January 2019 - Buckhead by Rough Draft Atlanta | Atlanta Intown, Reporter Newspapers & Silver Streak

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JANUARY 2019 • VOL. 13 — NO. 1

Buckhead Reporter COMMUNITY

Super Bowl brings business excitement, traffic worries P20

JANU ARY 20 19

Section Two

Sandy Spring s Dunw oody Brookh aven Buckh ead

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Under 20 ►Exceptional Educator ►Raising money for music

New giant projects join senior housing boom

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AROUND

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His life retiree changed, focus infinds new kids P2 helping 6

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COMMUNITY

Legislator lends personal experience to ‘fake service animals’ study P17

BY JOHN RUCH AND DYANA BAGBY evelyn@reporternewspapers.net

REPORTERNEWSPAPERS. NET/SIGNUP

RNEWS

PAPERS .NET

SECTIO N

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Darlington displacement impacts tenant-aid nonprofits BY JOHN RUCH

SPECIAL

Keeping it hyperlocal P14

EPORTE

johnruch@reporternewspapers.net

An illustration of the Village Park Senior Housing project planned for Howell Mill Road.

COMMENTARY

EDUCAT ION WWW.R

Two more major projects aim to join a senior housing boom in the area, one on Howell Mill Road and another in Brookhaven’s Lenox Park. Meanwhile, a massive expansion of an existing senior community, Canterbury Court, is headed for the city’s Zoning Review Board with an approval from NPU-B after a hastily arranged compromise with neighbors concerned about traffic, water runoff and new towers looming over back yards. They join such projects as the Peachtree Hills Place luxury senior housing along Peachtree Hills Avenue and an upcoming expansion of the Lenbrook senior community on Peachtree Road.

Village Park Senior Living

Village Park Senior Living aims to build a 600-unit, $300 million luxury housing project to the former West Paces Medical Center site at 3200 Howell Mill Road. A first phase of the project, dubbed Village Park Paces, is expected to open by fall 2020, See NEW on page 15

Ring

in the

New Year

with...

AnnaMaria Cammilli exclusively at

The real estate firm that displaced hundreds of Darlington Apartments tenants for a “luxury lifestyle” renovation should pay the five-figure tab for social service workers who gave emergency assistance to tenants, a local nonprofit says. Meanwhile, the firm’s management division is a direct partner of another nonprofit that helps tenants — including those at the Darlington — avoid homelessness, in what the group’s director calls the “double-edged sword” of real estate companies’ charity sometimes being directed at problems they helped create. Buckhead Christian Ministry was hit with roughly $100,000 to $150,000 in unbudgeted costs to help more than three-dozen Darlington tenants, according to president and CEO Keeva Kase, who said that figure will rise with ongoing assistance. A couple of big donations from Piedmont Hospital and the Waterfall Foundation helped, he said, but not enough. “Thankfully, Buckhead has got resources,” Kase said. “But even still, the community shouldn’t be paying for these guys’ profits. Our churches, hospitals [and] nonprofits are subsidizing these … investment firms who are sucking money out of our community and displacing people in our back yards.” The 50-year-old Darlington tower at 2025 Peachtree Road is famous for its “Atlanta Population Now” sign and was long known See DARLINGTON on page 16

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Community Briefs B UC K H EA D BUSI N ESS A S S O C IATION NAMES N EW EX EC UTI VE DI REC TOR

our logo reflects a community that [is] a leader in the region nationally and even internationally,” said Fulton Chairman Robb Pitts in the release. “We have a great team doing great things, and it’s time for a fresh image.”

Barry Hundley has been hired as the new executive director of the Buckhead Business Association. He replaces Smita Kochhar, who served for five years. Hundley is a former BBA president and previously worked as development director at the Atlanta Children’s Shelter in the Old Fourth Ward.

EL EC TR I C S C OOTER RULES AP P R OV ED B Y C I TY C OUN C I L

G O V. KEM P TO S P EA K AT B U CKHEAD CO A L IT I O N A NNUA L L UNC HEO N

Barry Hundley.

The electric scooters that have flooded Atlanta streets in recent months are speeding toward regulation – including a ban on sidewalk riding and a new permit system — after the City Council approved an ordinance Jan. 8. The ordinance passed with a veto-proof 13-1 majority. The scooter companies Bird and Lime distributed their battery-powered vehicles around the city last year without permission or notice. The scooters, which can be picked up and left anywhere, became popular with riders, while drawing city attention for safety hazards and sidewalk blockages. Atlanta and the city of Brookhaven almost immediately began discussion about regulating the vehicles. Atlanta’s ordinance places new rules on both riders and operators of scooters or other “shareable, dockless mobility devices,” such as electric bicycles. The ordinance bans scooter riders from sidewalks, keeping them on streets, bicycle lanes and multiuse paths only. Only one rider per scooter is allowed, and using phones or similar devices while riding is banned. Scooters must be parked in an upright position in places that don’t block pedestrians or other vehicles. The city can seize improperly parked vehicles. On the operator side, scooter companies have to get an annual permit with a fee of $12,000 for the first 500 vehicles and $50 for each additional vehicle. The permit comes with other requirements, including securing liability insurance. The companies would have to provide riders with basic safety and legal information. And their payment system would have to accommodate customers who don’t have a credit card or smartphone, and offer discounted fees to low-income customers. The ordinance also calls for a city staff study into the status of current scooter fleets, which apparently includes the companies providing access to real-time usage data. Among the co-sponsors of the ordinance was Councilmember Jennifer Ide, whose District 6 includes the Lindbergh and Armour Yard area. The lone “no” vote came from Councilmember Howard Shook of Buckhead’s District 7. Shook said he would prefer an outright ban because the new ordinance will be “virtually unenforceable” and because he believes scooters are fundamentally unsafe, making it “morally very uncomfortable to me knowing someone’s going to get hurt.” “It’s nice we’re prohibiting these things on sidewalks,” Shook said. “Does that mean to imply they’re safe on the street? I think not. I just saw someone almost get flattened on one coming to City Hall today.” He said he has told his council colleagues, “I’ll bet you a cold malt beverage we’ll be back here rescinding [the ordinance].”

F ULT ON C O UN TY ROL L S OUT N EW LOGO

Fulton County government has rolled out a new version of its oak-tree logo, which has been updated for the first time since 1989. The previous logo showed a silhouette of the tree on a background of graded lines and was colored in blue and white. The new logo retains the tree in blue, now surrounded by a blue-and-orange swirl. The new logo was adopted by the Board of Commissioners in October and was created in-house to minimize costs, according to a press release. “Fulton County is a big deal. It’s important that

Georgia’s new governor, Brian Kemp, will give the keynote address at the Buckhead Coalition’s Jan. 30 annual luncheon, an invitation-only event that has become a popular way for political leaders to lay out their agenda to Atlanta’s movers and shakers. It will be one of his first major speeches as governor. Kemp, a Republican who most recently served as Georgia’s secretary of state, won a close race in November, barely avoiding a runoff with Democrat Stacey Abrams. He replaces Nathan Deal in the office. The 2018 Buckhead Coalition luncheon had a similar political Gov. Brian Kemp. flavor, as new Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms gave the keynote address as her first major speech after a tough, close election. She spoke on a theme of Atlanta unity, and attendees received a gift of a glass sculpture of a handshake. The Buckhead Coalition is an invitation-only group of 100 area CEOs and community leaders led by former Mayor Sam Massell.

