Milton Herald — September 3, 2020

S e p t e m b e r 3 , 2 0 2 0 | N o r t h F u l t o n . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 1 5 , N o . 3 6

City’s economic hit less than expected

► PAGE 4

Official questions powers of school superintendent

► PAGE 6 JOE PARKER/HERALD

Patrons welcome

Eateries like Restaurant Holmes in downtown Alpharetta had to get creative in order to survive the economic crash and the shutting down of dining rooms during the initial stages of the coronavirus pandemic.

Owner Taylor Neary recounted how his business forged ahead at a recent North Fulton Chamber of Commerce event. Read more, Page 8

Milton Community Theatre set to return in November

► PAGE 9

2 | September 3, 2020 | Milton Herald | NorthFulton.com

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Woman receives threats from potential scammer 770-442-3278 | NorthFulton.com 319 N. Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009 PUBLISHER EMERITUS: Ray Appen PUBLISHER: Hans Appen MANAGING EDITOR: Patrick Fox EDITORIAL QUESTIONS: Alpharetta-Roswell Herald: Alpharetta: ext. 118, Roswell ext. 122 Dunwoody Crier: ext. 143 Forsyth Herald: ext. 118 Johns Creek Herald: ext. 123 Milton Herald: ext. 139 Calendar: ext. 122 TO SUBMIT EDITORIAL: News/Press Releases: NorthFulton.com/Sponsored Calendar/Events: NorthFulton.com/Calendar ADVERTISING QUESTIONS: General Advertising: ext. 100 advertising@appenmediagroup.com Classified Advertising: ext. 119 classifieds@appenmediagroup.com Circulation/Subscriptions/Delivery: ext. 100 circulation@appenmediagroup.com OUR PUBLICATIONS: Alpharetta-Roswell Herald: 28,000 circulation Johns Creek Herald: 20,000 circulation Dunwoody Crier: 18,000 circulation Forsyth Herald: 17,000 circulation Milton Herald: 10,000 circulation Answer Book: 40,000 circulation

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MILTON, Ga. — A Milton woman called police Aug. 17 after she received threats from a scammer posing as a government worker.

The woman told police she received a voicemail earlier that day from a worker with the Social Security Administration.

The voicemail instructed the woman to call back, because her identity had been compromised.

The woman called the number back and spoke with a man,

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

Dumpster catches fire in home’s driveway MILTON, Ga. — Police were called Aug. 19 following the second dumpster fire in two weeks on Owens Lake Road.

A homeowner called police after she woke up at 6:30 a.m. to a smoldering dumpster in her driveway. The woman told police she is having construction done at her house, and the dumpster was a rental filled with trash from the project.

When the woman went to bed the night before, she said she didn’t notice anything wrong with the dumpster.

The Milton Fire Department responded and extinguished the fire, but the woman needed to file a police report for the damage done to the dumpster, which had black scorch marks on it, according to police.

The woman told police she found the fire suspicious, as a neighbor’s dumpster had caught on fire 10 days prior.

The fire department told the woman they did not suspect arson, but police referred the woman to the fire department for further conversation.

Man dies, officed injured following traffic stop ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A man died by an apparent suicide and an officer was injured Aug. 20 during a traffic stop that began on the Ga. 400 exit ramp near Mansell Road.

telling him she knew this was a scam attempt and to leave her alone.

The man allegedly responded by telling the woman he knows where she lives and that he will come kill her.

The woman told the man she was going to call police, and the man allegedly told her to go ahead and call the police. He told the woman he is a “Don” and was already in jail.

The officer initiated the traffic stop due to an alleged window tint violation.

The driver rolled down his driver’s side window approximately five inches in order to fit a window tint meter.

At some point during the stop, the officer gave a lawful command for the driver to exit the vehicle, according to police. The driver allegedly refused the command and stayed in the car.

After the officer continued ordering the man to get out of the car, the man pulled the car away while the officer’s arm was caught in the window. The officer was dragged for about 250 feet before he was able to free himself from the moving vehicle, according to police.

Police found the driver dead in his car in an apparent suicide near the Mansell Road exit ramp. The man reportedly had a gun in hand a finger on the trigger.

The officer sustained a broken arm and lacerations.

scene and spoke with the man, police determined him unable to drive due to possible narcotic usage and asked him to call for a ride home.

While waiting for the man’s ride, an Alpharetta canine officer arrived and completed an open-air sniff. The canine alerted for possible drugs in the car, so officers searched the vehicle.

Police found no drugs, but they found a license plate reported stolen from a construction vehicle. They entered the license plate of the man’s car, too, and discovered the plate was reported stolen on July 29.

Police detained the man but were unable to determine if he knew the plates were stolen, so he was released. The vehicle was impounded, and the plates were taken into evidence.

Stolen plates recovered during welfare check

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Police were called to Main Event Aug. 16 after a woman reported her purse had been taken from her car and the valuables removed.

The woman said she came to Main Event with her family and boyfriend around 6 p.m. that night. She brought her purse into the bowling alley at first, but after about 30 minutes she asked her boyfriend to take her purse back to the car.

When the group went to leave later that night, they found the woman’s purse in the parking lot. The woman told police $600 had been taken from inside her purse. The woman’s boyfriend told police he forgot to lock the vehicle.

The video quality of the security cameras was too poor to determine any information, according to police.

ROSWELL, Ga. — Police detained and released a man Aug. 17 on Holcomb Bridge Road after finding stolen license plates in his vehicle.

Police came to the scene following a report of a man passed out inside a running car in a parking lot. They found the man sleeping upright in the driver’s seat with a chicken nugget sitting on his lap.

Police knocked on the window and woke the man up. The man said he was tired from working all day for a Roswell tree company, and he had to drive home to Ellijay, according to police.

After another officer arrived on the

Cash taken from purse in car at bowling alley

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NorthFulton.com | Milton Herald | September 3, 2020 | 3

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4 | September 3, 2020 | Milton Herald | NorthFulton.com

NEWS

City of Milton appears in good shape to weather economic downturn City set to approve 2021 spending plan later in September

By JOE PARKER joe@appenmediagroup.com MILTON, Ga. — While some neighboring cities have scrambled to create spending plans for 2021 that would help them through the ongoing economic turmoil, Milton is faring better than it feared when the crash began in March.

Milton Finance Director Bernadette Harvill said tax collections were down year-over-year in recent months, but at a lower percentage than the city projected.

“Milton has been fortunate that although we have experienced declines in certain revenues due to COVID-19 and the related economic impact, it has not been as severe as originally anticipated back in June,” Harvill said in a recent City Council work session.

Revenues for the General Fund, which pays for the city’s day-to-day

operations, are proposed to drop 1.1 percent from Milton’s amended 2020 budget with a half-percent increase in expenditures. The remaining fund balance is projected at $8.4 million.

Milton is set to save several hundred thousand dollars in leasing fees with the opening of the new Public Safety Complex later this month.

Some new initiatives are included in the 2021 budget, though there are fewer projects with less expenditures. The spending plan will earmark $200,000 for projects under Milton’s forthcoming strategic plan that begins next year. Dollars have also been set aside for staffing Fire Station 44, the city’s new station in the Public Safety Complex, while a remodel of station 42 takes place. The city is also proposing creation of a soil and erosion control manager position. Milton currently outsources the service and would save over $55,000 annually.

Staffing was a point of a discussion at a work session last month when the budget was first brought before the City Council.

Under the proposal, all city workers would receive a 3 percent pay increase,

which raised the eyebrows of councilman Joe Longoria. He questioned whether the city should increase employee wages while the economy is ravaged and so many are out of work or struggling to make ends meet.

City Manager Steve Krokoff said the increase is because Milton cannot compete with the pay grade offered by neighboring cities. Krokoff said he recently lost one of his best employees to Alpharetta, which offered the staff member a $20,000 annual pay increase for a lateral movement.

