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Outgoing mayor preserves city ties to tourism bureau by vetoing measure By SYDNEY DANGREMOND sydney@appenmedia.com
Ed Densmore said. Last year, the city cancelled the event due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so this year required slightly more work for city staff, alerting former participants that the event was returning, Densmore said. Johns Creek has hosted a Founders Day parade each year since its first anniversary in December 2007, save for 2020 and a weather-related cancellation in 2017, Densmore said.
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Just a month before leaving office, Johns Creek Mayor Mike Bodker flexed his political muscles by vetoing a decision to cut ties with the city’s Convention and Visitors Bureau. The Nov. 29 veto was not out of the blue. Bodker signaled he would consider the action after the council voted 4-3 to end the contract at a Nov. 15 meeting. It also puts Bodker squarely in conflict with his successor, Councilman John Bradberry, who voted for termination. For months, the City Council had debated how to change its relationship with the tourism bureau, which receives its funding through a portion of the local hotel/ motel tax. One of the key issues is whether the organization has been in compliance with Georgia Open Records and Open Meetings laws. Officials with the Convention and Visitors Bureau deny any wrongdoing. Council members considered a new agreement, updating the current agreement or termination. Bodker provided three reasons for
See PARADE, Page 14
See DECISION, Page 3
SYDNEY DANGREMOND/APPEN MEDIA
The Metropolitan Atlanta Samoyed Club, led by a team of Samoyed dogs, walk the Johns Creek Founders Day Parade route, Dec. 4.
Johns Creek hosts annual Founders Day Parade By SYDNEY DANGREMOND sydney@appenmedia.com
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Hundreds of spectators were rewarded with mild weather Dec. 4 for the city’s 15th Founders Day Parade. The parade came just three days after the official Founders Day for the City of Johns Creek, Dec. 1. Roughly 60 groups participated in this year’s festivities, ranging from community organizations like the Johns
Creek Arts Center and Rotary Club Johns Creek North Fulton to school groups like the Centennial High School marching band and the Johns Creek principals, teachers and professionals of the year. CBS46 anchor and Johns Creek resident Karyn Greer served as emcee of the Saturday morning event, introducing each of the parade participants and providing commentary. This year’s parade has been in the works since late August, City Manager
City Council alters stormwater ordinance
Figure skaters compete County officials study for shot at ’22 Olympics 2022 spending proposal
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