AFTER FIR E, C HA S TA I N PA R K C O NS ERVA NC Y M AY G ET B ETT ER HQ

Following a Jan. 4 fire that destroyed the Chastain Park Conservancy’s headquarters, the city will help it find a new or renovated home that might be better suited for its next decade of growth, according to District 8 City Councilmember J.P. Matzigkeit. “Out of loss can come opportunity,” said Matzigkeit, who co-founded the parks advocacy group and previously served as its board chair. Known as the Barn, the headquarters was a large hut made of prefabricated steel dating to the World War II era, located off Powers Ferry Road within the park. The Conservancy had planned to rename it and the surrounding area after Ray Mock, another co-founder, who died last year. The group lost a pickup truck and maintenance equipment in the blaze, but little else, Executive Director Rosa McHugh previously said in a website post. “The city is committed to providing the Conservancy a home for its operations,” said Matzigkeit. That means help in finding short-term office space, he said, “but also [to] take a moment and think about the next 10 years.” He said the options could include renovating other little-used buildings in the park, such as one used for golf course maintenance and another that was once used by the Department of Watershed Management. The former Watershed building, he said, is currently being used by the Department of Public Works to store an emergency supply of salt and sand in case of bad weather during February’s Super Bowl. “We’re going to get people at the table and have folks talk about needs,” Matzigkeit said. “Maybe we’ll rebuild right there. Maybe [we’ll] use the Watershed building. Maybe we’ll figure something out.” Matzigkeit worked with Mock and others in renovating the Barn starting in 2003. “My memories are of all the good times that we had there and all the volunteer events … thinking about what it was and how it improved,” Matzigkeit said, recalling its “evolution.” He said the Barn was “almost like an antique car you had, rusted out at the beginning, and you worked and worked” until it was running well. But, he added, the Conservancy itself is what is truly important to Chastain Park. “The Conservancy is a wonderful organization … not because of the Barn, but because of the friendships you made,” he said. “That’s bigger than any building.”

The new Fulton County government logo. BH

Community | 3

JANUARY 2019 ■ www.ReporterNewspapers.net

Developer hit with $351K fine for road-blocking crane BY JOHN RUCH

public,” said GDOT’s Dec. 20 letter to the developer, which was signed by Matthew

johnruch@reporternewspapers.net

Cline, the agency’s top attorney.

An apartment tower developer has been fined more than $351,000 by the state for illegally blocking Peachtree Road with a broken-down crane in a notorious December incident. The Georgia Department of Transportation also revoked construction permits related to the use of Peachtree Road for the project, the Sutton tower going up at 2695 Peachtree. The fine has not yet been paid, according to GDOT spokesperson Natalie Dale.

GDOT calculated the costs and damages at $351,464. Dale, the GDOT spokesperson, previously said the agency uses a formula for estimating the economic impact of road closures, with a standard value of $17.91 per

GDOT issued the fine and permit revocation in a Dec. 20 letter to Peachtree LLC,

hour for each passen-

which is the project-specific company through which developer Preserve Properties

ger vehicle that is de-

is building the Sutton. Preserve Properties did not immediately respond to a com-

layed.

ment request.

GDOT’s letter also

The Sutton project is just south of the Pharr Road intersection, where another

announced an imme-

apartment tower, Mill Creek’s Modera Buckhead, is also under construction. The

diate revocation of a

combo projects have drawn complaints from residents in recent months for frequent

driveway permit for the

lane closures without flaggers or useful signage. The crane breakdown was far worse,

project and a 30-day no-

blocking northbound lanes and tying up traffic on one of Atlanta’s busiest streets for

tice for revoking anoth-

roughly five days until it was finally removed Dec. 19.

er that allowed use of

Peachtree doubles as a state route and is controlled by GDOT, which issues permits for construction work done in the street. GDOT says that Sutton’s construction contractor, Gilbane Building Company, had proper permits for intermittent lane closures, but not for long-term blockages like the crane set-up. Gilbane previously said it relied on a traffic management subcontractor, Southern Protection Agency, whom it believed got proper permits. “Such action constituted an illegal trespass on the department’s property and caused significant damage and road user costs to the department and the traveling

Peachtree lanes for construction activities. The letter also served notice that GDOT “intends to pursue any and all avail-

A design illustration of the Sutton apartment tower.

able remedies at law, equity and under the permit” for any problems related to the road-blocking crane.

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Norwood seeks to lead Buckhead Council of Neighborhoods BY JOHN RUCH

After her bitter, razor-thin loss to Keisha Lance Bottoms in last year’s mayoral race, Norwood’s first public speech was to the Continuing her return to the political BCN, where she made political commentary spotlight, former City Councilmember and about Buckhead not getting its fair share of mayoral candidate Mary Norwood was seekcity resources. The Bottoms administration ing to chair the Buckhead Council of Neighlater blasted those remarks as divisive. borhoods, an influential coalition of civic asNorwood spent months out of the spotsociations. light, but recently returned to battle a townThe vote was scheduled for Jan. 10, after home development, call for a new subway the Reporter’s press time, but Norwood was line, and to accept an attempted nominathe only announced candidate. tion to chair the Fulton County board of elec“Atlanta is a city of neighborhoods. So it tions. She is now speaking in softer tones is an honor to be asked to lead this neighborabout Buckhead’s role in the city and often hood-focused council,” Norwood said in a alluded to a citywide political view. press release. “For more than 20 years, I have “This position is not just about Buckhead,” devoted my professional life to uplifting and Norwood said in her BCN nomination press protecting our neighborhoods. This is an oprelease. “I see it as an opportunity to work portunity to unite our city, create greater closely with all the neighborhoods throughcommunication, and ensure that residents out the entire city to elevate the quality of have the information, protection, and advolife for all residents and help make Atlanta cacy they deserve.” the best city in America.” The BCN’s current vice chair, Jeff Clark, Asked whether the executive committee said in an interview that the executive comhad any concerns that the Bottoms adminismittee collectively decided to nominate Nortration might be less likely to engage with a SPECIAL wood, though other nominees may come forgroup led by a former major political rival, Mary Norwood. ward. Clark said, “I would hope that doesn’t hap“To create some energy and invigorate pen. It might.” But, he added, they viewed that [organization] we reached out to Mary Norwood and she accepted,” Clark said. Norwood’s mayoral close-call in a positive fashion, as it shows her citywide knowlWith Norwood as chair, Clark said, the committee members “hope the focus on the edge, connections and “passion for Atlanta.” Buckhead Council of Neighborhoods is less of an educational gathering and more of “She’s an advocate for communities, not just Buckhead. … We think that’s a plus,” an activist lobbying institution that can help create change in the neighborhood. … said Clark, describing Norwood as “someone who will integrate us with the city” Hot topics for us are education and taxes.” and its overarching policies. He added that “advocacy” might be a better term than “activist.” The idea, he said, In Norwood’s press release, Clark added, “Mary will bring great passion and fois providing a collective opinion to city leaders in a proactive way, not just “at the cus to the Buckhead Coalition of Neighborhoods. She is a tireless advocate with a 11th hour.” track record of getting things done and bringing people together. No one in AtlanLongtime chair Tom Tidwell said late last year that he is stepping down from the ta knows the communities represented by the Buckhead Council of Neighborhoods position. better than Mary. We are excited to recommend her for this position.” johnruch@reporternewspapers.net

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Community | 5

JANUARY 2019 ■ www.ReporterNewspapers.net

GDOT to talk toll lanes in meetings; property impacts unclear BY JOHN RUCH johnruch@reporternewspapers.net

The Georgia Department of Transportation will discuss its controversial plans for adding toll lanes along the I-285/Ga. 400 interchange early next year in meetings at Sandy Springs schools and the Dunwoody Homeowners Association. Possible property-taking is a major concern, but GDOT has repeatedly refused to release any proposed right of way taking information in response to Reporter open records requests — even general estimates of the number of affected properties, which David Hudson, an attorney on the board of the Georgia First Amendment Foundation, says would not be exempt from disclosure. GDOT variously cites open records law exemptions for real estate transactions, claims the information does not yet exist, or says the information does exist but is not ready for public presentation. Meanwhile, it has shown some projected property-taking details to Fulton County Schools and says a full estimate will be available at public meetings coming later this year. Meanwhile, two meetings at Fulton County schools will particularly address the district’s concerns about the possible property-taking and other impacts at local schools from the new toll lanes. The meetings are scheduled for Jan. 14, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Dunwoody Springs Elementary, 8100 Roberts Drive; and Jan. 16, 6:30-8 p.m., at Riverwood International Charter School, 5900 Raider Drive. The DHA will have GDOT at its board meeting on Feb. 10 from 7:30-9 p.m. at the North DeKalb Cultural Arts Center, 5339 ChambleeDunwoody Road. The influential community group represents a city whose officials are increasingly expressing concerns about how the toll lanes might impact such neighborhoods as Georgetown. GDOT’s “express lanes” or “managed lanes” project would add four new toll-only lanes along I-285 and Ga. 400 in the Perimeter Center area over the next decade, with the intent of improving overall traffic flow. The Ga. 400 lanes also would carry a new MARTA bus rapid transit route.