“We barely keep up with our peers at [a] 3 percent [increase],” Krokoff said.

Longoria said the city could consider a merit-based pay increase system.

Much of the 2021 budget will be funded by property taxes, and Milton residents should expect to pay around the same amount to the city as this year, barring a significant increase to their home’s assessed value.

Officials approved retaining the city’s 4.731 Maintenance & Operation millage rate last month, with a one-half percent decrease to the Greenspace Bond Millage rate to 0.538 mills.

To help fund their budgets, governments set a millage rates — or tax rate — on property. One mill brings in $1 in taxes for every $1,000 of a property’s taxable value. In Georgia, a property’s taxable value equals 40 percent of its appraised — or real — value. A home with a real value of $400,000, the median home price in Milton, would have a taxable value of $160,000.

At a total of 5.269 mills, a Milton homeowner with a $15,000 homestead exemption would pay $764 to the city in taxes for a home with a real value of $400,000.

That figure does not include the tax levy for Fulton County Schools or Fulton County. The school district retained its rate from last year while the county made a modest decrease to its tax levy.

Milton’s Maintenance & Operation millage rate has been maintained at 4.731 every year of the city’s existence aside from 2018. Officials opted to lower the rate that year in response to what many considered inflated 2017 property assessments.

Milton is set to adopt its 2021 budget later this month. The city’s 2021 fiscal year begins Oct. 1.

Georgia staffs polls ahead of Nov. 3 general election

By BEAU EVANS Capitol Beat News Service Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has outlined steps election officials are taking to curb long lines and issues with mail-in voting requests ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.

Around 6,000 poll workers have been recruited with help from the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the American Civil Liberties Union to boost staff numbers at polling places after many poll workers abstained from the June 9 primary due to health risks from COVID-19, Raffensperger said.

To head off technical issues and equipment gaps, Raffensperger’s office has sent spreadsheets to county election officials so they can track inventory and training needs to smooth over any future hiccups quicker than before.

County election officials have also started tapping grant funds to install drop boxes for voters to deposit absentee ballots rather than vote in-person on Election Day, Raffensperger said. So far, 175 drop boxes have been installed in the state.

Raffensperger’s office is set to launch an online absentee ballot request portal in the coming days to ease the burden local election officials had ahead of the June 9 primary to process a wave of mail-in ballot requests.

Overall, Raffensperger said local officials and poll workers should be better equipped to handle potential technical issues that may crop up on Election Day based on lessons learned from the coronavirus-impacted primary.

“While no election is ever perfect, it is likely November will have its issues,” Raffensperger said. “We have dedicated time, effort and significant resources to make November a success.”

Raffensperger’s comments came Aug. 24 during a virtual roundtable with most Republican members of Georgia’s congressional delegation and U.S. Rep.

Rodney Davis, R-Ill., ranking member on the U.S. House Committee on House Administration.

The roundtable also featured input from some election officials in Fulton County, where voters faced among the longest lines and technical issues in the state during the primary.

Mark Wingate, a Republican member of the Fulton County Board of Registration and Elections, said the county will be back up to its full roster of 210 polling places on Election Day after several sites closed for the primary due to worker shortages and COVID-19 safety

concerns.

He also said county officials received a flood of poll-worker applications after the primary, enabling them to now tap a reliable supply of workers to be fully staffed on Nov. 3.

“I can assure you that through the staff and the board and all the help from the county in particular, we’re ramped up and we’re moving this as well and as humanly possible as we can,” Wingate said.

In Augusta, poll workers are set to receive an extra $40 per day in hazard pay to support increased responsibilities for workers to keep voting equipment clean and make sure people are spaced out in line to curb the chances for coronavirus transmissions.

“The last thing we want are overcrowded conditions in our polling places,” said Lynn Bailey, executive director of the Richmond County Board of Elections.

The Aug. 24 roundtable also drew concerns from several congressmen over mail-in voting and the chances for voter fraud, echoing Republican criticism of widespread vote-by-mail efforts amid the pandemic that President Donald Trump has repeatedly highlighted.

Raffensperger, a Republican, stressed Georgia law requires voters to request

See ELECTION, Page 24

NorthFulton.com | Milton Herald | September 3, 2020 | 5

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6 | September 3, 2020 | Milton Herald | NorthFulton.com

SCHOOLS

Board member questions ‘sole authority’ waiver for superintendent Emergency powers have been in place for over four months

By CANDY WAYLOCK candy@appenmediagroup.com NORTH FULTON—As education under emergency conditions begins to stabilize, Fulton Schools officials expect a return to business as usual for policy decisions in September.

The return to regular policy-making protocols may have arisen when a board member recently questioned the need to extend an emergency waiver allowing the superintendent greater latitude in policy decisions.

Last April when it became apparent the school year was about to be upended by the COVID-19 pandemic, School Superintendent Mike Looney took decisive action to ensure quick response. He requested, and received, unprecedented powers from the Fulton County Board of Education to waive “policies and procedures and operating guidelines” to quickly make decisions for the district. The initial approval was set to end June 1.

Standard protocol for changes to district policies requires a one-month review period by board members, community and often staff members before action is taken.

In April, instruction had moved to remote learning, and the school board was meeting via online sessions. Looney said the waiver would also bypass the need to call the board together for every decision, along with the required 24-hour notice of meetings.

“These are varying and uncertain times [with] information constantly changing,” Looney told the board in April.

“It is not practical or feasible to make public notice to go through the policies.”

Although Looney said he expected the waiver giving him sole authority for policy decisions would not extend beyond June 1, the Fulton School Board has renewed the waiver three times.

During the Aug. 20 meeting, board member Katie Reeves questioned the need for continuing the waiver.

“One of the reasons we have the public process of going through the policies is because it’s very helpful for

See SCHOOLS, Page 24

NorthFulton.com | Milton Herald | September 3, 2020 | 7

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What’s necessary in a pandemic is being decisive and acting quickly.

AMANDA WILBANKS, Southern Baked Pie Company owner

8 | Milton Herald | September 3, 2020

Food service owners relate challenges, advice during pandemic Local restaurateurs recount strategies to keep doors open

By MARK WOOLSEY newsroom@northfulton.com NORTH FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — When COVID-19 slammed into North Fulton in mid-March, local restaurant and food business owners stared into the face of a serious survival threat. Shuttered dining rooms, disappearing cash flow, clamoring creditors and suppliers, cutting loose employees, disease safety issues Ryan Pernice saw all that, plus a way to give back to the community.

Pernice was one of three area restauranteurs/food producers who detailed struggles and survival techniques at the Aug. 25 Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce’s virtual Wellstar Chamber Luncheon Series focusing on small business resilience and opportunity.

The business owners related their pivots through a rapidly changing landscape, making creative use of social media (Facebook Lives focusing on safety measures and specials for example), redesigning menus and marketing campaigns and debuting new products and business approaches. All that, while working to keep both customers and employees safe. The oft-repeated message was: Be adept at making quick changes, take risks and collaborate.

Supplying a need The 25-year North Fulton resident and co-owner of downtown Roswell’s Table and Main and two other restaurants shut down two of his operations and promptly turned one into a soup kitchen. Table and Main morphed into Table and Aid. “I love a good pun” is how Pernice put it.

Aided by revenue from his remaining

for-profit operation, Osteria Mattone, plus donations from food suppliers and the public, Pernice said some from his remaining 40 employees (down from 120) staffed the soup kitchen operation. The kitchen provided meals to about 150 people a day, nearly 10,000 in all during its run.

“We knew there was a need for the newly food-insecure, and that food insecurity looked a lot different in March, April and May than it traditionally had,” Pernice said.

Now welcoming diners back, he said, “We’ve had people in our dining room saying they’re supporting us because we supported the community.”

Pernice said as they operated their soup kitchen venue, thousands of dollars in donations came in from some 350 donors.

