New orchestra chief ready with season aimed at community
By JON WILCOX | jon@appenmedia.com
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Music Director Henry Cheng wants to do more.
Cheng, who was selected in May to lead the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra, said he often thinks of the words of a fellow conductor.
“He said, ‘Henry, there are two types of conductors in this world, one that wakes up in the morning and thinks that they're the world's gift to music, never doubting, never questioning,’” Cheng said. “The other type of conductor is one that wakes up every single morning and asks himself, ‘Have I done enough?’”
Cheng told that story and others at an Aug. 13 meeting held by the Rotary Club of Johns Creek-North Fulton. The music director, who is also an accomplished conductor and composer, said he worked to apply that mentality in the orchestra’s next season, which is titled “Imagine: Your Playlist.”
See CHENG, Page 20
At left, Music Director Henry Cheng speaks to members of the Rotary Club of Johns Creek-North Fulton during an Aug. 13 meeting.
Johns Creek boasts lowest tax rate in city’s history
By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — This year, Johns Creek property owners will pay the lowest property rate in the city’s history.
Approved July 28, the rate of 3.492 mills to fund operations also is the lowest among Fulton County cities.
The levy was set at the rollback rate, which allows the city to take in as much property tax revenue as it did last year, and follows a trend of reduced taxes that began in 2018. City officials said the trend is the result of efficient governance, a philosophy of spending within their means, a thriving community and smart investment.
Councilman Chris Coughlin said the Council has a responsibility to practice fiscal discipline with public funds.
“I just want you to have a safe community with some amenities, but I want you to spend your dollars how you want to, not how I want to,” Coughlin said.
Before the July 28 vote, Coughlin, who is a data scientist, introduced a measure
for an even lower tax of 3.485 mills, saying the city could afford it because the rollback rate fails to consider new growth.
“We have a beautiful problem in Johns Creek,” Coughlin said. “We run a surplus of multi millions of dollars every year … I think that should be returned to you.”
See RATE, Page 21
JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA
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POLICE BLOTTER
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Woman reports pickpocketing
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A Johns Creek woman met with police after reporting someone stole her wallet Aug. 6.
The woman told police that while she was shopping in the cosmetics aisle at Kroger on Old Alabama Road she was approached by a woman. The woman asked for recommendations about foundation and then left.
When the woman went up to pay for her items, she realized that her Michael Kors wallet containing $700 in cash, three Bank of America cards, her driver’s license and various Medicare and insurance cards were missing.
Bank of America reported that her card was used at the Kroger on Holcomb Bridge Road for three attempts totaling in $1,251. All attempts were denied or reversed by the bank.
The woman stated that her only interaction in Kroger was with the woman in the cosmetics aisle.
The investigation is ongoing.
— Sarah Coyne
Woman reports door damaged
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Police met a Johns Creek woman at her Nesbit Ferry Road apartment Aug.6, after the woman reported her front door damaged.
Police observed the damage and stated that it appeared someone had tried to pick the doorknob and deadbolt. The keyhole was damaged to the point that the woman could not use her key.
The woman stated that she was
gone from her residence between 6:30 a.m. and 3:45 p.m.
Police were unable to locate any footage of the suspicious activity.
— Sarah Coyne
Break-ins at apartment mailrooms reported
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Apartment mailrooms were reported burglarized July 29.
Alpharetta police said officers were dispatched to a Rockberry Lane apartment complex about noon after the alleged crime was reported.
Doors to three mailrooms appeared forced open.
Nothing was reported missing.
Damage to the doors was valued at $200.
The incident was classified as a felony burglary of a commercial non-dwelling.
— Jon Wilcox
Peachtree Corners man reports stolen BMW
ROSWELL, Ga. — A 36-year-old Peachtree Corners man reported the theft of his green 2022 BMW M3 Aug. 4 from a retail parking lot off Holcomb Bridge Road.
An officer said he met with the man, whose family owns the store, at the Roswell Police Department to discuss the case.
The victim said his car had been parked in the same spot at the business for more than 2 weeks, and he last saw it there the evening of Aug. 2. The man also said he found no glass near the parking spot and kept the vehicle locked.
After the officer was unable to locate the $50,000 BMW using license plate readers, he listed it as stolen in a regional crime database.
The victim said he would like to press charges, and the case remains active.
— Hayden Sumlin
Man charged with assault in alleged rock attack
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A 78-year-old Alpharetta man was charged with
ASK APPEN
aggravated assault after allegedly throwing rocks at a salesman July 30.
Alpharetta police said officers were dispatched to a Reece Road home about 7 p.m.
A 20-year-old Alpharetta salesman, who was following up with customers in the area, said he was approached by the 78-year-old man during a conversation with a passing driver. The salesman said he began the conversation because he was intrigued by the driver’s car.
The 20-year-old man said the elderly man began an argument with him and the driver, accusing them of being inside his home.
After the driver left, the salesman said the 78-year-old man threw rocks at him, hitting him in the chest and head, police said. The older man allegedly began yelling “stone him, stone him.”
The salesman, who showed a video of the incident to officers, removed the stones from the man’s hands and called police.
Officers said they suspected the older man of suffering from a mental health crisis. He was taken to a Fulton County hospital for evaluation.
— Jon Wilcox
North Point retailer reports clothing theft
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — More than $800 of clothing was reportedly shoplifted from a North Point Mall department store Aug. 2.
Alpharetta police said officers were dispatched to the business about 2:30 p.m. Store employees said a man entered the women’s department about 11:40 a.m. and stole numerous Nike items.
The clothing included underwear, shorts and jackets.
Employees said the man had been seen stealing at other store locations in Atlanta.
Police suspect the man left in a white Volvo.
The incident was classified as a felony theft by shoplifting over $500.
— Jon Wilcox
Council advances makerspace in narrow vote
By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — The Johns Creek City Council narrowly advanced a community robotics workshop amid design concerns.
After a 4-3 vote at their Aug. 11 meeting, council members approved an additional $400,000 for a makerspace to be built at Cauley Creek Park, bringing the project’s total to $2.4 million. Park maintenance materials funding would provide the additional money. The $2 million was set aside in the capital improvement fund.
Mayor John Bradberry and council members Dilip Tunki, Chris Coughlin
and Erin Elwood voted to approve the measure. Council members Stacy Skinner, Bob Erramilli and Larry DiBiase voted against it.
The building will serve as a place for enthusiasts to test robots and provide a setting for students to develop science, technology, engineering and mathematics and teamwork skills. The project fulfills a core objective in the Recreation and Parks Strategic Plan by creating a flexible, indoor multipurpose facility.
Despite their differences of opinion, council members agree with project supporters who say the makerspace will provide an invaluable educational resource.
See MAKERSPACE, Page 9
Council members discuss plans to construct a new building at Cauley Creek Park for a robotics workshop at their Aug. 11 meeting.
JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA
Mr. College Football previews fall season at Dunwoody Village
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
DUNWOODY, Ga. — If someone watches Southeastern Conference schools compete in the fall, they call 30year Dunwoody resident Tony Barnhart “Mr. College Football.”
The legendary sportswriter stopped by his hometown Aug. 11 to chat with the Village Mill ROMEOs, a group of “retired old men eating out” once a month on Monday mornings at J. Christophers.
Dunwoody resident David Gordon, a South African immigrant, said it’s mindboggling to follow a sport where players cycle through every couple of years, but he’s working on it.
For most of the audience, listening to Barnhart talk college football is a sign the heat and humidity are waning.
After half a century covering college football, Mr. College Football said his 50th season covering the sport for newspapers, radio, television and the internet will be his last.
Barnhart has worked for the flagships of sports media: CBS Sports, ESPN’s SEC Network and College Gameday, as well as the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He is currently a columnist for TMG College Sports and a contributor to a weekly SEC radio show.
In a letter shared with the ROMEOs, Barnhart said his 92-year-old mother told him that 50 is a nice round number.
“I will work through the CFP National Championship game in Miami on Monday, Jan. 19. Then I will retire,” he wrote. “I never thought I would write those words.”
Mr. College Football’s season preview at the Village went through the state of the sport and its relationship with the NCAA, his predictions for each round of the 12-team playoff and some insider information on recruiting classes and new players.
“The irony with all the problems that we’re having in college football …,” Barnhart said. “While there’s financial issues going on, the game on the field is better than it’s ever been.”
He said Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deals and a wide-open transfer portal is a big challenge for the sport that will require legislation or collective bargaining to resolve. Barnhart said no one knows the solution.
Tony “Mr. College Football” Barnhart and his wife Maria, a four-time president of the Dunwoody Woman’s Club, enjoy a trip to Gainesville, Florida July 26 for a reception honoring the legendary sportswriter and the couple’s friends Jerri and Steve Spurrier. After his 50th season covering the sport, Barnhart will retire to family, writing and charitable work.
If the playoffs are going to expand from 12 to 16 teams across the country in a couple of years, he said the two most prolific conferences — the SEC and the Big Ten — are going to need to agree on a format.
His top four teams at the end of this upcoming season with a first-round bye in the playoffs are the Texas Longhorns, the Penn State Nittany Lions, the Clemson Tigers and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Texas quarterback Arch Manning was impressive during the 2025 SEC Football Media Days in July, he said.
“The four first-round games are played on campus at the home of the higher seed,” Barnhart said. “And basically, they said give us more on-campus games.”
He said he predicts the University of Georgia to match up with the University of Miami in Athens, setting up former Bulldog quarterback Carson Beck to face his replacement, Gunner Stockton.
“I’m just imagining that he will receive a warm reception as he drives onto Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium,” Barnhardt said. “This would be perfect,
[Beck] drives on the field in his Lamborghini and Gunner Stockton drives on with his ’79 Ford pick-up.”
A few hours later, college football fans got the first top 25 poll of the 2025-26 season from the Associated Press. Reporters from around the country agreed with Mr. College Football, ranking the Manning-led Longhorns as the nation’s preseason top team for the first time in history.
After the 2026 National Championship Jan. 19 at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, Barnhart is planning to retire, write some more books, work with his wife Maria on charitable endeavors and spend time with their two grandchildren.
He said the first book after his retirement will be a collection of essays from each stop on his “Thank You” tour of some of his favorite spots across schools in the Southeastern Conference.
Mr. College Football is a 1976 graduate of the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism. He got his first full-time job in the newspaper business as a one-person sports department for the Union City Times in South Carolina.
Of his six published books, the most recent, “The 19 of Greene: Football, Friendship, and Change in the Fall of 1970,” recounts his experience with racial integration in small-town Georgia as a member of the county’s first integrated football team.
Tony and his wife Maria moved to Dunwoody in 1994. Today, there are four generations of Barnharts living in Dunwoody with no plans of leaving anytime soon.
Maria has served as president of the Dunwoody Woman’s Club, a local branch of the international service organization, four times. Tony and Maria are involved in several charities, including the annual Honduras Outreach International Golf Tournament in May and the Big Game Ball Aug. 27 to benefit the National Down Syndrome Congress.
Maria said she is passionate about the work of the NDSC and programs for individuals with Down syndrome because of her younger brother who was diagnosed.
As for her husband’s retirement announcement and her relationship with Steve Spurrier, Maria said the reception honoring both college football legends was as exceptional as their legacies.
ROB SAYE/PROVIDED
Roswell announces residents will park free at downtown deck
By SARAH COYNE sarah@appenmedia.com
ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell city officials celebrated the groundbreaking for the downtown parking deck Aug. 7, announcing that residents will be able to enjoy free parking.
The deck, estimated to be completed May 4, is designed to solve the decades-long parking problem in downtown.
“Today marks the start of a new chapter for downtown Roswell, a chapter defined by thoughtful infrastructure solutions and forwardthinking technology,” Mayor Kurt Wilson said.
In a statement, the city said they hope the deck will support local businesses, reduce congestion and improve visitor experiences, as part of the Green Street Activation Plan. In addition, Green Street will be converted to a one-way, southbound road.
City officials, residents and business owners gathered for the groundbreaking.
Owners of Fellows Cafe Christina and Tony DeVictor said they are excited to see work begin.
“We've needed this for so long, and it's been a topic of conversation everywhere in Roswell and now it's finally happening,” Tony said.
The DeVictor’s have seen the parking issue firsthand, both having grown up in the city and attending
Roswell High School.
“The fact that it's coming to fruition is truly such a testament to the work of this mayor,” Christina said.
The $20 million, 395-stall parking deck will be located on the corner of Ga. 9 and Green Street, right across from the Southern Post, a 4.28-acre mixed-use development The deck will be paid for through general obligation bonds.
In November 2022, voters of Roswell approved the issuance of $179.6 million in bonds for capital improvement projects, including the parking deck.
City staff enlisted Winter Construction to design and construct the deck to align with the city’s historic district. The design proposes a blend of historic and modern elements, including full architectural façades on all four sides, safety features, such as large, window-like openings and landscaping.
City staff said that the construction will honor the Roswell Masonic Lodge and its classic Greek revival structure. The city plans to convert the 166-year-old lodge into an open-air pavilion.
“[To] ensure that the deck doesn't just co-exist within its surroundings, but enhances them, complimenting both historic structures and new developments like Southern Post right across the street,” Wilson said.
BUFORD
20, MILTON 13
Milton football opens season with loss to Buford
By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com
BUFORD, Ga — The Milton Eagles’ comeback fell short Aug. 14, dropping the season opener to the Buford Wolves, 20-13 in the inaugural game at Buford’s $62 million Phillip Beard Stadium.