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The early concepts for the toll lanes have already rattled some officials in Dunwoody and Sandy Springs for possible land-taking and the idea of putting the lanes on ramps towering 30 feet or higher over neighborhoods and plugging into new interchanges onto such local streets as Mount Vernon Highway. So far, GDOT has not held general public meetings about the toll lanes plans, but says that such meetings are coming in the “first quarter” of 2019 for the Ga. 400 plan and later in the year for the I-285 plan. GDOT has met off-and-on privately with “stakeholders,” such as the school system and the city of Sandy Springs, for over a year to get feedback on some details, and occasionally at local City Council meetings. GDOT also says it will meet with any local organization, such as a homeowners association, but it does not proactively notify residents who might be affected.

The new “managed lanes” for Ga. 400 run on elevated ramps in this sample concept design from the Georgia Department of Transportation. Similar lanes would be added to I-285.

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From Atlanta to Broadway A Q&A with Courtenay Collins of the hit musical ‘The Prom’ BY DOUG CARROLL

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Calling “The Prom” a “gay teen romantic farce,” as Vanity Fair did a few months ago, is like calling New York a big city — true, but demanding a fuller description. The Atlanta-born musical, which opened on Broadway to positive reviews in November, is making a lasting impression on audiences that goes beyond its peppy songs, energetic choreography, eye-popping costuming and satire of show business. It has something more to say, according to Courtenay Collins of Sandy Springs, who has a performing role in the production and is hearing nightly from those who are moved by it. “It’s a story with a heart,” says Collins, who was cast for the show’s local premiere at the Alliance Theatre in August 2016 and has moved on with it to Broadway. She is the only Atlantan to appear in either version. “It delights me that it’s being embraced in New York,” she says. “We had a hint of that in Atlanta. But people are coming to see it two, three, four times. It’s a joyous thing.” Back home, Collins is part of a wellknown Sandy Springs family. Mother Jan is a founder of many artistic and charitable programs, including the city’s mascot turtle sculptures and the new City Springs Theatre Company, which is focused on musicals. Brother Chip is a former member of the City Council and last year chaired the Sandy Springs Perimeter Chamber of Commerce. Courtenay attended the arts program at Riverwood International Charter School — where her son, Spencer Vise, is now a student — and also studied at the University of Georgia and The Juilliard School. In “The Prom,” Collins plays Mrs. Greene, a conservative woman in a conservative Indiana town whose lesbian daughter, Alyssa, hasn’t come out. Alyssa is outed when she and her girlfriend, Emma, are denied an opportunity to participate in the high school dance. When some Broadway opportunists parachute in to take up the girls’ cause, chaos ensues and the laughs start rolling. But the tension between Alyssa and her mother is as real as can be, and that’s one of many things Collins values about “The Prom,” which has an openended run at the Longacre Theatre. Its cast recording was released just before Christmas.

–

Courtenay Collins

DEEN VAN MEER

We caught Collins on a recent day off to ask about “The Prom” and its place in her career.

Has the show’s reception on Broadway surprised you?

A: This business is crazy and fickle. You

can’t count on things in the arts as far as what will be a hit. But I’m not surprised. The story blew me away at the first table reading in 2016 at the Alliance. It had all the elements of something special — it was vibrant, current and exciting. Its success validates what I always thought.

You’ve had a lengthy career in theater that includes a touring production of “The Phantom of the Opera.” But “The Prom” represents your Broadway debut. Was it worth the wait?

I pinch myself every day. The walk to the theater from my apartment is a dream come true. We just did nine shows in five days. People leap to their feet, they laugh, they cry. When we come out for the curtain call, you can hear the roar of the crowd. To witness 1,000 people every night reacting that way is incredible. Making my debut on this end of my career means so much more to me. I’m at an age where I really appreciate things and take nothing for granted. I’m grateful for every show, and it will never get old to me.

You have a son who is still in high school He and your husband, Michael Eckardt, are back in Atlanta. How does the family make your stint on Broadway work?

A: They’re holding down the fort. And my mom [Jan Collins] is still in Sandy Springs. Everyone was here in New York for Christmas. We’re making it work. It’s not easy, but they’ve been very supportive. On opening night, I said the only thing I wanted was for Spencer and my husband to come to the show

Art & Entertainment | 7

JANUARY 2019 ■ www.ReporterNewspapers.net and understand why I had “abandoned” them. It was a magical night, with a lastminute snowstorm, an audience that was crazy and fabulous, and a bash afterward at the Copacabana. [Spencer] looked at me and said he was so proud of me.

seeing “Beauty and the Beast” at age 2. When the kids have it in them, their parents will call me and say, “I have a 4-year-old daughter who sings Broadway musicals all the time. What do I do?”

What will you remember most about “The Prom”? What has endeared the show to you?

With this show, you get on this train and it never stops. Maybe it slows down some, but it DEEN VAN MEER never stops Courtney Collins, center right, and Isabelle McCalla share a until the end. moment during a Broadway performance of “The Prom.” When it finally does, you’ve been on this incredible ride. Q: Talk about how you have ap- It kind of takes your legs out from underneath you. It stays with you. You leave proached the role of Mrs. Greene and the theater and you’re not talking about her struggle with her daughter’s sexuwhere you’re going for dinner. You want al identity. to keep talking about it. A: People sometimes say, “How does it feel to play the bad guy?” But I don’t see Q: Any prediction on how long it will it that way. She is a mom who wants the run? best for her kid but doesn’t have the perA: May it run forever! spective of what’s coming. All families and communities have people from different ends of the spectrum. Living in Atlanta and being an actress, I took my kids to shows at an early age and we’ve discussed this all along. They have many gay “uncles” and “aunts.”

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In Atlanta, the role was very stereotypical and it was a smaller role. At a lab in New York last winter, the writers created more scenes with her daughter. You see how much she loves her daughter and is so protective of her. There are these nuggets of compassion woven into her. I love the arc of the character. The writers didn’t want her story tied up in a neat little package. They wanted some of the tension between her and her daughter. So many parents and kids will say, “Your dialogue reminds me so much of what we’ve experienced.” Gay men and women will say that their mother said the same things. The writers were so precise in getting it right.

Q: What was your first introduction to musical theater?

At age 16, I saw “A Chorus Line” at the Fox in Atlanta. I didn’t know musical theater was a thing you could do. That lit a flame in me, and from then on it was, “How do I sign up?” It’s in me. I’m also a voice coach, and the kids come in younger and younger now. They’re

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8 | Commentary

CHASTAIN-SANDY SPRINGS OFFICE

Thank You!

We would like to thank our clients, friends, and family for their great support in 2018. We look forward to an even better 2019.

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I am not a cook A friend had — as women do — made dinner for our family when we were in a time of need, and her chicken cacciatore was so darn delicious that I asked her for the recipe. She graciously complied. I started reading it enthusiastically but stopped as soon as I saw “pound the chicken breasts.” There are lines in the kitchen that I will not cross, and pounding chicken breasts is one of them. Websites and cooking shows try to entice me into crossing my culinary line by presenting dishes that use just five ingredients, but I am not fooled. To me, it’s not the amount of ingredients that matters. It’s what I have to do with them. I’ll use 20 different ingredients if all I need to do is throw them into a pot. The number is inconsequential, as long as I don’t have to clarify, pulse, knead, crimp or spatchcock any of them, I also don’t want to brush anything with egg wash. I enjoyed doing it with my grandmother when I was ten, but the appeal has worn off. Perhaps it will be fun again when I have grandchildren of my own. And that brings me to another personal premise, which is that cooking is better with a partner. I need Robin Conte lives with someone to distract myself from the fact that I’m doing her husband in an empit. ty nest in Dunwoody. To I cannot, however, cook while I’m entertaining. For contact her or to buy her me, that’s like texting while driving. In my opinion, new column collection, if you are someone who unwraps a piece of raw meat “The Best of the Nest,” from its Styrofoam packing as your guests are walking see robinconte.com. in the door, you have achieved a level of confidence in the kitchen that I can only admire and will never attain. I need to focus heavily on the dishes I prepare, and I need to make them up to three days ahead if I’m having a dinner party. I also cannot experiment with something new if I’m entertaining; I need to use a recipe I have prepared 187 times before. I have four such recipes: a hot appetizer and roast for the fall/winter seasons, and a cold feta and grilled meat for spring/summer. That means that I can only invite you to dinner at my house twice. So, I think you’re getting the point that I’m not that great in the kitchen. I believe that there is a talent to cooking, and in that department, I have no talent. I do however have a talent for finding friends who excel at it. How good are they, you ask? When I take a bite of something that they have prepared, I have to put down my fork and compose myself. My food does not elicit that kind of response. Well it might, but for very different reasons. A good cook can sense his or her way around the kitchen, intuiting when to flip the steak and when to stop seasoning the sauce, in much the same way that a lost dog can find his way home. A true cook knows when the cake is done … just by listening to it. A true cook enjoys cooking. I am not a true cook, and the signs of that abound. I have no working food processor or juicer, no mandoline, no cream of tartar. I use a handheld mixer. My knives are dull. I have never, nor will I ever, brine poultry. And I will not pound a chicken breast. I do, however, love reading recipes and imagining how wonderful it would be if someone made them for me. If you’re interested, I’ll have a hot appetizer and a roast waiting for you.