Southern Baked Pie Company owner Amanda Wilbanks said she was able to avoid laying off any of her 40 employees, but changes were inevitable.

She said their four retail bakeries ended walk-ins. The focus also shifted from sweet creations toward so-called savory pies, chicken pot pie for example.

“And we transitioned our marketing to focus mainly on the utility, ease and healthiness of our product, as a onestop shop for dinner,” she said.

She partnered with a friend who owns a biscuit business to provide biscuit and pie bundles for breakfast. Taking a nimble approach to technology and its marriage to marketing also helped, she said. They began using a software program enabling them to target email customers by age, demographic and location, with the capability to text mes-

sage their touts as well.

Dipping a toe into internet advertising also paid off, she said, with a 100-dollar ad yielding thousands of dollars in revenue.

Adding ease and convenience Restaurant Holmes owner Taylor Neary in Alpharetta pumped up the volume on ease and convenience as well by redesigning a facet of his operation. In addition to shifting to online ordering and directing customers to a pickup service window, he said he set up a “Holmes Bodega” in the bar area — a convenience store of sorts, selling items like canned beer, wine, merchandise and stickers.

Newly designed cocktail and meal kits also steadily headed out the door he said.

“At that point I was pretty much ready to sell chairs, tables, anything people wanted to buy to help us out,” Neary said.

The three also encountered challenges with food quality and delivery. Wilbanks said they brought in a customer support team to troubleshoot a problem with their nationwide shipping. From 100 to 150 pies weren’t making it to customers each time.

Neary said they struggled with how to determine which foods are best served on-scene and whether fresh would hold up “when carried around in a car for 45 minutes and then reheated.” He said they had to decide on which menu items would travel well and still present perceived value.

Some of the same considerations led to menu alternations at Pernice’s operation, such as a taco night at Italianthemed Osteria and working up picnic baskets for outdoor diners.

Restaurant Holmes’ Neary said that further shifts in methodology have been

necessary with takeout business, which has fallen off now that dining rooms are reopening. This, he said, has sparked a renewed emphasis on safety for employees and guests.

All three food purveyors stressed that community support had been crucial in keeping afloat.

“People kept asking what they could do to help,” Neary said. “I finally told them to give me money and I would put it in the bank.”

He said a number of people did just that. Others, he said, tacked 50 percent tips onto their bills.

“That has never happened before I can tell you in the restaurant business,” Neary said. Still, he said, he had to furlough 13 of his 20 employees.

Challenges remain ahead Challenges and restriction remain.

RO Hospitality’s Pernice said they have returned to both indoor and outdoor dining, albeit with reduced capacity due to social distancing. At Holmes, the outdoor dining area is on ongoing concern, while indoor dining remains off-limits due to staffing limitations.

What are lessons learned with a view to going forward?

Wilbanks said one of the toughest things about the last few months has been letting go of a tendency toward being type A and focusing too closely on small details.

“The process doesn’t have to be perfect,” she said. “You just have to make a decision and go for it and then work out the kinks along the way.”

Pernice said bluntly that “my generation has a tendency to focus on being right. Forget about being right. What’s necessary in a pandemic is being decisive and acting quickly.”

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NorthFulton.com | Milton Herald | September 3, 2020 | 9

State of Georgia launches online absentee ballot request system

Grant will fund virtual Milton Community Theatre production

By DAVE WILLIAMS Bureau Chief, Capitol Beat News Service

By JOE PARKER joe@appenmediagroup.com

ATLANTA — Georgians can request an absentee ballot for the November election by going online to a website Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger’s office launched Friday.

Located at ballotrequest.sos.ga.gov, the website allows users to request that an absentee ballot be mailed to them, which they can then return by mail or place in one of the drop-off boxes that were installed across the state ahead of the June primaries.

With the coronavirus pandemic raging, Georgians voted by mail in record numbers in June and are expected to do so again in November. Many of those who waited to vote in person in June were forced to wait in long, socially distanced lines that in some cases took hours.

Raffensperger’s office sent request forms for absentee ballots to every registered voter in Georgia ahead of the primaries. But he decided not to do that ahead of the November election after fellow Republicans, including House Speaker David Ralston, com-

plained the practice could encourage fraud.

The secretary of state responded by developing the website to make it easy for Georgians who want to vote through the mail to request an absentee ballot.

The agency also expects to realize huge savings by using the website rather than paying the postage to mail absentee ballot request forms to about 7 million registered voters.

When a voter clicks on the website, he or she is prompted to supply personal data including name, date of birth and home county. The data then goes to the appropriate county elections office, which sends out the absentee ballot.

The new system has been put through several weeks of testing by cybersecurity experts working with the Secretary of State’s Office.

Voters who wish to cast absentee ballots are being asked not to procrastinate. The U.S. Postal Service is asking voters to allow 15 days for delivery each way.

The voter registration deadline is Oct. 5. Voters can check their registration status online at mvp.sos.ga.gov.

MILTON, Ga. — The Milton Arts Council was eagerly awaiting the debut of its second Milton Community Theatre production earlier this year, but the coronavirus threw a wrench in those plans and the put a full stop on the troupe’s summer show.

However, the group can now look forward to a new production, though as with so many aspects of COVID-19 life, things will look different. Instead of a performance in front of an audience, the theatre group’s production of “Ruby and the Bookmarks” will be a taped performance that can be viewed on Fulton County’s website.

The production has been made possible by a grant from the Fulton County Arts & Culture Department and its Virtual Arts Initiative program.

The grant project, approved by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners earlier this summer, earmarked around $1.5 million for the county’s arts department to create the program and distribute funds to various artists and groups impacted by COVID-19.

“This is a unique opportunity for our Milton Community Theatre to participate in this new concept of virtual theater performance,” Bill Purdie, president of the Milton Arts Council said. “We applaud the Fulton County commissioners for their foresight and timely response to the need for an alternative delivery of the arts to the public.”

Virtual auditions are underway for “Ruby and the Bookmarks,” which has a cast of four male and four female actors.

The show, written by Purdie, is described as a “romantic jukebox comedy.”

It tells the story of James and Ruby, who meet, fall in love, get married, have a family and grow old together. They are assisted in telling their story by the music they love on the radio through the years, as personified by the Bookmarks, an ensemble of 6 musicians.

The production will be taped in November and available on the county website and Fulton Government TV, FGTV. Extra content will also be available to view, including a behind-the-scenes look into the production and interviews with the cast and crew.

For those looking to audition, visit broadwayboundproductionsinc.com/ auditions.html.

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OPINION

NorthFulton.com | Milton Herald | September 3, 2020 | 11

If safety matters so much, show some consistency Alpharetta’s City Council has recently shown a propensity to protect its citizens from themselves.

In May, it passed a ban on vape shops, citing dangers to children in schools.

HANS APPEN A month later, it Publisher passed an ordinance hans@appenmediagroup.com banning the use of skateboards in its downtown district after expressing concern about safety in parking decks.

It even passed a ban on e-scooters to limit clutter on sidewalks and injury to pedestrians.

The council clearly believes it has the right — nay, the responsibility — to create a safe environment for its citizens.

Mayor Gilvin even tweeted that “safety should be the number one priority for any city government. If the people and businesses in a city aren’t safe, then nothing else a local government does will matter.”

Then Monday rolled around, and the council met to consider a citywide mask mandate in the fight against Covid-19.

When it came time to cast his vote, Mayor Gilvin voted “no” and the mandate failed 4-3.

If you’re confused, then that makes two of us.

The Fulton County Health Department reports that nearly 1,000 people in Alpharetta have been infected. Our nursing homes are still closed to the public.

Our kids are still not allowed in schools.

We were even barred from swimming in the Wills Park pool for a time after a staffer there tested positive.

Mayor Gilvin made clear how seriously he takes his responsibility to keep us safe when he said that nothing else matters.

