HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA
Sandy Springs elected officials and city department heads meet for a third and final workshop May 27 before final approval of the fiscal year 2026 budget, set for June 17. City officials got on the same page about improving Sandy Springs Raquet Center and issuing debt to address Fire Department stations.
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Sandy Springs government huddled May 27 for the last of three budget workshops planning for priority projects amid possible cuts to federal grants.
The 2026 fiscal year budget goes into effect July 1, and a final public hearing on the proposed spending plan will be at 6 p.m. June 17, followed by a City Council vote.
City Manager Eden Freeman leads the annual budgeting process, meeting with each of the city’s dozen or so department heads and the mayor months in advance of May workshops where the full City Council can give input on specific projects and initiatives.
Sandy Springs prides itself on its conservative budgeting, underestimating revenues and overestimating expenses, and never using one-time funding sources for recurring operating costs.
The city’s proposed 2026 general fund budget for day-to-day operations is up almost 5 percent from this year, rising $6 million to $131 million.
Some of the largest changes to the city’s operating budget for 2026 include an estimated $2.1 million for general liability insurance, an 18 percent increase, and an estimated $10.8 million for employee health insurance, up more than 20 percent.
See BUDGET, Page 10
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — The City of Sandy Springs’ tech specialist laid out initiatives he’s working on to integrate artificial intelligence into the city’s operations for improved efficiency and service.
Keith McMellen, director of Strategy, Analytics and Artificial Intelligence Integration, told the City Council May 20 that he’s looking to unite technical teams across multiple departments to develop a comprehensive strategy, identify opportunities and implement data-driven solutions.
“We are aligned with national trends, many cities are trying to work on development of AI policies and how to govern the use of it,” McMellen said. “There is a lot of uncertainty …”
Right now, Sandy Springs uses AIpowered data across various departments, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Fire, IT and Communications.
Some recent examples include the 2023 analysis of tree canopy, the CrowdStrike cybersecurity system and emergency response time analytics. The city says the new initiative will build on that by breaking down data silos, promoting data and AI literacy among staff and launching a range of projects to better serve the community.
CITY OF SANDY SPRINGS/PROVIDED Sandy Springs Data Strategy, Analytics and Artificial Intelligence Integration Director Keith McMellen
McMellen, who joined the city early this year, brings more than two decades of experience in the private sector with leadership roles at CP Kelco, Colonial Pipeline and Intercontinental Exchange. City leaders say his experience leading high-performing teams, modernizing enterprise data systems and delivering impactful business intelligence solutions has equipped him with a deep expertise in AI integration.
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By ZOE SEILER zoe@appenmedia.com
The Appen Media team presents this voters guide as a service to our readers voting in the June 17 special primary for the Georgia Public Service Commission.
Producing this guide was a labor of love, and we encourage you to consider becoming a monthly subscriber by visiting appenmedia.com/join.
We’d do this work for free if we could, but we can’t. We depend on your support.
Here is what you need to know about voting in the June 17 primary. All our election coverage can be found at Decaturishvotes.com
What does the Public Service Commission do?
According to the PSC website, the Georgia Public Service Commission sets “fair and reasonable rates for services under its jurisdiction.” Utilities, like Georgia Power, are typically regulated by the PSC. One of its roles is to govern Georgia Power’s rates and plans.
The PSC is a five-member board that regulates power, energy, natural gas, broadband and railroads, said Paul Glaze, media and public affairs strategist for Georgia Conservation Voters, an environmental advocacy group.
“What the Public Service Commission does, their mandate is that they are supposed to protect consumers, ensure affordability and make decisions that are in the net benefit of society,” Glaze said.
Every three years, Georgia Power and other natural gas companies present their long-term plans and funding proposals to the Public Service Commission. These plans outline how much electricity the company estimates people will need and how they propose to cover the associated costs.
“The first one is called the IRP or the integrated resource plan. That one is focused on...how much energy are we going to need [and] how do we do it,” Glaze said. “The second one is the rate case. That is where we argue about how much that should cost people.”
Charles Bullock, a political science professor at University of Georgia added that there are hearings for the IRP and rate case so “citizens or representatives of citizen groups can show up and can argue that what the utility is asking for is too much, that the increase should either be denied altogether or perhaps should be scaled back.”
How does the PSC impact me?
The main way the Public Service Commission impacts your everyday life is by determining how much Georgia Power customers pay for electricity.
The PSC sets rates that Georgia Power customers see on their bills, although Glaze noted that rates and bills are not the same, as the commission also approves other fees.
“Since 2023, the average person’s bill has gone up an average of $43 for Georgia Power customers. Of that $43, just under $13 would have been stopped by the [rate] freeze. About $13
was rate increases, about $30 was all these other things,” Glaze said.
When was the last election, and why was it so long ago?
PSC elections were last held in 2020 and have been on hold since 2022 due to a federal lawsuit alleging the election process for commissioners violates the Voting Rights Act, according to WABE.
