SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Sandy Springs City Councilwoman Jody Reichel announced her run for mayor in early January, and three candidates are running for the District 4 seat she will leave behind.
Reichel, first elected as District 4’s council representative in 2017, is running against District 3 City Councilman Andy Bauman, incumbent Mayor Rusty Paul and the 2021 runner-up Dontaye Carter.
Sandy Springs, approaching its 20th anniversary as the state’s seventh most populous city, holds non-partisan municipal elections every four years. All seats on
the City Council and the mayor’s position are on ballots Nov. 4. There are no staggered terms.
It’s a four-way mayoral race, and the city has already budgeted $300,000 for a runoff election.
If the candidates for mayor or a council seat fail to receive a majority of the votes cast, a runoff is held between the two candidates receiving the most votes. State law requires the runoff to be held 28 days after the general election, or Dec. 2.
City Council races are determined by district, and voters may only cast a ballot for candidates running in the district in which they reside.
District 4 is in east-central Sandy
Sandy Springs submits projects eligible for impact fee funding
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Sandy Springs submitted its annual Capital Improvement Element to the state June 30, a required component of the city’s impact fee program that brings in millions each year from new development.
The City Council approved the annual update, outlining infrastructure projects needed to support future growth and their timeline and funding sources, during a four-minute meeting with hours to spare before the state’s deadline.
Because the Georgia Community Affairs Department (DCA) gave the city final approval June 25, Sandy Springs needed to authorize its adoption June 30 to maintain compliance and its ability to collect and use impact fees.
Community Development Director Genger Sottile, who oversees the annual update process, told elected officials that everything was ready for adoption after her staff responded to two rounds of comments.
The Atlanta Regional Commission and DCA are required to review the city’s annual update before the city can adopt it.
See FUNDING, Page 7
Springs, including North Springs High School, the northern terminus of MARTA’s Red Line, St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, Sandy Springs Racquet Center and private schools like Weber and Mount Vernon.
United Parcel Service has its corporate headquarters in District 4 off Glenlake Parkway, but the site has a city of Atlanta postal address like so many others in Sandy Springs.
Roswell Road (Ga. 9) forms the district’s western border from the Mount Vernon Highway and Johnson Ferry Road intersection north to Pitts Road, including Big Trees Forest Preserve and the North Fulton Service Center.
Its southern boundary zig zags east from Veterans Park along Mount Vernon Highway, Glenridge Drive and Abernathy Road to its eastern border with Dunwoody in Central Perimeter.
While Pitts Road represents the northernmost boundary of District 4, there are a couple of neighborhoods south of the roadway and east of Ga. 400, including Woodland Elementary School and some streets off Spalding Drive, that lie in District 1.
To view a map of districts, visit www. sandyspringsga.gov/council-membersand-council-districts.
See SEAT, Page 7
Sandy Springs Fire Station 5, at Spalding Drive and Mount Vernon Road in the city’s panhandle region, is one example of a public safety project funded in part by impact fee collections. The new station opened July 1, 2024, and the Fire Department has since reported decreased response times.
HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA
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OPINION
County millage rate hike is bad for residents, worse for seniors
ROBB PITTS
Every year around this time, the Fulton County Board of Commissioners faces a critical decision: setting the millage rate that ultimately determines how much residents pay in property taxes. Let me be clear. At the June 18, 2025, County Commission meeting, I voted against raising the millage rate from the current 8.87 mils to up to 9.87 mils. This proposed increase is excessive and places an unfair burden on all residents, especially our seniors.
Even if the county maintains the millage rate at 8.87, many property owners will see a tax increase, because property values have risen over the past year. Raising the millage rate on top of that would be a double whammy — higher values and higher rates — compounding the financial pressure on many households.
Raising taxes in today’s economic climate is both unwise and unjust. Inflation and global factors like tariffs are already driving up the cost of essentials — food, housing, healthcare and more – forcing people to watch every dollar they spend.
Seniors are particularly vulnerable, as many live on fixed incomes from Social Security, pensions or modest retirement savings. Increasing their tax burden may force them to make painful choices between paying for medicine, rent/mortgage, food and other basic needs.
Hitting our seniors with higher taxes clearly sends the wrong message about how we value their lifelong contributions and sacrifices. It also
risks pushing more seniors into poverty and increasing demand on social safety nets, even as those programs brace for expected cuts from Washington.
While I worry about our seniors’ financial future, I am well aware many young adults are struggling too. Although some may be advancing in their careers, they’re not immune to the steep and growing costs of groceries, gas, and housing. Raising their taxes now will only add to the hurdles they must overcome to succeed.
Fulton County is operating effectively under the current 8.87 millage rate. We’ve tightened our belt while continuing to deliver — and in some cases expand — essential services.