It was Milton’s first loss in nearly two years and the first time losing to Buford since 2019. Snapping a 25game win streak required Buford to capitalize on several Eagle mistakes.
Buford, ranked No. 13 in the country by MaxPreps, has a loaded senior class with eight SEC commits. Quarterback Dayton Raiola is committed to Nebraska, as well.
Facing a defense that forced four turnovers, the Eagles never trailed by more than two scores, remaining neck-and-neck with Buford until the final minute of the game.
Eagles quarterback Derrick Baker was the primary target of the Wolves’ defense. Baker said at practice the day before the matchup that Phillip Beard will be the biggest stadium he has played in.
Throughout the game, Baker had to step out several times when his helmet was knocked off during play. The native of Naples, Florida, threw 6-for15 for 1 touchdown and two interceptions and rushed for 78 yards in his first game in an Eagles jersey.
“[Milton] is a great place with great coaches,” he said. “I’ve felt the best here than I have in any other place.”
His 55-yard touchdown to E.B. Bailey, a transfer from Chattahoochee High School, gave the Eagles their only lead of the game in the first quarter.
Milton junior Jordan Carrasquillo led the team in receptions with three for 44 yards and one touchdown. The score came when Baker was sitting due to helmet trouble, when 14-yearold freshman Trey Hasan kicked off his Milton career with a 28-yard touchdown to Carrasquillo in Hasan’s fifth down and second pass attempt as an Eagle.
Milton coach Ben Reaves remarked that after two years of great success, the team is ready to be back in its former “underdog” role.
“We’re hungry to prove ourselves,” he said. “With youth, with inexperience, it’s tough to make all the plays, but by the time we get into the playoffs, we have a 10-game season ahead of us. The way that we played, the way that we work, we will be ready to make all those plays.”
Returning to being underdogs has
star E.B. Bailey returns a kickoff at Phillip Beard Stadium Aug. 15 at Phillip Beard Stadium.
included what Reaves describes as “reloading, not rebuilding.” He explained some of his stars would be playing on both sides of the ball this year, which was not required until the state championship game last season.
The Eagles will get back on the horse Aug. 22, traveling to Orlando, Florida, for a game against The First Academy for the Royals’ season opener.
PHOTOS BY: SARAH COYNE/APPEN MEDIA
Milton quarterback Derrick Baker loses his helmet after a run against a stiff Buford defense Aug. 15 at Phillip Beard Stadium.
Milton High School wide receiver Jordan Carrasquillo gets wrapped up by Buford defensive end Dre Quinn at the Aug. 15 game at Buford High School’s Phillip Beard Stadium.
Two-way
Former Roswell officials blast current leadership
By SARAH COYNE sarah@appenmedia.com
ROSWELL, Ga. — Former Roswell Mayor Jere Wood hand delivered a letter to City Hall Aug. 6 signed by a slew of past elected officials who are critical of current leadership.
Former City Council members and mayors met at the Heart of Roswell Park for a press conference calling for Mayor Kurt Wilson and the City Council to listen to their constituents.
“We’re at a critical crossroads, this is not about politics,” Former Councilwoman Nancy Diamond said. “It’s about leadership. It’s about restoring trust. It’s about the Roswell we promised to protect and the Roswell our children deserve.”
The former city officials stated during the press conference that the current administration needs to keep their promises, listen to the people who work and live in Roswell and spend money where it matters.
“You promised to activate historic homes, not pave over their surroundings,” Former Councilman Ed Tate said.
The overall message of the conference revolved around more than 35 tree removals on the Mimosa Hall and Gardens property. The trees were removed in two specific areas on the site, with some selective removal for a newly landscaped garden and an event lawn area.
“The construction of Mimosa Hall is just the latest in a series of troubling decisions that the city has made that are eroding public trust and putting Roswell’s future at risk,” Tate said.
Mimosa Hall is being transformed into an event venue under the approved initiative to improve public access, environmental sustainability and long-term use of the property. Under renovations, Atlanta architect Neel Reid’s stone garden steps were removed, which city staff said have been preserved.
In a statement to Appen Media, city staff said that approximately 4.18 acres of tree canopy were removed from the 22.7acre site.
“There was absolutely no consideration whatsoever for those gardens when they started their destruction of the property,” former Councilman Don Horton said.
Wood, who served as mayor for nearly 20 years, and other former council members ask in the letter for the current administration to pause all further development at the hall.
City Attorney David Davidson responded to the allegations surrounding Mimosa Hall Aug. 6.
“I think their biggest concern was that they didn’t know about it, maybe, but all the necessary permits were obtained,” Davidson said.
Davidson said that the public had notice about the trees and stated that city staff met with the Friends of Bulloch, Friends of Mimosa Hall and the Historic Preservation Commission.
“They all had meetings about it,” Davidson said. “The plans did not show every tree that was going to come down, because really you don’t know until you get into some of the construction drawings.”
The group also called for a thirdparty audit on recent consulting
contracts, land purchases and capital allocations.
The thrust is: “[To] verify that voterapproved bond promises have been honored, and the city is following the same rules it enforces on its citizens,” former Councilwoman and state Rep. Betty Price said.
Group members also highlighted their concerns of transparency surrounding a proposed soccer stadium, which city leaders have rarely mentioned since the March 26, 2024, announcement.
The stadium and entertainment district could house a United Soccer League Super League professional women’s team and a United Soccer League professional men’s team.
“If you think they are paying for it, you’re in a different world,” Wood said. “The people of Roswell are paying for it.”
The former city officials confirmed at the press conference that none are seeking reelection but are speaking on behalf of concerned citizens.
“We’ve worked across political lines and over multiple decades to protect what makes Roswell special, its history, its natural beauty, its sense of community and its promise to future generations,” Diamond said. “But today we’re aligned. Roswell is in crisis.”
Wood said that he thinks the City Council will ignore the requests for “as long as they can.”
“We’re here today because they are destroying our city,” Wood said. “They’re doing irreparable harm.”
The former mayor said that the upcoming Nov. 4 election will show how the citizens of Roswell feel.
“I still trust the people of Roswell,” Wood said.
OF JOHNS CREEK PERFORMING ARTS CENTER COMMUNITY MEETING
The City of Johns Creek will hold a series of community meetings related to the General Obligation Bond Referendum for the purpose of a Performing Arts Center (PAC):
Wednesday, September 3rd 6pm Park Place at Newtown Park Thursday, September 18th 6pm Johns Creek City Hall Wednesday, October 1st 6pm Park Place at Newtown Park Thursday, October 16th 6pm Johns Creek City Hall
All meetings at City Hall will be held in the Council Chambers located at 11360 Lakefield Drive. Meetings at Newtown Park will be held in Park Place located at 3125 Old Alabama Road. Please contact the City Clerk’s office at 678-512-3212 should you have any questions.
