Johns Creek Herald - February 2, 2023

Touring a Town Center template

Cities scramble to join Milton in managing own elections

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

ATLANTA — City councils across north metro Atlanta are scrambling to find a way for their cities to administer their own municipal elections this fall, a move that could free them from mounting costs proposed by Fulton County.

At stake are tens of thousands of local tax dollars in savings if the plans are enacted.

In 2021, Fulton County charged cities $2.96 per registered voter to manage their municipal general elections and $2.46 per registered voter in runoff elections. The county charged cities the same figure in the 2019 municipal elections.

But in December, Fulton County Elections staff proposed charging cities $11.48 per registered voter for this year’s municipal elections.

There was pushback from the Fulton County Board of Registrations and Elections, and the county later agreed to charge cities $9.38 per registered voter for this fall’s municipal elections.

Last month, the Milton City Council set things in motion by approving a plan to run its own 2023 municipal elections. The plan was drafted by a panel who spent months studying whether local administration of elections would be feasible.

See SOLUTION, Page 6

The Johns Creek City Council and city staff stand by an overlook of Reedy River Falls in Greenville, S.C., Jan. 28. The tour was part of the council’s annual planning retreat to set priorities for the city this year. Read story, Page 5.

AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

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Judge conducts status hearing in Milton teens’ murder case

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By DELANEY TARR delaney@appenmedia.com

ATLANTA — The two Milton High School student athletes accused in the 2021 murder of an Alpharetta man appeared via Zoom for a Jan. 23 case management hearing in Fulton County Superior Court.

Cameron Walker and Jonathan Murray, of Roswell, were indicted Feb. 11, 2022, for the murder of Connor

POLICE BLOTTER

Woman’s purse pilfered while dining at restaurant

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — While having lunch at Panera Bread on Medlock Bridge Road Jan. 18, a woman said a person reached into her purse and removed the contents of her wallet without her knowing.

The woman told Johns Creek Police her purse was open and hanging on the back of the chair. Her wallet was open inside the purse, she said, and she did not realize the theft until after she left the restaurant.

2022

She later received a notification from her husband, the police report said, who had been contacted by American Express about someone trying to make a purchase at a Walmart location.

The suspect attempted to use several of the woman’s credit cards but was unsuccessful. The woman told police she was concerned that her driver’s license might be used to steal her identity.

Police gave her instructions on how to obtain a copy of the incident report so that she could obtain a new license.

Mediate, 24, who was found in the parking lot of his Alpharetta apartment complex with gunshot wounds to his neck on Oct. 14, 2021. He died on the scene. Walker and Murray were 17 and 18 at the time. Walker and Murray were arrested Nov. 18, 2021 on three counts of felony murder, murder, criminal attempt to commit armed robbery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, criminal attempt to purchase marijuana and possession of a firearm

Good Samaritan bilked at gas pump

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A woman told Johns Creek Police Jan. 19 that an man in his 40s, along with a small child, approached her at the QuikTrip on Jones Bridge Road asking for gas.

The woman said she swiped her card at the pump and told him to only take $5. According to the police report, the woman went inside QuikTrip, and when she came out, she discovered the man had charged the card for $52.

The vehicle was a dark colored older van, she said.

Bank reports customer deposited fraudulent checks

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A loss prevention officer with Delta Community Credit Union contacted Johns Creek Police Jan. 20 regarding a fraudulent check deposit.

The woman said a man entered the bank on two occasions to deposit checks and withdraw the money. The two checks returned fraudulent, she said.

The named suspect came into the bank Jan. 4 and deposited a $2,485 check with a teller, the police report said. He returned the following day to deposit a $2,460.50 check with a teller. After depositing the check, the woman

during the commission of a felony. The teens were denied bond in March 2022.

At the Jan. 23 hearing, the prosecutor told Judge Shukura Ingram she recently received the ballistics report which will give information on the firearms used in the murder. She also sent the report to the defense.

Judge Ingram said the “status check” was complete and the case would move forward sometime in February.

said the man went to the bank’s ATM and made another withdrawal.

The woman said both checks were fraudulent, which resulted in the bank losing money.

She said the bank has not been able to contact the man.

The woman said the bank has photographs and recordings of the man depositing the checks and withdrawing the money.

Suspect blackmails man with nude photographs

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Johns Creek Police spoke with a man Jan. 21, who said a person posing as a female contacted him requesting nudes.

The suspect first messaged the victim on Instagram and eventually added him on Snapchat.

Once the man sent the nude photos, the suspect demanded $400, or that they would release the photos to the man’s gym.

The man did not send the funds, but called 911 and spoke to the reporting officer.

Police informed the victim not to transmit any funds and to block the offender, the report said, and that the photos would most likely be released by the offender and to prepare for that. Police also went over restricting the privacy on his social media accounts.

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.

The final draft of strategic and secondary priorities for 2023 was posted Jan. 29.

Johns Creek City Council sets goals for 2023

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

GREENVILLE, S.C. — With a momentum-heavy approach, the Johns Creek City Council spent the Jan. 27 weekend nailing down strategic priorities for this year at its annual planning retreat.

City officials spent the weekend in a conference room at the AC Hotel in Greenville, S.C., to identify five priorities and 10 secondary focuses that will receive regular staff updates.

Johns Creek Assistant City Manager Kimberly Greer facilitated discussion, steadily keeping the City Council out of minutiae.

“I’ll just say I think you’re a morning person,” Mayor John Bradberry said of Greer, whose energy could have easily shaken sluggishness.

With a swift vote from the City Council, Greer wrote municipal elections and Creekside Park as the first two strategic priorities on a five-colored wheel posted on the dryerase wall.

After considering a host of other proposals, the City Council added Town Center, economic development and the “gigantic elephant” that is Recreation and Parks to complete the list.

Establishing municipal elections

Following Milton’s lead, city councils across North Fulton in the last week have discussed the potential of self-administering municipal elections. The Johns Creek City Council decided to investigate operating its own municipal elections at its Jan. 23 work session.

As she did at the work session, City Councilwoman Erin Elwood urged her colleagues at the retreat to await final word from Fulton County on the price it would charge to run the election as it has in years past. She said the county’s proposal is expected Feb. 1. She said if cost is a true factor, the City Council should examine the county proposal before deeming municipal elections a strategic priority.

“We will have said that we’re not going to do something else awesome because we’ve chosen to do [municipal elections] instead,” Elwood said.

But the option stuck. Bradberry remarked on the need for the City Council to have an aggressive posture on the issue of municipal elections.

“...For this point in time, it’s the posture of the Council,” Bradberry said. “And that’s where we need to be

AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

Mount Pisgah wrestling team secures 2nd state championship

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Mount Pisgah Christian School’s Varsity Wrestling team brought home its second Georgia High School Association Dual State Championship win on Saturday, Jan. 28. at Pickens High School in Jasper. The team won its first dual state championship in 2021.

Mount Pisgah Christian School,

Goals:

Continued from Page 3

going.”

The next discussion on municipal elections is scheduled for the Feb. 28 City Council work session, a day before the March 1 deadline set by Fulton County.

Town Center continued

The City Council agreed to stay the course for Town Center, a strategic priority also identified at last year’s retreat. Councilmembers have already taken significant action on the project, like approving Town Center zoning districts meant to give guidance to members of the private sectors wishing to redevelop the area.

Most recently, the City Council approved zoning for Medley, a $350 million mixed-use development set to anchor the Town Center. Medley will provide residential, retail and “eatertainment” offerings.

“Your efforts, your visible public focus on Town Center, is what brought Medley to Johns Creek,” Greer said. “It wasn’t going to be another plan that sat on my shelf. It was going to be something we were committed to doing.”