As we debate the appropriate millage rate this year, we must think of the future. Fulton County is preparing for major investments, including a new hospital and a senior facility in South Fulton. We must also meet the compliance requirements of the DOJ consent order.
These are essential projects that will carry hefty price tags. Unfortunately, when the time comes, we may have to consider a tax increase but doing so prematurely — without clear necessity — simply layers more burden on residents who are financially struggling.
In short, raising taxes during a time of economic uncertainty erodes public trust in government. Forcing our residents to pay more – especially our seniors – is not just bad policy, it is counterproductive and downright unfair.
Be assured, as Chairman of the Fulton County Commission, I will continue to stand up for fiscal responsibility and fight for our taxpayers. On this issue, I will just say NO.
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APPEN MEDIA FILE PHOTO
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area seeks new fate
ROSWELL, Ga. — The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area is enlisting the help of the public for an environment assessment for the Roswell Gateway and Vickery Creek Unit Access Improvements from now until July 31.
In partnership with the Georgia Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration and the City of Roswell, the National Park Service is evaluating proposals for two transportation projects, the Hwy. 9 Pedestrian Bridge and Hwy. 9 reversable land removal and widening adjacent to the Vickery Creek Unit in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.
The two projects would require the transfer of the National Park Service managed lands for transportation use. This process will require an authorization by the National Park Service through special use permits and a federal Highway Easement Deed.
A spokesperson for the National Park Service said that both projects will have long-term adverse impact to park resources.
The mitigating actions to improve the Vickery Creek Unit Access could offset the effects of the conversion of the National
Park Service lands and resources into transportation use. The improvement to enhance accessibility to the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area will help to protect cultural and natural resources and create a better connection within the unit and across Vickery Creek.
Two alternatives, along with analysis of their potential impacts will be presented in the environment assessment.
The first and preferred alternative aims to improve traffic flow, access and construct a pedestrian bridge. The alternative will convert around 2.49 acres of the National Park Service’s land to transportation use along Hwy. 9., construct a multi-use trail and pedestrian bridge over the Chattahoochee river on the eastside of Hwy. 9 and update and create new trails, footbridges and a parking lot.
The second alternative will provide no action and will not authorize any of the changes.
To learn more and submit a comment on the environment assessment, visit https://parkplanning.nps.gov/ RoswellHistoricGatewayEA.
— Sarah Coyne
Sandy Springs to offer adaptive fishing program
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — The Sandy Springs Recreation and Parks Department is offering adaptive fishing July 25 from 10 a.m.-noon along the Springway trail at Morgan Falls Overlook Park.
The Recreation and Parks Department invites all levels to
participate, including seasoned anglers and first-timers, to discover the joys of fishing in the river and its tributaries.
Adaptive recreation refers to activities modified to be accessible and inclusive for those with disabilities.
In partnership with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and
Empower Therapy, the program can support 16 adaptive anglers and their families, offering personalized assistance based on individual needs.
Having a smaller, sensory-friendly event on even terrain can make all the difference for some participants, while others may benefit from adaptive equipment including six available mobility chairs.
Bordering 22 miles of Sandy Springs, the Chattahoochee River is the most popular natural feature in Metro Atlanta.
Morgan Falls Overlook was the first new park created by Sandy Springs when it opened in 2010 near a 120-yearold hydroelectric dam. Amenities include a picnic pavilion with tables, porch swings with a scenic view, a playground,
boat dock, hiking trails, fire pit and restrooms.
Adaptive fishing participants are asked to meet in the park’s lower gravel lot near the river and make their way to the Morgan Falls Loop by Orkin Lake, which features a boardwalk and paved walkway. The Morgan Falls Loop is a new section of the city’s trail and path network, or Springway.
While program providers received special permission to fish for the adaptive event, the city says fishing is not typically permitted there.
In addition to adaptive fishing, the city also invites outdoor enthusiasts to explore the Chattahoochee River with its adaptive kayaking program.
Led by American Canoe Association instructors, the kayaking program offers a unique opportunity to enjoy the river with maximum independence.
Customized kayaks with specialized equipment are available with a ramp, transfer seat and kayak launch area for smooth river entry. The city says volunteers are always welcome.
To learn more or to register for adaptive recreation offerings, visit www. sandyspringsga.gov/adaptive-recreation.
Hayden Sumlin
Puzzles
are 5, 4 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!