Allison Tarpley, City Clerk
SARAH COYNE/APPEN MEDIA
Former Roswell Mayor Jere Wood speaks among former city officials at a press conference at the Heart of Roswell Park Aug. 6.
WAS PRESIDENT FORD RIGHT TO PARDON ROBERT E. LEE?
Join Student Leadership North and The Georgia Politics Podcast
Business brings Indian artistry to downtown Alpharetta store
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Ginny & Daughters, a local handcrafted luxury home goods brand, opened its first brickand-mortar store Aug. 6 at 225 Market Street within Alpharetta City Center.
The family-run business, inspired by generations of textile artisans in India, offers a curated collection of highquality, organic, hand block-painted cotton products made with natural dyes and unique design techniques.
Founded by Ginny and Saheb Banga in 2023, Ginny & Daughters began as a passion project to carry on Ginny’s family traditions and honor their two daughters.
The Bangas sold their products at local flea markets around Metro Atlanta before settling on a store location at Alpharetta City Center due to growing demand and interest from their customers.
for a special debate marking the 50th anniversary of President Gerald Ford’s controversial decision. Our panel will explore the historical, political, and cultural impacts of the pardon –and what it means for America today.
Date: Sunday, August 24th, 4 pm
Location: Thornhill Subdivision Clubhouse, 9200 Waits Ferry Crossing, Johns Creek, GA 30097
Presented by: Student Leadership North and The Georgia Politics Podcast
Come ready to challenge assumptions, hear compelling arguments, and join the conversation about how history shapes our present.
BUSINESS, Page 18
Bob Meyers, Judge, Columnist for Appen Media
Craig Kidd, Moderator, Host of The Georgia Politics Podcast
Lynne Riley, Judge
Ginny & Daughters, a luxury home goods brand, sells a range of home and lifestyle goods inspired by generations of textile artisans in India.
Makerspace:
Bob Stevens, a Johns Creek resident who has mentored the Northview High School robotics team, said students have long struggled to find suitable places to test their robots.
The makerspace will provide a home for youth and adult robotics enthusiasts, he said.
Competitions can include tasks such as ball throwing and require high ceilings, like school gymnasiums. As a result, the team has often traveled to Marietta to test their robots.
The city is talking with Fulton County Schools to maximize the facility’s use by making it available to numerous school robotics teams.
Robotics teams and competitions are increasingly prevalent at schools, sometimes drawing more students than athletic programs. On top of computer science, physics and math, they also teach students essential soft skills.
“You're competing, but you're also cooperating with one another, so it's a very positive kind of collaborative environment,” Stevens said.
In 2022, the City Council reached a consensus to create the makerspace, but the project’s details have shifted.
“The old building is going to be there,” Tunki said. “We can use that down the road.”
But DiBiase said the council should have reassessed the project before moving forward. DiBiase said he fully supports creating a robotics workshop, but he is uncomfortable that questions remain about how it will look, be used and managed.
“I wanted to take a half a step back, take a timeout, reevaluate what we were actually trying to accomplish,” DiBiase said. “(We should) speak with stakeholders and get a good feel for what they need.”
DiBiase also questioned the wisdom of spending more money to create a smaller space than one the city already owns.
“We are rushing this through,” he said.
With the makerspace, the city provided a list of features for the building and has left the design to be determined. As a result, the final look of the project remains uncertain.
Council members first considered renovating and repurposing a 13,000-square-foot former water reclamation building at Cauley Creek Park. During initial discussions, the project’s contractor proposed the construction of a new 10,000-square-foot building.
ing air conditioning would cost $100,000 less.
Renovating the old building and add-
Councilman Dilip Tunki said a new building provides greater value for Johns Creek. That option creates a facility with more modern design standards and ample space while allowing the city to retain the old building for another project.
Councilwoman Stacy Skinner said she voted against the project in part because of the lack of concrete details.
“We don’t have any of the details worked out on this,” she said. “And I hate it for the robotics community because it is something I would love to support.”
JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA
MACY
| Johns Creek Herald | August 21, 2025
Daughter follows parents’ entrepreneurial footsteps
By SARAH COYNE sarah@appenmedia.com
ROSWELL, Ga. — Nestled underneath her parents’ coffee shop, guests can find Macy Pettett piecing together clothing to create the perfect outfits in her store, Bungalow 1088.
The smell of coffee and pastries seep into the playful atmosphere of the boutique, where Pettett creates content and working in the store.
Pettett has been raised to be an entrepreneur, helping her parents with their coffee shop, Crazy Love Coffee House, which opened in 2017.
“I worked up there since we opened and did socials and a lot of different creative things,” Pettett said.
She continued her passion for running a business and went to Kennesaw State University to study culinary sustainability and hospitality.
“It’s just kind of helped transfer into this,” she said.
Her father introduced the idea to Macy, encouraging her to open a clothing boutique underneath the coffee shop.
“They thought, ‘why not open up a clothing boutique,’” she said.
While her parents technically own the space, Pettett runs and manages the boutique.
Like her parents coffee shop, Bungalow 1088 was founded on Christian principles. Guests can find Bible verses sprinkled throughout the store.
Pettett wants the store to be like a ministry that reaches out to the community for Jesus. She said the goal for the boutique is to make customers feel confident and feel good about what they’re wearing, while also showing Christ’s love.
PETTETT, Owner of Bungalow 1088
SARAH COYNE/APPEN MEDIA
Bungalow:
Continued from Page 10
“A lot of people feel very intimidated by church and different stuff,” Pettett said. “This is providing an environment to welcome people.”
Her inspiration for the store comes from places like Anthropologie and Free People. Pettett uses Pinterest to research the newest trends.
“We try to pick out a lot of clothes that would look good on everyone,” she said. “[We pick] not as much confusing styles, but more simplistic, fun colors, more solids, not as many patterns.”
When designing the store, Pettett and her mother drew inspiration from other boutiques, picking bits and pieces of their favorite colors and designs.
Although the store just opened in June, Pettett said business has been
“really good and really busy.”
“We’ve had a lot of good support from the community, but also from our church and our friends,” she said.
Pettett has two favorite parts to owning a boutique, picking out the pieces of clothing and meeting people.
“I love getting to pick out stuff for people to try on, and just help people find things,” she said.
Bungalow 1088 also offers free personal styling sessions for customers to get their new favorite outfits. Customers can come in to give Pettet a vision and favorite colors, so that she can pick out some new pieces for them.
“I just thought fashion was really fun to just express yourself,” Pettett said.
The boutique also sells devotionals, purses, shoes and even hand-made furniture.
To learn more about the boutique, visit bungalow1088.com.
Each week Appen Media asks a staff reporter to profile a business, nonprofit or commerce group they find interesting. The selection can be from anywhere in the Metro Atlanta area. The decision is up to the reporter and is made entirely independent of the sales department. Find other pieces at appenmedia.com/business.
