-control and interferes with their ability to resist the intense urges to continue taking them. These brain changes are persistent, contributing to the increased risk of relapsing even after quitting. Drugs affect the brain’s “reward circuit” and floods it with dopamine, creating a sense of euphoria. This reinforces unhealthy behaviors and leads people to repeat the behav -

ior again and again. Over time the brain adapts, and the person needs more of the substance to achieve the same reaction. This can lead to a loss of pleasure in other things as well, like food or social activities. Longterm drug use causes changes in other areas such as judgment, decisionmaking, memory, and behavior. This is what can lead to continued use despite negative consequences.

Can drug addiction be cured or prevented?

Drug addiction is a chronic disease, and treatment for it isn’t considered a cure. However, it is treatable and can be successfully managed. People in recovery are at risk for relapse, but treatment with addiction medicines and behavioral therapy can offer the best chance of success. Each person’s recovery process is different and must be tailored to the individual. Support from family, friends, and professionals offers the best chance of success.

If you are concerned about a loved one’s drug or alcohol use, join our 8-week Family Support Group starting on February 6th and meeting on Mondays from 6:30 – 7:30 PM at Summit’s Dunwoody Satellite location (1548 Mt. Vernon Rd., Dunwoody). Call our main

Brought to you by - Janet Fluker, Licensed Professional Counselor and Staff Supervisor at Summit Counseling Center

American Legion Post 201 commemorates 75 years

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — American Legion Post 201 celebrated its 75th anniversary at Carl Black Buick GMC Roswell Jan. 21 with a cake-cutting ceremony.

Post 201, founded in 1946 by World War I veteran and Alpharetta resident Abijah B. Adams, provides a place for veterans to connect and to engage with the community through service. It is headquartered on 13 acres at 201 Wills Road, Alpharetta.

“Because when we’re out in the community, people get to see us,” said Legion member Frederick Mahony. “And that’s a positive image of the military that they get to think about.”

After the presentation of colors, Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame Ambassador Roger Wise cut a cake reading “Happy 75th Birthday American Legion Post 201.”

Ed Postell, chairman of the Atlanta chapter of Our Community Salutes, said celebrating the post’s anniversary is important because the group has been doing for 75 years what Our Community Salutes has done for only three years.

Our Community Salutes is a

nonprofit that honors high school enlistees and provides their families support during the transition to military service.

The post received commendations from Gov. Brian Kemp; the Johns Creek Veterans Association; the Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame; Our Community Salutes; and the Cities of Johns Creek, Milton, Roswell and Alpharetta.

“We have been key partners for a long time, and this is recognition of their contributions to date,” said Keith Bogle, vice president and Color Guard captain of the Johns Creek Veterans Association. He said he is looking forward to the next 75 years and how the association can help the post accomplish more.

Georgia District 21 Sen. Brandon Beach and Johns Creek Mayor John Bradberry attended the ceremony, along with Roswell City councilmembers Lee Hills, William Morthland and Christine Hall.

“To me, us being here today is an outward and visible sign of how the City of Roswell feels about our veterans,” Hills said. “It’s so important for us to show up and to stand up. We’ve got a lot

SHELBY ISRAEL/APPEN MEDIA

Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame Ambassador Roger Wise cuts the cake at the American Legion Post 201’s 75th anniversary ceremony at the Carl Black Buick GMC Roswell Jan. 21.

Experts hold summit on human trafficking scourge

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Faith, a human trafficking survivor, was 4 years old when someone first put a price tag on her. Her mother would not hand her over to her relatives unless she was given something in return, whether it was a car or payment for utility bills.

“That was the only way that she would allow me to be free from her abuse, from her neglect, from her addiction, and from all of her unhealthy cycles and patterns,” Faith said.

Faith’s story concluded the Jan. 21 Human Trafficking Summit at the Fulton County Schools Innovation Academy, hosted by the Alpharetta Rotary. Preceding Faith, two panels consisting of experts in human trafficking spoke from varying angles on the subject.

Because she was sexually assaulted at a young age, Faith said she had a skewed version of what love was.

“I learned then that I had no voice, that I had no value, that I had no worth, and that I had no purpose, and that I certainly didn’t have a destiny anymore,” she said.