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Robin’s Nest

Read Robin Conte’s debut book ‘The Best of the Nest’ “The Best of the Nest” offers 49 of Reporter Newspapers columnist Robin Conte’s witty essays on suburban family life, organized by seasons. They include some of the pieces that won Robin the first-place Lifestyle/Features Column award in 2017 and 2018 and first-place for Humorous column in 2018 from the Georgia Press Association.

Order the book at bestofthenest.net Follow Robin’s book-related appearances at robinconte.com.

Food & Drink | 9

JANUARY 2019 ■ www.ReporterNewspapers.net

Food for Thought: ‘Low and slow’ is the key for Chef Scott Serpas BY DYANA BAGBY

rants. The love of food and cooking, however, is a family tradition.

the kids and televisions inside for parents to catch the game.

Renowned Q: Who taught chef Scott Serpas you to cook? burst on the AtA: Well, growlanta restaurant ing up as one of scene more than five kids and I’m a decade ago, the youngest, we working as execdidn’t go out very utive chef at TWO much. Not sure if Urban Licks bewe couldn’t afford fore venturing it or if we didn’t out on his own behave very well! in 2009 with the (Just kidding!) renowned SerMy mom did all pas True Food in the cooking, red the historic Old beans on Monday, Fourth Ward. seafood on FriJust over one day and big famiyear ago, the ly dinners on Sunaward-winning day. We would chef opened Diwatch football xie Q in his own too — go Saints! Brookhaven My dad was in neighborhood charge of sliced SPECIAL where he’s lived meat po-boys on Chef Scott Serpas of Brookhaven opened Dixie for a decade. It’s Saturdays. We did Q just over a year ago on Caldwell Road, near just off bustling crawfish and crab the bustling food scene along Dresden Drive. Dresden Drive, boils too, which I where other notado as well over at ble restaurants make their homes, such Serpas True Food, my first restaurant in as Kaleidoscope Bistro & Pub, Verde TaOld Fourth Ward. queria and Haven Restaurant and Bar. Q: Do you remember the first meal you Dixie Q opened in the former Slice of cooked? Brookhaven site on Caldwell Road, next A: Wow, yes. Peanut butter and jelly, door to a planned mixed-use developwhich I still love! Soft white bread, stickment to be called Dresden Village. The to-the-roof-of-your-mouth peanut butter development is set to include a restauand clumpy grape jelly. Simple is good.

Q: What do you love about being a chef?

dyanabagby@reporternewspapers.net

A: Cooking. I’d rather cook than do anything else at my restaurants. Menu development, writing recipes, sourcing local food — these are the things that I truly look forward to each day.

come, the more I’ve found myself more interested in how people cooked in the past ... wood-fire cooking. It’s all about the balance of smoke, seasonings, sweetness, acidity. Comfort sides, as I call them — my [menu item] Meme’s Potato Salad, collard greens ... a good, old-fashioned family Sunday supper. Complete with sweet tea, of course!

Q: What is your opinion of the food

scene in metro Atlanta? A: I feel we are seeing restaurants move more and more north — more independent, smaller restaurants rather than chains … the culinary scene here is at its peak.

Q: What’s your go-to comfort food? A: Hands down, gumbo. Also, red beans, meatballs and lasagna.

Q: What other chefs in metro Atlanta or

the South do you admire? A: We have so many new, young chefs in town. Even my own chef de cuisine at Serpas True Food, Manual Lara, keeps us inspired, creative and positive with his ongoing energy. Pop-ups, special, intimate dinner events, cookbooks, and a tremendous amount of culinary events keep this industry interesting day-to-day for guests.

Q: What’s the best way to cook barbecue

ribs? A: As the old saying goes, low and slow. There was a lot of trial and error when we were developing Dixie Q, and now that we have our feet under us, we are going strong yet still learning every day since we are new.

Q: What makes the best barbecue meal, including sides and beverage? A: I’ve noticed that the older I have be-

CHEF SCOTT SERPAS’ RESTAURANTS Dixie Q 2524 Caldwell Road NE, Brookhaven, 30319 dixie-q.com Serpas True Food 659 Auburn Ave NE, #501, Atlanta, 30312 serpasrestaurant.com

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rant called Dixie Moon, where Serpas would also be the chef. While Serpas declines to talk about Dixie Moon ahead of the project, a representative of the developer said he is still on board, and more announcements are expected this year. Serpas is a New Orleans native who learned his love of the restaurant industry as a busboy at New Orleans restauBH

Q: Why did you decide to open restau-

rants in Brookhaven? A: It is a close-knit, family community. The Dresden area, being walkable, is great to enjoy with my family. We wanted to fill a void in the community with a strong, family-friendly barbecue joint that is casual with great food and an appealing menu, choice-wise and pricewise. We have a swing on our porch for

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10 | Community

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Gunfire damages Airbnb rental house amid talk of tighter rules BY JOHN RUCH johnruch@reporternewspapers.net

A controversial local Airbnb host says he’s getting out of the short-term rental business after someone shot up his North Buckhead house during a guest’s stay. The Dec. 12 shooting incident comes amid a push from city officials for stricter regulation of short-term home rentals. City Councilmember Howard Shook of Buckhead’s District 7 says he’s working with city staff on a new system of registering and licensing short-term rental operators. And Councilmember J.P. Matzigkeit of Buckhead’s District 8 says he will seek a “bigger stick” in the form of higher fines. Shook said the city is waiting until after the Feb. 3 Super Bowl to roll out a regulation proposal due to the large numbers of residents and visitors who will capitalize on short-term rentals. “Everybody’s very sensitive right now about doing anything that might crimp someone’s Super Bowl experience,” he said. One short-term rental company, HomeAway, was doing proactive outreach in Buckhead before the Super Bowl. Kenyatta Mitchell, a consultant for the company, attended the Jan. 8 NPU-B meeting to “get out ahead of the Super Bowl” and “let you all know the company has a face.” Mitchell said that the Super Bowl is known for attracting major short-term rental business and some problem actors, including “de facto brothels.” If anyone suspects there’s a problem with a HomeAway rental, she said, they can call the company’s hotline at 1-877-228-3145.