The Town Center will also see Boston Scientific’s $65 million research and logistics facility as part of its Innovation Hub.

To spur more redevelopment, the city will begin construction of infrastructure and other improvements on land it owns at the site.

Creekside Park, a symbol

The 20-plus acre Creekside Park will anchor the city’s Town Center, serving as a community gathering space intended to host special events and other programming. The pond behind Johns Creek City Hall will be at its center.

Creekside Park was pulled out of the larger Town Center as its own priority to give the city more drive to its completion. The park is also symbolic, Councilwoman Elwood said.

Summing up Elwood’s estimation,

located in Johns Creek, offers education from kindergarten to 12th grade, as well as preschool.

The win marks the fifth year in a row that the school’s wrestling team, the Patriots, have placed in the GHSA Dual State Championship. The athletic association brings wrestling teams from across the state together

to compete in head-to-head matches. The team entered the tournament ranked third.

“This year we had five freshman starters, so the team knew it was really going to come down to the leadership of our veteran wrestlers who experienced the last championship run in 2021,” coach

Josh Merry said.

Across the wrestling matches, nine of the wrestlers remained undefeated, and five did not give up a single fall.

With a statewide win secured, the wrestling team will head to the individual state championship in February.

city to fill in gaps and improve mobility for pedestrians in addition to a trail connection between Cauley Creek Park and Town Center.

Other essential pieces to the plan include renovation to the water reclamation plant at Cauley Creek Park for a makerspace and a riverside outparcel to be used for special events. Because the Cauley Creek Park’s special event space would be the lone special events facility, the City Council elected to seek other options for special events as a secondary priority.

Ongoing initiatives

Initially marked as a top-level priority, an effort toward sustainability was listed for secondary focus. Initiatives include Green Communities certification and a city recycling program. To obtain Bronze level certification, which requires 175 points, city staff have completed 14 projects, submitted 7 projects and have 11 projects in the works.

Johns

Greer said, “It’s a symbol of priority. It’s the action that moves us forward. It’s what our community sees.”

Forging investment opportunity

Economic development is one facet of several concrete projects, like Town Center, but the City Council conceded that general economic development of the city should be designated as a separate strategic priority in 2023.

Another project on the books is the revitalization plan for Medlock Bridge at State Bridge roads. The plan encourages redevelopment of existing shopping centers that have high vacancy rates into walkable village centers at all four corners of the intersection. The project was also noted as a secondary priority.

Consultants are developing proposals for the plan, and city staff will make a contract award recommendation at the March 14 City Council work session.

Recreation and Parks

Out of the five strategic priorities, Recreation and Parks involves the most moving parts. The 10-year Recreation and Parks Master Plan, which has yet to be officially approved, will act as a springboard.

Greer said the “real crux” of plan implementation is choosing what the “first splash” will be, using the $1 million set aside in the 2023 budget. The City Council will then pick the next round of projects to be implemented through the fiscal year 2024 budget, she said.

Early on in the retreat, the City Council highlighted some projects, like trail buildout. Trails were the biggest ask among residents, according to questionnaires solicited for the master plan.

While buildout includes the 5K perimeter loop at Cauley Creek Park, the City Council plans for a sidewalk and trail network spanning across the

Stormwater was also listed to address eroding banks in the backyards of homeowners and the upstream causes for the problem. The City Council also voted to prioritize building and permitting. In November 2021, councilmembers eliminated four types of permits seen as overburdensome to homeowners. Since then, a task force has been formed to consider other adjustments.

Councilmembers also touched on TSPLOST, or Transportation Special Local Option Sales Tax, II projects. The city is expected to receive $65.5 million from the five-year tax that will fund some 18 projects approved last April. Projects include bridge improvements, traffic congestion relief, landscape and streetscape improvements, operations and safety projects and pedestrian and bike improvements.

Other secondary priorities drafted at the planning retreat include the city’s communication strategy, the Transportation Master Plan and historic preservation, which entails adopting a Historic Preservation Ordinance. The City Council also voted to add the Legacy Center, a performing art facility, to the list. At a recent work session, councilmembers agreed to acquire land for the venue.

AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

Creek Assistant City Manager Kimberly Greer leads discussion at the City Council retreat Jan. 28 in Greenville, S.C. Over the weekend, the City Council decided on five strategic priorities for the upcoming year — municipal elections, Creekside Park, Town Center, economic development and Recreation and Parks.

Johns Creek officials tour Greenville for ideas on Town Center

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

GREENVILLE, S.C. — While the Johns Creek City Council set priorities for the year at its annual planning retreat in Greenville, S.C., it also took notes on a walking tour to learn about branding from a city that knows how it’s done.

After sequestering themselves into a conference room at the AC Hotel Jan. 28, Johns Creek Assistant City Manager Kimberly Greer provided the City Council some sun while visiting the Westin Pointsett Hotel, the Peace Center, and Falls Park on the Reedy and Liberty Bridge.

Built in 1925 as Greenville’s first skyscraper, the Westin Pointsett Hotel allowed councilmembers to see how to successfully preserve and use historic structures through public-private partnership. Representing a revitalization of downtown, the Pointsett reopened in 2000 after a decade of sitting vacant.

Greer said she isn’t trying to make parallels to any specific building, but instead made a point about the hotel’s location. On Main Street, the hotel is next door to the tall, metal and glass Greenville City Hall — much like Town Center, the envisioned 192-acre area that will surround Johns Creek City Hall.

“The city … let the private sector do what it does really well, which is now a thriving hotel, 200 beds,” Greer said. “I share it as just an idea of why public-private partnerships matter and why we need to be strategic about our investments.”

Greenville contributed $4 million of the $25 million in hotel renovations.

Dialing into art, water

The group then walked to the Peace Center, which is a performing arts facility, and around the back to its outside amphitheater. Greer said the “wildly successful” amphitheater is similar to the one planned for Johns Creek’s Creekside Park in terms of size and style. The Creekside Park amphitheater is also on water and will have a terraced lawn.

Along the way, Greer highlighted other features along Main Street, a walkable area that exudes a “sense of place” with visually appealing streetscapes enhanced with public art.

The city is leaning into the selfie movement, Greer said. Nearby, a freestanding, sturdy installation pictured Liberty Bridge and had an attached metal bar meant for hanging. Mayor Johns Bradberry and Councilman Chris Coughlin entertained the selfie movement and hung off the metal bar wild-faced.

Some councilmembers voiced excitement while passing various

fountains. In an October work session, the City Council discussed fountain types for Creekside Park at length. The City Council also observed angular shade structures, both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

On the way to Liberty Bridge, the last official stop of the tour, Greer paused underneath a tunnel within the 32acre Falls Park on the Reedy [River] to emphasize the potential to create something similar for Town Center. While the road above was two to three lanes wide, no sound could be heard from within the tunnel, accommodating a swarm of walkers and bikers.

Farther down, the City Council walked across Liberty Bridge, a $4.5 million suspension bridge funded by hospitality tax across the Reedy River above the Reedy River Falls.

In talking about the hotel/motel tax investment into the bridge and the 20 acres of surrounding parkland, Greer said the city set up tax allocation districts in the late ’80s that set aside funds to promote revitalization. The tax increment seen with an increase in property value was then reinvested toward more public infrastructure, she said.

Building brand

Following the tour, councilmembers talked about key take-aways and developed a long list of things Greenville does well, like public art, water features, seating, walkways, landscaping/ hardscaping and easy access to public spaces.