Faith’s turbulent beginnings followed her until her late 30s, when she finally escaped the cycle of human trafficking. She now works at Street Grace, a faith-driven

Safety:

additional tools enabling teens to make safer decisions while driving. The teens are assigned the class as part of their probation requirements

organization whose mission is to eradicate the sexual exploitation of minors and become one of the founding members for its Survivor Advisory Council.

“Please get involved,” Faith said. “Because there are people out there who depend on you …they need someone to help them through breaking the cycles that they get wrapped up in, in the patterns that they get wrapped up in because it’s not easy.”

following the receipt of a citation from the Johns Creek Police Department. Previously, young drivers were assigned to take the Alive at 25 class provided by The National Safety Council.

While there’s no cost to participants, the online class must be completed within 30 days.

Defining human trafficking

Moderated by Dave McCleary, founding member of the anti-human trafficking organization Rotary Action Group Against Slavery, the first panel consisted of Susan Coppedge, former ambassador to the Trafficking in Persons Office; Alia El-Sawi, victim assistance specialist at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Hannah Palmquist, human trafficking section chief for the Georgia Attorney General’s Office; and Jonathan Leach,

special agent for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Human Exploitation and Trafficking Unit.

Human trafficking is rarely kidnapping by physical force, Palmquist said, but rather victims are lured in by promises to fill basic needs that aren’t being met.

“Sex trafficking is the exploitation of the most vulnerable victims in society,” Palmquist said.

There are three types of human trafficking, Leach said, labor trafficking, sexual servitude and benefits trafficking. Benefits trafficking, which targets older people or people with disabilities, doesn’t see a lot of discussion, Leach said.

Most trafficking, 60 percent, comes in the form of labor. El-Sawi commented on some of her case work that found domestic servitude within multimillion-dollar homes.

“It can happen anywhere,” El-Sawi said. “It could happen in an affluent neighborhood … So this is an issue that really affects all of us — all communities, all populations.”

Your North Atlanta News and Podcast Source AppenMedia.com

According to data provided by Alpharetta Rotary, it’s estimated that 43 percent of johns live in North Fulton.

Coppedge asked the audience to be conscious consumers, directing visitors to slaveryfootprint.org. The website allows users to answer a series of questions informing them of how purchasing habits contribute to

AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

Freda Lyon, vice president for Emergency Services at Wellstar Health System, talks about spotting signs of trafficking in the health care field at the Jan. 21 Human Trafficking Summit.

OPINION

The Friends of the Dunwoody Library are at it again

The Friends of the Dunwoody Library are back in a big way, with four sales planned for 2023. In my book, that’s huge news and there’s nothing better than being able to mark my calendar with the sale dates.

• Jan. 27, 28, 30 -- Children’s & YA sale

• Mar. 23, 24, 25, 27 - Adult sale

• July 28, 29, 31 - Children’s & YA sale

• Sept. 14, 15, 16, 18 - Adult sale

These days, the FODL accepts credit and debit cards in addition to cash. And you can’t beat the prices—$2.00 for most hardbacks and $1.00 for paperbacks. For me, it means I can afford to take a chance on an author I haven’t tried before. And don’t forget that the final Monday of each sale is Bargain Day. What’s the worst that can happen? I don’t finish a book and I donate it back to the FODL for them to sell again. It’s a win for everyone.

The sales will be held indoors with a maximum of fifty people permitted in the

shopping room at any one time, and face masks are encouraged but not required. Should there be a wait to enter the main sale area, you’ll be able to shop for puzzles and DVDs in the library lobby.

If you’re unable to make the sales events, you can visit the library lobby to shop the sales carts during library hours. Located near the donation bins, the carts carry books and DVDs at the same prices you’ll pay at the four events. The only difference is that these purchases are exact cash only, so you’ll want to come prepared. On the other hand, you can always leave a bit extra to support the work of the FODL.

Where does the money go? What you spend at these sales supports a variety of projects that enhance the library. The FODL was busy last year completing “home improvements” for the library:

• Replaced the wire magazine racks in the lobby with a wooden one

• Replaced the old message board with a new one

• Painted the wall for the hall gallery where you can find Dunwoody Fine Art Association works on display

• Finished up the new tall bookcase which was delayed by what else? Supply chain issues

The FODL is also taking book donations, and you can drop yours off at the library during normal library operating hours. You can put them in the bins in the lobby. Even boxes of books are accepted, but the FODL requests that you be careful not to block the hallway with these. Do you need help unloading a car full of books? Visit on Tuesday mornings from 10:00 until noon when there are always volunteers available to help you.

