Johns Creek Herald — January 28, 2021

J a n u a r y 2 8 , 2 0 2 1 | 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 5 , N o . 4

Pandemic creates gap in classroom staffing

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Officials debate plan for budget surpluses

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Woman works to erase Georgian’s medical debt

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HIGH INTEREST

COVID testing sites, like this one at Peachtree Immediate Care in Johns Creek, continue to draw steady business. To address growing interest in testing and distribution of the COVID vaccine, healthcare and political leaders held a virtual community forum to discuss the latest developments on fighting the pandemic. Read more, Page 4 KATIE ANDERSON/HERALD

Small businesses flock to new loan program

► PAGE 8

2 | January 28, 2021 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

POLICE BLOTTER 770-442-3278 | NorthFulton.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 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

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All crime reports published by Appen Media Group are compiled from public records. Neither the law enforcement agencies nor Appen Media Group implies any guilt by publishing these names. None of the persons listed has been convicted of the alleged crimes.

Mechanic reports attack over oil change dispute JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Police responded to a report of an attack at Take 5 Oil Change on Jan.11.

The complainant said an irate customer came in Jan. 9 demanding a refund for services he got at another store location.

When the store clerk informed the man he couldn’t give him the refund, he said the man grabbed him by the shoulders and slammed him to the pavement.

DUI & Drug arrests Paul Michael Schur, 47, of Pine Leaf Court, Johns Creek, was arrested Jan. 14 on Brumbelow Road for two counts of DUI and improper turning.

Gregory S. Gerakopoulos, 46, of Treeridge Parkway, Alpharetta, was arrested Jan. 14 on Old Alabama Road for DUI and failure to maintain lane.

Jennifer Lynn Shannon, 34, of Ashley Oaks Court, Duluth, was arrested Jan. 15 on State Bridge Road for DUI and failure to maintain lane.

Crystal Monique Hernandez, 37, of Iroquois Trail, Duluth, was arrested Jan. 15 on McGinnis Ferry Road for DUI, speeding and open alcohol container violation.

Kelvin Lynn Bennett, 34, of Hill Street SE, Atlanta, was arrested Jan. 16 on Old Alabama Road for DUI, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of Schedule

PUBLIC SAFETY The victim retreated into an office following the assault, police said.

Thief removes auto parts from senior center buses JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Police responded to the Sunrise at Ivey Ridge retirement center on Jan. 13 when reports that someone stole catalytic converters from two of the transportation buses.

According to investigators, the complainant said the converters were cut and removed from both of the buses while they were parked behind a shopping plaza that neighbors the retirement facility.

The thefts occurred sometime between Jan. 8 and Jan. 11, the complainant estimated. The converters were valued at $1,200 apiece.

II controlled substance, possession of dangerous drug and speeding.

Ryan Lee Catterton, 37, of Wheeler Peak Way, Johns Creek, was arrested Jan. 16 on North Peak Drive for two counts of DUI, open alcohol container violation, unlawful use of a wireless device and stop sign or yield sign violation.

Erica Rose Mercier, 43, of Sonya Mill Court, Lawrenceville, was arrested Jan. 16 on Medlock Bridge Road for DUI and failure to maintain lane.

Nancy Elaine Deutscher, 54, of Ellsborough Court, Alpharetta, was arrested Jan. 17 on Ellsborough Court for DUI, duty upon striking fixture and failure to maintain lane.

Dauntae Lamar Wyche, 27, of Wells Circle, Stone Mountain, was arrested Jan. 17 on Medlock Bridge Road for DUI, possession/manufacture/sell/ purchase of marijuana and failure to maintain lane.

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Challenges with COVID-19 continue to disrupt staffing

By CANDY WAYLOCK candy@appenmediagroup.com FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — The expanded availability of the COVID-19 vaccination and the willingness to get the shots may be key to the full return of students and staff to school buildings across the Fulton School System.

Last week, approximately 47 percent of the district’s nearly 90,500 students opted to return to face to face learning for the second semester. This number is slightly higher than the group which opted to return to schools in October when classrooms re-opened.

District officials acknowledge opening classrooms is one hurdle, but fully staffing those classrooms is the bigger issue. Fulton Schools reservoir of substitute teachers is coming up short.

“The sub challenge is a national one that is significantly linked to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on schools,” said Brian Noyes, chief communication officer for Fulton Schools. “So the challenge still exists for Fulton Schools because COVID-19 remains a significant crisis.”

Teachers and staff are often part of the group that must be quarantined for COVID-19 related reasons creating a constant need for subs.

There is also a reluctance of substitute teachers to accept an assignment out of health concerns.

Noyes said the significant increase in substitute teacher pay that went into effect in December should entice more people to sign up to be subs. Daily pay rates now range from $175 to $200 — almost double the pre-pandemic rate.

See SCHOOLS, Page 9

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4 | January 28, 2021 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

NEWS

City weighs options on allocating budget surplus Council members divided on where to park overage

By KATIE ANDERSON newsroom@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Johns Creek has yet to nail down exactly how much money it plans to spend this year as a sour economy threatens its tax revenues.

At a Jan. 11 work session, council members debated amending the budget policy and the proposed reserve floor and ceiling as well as the use of the endof-year surplus.

A majority on the council agreed with a city staff recommendation to maintain the reserve floor at 25 percent of operating expenditures for cash flow. They suggested implementing a ceiling, or maximum amount, of $30 million.

The floor amount would be designated at the adoption of the budget and would represent three months of operating expenditures in case of an emergency. The cash reserve is maintained to avoid any need for short-term borrowing and allow for unforeseen expenses in a case of catastrophic events, such as a

natural disaster or the current global pandemic.

City officials said another priority for any end-of-year surplus would be to rebuild the amount of available funding for major capital projects — usually one-time expenses like street resurfacing — and for unforeseen emergencies. To achieve the fund goal, city staff recommended that 60 percent of any year-end budget surplus be allocated to the unassigned fund balance until the ceiling level of $30 million is met for reserves.

After the reserve goal is met, surplus money would be divided into three other accounts.

The first account, infrastructure maintenance accrual, would receive 15 percent of the surplus to fund the care and maintenance of existing assets.

Another account would receive 15 percent of the surplus to help pay for capital projects identified in the FiveYear Capital Plan. There are currently more than $110.9 million in projects identified in the Five-Year Capital Plan.

Finally, a portion of the remaining surplus, 10 percent, would be applied to property tax stabilization, defraying the costs of operating the city, of providing

governmental services, for the repayment of principal and interest on general obligation bonds, and for any other public purpose as determined by elected officials.

Council members Erin Elwood, John Bradberry and Brian Weaver overall agreed with the staff’s plan. But two other members of the council, Chris Coughlin and Stephanie Endres, argued that more of the surplus should go to property tax stabilization as a means of giving back to the residents as much as possible.

“I’m disappointed that we raise taxes on the residents and now there’s going to be at least a million and a half to $2 million overage from fiscal year 2020 that’s going to come in, and of this, only $150,000 to $200,000 is going to go to the residents,” Endres said. “So, we’re amassing a tremendous amount of wealth in the city to prepare itself when we’ve already got six months’ worth of cash on hand...I think the policy is great, I think it’s necessary and it’s a great control feature. But right now it’s all benefiting the city. It’s not benefiting the residents.”

Bradberry countered saying this was a “conspiracy theory” and everyone on

the council prioritized the residents’ wellbeing.