SNACK FOODS
1. Bank document. Ring-shaped sweet snack. Bath powder.
2. Peruvian capital. Room at the top. Snack of sweet confections
3. Mexican cash. Snacks with dips, maybe. Astute.
4. Round cake snack. Blue shade. Pillow cover.
5. Fencing sword. Small sweet treat. Large-scale.
6. Mand member. Mystique. Health snack.
7. Crunchy snack. Egg carton measure. Eros.
1 Bank document. Ring-shaped sweet snack. Bath powder
2. Peruvian capital. Room at the top. Snack of sweet confections.
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. Mexican cash. Snacks with dips, maybe. Astute
4. Round cake snack. Blue shade. Pillow cover
5. Fencing sword. Small sweet treat. Large-scale. 6. Mand member. Mystique. Healthy snack.
7. Crunchy snack. Egg carton measure. Eros.
Land o’ blarney Theater sections Chills and fever Law phrases?
Coffee shop order
Dispense with Take to court Doomsayer’s sign Yard adornment
Catalina, e.g. Wilkes-___, Pa. Mother of Helios and Cat’s scratcher
singer Tom
of years Rubbernecked
Charges dropped against reporter arrested at protest
By ZOE SEILER zoe@appenmedia.com
DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — DeKalb County Solicitor General Donna Coleman-Stribling has dismissed charges against journalist Mario Guevara. He was arrested June 14 during a protest on Chamblee Tucker Road.
While not billed as a "No Kings" protest, an event in Embry Hills – called the "Atlanta Protest Against Deportation" – held on the same day as the "No Kings" protests led to a clash between protesters and DeKalb County Police officers. It resulted in eight arrests, including Guevara.
A Salvadoran journalist, Guevara, was filming the protest when Doraville Police arrested him. He was taken into U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody shortly after and is still being held by ICE, according to NPR.
In DeKalb County, Guevara was charged with unlawful assembly, obstruction of a law enforcement officer, and pedestrian on or along the roadway, according to a press release.
"After carefully reviewing the evidence, including video evidence surrounding his arrest, I have determined that while there was probable cause to support the initial arrest, the evidence is insufficient to sustain a prosecution beyond a reasonable doubt,"
Coleman-Stribling said.
Law enforcement agencies directed Guevara multiple times during the interaction, and they were also directing the assembled crowds. Video evidence shows Guevara was generally complying and doesn't demonstrate the intent to disregard the directives from officers.
"Given the lack of clear criminal intent by Mr. Guevara to ignore any lawful commands, the case is dismissed as charged," the press release says.
According to Atlanta Civic Circle, Guevara was set to be released on a signature bond June 16, but he was held at the DeKalb County Jail on an ICE detainer until June 18. He is being held at the Folkston ICE Processing Center in south Georgia.
Guevara is originally from El Salvador. He has lived in the United States for about 20 years and built a following covering immigrant communities in the state for Spanishlanguage media outlets, as well as MG News, his own independent outlet, NPR reported.
Some DeKalb County residents criticized the arrest and called on DeKalb County to review the police actions from June 14. Commissioner Ted Terry has also called for a review.
Resident Mike Edmonds, who attended the June 14 protest, made a public comment during the County Commission meeting
June 24.
"This was a peaceful protest. It couldn't have been more calmer or more professional," Edmonds said.
He claimed that no police leadership was present.
"Had one person with authority and some composure taken a lead, everything could've come out differently," Edmonds said. "Finally, as a result of that lack of leadership, there was an unreasonable use of force that was totally inappropriate in the circumstances."
Edmonds said it was not a rowdy crowd.
"Eventually, lines of police officers dressed like military people came trotting out in form and they stood in front of everybody. I was aghast,” he said. “It was totally beyond what was required. Then they marched into the crowd, they used their shields to push people."
'State intimidation'
DeKalb resident Jimmy Padilla also said he was appalled by what happened June 14. He said protesters gathered peacefully but were met with numerous squad cars, a police bus, officers in riot gear and tear gas.
"Peaceful protests became state intimidation," Padilla said.
He added that other journalists were not treated in the same manner.
"That wasn't just a violation of our rights, that was censorship of local Spanish language media," Padilla said.
DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer Lorraine Cochran-Johnson initially defended the police department's actions before announcing her review of the arrests. Her office said protesters entered Chamblee Tucker Road and "attempted to march toward the interstate ramp, creating a dangerous situation for both demonstrators and motorists."
Cochran-Johnson said officers were trying to protect the public and the rights of the protesters.
"The right to protest is fundamental and respected in DeKalb County," she said. "But when a protest shifts from peaceful and lawabiding to one that threatens public safety and disregards lawful orders, I trust our officers to respond appropriately. Our duty is to protect both the rights of individuals and the well-being of the broader community."
Padilla called on CEO Cochran-Johnson to look into the police activity June 14.
"Lorraine Cochran Johnson, you first repeated the police narrative [of] unbelievable claims, dismissing hundreds of eyewitnesses, now you call for a transparent review, but words alone won't rebuild trust," Padilla said.