The distinction though, is that his tweet about safety was not about masks, but about riots and looting in the wake of the George Floyd protests that, in his view, was the result of failed local leadership.

To the best of my knowledge, Alpharetta has seen exactly zero cases of looting and rioting, though we certainly prepared for it.

In May an anonymous Twitter robot posted a declaration that mobs were going to “take the looting to the suburbs.” Police cars blocked the ramps into Alpharetta from Ga. 400. Families barricaded their doors and loaded pistols.

Hell, we called in the damn National Guard to protect our crown jewel, the mixed-use Avalon development.

But in the end, no mob came.

There never was one.

But still, safety is important.

So, it doesn’t make sense that when confronted with the opportunity to protect us from a threat that is very real, and in all our lives every day, everywhere we go, the mayor shrugged his shoulders. Like Governor Kemp, he passed the buck.

I am disappointed, to say the least. I want to feel safe again in my city. We all want to.

“Nothing else matters.”

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COMMUNITY

12 | September 3, 2020 | Milton Herald | NorthFulton.com

Exclusively built by Capstone Building Group, Bethany Preserve is a gated community of seven homes, cradled within 23+/- wooded acres of hardwoods and specimen trees. Only three lot opportunities remain, ranging from 1.6+/- to 9+/- acres.

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Rachael Ewald (left), founder and director of Roswell-based Foster Care Support Foundation, accepts a check for $14,857 from Marquise Cox, director of North Point Community Church’s InsideOut high school ministry.

Teen church group raises thousands for local foster care organization

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NORTH FULTON, Ga. — Marquis Cox, director of North Point Community Church’s InsideOut teen program, recently challenged his youth congregation to raise much-needed funds for Roswellbased Foster Care Support Foundation.

They not only heeded the call, but far exceeded expectations.

The coronavirus has strained Foster Care Support Foundation, which spurred Cox’s call to action. The nonprofit provides clothing and necessities to children in foster and relative care, serves children in foster homes with basic care and has other initiatives to support foster children and their providers. The organization also operates a 20,000-square foot distribution center along Mansell Place for needed supplies and runs the Fostering Hope Charity Resale Shop on Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell.

But with social distancing, the group cannot operate with as many volunteers, which are necessary to run the nonprofit. Donations the group has come to expect have also dried up with some of those dollars being diverted to other causes related to the pandemic.

So, the funds raised by North Point’s teens were needed more than ever.

“We saw a problem in our community and challenged our high school students to raise and give $10 each to help solve it,” Cox said.

Students found various ways to raise money, from cutting lawns to cutting hair. Over 500 students contributed and nearly tripled the original request of raising $10 each. In total, the teens

raised just under $15,000.

Amanda Roper of North Point Community Church said the church’s teen group answering the call to action shows age does not limit people from making an impact with their neighbors.

“Being young doesn’t mean they can’t make a difference in their lives and the lives of those in their community,” she said. “That should be empowering to them, that they have that ability to bring about positive change. Teenagers can be selfless, and I think this shows they are capable of looking past themselves to see what are the needs of the community and where they can help.”

The church’s recent philanthropy is not limited to its teens. North Point recently held its fifth Back to School Drive which raised over $73,000 for supplies for students at local schools.

“Even though we are technically closed as not meeting our normal way or the way we used to, we really want to, as a church, be focused on the community,” Roper said.

The event was held online with the church asking for monetary donations to support one elementary or middle school student. The drive benefitted students from Amana Academy, Brandywine Elementary School, Mimosa Elementary, Elkins Pointe Middle School, Campbell Middle and Woodson Academy.

“Some of those funds went to school supply kits which we dropped off at the various schools, and some of it was given to charities to buy their own school supplies,” Roper said. “We had guessed and bought some supplies, but people were so much more generous and gave so much more than expected.”

Sponsored Section

September 3, 2020 | Milton Herald | 13

Thriving amidst times of uncertainty Brought to you by — Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties Though this year has presented numerous challenges that have affected the global, national, and local economy, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties continues to overcome obstacles to not only survive but thrive amidst times of uncertainty. During July, the company experienced a historic, record-breaking month with over $500 million in sales beating out their previous record of $420 million in May of 2019.

“Our entire team came together and committed to not let the pandemic define this year’s success,” said Dan Forsman,

President and CEO Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties.

“Instead, we all rose above adversity and achieved an amazing accomplishment of over $500 million in sales in just one month. We stepped up to the challenge and beat our company record for the best month ever in our organization’s history. I am so fortunate to be surrounded by the best sales and marketing talent in the industry.”

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties quickly pivoted their business strategies at the start of the year to accommodate buyers and sellers in a virtual climate. The spread of COVID-19 has forced companies to reevaluate tradi-

tional business methods to maintain the highest level of quality and success. As a service to their agents and clients, the real estate brokerage has leaned into its alliance partners to continue to operate safely and efficiently. This level of success shows that the stability of a brand like Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices can withstand any obstacle or difficulty.

“Record months were also achieved by our commercial division, mortgage, title, and insurance alliance partners,” said Forsman. “Fueled by historic lowinterest rates and our buy, sell, invest or refinance campaigns, consumers were prompted to take advantage of these incredible opportunities in the market-

place. We are grateful to our community for their support as we continue to conduct our essential services in a safe and superlative manner.”

As the company is finishing up its sales for August, they are on track to have another record-breaking month representing more buyers in the North Fulton area than any other brokerage.

“I am so thankful for our company’s leadership and the dedication of our agents,” said Mary Wargula, SVP and Managing Broker of the North Fulton/ Alpharetta Office. “Our company has pivoted from normal business plans, and this resulted in an incredible accomplishment for our entire company.”

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REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section

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REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section

NorthFulton.com | Milton Herald | September 3, 2020 | 15

REAL ESTATE REDEFINED FEATURED LISTINGS

2285 MOUNTAIN ROAD

MILTON, GA 30004 | $3,950,000 Todd Kroupa | 770.910.4860

13985 HAYSTACK LANE

MILTON, GA 30004 | $1,525,000 Stephanie Holland | 404.510.4001

1715 BRANDON HALL DRIVE

SANDY SPRINGS, GA 30350 | $975,000 Cathy Adams | 678.488.7568

5096 STEPHENS ROAD

GAINESVILLE, GA 30504 | $2,195,000 Judi Renfroe | 404.550.5644

3077 WATSONS BEND

MILTON, GA 30004 | $1,499,000 The Butler Swayne Team | 770.241.9165

956 MCDONALD ROAD

DAHLONEGA, GA 30533 | $750,000 Sharp Group Atlanta | 770.733.7305

3104 WATSONS BEND

MILTON, GA 30004 | $1,875,000 Susan Feddersen | 773.710.4709

3810 SCHOONER RIDGE

ALPHARETTA, GA 30005 | $1,175,500 Amy Lynn | 678.488.1540

NEW CONSTRUCTION

MILTON RUN, MILTON, GA | $800’s - $1M+

BHHSGANEWHOMES.com | 678.578.6821

NORTH FULTON OFFICE | 33 South Main Street, Suite 201, Alpharetta, GA 30009 | 770.475.0505

16 | September 3, 2020 | Milton Herald | NorthFulton.com

Who you work with matters Brought to you by — Bonneau Ansley Founder & CEO Ansley Atlanta Real Estate In 2004, my wife and I were living in Savannah, expecting our first child. I was building and selling homes and we ANSLEY were really happy. Then it all changed in an instant. Lightning hit our house while we were out to dinner and our home burned to the ground.

Only the front steps were left. Sometimes in life it is the curves that shape your life… I love to grow in the curves.