The commission is divided into five districts. Candidates must live in the district they are running for, but all Georgia residents vote for each seat. Democrats challenged that setup in 2020, arguing that some cities or counties had to shift to single-member districts because all at-large seats violated the Voting Rights Act, Bullock said.
“What Democrats were hoping to achieve when they challenged that in court was to have only those voters who live in a district able to vote for a particular PSC commissioner,” Bullock said. “The Democrats thought that if you had single-member districts in which only a majority of the people living in your district could vote for you, that one or maybe two of the seats would elect a Democrat.”
The current commissioners are all Republicans. The PSC has had all Republican members for several years.
The legal challenge paused elections in 2022 and 2024.
“They were enjoined from holding elections until they resolved the question of whether or not the existing arrangement was legal,” Bullock said.
Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger officially called for the pair of special elections in February, but the plan to put the two commission districts on the ballot this year was created by state lawmakers last year, according to the Georgia Recorder.
A federal district judge sided with the plaintiffs, but that lower court’s decision was reversed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the case last year.
Last summer, another lawsuit was filed regarding the constitutionality of the Legislature’s plan to restart the PSC elections and extend the current commissioners’ terms, thereby exceeding the terms for which they were initially elected to serve.
A federal judge dismissed the case earlier this year, Georgia Recorder reported.
Who can vote in these elections?
No changes were made to the
election structure following the lawsuits. The candidates must live in their districts, but the elections are statewide, so all Georgia voters can cast ballots in both races.
Here are the candidate Q&A’s: Public Service Commission, District 2
District 2 includes much of east and southeast Georgia that includes Athens, Augusta and Savannah. The candidates are Republicans Tim Echols (incumbent) and Lee Muns. The winner of the primary will face Democrat Alicia Johnson in November.
Public Service Commission, District 3
District 3 includes the Metro Atlanta counties of Fulton, DeKalb and Clayton. The candidates are Democrats Daniel Blackman, Peter Hubbard, Robert Jones and Keisha Waites. The winner of the primary will face Republican incumbent Fitz Johnson in November.
*Note: Daniel Blackman’s candidacy has been challenged due to the amount of time he has lived in Fulton County. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has disqualified Blackman from the race and the campaign intends to appeal the decision.
To view the candidate Q&As for both districts, visit Decaturishvotes. com.
Early voting
Early voting begins May 27 and ends June 13.
In DeKalb County, polls are open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Polls will be open on May 31 and June 7 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on June 1 and 8 from 12-5 p.m. Voters can cast a ballot at any early voting location.
In Fulton County, polls are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is no Sunday voting in Fulton.
Voters can cast ballots early in Forsyth County Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, June 1, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Early voting is not available on June 8 or on Sundays.
For more information about early voting in your area, visit decaturishvotes.com Election Day
Election Day is Tuesday, June 17.
On Election Day, polls are typically open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. but sometimes open later if there are technical problems. Usually, anyone in line at 7 p.m. will be allowed to cast their vote. Also, on Election Day, you must vote at the precinct listed on your voter registration.
How do I view my ballot and find my polling place?
The Georgia Secretary of State’s My Voter Page will show you your sample ballot and polling location. Visit mvp. sos.ga.gov/s/ to see your voting information.
has changed some precinct boundaries and polling locations for the primary. Be sure to check your voter registration to confirm your Election Day polling location. Decaturish.com has more information about the polling precinct and boundary changes.
The deadline to request an absentee ballot is June 6. Absentee ballots must be returned by Election Day, June 17.
any drop box.
Absentee ballots can also be mailed to Board of Registrars, 4380 Memorial Drive, Suite 300, Decatur, GA 30032.
In Forsyth County, absentee ballots can be returned to the Elections Office at 1201 Sawnee Drive in Cumming. A drop box is available at the office during early voting.
local elections office during normal business hours or until 7 p.m. on Election Day, June 17.
What to bring when you vote
• Your absentee ballot if you want to vote in person instead. If you do not have your absentee ballot, you must sign an affidavit stating that you are instead casting your ballot in person. Continued from Page 4
The DeKalb County Elections Board
In DeKalb County, absentee ballot drop boxes will be at the Berean Christian Church, DeKalb Voter Registration and Elections Office, Dunwoody Library, New Life Community Alliance, North DeKalb Senior Center, and Tucker-Reid H. Cofer Library. During early voting, absentee ballots can be turned in at
In Fulton County, drop boxes are available at the Alpharetta Library, Buckhead Library, College Park Library, C.T. Martin Recreation Center, Ocee Library, Sandy Springs Library and Wolf Creek Library. Ballots can be mailed to Fulton County Registration and Elections
Absentee Ballot Division, 5600 Campbellton Fairburn Road, Union City, GA 30213
Once early voting ends, absentee ballots can be hand-delivered to your
DeKalb County Voter Registration and Elections says all voters need to bring the following items when they show up to early voting or at the polls on Election Day:
• A valid ID, such as a driver’s license, passport or voter identification card.