The City Council also touched on Greenville’s cohesive aesthetic

and character through features like architecture and intentional branding. The walking tour fed into discussion the following day when the City Council

conducted a welfare check on the city’s Vitality Committee and Arts, Culture and Entertainment (ACE) Committee. Both committees work to build the Johns Creek brand, albeit with different focuses.

Much of the discussion centered on developing a clearer mission for the Vitality Committee, which has seen a significant amount of turnover in membership since its rebranding last year.

The Vitality Committee seeks events that harken to the city values of health care innovation and wellness. But, there wasn’t a lot of certainty among the City Council because of its vague target.

“The purpose of [the Vitality Committee] is that we’re trying to burnish John Creek’s brand, or culture as a community of healthcare innovation and wellness, so [at] a 30,000-foot view,” Mayor Bradberry said. “The ‘how,’ I think, is what has been a mystery.”

Councilman Coughlin suggested that the Vitality Committee look into adding sustainability efforts, like Green Communities certification, into its mission in addition to mental health programming that could include meditation and mindfulness services and a partnership with One Johns Creek to tackle youth substance abuse.

AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

The Johns Creek City Council and city staff stop along Liberty Bridge, a $4.5 million suspension bridge within Falls Park on the Reedy. During the weekend city planning retreat, Johns Creek Assistant City Manager Kimberly Greer guided a walking tour Jan. 28 meant to provide the City Council with some parallels and inspiration to take back home.

Solution:

The Milton Municipal Election Committee consisted of six members. One was Milton resident Mark Amick, who was subpoenaed last June as part of a Fulton County investigation into Republican attempts to overturn the 2020 election. City staff couldn’t account for how Amick was nominated to the committee.

Using the Milton election study as a guide, an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) involving Milton, Johns Creek, Roswell and Alpharetta is in the works that will propose one regional election superintendent oversee all the cities’ 2023 municipal elections. But cities will still need to hire their own election manager.

The Alpharetta City Council approved its own election superintendent Jan. 23.

That same evening, the Johns Creek City Council confined the discussion to its work session.

So did the Roswell City Council, but the topic resurfaced the following night at the Roswell Community Development and Transportation meeting. The discussion sparked a special-called Roswell City Council meeting for Jan. 30 to further examine elections.

The Milton elections committee

estimated that the city’s cost to run its own municipal election this fall would be $72,254 in the first year, saving Milton at least $114,090, based on the charge sought from Fulton County. With one-time startup costs out of the way, subsequent years are estimated to cost $56,589.

The cost projection was based on a number of state-regulated components. However, the cost is also rooted in the committee’s preferences, such as exclusively using paper ballots.

While the Milton elections committee recommended paper ballots, Mayor Peyton Jamison could not confirm whether that would be the case.

Jamison said the election superintendent would look at all viable options once appointed.

There’s been some confusion as to whether the cities would conduct identical municipal elections if the IGA were to be approved.

Senior staff from Alpharetta, including City Administrator Chris Lagerbloom, met with Milton Deputy City Manager Stacy Inglis Jan. 24 to pore over details of the city’s election plan. Alpharetta Assistant City Administrator James Drinkard could not say whether Alpharetta is committed to follow the exact Milton template. For one thing, he said, Alpharetta is a much larger city.

“We have to think through those things,” Drinkard said. “There have been some conversations of all the cities having

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one elections superintendent, but I don’t know if that requires we have to follow the exact template of Milton.”

At the Roswell City Council Jan. 23 work session, officials discussed a possible partnership with their “sister cities,” and what an intergovernmental agreement might look like. There was some indication among some councilmembers that Roswell would follow the same template as Milton if they signed the IGA.

However, Roswell City Councilwoman Sarah Beeson took issue with the uniformity because of Milton’s decision to use paper ballots. Beeson said paper ballots are concerning for a “city of our size.”

With a population of 92,500, Roswell has more than twice the residents of Milton.

Johns Creek City Councilwoman Erin Elwood also raised the concern over paper ballots at its council work session.

With the expectation that Milton’s election study will set the IGA’s precedent, Elwood said “What Milton has come up with works for Milton. I don’t think that works for Johns Creek.”

Polling locations were another concern raised at both the Roswell and Johns Creek council work sessions.

Quick deadline

While Milton took more than a year to formulate and adopt a local election plan, Johns Creek City Manager Ed Densmore told councilmembers that Fulton County must have the city’s decision by March 1.

Johns Creek Mayor John Bradberry and most councilmembers were optimistic about the endeavor, but Councilwoman Elwood kept her feet on the ground at the Jan. 23 work session.

“Truly, I am very concerned about our decision affecting the legitimacy of this institution,” Elwood said.

She said the discussion and questions are being framed “reactively.”

“We are asking the question, ‘How do we have our own election in 2023, eight months from now?’ Elwood said. “I think the question that we should be asking, and it’s our duty to ask, is if we want to take control of our elections, what does that look like? And how do we define success?”

Elwood said she’s talked to election voter protection activists.

“They’re scared about 2023. But they actually are not that opposed to 2025,” she said.

Instead of focusing on a quick decision, Elwood said she wants to see resources, like time, spent on negotiating with Fulton County. Elwood said it’s probable Fulton County will come down on cost like they’ve done in previous years.

Johns Creek City Councilman Chris Coughlin recommended the city pursue negotiation concurrently with efforts to explore self-run elections this year.

The City Council will reassess the situation once the deadline arrives, Bradberry said, but “in the short term, I think that there’s a bigger risk if we don’t investigate and pursue.”

The March 1 deadline came as news to Roswell Mayor Kurt Wilson, though, who at the Jan. 24 Roswell Community Development and Transportation meeting said he hadn’t spoken to the Johns Creek mayor all week.

The night before, Roswell officials voiced their hope to push through election discussion in time for the November 2023 election.

Alpharetta City Administrator Chris Lagerbloom shared the same sentiment at the Jan. 23 City Council meeting.

“We’re not afraid of the challenge, and I’m confident in our team to be able to do this,” Lagerbloom said.

— Managing Editor Pat Fox and staff reporters Delaney Tarr and Shelby Israel contributed to this story.

The Milton template

AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

Johns Creek City Councilwoman Erin Elwood presents slides showing registered voters and voter turnout at a Johns Creek City Council work session Jan. 23. The Johns Creek City Council, along with elected officials from other North Fulton cities, discussed the possibility of running their own municipal elections that same night.

Shooting victim sees outpouring of help from businesses, coworkers

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Less than a week before Christmas, Heather Quiggle was shot six times by an ex-boyfriend while she slept in her Johns Creek home on Plantation Bridge Drive.

She and her boyfriend, who was shot three times, survived the attack. Her son fled the house unharmed.

Quiggle’s coworker at Keller Williams Realty, Allison Cutler, said she made it her priority to keep Quiggle’s life moving while she was in the hospital.

Cutler said Quiggle, a Realtor, had offers on a home listing, and when she and coworker Andrea Wright went to Quiggle’s house after the shooting, there was still food on the stove.

“Your life just stops,” Cutler said. “You can just imagine, like, if you go to bed tonight, and you don’t wake up the next morning and people have to come into your house, that’s what it looks like.”

Quiggle was shot by her ex-boyfriend Abdul Batin Rashid Dec. 19, 2022. Rashid had fled the scene and was found dead the next day in Sandy Springs, the victim of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot.

Meanwhile, Wright and Cutler did not know where Quiggle was or what her condition was.

“She had been able to get in touch with her sister, and her sister had given her my cell phone number because the shooter had taken her phone,” Wright said. “And so, she didn’t have anybody’s phone numbers.”