Commissioner Ted Terry forwarded Appen Media an email he sent to Chief Operating Officer Zach Williams asking for more information about the incident.
"Several residents have contacted my office expressing deep concern over what they perceived as an unnecessarily aggressive police response to what appeared to be
a brief moment of disruption," he wrote. "The decision to deploy tear gas – particularly in a neighborhood context with nearby homes and businesses – raises serious questions about the proportionality and justification of the county's response to peaceful civil action."
He suggested the county administration consider hosting a public briefing or town hall to address resident concerns "and begin the work of restoring trust."
"These are tense times, and our community deserves transparency and accountability, especially when law enforcement actions may have overstepped," he wrote.
Other journalists speak out
The Committee to Protect Journalists and other press freedom organizations sent a letter June 20 to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
The Georgia First Amendment Foundation and the Atlanta Press Club were among the signatories on the letter, according to Atlanta Civic Circle.
The letter calls for Guevara's release and raises major concerns about freedom of the press.
"If Guevara's case proceeds, it would represent a grim erosion of both freedom of the press and the rule of law," the letter says. "Journalists who are not U.S. citizens could be at risk of deportation solely because local law enforcement filed misdemeanor charges against them in retaliation for reporting without those charges ever being tried in court."
Atlanta Civic Circle reported that the Committee to Protect Journalists called on Cochran-Johnson to release Guevara June 17.
Cochran-Johnson responded that "it is important to note, members of the press are required to honor all aspects of law when they engage in protests – there is no pass or immunity given to members of the press due to wearing signage or announcing themselves as members of the press."
She added that DeKalb County Police were not involved in the arrest or charges, and that as CEO, she cannot intervene in legal or immigration matters.
"I cannot unilaterally drop charges or influence the decisions of independent law enforcement bodies, the courts, or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)," Cochran-Johnson said. "That said, I recognize the emotional gravity of this case, especially for members of our immigrant and press communities, and I understand the fear that can arise when professional duties intersect with legal vulnerability."
She added that the administration is conducting a full review of the protest and law enforcement responses.
"We are working to publish clear guidelines for future demonstrations that balance First Amendment rights, public safety, and lawful protest protocol," Cochran-Johnson said.
Seat:
Continued from Page 1
The three candidates running are Dave Flynn, a 10-year resident and a local business owner; Frank Roberts, an 18-year resident and a retired police sergeant; and Alex Somer, a newer resident who moved back to Sandy Springs with his young family.
Alex Somer
Alex Somer, a 36-year-old University of Miami graduate with a master’s in business administration, previously announced he would run for mayor but said May 19 he will instead seek the District 4 seat.
“Sandy Springs is a beautiful community of folks from all sorts of backgrounds. There are parks and great restaurants,” Somer wrote on his campaign site. “All that is missing is someone who understands modernity and prosperity. Atlanta is a beacon of progressive ideals in the South, and it is about time that the city of Sandy
Funding:
Continued from Page 1
Impact fees support transportation, recreation, parks and public safety and are charged at the time any building permit is issued.
The Georgia General Assembly authorizes local governments to impose impact fees on developers for various types of new construction. The Georgia Planning Act established the program and its requirements in 1989.
Redevelopments, expansions and modifications requiring a building permit are also included in the city’s impact fee program.
Mayor Rusty Paul said he is grateful to DCA Commissioner Christopher Nunn for helping ensure the city received state approval in time for final submission.
“They are designed to compensate communities for the ‘impact’ that a project has on transportation, public safety and parks/recreation,” Paul told Appen Media. “The city uses those funds — and can only use those funds for those purposes.”
The city’s 2021-28 work program for impact fee eligible projects includes a variety of infrastructure-related projects, some completed and others in the pipeline. Most are primarily paid for through the city’s general fund, with just under 30 percent of
Springs has a leader that reflects that.”
On Somer’s campaign site, he lists policy positions like supporting small businesses, marginalized communities and food banks, creating a local singlepayer healthcare system and protecting the environment.
When he dropped out of the mayoral race, Somer endorsed the 2021 runnerup — Dontaye Carter — in a May 19 joint press release.
“I entered this race because I believe deeply in the potential of Sandy Springs,” Somer said. “After thoughtful reflection and honest conversations with people I trust, including Dontaye, I’ve come to see that the most impactful path forward … [is] a collaboration toward shared purpose.”
For more information about Somer and his campaign, visit www. somerforsandysprings.com.
Dave Flynn
Dave Flynn, a Georgia Tech graduate who retired from the IT sector after 25 years, has owned and operated his wellness business in the city since 2004 under his corporate brand Dyncore
project costs coming from impact fee collections. Others are funded solely through impact fees.