• A mask to help ensure your safety and the safety of the poll workers and voters around you. You may also bring a chair, water and snacks if the site has a long wait line.
By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Richard Landin was shocked when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents showed up at his Alpharetta apartment May 12 and handcuffed his wife.
Married for three months, Richard watched in disbelief as agents announced they were detaining Daniela Joy Landin, who entered the U.S. last year as an asylum seeker from Colombia.
“My wife looked at me, teary-eyed and terrified,” Richard said. “And she was like, ‘Wait, what’s going on?’”
She remains a federal detainee.
On May 25, she was moved to the El Paso (Texas) Service Processing Center from Stewart Detention Center near Columbus, Ga., where she had been held for two weeks, according to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement online database.
Daniela has no criminal history, Richard said.
The ICE seizure came without warning after a case worker and attorney assured the couple that her appeal of a denied asylum status ruling would prevent her deportation and apprehension, Richard said.
Attempts to reach the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement were unsuccessful.
Richard, a soft-spoken 26-year-old, recounted the story from the living room of his mother’s Marietta home May 21.
He has avoided his apartment since Daniela was taken because of the painful memories, his mother said.
“It’s been grueling,” Richard said, tears welling in his eyes. “It’s been horrifying. For my wife, it’s been torturous, It’s very painful.”
‘What’s going on here?’
On the morning of May 12, Richard, who works in corporate sales, was in the shower preparing for work when he heard his puppy Angel barking. Moments later, his wife knocked on the bathroom door, telling him someone was at the front door. He assumed his apartment’s management was visiting for a maintenance issue. But he opened the door to find agents. One was wearing a jacket emblazoned with the acronym “ICE.”
“I was shocked. I was like, ‘What’s going on here?’” Richard said, adding, “She was scared.”
Born in Colombia, Daniela came to the U.S. after she was threatened by paramilitary groups for participating in
RICHARD LANDIN/PROVIDED
Richard Landin and Daniela Joy Landin enjoy time together after a small, intimate wedding in Alpharetta Feb. 8.
community charities that worked with youth and people struggling with drug addiction.
“It wasn’t uncommon for those groups to act openly, out in the streets, and kill whoever they decided,” Richard said.
Daniela, a 23-year-old who had graduated from La Universidad Industrial de Santander with a degree in petroleum engineering, presented herself to Border Patrol agents in May 2024 at the California-Mexico border. She had her sights set on working as a petroleum engineer.
The couple met shortly after, connecting online.
Richard said he remembers their first date at the Colombian restaurant La Ruana in Alpharetta. They talked about family, her past life in Colombia and plans for the future.
Richard was drawn to Daniela’s compassion, and there was instantly a connection between the two.
Daniela’s claim for asylum status during an initial hearing Sept. 12, she has appealed the ruling. At the time, she had no legal representation.
In contrast with the criminal justice system, immigration judges are appointed by the Department of Justice. Also, no attorneys are provided to asylum seekers who cannot afford to hire one.
Since her initial hearing, Daniela has retained Jameel Manji, an immigration attorney based in Tucker.
Throughout her court process, Daniela has never failed to meet a deadline or make an appearance, Manji said. For five months, she wore an ankle monitor that tracked her location.
Richard said the agents who appeared on his door May 12 first said they were there to check the ankle monitor. After checking the device, they told him she had an order for deportation because her asylum had been denied.
Manji said Daniela could be released if she is granted bond, which could be reviewed in a couple of weeks. An immigration board likely will decide her appeal in a matter of months.
The board could deport her, grant her asylum or send her case back to the judge who first reviewed her case, Manji said.
Richard said his wife’s apprehension makes no sense because she was not a flight risk wearing an ankle monitor, has ties to the community and has continued her appeal for asylum status.
Daniela, whom Richard described as friendly, charismatic and caring, has dozens of friends in Alpharetta and Georgia.
“It’s very obvious to people that she has a lot of integrity,” he said. “They know friendship to her means friendship.”
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On his way home from the restaurant, he was moved to see a text from her asking if he had arrived home safely.
“It was kind of just like there’s no doubt,” Richard said, smiling. “I was very much already starting to fall for her.”
Soon, Richard introduced Daniela to his friends and family.
“Everybody really liked her,” he said.
They were married Feb. 8 at an Alpharetta event hall in a small ceremony with friends and family.
Richard’s mother, Ana Marie Landin, said the relationship has brought the best out in both of them.
“I see how much she loves him in her patience and dedication,” Ana Marie said. “I see his devotion to her and their relationship.”
While an immigration judge denied
With denial of her initial request for asylum status, Daniela has been unable to work. She hopes to one day become a citizen, Richard said.
In the four months since President Trump took office, the Department of Homeland Security has reported arresting more than 158,000 immigrants who, the agency says, are in the country illegally. The department oversees U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The Alpharetta Police Department is not involved directly in the federal agency’s immigration enforcement.
“We do not provide direct assistance to ICE in detaining or picking up of individuals for immigration reasons,” said Kate Fies, an Alpharetta Department of Public Safety spokeswoman.