Airbnb shooting

The shooting happened at 550 Chateaugay Lane, on a cul-de-sac off Loridans Drive. The house is owned by Paul McPherson, who had long battled the city over short-term rental complaints at another Buckhead property, a mansion on Peachtree-Dunwoody Road. Following the shooting incident, McPherson said he will no longer rent either property on Airbnb. “Absolutely crazy. Just madness — madness,” McPherson said of the shooting. “…I’m just left to clean up the mess. I’m not going to do Airbnb there anymore. It’s the

end of the road for me.” The shooting, which happened when McPherson was out of state and a cinematographer was staying as an Airbnb guest, damaged the house, but had no reports of injuries, according to the Atlanta Police Department. Police responded to reports of gunfire and vehicles fleeing the house. “As I walked up to the front door, I saw that the front dining room windows had been shot up and the front door also had a bullet hole in it,” said a police officer in the incident report. McPherson said the guest reportedly brought people to the house after a video shoot, which led to some type of altercation and the gunfire. “He had invited them back to my property and a rival militia, a rival pop group, came, and I don’t know what happened,” McPherson said, adding he later spoke to the guest. “He really did sound really, really scared.” The result of the shooting was “thousands and thousands of dollars” in property damage, McPherson said. The crime is currently listed by police as a vandalism case since there was no immediate sign of injury or directly targeting a person, he said. McPherson also owns a mansion at 4205 Peachtree-Dunwoody Road that has been ordered by the city to halt Airbnb rentals after a string of noise complaints. Those complaints got media attention in 2016 when the Peachtree-Dunwoody mansion was rented out for a hip hop concert at which social media posts showed one guest flashing a pistol. McPherson long defended his Airbnb listings of that property as lawful, but now says he has stopped short-term rentals there, too. The city says that McPherson’s shortterm rentals of the Peachtree-Dunwoody mansion violate the zoning code and repeatedly ordered him to cease and desist. Last year, the Reporter found the property listed on Airbnb under three different names, none of them McPherson’s. McPherson previously said he believes that short-term rental is lawful and claimed the complaints were motivated by racism from his neighbors. He says the promoters of the 2016 concert tricked his local property manager by claiming to be seeking hous-

A Place Where You Belong

The house at 550 Chateaugay Lane where a shooting happened during an Airbnb rental. GOOGLE MAPS

ing for an “elderly aunt” in town due to a “family tragedy.” McPherson now says he stopped shortterm rentals of that mansion, will stop doing it on Chateaugay, and will “reassess” his involvement with Airbnb, which he also uses to rent out another home in New York City. He said he resides at the Chateaugay house when he is in town, so he understands the neighborhood affect of the shooting incident. “Obviously, it’s very distressing to neighbors, first of all,” he said. “Neighbors don’t deserve that kind of thing happening. … My main concern is the neighbors.” He said the neighborhood is so quiet, he advertised the property for rental as “Tranquil Buckhead Retreat.” The typical guests were families with children and people attracted to quiet time in the property’s large garden. “I get a lot of Buddhists who stay there ... just people who want quiet in middle of city,” he said. “You don’t think that’s going to attract people who are going to have a gunfight.” “It’s quite legal for me to do it,” he added about short-term rentals in the neighborhoods. “I just choose not to do it. I don’t want anybody to feel uncomfortable with where they live.”

Rules and enforcement

Airbnb and other short-term rental services have become increasingly controversial in local cities as they spread into the suburbs. Sandy Springs is rolling out a registration and licensing system, and

Brookhaven recently banned such rentals in many single-family residential areas — despite Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia Jr.’s father being a member of the City Council. “I suggested we just cut-and-paste the one Sandy Springs recently adopted,” Shook said of his discussions with city staff about an Atlanta ordinance. Atlanta officials say that short-term rentals are banned in single-family residential areas, but they have struggled with enforcement. A similar issue is the trend of “party mansions,” residential properties rented out for a single, large party or concert. That became an issue last year at a Garmon Road mansion previously owned by Kenny Rogers, and where police and city officials said they had limited enforcement options. In a recent newsletter to constituents, Councilmember Matzigkeit said that shortterm rental regulation is among his 2019 priorities. “Turning a residence in a quiet neighborhood into a rental ‘party house’, or using a house repeatedly and disruptively for film projects or short-term rentals, infringes on neighbors and is illegal,” Matzigkeit wrote. “My goal: To reduce the instances of homes being used primarily as business ventures.” He said he will seek state legislation authorizing higher city fines for “municipal offenses.” And, he said, work continues on city ordinances to make sure short-term rentals are “closely monitored and regulated to ensure bad players are stopped.”

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Community | 11

JANUARY 2019 ■ www.ReporterNewspapers.net

Holy Spirit’s traffic plan is coming soon; college aims to grow BY JOHN RUCH johnruch@reporternewspapers.net

A traffic mitigation plan for Holy Spirit Church and Preparatory School’s proposed campus expansion was expected the week of Jan. 14 in a key attempt to sway neighbors who say the project would violate a 15-year-old zoning agreement. Meanwhile, there may be another wrinkle to the traffic talk. Holy Spirit College, another affiliate institution on the campus at Northside Drive and Mount Paran Road, reportedly has growth plans of its own and is enrolling a new class of 10 to 20 students this fall. Holy Spirit officials and residents with the Northside/Chastain/Mt. Paran Neighborhood Preservation Association met on Dec. 3 to discuss the controversial campus project. Holy Spirit Prep, through a public relations agency, declined to comment, pending the release of the traffic plan. However, association member Stephen Phillips provided a copy of Head of School Kyle Pietrantonio’s written answers to a bevy of questions residents submitted at that meeting. The answers make it clear that Holy Spirit officials believe the old agreement does not restrict the expansion plan and that they might “ultimately pursue this all the way through legal channels.” But the officials also respect the neighborhood and would like to “strike a new agreement.” Their Plan B is to have the church expansion go first in phasing for what is intended to be a 20-year campus master plan. Holy Spirit’s plan would build out its Buckhead campus — consisting of the church and Upper School — onto an adjacent, 13-acre wooded property in Sandy Springs. The biggest element of the plan is building a new home for the Lower School, currently located elsewhere in Sandy Springs. At an October community meeting about the plan, residents raised the issue of an agreement from 2003. The agreement is a list of conditions that the city of Atlanta attached to its approval of a special use permit that allowed the Upper School, then called the Donnellan School, to be built. Among its provisions is an enrollment cap of 320 students — the expansion would bring nearly 750 students — and an agreement “to prohibit any future expansion of the student body, ever, on this site, or any contiguous property.” Holy Spirit officials said they either never heard of the agreement or did BH

not remember that part of it. Question number one from the Neighborhood Preservation Association at the December meeting was whether Holy Spirit will honor the agreement now that it is fully aware. Holy Spirit’s purely legal answer was that Atlanta planning officials assured them that the agreement would not be a hurdle to expanding into the different city of Sandy Springs and would not affect the existing special use permit that allows the school to operate. A spokesperson for the Department of City Planning did not respond to questions about that discussion. On the diplomatic side, Pietrantonio wrote about looking ahead to a possible new agreement. “We are evaluating the path forward and certainly are neither minimizing nor disrespectful of the previous agreement from 2003,” he wrote in his answers to the association. “At the same time, we have a significant family and alumni group who is passionate about the opportunity that [Upper and Lower schools] consolidation will bring. So, the next step is for us to gauge every-

one’s interests based on where we are today.” Pietrantonio wrote that Holy Spirit thinks its plan could make traffic flow even better than it is today — a main neighborhood concern, but that he understands some people do not want neighborhood change regardless. “We are appreciative of the candor, and we intend to be equally forthright when we’ve made a final determination on whether we would ultimately pursue this all the way through legal channels,” he wrote. “Of course, we would very much like to strike a new agreement based on our heritage as a very solid church and school asset to the area.” One item the neighbors specifically asked about was the current and projected future student and staff numbers for Holy Spirit College, a small institution that offers undergraduate and graduate degrees. The college’s chancellor, Monsignor Edward Dillon, is also pastor of the church and rector of Holy Spirit Prep. The written answer to neighbors said only that the college is a “separate

legal entity” not involved in the campus expansion and that it would have to answer its own development plan questions. But reports on the college’s website and the Cardinal Newman Society, a nonprofit that publishes a guide to Catholic colleges, indicate a plan to grow and to revive a dormant undergrad program this fall with enrollment of a new, small class. College president Gareth Genner did not respond to questions. Press releases on the college website said that, besides enrolling the new undergrad class, the school “plans to grow its graduate programs,” and last June hired a new provost and vice-provost. A December report from the Cardinal Newman Society announced the undergrad relaunch will involve 10 to 20 students and said that “on-campus housing is not yet available.” Traffic is not the only neighborhood concern about the campus expansion plan. Separate reports on tree loss and water runoff impacts are expected to be available in February, according to Holy Spirit’s answers to the neighbors.