“We are certainly not trying to establish a slush fund to build the wealth of the city,” he said. “At the end of the day, I think all of us are here to ultimately do what’s best for the residents.”

A few alternative plans were thrown around including cutting out the infrastructure maintenance accrual from surplus allocation and including it in the budget, lowering the ceiling to $24 or $26 million and splitting the surplus 50-50 between unassigned fund balance and property tax stabilization.

After discussion, the council ended up where it started — leaning toward the staff’s recommended plan.

Mayor Mike Bodker stressed that the surplus was not just for things such as land purchases, but to set the city up for success in unforeseen circumstances.

“It is not actually for catastrophic expenditures, it’s also for being agile enough to act when you need to strategically,” he said.

The council will continue discussions on budgeting policy at future meetings to reach a consensus, then work to enact an amended budget policy.

Officials relate dangers, stress diligence as vaccine rollout continues

By KATIE ANDERSON newsroom@appenmediagroup.com METRO ATLANTA, Ga. — Newly elected State Sen. Dr. Michelle Au and State Rep. Angelika Kausche joined local experts on a virtual community forum to give an update on the area’s COVID situation and address concerns on Jan. 14.

Dr. Audrey Arona, district director of the Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale County Health Departments, explained that the 14-day positivity rates for the area sit at around 27.8 percent. That’s up significantly from the 6.9 percent rate recorded on Nov. 9, 2020.

“My message to the community is that, look, we have done some major damage over the holidays, and we need to get back to whatever behaviors and everything we were doing prior to Nov. 9, and even do a better job of that now,” she said.

Sen. Au said the variant strain of COVID is now present in the U.S. and Georgia.

Alana Sulka, director of epidemiology and infectious diseases of the Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale County Health Departments, explained despite the growing fear associated with the new COVID strain, virus mutation is normal and not as scary as it seems.

“I think some good things that we need to remember is that not all mutations make something more dangerous, make something more deadly,” Sulka said. “While it does seem that this may spread a little bit easier... there’s been no indication that it confers more severe disease, or is more likely to lead to severe infection or death.”

Dr. Arona added that the existing vaccine should also cover this mutant strain.

Jessica Corbett, director of External Affairs for Fulton County and a member of the county’s COVID response team, addressed the vaccine rollout in Fulton

and issues the county has faced already.

Fulton County has three vaccine rollout sites, one in Atlanta, a second in Alpharetta on Northpoint Parkway and one at the Mercedes Benz Stadium.

The first issue the county faced, Corbett said, was the demand exceeding the supply. As of right now, the vaccine is available to people who fall into Phase 1A— those over the age of 65 and first responders. The next phase, 1B will concentrate primarily on essential workers, and 1C will target the population 64 years of age and younger with concurrent medical problems.

Phase 2 will move onto group homes, jails and detention centers and homeless shelters. The general population, those who do not fall into any of the other categories, will have the option to be vaccinated in Phase 3.

“One of the things we really want to assure folks is that the plan will allow us to vaccinate more and more people as we get to go through the process,” Corbett said.

The county faced initial difficulties with its scheduling software resulting in severe overbooking and frustrated patients. Corbett said the county is fixing the scheduling issues and is committed to having appointments to schedule online.

Overall, the message to citizens was to continue to be diligent and follow the CDC guidelines, not fall victim to the “COVID fatigue” and to encourage those who are offered the vaccine to take it.

“I totally sympathize with that, I’m sure we all do, with this desire to return back to pre-pandemic life,” Sen. Au said. “But it’s one of those things where we can’t get through this until we get it under control.”

Vaccine rollout information and appointment scheduling can be found on the Georgia Department of Health’s website at www.dph.georgia.gov.

SCHOOLS

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | January 28, 2021 | 5

Educator survey focuses on school challenges during pandemic

By CANDY WAYLOCK candy@appenmediagroup.com ATLANTA — Persistent teacher shortages, increased workloads and lost learning are the consequences of schools shutting down during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a recent survey of teachers by the state’s largest education association.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has placed new demands on Georgia’s public schools…with no guidebook for best practices to operate,” noted Claire Suggs, senior policy analyst with the Professional Association of Georgia Educators, who authored the 2021 Legislative Survey report.

Nearly 6,300 educators in Georgia responded to the PAGE survey, representing 171 of the state’s 180 school districts.

The results of the survey, conducted in November and December, are used for advocacy efforts at the state and local level.

The survey found the pandemic had direct effects on academics, student well-being and family needs, along with the need to adapt existing policies on student instruction and assessments.

School districts began the 202021 school year with a $1 billion cut in funding from the previous year which impacted the ability to manage COVID demands at the start.

The survey found the pandemic had direct effects on academics, student well-being and family needs, along with the need to adapt existing policies on student instruction and assessments.

CARES act federal funding last spring filled the gaps, and an increase in state funding and additional stimulus funds this year will make up much of the lost revenue and added expenses moving forward.

“Though deeply challenging, current circumstances [because of COVID] provide an opportunity for policymakers and educators to build on the policies and practices they have already implemented to support public schools,” Suggs wrote in the report.

Of primary concern cited by educators was the demands placed on them to teach students in both classroom and

virtual formats, as well as trying to stem the loss of learning after months of flux.

One high school teacher said her students were “missing prior skills they were supposed to gain last spring which makes it difficult to build on top of them [because] math builds as the years progress.”

Fewer than 20 percent of educators believe the state’s annual Milestones Assessments, help educators improve student learning.

Many educators said students are challenged outside of school by the fear of COVID, disruptions in daily routines and food insecurities, especially during breaks and weekends. More than half of teachers said tending to their students’ social and emotional well-being was as important as academics.

Based on the survey results, PAGE recommendations for policymakers include support for student mental health, continuation of efforts to fully fund schools, making Georgia the top state in which to teach by investing in educators, and aligning assessments to meet parent and student needs.

A copy of the PAGE survey results can be found at https:// www.pageinc.org/wp-content/ uploads/2017/05/2021-LegislativeSurvey-Report.pdf.

Key insights from the PAGE Educator Survey • Nearly 90 percent of educators say the school shutdown had a negative impact including lost learning time in math and reading • Over 80 percent of educators are spending more time communicating with parents and having to cover classes for absent colleagues • 75 percent of educators say students have higher social-emotional needs this year • Nearly half of educators are teaching both in-person and virtually; and having to cover classes for colleagues who are not available • Nearly 30 percent of educators with less than 20 years of experience say they will leave the profession in the next decade; 14 percent say they will leave in the next five years • Fewer than 20 percent of educators say the Georgia Milestones annual assessment provides information to improve education

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6 | January 28, 2021 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

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Facemasks; not only good for your health Ever order from a drive-thru alone and suddenly feel selfconscious as you pull up to pay and get your bag-o-burger?

You know, those situations in which you have ordered for yourself and another JOE PARKER person who isn’t Editor with you, but it’s not joe@appenmediagroup.com quite obvious the order was for two?

Maybe they wanted a “No. 4,” but you just ordered a la carte. Now it looks like you’re just a big, fat, fatty who needs more than a sizeable burger and several potatoes-worth of fries to satisfy your hunger.

Or maybe it’s just me? I dunno. Do you skinny people think about this kind of thing?

A year ago, I’d just have to pull up and hope that the restaurant workers weren’t silently judging me. But now, hey, just throw on my facemask and worry no more! They don’t know who I am.

Wearing a facemask has become a part of our daily life and wardrobe, a small way to help curb the ongoing pandemic that has impacted every single one our lives.