If you’re de-cluttering your house this winter, this could be the perfect time to scan your bookshelves for donations to deliver to the library. The good news is that de-cluttering makes room for new books!

You won’t see me at the Children’s & YA sales, but I hope to run into you at the others. Happy shopping and reading to all!

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

What’s Up with that Sign in Your Yard?

When a passerby stops and asks what that sign in your yard means, it’s an opening to have a conversation about any number of topics. Native plants, birds and butterflies and bees, wildlife, water, sustainable green landscape practices, invasive species and more are all topics that we can help and encourage others to learn more about to protect our world for generations to come.

But why go through the steps to certify your property and post a sign? It’s a way to show, not just tell. After all, we work to achieve certifications in our professional lives. Aren’t our landscapes important, too? Here’s an overview of a few sign certifications that signify that the location follows sustainable landscape practices.

Georgia Green Landscape

The Georgia Green Landscape Stewards Program, created by the University of Georgia Extension, was launched to inspire residences and businesses in Georgia to adopt more environmentally friendly practices and consider how their landscape use and activities can complement the natural world.

It takes just three simple steps to get certified:

#1 – Review the easy-to-access virtual learning tools and modules that provide information on:

• Composting

• Mulching

• Pollinator Habitats

• Welcoming Wildlife

• Water Conservation

• Water Quality

• Stormwater

• Invasive Species

• Native Plants

• Biodiversity

#2 – Check the Green Landscapes Metrics Scorecard to see if your landscape meets the minimum number of 70 points to gain “Certified Georgia Landscape” status.

For example, under Topic 4: Welcoming Wildlife, if you can check “Provide a food source with native plants: fruits, seed, forage, nectar, and pollen,” award yourself 4 points.

Under Topic 9: Native Plants and

Low Maintenance Landscapes, you can give yourself 4 points if you do the following: “Put the right plant in the right place! Consider sun, soil moisture, salt tolerance, spacing, and temperature. Plant in groups of three.” It’s not hard!

#3 – Send in your scorecard.

Email your completed scorecard to UGA’s Georgia Green Landscape Stewards coordinator at georgiagreen@ uga.edu. You can also mail the scorecard to: Georgia Green Landscape Stewards, Program Coordinator, UGA Extension Camden County, P.O. Box 309, Woodbine, GA 31569. You have the option to purchase an outdoor sign for your yard.

Georgia Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary

The Georgia Audubon Society encourages creating bird-friendly communities through conservation, education, and community engagement where wildlife and people thrive.

To certify your property as a Georgia Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary, your site must provide the basic components of a wildlife habitat: food, water, nesting and resting places.

The online Audubon Society Sanctuary Resources are excellent references for native plants, how to combat non-native, invasive species, how to create a haven for hummingbirds and much more.

National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat®

Since 1938, the National Wildlife Federation has provided conservation programs across the country, including the Ranger Rick magazine for children.

The National Wildlife Federation will recognize your site with a NWF Certified Wildlife Habitat® sign if you meet the following requirements for creating a wildlife habitat garden to attract birds, butterflies, and other neighborhood wildlife:

• Food: Native plants provide food eaten by a variety of wildlife. Feeders can supplement natural food sources.

• Water: All animals need water to survive, and some need it for bathing or breeding as well.

• Cover: Wildlife need places to take shelter from bad weather and places to hide from predators or hunt for prey.

• Places to Raise Young: Wildlife need resources to reproduce, and to protect and nourish their young.

• Sustainable Practices: Maintain your yard or garden in natural ways to ensure soil, air, and water stay healthy and clean.

HOMEGROWN

Start a new HABITAT® is a conservation movement inspired by Doug Tallamy, a professor in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware, to plant native plants and remove most invasive plants.

According to the website, Homegrown National Park™ is a term coined by Doug and is the key to the call-to-action:

“Our National Parks, no matter how grand in scale are too small and separated from one another to preserve species to the levels needed. Thus, the concept for Homegrown National Park, a bottom-up call-to-action to restore habitat where we live and work, and to a lesser extent where we farm and graze, extending national parks to our yards and communities.”