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12 | Community

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Doraville ordinance intends to inspire other cities to protect LGBTQ people is one city, one step at a time.” More than 60 cities in Georgia have their own nondiscrimination ordinances that prohibit discrimination against city employees based on sexual orientation; approximately 20 The city of Doraville recently approved an ordinance that prohibits local businesses cities also ban discrimination based on gender identity. from discriminating against various minority groups, such as African Americans and peoBy approving the nondiscrimination ordinance that applies to privately-owned busiple with disabilities. But the new law also bans discrimination against people based on their nesses, Doraville is taking a bold step, said Jeff Graham, executive director of Georgia Equalsexual orientation and gender identity in a move that bucks “religious freedom” bills that ity, the state’s largest LGBTQ advocacy organization. have been debated at the General Assembly for the past several years. “This really should not be controversial in 2019,” Graham said. In November, Doraville became only But cities other than Atlanta have been hesitant to regulate any kind of law based on the second city in Georgia to sexual orientation and gender identity based on a 1995 state put such a law on its books Supreme Court ruling, Graham said. In that ruling, the High to protect LGBTQ people Court ruled partly in favor of Bill McKinney, a Democratic from discrimination. The state lawmaker who sued the city of Atlanta saying it overcity of Atlanta passed the stepped its authority after it implemented a domestic partfirst such ordinance in 2001. ner registry and offered some protections to same-sex couDoraville City Councilples. member Stephe Koontz, beGraham said he has heard from many cities citing this lieved to be the first openly 1995 ruling for not approving a local ordinance such as the transgender person elected one Doraville approved. But others interpret the ruling to to office in the state, spearonly deal headed passage of the ordiwith donance, which was approved mesin a 5-1 vote in November. tic partShe said she’s worked with ners and the city of Clarkston and nothing Chamblee on their own else, Granondiscrimination ordi- STEPHE KOONTZ ham said. SPECIAL nances and she hopes other DORAVILLE CITY COUNCILMEMBER “There Doraville City Councilmember metro Atlanta cities follow Stephe Koontz. is really Doraville’s lead. nothing that prohibits this,” he said. “The whole idea is to inspire other citMock said Chamblee’s attorney said ies to join in the fight against discriminathe 1995 ruling is relevant only in that tion which they should want to do,” she said. it concerns issues of discrimination but The cities of Brookhaven and Dunwoody have no current plans to take on such an ordidoes not apply to the city’s proposed nonnance. In Sandy Springs, a spokesperson said the city has no authority to regulate private discrimination ordinance. businesses. The Georgia legislature, however, “Our policy is, and always has been, that we do not discriminate against anyone for any does not shy away from anti-LGBTQ legreason,” Sharon Kraun said in a written statement. islation. The General Assembly last year “Local government policies against discrimination apply to the local government not approved an overhaul of its adoption SPECIAL discriminating against persons similarly situated, on any basis,” she said. “That is the city’s code for the first time in 30 years. But the Jeff Graham, policy. The city has no authority to police law only passed after a year-long fight executive director of Georgia Equality. complaints by private citizens discrimiwith Republican senators who wanted nating against private citizens.” to amend the bill to allow adoption agenKoontz, who is from Sandy Springs, cies deny children to LGBTQ couples based on their religious belief. disagreed with her hometown’s deciRepublicans over the past several years have also tried to push through a “religious freesion. The Doraville ordinance is legal bedom” bill to essentially prohibit governments from restricting a person’s exercise of their cause it is tied to the occupational tax religion. Opponents of the bill say the bill would lead to businesses discriminating against permit businesses must apply for to opLGBTQ people. erate in the city, she said. The city’s nonJeff Graham, executive director of Georgia Equality, the state’s largest LGBTQ advocacy discrimination ordinance also prohibits organization, said anytime there is a step forward such as the Doraville nondiscrimination discrimination based on race, religion, ordinance, there is the risk of backlash at the State Capitol. color, sex, disability, national origin, anFor the past several years, Democrats at the legislature have introduced a state civil cestry or military status. rights bill backed by Georgia Equality that would mirror federal law to protect Georgians “By applying for the permit, they are against discrimination in hotels, restaurants, theaters and other public accommodations agreeing to abide by our ordinances,” based on race, color, religion, natural origin or sex and including sexual orientation and Koontz said. gender identity, Graham said. The city of Chamblee was expected to “One of the reasons why we are so concerned about the passage of any form or ‘reliapprove its own comprehensive nondisgious freedom’ law in Georgia is that without the state having a civil rights law to balance crimination ordinance this month, acit, a RFRA bill is an automatic open door to discrimination of groups of people, particularSPECIAL cording to City Councilmember Brian ly LGBT people,” he said. Chamblee City Councilmember Brian Mock. Mock. Georgia is one of three states without such a civil rights bill, Graham added. Alabama Mock, who is gay, said the city’s gay and Mississippi are the other two states. and lesbian population has “exploded” in recent years and the nondiscrimination ordiKoontz said Doraville’s ordinance protects LGBTQ people, but it also protects a Muslim nance would ensure their rights are protected. The local ordinances are representative of a woman wearing a burqa from being refused service at a restaurant, for example. shift in Georgia’s politics, he said. “This isn’t just an LGBTQ bill, this is a bill protecting everyone,” she said. “We’ve changed a lot as a state and are not nearly as red as we used to be,” he said. “This -- Evelyn Andrews contributed. BY DYANA BAGBY

dyanabagby@reporternewspapers.net

The whole idea is to inspire other cities to join in the fight against discrimination which they should want to do.

Community | 13

JANUARY 2019 ■ www.ReporterNewspapers.net

State rules on wireless antennas would strip local control, say city officials BY DYANA BAGBY dyanabagby@reporternewspapers.net

The General Assembly is expected to take up a bill this session that would reduce local regulations on placing smallscale wireless antennas, commonly called “small cells,” on existing or new poles in the public right of way. Supporters of such a bill say it would ensure high-speed internet access to rural Georgia. Such a statewide bill is supported by the small-cell industry, but some local officials say such legislation would strip cities of local control and clutter the cities’ right of way with ugly poles and boxes, while financially benefitting the wireless industry giants. “We don’t need Georgia to come in and offer a corporate giveaway to the small-cell industry at the expense of Brookhaven and of quality of life and safety of our citizens,” Brookhaven City Attorney Chris Balch said. Brookhaven’s City Council in December approved its own small-cell legislation written by Balch with input from representatives from the small cell industry. The ordinance puts restrictions on the size of small-cell “nodes” to be attached to poles as well as charges significant fees for access to the city’s right of way. Kimberly Adams is the Government Relations Manager for the South Area for Crown Castle. Crown Castle is the country’s largest provider of wireless technology that owns many of the cell towers and fiber infrastructure used by companies like AT&T and Verizon. She worked with Brookhaven on its ordinance and said both parties made compromises. But a state bill would eliminate having to meet different regulations in different cities and simplify the process to getting high-speed internet access across the state, she said. “Our goal is to help ensure residents and businesses stay connected, and to that

end we support state frameworks that create a predictable process with reasonable fees to streamline small cell deployments,” she said in a written statement. Sandy Springs was set to discuss smallcell technology recently but withdrew the item from the City Council agenda. Spokesperson Sharon Kraun said the city is working with the Georgia Municipal Association on the topic. Mayor Rusty Paul denounced last year’s bill as being part of an “assault on local government.” But the bill’s sponsor, state Sen. Steve Gooch (R-Dahlonega), said his legislation would actually give more control to cities than they currently have. Gooch prefiled another broadband internet bill in December, but could not be reached for comment for this story. The GMA is working with cities like Sandy Springs, county governments and the telecom industry to draft a bill regulating small-cell technology. The main priority is to encourage the installation of small cell technology on existing infrastructure rather than putting up new poles for the new technology, said GMA spokesperson Kelli Bennett. “This process is more cost-effective for the providers and is the least invasive in the public right of way,” she said in a written statement. The GMA is also advocating the legislation provide protections to residential neighborhoods and historic districts and also that different fees need to be charged based on a local government’s size and population, she said. The Dunwoody City Council approved in 2015 a small-cell ordinance limiting the height and size of nodes and is watching closely what happens on the issue at the Capitol as part of its 2019 legislative priorities. The Atlanta City Council is considering legislation on its small cell fee structure to note they are subject to the Federal Communications Commission rulings.