Of course, there are those that label facemasks as “tyrannical,” probably the same people who raise hell when they are not immediately seated at a ridiculously popular restaurant at 7:30 on a Friday night. But I’m not here to facilitate a debate. There shouldn’t be one.

That said, facemasks are not exactly comfortable or something that goes unnoticed when one is worn for an extended period of time, but they are vital to don when out in public. Plus, I think they have positive attributes that go be-

yond just protecting yourself and others from COVID-19.

In addition to helping quell your shame at the drive-thru, they provide a nice level of anonymity when I’m out and about. Picking up a batch of groceries curbside, for instance.

I don’t really have any reason to want anonymity when my groceries are brought out, other than maybe not wanting the worker to be able to identify the man that goes through that much beer in a week. Of course, it’s not true anonymity considering the store has my phone number, email address and credit card info on file and I’m there every week, but at least they likely wouldn’t be able to identify me out on the street.

And when you have to go into the store, it’s nice to have a mask considering you don’t have to care about fashion.

At all.

If you’re like me, pajama pants or basketball shorts have become your everyday attire. Normally, I would never want to be considered a “People of Walmart” candidate, but throw on a mask and I have no problem wandering the aisles in a pair of pajama pants and a raggedy t-shirt that is held together by nothing more than mustard stains.

There is also the benefit of not having to display a half smile or nod at every single person I make eye contact with because I am from the South and it is innate and involuntary, even if that person happens to be shouting they will stab the next person that looks at them with a rusty spoon.

Masks are also good because, socially distancing or not, when was the last time you smelled someone’s bad breath?

You know, I may just go on keeping a mask on hand for the foreseeable future even after COVID. Let’s just all keep wearing them so we can hopefully get to that point a little sooner.

COMMUNITY

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | January 28, 2021 | 7

Woman works to eliminate How my COVID shot went yesterday in Alpharetta Georgia’s medical debt Bills cripple families already in trouble

By TIFFANY GRIFFITH newsroom@appenmediagroup.com NORTH ATLANTA METRO, Ga. — When Elizabeth Beck was 13, her mother became disabled with a rare condition.

While most teens spent spring break running wild, Beck traveled to Washington D.C., so her mother could undergo experimental surgeries.

Despite her family’s hardships and sacrifices, Beck knows how fortunate they are.

“I’ve been very painfully aware for the last 20 years just how horrible a position we’d be in if she didn’t get to keep her insurance,” Beck said. “My family would be hundreds of thousands of dollars — at minimum — in the red.”

Beck is grateful her mother’s colleagues at Emory were determined BECK to take care of her, even when she could no longer work. Her gratitude eventually turned to curiosity and concern for those who aren’t as lucky.

“How many other people are going through this, but they don’t have the resources we do?” she wondered.

She began doing her homework on medical debt. It’s more expensive for hospitals and providers to pursue the debt, so it’s sold to collectors for pennies on the dollar. The more it’s traded, the less value it has. And over time, it’s less likely that a person who owes will pay their debt.

But the bill doesn’t diminish for the patient. It could even grow with penalties and interest. Not good news for someone whose bank account has been wiped out to pay for treatments like chemotherapy.

Families forgo treatment Beck said the growing debt has become a paralyzing burden for families statewide, and some choose to forgo expensive, but needed medical treatment to afford basic necessities.

“Just seeing the scope of how ruinous it is, and how it impacts people’s credit, and it makes it harder for them to obtain any social mobility,” Beck said.

“You get stuck in this hamster wheel. It’s really expensive to be poor.”

Data from the United Health Foundation shows 17.8-percent of Georgia adults avoided medical care due to the cost in 2020, and 13.4-percent were uninsured. In 2018, Georgia was above

the national average for overdue medical bills, with 30 percent falling behind, according to ARC Research.

Further studies by the Urban Institute found 13 percent of households in DeKalb County owe an average of $619 with 16 percent uninsured. In Forsyth County, 8 percent of households have an average of $637 in collections, with 9 percent uninsured. As for Fulton County, 12 percent of households owe an average of $554 in medical debt with 12 percent living without insurance coverage.

The debt is significantly higher for communities of color.

Throw in a recession and a once-in-acentury pandemic, and Beck figures the pipeline of medical debt could be devastating for Georgia families. So, in August, she launched a campaign to eliminate Georgia’s medical debt. She partnered with RIP Medical Debt, a 501(C)(3) founded by two former debt collectors.

“When people just can’t afford to be sick during a pandemic, I thought this just might give people some breathing room,” Beck said.

RIP Medical Debt uses the diminishing cost of debt to their advantage.

By purchasing it from collectors, the charity is able to pay off medical bills at a cheaper price. Every $1 raised can eliminate $180 worth of medical debt in the Peach State, Beck said. As of midJanuary, she surpassed her fundraising goal of $25,000. That could eliminate more than $3.5 million in debt, based on the varying averages of each county.

Campaign gains strength Beck’s campaign continues to gain momentum as she reaches out for grants and support from friends, business owners, elected officials and colleagues.

Although her main line of work is with Cushman & Wakefield as an associate appraiser, she is now making it her mission to eliminate Georgia’s medical debt, which currently stands at close to $214 million — and that’s just the amount RIP Medical Debt has access to.

“I can’t not do something knowing how far a single dollar could go,” Beck said.

“This could restore someone’s credit.”

She’s even had the support of complete strangers who donated more than just a dollar.

“A couple anonymous donations came in, too,” Beck said. “One for $1,700 and another for $1,200. And I said, ‘Who did this? I want to kiss you, and I’m so mad that I can never know who you are!’”

There’s an even greater good Beck hopes to accomplish. She sees her campaign as a

See DEBT, Page 15

If you might be interested in a few quick observations on getting your vaccine, this short quick read is for you!

The day they announced that people over 65 could sign up online for RAY APPEN Publisher Emeritus appointments to get ray@appenmediagroup.com their first COVID vaccine shot, I did.

It took about 3 minutes to fill out the short form and I got my appointment for three days later.

The website to sign up is: https://fultoncountyboh.jotform. com/210075657162049. This pulls up a one-page, quick overview guide about who is currently eligible and provides a link to obtain your appointment, if any are available. Of note: on this page is also a field to give your email address to receive updates about vaccine availability.

I mentioned to a friend that I had my appointment, and they asked me if I wasn’t worried about getting it. They

didn’t think that they were going to get vaccinated. I asked them if they were crazy. Then I explained my logic.

Somewhere around 1 person in a thousand will die from COVID, I think.

I may be off in that but probably not by a lot, at least compared to the percentage of adverse reactions to the vaccination that have been reported, a number probably less than 10 or so out of a couple million vaccinations. So, let’s see, 1 in 1,000 you die from COVID, or 1 in more than 1,000,000 that you might have some bad reaction to the vaccine. Is there something I’m missing? As Dirty Harry said, “Do you feel lucky?” I think I like the 1 in way over 1,000,000 odds better.

In all, it took about an hour to get my vaccine. It was close to painless, both the wait and the shot. I got mine near Northpoint Mall, 4700 North Point Parkway.

Warning: The only complication I encountered in the entire process was parking, so instead of arriving about an hour before my appointment, I would encourage you to arrive probably

See RAY, Page 16

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We are seeing more demand for Second Draw loans, more so than we are First Draw loans.

JOE BRANNEN, Georgia Bankers Association president and CEO 8 | Johns Creek Herald | January 28, 2021

SBA Second Draw loans gather momentum Hardest hit businesses line up for second wave of government support

By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com METRO ATLANTA, Ga. — Small businesses are rushing to get a share of another round of SBA loans being offered through the federal Paycheck Protection Program.