Subscri be to the Johns Creek Chamber’s weekly newsletter for valuable net working opportuni ties, chamber events, communi ty happenings, and much more – your gateway to staying ahead in our vi brant communi ty!
PHOTOS BY: SARAH COYNE/APPEN MEDIA
Macy Pettett’s boutique offers unique pieces for customers to feel confident in.
Bungalow 1088 also sells goods for homes, including devotionals, wine glasses and handmade furniture.
Estate planning
Life is unpredictable, but your estate plan doesn’t have to be. Incapacity planning and setting up a power of attorney are crucial steps to ensure your wishes are honored if you’re unable to make decisions yourself.
Here’s why it matters:
✔ Protect Your Decisions: A power of attorney allows someone you trust to make financial and legal decisions on your behalf.
✔ Healthcare Preparedness: Designating a healthcare proxy ensures your medical preferences are followed during emergencies.
✔ Avoid Court Delays: Without incapacity planning, decisions could
be delayed by lengthy court processes, adding stress to your loved ones.
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Cool memories in appreciation of conditioned air
VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF Columnist
During these sweltering days of July, it is easy to forget that there were not always cool, air-conditioned spaces to work and live.
I can remember the time before my family had air conditioning. We had an airconditioned car before our home was air-conditioned. My mom and I would sit for a brief time in the family AMC Rambler, just to cool off. We also went to the movies, knowing that the movie theater was air-conditioned, and we would enjoy the cool air as much as the movie.
Before we had air conditioning in our 1960s home, we had a whole house fan, or attic fan. It did a decent job of cooling the house at night, but it was loud. An attic fan may have been the sound machine of the 1960s.
Dr. John Gorrie designed an ice-making machine in 1851 and received a U.S. patent that same year. He believed cooling would make hospital patients more comfortable and help prevent malaria. The machine created ice by using a compressor powered by horse, water, wind-driven sails or steam. His invention eventually led to modern refrigeration and air conditioning, but following the death of his financial backer, it never made it to the marketplace. (energy. gov)
The next major step in the development of air-conditioning happened in 1902, when Willis Carrier designed a system to control humidity using cooling coils. His patent was for an “Apparatus for Treating Air.”
Mechanical refrigeration was used to cool the Missouri State Building at the St. Louis World’s Fair in 1904. A system to cool public movie theaters was designed in 1922, and the Rivoli Theater in New York was the first to use an air conditioning system.
Atlanta shoppers could enjoy the new cool air system of Davison-Paxon department store in 1928. “Shoppers of Atlanta now may enjoy one of the blessings of modern science which heretofore has been reserved for theater goers and the patrons of a few restaurants.” The system is described as fresh air passing through an air shaft and “forced through a falling sheet of water.” The water was chilled by refrigerator pipes. (Atlanta Constitution, June 8, 1928, “Cool Air System Now in Operation at Local Store”)
Fox, Capitol, Paramount, Grand and Rialto Theaters in Atlanta all boasted on their cool air systems by 1934. Restaurants and more department stores began installing air conditioning systems. Offices began adding new cooling systems, but it was too expensive for home use. (Atlanta
This advertisement for a “controlled weather enclosed mall” appeared in the 1965 Atlanta Constitution.
Constitution, Oct. 1934)
In 1932, a window unit was developed that could be used in homes, but not many were purchased due to the high cost. The 1932 Carrier Room Weathermaker was large and expensive, but the 1940 model was advertised as half the size and half the price of the earlier version. (New Georgia Encyclopedia)
A 1950 advertisement in The Atlanta Constitution describes the Brookhaven Theater as the “Suburban Home of All Downtown hits.” A modern refrigerated air-conditioning system helped bring in customers.
By the late 1960s, window units were more affordable, and most new homes were built with central air conditioning.
North DeKalb Mall opened on July 29, 1965, advertised as “Metropolitan Atlanta’s first regional shopping center with an airconditioned mall.” (Atlanta Constitution, July 29, 1965, “City’s first weatherproof mall shopping center opens Thursday”)
By 1971, when Perimeter Mall opened, air conditioning was expected. The mall is advertised as having “…an atmosphere of perpetual Springtime, created electrically just for your comfort.” (Atlanta Journal, August 31, 1971)
Award-winning author Valerie Biggerstaff is a longtime columnist for Appen Media and the Dunwoody Crier. She lives in Atlanta. You can email Valerie at pasttensega@gmail.com or visit her website at pasttensega.com.
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Young Men’s Service League grows wings – The Ultimate Gift
High school goes by quickly. How do students make the most of those fleeting years? How do they prepare for future challenges of college, the work force and families? There are many ways: academics, athletics, school clubs, school service, such as the school newspaper, part time jobs – the list goes on.
For a select group of high school boys and their mothers, the fouryear Young Men’s Service League (YMSL) provides a unique way to serve their communities and grow in their relationship. The organization was established 25 years ago in Plano, Texas, as a 501(c)(3) non-profit national organization by founder and still President Pam Rosener.
The Young Men’s Service League has experienced dramatic growth in recent years. Rosener told me that, last year, 25 new chapters were established, making a total of 199 chapters in 23 states. Georgia boasts 17 chapters, mostly in Atlanta and northward including Crabapple, Milton, Dunwoody, Johns Creek, Sandy Springs and North Fulton. Nationwide, members provided 750,000 service hours last year.
“We started with 60 boys based on the principle of service,” Pam Rosener says. “We wanted to teach boys things that they don’t learn in school, church or Scouts while incorporating leadership opportunities in the process. We quickly learned that moms are the secret sauce that made the program successful. After a while I thought the program could grow nationwide.”
When Pam says that moms are the secret sauce, she means that just as mothers keep their families together, they also do so in the organization.
”They believe that they are helping their sons, but they become inspired and also grow, strengthening the organization,” she says. “They are our secret to success. It is hard to be a teen these days, and our program develops leadership skills which, in turn, foster a sense of responsibility.”
Each year, one chapter is awarded the “Ultimate Gift,” to recognize an outstanding project. The impetus for the award was a novel of the same name by Jim Stovall. In the book, a self-centered young man expects to inherit a fortune when his wealthy grandfather dies. Instead, his grandfather leaves him 12 “gifts,” which are really assignments he must complete over a period of months
PROVIDED
The mother-son team of Karen and Wyatt Stewart of Milton take part in a Young Men’s Service League project cleaning tombstones, some well over 100 years old, in the Boiling Springs Primitive Baptist Church cemetery. The Young Men’s Service League is a national non-profit organization whose members take part in community service projects throughout a student’s high school years. Mothers and sons work together on the projects. There are 1999 chapters in 23 states.
to claim his inheritance. The grandson enters on a journey of self-discovery and learns the rewards of serving others.