You can print a yard sign as well as get on the online map that shows individual contributions.

North Fulton Master Gardeners, Inc. is a Georgia nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose purpose is to educate its members and the public in the areas of horticulture and ecology in order to promote and foster community enrichment. Master Gardener Volunteers are trained and certified by The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. Learn more at nfmg.net.

About the Author

This week’s guest Master Gardener “Garden Buzz” columnist is Pam Rentz. Pam has been a North Fulton Master Gardener since 2010. Along with a background in marketing communications for tech companies, she has a longtime passion for plants and our planet.

Homegrown National Park

NATIONAL PARK® –

Happy Gardening!

PAM RENTZ

Garden Buzz

A passion for preserving and riding historic bicycles

Alpharetta resident Jaime Woodward was born to ride bicycles, not the bikes kids ride to school or even sleek racing bikes serious riders use.

Jaime’s choice is the “high wheeler” with the huge front wheel and small rear wheel that goes very fast and creates a stir wherever it appears. His father was an engineer with Ford Motor Company and repaired and collected antique bicycles, accumulating more than 100 bikes at one point. For two years in the 1970s he served as national Commander of The Wheelmen, the organization of individuals devoted to collecting, restoring and, above all, riding historic bicycles.

BOB MEYERS Columnist bobmey@bellsouth.net

It is easy to see how Jaime comes by his passion. One of his first dates with his wife Lora was riding their high wheelers together at the 1982 Mummers Parade in Philadelphia.

The most common question asked about high wheel bicycles is “why is the front wheel so big?” The answer is to make the bike go faster. The larger the wheel, the more ground is covered with each turning of the wheel. Tall people have a distinct advantage because their longer legs allow them to ride larger wheels. Wheels came in various diameters in the heydays of the high wheeler in the 1880s, initially as small as 36 inches and growing over time to 64 inches. The average wheel was 52 inches. Today’s bicycle tires usually range from 12 to 29 inches.

According to Jaime, high wheel bicycles have a surprisingly good ride. He should know, because he owns three antique high wheel beauties and four other antique bikes. Relatively quick at normal speeds of 10-12 miles per hour over long distances, large wheels smooth out rough roads which was a big advantage on 19th century unpaved roads. “A common question people ask,” says Jaime, “is how riders get up on the bike.“ Answer: a small step on the backbone helps the rider get into the saddle.

High wheel bicycles are also known as Ordinary bicycles, or Penny-farthings in England because they looked like a penny chasing a farthing, to distinguish them from older bicycles that actually looked

Jaime Woodward takes a spin around his neighborhood on his 1885 Victor Light Roaster with its 52-inch wheel. Victor bicycles were made from 1883 to 1900 and were known for their higher quality and lighter weight than less expensive bikes made by competitors. Due to growing competition from low priced bicycles and a disastrous fire in 1899, the company was forced to sell its bicycle business and turned its attention to the automobile industry where it had mixed success.

more like modern bikes. Known as Velocipedes, early bikes had two wheels of the same size and were made of wood and often had metal tires. They did not go very fast and were uncomfortable, hence their nickname, bone-shakers.

High wheels represented a major technological advance when invented in 1870, and they became wildly popular in the 1880s which was the great cycling era in the United States. However, their popularity was relatively short-lived in part because the bikes were hazardous. The rider’s center of gravity was just slightly behind the wheel which increased the risk that the rider would fly over the handlebars when hitting a bump in the road, “taking a header” as it was called. Both Jaime and Lora have done headers, but fortunately, neither has been seriously injured.

The most important manufacturer was the Columbia Bicycle Company founded in 1877, which by 1900 was the largest bicycle manufacturer in the world. Its first product was a high wheeler made at the

A New Rapid bicycle figured prominently in Jaime and Lora

1983 wedding. The couple has been avid antique bikers ever since. This high wheel bicycle was built in 1888 and has a 52-inch diameter wheel.

Weed Sewing Machine Company in Hartford, Connecticut. Called the Standard Columbia it sold for $125 while sewing machines were selling for $13, suggesting that bicycle riding was a pastime for the wellto-do. The Columbia company was responsible for many innovations in the industry, and it became one of the country’s first automobile manufacturers. Although the bicycle industry was the precursor to the automobile industry, the bicycle industry as a preferred mode of transportation was quickly replaced when automobiles gained popularity.