Access to the loans rolled out in stages this month, with minority and community development depository institutions eligible first. Institutions with a billion dollars or less in assets were given access to the process Jan. 15, and all financial institutions came on board Jan. 19.

The new wave of loans is available to first-time applicants and to those businesses that received PPP loans during the first two rounds of the program last year.

The first round of SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program loans, issued in mid-April 2020, 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. But the rush cooled quickly, leaving more than $130 billion unallocated when applications ended in August.

Overall, Georgia’s roughly 235 chartered lending institutions provided more than $14.7 billion in loans to nearly 175,000 small businesses through the 2020 PPP program, said David Oliver, senior vice president of the Georgia

Bankers Association. The average loan was for $84,306.

Nationally, the program is credited with helping 5.2 million small businesses keep 51 million American workers employed.

Demand is high Applications for the current wave of PPP loans is backed with about $284 billion in funding and runs through March 31.

“We are seeing a lot of demand,” said Joe Brannen, Georgia Bankers Association president and CEO. “We are seeing more demand for Second Draw loans, more so than we are First Draw loans.”

Brannen said when the application deadline for First Draw loans closed last August, demand appeared to have been met.

“But, the Second Draw, because that wasn’t available before, we’ve got a fair number of borrowers taking advantage of that,” he said.

Brannen said it’s too early to track which business sectors are applying for the new loans, but logically, it would be those that were the hardest hit.

“That’s what the Second Draw program is for, those businesses that can show they had a 25 percent drop in revenues in comparable quarters between 2019 and 2020,” Brannen said. “That’s going to be hospitality, it’s going to be restaurants, it’s going to be the businesses that didn’t fully reopen.”

Guidelines for the 2021 PPP are generally the same as before for first-time applicants.

Second Draw PPP Loans are for eligible small businesses with 300 or fewer employees, that previously received a First Draw PPP Loan and will use or have used the full amount only

The new wave of loans is available to firsttime applicants and to those businesses that received PPP loans during the first two rounds of the program last year. for authorized uses, and that can demonstrate at least a 25 percent decline in gross receipts between comparable quarters in 2019 and 2020. The maximum amount of a Second Draw PPP loan is $2 million.

Brannen said that in general, the loan process this time will be easier.

Many businesses have been through the application process before, and the government is using an upgraded platform that is far simpler for banks to navigate.

Brannen said he hopes small businesses will make use of the program.

“We had a lot of people who just didn’t bother to try last time, and I think that’s why we had a lot of money left over,” he said.

Loans to benefit local economy Kali Boatright, president and CEO of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, said she has heard from a number of area bankers reporting interest in the Second Draw is brisk.

“We encourage anyone seeking funds to contact their banker or accountant as

soon as possible,” she said. “As always, if there are any questions, the Greater North Fulton Chamber is happy to assist any business in North Fulton.”

Alan Najjar, director of Business Development at Smith & Howard accounting firm in Atlanta, said the new round of PPP loans will benefit the U.S. economy and especially the businesses in North Fulton. It will allow big and small financial institutions to continue assisting those businesses who did not request sufficient funds last year to get another bite out of the apple, he said.

“This second draw PPP allocation of $284 billion targets employers with less than 300 employees vs. 500 in round one,” Najjar said. “Round Two also specifically mentions the allowable use of proceeds for property damage, supplier costs, personal protection equipment, and it is significant that this new round allows news organizations, destination marketing organizations and 501c(6) nonprofit organizations like chambers of commerce to apply.”

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Upcoming Wednesday Social Dates: Feb 17 • March 17 • April 21 For locations and event details: www.AlpharettaChamber.com

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58 Shade trees Furrow 7 Brew 33 Greek letter 62 Black cuckoo Balanced 8 Walks unsteadily 34 Jewish month 63 Lease Salon supply SOLUTION ON PAGE 15

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | January 28, 2021 | 9

Schools: Continued from Page 2 “We hope [the increase] will help and encourage more subs to accept assignments, but we don’t expect it to fully enable us to overcome the significant impact caused by COVID-19,” Noyes said.

Fulton Schools has approximately 6,900 teachers in its 14,000 total work force.

Earlier this month, Fulton Schools partnered with the Fulton County Public Health Department to offer the COVID-19 vaccination to all employees 65 and older, along with their qualifying spouses. About half the district’s 1,100 eligible employees received the vaccination, which officials deemed a success. “[Vaccinations] are still a voluntary effort, and we consider it a success that people who wanted to get one were able to do so,” Noyes said. “We know there are a lot of differing personal opinions, but public health and the CDC are recommending it…so we wanted to offer it.”

Those who received the first vaccination will return for the second round on Feb. 6. Vaccinations will not be mandatory for staff, Noyes confirmed.

The state is currently in Phase 1A of the vaccination rollout, with only medical staff, first responders and

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Amount • As High as 3.5X Business’s Average Monthly Payroll for certain industries, otherwise 2.5X Business’s Average Monthly Payroll

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those over 65 eligible for the COVID vaccination. The remaining education staff will be priority groups in Phase 1B, with the state Department of Public Health managing the rollout.

School Superintendent Mike Looney said he along with school leaders across the state are pushing hard to get to the next phase and allow teachers to get in line for the vaccination.

“We are doing everything we can as a school district to advocate for our educators to be vaccinated as quickly as humanly possible,” Looney said. “We are [urging] everyone from the governor’s office all the way through elected officials for that to happen.”

The state’s largest educator advocacy group is also asking the state to speed up the availability of the vaccination to front line teaching staff. The Professional Association of Teachers (PAGE) represents the state’s 95,000 educators and is working to expedite the vaccination rollout.

“As Georgia public schools struggle to meet the challenges of serving students in face-to-face settings and to protect students, staff, and the families both groups go home to, PAGE supports vaccine prioritization of all Georgia educators,” said Craig Harper, executive director for PAGE. State public health officials estimate Phase 1B will begin in early February.

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10 | January 28, 2021 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

Nationwide group spreads kindness, creates community through lasagna Volunteers cook meals for those on hard times

By JOE PARKER joe@appenmediagroup.com NORTH METRO ATLANTA, Ga. — The COVID-19 pandemic’s toll has been unbiased and widespread. For some, it has resulted in the loss of a job or a cut in pay as mortgage and rent payments hang heavy over some families. Others have lost family members, their worlds forever changed by the virus’ worldwide reach.

While not all have faced such dramatic consequences of the pandemic, almost all have at some time over the past 10 months felt the sadness of isolation, the stress of the unknown and the anxiety of the future, all longing for a time when no one had even heard the term “coronavirus.”

A meal cannot erase these situations or troubles, but it can provide a bright spot in dark times, and, for a while, deliver the contentment of a full belly and the peace provided by a brief escape from the clutches of COVID. Lasagna Love, a nationwide nonprofit gaining a foothold in north Metro Atlanta, looks to provide that sense of comfort to those facing troubling times.

The nonprofit was created by Rhiannon Menn of California during the early stages of the pandemic. Menn began making lasagnas in her home and delivering them to those facing hardships.

Others joined the initiative, and by last summer, Lasagna Love had over 8,000 volunteers.

There is now a group looking to further the program’s reach in the North Atlanta area.

One of the leaders of the push is Alpharetta’s Lynn Hirsch, who first heard about the nonprofit on the TV morning show, “Today.” Since then, she has been making and delivering lasagnas to those in the local community.