Under Trump’s administration, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has dramatically changed which immigrants it detains, Manji said.
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Gov. Brian Kemp announced May 22 that Mercedes-Benz will expand its North American headquarters in Sandy Springs by centralizing and uniting key corporate functions.
Mercedes-Benz is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of high-end passenger cars.
The company is expected to move up to 500 jobs to the existing MercedesBenz facility, known as “1MB,” in Sandy Springs, and make a multi-milliondollar investment in a future state-ofthe-art Research & Development facility nearby.
Mercedes-Benz opened its “1MB” facility off Abernathy Road in 2018. It currently supports around 800 jobs in the state.
“Georgia continues to lead the way in the future of mobility and technical innovation, attracting world-class companies like Mercedes-Benz that are driving the automotive industry forward,” Kemp said. “We’re excited that a job creator that already has close ties to Georgia is doubling down on that choice and growing their presence here in the best state for business and opportunity.”
Mercedes-Benz North America CEO Jason Hoff said the company is strengthening its position for continued growth and reinforcing its commitment to the U.S. market.
“We thank the State of Georgia for its support in deepening MercedesBenz’s roots in the Atlanta area as we bring even more talented team members to this world-class city,” Hoff said. “Bringing our teams closer together will enable us to be more agile, increase speed to market, and ensure the best customer experience.”
Assistant Director of Statewide Projects Elizabeth McLean represented the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s Global Commerce team on the project in partnership with the city of Sandy Springs, Select Fulton, Metro Atlanta Chamber and Georgia Power.
Mercedes-Benz says the existing facility will house the current sales teams as well as financial services teams and corporate functions. A new state-ofthe-art Research & Development hub is set to be located near Sandy Springs.
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number of letters for each answer (the answers in line 1 are 5, 5 and 4 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!
1. Wind instrument. African & Asian cat-like mammal. No-no.
2. African & Asian carrion eater. Brandy flavor. Sailor’s greeting.
3. Surefooted Asian & African goat. 3rd sign of the Zodiac. Part of a royal flush.
4. Practical joke. African spiral-horned antelope. Family man.
5. Hard wood. Morocco’s capital. Three-toed Asian ungulate.
6. Links sport. African & Asian rock rabbit. Dog command.
7. Large B&W herbivorous mammal of Asia. Trojan War hero. Small three-masted vessel.
1 Wind instrument. African & Asian cat-like mammal. No-no.
2. African & Asian carrion eater. Brandy flavor. Sailor’s greeting.
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. Surefooted Asian & African goat. 3rd sign of the Zodiac. Part of a royal flush.
4. Practical joke. African spiral-horned antelope. Family man.
5. Hard wood. Morocco’s capital. Three-toed Asian ungulate.
6. Links sport. African & Asian rock rabbit. Dog command
7. Large black-and-white herbivorous mammal of Asia. Trojan War hero. Small three-masted vessel.
what residents are looking for in their community.
Continued from Page 1
Freeman said the city is budgeting for a new health and benefits manager to develop a self-funded model before the policy resets Jan. 1.
The new budget also allows for seven new employees across several departments – one in the Police Department – bringing the total number of budgeted positions to 648.
The city’s total spending across all funds exceeds $1 billion. Most of that is assigned to multi-year projects within the Public Facilities Authority and to transportation projects funded through a special countywide sales tax.
The city gets a share of the countywide sales tax for transportation infrastructure, and its Public Facilities Authority serves as a financing and ownership partner for major city developments like City Springs.
The city’s capital projects fund –used for one-time, big-ticket items, like buildings and new parks – totals more than $107 million. It is funded primarily through transfers from the general fund and city reserves with some state and federal grants.
The capital projects fund usually hovers around $25 million a year.
After the May 20 workshop, Sandy Springs officials decided to move some capital project funding around. The discussion included a heated backand-forth between Mayor Rusty Paul and City Councilman Andy Bauman about plans to spend just over $1 million on renovations to the Sandy Springs Racquet Center.
The prospect of allocating more than $1 million for repairs brought up other topics, like issuing a bond for parks and the city’s recreational investments.
So far, the city is planning to begin an update to its 2019 Recreation and Parks Master Plan, including an assessment of current facilities and
Freeman said the city is reducing the scope of the racquet center renovations to only include safetyrelated items at $511,000 and redirecting $200,000 to support the city’s free, signature events at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center.
Budgeted improvements to the racquet center include restroom and ceiling renovations, sidewalk enhancements and a deck replacement, but removes aesthetic work.
There are also plans to discuss a revised Presenting Partner Program policy for the Performing Arts Center at an upcoming work session, which looks to recoup some costs of community events with participation from corporate sponsors.
That leaves about $300,000 for other major projects.
Sandy Springs seeks to relocate Fire Station 4 from north Atlanta to inside its city limits as a part of the debt issuance. Freeman said the leftover racquet center renovation funds will go toward payments of additional debt service.