We moved back to our hometown of Atlanta and I began developing townhomes and then started as a Realtor in 2009 at a big real estate brokerage, determined to dig in and change the game. I was the number one agent my first year and all the years to follow. My business doubled year after year. I had

REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section

a real mindset and determination for succeeding. In 2015, I left that broker and opened my own firm, Ansley Atlanta Real Estate, to create a company that I envisioned was needed in Atlanta. This company would turn the traditional model of selling homes on its head. My clients, and you, are looking for somebody you trust, to think creatively, and to be a good communicator and collaborator. Somebody that’s a doer, with real grit. Why should real estate be the stereotypical templated one-size-fits-all type of thing? At Ansley, our clients have access to the best marketing, international and luxury networks, agents who are working with qualified buyers, and agents who have been coached and educated to best serve you. Our clients benefit from the approach we take every day. We are here to work for you. We aren’t a big box brand but a local group that has worked from the ground up to serve you.

We will be celebrating five years of busines in December with seven offices in Georgia, including Sea Island/St. Simons and Blue Ridge. Multiple awards from Inc. 5000, the Atlanta Business Chronicle Pacesetters, UGA Bulldog 100, many “best of” local awards, Wall Street Journal’s Real Trends, along with creative awards for social media and website have all been the result of sleeves rolled up, and head down work. The Atlanta market is growing and is competitive. The old business models don’t work

2019 because you need to be able to pivot and respond to changing conditions.

Working with Ansley also benefits Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. In our second year of business, we signed a partnership with CHOA to give a portion of each sale. Our agents give as well and to date over $225,000 has been given benefitting Canines for Kids (the hospital dogs we love!), the Marcus Autism Center, Palliative Care, the Feeding and Allergy Program, and more. This meaningful relationship and opportunity are powerful for us and for Atlanta communities. We are super grateful to be able to work with Children’s and thank you for helping us do so.

When it’s time for you to buy or sell your home, I hope you will contact

Ansley. In the North Atlanta market, we have grown 32% overall from last year and over 72% in home sales over one million. We have set some records in the North Atlanta market! Our office here is led by industry veteran Cynthia Lippert and a team of really talented agents.

As you get to know us, my hope is that you will see we are much more than sales. We are community members and contributors. Our agents live here and know your neighborhoods well. Who you work with matters. We’d like to show you the Ansley advantages and how we work for you.

Find us at ansleyatlanta.com or visit our North Atlanta office in downtown Alpharetta or our newest addition in The Avenues of East Cobb.

A tale of two economies Brought to you by — Natalie VanHook Keller Williams North Atlanta

Buying, selling or investing— I’m here to provide the best service and care!

Natalie Vanhook 770.609.4842 natalie.vanhook@kw.com

It is a difficult time to project the future state of the economy. Currently, economists are talking about the probability of a double dip recession. However, the markets seem to be telling a different story with major indices at or near all-time highs. Consumption rebounded slightly due to stimulus checks. I have always said consumption alone can’t sustain economic growth, but it can cause a recession.

The housing market is much like the broader economy currently. Existing home sales volume is at historic highs, and the available inventory is at a current low point according to economic data from the St. Louis Federal Reserve. Mortgage rates remain at all-time lows. This reflects what we are seeing locally, with the days on market down for houses priced appropriately.

However, like the economy, the housing market is in a precarious position.

One troubling indicator is the median sales price has declined from the previous quarter. Politics has also taken a toll on hopes for a second stimulus. The

number of people deferring mortgage payments and entering into forbearance increases with each passing day. Eventually government protections will end, resulting in short sales and foreclosures.

This will drive housing prices down further and increase inventory.

The good news is, the housing market is undeniably hot right now. If you are thinking of selling, now is the time. However, the window is closing and there is a great deal of uncertainty ahead, so call me for a market analysis.

770-609-4842 or visit my website natalie.vanhook@kw.com.

REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section

NorthFulton.com | Milton Herald | September 3, 2020 | 17

WHO YOU WORK WITH MATTERS QUA LI T Y, T R UST, P RO F E S S I O N A L E XP E RT I S E

189 ACADEMY STREET, listed for $3,500,000 HIGHEST SOLD PRICE OVER LAST 6 MONTHS

203 N. ESPLANADE, listed for $2,350,000 HIGHEST SALE IN AVALON OVER LAST 6 MONTHS

in Alpharetta, Roswell, Milton, Johns Creek Listed by Andrea Cueny

Multiple offers negotiated Listed by Andrea Cueny

GET TO KNOW ANSLEY. Ansley Represents Luxury Clients in North Atlanta 72% increase in sales over $1M Highest average list price in North Atlanta, $1.69M Our agents average at least $3.1M $3.1M each, more than any competitor 3 1 C H U RC H ST R E ET | D OW N TOW N A L P H A R ET TA | 7 70. 2 8 4 .9 9 00 | A N S LEYA TLA N TA .COM All information believed accurate but not guaranteed. If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation.

Source: Brokermetrics Broker report. YTD 2020 vs 2019 all sales over $1M in areas 13, 14. Equal Housing Opportunity | Christopher Burell, Principal Broker and Chief Motivation Officer

18 | September 3, 2020 | Milton Herald | NorthFulton.com

REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section

5 DIY projects to help add value to your home Brought to you by – BILL RAWLINGS Senior Vice President & Managing Broker, North Atlanta Office Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty

tially add value to your home and allow you to fully enjoy your living space. Read on to discover simple projects you will be glad you finished!

As we begin to adjust to a new season, RAWLINGS many individuals are looking for easy ways to add value to their homes. Whether you are considering selling now or in the future, investing in these five DIY projects can poten-

1. Upgrade Lighting Lighting plays a vital role in the atmosphere of your home. Perhaps you have older fixtures that need an upgrade, or maybe you’d like to control the brightness of your rooms by adding dimmer switches. If you want to be tech-savvy, smart lights controlled by an app will not only save you on your energy bill, but they will also help your home sell faster!

For those looking forward

MILTON 760 Champions Close Offered for $900,000 Bonnie Smith 404.713.7713

MILTON 14530 Thompson Road Offered for $3,250,000 Stephanie Powell 770.560.6406

MILTON 515 Lost River Bend Offered for $5,450,000 Michele Gallagher 678.910.4310

MILTON 2795 Webb Road Offered for $599,000 Kimberly Counter 678.938.5885

MILTON 590 Hopewell Downs Drive Offered for $600,000 Abbe Laboda 678.491.1015

WILMINGTON, N.C. 1110 Pembroke Jones Drive Offered for $3,495,000 Landmark Sotheby’s International Realty

AtlantaFineHomes.com | 770.442.7300 Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. All rights reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty® and the Sotheby’s International Realty Logo are service marks licensed to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC and used with permission. Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each franchise is independently owned and operated.

2. Replace Faucets COVID-era buyers are increasingly looking for smart features to control germs. By adding a touchless faucet to bathrooms and kitchens, the style of the rooms will be enhanced, and you will appeal to this type of buyer. We recommend hiring a pro to install your faucets to prevent any flooding or water damage.

3. Be Smart About Your Landscaping In the age of social distancing, more people are considering moving due to a lack of outdoor space. Because of this change in behavior, it is crucial to create beautiful, functional outdoor areas by cleaning up your landscape, planting flowers or shrubs and adding new soil, mulch or bark dust.

4. Install a Fire Pit After sprucing up your fundamental landscaping, the next task is to create the ultimate outdoor oasis. One of the most sought-after outdoor features is a fire pit. Whether you build one yourself or go the professional route, installing a backyard fire pit can serve as a gather-

ing place and home value booster.

5. Add Some Fresh Paint One of the most important aspects of selling your home is curb appeal, which can be dramatically improved by a glossy, fresh coat of paint! By painting your door and/or exterior, you send a signal to buyers that your property is well-maintained.

Also, adding a fresh coat of paint to your home is one of the most recommended tips given by REALTORS®.