JANUARY 25-27

PHOTOS BY CROWN CASTLE

Left, a small cell node installed at the top of an existing light pole near the Georgia State Capitol.

Right, a new pole with a small cell node located behind the Brookhaven-Oglethorpe MARTA station.

Gooch’s bill last year was pitched as rapidly expanding broadband internet access — and all of the business opportunity that comes with it — to underserved areas of rural Georgia. But there are no customers in rural Georgia, Balch said, and he said such a bill is purely a power grab by the massive wireless industry to “get something for nothing.” “If there was a significant market to deploy in those [rural] areas, they would already be there,” Balch said. Adams acknowledged small cells are currently predominantly located in cities with dense populations because small cells require fiber. Brookhaven’s ordinance determined the fair market value for use of city right of

way is $1,000 for each wireless antenna, or small cell node. Other fees in the Brookhaven ordinance range from a $500 application fee to a $300 fee to install a new pole or replace a pole. Last year’s state legislation only allowed cities to charge $20 for a new pole per year. Brookhaven’s decision to move forward with its own ordinance was in part to send a message to the General Assembly that local municipalities can work with the wireless industry to reach a compromise bill that fits the needs of the community, Balch said. “We worked very hard to come up with something both sides can live with and believe it something that can be replicated across the state,” Balch said.

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14 | Commentary

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C O NTA C T US Founder & Publisher Steve Levene stevelevene@reporternewspapers.net Editorial Managing Editor John Ruch johnruch@reporternewspapers.net INtown Editor: Collin Kelley Editor-at-Large Joe Earle Staff Writers Dyana Bagby, Evelyn Andrews Copy Editor: Donna Williams Lewis

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Publisher’s Note / Keeping it hyperlocal, and a change for the Reporter This month marks the start of our al excellence in the past two years. 13th publishing year. While that alone The second section of this issue offers a good example of is not cause for a special celebration, what we do every day. Our semi-annual special feature on edwe’re gratified that the Reporter Newsucation, “20 Under 20,” focuses on students who are making papers family has grown in size and a difference in their communities. The selected students were scope at a time of dramatic, and often culled from submissions by readers and school leaders, then inturbulent, change in the print media interviewed by our writers and editors. It’s one of our best-read dustry. sections each year. Today, our six hyperlocal publicaA local focus also attracts the hundreds of advertisers who tions serve many of the metro area’s use one or more of our papers to promote their products and most diverse and dynamic communiservices cost-effectively to customers and prospects within a Steve Levene ties. The four Reporter editions covfew miles of where their businesses are located. We appreciate Founder and Publisher er Buckhead, Brookhaven, Dunwoody this large base of advertisers who have made our publications and Sandy Springs; Atlanta INtown an integral part of their marketing efforts, and we encourage connects the city’s bustling intown neighborhoods (and is celyou to patronize them, which also helps to build economic staebrating its 25th publishing anniversary this year); Atlanta Sebility in each community. nior Life reaches the burgeoning local population of active oldWe’re always looking for ways to create more readable er adults. and relevant publications, including the changes introduced Our mission from the start has been to provide our 100,000this month. If you like the look and content of your Reporter plus readers with fresh and engaging information about their or have an idea for improving it, please respective communities. Over the past dozen years, let me know at stevelevene@reportHello, Sandy Springs! we’ve made a number of changes to our publicaernewspapers.net. We value your input tions to ensure that they remain relevant in a digiand use it to remain focused. clear-cut fix Tree ordinance: No tally-driven, information-drenched universe. Our initial mission is still intact, fuAs we begin 2019 with this issue of the Reporter, eled by the enthusiasm of a talHello, Buckhead! we’re making another change: The printed edition of ented and experienced staff. Reporter Newspapers will now be published monthAs a new year begins, let me Add your vision to Chastain Pa Conservancy’s survey seeks rk input into long ly and will arrive by mail direct to homes; copies will say thank you to our readers -range planning still be available for pick-up at hundreds of local busiand advertisers for helping our p Chastain Park grou t nesses and other public places. We think these changbusiness to grow and serve your inpu lic pub ing seek es will better serve both our readers and advertisers. community. Atlanta Internat School surviveional Tree Hugger In the past year, our editorial team has been foNPU-B zoning s battle cused on turning the ReporterNewspapers.net web. nks Ba gs rin Sp Reporter Newspapers started in Where Sandy site into a daily news source for Buckhead, BrookhavJanuary 2007 with Sandy Springs and Buckhead editions, left, and en, Dunwoody and Sandy Springs. Their digital efforts Tree Hugger has expanded into Brookhaven have been noticed, as the number of new online visiand Dunwoody. Atlanta INtown was acquired in 2013 and Atlanta tors has surged more than 30 percent last year. (Be sure Where Buck head Banks. Senior Life was launched in 2016. to sign up at the website to receive our daily and weekly emails with news about your community.) The monthly print edition will aim to help readers understand the big picture of the daily online stories. Brookhaven Whether our products are delivered Reporter Buckhead in print or on a digital platform, our loReporter Exhibit highlights ‘We rose to the occasion ‘Lynwood Atlanta in cal roots and focus are at the core of ev’ Integrators’ 50 objects s Day King Threeg a Latin honored for tradition ratin courage during Celeb erything we do. Some of our best stories desegregation over the years have come from local people and places: Friends talking at the SatAtlanta urday farmers market, a homeowner’s Sandy Springs dy group addressing a city council meeting, Reporter om’ law Dunwoo Survey: ious Freed Nationwide Survey: No to ‘Relig ReporterNo to ‘Religious Freedom’ law Stud Older adults find orts y supp search a school PTA fundraiser, a neighborhood planned creativity in clay An act of courag Presidential Retre on vaticity for new reno ats ay w Fire chief wants You Can Visit ka e ea man br of Broo agerk Run a on to refo rmshydr e’ Sh ter ant business owner. Usually, the local matters Thea inspections A Close-Knit we cover don’t make the headlines of the Group daily newspaper or fit the sound bites of radio and television news. Nor do they pop up in a Google search. Yet, they are Survey: No to ‘Rel s ’ law the cornerstone of our mission. We’re igious Freedom igious Freedom Opinions on park ’ law Survey: No to ‘Rel vary, as some feel they’ve been this also proud that our industry peers at the way before Georgia Press Association have validated our mission and efforts by honoring our The Atlanta Knitting Guild shares its love of craft and commun ity publications with 24 awards for editoriSandy Springs Plaza gets a face lift. –Page 14