Volunteers are paired with a family who has requested a meal through the group’s website.

“Basically, [the group] is trying to feed families that have any kind of need, whether it’s financial, emotional or illness-related,” Hirsch said. “Maybe someone in the family has COVID, or someone is a frontline healthcare worker and has stress from working so hard they can’t think about what to cook their family for dinner. No questions are asked.”

Hirsch said she has made and delivered lasagnas to a family whose husband and wife are police officers, a family who had all contracted COVID-19 and to one family in which a 7- and

SPECIAL

Lynn Hirsch presents two lasagnas she prepared for the Lasagna Love program, which provides meals for those facing challenging times and is expanding its reach in North Fulton.

9-year old were caring for their parents who both had the virus.

People can also nominate others to receive a lasagna.

“Maybe your child’s teacher is doing an amazing job with remote and hybrid learning, or maybe they want to thank the local fire station,” Hirsch said. “There are a lot of aspects of the program.”

All deliveries are contactless, with volunteers letting families know when their meal has been dropped off through a text or call.

Hirsch said volunteers are asked to make or deliver lasagna, but otherwise, they can choose what they want to tackle. She said some also make side dishes or a dessert, and some make one lasagna a month, while others may make 20 a week.

The program has obvious benefits for those facing challenges, and the positivity runs both ways.

“It is beneficial for both parties involved,” Hirsch said. “I’m a grandma, and during the beginning of COVID, especially, I wasn’t seeing anyone or going out, just the occasional walk. I just felt like I really needed some focus and wanted a meaningful way to spend my days. It has been as good for me as the families I have been cooking meals for.”

Those wanting to request a meal or those wanting to volunteer can sign up at lasagnalove.org.

“Spreading kindness, creating communities, that’s what Lasagna Love is accomplishing,” Hirsch said.

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January 28, 2021 | Johns Creek Herald | 11

What happens when I need care?

What happens when i need care?

Many people wait until they need care and services to choose their senior living community; however, planning ahead and asking the right questions provides peace of mind, added control, and a smoother transition. Exploring communities before you need assisted living gives you time to identify what you are seeking in a senior living residence and thoroughly evaluate your options . Village Park Senior Living consultants recommend asking these questions while searching for your next home.

Understand the care programs and finances You’ve planned well for everything else. Now is the time to plan for care. Many communities separate independent living from assisted living, skilled nursing, and/or memory care. However, Village Park Senior Living offers an adaptive care model that discreetly adds assisted living care services without requiring you to move from your independent home. Additionally, our Memory Enrichment Program enables residents with early stages of memory loss to continue to live in their existing residence before transitioning to our memory care neighborhood. Every senior living community is different, so it is important to ask the following when exploring your options: • Do I have to move when my level of care changes?

Bungalows & Cottages Independent Living Assisted Living Memory Care Village Park Milton 555 Wills Road Alpharetta, GA 30009 470.509.4557

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• If I need to move units, does my initial deposit count toward my new residence?

• What happens if my spouse needs care but I don’t?

• Are there add-ons?

• Do I have to hire my own caregiver?

• Does your community hire caregivers in-house or is care provided by a third-party agency?

Consider the Lifestyle You Want It is important to identify what your necessities are and if they are accessible at every level of care. Square footage is not as important as the lifestyle and services that enhance your overall quality of life. Understanding what you want or need is key to a happy retirement. Consider the following: • What optimizes my quality of life?

• What amenities are available to me when my care level changes?

• How does assisted living change my lifestyle?

• What does the dining program include?

Choosing the perfect senior living community for your lifestyle and needs can take time. If you have additional questions relating to this article or would like to learn more about Village Park Senior Living, contact our group of senior living consultants at referralsvpm@villageparkseniorliving.com or call (470) 509-4557.

12 | January 28, 2021 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

EMPTY NEST • Sponsored Section

4 Common types of dementia Brought to you by — Oaks Senior Living Suwanee Creek Dementia is a blanket term used to describe physical changes to the brain that cause memory loss and inhibit everyday tasks. There are many different kinds of dementia.

1. Alzheimer’s Disease Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by two abnormalities in the brain: amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles.

Loss of memory, lapses of judgment, and mild changes to personality occur early on, but, as this disease evolves, those diagnosed can have difficulty completing daily tasks, their memory worsens, and problems with communication and language may arise, as well as aggression, agitation and depression.

2. Vascular Dementia Vascular Dementia is the second most common form of dementia and is caused by damage done to the vessels that supply blood to the brain. While a lack of blood flow disrupts or kills cells throughout the body, the brain is the most susceptible to damage. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, “changes in thinking skills

sometimes occur suddenly after a stroke, which blocks major blood vessels in the brain.” Common symptoms can include difficulties with problem-solving, slowed thinking, focus, and organization.

3. Lewy Body Dementia Lewy body Dementia is a type of progressive dementia that leads to a decline in thinking, reasoning and independent function because of abnormal microscopic deposits that damage brain cells over time. These microscopic deposits are protein deposits in nerve cells that interrupt chemical messages in the brain, causing this form of dementia. Symptoms can include trembling hands, weakness and memory loss. May also cause sleep problems.

4. Frontotemporal Dementia Frontotemporal Dementia is the degeneration of nerve cells and their connections in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. These areas of the brain affect behavior and language. The most common symptoms of this disease are changes in behavior, personality, thinking, and judgment, as well as a loss of inhibitions and motivation, and can lead to problems with speech.

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NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | January 28, 2021 | 13

Experience the most advanced form of pain relief available Deep Tissue Laser Therapy

Brought to you by – Johns Creek Physical Therapy Class IV Laser Therapy is the most advanced pain relief technology available to the public and it’s now available right here in Johns Creek. Laser therapy uses a process called photo-bio-modulation to enhance your body’s ability to heal itself. Laser Therapy works by flooding the tissues with photons, energizing the damaged cells and increasing circulation to the painful area. Treatments are fast, painless and don’t require any down time but the therapeutic effect continues to soothe and heal long after you leave the office.

Laser Therapy is FDA cleared to treat pain, inflammation, arthritis, and muscle spasms and are a great alternative to medications and injections. Laser Therapy can treat a host of conditions including rotator cuff injuries, post operative pain and soreness (for any surgery), frozen shoulder, Achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, neck pain, muscle strains, low back pain, migraines, and can even be used to relieve pain associated with diabetic neuropathy.

Johns Creek Physical Therapy, recently voted as the Best Physical Therapy Practice in North Atlanta, is the only medical practice in the area to offer Laser Therapy technology. For the month of January, you can receive a complimentary treatment just for trying it out.

If you are experiencing any type of pain, call 770-622-5344 to schedule your Free Consultation.

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Do You Have Low Back Pain? Free Workshop Sponsored by JOHNS CREEK PHYSICAL THERAPY

• Do you suffer with Back Pain or Sciatica when you stand or walk?

• Do you have low back pain when you sit for long periods of time?

• Do you experience Pain, Numbness, or Tingling into your hip or down your leg?

• Do you feel like you’ve “tried everything” but your back is still hurting?

If you answered YES to any of these questions (or you know someone in denial) then you won’t want to miss the FREE BACK PAIN AND SCIATICA WORKSHOP on Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at 12:30 pm Back pain and sciatica can completely ruin your life. I see it every day. Low Back Pain is the number one cause of disability in the world and affects millions of people every year. Back pain can keep you from enjoying your favorite activities, keep you from spending time with your family, and keep

At the workshop you will learn the TOP THREE common causes of Lower Back Pain and Sciatica you out of work. Sciatica is the term given to pain that travels down the back of the leg along the path of the sciatic nerve. It can be brought on from a variety of things like sitting, walking, standing, or doing simple everyday activities.