The book became an award-winning movie in 2006 starring James Garner (his last movie), Lee Meriwether, Drew Fuller and Bill Cobbs. In 2024, Jim Stoval and Pam Rosener collaborated on a sequel book, “Giving the Ultimate Gift.”
On July 26 a group of students and moms from Milton’s YMSL and the Milton Historical Society teamed up to clean gravestones at the Boiling Springs Primitive Baptist Church which dates back to 1837. Pat Miller, president of the Alpharetta and Old Milton County Historical Society and an
Cover of the book
“Giving the Ultimate Gift,” by Jim Stoval and Pam Rosner.
The book is a sequel to Stoval’s celebrated novel, “The Ultimate Gift,” which was made into a successful movie.
Johns Creek to honor fallen American service members. The cemetery at Boiling Springs Primitive Baptist Church is one of the local cemeteries participating and has approximately 30 veterans buried there. Volunteers will be provided by the Patriots of Liberty chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Karen Stewart and her son Wyatt were among the volunteers at the church cemetery. Wyatt is a senior at Milton High School and is starting center for the Milton Eagles football team. He is spending his summer working in the Horst Shewmaker law firm in Alpharetta. This is the fourth year that Wyatt and his mom have worked together on a wide range of projects for the benefit of the community. Wyatt’s brother Will, a student at Georgia Tech, was previously a member of the Milton YMSL.
Projects have included Meals on Wheels, letters to troops, foster care support, playing baseball and tennis with the mentally disabled and Blessings in a Backpack food program for underprivileged children.
The Milton YMSL chapter was established 15 years ago and has close to 100 moms and sons, which is the maximum number of participants allowed in any chapter. Once the limit is reached a new chapter is formed.
expert in cleaning cemetery tombstones, instructed the volunteers how to effectively go about the task. Using brushes, D2 cleaner and water, many illegible tombstones, some well over 100 years old, were gradually made legible again.
James Farris, cemetery chairman of the Milton Historical Society says “the event was rewarding for all who participated at one of the oldest churches in Milton. It is a virtue to touch something from the past that honors the generations that went before us.”
On Dec. 13, Wreaths Across America, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, will place wreaths on veterans’ graves in 10 cemeteries in Milton, Alpharetta and
Karen says,“Giving back to the community not only enriches the lives of others, but it has strengthened the bond with my boys by allowing us to do something meaningful for others. It’s led to some great conversations around compassion and opened our eyes to the needs of those in our community.”
For more information about Young Men’s Service League their website is ymsl.org.
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 welcomes suggestions for future columns about local history.
BOB MEYERS Columnist
Shade perennials add color, texture to wooded yard
When my family first moved into our home, our backyard was filled with tons of trees, invasive English ivy and not much else. I loved the privacy and shade that the trees provided but really felt the yard was lacking visual interest. I’m drawn to abundant, dense landscapes and find a lot of inspiration in naturalized-looking English gardens. I had the opportunity to work with a landscape designer on my yard a few years ago and was introduced to several plants that helped achieve that exact vibe in my North Fulton yard. Now that the yard is firmly established, here are the plants I would definitely use again:
1. Autumn fern
There are a few other ferns in my backyard, but these are my favorite. They are low maintenance and offer a unique leaf shape, which stays in the garden year-round. And what is better suited for the woods than a fern?! These plants are used as a border and tucked into a rock garden in my yard.
2. Azaleas
Yes, azaleas seem like a boring, played-out option… everyone has an azalea bush, right? That’s what I thought, mostly because I was used to seeing them planted in a row as a hedge alternative in front yards. Tucking this shrub in among dense trees gives it a chance to pop like a specimen plant, and because the plant grows tall, the flowers get to make a big show. I also like growing azaleas away from the house so they can grow with little to no pruning. Left on their own, the growth habit seems much airier and more natural. Azaleas come in a variety of colors to choose from; the plants in my yard are George L. Tabor.
3. Acorus gramineus ‘Ogon’
Most of my plants had dark-colored foliage, and this lime-green mounding grass is a beautiful contrast. It doesn’t die back in winter, and because the leaves grow long and droop a bit, it makes quite a statement along the borders. I have this planted in my much sunnier front yard, and it does just as well as in the shade. Acorus was outcompeted by the lawn it was planted near, but the rock garden and borders in the shade garden have proved to be a perfect placement. Some trim the leaves in the fall/winter, but I leave it alone year-round.
4. Ajuga reptans ‘Chocolate Chip’
Ajuga reptans is hands down my favorite plant in the yard. This variety has deep purple/emerald, evergreen leaves that form an extremely dense mat. The flowers pop up bright purple and last for months. I think it just looks so unique. I’m actually in the process of adding more of this to my yard; that’s how obsessed I am. This is planted as ground cover around my walkways and rock garden. It dies back a little in winter, but I have no bare spots, which I like. Ajuga comes in several varieties with different leaf and flower colors. The foliage is very tolerant of being walked on, the flowers not so much. Pollinators also love these flowers.
5. Hosta Halcyon
There are many hostas to choose from, but Halcyon stands out to me because of its leaf color and size. Growing up to five feet in diameter, these plants cover a large
amount of space, and the blue-green color of the leaves makes for an interesting addition to the landscape. Hostas do have a couple of caveats. They die back to the crown in the winter, so you will need to mulch over the area during the cold months to avoid bare dirt.
Hostas are also a favorite food for deer. Unless you have a fenced yard, you will need to protect them by continually spraying with repellant or cover with a layer of bird
About the author
This week’s “Garden Buzz” guest columnist is Ashley Jones Brodkin, who has been a Master Gardener since 2024. Her passion is recreating naturalized landscapes for entertaining and has recently been devoted to learning more about herbalism, permaculture and edible landscapes.
netting. The bird netting is barely visible from a distance and is a great deterrent.
6. Aucuba japonica Variegata (Gold Dust)
This shrub has dense, evergreen foliage and is great as a backdrop or a screen. I love the dark green foliage with golden flecks, and it thrives in full shade. In fact, I have one plant that sits in mid-day sun, and it really struggles. My full-shade plants are doing much better.
This list of shade perennials has transformed my wooded yard into a vibrant and textured oasis. With careful planning and consideration of each plant's needs, you too can create a lush and inviting outdoor space even in the shadiest of areas.
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. Previous Garden Buzz columns are featured at https://appenmedia.com/opinion/columnists/ garden_buzz/.
ASHLEY JONES
PHOTOS BY ASHLEY JONES BRODKIN/PROVIDED
Wooded shade garden in mid-April
Halcyon hosta, chocolate chip ajuga and autumn ferns along a rock border
1 are 4, 5 and 5 letters). The clues are numbered 1 through 7, with each number containing 3 clues for the 3 answers on the line. But here’s the catch! The clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually be for the second or third answer in that line. Got it? Good luck!