It has been said that without the invention of the bicycle, the automobile would not have been feasible. Hundreds of components incorporated into early autos were invented for bicycles, and bicycles were manufactured using assembly line techniques. Henry Ford’s first 11 dealerships were in bicycle shops (Chicago Tribune September 18, 1994). According to the Chicago newspaper, in 1899 there were 300 bicycle companies in the United

States making a million bicycles. By 1910, there were only 100 companies remaining making half as many bikes.

Another link between the bicycle and the automobile was the efforts of the League of American Wheelmen, founded in 1880. Their effective lobbying for paved roads helped make growth of the auto industry possible.

Jim Farris, a resident of Milton, is an avid antique auto collector and restorer who appreciates the link between the two industries. Owner of an 1886 Victor Roaster 52-inch high wheeler made by the pioneering Overman Wheel Company in Massachusetts, Jim appreciates “any antique machine,” calling them things of beauty. He refers to his Victor Roadster as “a piece of transportation history.”

Jaime says “Lora and I love going out for a ride. Both of us have done organized 25- and 100-mile rides in one day on our high wheel bicycles.” The couple is doing their part to keep America’s cycling heritage alive.

GIL LEINES/PROVIDED

Woodward’s

BOB MEYERS/APPEN MEDIA

OPINION

So, who’s the new guy with the hat?

I can pretty much guess what you’re asking: Aren’t there any young, good-looking columnists around?

Columnist Mike Tasos joins Appen Media

the author of “Friday Night Lights.” Think, a football game in the middle of World War II Okinawa.

MIKE TASOS Columnist miketasos55@gmail.com

I’m happy to have the chance to visit with you this week and the weeks to come. I promise to do my best not to bore you, but sometimes we columnists might do that. Also, I don’t want to get you riled up to the point of breaking windows here at the Appen offices.

No, as a columnist, my job is to make you think, laugh, maybe shed a tear. Mostly, I hope what I bring is something you look forward to reading every week.

Opinions? Why sure I have opinions. We won’t always agree, but I promise to listen and entertain yours.

All righty then. Indulge me while I pull back the curtain and let you know not why I’m here, but how I got here.

First off, I’m a 67-year-old geezer who likes the Atlanta Braves, Notre Dame football, Nick Saban and Kirby Smart. I have a partial season ticket package for the Braves and youngest son Greg and I will see lots of games this summer.

I’ll also attend the theater with older son Chris. We’ve made some great memories from our second-row Friday night seats at the Fox. I used to love going to the movies, but really, have you spotted anything at the local movie house that makes you say: “I really gotta see that!”

Hey Hollywood, we’re champing

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — With a keen eye for the absurd, columnist Mike Tasos comes aboard Appen Media with more than a decade of experience getting personal with readers.

“I remember telling my grandmother I wanted to be a columnist,” Tasos said. “And she started crying because she thought I meant ‘communist.’”

Before breaking into the pharmaceutical industry in 1981, Tasos was a sports writer in California. While there, Tasos went the extra mile and went through the hiring process for the CIA. At his ripe age, Tasos has a lot of stories to tell.

“There’s just a lot to me,” Tasos

at the bit to pay $20 for a tub of popcorn. Just give us an excuse for a family movie night where the product on the screen doesn’t make us cringe.

I like a good explosion as much as the next guy. Just don’t gross me and my family out.

I grew up in Bakersfield, California, and I used to sell pork sausage to Merle Haggard (he liked the spicy stuff) and taught Buck Owens to play racquetball. Growing up, I’m ashamed that I didn’t appreciate Buck and Merle. We were much too cool to listen to that “Okie music.”

Just dumb kids, I reckon.

I’ve been married to the same

said. “I sure hope to hell I don’t bore anybody.”

He jumped back into writing at Forsyth County News in 2010, but on a more personal note.

As a general column writer, Tasos said the world is his easel. He might paint a picture of his time spent at a professional bull riding show or about his friends and family, but all in his distinct conversational style.

Inspired by columnists like Lewis Grizzard and Jim Murray, Tasos said he wants readers to enjoy their time with him and hopes to continue eliciting laughter, and maybe some tears if readers feel so moved, at Appen Media.