If you are having this type of pain you won’t want to miss the FREE BACK PAIN AND SCIATICA WORKSHOP on Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at 12:30 pm hosted

by Johns Creek Physical Therapy. At the workshop you will learn the TOP THREE common causes of Lower Back Pain and Sciatica and how each of these things can bring about back pain and sciatica. You will

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Perhaps you have already had an x-ray or an MRI and you’ve been told that those findings explain why you are having back pain? We will show you that those tests are not always accurate and may have nothing to do with why your back is actually hurting.

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Don’t let back pain ruin your life! If you have back pain or sciatica don’t miss this FREE BACK PAIN AND SCIATICA WORKSHOP Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at 12:30 pm.

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“I came to the workshop and Johns Creek Physical Therapy fixed my back. I could barely stand during the presentation but now I can walk again without back pain.”

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14 | January 28, 2021 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

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Can bumping your leg cause skin cancer?

Brought to you by — Dr. Brent Taylor Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta Multiple times over the last ten years, patients have told me that a skin cancer popped up DR. TAYLOR right where they banged their leg. Initially, I was skeptical of whether such mild trauma could cause skin cancer. One of my teachers speculated that patients were developing skin cancers first and then later noticed them when they bumped the area. However, patient were certain about the timeline and insisted that the bump caused the skin cancer. Who is right?

Can mild trauma cause skin cancer?

The medical literature is rife with examples of chronic trauma indirectly leading to skin cancer. For example, a “Marjolin’s ulcer” is a squamous cell carcinoma (squamous cell skin cancer) that arises from a chronic wound. While Marjolin’s ulcers are not common, they are an important diagnosis for doctors to avoid missing. Their danger is often due to delayed diagnosis. For example, a patient with an ulcer from bad veins on his or her leg may go to a wound care clinic and receive dressing changes intended to allow the wound to heal on its own.

When the ulcer fails to heal, everyone involved assumes it is still “just a venous ulcer.” Unfortunately, chronic ulcers can sometimes give rise to skin cancers – usually squamous cell carcinoma. The ulcer is no longer just a broken down area of skin from bad circulation. Instead, it is a skin cancer AND a broken down area from bad circulation. But the two conditions can look nearly identical in ulcerated form, and a biopsy is needed to make the diagnosis. Delays in diagnosis of the skin cancer can give it a chance to spread to other organs and lead to death. The stakes are high.

Why would a chronic wound give rise to skin cancer? The explanation is usually “cell turnover.” Areas of healthy skin usually have cells undergoing cell division (mitosis) at a very slow rate. Skin cells are quoted as replacing themselves every 28 days. Where skin is cut, injured or otherwise wounded, the replication rate goes up. Growth factors are released at sites of tissue damage to spur tissue regrowth and renewal. If you cut your skin or have a wound, cells need to grow and divide rapidly to replace the cells that were lost and to heal. Increased cell division means increased opportunity for error. Cell division is a vulnerable time.

When a cell is dividing, its DNA is more

susceptible to mutations and to making mistakes. Such mutations can increase cell growth rate and otherwise allow them to grow in an uncontrolled manner. Mutations cause cancer. So chronic wounds not unexpectedly generate skin cancers.

If chronic wounds can yield cancers, what about minor/short term wounds? Or even a bump on the leg? There is not a lot of medical literature about skin cancers arising from small traumatic events such as a bump on the leg. However, it stands to reason that a similar phenomenon exists for small injuries as for chronic wounds. Both involve healing tissue, growth factors, and stimulus for cell division. In my experience, the small bumps that were blamed for causing skin cancers almost always occurred in patients with severe amounts of background sun damage. Patients with severe sun damage already have mutations in their cells from the sun’s UV rays. Accordingly, the combination of sun damage and a banged shin is like a one-two punch.

One of the first successful explanations for the cause of any cancer was the “two-hit hypothesis.” It explains why retinoblastoma, an eye tumor, develops in children. The two hit hypothesis states that you need two copies of the same gene to go bad for certain cancers like retinoblastoma to develop. Children with retinoblastoma are born with one bad (mutated) copy in every single cell in their eyes, either inherited from a parent or from a mutation acquired early in fetal development. Additional spontaneous mutations are common enough that the chance that the second copy of the gene mutates in at least one cell is high. That cell now has two bad copies of the retinoblastoma gene.

That single cell will then grow uncontrollably and develop into a cancer. Like retinoblastoma’s second mutation, the “bump on the leg” might be the second hit a squamous cell needs in some individuals’ legs. The first hit is the years of sun damage introducing mutations into many cells in a patient’s skin. Then, the second hit can take many forms – sometimes an additional sun burn, sometimes a chronic wound, and sometimes a literal hit -- a small bump on the leg.

So yes, in my opinion, my patients are probably right. Sometimes a skin cancer really does pop up from a simple bump on the leg.

We hope that you found this article interesting and informative. Please know that if you or a loved one has a skin cancer or any skin care need, we at Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta are here for you and are honored to help. Dr. Brent Taylor and Kathryn Filipek, PA-C would like to be your partners to achieve your skin health goals.

COMMUNITY

Debt: Continued from Page 7

way to open up the economy and erase the belief that medical debt is a moral failure.

“Healthcare costs being stressfully high is such a ubiquitous American experience,” Beck said. “It just meant the world to me that people who had gone through medical debt and were now in a position to help, were willing to hold the door open so that somebody else doesn’t have to go through this.”

Beck has rallied people from across the state, calling her campaign incredibly meaningful and impactful work. Her next goal is to raise an additional $1 million to wipe out over $180 million in medical debt. She said an eager fundraiser is backing her cause.

“I’m still in absolute shock. All I can say is, whillikers!” Beck said. “I’m really proud of my community and I’m just

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | January 28, 2021 | 15

humbled by the support. I’m going to go as hard as I can for this.”

Beck is grateful for any dollar amount. To support her mission and for more information, visit secure.qgiv.com/ Solution event/cwva-loves-atlanta A U D I T

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INVITATION TO BID CITY OF JOHNS CREEK ITB #21-056 TRAFFIC SIGNAL INSTALLATION (SR 140 (Holcomb Bridge Road) at S. Holcomb Bridge Way/Kroger Driveway) The City of Johns Creek Request is accepting Invitations to Bid (ITB) from GDOT qualified construction firms for traffic signal installation at (1) intersection, SR 140 (Holcomb Bridge Road) at S. Holcomb Bridge Way/Kroger Driveway.

ITB’s will be received electronically only via BidNet no later than 2:00PM on February 25, 2021. Questions are accepted and answered online via BidNet. Deadline for questions is February 12, 2021 at 5:00 PM.

LOCAL POLITICS. LOCAL PODCAST. Georgia has proven to be the epicenter of the political world these last few months.

Catch up on all the latest under the Georgia Gold Dome and with our representatives in Washington D.C.

GEORGIA POLITICS

Quotes, bids, and RFP’s are electronically managed through the Georgia Purchasing Group by BidNet, our online bidding/vendor registration system, on the City website: https://www.johnscreekga.gov/Residents/Purchasing. To access the ITB document you must register with BidNet. Go to the City website above and click the link “register and view quote/bid/RFP opportunities”.