The program’s financial report indicates the city has spent $1.11 million through June – $750,000 toward transportation-related projects and $270,000 toward build-out of Old Riverside Park. The city has around $4.65 million in impact fees earmarked for projects.
City Councilman Andy Bauman said impact fees are critical to protect taxpayers, especially long-term residents who have invested in the community for years.
“As new development comes in, these fees ensure that developers help cover the cost of roads, parks, green space and public safety infrastructure, which benefit everyone,” Bauman told Appen media. “Several years ago, I led the effort to review and update our fee structure to keep pace with growth and reduce pressure on homeowners.”
He said the program is about responsible growth, which ensures new development does its part to support the city that all residents, new and established, share.
The city first adopted an impact fee ordinance in March 2008, subjecting any new building permit in the city to paying the one-time fee.
The only update in 2016 significantly increased residential development fees, putting Sandy Springs on par with Alpharetta, lower
Inc. Flynn lives in the Alderwood community off Abernathy Road and is a graduate of Sandy Springs Citizens’ Police Academy. He said his sons grew up and were educated in Sandy Springs, and he understands the value of a supportive community with strong standards.
In his May 15 announcement, Flynn said he is running for City Council because he believes his innovative perspective, strategic problemsolving skills and consensus building experience will bring smart and viable solutions to the issues facing the city.
To learn more about Flynn and his campaign, visit flynnforsandysprings. com.
Frank Roberts
Roberts, a Vietnam War veteran and officer who served in the Sandy Springs and Atlanta Police departments, lives in the Mount Vernon Woods neighborhood. He said his campaign is focused on protecting neighborhoods and strengthening public safety and civic services.
“My candidacy is about balance.
than Milton but higher than Roswell, Dunwoody and Atlanta. At the time, consultants estimated the city would collect around $300 million by 2040.
The city’s impact fee schedule varies by land use category based off the number of dwellings or square footage.
For single-family detached housing, condominiums and townhomes, the total impact fee is $6,854 per dwelling, with more than 65 percent going toward parks/recreation, around 25 percent toward roads and just over 6 percent toward public safety. Administrative costs account for 3 percent of the total impact fee paid by any developer of any land use.
Apartments have a slightly smaller impact fee of $6,529 per dwelling.
Most retail and commercial land uses pay an amount per square footage, excluding vehicle shops and gas/service stations, which pay per pump or unit.
The largest one-time charge requires the developer of an amusement park to pay just over $19,500 per acre in impact fees.
To review the annual update and five-year work program in the June 30 meeting files, visit sandyspringsga. portal.civicclerk.com.
Sandy Springs Communications Director Carter Long said the most recent completed projects partially funded through impact fees include a new walking trail at Crooked Creek
I want to ensure that Sandy Springs continues to grow and thrive economically, while protecting the neighborhoods and residential character that have always been the heart of our city,” Roberts said in a June 27 press release. Sandy Springs has everything — excellent services, great restaurants, green spaces, and a real sense of community … I’m running to ensure that remains true for generations to come.”
For more information about Roberts and his campaign, visit friendsoffrankroberts.com.
Qualifying for the Nov. 4 election will be Aug. 18-Aug. 21 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and Aug. 22 between 8:30 a.m. and noon for all elected seats.
While official qualification takes place in August, candidates often announce their intentions earlier in the race. To qualify to run in the municipal elections, individuals must be a resident of Sandy Springs for at least 12 months immediately prior to election day and be registered and qualified to vote in the city.
The Georgia Secretary of State’s My Voter Page will show you your sample ballot and polling location. Go to https://mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/.
Park, construction of the Panhandle’s Fire Station 5 and the purchase of a medical response unit.
“The city was asked to explain the financial reporting for administrative costs as they pertain to the impact fee update that is currently underway,” Long said when asked about the delayed approval. “No changes were made that altered any projects’ expected completion.”
UV Safety Awareness Month with Dr. Kehinde Olumesi
Brought to
you by
- Epiphany Dermatology
As a board-certified dermatologist, I see firsthand the effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation on the skin every day. While sunshine has its benefits— boosting our mood and helping our bodies produce vitamin D— unprotected exposure to UV rays is the leading cause of premature skin aging and skin cancer, including melanoma, the deadliest form.
July is UV Safety Awareness Month, and it’s the perfect time to recommit protecting your skin. Whether you’re outdoors for just a few minutes or enjoying hours of summer fun, your skin remembers every sunburn, tan, and unprotected exposure. Over time, this damage
accumulates and can lead to significant consequences.
The good news? Sun protection is simple and effective. Wear a broadspectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day, even when it’s cloudy. Reapply every two hours when outdoors. Seek shade, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat.