Investing in your most valuable asset, your home, does not need to be complicated or expensive. These five DIY projects are practical and cost-effective; plus, you will be able to enjoy your living space as you spend more time at home. If you need assistance with your residential projects or have any real estate needs, please contact Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty at 770.442.7300. We would be happy to help!

Compiled and edited by Holly Haynes, Marketing Coordinator

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REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section

The Empty Nester’s guide to home improvement Brought to you by — Remodeling Expo Center The kids have graduated college, the weddings are paid for, and it’s time for you to enjoy your golden years. Unfortunately, you may have also realized that “downsizing” has become more expensive than keeping your existing house! ”Not simply accounting for the transactional costs of moving, but the terrible reality of the present housing market, is that newer small homes cost more than your larger home” says John Hogan president of Remodeling Expo Center.

John continued, “an increasingly large number of our customers are empty nesters, and they’re all adapting their 1980’s or 1990’s-built home to become more current and appropriate for their later years. The present interest rate environment is fueling the rapid growth in remodeling in the form of the cash-out refi”.

These are the most common empty nester remodeling projects in North Atlanta.

Kitchen Upgrade. Adapting the kitchen for more occasions, and more people, kids plus grandchildren. Frequently improving circulation by incorporating an island with an eating area for grandchildren is a common goal.

Improving accessibility of cabinets with roll-out drawers and improving storage are almost always included.

Flooring and Stairs. A highly desirable upgrade is the front entry to the home because it’s the first this you see when entering the house. Removing aged carpet runners on stairs, replacing white pickets with black metal on stairs, and re-staining hardwood floors from the 1980’s honey color to one which is darker, are all common changes made by empty nesters.

Master Bathroom. Empty nesters are very focused on, not only improving the “feel” of their bathroom, but also safety aspects. “Fortunately, there are a wide range of products that incorporated safe, non-slip surfaces that also look fabulous” says Brittany Lingerfelt, head designer at Remodeling Expo Center.

Grab bars, frameless glass, level entry showers, and therapeutic tubs are all common requests.

Value Preservation. Empty nesters are increasing young at heart, and just because the kids are out of the house, doesn’t mean they’re not focusing on value and return on investment. “This is where we can offer significant consultation”, says John Hogan, “We understand our customers and they rely on us for honest advice.

For more information of how to improve the value of your home, contact The Remodeling Expo Center at 404 910-3969 or stop in at 48 King Street, Roswell, GA 30075. www.RemodelingExpo.com.

NorthFulton.com | Milton Herald | September 3, 2020 | 19

20 | September 3, 2020 | Milton Herald | NorthFulton.com

REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section

Helping your loved one maintain a meaningful lifestyle Brought to you by – The Memory Center Atlanta The Memory Center Atlanta is the most unique and comprehensive community for those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Devoted specifically to memory care, our expertly designed program meets the challenging conditions of an aging brain with a caring, interactive community. We understand a diagnosis of dementia doesn’t mean you or your loved one stops living, rather it means finding new ways to live by providing assistance to maintain an active and meaningful lifestyle.

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OPINION

NorthFulton.com | Milton Herald | September 3, 2020 | 21

Voyeurs all around us I always look for the library when I am in someone’s house. If they don’t have a library, I look for magazines. To me, what someone reads is the key to knowing RAY APPEN them. And what Publisher Emeritus they don’t read is ray@appenmediagroup.com also part of that key. I am reminded of one of the taglines of a national advertising campaign — “Wearing a mask says so much about you. Not wearing one tells even more.”

Peeking into what someone reads is almost like dropping into their soul to see all the gears, cogs, pulleys and engines that drive the person. Dropping down into their soul also fulfills a universal drive of sorts — that of a voyeur.

Our voyeur instincts are more active than you might think. Most people are nosey. Given the opportunity, most will look at other people’s stuff, what they read, how much they make, where they shop and dine out, who they hang out with, what car they drive, how much their home costs. You know what I am talking about.

This voyeur instinct is the basis for a lot of media/programming as well. Think People Magazine, Entertainment Tonight (“E”), and all those reality and talent shows. Think about why we watch the Oscars.

What is it that you find yourself looking for when the opportunity presents itself?

When I mentioned using books and magazines to get a read on someone, I know some of you were thinking that many people now go online to read.

That is a good point. So, that idea led me to add another voyeur-path — perusing someone’s bookmarks on their computer.

Here is a list of the last few websites bookmarked on my laptop. You can peek into my soul a little if you wish. (I don’t know why anyone would want to, but, have at it!)

1. BuggyBusters.com — This is a “deals” website that my son Carl used recently. He bought flooring for $.50 a foot instead of the $3-5 per foot that I would have paid. It’s a fairly local company too. How he found this site I have no idea.

2. BedlamFarm.com — I have no idea how I found this site, but I want to guess it was my wife Christina who reads far more than I do. The blog is written by a veteran former journalist named Jon Katz. He is prolific, often posting a number of pieces a day. His

blog can be as funny as Dave Barry and as insightful as Maya Angelou. He writes about everything, from donkeys to farms to politics to falling in love.

He also occasionally writes about the president, sharing almost Yoda-esque insights about him.

3. Wordnick.com — I discovered the site because it popped up on my phone the day after I Googled the word “Indict” except, I was spelling it wrong. What popped up on my phone was a link to Wordnick.com and a dictionary definition of the word and the following: “Video: Why is There a “C” in “Indict… and who put it there anyway?” Above that popup, was “How to Remember the Spelling of “Definitely.” How could I not love this website for amateur lexicographers!

And by the way, for true lovers of words, Merriam-Webster.com is a must as well.

4. Crunchbase.com — So I have no idea what this is but I wrote it down. The home page says “’Discover innovative companies and the people behind them.” This must be a sort of People Magazine that only focusses on entrepreneurs. Cool, (and very voyeuristic)!

5. Tinamion.com — This one is close to my heart, and there is a story behind it. The short version is that Tina is a wonderful artist — think Andy Warhol but better — that Christina and I discovered when we camped out in our RV in the middle of a desert. We were in a state park named Homolovi, a sacred 4,000-acre ancient Hopi burial ground about 5 miles from Winslow, Arizona. This land at Homolovi is magic. Go to azstateparks.com. Watch the YouTube on the site.

For my other popular bookmarks, go to the longer version of this column on NorthFulton.com and click on “Opinion” in the main tool bar.

Also, send me your favorite bookmarks, and why, to RayAppen@gmail. com. In the subject line write “bookmarks.” Include your name and the city you live in. If enough of you send in, I’ll do a column of just yours!

Quote of the day: “I don’t think it is a sin to be a little strong on cash when you are as big a company as we are.” Warren Buffet whose company Berkshire Hathaway, at the time had like $138 billion in cash parked on the side (as in not in the stock market). What does that tell you?

Topic for the next column: I am not sure but possibly writing about the future of the future, cul-du-sacs, labels, or possibly “words.” I have a long list of column ideas - scraps of columns everywhere!

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22 | September 3, 2020 | Milton Herald | NorthFulton.com

The influence of teachers

More often than not, my tears are caused by laughs but that is not the case today.

Our 17-year-old daughter, Olivia, was punched in the gut when she learned that one of the most CADILLAC JACK influential teachers Podcast Host in her 10 years of cadillac@appenmediagroup.com schooling passed. It appears it was a freak accident involving a carbon monoxide leak which caused

OPINION

the gas to creep into neighboring townhomes. Many residents were hospitalized, and the misfortune took the life of one, Patricia Mann, Olivia’s AP World teacher at Cambridge High last year.

While helping me to cook dinner the evening that we learned the news, I asked Olivia why this educator had such an exhaustive influence on her during her sophomore year.

“She would talk with us and not teach at us” she told me. “She had traveled everywhere and always had a story.”

I received a message on social media from a parent that read: “My daughter had her as a teacher in Henry County and toured Europe with her in 2018.