The City of Johns Creek, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 78 Stat. 252, 42 U.SC. 2000d to 2000d-4 and Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation, Subtitle A, Office of the Secretary, part 21, Non-discrimination in federally-assisted programs of the Department of Transportation issued pursuant to such Act, hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises as defined at 49 CFR Part 23 will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, national origin, or sex in consideration for an award.

Additional information may be obtained by contacting Neil Trust at the City of Johns Creek Procurement Division at purchasing@johnscreekga.gov or (678) 512-3233. The City of Johns Creek reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to wave technicalities and informalities, and to make award in the best interest of the City of Johns Creek.

Listen anywhere you download your podcasts.

16 | January 28, 2021 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

Ray: CITY OF JOHNS CREEK PUBLIC NOTICE PURPOSE An Alcoholic Beverage License Application was submitted to the City on January 14, 2021 for Consumption on Premises of Malt Beverage and Wine.

BUSINESS NAME Micro Dragon LLC Dba J’s Asian Cafe 11550 Jones Bridge Rd Suite 1 Johns Creek, GA 30022 OWNER/OFFICERS Micro Dragon LLC Dba J’s Asian Cafe 11550 Jones Bridge Rd Suite 1 Johns Creek, GA 30022 Owner, Juardy Lo

Continued from Page 7 closer to two hours early or get someone to drop you off. I had to park a good quarter mile from the building where the shots were being administered. They

OPINION are also conducting COVID testing at the same location which is one of the reasons there was a traffic issue.

Administration and coordination of the process was exemplary. Fulton County knocked it out of the ballpark in terms of organization, customer service, efficiency and friendliness of all the working staff. I couldn’t have been more

impressed. As long as you signed up for an appointment online in advance, there was an absolute minimum of paperwork required and the roughly dozen of the vaccination stations processed everyone quickly.

The processing was held in an office building that looked like it had been converted for the event. It was uncrowded and felt safe, even though there probably were 400 people in various lines when I was there. Everyone wore masks, and there was plenty of sanitizer available.

There really weren’t any surprises I encountered when I got my shot other than the fact that all of the roughly 400 or so generally older-than-65 residents who showed up were lily-white, at least that I noticed when I was there. That struck me as odd and as some sort of a red flag, considering that in Alpharetta, only 57.6 percent of residents (as of 2017) were white. Not sure what that is all about.

Anyway, get your vaccine. For those of you who don’t plan to get it, get it anyway because getting vaccinated really isn’t just about you; it’s about the health and welfare of your family, your friends, your co-workers and your community. And it’s about being part of the solution instead of part of the problem in getting this pandemic gone sooner rather than later.

And, don’t forget to arrive a little early.

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | January 28, 2021 | 17

Locally Owned and Operated

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North Fulton’s Only On-Site Crematory 12050 Crabapple Road • Roswell, GA 30075

DEATH NOTICES James Allen, 76, of Alpharetta, passed away January 16, 2021.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Director & Crematory.

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.

Marilyn Bartman, 89, of Cumming, passed away January 18, 2021.

Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home and Green Helen Brown, 97, of Johns Creek, passed away January 13, 2021.

Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home and Green

Faithfully Serving Roswell Since 1839

Roswell Funeral Home

Nathan Lynn Collins, 54, passed away Green Lawn Cemetary January 13, 2021. Arrangements by McDonald & Son Funeral Home.

Roswell Funeral Home Green Lawn Cemetary Faithfully Serving Families Since 1839

Lawn Cemetery.

Roswell Funeral Home Deanna Lea Dean, 57, of Suwanee, passed Green Lawn Cemetary away January 19, 2021. Arrangements by McDonald & Son Funeral Home.

Faithfully Serving Families Since 1839

Brenda Densmore, 69, Cumming, passed away January 6, 2021. Arrangements

by Ingram Funeral Home &

Roswell Funeral Home Green Lawn Cemetaryof Faithfully Serving Roswell Since 1839

Crematory.

Roswell Funeral Home Green Lawn Cemetary Faithfully Serving Families Since 1839

Faithfully Serving Families Since 1839

Roswell Funeral HomeSarah Conwell, 75, of Roswell, Green Lawn Cemetarypassed away January 15, 2021.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Director & Crematory.

Faithfully Serving Roswell Since 1839

Joan Dalton, 88, of Milton, passed away January 13, 2021.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Director & Crematory.

Roswell Funeral Home Green Lawn Cemetary Faithfully Serving Families Since 1839

Lawn Cemetery.

Roswell Funeral Home Green Lawn Cemetary Faithfully Serving Families Since 1839

June Davies, 94, of Roswell, passed away January 14, 2021.

Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home and Green

Dorothy Davis, 90, of Alpharetta, passed away January 13, 2021.

Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home and Green

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.

Ronald Douglass, 76, of Roswell, passed away January 19, 2021.

Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home and Green Rose Ellenzweig, 97, of Roswell, passed away January 14, 2021.

Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home and Green

Faithfully Serving Roswell Since 1839

Roswell Funeral Home Emmy Green Lawn Cemetary

Lou Faber, 95, of Alpharetta, passed away January 12, 2021.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Director & Roswell Funeral Home Green Lawn Cemetary Crematory.

Faithfully Serving Families Since 1839

Faithfully Serving Roswell Since 1839

Jeanne Goldman, 99, of Roswell, passed away January 15, 2021. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Director & Crematory.

John Q. Hall Jr., 79, of Cumming, passed away January 18, 2021.

Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory.

Margie Clyde Hyder, 90, of Cumming, passed away January 18, 2021.

Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory.

Roswell Funeral Home Green Lawn Cemetary Faithfully Serving Families Since 1839

Lawn Cemetery.

Jerome Lampe, 70, of Roswell, passed away January 20, 2021.

Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home and Green

Roswell Funeral Home Janet Green Lawn Cemetary

Lees, 95, of Roswell, passed away January 14, 2021.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Director & Roswell Funeral Home Crematory.

Faithfully Serving Families Since 1839

Green Lawn Cemetary

John Mark Mathes, 93, of Alpharetta, passed January 16, 2021. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory.

Faithfully Serving Roswell Since 1839

Scarlett Rose McCoid, passed away January 16, 2021. Arrangements by McDonald & Son Funeral Home.

Bernice O’Bryant, 87, of Cumming, passed away January 17, 2021.

Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory.

Nancy Jean O’Tinger, 64, of Cumming, passed away January 15, 2021.

Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory.

Ivette Ortiz, 75, of Alpharetta, passed away January 13, 2021.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Director & Crematory.

Phillip Wayne Pirkle, 64, of Cumming, passed away January 19, 2021.

Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory.

Beverlie Reilman, 95, of Roswell, passed away January 14, 2021. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Director & Crematory.

David Studtmann, 77, of Roswell, passed away January 13, 2021. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Director & Crematory.

Roswell Funeral Home Green Lawn Cemetary Faithfully Serving Families Since 1839

Lawn Cemetery.

Roswell Funeral Home Green Lawn Cemetary Faithfully Serving Families Since 1839

Gordon Young, 83, of Roswell, passed away January 14, 2021.

Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home and Green

18 | January 28, 2021 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

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

Help Wanted Full-time McAllister Tree Service Wants YOU Crew Leaders, Trimmers & Ground Crew Members Great Pay & Great Benefits Previous tree experience preferred but not required Email Resumes with Experience details to Sarah HudelsonJobs@TheTownsendCorp.com SEEKING WORKERS for our cleanroom manufacturing facility. Duties include operating equipment and various manufacturing tasks. Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.