“This budget includes a debt issuance for Fire Station 4, so we are prioritizing replacing Station 4, Station 1 and an addition to Station 3,” Freeman said. “That takes our debt issuance up to $50 million planned during this budget year.”
At the city’s first budget workshop May 6, the city manager said financial advisers reported there is capacity to issue the debt without affecting the city’s triple A bond rating.
At the first work session, City Manager Freeman laid out plans to rebuild Fire Station 1 and construct an attachment to Fire Station 3 as a part of a multi-year capital project totaling $20.2 million.
Freeman said Fire Station 4 is more complicated and expensive because the city needs to find somewhere to rebuild it inside city limits. Property values
inside the Perimeter are not low.
With ongoing discussions, city officials will consider budgetary impacts before the bonds are advertised and hit the market. Freeman said the plan is to issue debt, but no decision has been made yet.
Fire Chief Keith Sanders told elected officials at the first work session that Station 1 off Spalding Drive, built by Fulton County in 1968, is in desperate need of repairs with a crumbling foundation and flooding. That work is estimated to cost around $17 million.
Fire Station 3, built in 2002, is just north of I-285 at 6025 Raider Drive across from Riverwood International Charter School. The city is planning for a $3 million addition.
Sandy Springs has already made progress on updating its share of leftover Fulton County fire stations.
Sandy Springs reopened Fire Station 2 at 135 Johnson Ferry Road in 2022 after replacing the original building, which was built in 1969. The city opened the new Fire Station 5 at 7800 Mount Vernon Road, with automatic aid north to Roswell, last July to improve response times in the panhandle region north of Dunwoody.
Sandy Springs Fire Station 4 and Atlanta Fire Station 27 service the southern parts of the city inside I-285 just north of Atlanta’s Buckhead. The cities have agreements at both stations to help ensure aid reaches residents at the borders.
Fire Chief Sanders said the percentage of calls for service to Atlanta at Station 4 off Wieuca Road has gradually increased over time, and Sandy Springs needs to consider bringing it inside city limits. He said firefighters and engines are having to go farther south into Atlanta because of its closed facilities and backlogs for engine replacements.
President Donald Trump’s proposed tax bill, making its way through Congress, includes some cuts to federal programs, including the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department’s Community Development Block Grant.
With around $500,000 or more in annual funding and more than $1.7 million in principal left with its Section 108 loan, Sandy Springs is preparing to take a hit. The loan, pledging future CDBG grant allocations, runs through 2030.
Mayor Rusty Paul said a lot of cities have much more debt within the program than Sandy Springs. He said Congress will ultimately decide whether the program survives.
“It’s zeroed out in the president’s proposed budget,” Paul said. “We’ll have to see the details, whether those loans will be forgiven, how they intend to attack that ... remains to be determined.”
The CDBG program, a remnant of President Richard Nixon’s administration, allocates funds to metropolitan cities and urban counties with a focus on low- to moderateincome people.
Sandy Springs is plans to use the most recent funding for sidewalks along Hope Road in the city’s North End and sidewalks connecting to Roswell Road south of I-285.
Mayor Paul said the state and National Park Service canceled the city’s federal grant application to fund Section 2C of the Springway’s Morgan Falls Loop. The announcement leaves the future of the estimated $14 million trail extension uncertain. The city has set aside $5 million in its capital budget for a local match.
Assistant City Manager Kristin Smith said she is working to identify additional grants and funding opportunities for the segment from Morgan Falls Overlook Park to Grogans Ferry Road.
“What we got, we got,” Mayor Paul said. “What we were hoping to get is probably not coming, not in the near term.”
Continued from Page 1
McMellen said the Fire Department is currently analyzing incident and response data to identify trends and adjust shift schedules to develop a more efficient emergency response. It’s an example of a potential AI application that can save lives.
“[The Fire Department is] just starting to scratch the surface with this … starting to use some of the advanced features now, which include forecasting,” McMellen said. “As they gain more confidence in their data quality, they’ve also started to explore the augmented analytics features, which does bring AI into the process.”
Most Metro Atlanta cities have staff specializing in IT or GIS functions, which manage information systems and provide spatial context to data. Sandy Springs’ new Digital Innovation Strategy takes that work a step further.
Continued from Page 6
“The previous administration was focused on individuals with final deportation orders and people with criminal history,” Manji said. “This administration is openly much more aggressive.”
Rigid detention routine
During her two weeks at the Stewart Detention Center, Richard said he spoke to Daniela through a video chat app as much as possible, sometimes twice a day. During inperson visits, they spoke through a telephone, separated by thick glass.
Richard said he worries about his wife’s mental state.
“Every day my wife calls me, and every day I hear her more desperate, more depressed, more feeling like she’s losing faith,” he said.
Daniela was housed in a pod at the detention center, he said.
Continued from Page 7
Mercedes-Benz anticipates the move will be completed by August 2026.
Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty
The city says a steering committee, composed of department heads, will provide strategic direction to the Digital Innovation Initiative, while a working technical group will recommend and implement solutions. The director of data strategy, analytics and AI is a position within the City Manager’s Office.
Another group, the Digital Development Team, is made up of members of the Communications and IT departments, focusing on creating software and information systems tailored to the city’s unique operational and community needs.
To learn more, visit www. sandyspringsga.gov/innovate.
The city is in the review process to receive the What Works City Certification through Bloomberg Philanthropies, an internationally recognized program that analyzes a city’s capacity to use data and provide a strategic framework. There are three levels of certification.
In May, Sandy Springs applied for a PIN Grant in partnership with Georgia Tech to address the significant increase in permit requests since 2020 and to streamline the process for residents.
Overhead lights remain on most of the day. They’re shut off only between midnight and about 4 a.m., when detention officers rouse the all-female pod population, pulling off their blankets and ordering them to sit in their beds to prevent them from going back to sleep.
From 4 a.m. to about 9 or 10 a.m., the detainees sit upright and awake as the pod is cleaned. If detainees move off their beds or fail to follow the rules, they can face punishments, such as restrictions on the in-pod microwave or tablets they use to communicate with the outside world.
“She’s definitely experienced some sleep deprivation in there,” Richard said.
Detainees wear color-coded uniforms signifying their criminal history and potential danger to officers. Daniela wore a green-gray uniform because she has no criminal history, Richard said.
Daniela sometimes worked Sudoku puzzles, but managing boredom has been a challenge.
Paul said the expansion represents “a wonderful opportunity and a significant milestone for our continued development.”
“Since establishing their headquarters here in 2018, they have been outstanding corporate partners,” Paul said. “Their decision to grow in Sandy Springs highlights the success
If awarded, the city says work on transforming the permitting process through an AI-driven system will begin in September.
Another project in development is a digital signage system for bird sighting at Morgan Falls Overlook Park.
McMellen told elected officials at the May City Council work session that his plan includes breaking down silos between city departments and better integrate data, including an AI literacy program for staff.
“The need for the solid foundation is important … Consistency, data quality for AI to work as intended,” he said. “We’re working on policies and documentation on how we collect, store, use the data. Think of them as the ordinances on how we interact with data in the city.”
McMellen said the city’s problem is not data collection but how to integrate it. His long-term plan is to centralize it in one easy-tounderstand database for all city departments to benefit from.
Mayor Rusty Paul said he designated City Councilwoman
She rarely ventured out because there is no shade or access to water in the yard.
She related that the food is unappetizing “slop,” Richard said.
His wife could be released if she is granted bond at a hearing.
She is granted time to speak with her attorney once or twice a week. She often presses Richard for updates about her case.
“She always sounds very desperate,” he said. “When she calls me, she’s always asking, ‘Hey, is there an update? Do we know when the bond hearing will be?’ She feels like they’re treating her worse than criminals.”
Manji said her continued detention is heartbreaking, considering she has “done everything the right way.”
“She followed every single rule. Asylum is a legal right she is entitled to,” he said. “She is an exemplary resident and has a strong support system. She is a woman who is a
of the city’s recent infrastructure and capital investments which are now clearly paying dividends.”
Fulton County Commission Chairman Robb Pitts said having a globally recognized brand like Mercedes-Benz reaffirm its commitment by investing and growing here is a testament to the strength
Melissa Mular to serve as a Steering Committee liaison. Mular said data quality is essential before it can be used effectively.
When City Councilman Andy Bauman asked about public safety applications, including predictive policing and emergency response, McMellen said he’s been working with the Fire Department more than law enforcement.
“We haven’t really had that conversation about predictive policing, and it’s a long way off,” McMellen said. “You get into very touchy, data ethics areas when you start talking about policing, so those are some of those foundational policy things that we have to work on.”
City Manager Eden Freeman said Sandy Springs is unique because of its leadership’s unified embrace of innovation.
“While we are still in the early stages of developing our strategy, we clearly see the transformative potential of AI,” Freeman said. “That’s why we’re making thoughtful investments in leadership roles like Keith’s, and in resources that will position us at the forefront of digital innovation.”
stuck in a very difficult place.”
Richard said he understands Daniela could be deported, but he tries to avoid thinking about it. He says he will stay with his wife no matter what.
“Obviously I’m not going to be without my wife,” Richard said. Instead, he thinks about what they will do together when she is released.
The couple has talked extensively about their plans, discussing where they might live and what kind of home they might have.
Daniela hopes to return to school and become more fluent in English. They hope to have kids one day but haven’t reached agreement about how many.
“She is still dead set on one, but I’m trying to convince her on two,” he said, chuckling.
Those plans are on hold for now.
“We could definitely have a great future together, but unfortunately under the current circumstances it is hard,” Richard said.
and vitality of the community.
“It proves Fulton County continues to be a destination for corporate solutions, providing major companies an accessible, vibrant, and growing community for their business to thrive in,” Pitts said.