Cutler, who described Quiggle as a hard worker always willing to help, said when she got out of surgery, Quiggle called Wright first to tell her she had an open listing.

“Honestly, I’m not used to being on the receiving end of help,” Quiggle said. “I’m the one that wants to give the help.”

Cutler and Wright organized a GoFundMe campaign for repairs to Quiggle’s home and to pay her bills for a year. By the end of January, the fundraiser had raised nearly $15,000.

Agents who work with Quiggle at the Keller Williams South Forsyth office gave her a new bed, and 13 people volunteered to work on her home. Another agent in the Duluth office provided an air fryer.

“When one of the Keller Williams family members was knocked down, they called upon the community, which came together, to help put my home back together,” Quiggle said. “That allows me to put my life back together as well, and seeing the community come together gives me a renewed faith in humanity.”

Metro Atlanta businesses also provided free services and goods to prepare Quiggle’s home for her return.

Perimeter Roofing installed a new roof with no out-of-pocket costs. Sundial Plumbing replaced her cracked toilet and worked on her plumbing; and Brad Chapman of Everlast Waterproofing repaired her sheetrock and provided a fresh coat of paint to the house’s interior.

Quiggle has also received a new sliding door and dog door from Meyer Construction; landscaping services courtesy of Adams Landscaping; and kitchen cabinets from Provencal Staging.

Gary Skinner, co-owner of Junk Express, said his business removed any items tied to Rashid. Quiggle was not charged for the services.

“I think it’s important for people to kind of come together and, like, support one another, regardless if it’s a good time or a bad time,” Skinner said. “We all need to be doing that all the time.”

Recovery has taken longer than Quiggle expected. She is staying with a coworker until the renovations are complete and expects to return home in the next two weeks.

Moving back into her home, she said, will also mark a big reunion for her and her son who fled the home during the shooting. Both have been separated since.

She said she hopes her experience can help others find joy in life.

“I wanted to somehow help people understand, just even in the domestic violence part, if somebody hurts you once, that they’ll do it again,” Quiggle said. “I feel like even though this experience has been very painful, and we still have a long way to go in healing, I’ve just tried to remain positive.”

PHOTOS BY HEATHER QUIGGLE/PROVIDED

Heather Quiggle’s coworkers at Keller Williams Realty have started a GoFundMe to raise money to repair her home and pay her bills for a year. Quiggle was shot six times by her ex-boyfriend Abdul Batin Rashid Dec.19, 2022.

Heather Quiggle rests in a hospital bed recovering from a Dec. 19 shooting at her home. A GoFundMe to cover Quiggle’s bills for a year and repair her home has raised nearly $15,000.

Roswell Firelabs serves as a gym for the brain

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell Firelabs serves as a playground for visitors who like to tinker and create.

“It’s basically like a recreation center for your brain,” Roswell Firelabs Executive Director William Strika said, sitting in the facility’s multi-purpose room. The room is home to electronics, HAM radio and sewing/cosplay workstations.

“It’s just like somebody who goes to a gym to work out for physical strength,” Strika said. “You come here to kind of exercise your brain.”

Strika got together with a few people in 2017 and pitched an idea to the Roswell City Council to convert the newly vacated fire station on Holcomb Bridge Road into a makerspace. Roswell Firelabs, a volunteer-driven nonprofit, opened in November 2018 with 40 members.

Membership grew rapidly during the COVID-19 pandemic, Strika said, when people were losing their jobs, wanting to learn new skills or just wanting to get out of the house. Now, there’s around 145 members.

Roswell Firelabs offers regular classes on a variety of skills, open to the public. Members, who pay $50 a month, can receive classes for free or at discount. Strika teaches classes like laser cutting. Because he works his regular job remotely, he’s able to spend about six to eight hours a day at Roswell Firelabs.

“I love being here and helping everybody,” Strika said. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Gadgets line most of the walls and

are tucked into every crevice inside Roswell Firelabs. Loads of industrialgrade equipment are separated into rooms categorized by purpose, like woodworking, metalworking, laser cutting, 3D-printing and a glass and sculpture space.

The largest area in Roswell Firelabs

is its 1,200-square-foot woodworking area. Active use of the space’s equipment triggers the loud drone of the air filtration system, which catches wood dust. Over the deafening sound, Strika pointed to the metal, tubular air purifiers hanging out the room.

“Fine particle dust — it’s really

hazardous to your health,” Strika said with a raised voice. “We take it pretty seriously.”

Woodworking is the biggest demographic, Strika said. Across the room, member Doug Falan operated woodworking equipment to cut out small

See FIRELABS, Page 9

AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

Roswell Firelabs Executive Director William Strika stands in front of the nonprofit’s logo Jan. 20 in a corridor connected to the woodworking area. Founded in 2018, Roswell Firelabs promotes community through hands-on experience in a number of hobbies like woodworking, metalworking and 3D-printing.

“You come here to kind of exercise your brain.”

WILLIAM STRIKA, Executive Director of Roswell Firelabs

Firelabs:

Continued from Page 8

hearts. He plans to put them in bundles to sell to friends and family.

Falan and his family are from Michigan, but they come down for the winter. He either throws pottery or comes to Roswell Firelabs to work on wood projects. He said nobody has access to the number of tools Roswell Firelabs has.

“You can come over here and pick your project, and you’ve got something to work with,” Falan said.

Strika personally likes to operate the high-tech stuff, like CNC, or computer numerical controlled, router.

In a demonstration, Strika walked to a nearby computer that has cloud-based software, used to carve designs on a number of different materials.

Roswell Firelabs also has 3D-printing. Strika said his number one functional 3D-prints are vacuum adapters for different size hoses.

“I’ve 3D-printed more things than I can count,” Strika said. “How do I adapt a 5-inch pipe down to a 2 ½-inch part? It doesn’t exist … That’s a custom-made part that someone needs to make.”

Strika said many members use Roswell Firelabs as a launching point with prototyping. Some use the shop to sell products on Etsy for a living, he said.

Doug Falan uses woodcutting equipment to create small hearts at Roswell Firelabs Jan. 20. While Roswell Firelabs has several areas dedicated to different hobbies, woodworking has the greatest interest among the nonprofit’s 145 members.

Roswell Firelabs has proven functional outside of personal items. Members have built parade floats for the city’s Youth Day Parade, winning first place in the Civic Club Division in 2018 and 2019.

The first year, they built a replica of a 3D-printer that had a gantry, allowing the replica to move. The second

year, they built a float that resembled NASA Mission Control. Strika said kids were sitting at desks, pretending to be scientists.

Strika hopes to collaborate more with the city, like making public art installations.

“Since we’ve actually kind of grown into our own space, we can start

focusing outward instead of inward,” Strika said.

Early on, Strika said the board for Roswell Firelabs had to ask questions about how to get enough members to keep the place going.

“And now it’s like, how can we help the community more than just what’s inside our walls?” Strika said.

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Roswell Firelabs is on Holcomb Bridge Road in East Roswell. Classes, which are regularly provided by volunteers, are open to the public. But members, who pay $50 a month, receive them for free or at a discounted price.

Twenty-six bones, 33 oints, and thousands of steps a day. Ankle & Foot Centers of Georgia looks forward to helping you get back on your feet!

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7 timeless kitchen trends that will never look outdated

cabinet fronts, these functional features will never be outdated.

Built in Appliances

Between expensive appliances, custom cabinets, and costly countertops, we spend a lot of money on our kitchens. In fact, according to John Hogan, Owner of Remodeling Expo Center in Roswell GA, the median spend on a kitchen remodel was $32,000. To make sure that all of this money isn’t creating a kitchen we’ll want to update again in five years, the trick is to incorporate timeless design elements that won’t soon go out of style. By choosing kitchen features that can stand the test of time, you’ll save yourself money (and the work of remodeling) down the line.