And don’t forget your annual skin check. Early detection of skin cancer can be life-saving, and regular visits with a dermatologist help keep your skin healthy year-round.
Protecting your skin today helps preserve your health and appearance tomorrow.
— Dr. Kehinde Olumesi
OPINION
Thanks to your help we’ve achieved a lot
CARL APPEN
Director of Content and Development
carl@appenmedia.com
Managing
Pat
Fox, Staff Reporter
Editor
Hayden Sumlin and I were able to attend the Georgia Press Association's annual conference this past weekend. We learned a lot, from legal updates on newsrelated legislation to ethical AI policies.
We also attended the Better Newspaper Contest banquet. Spoiler alert: we did quite well. Our newsroom won top honors in categories like local news coverage, page layout and advertising designs. Believe you me: we don't do this work for the awards. However, it warmed my heart to see our incredibly talented and dedicated staff get some credit from statewide peers.
Local journalism is increasingly hard to produce, and we face a lot of challenges (like folks in any business). Events like this weekend remind me how proud I am to work with this crew of reporters, editors, photojournalists and designers.
Here's the thing: Everything we do is made possible by advertisers and readers who have pledged money to keep our newsroom chugging along.
If you’re already a client or a member of the Appen Press Club, thank you very
much for your support. This newsroom is yours just as much as it is ours. I can assure you we could not have done any of this work – or won any of these awards –without you.
For anyone else reading, I urge you to lend a hand.
If you manage a local business, shoot Vice President of Advertising Mike Dorman an email at mike@appenmedia. com. Consider spending some of your ad dollars here at home instead of with Mark Zuckerberg. You’ll be surprised at how well it will do for you.
If you’re a reader, join the Appen Press Club. You can sign up with a recurring subscription or make a one-time gift at appenmedia.com/join. Those dollars go straight to funding our newsroom.
If you can't give financially, there are other ways to help. Do business with our advertisers and thank them for supporting local news. Share our stories with your neighborhood and let them know we are always looking for story tips and questions about the community. Sign up for our emails at appenmedia.com/newsletters and tell other folks to do the same.
This work is important, and we can’t do it without your help.
Here’s to the staff that makes putting out the news such a joy. I am proud of them every day.
You should be, too. It’s your community newspaper.
It’s amazing what you can hear when you listen
RAY APPEN
Publisher Emeritus ray@appenmedia.com
The family sits down in the restaurant. The waitress comes to take their order. The parents order first. Then their young daughter orders for herself.
“I’d like a hotdog, French fries and a Coke. Please.”
The dad – sitting next to her – shakes his head and motions “no” to the waitress – “She wants meatloaf, mash potatoes, and milk.”
The waitress looks at the little girl, then the dad. Almost imperceptibly she pauses and exhales. Then she looks back to the little girl: “Do you want ketchup on your hotdog sweetie?”
The parents tense up. The father glares. His wife stares down at the table. The little girl looks at both her parents,
first one then the other.
“She thinks I’m real,” the little girl says.
It not a question and it’s not a statement. It is an observation – an epiphany, an explanation, almost an offering – from the little girl to her parents. A light glimmers for the first time – an aura – within the little girl. It’s not that it hasn’t always been there, though.
Please listen. Please see. Please understand. Are you paying attention?
She-thinks-I’m-real.
I have listened to that part of the podcast, “Stories That Imprison Our Heart,” by Tara Branch (minute No. 24-ish) now a dozen times. I can’t stop listening to it. It is almost as if I am sitting at the adjoining table and watching and listening, not unlike having a front row seat for “A Streetcar Named Desire” in an old, historic theater somewhere.
Opinions
Appen Media aims to present a variety of views in its opinion pages. Send your thoughts, questions and letters to pat@appenmedia.com.
I, too, have to catch my breath, then breathe. I hold my breath and hope –wait – to see if the father lets her have her hot dog and fries – to see if he gets it. I never see how the scene ends. I can only guess. But I am there, sitting right next to the little girl, wanting to shout, “You are enough. I can hear you. I see you. Promise.”
She thinks I’m real.
That story was part of a podcast about stories – how all our lives are part of stories – bound by the stories we believe and stories we don’t. It is about how we navigate the stories through life,
how we allow them to impact our lives. Or not.
Stories can be suffocating. They can bury us deeply, so deep we can’t find what our own story is. They can deny us a voice – or give us one. They can deny us agency, the recognition that we too, have our own story to tell and to live – that we too count – our voice, our opinions, our own values – instead of someone else’s.
My daughter used to ask me – “I too?” I suppose I was too wrapped up in my own story that I didn’t notice hers – or acknowledge it as much as she deserved for it to be acknowledged. “I too?” That she had to ask, makes me sad.