Tasos can be reached at miketasos55@gmail.com.

woman, Vicki, for going on 43 years and get this, we have the same birthday. I’m an hour older so I’ll spare you the “robbing the cradle” jokes. We have two sons, Chris (25) and Greg (22).

I survived their learning to drive, never once taking solace with liquor or pills to calm my nerves. Now, they look at me with pity, really meaning it if they want to call me “the old man.”

I like to read books. Give me Rick Bragg, Michael Connelly, Tim Dorsey, James Lee Burke, Daniel Silva (we both went to Fresno State), Brad Thor and I’ll try to wear out my Kindle.

Right now, I’m immersed in “The Mosquito Bowl” by Bizz Bissinger,

I keep threatening to write a book and have received encouragement from authors. I think I’ll start with a collection of past columns, but just between us, the thought of sitting at a table and having me and my book ignored by others is more frightening than having an argument with those women on “The View.”

Tough to imagine a good outcome.

Settling into these new digs here feels like it will be refreshing. Personally, 2022 was a tough year. I started the year losing a kidney (renal cell carcinoma). Some robot named DaVinci tore that sucker out while I was stone cold asleep.

Before the operation, everyone said there was no problem. You can do just fine with one kidney. It was glaring that those who voiced that opinion owned both of their kidneys and their only brush with cancer came while munching on Corn Nuts and watching “Grey’s Anatomy.”

The end of the year saw me lose my 59-year-old baby brother, Marty. I was there at the end and got to hug his neck goodbye. He made me laugh so often and now, it just takes a thought or two, and I’ll laugh again.

Just like my kidney situation, I’m down to one brother, Matt.

I’m going to have to live with one of those, too. It’s like I find myself reminding him: Take care of yourself. You’re all I got.”

Mike Tasos has lived in Forsyth County for more than 30 years. He’s an American by birth and considers himself a Southerner by the grace of God.

CALENDAR

Delivering Readers Award-Winning Newspapers

2022

Georgia Press Association

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1st – Orig. Editorial Photo Sports

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3rd – Food & Drink Single Ad Color

3rd – Grocery/Liquor Single Ad Color

3rd – Special Promotion/Section Stand-Alone Gloss

ANNUAL YETI SLEDDY SKI PARTY

What: Come out for Gate City Brewing’s annual ’80s inspired ski party on January 28 from 1-10 p.m. Sledding passes will be available along with hot cocktails and more.

When: Saturday, Jan. 28, 1-10 p.m.

Where: Gate City Brewing, 43 Magnolia Street, Roswell More info: gatecitybrewingcompany.com

LEARN AND LEAD:

BLACK HISTORY IN ROSWELL: HONORING OUR PAST

What: Presented by the Roswell Historical Society, this event highlights the struggles and triumphs of African Americans in the Roswell area, beginning with the enslaved people brought from the coast by the founding families and ending with the Civil Rights movement. Elaine DeNiro, archivist for the Roswell Historical Society and the City of Roswell, will present original documents pertaining to the area’s Black history. Charles Grogan, Roswell’s Black historian, and Sandra Taylor will share their personal experiences about growing up in a Black neighborhood in Roswell.

When: Thursday, Feb. 2, 2 p.m. Where: Roswell Branch, Fulton County Library System, 115 Norcross Street, Roswell More info: roswellhistoricalsociety. org

THE SPIRIT OF HARRIET TUBMAN

What: Leslie McCurdy invokes the “spirit” of Harriet Tubman as she portrays the life of the famous Underground Railroad conductor, recreating stories familiar and some rarely told, using words said to have been Harriet Tubman’s own. Through it all, viewers will learn of the faith and conviction that drove Harriet Tubman to follow her dreams — the spirit of the past connecting with the present, inspiring her charges to have the courage to do the same in envisioning their future.

When: Friday, Feb. 3, 10-11 a.m.

Where: Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest Street, Roswell Cost: $12 More info: roswellgov.com

JUST FOR FUN:

BLACK OPRY REVUE

What: Black Opry’s stellar line-up

of some of the most acclaimed Black performers in the industry launch the 2023 Roswell Roots Festival at Roswell Cultural Arts Center with a celebratory evening of music and storytelling. Black Opry is home for Black artists, fans and industry professionals working in country, Americana, blues and folk music. This collective of performers brings the long-overlooked contributions of Black country artists to the forefront.