So what are the kitchen trends that won’t make you cringe a few years from now? Skip the trendy color of the year, and follow these timeless kitchen ideas that have been loved for decades.

Neutral Paint Colors

The classic white kitchen is sometimes critiqued for being a little boring—but there’s one solid reason to opt for this color in the kitchen: It will never go out of style. According to Remodeling Expo Center, a whopping 43 percent of renovating homeowners opted for white cabinets. Not sure which shade of white to go for? Don’t worry, soft grey’s are also just as popular and combining the two work well also.

Shaker-Style Cabinets

Known for their simple design and recessed-panel doors, Shaker cabinets have been in-style for more than 100 years. Shaker cabinets are popular in farmhouse kitchens, transitional kitchens and are the perfect element to update an otherwise traditional house.

Drawer and Cabinet Organizers

I’m calling it: Organization will never go out of style. And while features like built-in baking sheet dividers and pull-out cabinet drawers haven’t been around for that long, when hidden behind unfussy, timeless

Nothing finishes off the look of a kitchen like the smooth finished look of a built-in appliance. Especially the refrigerator and the microwave. And conversely, nothing looks more outdated than a refrigerator or microwave sticking out or on the countertop. A thoughtful kitchen design should include clever and seamless appliance installation.

Natural Materials

Adding in natural materials like wood and stone will ground the space and keep it classic. If you want a timeless look, resist the urge to create an ultra-modern kitchen full of shiny stainless steel and engineered materials. Resist the feeling that “natural” equals “old”

White Marble “Look” or Butcher Block

Countertops

The white marble look will always be an elegant choice for kitchen countertops, but if the maintenance and potential for staining has you worrying about its longevity, consider using quartz. For a more classic look consider butcher block. The go-to choice for farmhouse kitchens, butcher block will wear beautifully over the years and you can prepare food directly on it.

Subway Tile

Subway tile is not only versatile enough to work with many different decor styles, but you probably won’t get sick of it in five years (after all, the look’s been around for over 100 years). While it may be tempting to go with a trendy backsplash, like metallic tiles, sea glass, or bright geometric tiles, opt for something a little simpler if you want a backsplash with staying power.

To learn more, contact The Remodeling Expo Center at 404 910-3969 or stop in at 48 King Street, Roswell, GA 30075. www. RemodelingExpo.com

Brought to you by – Remodeling Expo Center

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Know your rights with estate planning

some notable contenders include Medicaid, creditors, debtors, and of course, the government.

Estate planning isn’t about how much money you have. It’s about protecting what you have for you and your loved ones. Whether your estate plan includes just a Will and Power of Attorney, or if you’ve set up a trust, estate plans go a long way in making sure that what you leave behind goes to the people you care about.

So, what is an estate plan and why should you create one? To answer the second question first, Georgia is a state in which the right of survivorship is not automatic - meaning that you could lose control of your house if your spouse passes away while owning the property jointly. Not to mention, if you don’t prepare an estate plan that avoids probate court, you could lose a significant amount of your assets, as probate court is the only way to reclaim an estate - even if you have a will. In probate court, anyone can go after the assets of your loved ones, but

The last thing anyone wants to do is to have to fight for the assets of their loved ones right after losing someone precious. That’s why an estate plan is essential if you want to leave your family with a peace of mind. An estate plan is an asset protection plan that focuses specifically on ensuring that what you own goes to the people you want it to go to. Simple estate plans generally include establishing a trust, which is one of the few ways to avoid probate court. More advanced plans will include not just a trust, but also a healthcare directive, Power of Attorney, will, and many more documents to prepare for every scenario.

If you pass away tomorrow, are you certain that everything will be in good hands? If not, then it’s time to start strategizing to make sure no court battles or obscure law will take what you own from you.

GEERDES

Brought to you by - Holly Geerdes, Geerdes & Associates

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Brought to you by – Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties New Homes Division

For a limited time, Patrick Malloy Communities is offering a 4.99% 30-Year Fixed interest rate on available homes at Hillandale a charming Charleston inspired neighborhood. Offering elegant interior finishes and unique designs, Hillandale is located just minutes from the heart of Historic Roswell and features sophisticated four-and five-bedroom thoughtfully curated homes with an abundance of entertaining spaces both indoors and out. Luxury features can include a unique moving wall of glass doors that lead to outdoor living areas, primary suites, 10 ft ceilings and hardwoods on the main level, as well as high-end stainless-steel appliances and basements. In addition, the Patrick Malloy Design Center is available to help customize each home’s interior.

In addition to impressive interior details, the homes at Hillandale include a variety of features including an irrigation system, tankless water heater, freestanding tub, gas lanterns per plan on front patios, pebbled driveways and community sidewalks. Front and rear

lawn maintenance are also included in the HOA.

There are several move-in ready homes available including the popular Windham situated on lot 9 which offers a lavish owners retreat on main level. The grand 2-story entry foyer showcases the wonderful flow and functionality of this home. There is a dining room with butler’s pantry and seating for 10+ guests. The chef’s kitchen with oversized island and breakfast bar opens to the fireside family room with beamed ceilings. This fourbedroom and four and one-half bathroom home is offered at $1,098,820.

On Lot 10, the Galway B does not disappoint with its spacious open concept living and guest suite on the main level. The impressive kitchen boasts upgraded finishes, center island, stainless steel appliances and double ovens. The covered patio off the kitchen is ideal for large scale entertaining. Upstairs find an impeccable owner’s suite with sitting room, a loft, and generous secondary bedrooms for a total of four-bedrooms and three-and-one half baths. Offered for $1,126,060.

The Tierney situated on homesite 11 is a striking two-story home featuring four bedrooms, three and one-half baths and is perfect for entertaining with open living

spaces and a chef’s kitchen with the latest in design. There are three large secondary bedrooms and a large loft. Priced at $1,126,005, this discerning home includes hardwoods on the main level and an extensive list of designer upgrades.

Homesite 12 features the Galway A an open and inviting home design with three bedrooms, four baths and a loft perfect for a home office. The elegant, sleek kitchen offers a huge island with breakfast bar and a hidden walk-in pantry with appliance bar and floating shelves. Enjoy easy access from the kitchen to the covered patio for additional outdoor entertaining space. Other assets include a mud room, an abundance of storage and three-car tandem garage. Offered for $1,105.310.

Homeowners at Hillandale enjoy a convenient and central location with easy access to local dining and shopping. The Chattahoochee River and pristine parks envelop the area creating a wide array of recreational activities. The Chattahoochee River Nature Preserve is just a short drive away with kayaking, biking and walking trials, and a summer music series. Districted in Roswell’s highly acclaimed school system, Hillandale is a neighborhood suited for any lifestyle.

Patrick Malloy Communities, founded in 1994 by Patrick Malloy, builds new homes in Metro Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia. To date, the builder has developed over 11,000 homesites and built 7,000 homes with a total of more than $4 billion in sales. Accolades include multiple mentions in the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Top 20 Homebuilder and numerous professionalism awards, including community of the year awards. Patrick Malloy Communities also received a 2022 Guildmaster Award from GuildQuality for demonstrating exceptional customer service within the residential construction industry.

For more details on Hillandale, visit PMCommunities.com, call 770/2545372 or visit the sales center at 3025 Barnes Mill Ct. Roswell, 30075. Patrick Malloy Communities is represented by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties’ New Homes Division. BHHSgaNewHomes.com. An Equal Housing Opportunity.