WHO’S ON FIRST?
1. Muse of poetry. Clothing. Actor McQueen or Zahn
2. Actress Blanchett or Cohen. Nervous. Dig up.
3. Seabird. Parsley unit.
Actress Hamilton or Hunt
4. Actor Quaid or Hopper. Court panel. Three feet.
5. Light on one’s feet. Actor Brolin or Spader. Hayseed.
6. Austrian peaks. Actress Ryder or Keegan. Goulash.
7. Japanese robe. Aleutian island.
Actor Gooding Jr. or singer Gooding Sr.
1 Muse of poetry. Clothing. Actor McQueen or Zahn.
2. Actress Blanchett or Cohen. Nervous. Dig up
How to Solve: Each line in the puzzle above has three clues and three answers. The last letter in the first answer on each line is the first letter of the second answer, and so on. The connecting letter is outlined, giving you the correct number of letters for each answer (the answers in line 1 are 4, 5 and 5 letters). The clues are numbered 1 through 7, which each number containing 3 clues for the 3 answers on the line. But here’s the catch! The clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually be for the second or third answer in that line. Got it? Good luck!
3. Seabird. Parsley unit. Actress Hamilton or Hunt
4. Actor Quaid or Hopper. Court panel. Three feet
5. Light on one’s feet. Actor Brolin or Spader. Hayseed
6. Austrian peaks. Actress Ryder or Keegan. Goulash.
7. Japanese robe. Aleutian island. Actor Gooding, Jr. or singer Gooding, Sr.
YOU CAN USE LOCAL NEWS
AIKENOMICS
Don’t be fooled again: Housing market offers negotiation power
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Let’s turn back the clock to July 30, 2023. In Metro Atlanta, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was hovering just below 7%. Industry forecasts were awash with optimism. We were told rates would be falling soon — perhaps below 6% by year-end, with some even speculating that a 5.5% mortgage was within reach. And with that drop came the promise of increased affordability.
Two years later, reality tells a different story.
It’s now July 30, 2025. Mortgage rates remain stubbornly high, still hovering just under 7%, with only fleeting moments below 6.5%. Despite numerous economic headlines and policy pivots, the needle has barely moved on financing costs. In that same window, Metro Atlanta home prices haven’t waited. They’ve appreciated approximately 5% across most segments of the market — some even more in desirable in-town neighborhoods and strong suburban school districts.
Let’s quantify that. A $500,000 home in July 2023 is now selling for
Business:
Continued from Page 8
Ginny & Daughters offers a wide range of home and lifestyle goods, including quilts, shams, bathrobes, cushion covers, table linens, bed sheets and duvet covers.
All products are made with nontoxic inks and hand-stitched, ensuring they are safe for children to use as well.
Ginny Banga said her goal is to create products that feel good, look beautiful and honor the people and process behind them.
“We’re grateful to our loyal customer base here in Metro Atlanta, whose continued support has created the need for a physical store location,” Banga said. “We are thrilled to open our doors at ACC and give shoppers the opportunity to
closer to $525,000. Assuming a 5% down payment and a 6.75% fixed rate in both years, the monthly principal and interest payment today is over $150 higher than it would have been in 2023. So much for the “wait and it will be more affordable” strategy. And yet, we’re hearing the same narrative again in 2025: rates will fall, affordability will return, and home prices will stabilize. While there’s reasonable expectation that rates may soften into the high-5% range over the next 12 months, this does not necessarily equate to a better buying opportunity. Quite the opposite.
If lower rates do materialize, Atlanta — like many competitive metros — will likely see an uptick in demand. Homes that have been sitting for 60+ days could see offers in a matter of weeks. Days on the market will compress. And prices? They may not just hold — they could rise again.
This is the “double-edged sword” Atlanta buyers must contend with: lower rates reduce borrowing costs, but increased competition can drive up prices, neutralizing or even reversing the benefit. It’s a moment that reinforces a timeless principle in housing economics: “Marry the house, date the rate.”
Had a buyer followed this advice two years ago in Atlanta, not only
see our full range of elegant, firstclass products in person, seven days a week.”
Drawing on her familial textile heritage in India, Ginny designs each product herself, partnering with skilled artisans to bring her vision to life. The pieces are made in a factory in India that has been in operation for over 100 years, and every product is hand-printed using traditional block printing methods, high-quality breathable cotton and eco-friendly materials.
The store also partners with select artisans and makers, including Le Jacquard Français, a French textile manufacturer known for its high-end table linens and home goods, and Terrafirma Ceramics, a studio based in New York City offering a collection of handmade, handpainted ceramics.
Islanna McNeally, property man -
would they have secured a lower monthly payment, but they’d also be sitting on $25,000+ in equity growth. And with a possible refinance opportunity on the horizon, monthly savings could increase further.
The bigger takeaway: Don’t be fooled again. Atlanta’s housing market today offers something we haven’t seen in years — negotiation power. Sellers are offering closing cost incentives. Inventory is sitting longer. And while prices haven’t dropped dramatically, the lack of bidding wars has restored balance in favor of the buyer.
If you’ve been waiting on the sidelines for “the right time,” consider this: the best time to buy isn’t always when rates are at their lowest — it’s when competition is manageable, prices are still negotiable, and you have room to make the right longterm move.
That time could very well be now.
DC Aiken is Senior Vice President of Lending for CrossCountry Mortgage, NMLS # 658790. For more insights, you can subscribe to his newsletter at dcaiken.com.
The opinions expressed within this article may not reflect the opinions or views of CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC or its affiliates.
ager at Alpharetta City Center, said the shop’s thoughtfully made products will be a great addition to the community, reflecting the quality and character visitors value.
Alpharetta City Center is a 26acre mixed-use development in downtown Alpharetta, including the new City Hall, luxury living community Amorance and more than 30 shops and restaurants.
Also new downtown is Sunset Alpharetta, a restaurant blending chefcrafted cuisines and an immersive cocktail and wine program.
Ginny & Daughters will be open Monday through Wednesday from 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m.
For more information, visit ginnyanddaughters.com.
— Hayden Sumlin
D.C. AIKEN Guest Columnist dcaiken.com
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Cheng:
Continued from Page 1
“It's sharing stories that I hope connect with the community, whether it's exploring ideas of grief, ideas of overcoming and how we're actually much more connected than ever,” he said. “Often we feel more lonely than ever, right? But music is that bridge.”
The season, Cheng’s first in Johns Creek, runs Sept. 20-May 23 and
includes seven concerts. It features traditional classical works by Bach and Shostakovich to popular songs like “Imagine” by John Lennon and “Georgia On My Mind” by Hoagy Charmichael with vocals by Mikaela Ayira, a standout of NBC’s “The Voice” and Chattahoochee High School graduate.