Listen. You just have to be still and then listen. Be calm, so you can hear their story and get it.
Do you want ketchup on your hotdog, Sweetie?
Yes.
Please.
APPEN MEDIA/SPECIAL
The October 17 cover of the Alpharetta-Roswell Herald features stories from Staff Reporter Jon Wilcox. Senior Designer David Brown was responsible for the ads, Designer Dionna Williams laid out the page and the whole thing was overseen by Managing Editor Pat Fox. It's an edition that won first place for Best Page One.
PRESERVING THE PAST
Celestine Sibley, a woman of achievement
Celestine Sibley was not born in Georgia, but she was a Georgia treasure. She spent an important part of her life in and around Crabapple and through her writings helped establish the community as a special place, enriching many lives in the process. This week’s column pays tribute to her accomplishments, enthusiasm for life and for the people she inspired along the way.
Celestine Sibley (1914-1999) was the author of nearly 30 books beginning in 1958. Her final published book was “Spider in the Sink,” released in November 1997. She was a reporter for the Atlanta Constitution from 1941 to 1982 and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution from 1982 to 1999. She wrote more than 10,000 columns for the newspapers. She had a no-nonsense approach to writing yet could instill a touch of homespun humor.
When asked how long it took her to write a column, she nonchalantly replied “about 15 minutes.” That was because she said she would go through the day thinking about it, “sort of mentally writing it.”
When she first started out as a political reporter, she could turn out 10 stories a day plus a column, which did not mean that they were any good, she said, but it got the job done. That was her way, quick and thorough, and that made her a model for other young journalists.
When she died of cancer in 1999 the Atlanta Journal-Constitution printed page after page of tributes to her for many days and printed 1.5 million copies of a 24-page supplement. The famous and not famous poured their hearts out in tribute to the remarkable woman who inspired a whole generation of writers and ordinary people.
Former President Jimmy Carter wrote “For as long as Rosalynn and I can remember, she has shared her spirit and soul with the people of Georgia. Her common sense and wisdom reminded us that, although our lives have become very complicated, we are surrounded by simple beauty and unchanging truths – if we only take the time to recognize them.”
When reporter Rheta Grimsley Johnson joined the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 1994, she said, “Celestine Sibley already had a lifetime’s worth of friends with whom to share her wit and wisdom. Yet Celestine was one of the first, the few, to drop by my desk, welcome me to town and invite me to lunch.”
Lee Walburn, who was for a longtime editor of Atlanta Magazine and a highly regarded journalist with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, is a great admirer of Celestine. He told me that she was idolized by all who knew her.
“Most people know her as a writer,” he says, “but she was also one of the greatest reporters of the Georgia Legislature. She was hard working and tough and didn’t take any foolishness from anybody.”
Celestine was very close to her granddaughter Sibley Fleming who has written several awardwinning books. Both women wrote extensively about each other over the years.
In an interview Sibley Fleming described to me a book she wrote, “Celestine Sibley, a Granddaughter’s
BOB MEYERS/APPEN MEDIA
Sweet Apple, the name Celestine Sibley gave to the rustic cabin she purchased in the 1960s near today’s Crabapple community.
PROVIDED
Celestine Sibley as a child with her mother at Pensacola Beach. The photo appears on the back cover of her 1988 memoir, “Turned Funny,” by Celestine Sibley, published by Harper & Row.
Reminiscence.”
“The book is a personal account of a special grandmother through the eyes of her granddaughter,” she said. “She was a great role model for me and my little sister, Betsy. We both followed her around — albeit a generation apart — attached to her apron strings. She imbued in us both a love of nature and books and a keen sense of compassion for the underdog.”
The Georgia Writers Association named Fleming Georgia Author of the Year for the book. Sibley Fleming is currently editor in chief of the Urban
Institute’s Urban Land quarterly magazine. The organization is a think tank in the areas of social and economic policy.
Celestine Sibley’s cherished cottage is located in the North Fulton countryside area of Milton, near Roswell and Alpharetta. She lived there for the final 36 years of her life. She and a partner purchased the rustic cottage and 1 acre in the 1960s for about $1,000 and called it Sweet Apple according to the Georgia Encyclopedia. The log house was built in1844 and may have served originally as a schoolhouse.
She wrote about the house in her 1967 book, “A Place Called Sweet Apple.” To Celestine, the cottage symbolized a kind of life rooted in simplicity and community which she feared was slowly vanishing in Georgia. She lovingly restored the ancient cottage, but as new housing developments moved closer and closer, she used the cottage to record and critique the gradual disappearance of the rural South.