When: Friday, Feb. 3, 7:30 p.m. Where: Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest Street, Roswell Cost: Tickets are $32.50; Tickets for seniors, student and military are $27.50

More info: roswellgov.com

DADDY DAUGHTER DANCE

What: Mark your calendar for the annual date night of the year at the Sandy Springs Recreation and Parks 13th Annual Daddy Daughter Dance for daughters in kindergarten through fifth grade. The dance will feature music from both dads’ (and father figures) and their daughters’ favorite playlists provided by a live DJ. In addition to dancing, there will be plenty of fun activities that include dance contests, musical games and refreshments. Participants can make a keepsake photo, and there will be door prizes and a goody bag for each girl. The attire for dads and daughters is business casual to semi-formal. When: Saturday, Feb. 4, 6-8 p.m. Where: Studio Theatre, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs Cost: $35

More info: sandyspringsga.gov

MICHAEL FEINSTEIN PERFORMS

THE JEWISH AMERICAN SONGBOOK

What: Neranenah presents Michael Feinstein performing the music of the Jewish American Songbook, including works by the Gershwins, Jerome Kern, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Lerner & Loewe and more. Feinstein has built a

career, bringing the music of the Great American Songbook to the world. From his Grammy-nominated recordings to Emmy-nominated PBS specials and appearances at iconic venues, his work as an educator and archivist define him as one of the most important musical forces of our time.

When: Sunday, Feb. 5, 8 p.m. Where: Byers Theatre, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs Cost: $44-74 More info: citysprings.com

ENCHANTED WOODLAND TRAIL

What: The fairies and gnomes have been busy building whimsical houses along Chattahoochee Nature Center’s forested trails. Slow down as you search for houses made from tiny natural objects. Take notice of the beautiful and enchanting features of the winter woods.

When: Up to Feb. 28, open daily except for December 24-26 and January 1-3

Where: Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell Cost: $15 for adults More info: chattnaturecenter.org

‘COMPLETENESS’ AT STAGE DOOR THEATRE

What: How does a computer scientist hook up with a molecular biologist? He blinds her with science, of course. When Elliot builds a computer program to help Molly with her research project, the variables in their evolving relationship shift as rapidly as the terms of their experiment. This deft and imaginative new ROM-comedy shows that even the most sophisticated algorithm may freeze in the face of love’s infinite possibilities.

When: Jan. 27- Feb. 12, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Where: Stage Door Theatre, 5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody Cost: $35 for adults, $20 for students, $15 for children

More info: stagedoortheatrega.org

Summit:

the global labor trafficking problem.

“Sex trafficking is horrific — it’s a bodily assault,” Coppedge said. “But labor trafficking can be a bodily assault, too, and we are all contributing to that with our consumer purchasing.”

Prevention efforts

The summit’s second panel focused on prevention within the transportation industry, health care field and the school system.

Moderated by Ashlie Bryant, CEO of the anti-human trafficking organization 3Strands Global Foundation, the second panel included FCS Innovation Academy students Sejal Whitaker, Lakshana Ramanan and Sree Hariharan;

Joe McDermot, vice president of Operations and Training at Delta Airlines; and Freda Lyon, vice president for Emergency Services at Wellstar Health System.

Bryant’s organization developed a human trafficking prevention program that can be implemented in schools at all grade levels. Starting in kindergarten, students are taught to listen to their inner voice.

“A really important part of prevention is being able to meet people where they’re at,” Bryant said.

Lyon said hospital staff are trained to ask all patients if they feel safe at home in a way that makes patients feel comfortable. She also described some of the signs of human trafficking that health care workers should look for, like tattoos.

But Lyon said trafficking victims don’t always look like they’ve been trafficked.

“We have to worry about our bias, making sure that we’re aware of our

bias.”

McDermot said all 95,000 Delta Airlines employees are trained to spot signs of human trafficking. He shared a success story about two aircraft mechanics in Florida who were able to observe the signs and act as a result of the training.

“Don’t underestimate the awareness that everybody has in this room,” McDermot said, alluding to the packed auditorium.

He also said that Delta uses frequent flier miles to help evacuate trafficking victims back to their families, which has been done 326 times.

Hariharan, a junior at FCS Innovation Academy, evoked applause after giving a call to action to the parents in the room.

“What we need to do is reduce the stigma of talking about sexuality — good touch, bad touch — because you’d rather be the one to tell your children.”