Visit aesclean.com/ production-jobs to apply

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Business Analyst Design, develop, Test & Implement s/w applcs utilizing SDLC methodologies like waterfall, Agile, .Net, TFS, JIRA, Bugzilla, UML, STLC, Axure, Balsamiq, Subversion, Visual SourceSafe, MS project and MS Office Suite, Functional & Smoke testing.

Must be willing to travel & reloc to unanticipated client locations throughout the US. Reqs MS in Sci, Comp Sci or rel w/ 1 yr of exp. Mail Resumes to HexaCorp LLC, 2450 Atlanta Hwy, Unit 1902, Cumming, GA 30040

General Clerk III Sawnee EMC is seeking a General Clerk III Customer Service to assist in a high-volume call center. Requires high school diploma or equivalency, computer, communication and general office skills. Two years of related experience preferred. Position is full-time; must be flexible to work irregular hours, to include evenings, weekends and holidays.

Applicants must complete an application form prior to 5 PM February 5, 2021.

Apply online: www.sawnee.com/My Cooperative/Careers.

If you require a paper application or an alternate format,please contact us at 770-887-2363 extension 7568.

Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer of Females, Minorities, Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Sawnee EMC is VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Drug Free Workplace.

Announcements

Musical Instruments

Brookhaven Eye Care’s Alpharetta location, located inside the Alpharetta Costco, is closing effective January 30, 2021. Contact the office at 2855 Jordan Ct Alpharetta, GA 30004 678-8234954 no later than January 30, 2021 to obtain your prescription/medical records. After January 30, 2021, you may obtain a copy of your prescription/medical records at Brookhaven Eye Care--Brookhaven 500 Brookhaven Ave Atlanta, GA 30319 404-4601928 ext 1. A reasonable cost based fee will be associated with the copying or transfer.

PIANO COLLECTOR Several beautiful Baby Grands & uprights.

Quality pianos at sacrifice prices. 770-633-4151

Legal Notices PUBLICATION NOTICE Thomas B. Stanford of Alpharetta, GA is being sued in Wayne County 3rd Judicial Circuit Court, Detroit, Michigan, Case No.: 20-0115-116 CH, for A Complaint to Quiet Title on a Subject Property with an address of 1574-76 Ash Street, Detroit, Michigan 48208, Property Identification No.: 08000842..

002L. This Legal Notice is being provided as required by an Order of Wayne County Circuit Court for Substitute/Alternate Service, January 5th, 2021. Attorneys of record, McCoy & Associates PLLC, 2381 E. Stadium Blvd., Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104, (734) 769-0001.

Wanted to Buy GOT COINS? Father and son looking to buy.

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Transportation Vans DODGE HANDICAP CARAVAN 2008: Braun enter-van conversion. $9950. 47,330 miles.

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Business Services Refinance North Atlanta’s Smartest Online Refi Analysis Tool Grab your mortgage statement and complete the easy questions at www.

RefiBenefitQuiz.com to see – clearly and with details –if it’s wise for you to refi given the historically low rates in the market. * No SSN * No Phone Number * No Credit Check BankSouth Mortgage Company LLC NMLS 690971 Subject to credit and collateral approval.

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NATIONAL CLASSIFIEDS Autos Wanted

Miscellaneous

Get cash for your used or junk car today. We buy all cars, trucks, and SUVs. Free pick up.

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USAStayHealthy.com The Generac PWRcell solar plus battery storage system. Save money, reduce reliance on grid, prepare for outages & power your home. Full installation services. $0 down financing option.

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1-855-270-3785 CASH FOR CARS: We Buy Any Condition Vehicle, 2002 and Newer.

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HughesNet Satellite Internet – Finally, no hard data limits! Call Today for speeds up to 25mbps as low as $59.99/mo! $75 gift card, terms apply. 1-844-863-4478 Stay in your home longer with an American Standard Walk-In Bathtub. Receive up to $1,500 off, including a free toilet, and a lifetime warranty on the tub and installation! Call us at 1-855-534-6198 or visit www. walkintubquote.com/news New authors wanted! Page Publishing will help selfpublish your book. Free author submission kit! Limited offer!

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Nearly invisible! 45-day money back guarantee! 833-669-5806 DISH TV $64.99 For 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. Promo Expires 7/21/21.1833-872-2545 !!OLD GUITARS WANTED!!

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LeafFilter, most advanced debris-blocking protection. Schedule free estimate. 15% off Purchase.

10% Senior & Military

Wants to purchase minerals and other oil and gas interests.

Send details to P.O. Box 13557

Discounts. Call 1-855-995-2490

Denver, Co. 80201

Wanted to Buy

SERVICE DIRECTORY Art/Wallpaper

Flooring

Home Improvement

Picture Hanging: Reasonable pricing.

Satisfied customers.

Call or text Troy Smith 404-990-7506

PHILLIPS FLOORING Hardwood, laminate, carpet & tile installation and repairs. We do tile floors, showers, tub surrounds and kitchen back-splashes.

Re-grouting is also available. Call 678-8871868 for free estimate.

Phillips Home

Concrete/Asphalt

We fix ugly

DRIVEWAYS & PATIOS $150 OFF

Any job over $1500.

Driveways Patios Sidewalks Walls & Steps Slabs NEW or REPAIR Residential Or Commercial FREE ESTIMATES

Call 678-648-2010 Many local references.

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McKemey Concrete

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Contact Ralph Rucker.

Many local references.

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painting,

drywall, carpentry,

plumbing and electrical.

Basements

finished,

kitchen and bath rehabs.

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AARON’S ALL-TYPE GUTTERS Repaired and Installed. Covers, siding, soffit, facia. www.aarons-gutters. com. Senior citizen discount! 770-934-2766

house or one to sell.

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Roof Leaks, Carpentry, Painting, Siding and Soffits. Flooring, Tile, Electrical and Plumbing.

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Many local references-

Call Ralph Rucker

Driveway

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Remodeling, handyman.

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All insurance. Paul Finegan 404-353-5611

Residential & Commercial.

Best service and most reasonable prices since 1999.

Appen-Rated 99. Home: Driveways, Fences, Decks, Home exteriors, more.

Commercial: Offices, Restaurants, Tennis Courts, Pools, Apt. Complexes, more. All Pro Pressurewash call 770-766-5566 for Mark.

Roofing

free estimate

Landscaping

Full Service LANDSCAPING Company Capable of doing your job – grading, hauling and tree service.

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PINESTRAW, mulch

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Mention this ad. Concrete driveway specialists. Driveways, Pool Decks, Patios, Walkways, Slabs. A+ BBB rating. FREE ESTIMATE. Call Rachael at 678-250-4546 to schedule a FREE Estimate. 30 years of experience. ARBOR HILLS CONSTRUCTION INC. Please note we do have a minimum charge on accepted jobs of $4,500.

offer

Gutters

678-898-7237

$250 OFF NEW DRIVEWAY!

Improvement We

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delivery/installation available. Firewood available. Licensed, insured. Angels of Earth Pinestraw and Mulch. 770-831-3612

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | January 28, 2021 | 19

BUY IT, SELL IT, FIND IT!

In the HERALD CLASSIFIEDS

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COVERING NORTH ATLANTA...

IN PRINT AND ONLINE! Alpharetta-Roswell Herald • Milton Herald • Johns Creek Herald Forsyth Herald • NorthFulton.com

CONTACT US AT 770-442-3278

20 | January 28, 2021 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

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