But the cabin symbolized more than that as it served as backdrop to some of her mystery novels. It became a kind of battleground where the forces of change and greed clashed with the values of tradition and honesty. She felt that unchecked growth threatened Southern life and traditions, and she made her views known through her writing. In some of her plots she highlighted the tension between preserving the past with land disputes, greedy developers and the decline of community values. The house still stands today as a private residence.
Celestine Sibley was a pioneer. She never slowed down, and she never quit. The result is a lasting body of work that will guide those who love history or a good yarn for generations to come.
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
OPINION
Flower bed irrigation using a soaker hose system
It has now moved into a long, HOT, DRY summer, and many of our flower beds are feeling the heat. How can we help them survive and thrive? As our summers get hotter, water may become a more limited resource. Outdoor watering can account for 50% or more of household water used during the summer months. Studies have shown that homeowners often water their plants too much and too frequently, resulting in unhealthy plants with shallow roots that are more susceptible to disease and pest infestation.
Although sprinkler irrigation is preferred for turf lawns, flowers and shrubs benefit more from trickle or micro-irrigation where water is applied slowly and directly to the roots of plants using small, flexVible pipes. Drip irrigation minimizes water loss from evaporation and run-off and uses 30-50% less water than sprinkler irrigation. It also keeps foliage dry, which decreases the risk of disease. There are many kinds of drip irrigation systems, but most consist of buried PVC pipes for main lines, polyethylene tubing for water distribution, emitters, a control valve, water filter and a pressure regulator.
An easier and less expensive alternative is to use soaker hoses available online and from most garden stores. They can be flat or round and made from PVC or recycled rubber. While flat soaker hoses are good for straight, long stretches, round soaker hoses can be curved around flowers and shrubs for direct root watering. This also avoids watering the parts of the bed where there are no plants but where weeds will happily grow when watered.
The first step to setting up a soaker hose irrigation system is to measure the areas you want to water. Soaker hoses come in lengths of 25 to100 feet, as well as “soaker hose systems” with lengths of hose that can be cut and various connectors to customize your system.
Keep in mind extra length may be needed to wind around plants. The round hoses are tightly coiled when removed from their packaging, so it is important to stretch them out in the sun to make them easier to handle before placing them in your garden bed. It is also a good idea to flush them with water to make sure there is even moisture coming from the entire length of the hose. The hose can be laid directly on the soil and then covered with a layer of mulch. Garden pegs are invaluable for holding the hose in place while winding it around your garden plants. Hose splitters may be needed to attach multiple hoses from one water source. Regular garden hoses may also be needed to connect the soaker hose to the water source.
Adding automated timers with a rain sensor makes the process seamless. Timers should be set to water between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. If you are watering multiple areas, stagger the scheduled days or times to maintain water pressure. When using automated timers, the faucets will always be open, so it is imperative there are no leaks or drips. Sometimes washers and hose ends must be replaced. Using plumber’s tape and a plumber’s wrench are key in having drip free connections. It
Hose splitter with two-hose automatic timer attached. Each hose can be programed separately.
About the author
This week’s “Garden Buzz” guest columnist is Anne Wiskind, a Master Gardener who completed her Fulton County Master Gardener curriculum and internship in April 2025. She is a life-long gardener with an active interest in ecological gardening and encouraging biodiversity. Anne is appreciative of the mentorship from the North Fulton County Master Gardeners during her training.
is also a good idea to check your water pressure, as most hose work best at 60 psi and may burst at pressures of 100 psi or greater.
So how much water does a soaker hose deliver? The only way to truly know is to place the soaker hose in a bucket for an hour and measure the output. Water output depends on the hose diameter and manufacturer. Often the hose manufacturer’s website will give an estimate of the output/hour. Another option is to stick a finger or soil probe in the soil after 30 minutes of watering and assess the
soil moisture. The soil should be moist to a depth of 2 inches and extend about 1 inch on either side of the hose. The frequency and length of watering can be adjusted accordingly. Soaker hoses don’t work well past 100 feet of length or uphill.
The goal is to water deeply and infrequently. A general rule of thumb is that established perennials and shrubs should only be watered one inch per week. Annuals and new plantings will need to be watered more frequently. A rain gauge in your yard may help you determine how much to water, as well as checking your soil and plant health. A soaker hose system can simplify the process.
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.
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Vice President of Client Programs
NFCC is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the fulltime Vice President of Client Programs position. The Vice President of Client Programs (VPCP) is a senior leader responsible for creating and implementing the Client Services department strategy for NFCC. This includes creating programs and services, monitoring their effectiveness and ensuring funds are distributed appropriately. The VPCP also leads a team of 13 client services staff who handle client intake, case management, impact and outcomes data, education (GED/English classes) and workforce development programs.
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