— Hayden Sumlin
Hydrangeas are getting a head start with the mild spring, with blossoms forming early this year. So, let’s explore some pruning techniques that will help you enjoy these beauties now and in the future.
Hydrangeas are popular ornamental plants known for their large, showy blooms and lush foliage. Proper pruning is essential for maintaining the health, shape and blooming potential of hydrangeas. In this guide, we'll explore what you need to know about when and how to prune hydrangea plants for optimal growth and beauty.
Before diving into pruning techniques, it's crucial to understand the different types of hydrangeas and their specific pruning requirements:
• Bigleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla): Known for their large, round flower clusters, bigleaf hydrangeas bloom on old wood. This means they set their flower buds in late summer or early fall for the following year's blooms. Pruning at the wrong time can remove these buds, resulting in reduced flowering.
• Panicle hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata): Panicle hydrangeas produce cone-shaped flower clusters and bloom on new wood. They are more forgiving when it comes to pruning timing and can be pruned in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges.
• Smooth hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens): Smooth hydrangeas produce large, white flower heads and bloom on new wood. Like panicle hydrangeas, they can be pruned in late winter or early spring.
• Oakleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia): Oakleaf hydrangeas feature distinctive oak-shaped leaves and produce cone-shaped flower clusters. They bloom on old wood, so pruning should be done immediately after flowering to avoid removing next year's buds.
The timing of hydrangea pruning depends on the specific type of hydrangea you have:
• Bigleaf and oakleaf hydrangeas: Prune immediately after flowering, typically in late spring or early summer. This allows the plant to develop new growth and set flower buds for the following year.
• Panicle and smooth hydrangeas: These varieties can be pruned in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Since they bloom on new wood, pruning encourages vigorous growth and abundant flowering during the upcoming season.
Follow these general pruning guidelines for healthy, attractive hydrangea plants:
Remove dead or damaged wood: Begin by cutting out any dead, diseased or damaged branches. Make clean cuts just above a healthy bud or lateral branch. Shape the plant: Trim back any overly long or straggly branches to maintain a neat and compact shape. Aim to create a balanced silhouette while preserving the plant's natural form.
Thinning out: To improve air circulation and reduce overcrowding, selectively thin out interior branches. This helps prevent disease and promotes better light penetration, leading to healthier growth and more abundant blooms.
Deadheading: After flowering, deadhead spent blooms by cutting the flower stalks back to a pair of healthy buds or lateral branches. This encourages the development of new growth and may result in additional blooms later in the season.
Tips for successful pruning:
Use sharp tools: Use sharp, clean pruning shears to make precise cuts and minimize damage to the plant. Sanitize tools: Before pruning, sterilize your pruning tools with rubbing alcohol or a bleach solution to prevent the spread of disease.
Avoid over-pruning: While it's essential to remove dead or unwanted growth, avoid excessive pruning, especially on bigleaf and oakleaf hydrangeas, as this can diminish next year's flowering.
Monitor soil moisture: Hydrangeas prefer consistently moist, well-drained soil. Water deeply during dry periods to keep the root zone evenly moist but avoid waterlogged conditions.
Apply mulch: Mulching around the base of the plant helps retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Apply a layer of organic mulch, such as shredded bark or compost, in spring to a depth of 2-4 inches.
Fertilize sparingly: Hydrangeas generally do not require heavy fertilization. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring, following the manufacturer's instructions. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, as these can encourage excessive foliage
This week’s “Garden Buzz” guest columnist is John Fox, a 2024 Fulton County Extension Master Gardener. John was the CEO of Emory Healthcare for 16 years and has an interest in landscapes and plant biology.
growth at the expense of flowers.
Proper trimming is essential for maintaining the health, appearance, and blooming performance of hydrangea plants. By understanding the specific pruning requirements of different hydrangea varieties and following best practices for timing and technique, you can ensure that your hydrangeas thrive with beautiful blooms year after year.
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 to promote and foster community enrichment. Master Gardener Volunteers are trained and certified by The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. Learn more at nfmg. net. Previous Garden Buzz columns are featured at: https://www.appenmedia.com/opinion/columnists/ garden_buzz/
It’s almost too terrifying to recall, but I do it anyway. They say it helps if you confront your fears. We’ll see. It started like this. I’d been doing some edging and pruning, but mostly I was pulling weeds.
Weed pulling, as you know, can be serious business, and this effort was no exception. In fact, the pile of pulled weeds had grown pretty big.
My neighbor walked by about that time and saw what I’d been doing.
“Man” he said, “just wait till the word gets out in Weedville that you’ve been yanking ’em up left and right. Are they ever gonna be mad at you!”
I laughed about that and said something about revenge of the plants. Then back to work and, later, a shower, supper, some reading, and eventually bedtime.
Sleep… I was walking through the woods somewhere, enjoying the fresh springtime air and the sounds of frogs and birds when suddenly…suddenly… everything went quiet. I mean totally silent. There wasn’t a whisper of sound. It was as if the world held its breath.