For a limited time, 4.99% 30-Year fixed interest rate at Hillandale in Historic Roswell

Five on-trend housing design predictions for 2023

Brought to you by –

Bill Rawlings, Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty

Curating the details that fit your home and make it yours is always an individual process based on your personality, needs, budget and preference. The best design is not a replica of the latest trends but a custom articulation of the individual designer or homeowner’s interpretation of them. Ironic, then, that personal expression is very on-trend for 2023. That, and smart homes…

1. Cozier spaces.

As spacious and expansive as openconcept floor plans are, post-pandemic the consensus seems to be that there is such a thing as too much togetherness. Intimate retreats reimagined from nooks and crannies and in-between spaces are in demand, along with areas that promote privacy, such as libraries, home offices and yoga rooms.

2. Moodier use of color.

Although timeless, the Scandinavian aesthetic characterized by white and wood is now giving way to richer, more emotional color palettes. Dramatic, evocative palettes— including jewel tones—have increased in popularity, part of a larger trend toward self-expression.

3. Floating vanities.

Popular for its versatility and use of space, the floating vanity now figures largely in residential bathroom

renovations and new builds, and for good reason. They are more portable, just as durable as floor-standing vanities and generally competitive in price.

4. Elevated mindset.

Less about the glam or expensive furnishings, taking a luxe approach to design in 2023 is about an appreciation for the finer things, creating a custom space that feels warm, inviting and timeless. Interpreted in any number of ways, this principle might be rendered through the quality and sustainability of the materials, the type and amount of available light or the rustic comfort of wood and stone accents.

5. Black Accents.

From doors to cabinetry to lighting fixtures and other finishes, the trend toward accenting in black appears to be growing, especially since it pairs well with different colors and mixed metal finishes. Sophisticated and dramatic, it complements any space well.

Whether you are remodeling your space for personal enjoyment or looking to sell in 2023, figuring out the best way to interpret design trends and create a comfortable, inviting space is a process. If you need assistance staging your home or have any other real estate needs, please contact Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty at 770.442.7300. We would be happy to assist you!

Top gardening jobs for February

Get your soil tested. Once you have taken your samples to the North Fulton Service Center’s Cooperative Extension Office in Sandy Springs (Room 248), along with $12 per sample, UGA’s soil lab will email the analysis report to you. You can locate your nearest Extension office as well as get instructions for submitting a soil sample by visiting the University of Georgia’s Extension website: extension.uga.edu.

You may also obtain Soil Test Kit for $15, includes container and prepaid postage. Soil testing will be extremely helpful for your property’s future success.

The recent flash-freeze in December 2022 caused damage and injury to many broad-leaf evergreens and possibly some thin-bark trees. Refrain at least for a month from cutting back anything until you notice new growth. The UGA Extension website has detailed information, including a circular, “Winter Protection of Ornamental Plants.”

On the ground

Clean up your plant beds. Remove excess leaves, weeds and fallen branches. Renew mulch if needed. Clay soil needs lots of help, so remove old mulch and add soil conditioners and decomposed compost. Till it in around the plant roots and tamp down the soil. Replace it with 2-3 inches of fresh mulch.

Do you have an established vegetable garden? Till the soil when it is dry to eliminate overwintering insects and weeds.

Clean and sharpen garden tools. Spray paint the handles a bright color. There will be less chance of

losing tools when traveling from one section of the yard to another.

Chop English ivy and other invasive ground covers. Cut back liriope and other ornamental grasses.

Trees

Tree planting is ideal from January through mid-February. Make sure you site your tree in the proper location according to its requirements. Check often to ensure that it has enough water during the first several months after the planting date.

In order to establish its root system, a tree requires watering regularly. While we are on this subject, Georgia’s Arbor Day is always the 3rd Friday in February, so, plant it then to celebrate Arbor Day Feb. 17.

Selectively pruning trees and evergreens is also best done at this time of the year. The “sap” is dormant due to the lower winter temperatures. Topping trees or evergreens is highly discouraged.

Other tips:

• Keep watering fall-planted material when rainfall is sporadic.

• Work inside with houseplants. If the root ball is very tight and water penetrates slowly, it’s time to repot. Untangle the roots and loosen the soil around the root ball. Cut leggy or overgrown plants back, then repot with fresh potting soil.

• Perform hardscape projects during the winter months when possible. Adding walking stone paths provides definitive ways to travel through your property, without trampling on turf or beds.

• Fescue sod can be planted or fescue seed can be applied where the lawn is thin. Because of the lower temperatures, it may take longer for the seeds to sprout.

• Check for unwanted weeds in the lawn and, if possible, remove them by hand with the proper tool instead of using chemicals. If you remove the

weed’s root (and seed head), it won’t return.

• Don’t allow leaves to pile up and suffocate your turf. Even though bermudagrass turns brown during its dormant phase, it still needs sunlight.

• Early bulbs will begin to emerge. If you notice flowers blooming prematurely, cover them with pine straw. Remember that all bulbs have their own internal time clock!

• Generally, by February (but maybe not this February, due to the extreme recent freezes), bush roses (such as Knockouts) should be pruned to a height of 15-18 inches, with only 4-5

About the Author

shrubs or trees until after they bloom. Summer-flowering shrubs and shade trees can be fertilized in late February through March.

Happy Gardening!

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.

This week’s guest Master Gardener “Garden Buzz” columnist is Marlysa Raye-Jacobus. Raised on the coast of southern New Jersey, Marlysa arrived in the Atlanta area in 1997 after five corporate moves. Initially, she became a Master Gardener through Ohio State University’s program in 1996 and interned in 1997-98 in North Fulton County. She is an active member of several horticultural organizations in addition to North Fulton Master Gardeners. Marlysa is the current co-chair of the Plant!

Milton gardening classes presented by the North Fulton Master Gardeners in partnership with the City of Milton. Her passions are: six wonderful grandchildren, traveling, playing tennis, reading, and attending cultural events in the Atlanta area with her husband and friends.

main canes. Important to remember: when using any of your pruning tools, clean the blades with Isopropyl alcohol or bleach before moving to the next plant. It reduces the chances of spreading fungi, bacteria, and other

MARLYSA RAYE-JACOBUS Guest Columnist

PRESERVING THE PAST

Tombstones can tell us stories

A simple tombstone in a small cemetery in Johns Creek marks the final resting place of a young man who died too soon. Ervin

O. (Oscar) Jones was killed in the World War II battle of Okinawa at age 20. His tombstone has a portrait of Ervin in his Army uniform, with his garrison cap askew as was often the fashion back then. He looks proud to be serving his country. This is his story together with four sub-stories.

I am indebted to Ed Malowney, president of the Alpharetta and Old Milton County Historical Society, who took me to visit Ervin’s tombstone. Thanks also to Craig Gleason former coordinator for the Nashville Songwriters Association who interviewed Ervin’s younger brother Curtis, Ervin’s last living sibling, a decade ago.

Ervin was born June 22, 1924, in Alpharetta, the son of H. (Harmon) B. Jones (1898-1983) and Jennie Mae Stapler Jones (1901-1988). His father farmed cotton and corn at the intersection of Jones Bridge Road and Barnwell Road, and Ervin grew up working the land. Growing up on a farm, hunting came naturally to Ervin, and he was known as an excellent shot. He joined the Army on April 10, 1943, at Fort McPherson in East Point near Atlanta, a major recruitment center during the war. He was only 19 years old.

Ervin was sent to the South Pacific in May 1944 and quickly saw action in Saipan and Leyte. The Battle of Saipan, in the Mariana Islands, was a major victory for the United States in June to August 1944. In October, U.S. troops invaded Leyte, 110 miles long with 4,000foot mountain peaks making it one of the largest Philippine islands. The U.S. won decisively in December.