Every event will offer a preconcert lecture and meet and greet for donors to visit with musicians on stage.
That dynamic programming is a reflection of Cheng’s philosophy of meeting the audience where they are. Since his arrival in Johns Creek, he has applied that mentality figuratively and literally.
For example in May, Cheng was invited to Chattahoochee High School to partake in their orchestra classroom performance that included a dance flash mob and live music.
“It answered this question of not just how to be of service and have I done enough to be of service, but who am I in service to,” he said.
He also is working to create a program called Symphony for Every Student, which will admit any student with a school ID into concerts for free.
Cheng replaces the late founder and maestro J. Wayne Baughman, who died November 2023 after battling pancreatic
DEATH NOTICES
Christine Beldowicz, 54, of Roswell, passed away on July 31, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Donna Dutkiewicz, 61, of Roswell, passed away on July 24, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Dora Freeman, 93, of Roswell, passed away on July 27, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Samuel Harrington, 90, of Roswell, passed away on July 24, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Robert McGarry, 84, of Alpharetta, passed away on July 26, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
James Puckett, 72, of Roswell, passed away on July 28, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Music Director Henry Cheng explains his plans for programming music that resonates with the community during an Aug. 13 Rotary Club of Johns Creek-North Fulton meeting.
cancer. Beloved by the orchestra and community, Baughman founded the orchestra in 2007.
As an internationally recognized conductor, Cheng has led performances across Europe, Asia and North America, winning numerous awards.
He is the winner of the Antal Doráti International Conducting Competition and the European Union Conducting Competition.
Throughout his career, Cheng has spanned a variety of musical styles and artistic forms, working on projects involving metaverse technology, videogames like Minecraft and Korean pop music. He has also collaborated with Justice Desk Africa, a South African human rights organization inspired by Nelson Mandela’s legacy.
Cheng said he was particularly inspired by the enormously popular Korean pop band BTS and their attitude toward changing the world.
After first learning about the group, he pored over their discography and was delighted to find a message that resonated deeply with him.
“They're talking about gun violence. They're talking about sexual abuse, physical abuse, psychological abuse,” he said. “They're talking about really heavy topics. If I could bring 1 percent of that mentality … How cool is that?”
Lavone Rippeon, 86, of Roswell, passed away on July 26, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Donald Slappey, 74, of Roswell, passed away on July 25, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Nancy Veasy, 76, of Alpharetta, passed away on July 25, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Delouris West, 82, of Roswell, passed away on July 26, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Malcolm Young, 54, of Alpharetta, passed away on July 23, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA
from Page 1
Rising property values in the city have allowed Johns Creek to reduce the millage rate while bringing in steady revenue.
As property values increase, Coughlin said the city should strive to maintain its operations with a minimal tax footprint instead of searching for additional projects to fund.
Mayor John Bradberry agrees smart planning requires sometimes making tough decisions about what the city wants and what it needs.
“We have tried to be very conscious to live within our means and try to govern the city as frugally as possible,” he said.
He agreed with Coughlin that the approach starts with a personal philosophy of trimming fat from the budget. For larger, more ambitious projects, voter referendums provide an opportunity for letting residents decide how much money should be spent.
In November, Johns Creek residents will have the option to weigh in on a $40 million bond to fund a performing arts center that the Council says could transform the city’s recreational and cultural landscape.
Bradberry and Coughling said they are also proud of how the city has managed the funds it collects from taxpayers.
The Council invested its reserves in Georgia Fund 1, a state-managed investment pool for local governments, allowing the money to create its own income.
The city also works hard to pay off loans within a timely manner, contributing to a AAA credit rating.
Cost cutting further increases the city’s purse.
For example, Johns Creek relocated its city hall from a leased property to one it owns, allowing it to reap long-term savings.
“We made a decision,” Coughlin said. “Let's buy a piece of the rock … The only thing we pay for is maintenance and operations, which is dramatically lower than the leasing.”
Coughlin and Bradberry also point to the community’s ever increasing property values as another major contributing factor to its financial success.
During the previous year, the overall value of property has increased about 5.25 percent from
DATAWRAPPER
A graph shows Johns Creek’s millage rates since its incorporation in 2006. Tax rates have steadily declined as a result of smart planning and rising property values, city officials said.
$5.9 billion to $6.2 billion, the city said.
In 2017, a 4.36 tax rate generated a little more than $17 million in revenue. In 2024, a levy of 3.646 mills resulted in about $22.6 million.
That trend allows the city to consistently reduce its tax rate while collecting more money.
Additionally, a light tax burden incentivizes residents and businesses to come to the city, creating a feedback loop of ever rising economic success. Good schools, low crime and solid infrastructure further contribute to the city’s attractiveness.
“If we can improve quality of life and be the No. 1 city in the country. If we can be the safest city and maintain smaller government, then that is ideal,” Bradberry said.
PUBLIC NOTICE: Cellco Partnership and its controlled affiliates doing business as Verizon Wireless (Verizon Wireless) is proposing to build a 39foot 5-inch pole Telecommunications Pole located at 11405 Medlock Bridge Road, Johns Creek, Fulton County, Georgia 30097 (34° 03' 34.67" N, 84° 10' 22.46" W). Public comments regarding potential effects from this site on historic properties may be submitted within 30-days from the date of this publication to C. Malec, Terracon, 2105 Newpoint Place, Suite 600, Lawrenceville, GA 30043; 770-623-0755; publicnoticeatlanta@ terracon.com. Reference Terracon Project No. 49257725.
Fiscal Year Revenues Levied from Taxes
PUBLIC NOTICE: Cellco Partnership and its controlled affiliates doing business as Verizon Wireless (Verizon Wireless) is proposing to build a 34foot 5-inch pole Telecommunications Pole located at 3695 Peachtree Parkway, Suwanee, Forsyth County, Georgia 30024 (34° 04' 05.89" N, 84° 10' 04.29" W). Public comments regarding potential effects from this site on historic properties may be submitted within 30-days from the date of this publication to C. Malec, Terracon, 2105 Newpoint Place, Suite 600, Lawrenceville, GA 30043; 770-623-0755; publicnoticeatlanta@ terracon.com. Reference Terracon Project No. 49257726.
PUBLIC NOTICE: Cellco Partnership and its controlled affiliates doing business as Verizon Wireless (Verizon Wireless) is proposing to build a 39-foot 5-inch pole Telecommunications Pole located at 6455 E Johns Crossing, Johns Creek, Fulton County, Georgia 30097 (34° 03' 49.66" N, 84° 10' 07.43" W Public comments regarding potential effects from this site on historic properties may be submitted within 30-days from the date of this publication to C. Malec, Terracon, 2105 Newpoint Place, Suite 600, Lawrenceville, GA 30043; 770-6230755; publicnoticeatlanta@terracon. com. Reference Terracon Project No. 49257724.
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