So I did too, and that’s when I heard it – a subtle stirring in in the undergrowth…a slight rustle among the leaves…right over there…
And then…and then…
Then I saw it. From the mass of ferns there rose a stalk, a green menace, quivering and shimmering and leaning toward me…
It was a plant. A plant with a hungry gaping maw – cavernous, carnivorous – and it was stretching silently and inexorably right towards me.
I stood terrified, not able to flee. The plant moved closer…closer…and then… I sat bolt upright, knocking covers
Jane Atkinson, 62 Roswell, GA passed away on April 21, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
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and pillows aside, heart pounding. It had been a close call, I found myself thinking. But it had only been a dream. Hadn’t it?
Dream or not, I’ve always been fascinated with the idea of carnivorous (a fancy way of saying “meat-eating”) plants. Legend and lore are rife with tales of man-eating marigolds and hungry hyacinths and ravenous rhododendron and – well, you get the idea.
Fortunately, we weed-pullers hope, such legends are only that.
But the fact is that there are indeed plants that get along by eating things that crawl or fly – and as I pull into the parking area at the Doerun Pitcherplant Bog Wildlife Management Area near the community of Doerun in southern Georgia, I was preparing myself to see ’em firsthand.
Doerun Pitcherplant Bog is on Georgia Highway 133 not too far from Reed Bingham State Park. If you’ve never heard of Doerun, don’t worry about it. Just think “near Moultrie west of Adel,” and you’ll be in the right neck of the woods.
What’s drawn me to this 651-acre tract of flat South Georgia landscape is the opportunity to see these plants up-close and personal. I’ll be seeing them in their natural habitat, where nutrient-poor acidic soils means that nourishment must come from somewhere besides the ground. Given such conditions, pitcherplants and other carnivorous flora evolved to get their daily bread from another source –specifically, by tapping the abundance of bugs with which they share their little corner of the world.
The most obvious carnivorous plants at Doerun will be several species of pitcher plants, fascinating creations with hollow trumpet-like leaves. The inside surface of the leaves is lined with downward-pointing hairs, and at the bottom of each trumpet is a pool of
John Daniels, 75, Alpharetta, GA passed away on May 17, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Peggy Donehoo, 93, Roswell, GA passed away on May 25, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
water.
All of that is bad news if you’re a bug. You see, the color and aroma of the plants draws insects to the leaves. They creep up the outside toward the inviting lip, walking tentatively, maybe taking a step too far…for once inside, they begin to slip, sliding down-downdown until they find themselves trapped in the unrelenting embrace of that pool of no return. There they will remain, eventually drowning, while the plant (for its part) digests them at its leisure. But back to Doerun, where trails provide access to the area and a network of subtle footpaths branches off to let you walk the landscape and look for these plants yourself. The biggest of these is the Yellow Trumpet pitcherplant (Sarracenia flava) with leaves which can grow as much as 3 feet high. You may be able to detect their lemony aroma. Other pitcherplant species at the site include the Hooded Pitcherplant (Sarracenia minor) and the Parrot Pitcherplant (Sarracenia psittacine).
There are other carnivorous plants at Doerun, too, including the diminutive sundews. One species, the Pink Sundew, is a tiny little thing with an overall size about that of a quarter. This plant presents as a radiating rosette of reddish padlike leaves, and each leaf is covered with fine hairlike fibers. At the end of each fiber sits a drop of sweet, honey-like nectar. Small bugs who venture close for a taste soon find themselves mired in sticky stuff, and their struggles cause the leaf to slowly close around the hapless bug as a hand might close around a treasured coin or a precious stone. Once in the plant’s embrace, the bug has had it. The plant digests it, and then later the leaf uncurls and the carcass falls away.
At the Doerun Pitcherplant Bog, visitors age 16 or older will need either a hunting or fishing license or a Lands Pass in order to access the site. You
Marcalee Endsley, 83, Roswell, GA passed away on May 23, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
David Kirk, 64, Roswell, GA passed away on May 19, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
may want some bug repellant, too, and by all means take your camera.
You’ll have a great time under the South Georgia sun exploring the world of Doerun Pitcherplant Bog. Then later, back home, you will also enjoy your air conditioning as you relive what you saw there. You’ll think about the plants…those meat-eating plants… until eventually, tired from the day’s excursion, you’ll probably doze off. Then… maybe you’ll dream…
Helen Scarbro, 85, Roswell, GA passed away on April 21, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Nan Simpson, 86, Alpharetta, GA passed away on May 17, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Community Engagement Manager
NFCC is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the fulltime Community Engagement Manager position. The Community Engagement Manager oversees all aspects of NFCC’s community events from planning through execution, including creating timelines, managing vendors and securing sponsorships. Events range from the annual golf tournament and fundraising gala to donor recognition and community engagement gatherings. The ideal candidate must be highly organized, creative, and motivated to successfully lead event planning and community engagement initiatives.
If this sounds like the role for you, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org
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.
If this sounds like the role for you, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org