On April 16, 1945, the 77th U.S. Infantry Division arrived on le Shima, a small island 3 miles off Okinawa where Ervin was assigned to a wire line team laying communication wires to support efforts to capture the important Japanese airbase on the island. What was expected to be a quick and relatively easy operation turned out be six days of living hell for the 6,100 U.S. troops on the island as dug in Japanese soldiers fought to the death and kamikaze pilots wreaked havoc on US ships offshore. By April 21 when the US troops accomplished their objective, the U.S. had lost 1,155 men killed, including Ervin who

was shot on April 17 while singlehandedly trying to attack some Japanese soldiers who had pinned down his platoon.

Sub-story 1. Ernie Pyle was the most acclaimed war correspondent of World War II. He told the war’s story from the points of view of ordinary GIs and won their respect and that of the American public. He spent four years covering the war in North Africa, Italy and France before arriving on le Shima. On April 19, a jeep carrying Pyle and three officers came under fire from a hidden 30 caliber Japanese machine gun. Pyle was shot in the left temple and

died instantly two days following the death of Ervin Jones at almost the same spot. Ervin died almost two years after he was sworn into the Army.

Sub story 2. Ervin had a dog named Champ, a bulldog mix who was never allowed in the house. When Ervin’s coffin was placed in the living room of the farmhouse at Jones Bridge Road and Barnwell Road, Champ barked incessantly and finally broke the screen door get in. He sat defiantly under the coffin and would not let anyone near it for several days until the hearse took it away. Champ followed the hearse 1 mile up Jones Bridge Road to the Pleasant Hill Cemetery and returned every day for the rest of his life to visit Ervin’s gravesite.

Sub story 3. When I visited Ervin’s grave, there were two pennies on top of

the tombstone. A coin left on a headstone lets family know that another member of the military stopped by to honor the deceased. In military cemeteries, the coins are collected monthly and used for cemetery upkeep or for charitable reasons. Each type of coin has a special meaning. A penny simply means you visited. A nickel means you and the deceased went through boot camp together. A dime means you and the deceased served together. A quarter means you were with the deceased when the veteran died.

Sub story 4. A decade ago, singer/ songwriter Craig Gleason took his young daughter to visit the small Mount Pleasant Cemetery where Ervin is buried to teach her how cemeteries can help us learn about people who came before us. When he came across Ervin’s marker, he was overcome with emotion as he thought of this long-forgotten young man who gave his life for his country. Craig tracked down Ervin’s younger brother Curtis, now deceased, and learned enough about Ervin to compose a song as a tribute to his life. You can listen to his beautiful song by searching YouTube for “The Ballad of Ervin O. Jones.” You can also visit his website www/craiggleason.com.

Bob is director emeritus of the Milton Historical Society and a Member of the City of Alpharetta Historic Preservation Commission. You can email him at bobmey@bellsouth.net.

BOB MEYERS Columnist

CRAIG GLEASON/PROVIDED Ervin O Jones and his younger brother Curtis stand on the farm where they grew up where Jones Bridge Road and Barnwell Road meet in Johns Creek.

BOB MEYERS/APPEN MEDIA

The tombstone marking the final resting place of local resident Ervin O Jones in Mount Pleasant Cemetery on Old Alabama Road in Johns Creek. He died in 1945 serving his country on a remote Pacific island during World War ll.

PBR: The greatest show on dirt

Every one of them don’t walk. They sorta limp/ amble while not working.

Their job is seemingly so simple: Eight seconds. Eight measly seconds can spell the difference between a payday and more pain.

Even the winners grimace, tightlipped as they gingerly head into the bowels of whatever arena they find themselves in on any particular weekend.

In my many years ago days as a sportswriter, I grew to appreciate the sheer brutality of just how physical life on an NFL playing field actually was. The clash of pads escalated at every level of football, from high school to college and finally to the crescendo of on-field NFL battles.

To put it bluntly, to close your eyes on a pro football sideline, sounds like a sickening car crash. And that’s on every play.

But we’re getting away from what I feel I need to impart this week: The riders who make their living on the Professional Bull Riders tour are the toughest athletes in the world.

The PBR Tour made a stop recently in North Georgia, replacing the ice used for hockey with a layer of dirt, no matter how thick, would never provide nearly enough cushion to assuage the sheer fact that there is little give provided to a cowboy who is flung scarily off the back of a 2,000-pound beast who doesn’t want anyone on its back.

The riders wear helmets. The padded protective vests really don’t provide much help but have to be better than nothing.

Accompanied by two Cumming buddies, “Buckshot” Bob Milano and Jon “Hondo” Howard, I got as up-close-and-personal as possible, marveling at the cowboys’ ability to take a gargantuan dose of punishment and walk away, sometime with the aid of the PBR medical staff, back to a locker room that resembles a war-time infirmary. Forget the Advil. Give me the “good” stuff.

Hondo joked before the show that he was prepared to ride should there be an opening. On the ride home, we Cumming cowboys for the day, tried to process what we had witnessed.

I used to marvel at the skills and

toughness of a world-class boxer. The fight game is a nasty business. But after every bout, the opponents hug and shake hands.

If given the opportunity, these bovine beasts would just as soon, stomp, kick or gore anyone foolish enough to stand in the way.

After getting smacked in the noggin, former World Champion Dener Barbosa was prone in the dirt for several minutes. The 7,000-plus spectators reverently quiet as they hoped for the Brazilian to come to. PBR officials and fellow riders were shown on the arena screen with heads bowed in prayer.

You could have heard a dirt clod drop, the air seemingly sucked out of the building. The biggest roar of approval of the afternoon came when Barbosa was helped on his walk to the locker room.

He traveled back to his Texas home, with no word from the PBR officials as to when he would compete again. Barbosa had just returned to riding, recovering from back surgery that involved 10 screws being utilized to help him in his attempt to regain championship form.

With rodeos scattered around our area (Wills Park and Cumming), with bull-riding being the main event, the PBR is big-time. Flint Rasmussen, the grease-painted emcee for the day, was a featured guest on ESPN’s College Game Day.

Rasmussen was days shy of his 55th birthday while in Georgia, poised to catch an early-evening flight back to Montana. It’s a marvel to see him work a crowd and keep his material fresh.

“These hallways (under the arena) all look the same and we don’t get a weekend off until May.”

Rasmussen, as personable and accommodating while talking (sans greasepaint) before the event, has a sweet gig.

Never a rider but growing up in a rodeo family, he knows he’ll not do this forever.

He’ll have collected many souvenirs from his PBR days.

Not immune to injuries, Rasmussen, like the riders, will always have his limp. He’ll just have to do it without the greasepaint.

Mike Tasos has lived in Forsyth County for more than 30 years. He’s an American by birth and considers himself a Southerner by the grace of God. He can be reached at miketasos55@gmail.com.

MIKE TASOS

Columnist

The Mayor and Council of the City of Johns Creek will hold their February meeting on:

Newspaper Delivery Route Openings with Appen

Group

We are looking for one person or couple interested in delivering weekly newspapers in South Forsyth, Alpharetta and the Johns Creek areas.

Requirements: Must have a perfect driving record and background check, reliable transportation, honest, hard-working and positive attitude.

For more information or to apply, email heidi@appenmedia.com and include a paragraph or two about who you are and any relevant background/experience. In the subject line of the email please put “Delivery Route Application.”