She embodied life to its fullest and loved her students passionately.”

Olivia was trying to avoid eye contact with me, and she was visibly shaken as we continued our conversation. As

Georgia Department of Transportation Requests Feedback & Comments For P.I. No. 0016443 Fulton County In keeping with Governor Brian Kemp’s directive to keep state government agencies functioning as Georgia combats the COVID-19 pandemic, on Tuesday August 18th, 2020, the Georgia DOT is moving forward by placing project information for review and feedback into an internet platform to comply with social distancing and avoiding crowds of 10+ people. We appreciate your participation in this process.

The Georgia Department of Transportation has posted information at www.dot. ga.gov/AboutGDOT/PublicOutreach related to the proposed State Route (SR) 372 at County Road (CR) 4/Birmingham Road roundabout.

• On the webpage go to “Upcoming Public Meetings” or “Recently Held Public Meetings.”

• Select “View Info” for SR 372 at CR 4/Birmingham Road.

• Once on the project page click on the links and comment.

This project proposes to provide congestion relief and improve operations by converting the stop-controlled intersection of SR 372 at CR 4/Birmingham Road to a mini roundabout with a four-legged approach.

The purpose of this internet posting is to replace an in-person meeting, while allowing the public to review the proposed project, provide feedback, or write in with questions.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Information: To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities contact the district planning and programing engineer, Joshua Higgins, at 770-216-3896.

Comments will be accepted concerning this project until Friday, September 11th, 2020. Written statements may be submitted to: Mr. Eric Duff State Environmental Administrator Georgia Department of Transportation 600 West Peachtree Street, NW – 16th Floor Atlanta, Georgia 30308

her dad, I began to hurt because of her pain. I can’t imagine the family’s level of pain after this emotional ambush, but I cried because I saw my daughter trying to process the loss of someone special in her life for the first time.

I feel certain we met at orientation and probably exchanged a few emails last year, but when your bear cubs join the high school ranks, we, as parents, lose some stewardship in the relationships our young adults forge with the people that surround them, including teachers.

Even the biggest underachiever can name a favorite teacher. We spend more time with our teachers, counselors, administrators, coaches, bus drivers, cafeteria workers

and custodians than we do our own family.

I remember taking trips to Service Merchandise in Charlotte when I was a kid with my Granny. While waiting for our purchases to appear on the massive conveyor belt, former students, often with their own children in tow, would approach my grandmother with a hug, huge smile and cheers for the potency she had in their life.

Third grade was tough for me because my parents were divorcing and I was a mess wearing Husky jeans, and that’s on Burger Chef and no self-control. I was always a good student, but Mrs. Henderson noticed a change in my personality and a slow in my enthusiasm. I mentioned to

See TEACHERS, Page 23

Teachers:

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Continued from Page 22 her that dad was leaving, and I didn’t understand why and she hugged me. A topthree embrace in my life and one I still remember in times of darkness today.

Mr. Deal failed me in geometry my senior year, and although I was allowed to walk with my class, I did have to go to summer school after I turned my tassel.

Our family went to the same church as Mr. Deal, and while in class he would beam while telling the story of my peeing on his polished Sunday shoes during the sermon when I was 6 years old.

Although Mr. Deal refused to pass me and gave me my only “F” in high school, he was one of my favorite teachers. He was also my driver’s ed teacher which gave him another platform to share the story of my miscue in the sanctuary with other students listening in the backseat waiting for their turn behind the wheel.

Teachers have a special place in our bubble growing up, and that clout continues to affect decisions we make well into adulthood. It also triggers some of the most notable memories from one of the most innocent and formative periods of our lives.

God be with you Mrs. Mann. You have a front row seat in Olivia’s bubble, Solution and as her daddy, I thank you.

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OPINION

NorthFulton.com | Milton Herald | September 3, 2020 | 23

Some are not happy unless they are unhappy The following letters are responses to Ray Appen’s Aug. 27 column: “Should we save local journalism? Do we care?”

Aleda & I look forward to our informative (HERALD) newspaper every week.

We consider it a statement as to what our First Amendment is about and enjoy every bit of the paper. I found my dermatology doctor from your newspaper.

Aleda enjoys the crossword puzzles. We shop together from the Publix flyer.

We both enjoy the local coverages that are absent from any of the TV stations.

As for those who complain about it, I have a saying or two for them...I’ll give you the one that you can print. The best is “for some folks, there is something wrong with everything, they are not happy unless they are unhappy.”

Please keep up the good work, we don’t always agree on the editorials, but we will defend your right to publish a newspaper.

J. F. Calhoun Alpharetta I have always enjoyed our local newspaper, The Dunwoody Crier. Thank you so much for continuing to publish

it. Please don’t let the angry ill-informed ruin our opportunity to receive it. It is so important to me that I would pay for a subscription.

Thanks so much, Jeannie Harden Dunwoody I just received my paper and read your column. And I just thought I would reach out to say thank you for my free paper which I do enjoy seeing.

Thanks for the effort and for providing this service.

Barbara Schaffer Dunwoody I was stunned and saddened to read the column by Ray Appen in this week’s Crier. Something is indeed broken when a free newspaper and a request to wear a mask as protection for yourself and others causes such uncalled for responses.

The Crier has provided me with interesting articles to read and much useful information for many years. I hope these awful happenings will not put an end to the paper.

Joy Mott Dunwoody

Social distancing is the key It is disheartening to see mask use propaganda in your newspaper and people’s response to those that are not sick, and choose not to wear a mask.

The facts are clear that they do help if you are sick to prevent others from getting infected. However, what you are not saying is that these homemade cloth masks do nearly nothing compared to the N95 masks (which is what the data in your paper is based on from Dr. Tom) to prevent you from getting it from others.

Social distancing is still the key.

Wearing these pieces of cloth is giving people a false sense of security as if they are now protected, when they are not. They then get too close to others and are spreading the virus even faster.

That’s why we are seeing spikes in younger people due to the “protests.”

So people, wearing a mask is good if you wear the good one’s, but please stop thinking the world is coming to an end if I choose not to wear one and keep my distance from you. I appreciate you keeping your distance from me too.

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24 | September 3, 2020 | Milton Herald | NorthFulton.com

NEWS

Some of nation’s top football prospect suiting up for local teams

By JOE PARKER joe@appenmediagroup.com NORTH METRO ATLANTA — North Fulton and Forsyth County are known as a hotbed of football talent, and this year appears no different with some of the top ranked players in the country lining up for local teams.

The staying power of talent in the area starts with this year’s sophomore class.

Recently, Milton defensive lineman Lebbeus Overton was named the top prospect in the nation for the Class of 2023 by 247 Sports. Overton transferred to Milton last winter from Bessemer Academy in Bessemer, Alabama.

As a freshman for Bessemer, Overton was second on the team in tackles (105) and averaged 8.1-tackles per game.

Of those tackles, a staggering 42 were tackles-for-loss that included 19 sacks.

Overton also had 32 quarterback hurries with a caused fumble and two fumble recoveries.

With his sophomore season still ahead, Overton has offers from the likes of Mississippi State, Florida, South

Election: Continued from Page 4 absentee ballots before they can be provided and that all counties are required to match signatures before counting ballots.

He noted several thousand Georgia voters will be automatically sent absentee ballots after requesting one for the June 9 primary. Those voters consist of people age 65 and older, disabled persons and voters living overseas or in the military, Raffensperger said.

The state is not sending out absentee ballot request forms to every Georgia voter for the general election as occurred ahead of the primary, though a few

Carolina, Georgia, Colorado State, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Alabama.

Overton has already made an impact on Milton athletics beyond the football field. He was a key component in the Eagles basketball appearance in the state quarterfinals in the 2019-20 season.

Not far down the road from Milton, another sophomore standout is gaining national recognition.

Justice Haynes of Blessed Trinity is coming off an impressive freshman season with the state champion Titans.