CITY OF JOHNS CREEK PUBLIC NOTICE

PURPOSE

An Alcoholic Beverage License Application was submitted to the City on December 6, 2022 for consumption of Wine.

BUSINESS NAME

Cibo and Vino LLC Dba Cibo 9945 Jones Bridge Rd Suite 202 Johns Creek, GA 30022

OWNER/OFFICERS

Cibo and Vino LLC Dba Cibo 9945 Jones Bridge Rd Suite 202 Johns Creek, GA 30022

Owner, Todd Wotiz and William Todd

AAPPEN PRESSCLU B

Full-time

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IT Professionals

DevOps Engineer: Develop,design software & deploy it to end users using various techs. Job locns Cumming, GA & various unanticipated client sites in US req.trvl & relocation to these sites involving long & short term assignmnts. Mail resume: Srsoft Inc, 600 Peach Tree Pkwy,#106,Cumming, GA 30041.AttHR

IT Professionals

Software Developers: Modify complex apps programs from dtld specs,& design, test, debug,doc & maintain those progs using various techs. Job locns Cumming, GA & various unanticipated client sites in US req.travel & reloc.to these sites for short&long term assignmnts. Mail resume: Analytics9 Solutions Inc dba Ai9 Solutions Inc,3810 Windermere Pkwy.#503,Cumming, GA 30041. AttHR

Computer Professionals for GA based IT firm : Sr. Software Engineer to Plan, dsgn, develop, test, enhance, customize & co-ordinate activities to implement advance software module components in complex computing environments using Tableau, SQL, HP Quality Center, MS Office, Visio etc. Travel and/ or reloc to various unanticipated loc’ns throughout the US may be required. Apply w/ 2 copies of resume to HR, Blue Fusion Enterprise Technologies Inc. 11205 Alpharetta Hwy, Ste E-3, Roswell, GA 30076.

ArrowCore Group LLC seeks Master’s+2yrs exp/equiv.: QA Manager (AGQM23): JIRA, Agile testing, Salsify, PIM and PROD. Mail resume with job ID # to HR :24 Sloan Street, Roswell, GA 30075. Unanticipated work site locations throughout U.S. Foreign equiv. accepted.

Landis + Gyr Technology, Inc.

Alpharetta, GA

Technical Implementation Manager

Responsibilities: Deliver Landis+Gyr’s GridStream Advanced Metering Infrastructure solutions using structured deployment project lifecycle to ensure quality of delivery. Work closely with program deployment team to evaluate client business processes & consult with clients on technical feasibility & integration of processes utilizing AMI solutions.

Requirements: Bachelor’s in Computer Science, Electrical Engg, or related field & 3 years experience in job offered or 3 years experience with Oracle or SQL Server databases. Experience must include 3 years experience with wireless technologies. Experience must include 3 years utility domain experience. Experience may be gained concurrently. Send resume & cover letter to: Landis+Gyr c/o Lisa Hudson, Talent Acquisition, 30000 Mill Creek Ave, Suite 100, Alpharetta, GA 30022 or via email to: lisa.hudson@landisgyr.com

INFANT TEACHER. ROSWELL, GA.

Take care children, energetic, patient, changing, feeding, teaching infants. Entertain and educate, playing. Req. 2-year exp. (Care for children) Min.40h/h. Bilingual is a plus. $11.14h/h. jessica@wfpimmigration.com

Salesforce Application Managers, Cumming, GA: Work w/ sftwre vendors to identify tech & design patterns for the dvlpmt of a solutions based on customer landscape. Lead organization-wide CRM methodology, framework governing Program and Portfolio Mgmt, Sys Dvlpmt & Tech Governance Drive adoption of dvlpmt method best practices across the COE & facilitate the salesforce pltfrm & eco-system across the organization. Some job duties may be performed from home Trave/reloc to various unanticipated locations. Send res to: Hanya Technologies, hr@hanyatechnologies.com

Now Hiring at Lazy Dog Restaurant Alpharetta!

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Hiring for servers, cooks, bartenders, bussers, host/hostesses, and more. There are competitive wages, tips for culinary teammates, flexible schedules and tons of opportunity to grow! Interviews are held on site at 10800 Haynes Bridge Rd. Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Text LD45 to 52345 to apply or call 430-735-4501.

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