Both Work Sessions and Council Meetings will be held at City Hall located at 11360 Lakefield Drive, in Johns Creek, 30097 and are open to the public. Should you have any questions regarding these public meetings, please call the City Clerk Allison Tarpley (678-512-3212). Allison Tarpley

City Clerk

Call

Full-time

SERVICE DIRECTORY

POOL TECHNICIANS WANTED

NFCC is looking for a full-time executive assistant to support the Executive Director and leadership team.  This person will play a vital role in help keep the NFCC leadership team organized and productive and will interact with the board of directors and other important stakeholder groups. Sensitivity, discretion and attention to detail are a must. Candidate must have a two-year degree, bachelor’s degree preferred and should have at least 2-3 years of relevant experience. For a complete job description visit https://nfcchelp.org/work-at-nfcc/

Client Services Specialist

The full-time Client Services Specialist greets visitors to NFCC and assists them with obtaining services. In addition, this person conducts followup interviews, enters data and may participate in additional follow-up activities.  A high school degree or equivalent is required along with at least one year in customer service or other relevant experience. Discretion and strong written and verbal communication skills in English and Spanish are also required. For a complete job description, please visit https://nfcchelp.org/work-at-nfcc/

Truck Driver

NFCC needs a reliable driver to work part-time picking up scheduled donations. The person in this role may also assist with facility maintenance and must maintain accurate vehicle maintenance records. It is crucial that they represent NFCC with a professional and friendly demeanor. 1-2 years of box truck delivery experience is preferred. Candidate must maintain a valid Georgia driver’s license and be free of any traffic violations for the past three years.  Work on Saturdays or Sundays may be required occasionally. For a complete job description, please visit https://nfcchelp.org/work-at-nfcc/

Part-time & Full-time positions available. Pay is $12-$14 per hour. Hours starting at 6:30AM, Monday-Friday. Pick-up truck not required but must have your own reliable transportation. Gas allowance provided. Looking for people who enjoy working outside and are enthusiastic, dependable & punctual. Able to contribute independently or on a crew with consistently friendly attitude.

Well-established commercial pool maintenance company providing service in the North Atlanta Metro area.

Call Bill: 404-245-9396

Agilysys NV, LLC seeks Lead Software Engineer - Technical Services in Alpharetta, GA. Dev code solutions to business needs. Apply https://www.jobpostingtoday.com/ Ref # 30535.

Process Control Engineer (ANDRITZ Inc.; Alpharetta, GA): Perf.s contracts startups, server HW inst’n, sales pres., proposal tech’l review, solution implmnt’n & operation, doc’n w/ ANDRITZ engrg tools. Min req: Bach or foreign equiv in Engg, Electrical Engg, or rltd fld + 5 yrs exp in process control engg or automt’n +add’l reqs. Some domestic travel req for client site visits, mtg, and/or conferences. Send resume to: Suzanne Fulton, IMM, ANDRITZ Inc. 5405 Windward Parkway, Suite 100W, Alpharetta, GA, 30004. Ref: 37762. An EOE.

SELL

Tree Services

Roofing

ROOF LEAKING?

24 hour emergency service. Licensed, insured. Workers Comp, insurance claims. 25+ years experience. Family business. Free estimates. We Love Challenges!

Yellow Ribbon Tree Experts 770-512-8733 • www.yellowribbontree.com

COMPLETE TREE SERVICES

Appen-Rated 98 Text or Call us for a FREE quote appointment.

Tree removal, Pruning, Stump grinding, Free mulch. Fully insured. Emergency 24/7 770-450-8188

Driveway

$250 OFF NEW DRIVEWAY!

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.

Home Improvement

PHILLIPS HOME IMPROVEMENT

We offer drywall, painting, carpentry, plumbing and electrical. Basements finished, kitchen and bath rehabs. All types flooring. Also total home rehab for those who have a rental house or one to sell. Call 678-887-1868 for a free estimate.

BASEMENTS-FRAMING-DRYWALL-TRIM-PAINT

Decks repaired/built. Labor payment upon completion. 30-plus years experience. John Ingram/678-906-7100. Act now before prices increase next year! Heritage Home Maintenance homerepairga@ gmail.com. heritageconstructionga.com

Call us for roof repair or roof replacement. FREE quotes. $200 OFF Leak Repairs or 10% off New Roof. Affordable, quality roofing. Based in Roswell. Serving North Atlanta since 1983. Call to schedule FREE

Quote: 770-284-3123.

Christian Brothers Roofing

Cemetery

ROSWELL GREENLAWN

1 lot, Crucifiction Section. $3995. 678-232-6816

SAVE $12,000! Greenlawn, Roswell. Regularly $7995 each.

Owner: $12,000/all 3. Side-by-side Fountain B. 26-c. 1.2,3. 770-490-6425

Deadline to place a classified ad is Thursdays by 5 pm

Concrete/ Asphalt Retaining Walls

ALPHARETTA BUILDING & REMODELING

New home builder. Additions. Electrical. Plumbing. Architectural Drawing. Kitchens. Bathrooms. Deck design & installation Lic/Ins. BBB A+ rating. 41 yrs. 352-449-5697

Flooring

PHILLIPS FLOORING

Hardwood, laminate, carpet & tile installation and repairs. We do tile floors, showers, tub surrounds and kitchen back-splashes. Regrouting is also available. Call 678-887-1868 for free estimate.

SERVICE DIRECTORY

HughesNet - Finally, super-fast internet no matter where you live. 25 Mbps just $59.99/mo!

Unlimited Data is Here. Stream Video. Bundle TV & Internet. Free Installation. Call 866-499-0141

Become a published author. We want to read your book!

Dorrance Publishing trusted since 1920. Consultation, production, promotion & distribution. Call for free author’s guide 1-877-7294998 or visit dorranceinfo.com/ads

#6258

Attention oxygen therapy users! Inogen One G4 is capable of full 24/7 oxygen delivery. Only 2.8 pounds. Free info kit. Call 877-929-9587

DISH TV $64.99 For 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Incuded, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. Promo Expires 1/21/23.

1-866-479-1516

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. Request free no obligation quote.

Prepare for power outages today with a GENERAC home standby generator $0 Down + Low Monthly Pmt Request a free Quote. Call before the next power outage: 1-855-948-6176

Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule free LeafFilter estimate today.

20% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-833-610-1936

BATH & SHOWER UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call: 855-761-1725

Donate Your Car to Veterans Today! Help and Support our Veterans. Fast - FREE pick up. 100% tax deductible. Call 1-800-245-0398

1-877-539-0299

Safe Step. North America’s #1 Walk-in tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-theline installation and service. Now featuring our free shower package & $1600 off - limited time! Fi-nancing available.

1-855-417-1306

Switch and save up to $250/yr on talk, text & data. No contract or hidden fees. Unlimited talk & text with flexible data plans. Premium nationwide coverage. 100% U.S. based customer service. Limited time get $50 off any new account. Use code GIFT50.

1-855-903-3048

Attention Homeowners! If you have water damage and need cleanup services, call us! We’ll get in & work with your insurance agency to get your home repaired and your life back to nor-mal ASAP! 855-767-7031

MobileHelp, America’s premier mobile medical alert system. Whether you’re home or away. For safety & peace of mind. No long term contracts! Free brochure! 1-888-489-3936

Free high speed internet if qualified. Govt. pgm for recipients of select pgms incl. Medicaid, SNAP, Housing Assistance, WIC, Veterans Pension, Survivor Benefits, Lifeline, Tribal. 15 GB internet. Android tablet free w/one-time $20 copay. Free shipping. Call Maxsip Telecom!

1-833-758-3892

Caring for an aging loved one? Wondering about options like senior-living communities and inhome care? Caring.com’s