Haynes is ranked 45th overall in the nation by 247 Sports for the Class of 2023.

Last season, Haynes racked up a team-leading 1,754 yards rushing while evenly splitting rushing duties with Class of 2020’s Elijah Green. Haynes rushed for over 100 yards in nine of the Titans’ 15 games and compiled 18 touchdowns.

Haynes, who was named a MaxPreps Freshman All-American, has fielded offers from several D1 schools, including South Carolina, Georgia Tech, Penn State, Miami and UCF. In this year’s junior class, two standcounties like DeKalb have individually decided to send out those forms to all local registered voters, Raffensperger said.

With huge numbers expected to vote by mail across the country during the pandemic, Christy McCormick of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission said absentee voters should plan to mail their ballots no later than a week before Nov. 3 to avoid the possibility of slowed delivery.

“They do claim that they are going to give election mail special priority,” McCormick said of the U.S. Postal Service.

“We’ll have to see how that goes.”

Georgia voters can start mailing in their absentee ballots on Sept. 15. Early voting for the Nov. 3 election begins on Oct. 12.

outs have garnered national attention.

Lambert receiver Kojo Antwi, a receiver with standout speed and athleticism, is ranked by both 247 Sports and ESPN. Antwi is listed as the 240th best junior prospect in the country by 247 and is No. 164 on the ESPN 300 Class of 2022 board.

Antwi hauled in 48 receptions for 679 yards with six touchdowns, all team-leading statistics, as a sophomore last season.

He has offers from Florida State, Duke, Auburn, Arkansas and Arizona State.

Another junior on the ESPN 300 rankings is Milton tight end Jack Nickel who comes in at No. 269 on the list.

Nickel recently committed to Notre Dame.

The 6-foot-4, 230-lb. junior has 27 receptions for 337 yards last season with three touchdowns, providing sizeable speed as a target while being a powerful blocker in the trenches or down the field.

Several seniors will also be in the national spotlight this season.

Denmark quarterback Aaron McLaughlin is the No. 52 prospect in

Schools: Continued from Page 6 [the community],” said Reeves, who represents much of Alpharetta and Milton.

She cited a recent adjustment to the grading policy that caused some confusion from parents and staff members. Reeves also noted the board has resumed meeting at its regular time and place.

“I’m not sure for the publics’ sake we need to still be in the emergency process,” Reeves said. “I feel the time has come to step back into the regular public review.”

the ESPN 300 for the Class of 2021 with his sizeable frame, strong, accurate arm and pocket presence. McLaughlin, who transferred from Buford ahead of the 2019 season, threw for over 2,000 yards last season with 17 touchdowns in 10 games.

The 6-foot-5 senior has committed to North Carolina State.

Also in Forsyth County, Dylan Fairchild is ranked by ESPN and 247 Sports.

The senior offensive guard committed to Georgia over the summer.

Fairchild is also a state champion in wrestling. Last year he went 47-0 to capture the state title in his weight class.

Centennial wide receiver Julian Nixon also placed on the Class of 2021 ESPN 300, coming in as the No. 174 prospect.

Nixon has been a go-to target and threat to opposing defenses since his freshman campaign. He brings swiftness, size and physicality at 6-foot-3, 230-lbs.

The Knights’ receiver was offered by several Power Five programs before committing to Tennessee.

Under Georgia law, an elected school board is empowered to “establish policy for the local school system with the focus on student achievement.” The law also outlines the role of the superintendent shall be to implement the policy established by the local board.

Despite Reeves’ suggestion and lone dissent, the board voted 6-1 to extend the emergency waiver until Sept. 17.

District officials expect to resume the normal policy review process at that time.

“We are all hopeful not to need to extend the waiver beyond the currently approved timeframe,” said Brian Noyes, chief communications officer for Fulton Schools.

COMMUNITY

Homeowners offered grants for green improvements The Georgia Association of Conservation Districts and local Conservation Districts has kicked off the Georgia Conservation Assistance Program. The federally funded program, based on a similar program launched successfully in Virginia, offers grants to Fulton and Cobb county residents ranging from roughly $5,000 to $10,000 for making improvements that help protect the environment and preserve the watershed.

According to Mady Crowley Barnes, project coordinator for the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts, storm water runoff is one of the major sources of pollution that impacts watersheds. Green infrastructure practices such as cisterns, dry wells and rain gardens installed in residential areas as well as the removal of impervious surfaces like concrete or asphalt driveways can reduce the rate of storm water runoff & water pollution areas while maintaining a beautiful home exterior, Barnes said.

The program is new to Georgia and to the GACD, Barnes said, and it specifically targets urban residential areas which is to say, folks living in single family homes in the suburbs.

“It is a great program for Fulton and Cobb homeowners,” Barnes said, “and we are anxious to launch the effort with great success.”

On Sept. 10, GACD and the Con-

servation Districts are partnering with the University of Georgia to host a free virtual workshop that will provide information on green infrastructure practices and maintenance, and outline the GCAP program and application procedure.

NorthFulton.com | Milton Herald | September 3, 2020 | 25

The workshops will be held at 10 a.m. and again at 6:30 p.m. Anyone who participates in the workshop will receive extra points on their GCAP application.

GCAP application period runs from Sept. 10-30. Barnes said grants should

begin being awarded by mid-October.

For more information and to register for the virtual workshop, please visit gacd.us/gcap.

Notice of Public Hearing Notice is hereby given that a public hearing shall be held at the City of Milton City Hall, Council Chambers, 2006 Heritage Walk, Milton, Georgia, on Monday, September 9, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. before the Milton City Council to consider a Resolution transmitting a draft 2020 Annual Update report to the City’s adopted Capital Improvements Element, relating to the City’s impact fee program, to the Atlanta Regional Commission for regional and State review pursuant to the Georgia Planning Act of 1989. Said public hearing will be held in accordance with Section (9)(a) of Chapter 110-12-2-.04 of the State’s Development Impact Fee Compliance Requirements. Any persons wishing to be heard on the draft Capital Improvements Element amendment are invited to attend.

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Patricia Christian, 75, of Alpharetta, passed away August 21, 2020.

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Lillie Agnes (Burgess) Densmore, 99, passed away August 22, 2020.

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Mary Dorcas Love, 88, of Alpharetta, passed away August 21, 2020.

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Angelia L. Ray, 54, of Alpharetta, passed away August 20, 2020.

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Marilyn White, 83, of Roswell, passed away August 24, 2020.

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26 | September 3, 2020 | Milton Herald | NorthFulton.com

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Help Wanted Autos

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coverIng nortH atlanta – In prInt and onlIne!

Alpharetta-Roswell Herald • Milton Herald • Johns Creek Herald • Forsyth Herald • NorthFulton.com

contact us at 770-442-3278

NorthFulton.com | Milton Herald | September 3, 2020 | 27

NATIONAL ADVERTISING Autos Wanted

Miscellaneous

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Miscellaneous Generac generators. Weather is increasingly unpredictable.

Be prepared for power outages. Free 7-yr ext warranty.

Schedule free in-home assessment 1-844-334-8353.

Special financing if qualified.

We fix ugly

DRIVEWAYS & PATIOS $150 OFF

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$250 OFF NEW DRIVEWAY!

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

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

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Ralph Rucker

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Capable of doing your job – grading, hauling and tree service.

Phillips Home Improvement We

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CALL 470-222-8469 TO LIST YOUR BUSINESS IN THE SERVICE DIRECTORY

ROOF LEAKING?

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drywall,

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PRESSURE WASHING

Roofing

YELLOW RIBBON TREE EXPERTS

ADVERTISE HERE! CALL 770-442-3278 OR EMAIL US AT CLASSIFIEDS@ APPENMEDIAGROUP.COM

28 | September 3, 2020 | Milton Herald | NorthFulton.com