Welcome to a at new way to look your community 6 –Page

Vol. 1, No. 1

Jan. 26 – Feb. 8, 2007

Fire inspections

First month of Sandy Springs fire inspections challenges. to be go- uncover –Page 2 the collusion that seems homall are opposed to or- on is that they developers and single-family trees the provisions of the city between some “clear cutting” the Two major issues are percent tree canopy on ing on in the law so that By John F. Schaffner s.net and is resulting in the homeowners a 50 tions eowners that dinance that require loophole in the presenthigher price. Crime stats editor@reporternewspaper a properties under a city of residential properties and four recommenda blotter to a developer at made for from their ordinance for the and Advisory Committee then sell their propertymade by the Advisory Commit- police chief talks about The proposed tree a lot of discussion residents they can the Tree Ordinance Police tions many created has that included: recommenda ordinance city’s staff, Sandy Springs The four City ordinance by the between many concerned inclusion into the first six months. to see included but –Page 3 left out of the tree which would inan apparent breach but also among mem- in the community want 9 discussion. tee but event “historic tree” designation, a historic citizens and City Council,The question is which Council flatly rejected at its January •Create significant and with a well. members, city staff votes any tree associated group with historic significance; bers of council as The one issue council loudest when council be in concert clude or for large voices will be heard its February 6 meeting. most of the general public seem to section or life of a person tree designation See the center at gets on the ordinance •Allow for “landmark”immediate vicinity of structure; The Reporter calendar canin the in Sandy 20 percent of the tree pine trees not and you Out & About owners removing over • Require residential a tree removal permit; Board Springs and beyond. removal plan and obtain Conservatio n opy to submit a tree Tree a of and ordinance •Establishm ent new the under appeals City Council. hear to capacity to the during a straw serve in an advisory tions were voted down All four of the recommenda members voting against the “historic all council ber Karen Meinzen vote by council with District 6 Councilmem recommendations. only and three tree” designation for each of the other Mayor Eva Galambos set McEnery voting Jan. 9 work session, introductory statement. During the council discussion with an “I think the tone for the ensuingtable loves trees,” the mayor said. Ride the Peach we absolutely de“Everybody at this on the council that with meanyou have total unanimitymay be going on between a few, the Reporter and that –Page 3 plore any collusion who think they can sell their land faster is in , Street talk while the city spirited homeowners to cut down the trees” Do you feel safer now? collude with developers and trying to pass the new tree ordinance. –Page 6 law present the that,” the mayor statbetween to do something about the “So, I think we ought of the homeowners are reluctant to cut By John F. Schaffner Bullish on real percent The cure for that .1 estate hazard. ed. “Probably 99.9 a editor@reporternewsp have they Harry Norman unless apers.net To require homeowneight-month study trees on their own lawn ish on residential CEO bullworse than the problem. yard, after getting a leading The Chastain Park real estate up tonot should thebe the new master percent Atlanta History Center developm their own in locally. trees Conservancy (CPC) ent down of plan. Survey cut hosts has to collusion.” process of forging been is thee results will be collected The real responsibl is in the until February ers to get a permit Expanded facility problem for number of park ’ exhibits on Ben be overkill. nership with “One of 14. The an the awonChastain Park—thea new master plan for 238-acre master arborist, hopes may –Page 2 the city of plan by CPC ‘blockbusterimprovements in to have a final the meeting, plan completed back. and the park’s partJr. growAtlanta the help of residents city’s largest park—and wants As it grow. told those attending late summer movesTrees Thebymayor Franklin and MLK toward trees The of this is that developin 7 year. partners. south back.” g a new master operating–Page is a things the the CPCforget, priorities and the and users of the park in setting formed CPC derful about organizati non-profit like grow we wouldthey plan for the Buckhead Village to know from residents long-term vision by Chastain neighbors on But we cringe. visit Chastain To that end, the for the park. hance, of the two cities park, Tree Ordinance Park, whatAdvisory When they go down, to restore, en-tions of the Is new developm they like y about if they recommenda what doesn’t and put on its websiteConservancy has distributed Since maintain and ent just a responsibilit preserve the the park, andhas Addressing Chastain Park. what the council 2003, it has signed would out thatThose a survey to obtain said the park better. what works and around the corner? shemake mayor pointed put as part of the upthe interested For instance, over Committee, 1,000 information gathering public in- bers—almost evenly in mempassing when ingordinances. to the Conservan participating in the survey can split between the budget –Page 2 aspect of the Atlanta business to consider residents of cy’s website: www.chas care ofdo and residents so by Taking Chastain Park of Sandy Springs— tainparkconservancy. Directorgo5 and ues—som contains SSBA Executive TREES, Page org. on e of which are a great diversity Gathers finger a of facilities has independeDonna horse park, historic ntly operated— and venincluding a See the the pulse of local business. center, ball fields, golf course, pool center section –Page 10 gymnasium, walkingand tennis facilities, The Reporter calendar arts one of Atlanta’s trails, most popular and long standingpicnic areas and gets you Out & About The Conservan tain and preserve cy was formed in 2003 to restore, concert venues. Buckhead and beyond. in Chastain Park, enhance, mainthe park’s stakeholde and to serve as a forum for all rs. Since then, By John F. Schaffner s.net many projects of the Conservancy aimed atinmaking has completed the process editor@reporternewspaper the park safer, In cooperatio (CPC)n iswith Conservancy know youand all Park—the greener. the park stakeholde Didcleaner stalled Chastain The Chastain Park severe weather fora 238-acre plan rs, usthe master and detection CPC inFacts & Figures and warning system of forging a new the help of residents the park. wants Springs at key CHAST locavision for About Sandy AIN, Page city’s largest park—and and the long-term 10its web site put on ers in setting priorities has distributed and asTo that end, the Conservancy information gathering input as part of the the new Christopher North Number of households a survey to obtain publicstudy leading up to the development of CPC pect of the eight-month will be collected until February 14. The year. results by late summer of this master plan. Survey master plan completed size by Chastain neighhopes to have a final Average household Park tree organization formed , prunes a Chastain Chastain Park. Since The CPC is a non-profit Street talk of Odd Job Tree Specialists the trees and bors to restore, enhance, maintain and preserve Springs Guidebook employee maintain an Sandy to –Source: Can infrastruct Jesus Libogio, and equipment ure handle By John F. Schaffner Odd Job donates time new growth? way to give back for 10 on a mild January day. Thomas said it is his editor@reporternewsp CHASTAIN, page Company owner Eddie apers.net l area. –Page 6 walkways in the park. from the recreationa The Atlanta Internatio his family has received nal School, Buckhead leaders years of enjoyment and residents, won a beloved institution of most Buckhe Civic Associatio a struggle with ad profile n the Garden Hills BBA’s Sharon Silva victory came only over three zoning matters this past month, but after some heated the the long road home. takes board of Neighborh exchanges among ood Planning members of the The school had acquired Unit-B at its first meeting page –Page 11 backseeking Seewas of 2007. some additional to expand its operations. Those property and the school to obtain two separate plans required of nine pieces variances of property along and 2 to RG-3, Peachtree Avenue a rezoning both residential from RGgeneral sector One Zoning variance, zoning categories Piedmont Hospita which applied es of property . l to the same nine was Outpatient unit piecPeachtree Avenue, to allow for parking in Howell Mill Road. going on the the construction where it is otherwise prohibited front yard on of , The second zoning a new school building and to allow for –Page 14 parking deck. variance was to of a structure from increase the isting school and 35 feet to 41 feet to allow for an maximum height a special exception addition the off-street parking from zoning regulation to the exs to reduce All three of the requirement from 379 spaces requests had been to 150 ing committee approved by NPU-B’sspaces. 8-0-0 with 14 zoncondition by both the school and the Garden s that had been agreed to Did you know However, the Hills neighborh sticking point ood group. Christopher North was that the Facts & Figures ciation wanted Jesus Libogio, an neighborhood an About Buckhead assowhich would have additional covenant placed employee of Odd on the school, Job Tree Specialis on a mild January the next 17 years. required that the land be ts, prunes a Chastain day. Odd Job donates used as a school The school had for walkways in the Park tree As part of the time and equipme not agreed to park. Company nt to maintain the Number of househol mittee had told Nov. 28 approval vote, however, that covenant. owner Eddie Thomas years of enjoyme trees and the two parties ds the zoning comsaid it is his way nt his family has an agreement on to the covenant as go back and work on obtaining to give back for three received from the part of zoning matters. recreational area. By the Jan. 2 NPU the NPU’s approval of the Average househol board meeting, d size the two parNPU-B, page

Welc ome to a new way to look your community at –Page 6

Vol. 1, No. 1

Jan. 26 – Feb. 8,

2007

Creative and Production Creative Director Rico Figliolini rico@reporternewspapers.net Graphic Designer Julie Murcia Advertising Director of Sales Development Amy Arno amyarno@reporternewspapers.net Sales Executives Melissa Kidd, Jeff Kremer, Janet Porter, Jim Speakman Office Manager Deborah Davis deborahdavis@reporternewspapers.net Contributors Robin Conte, Doug Carroll, Phil Mosier

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fire department,” Sanders said. “That way, I know all hydrants have been touched and have been inspected.” That will mean “more accuracy , more accountability,” Sanders said, adding it will also give firefighters hands-on edge of where knowlthe city’s hydrants case they need Page 18 are in to find them in an emergency. But those inspectio ns are where the department’s fire direct control of the crucial safety devices ends. The 2,910 hydrants on city streets are actually owned city of Atlanta’s by the Department of Watershed Management, which can take months to make repairs.

OUT & ABOUT Puppetry Arts Center expands under Atlanta’s er own puppet mast

Sanders called that situation a “challenge,” though he added he is not aware of any recent fire where firefighters had trouble finding a working hydrant on a public Continued on page 14

Wolverines

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Reporter Newspap ers is working with a new mobile Atlanta-based 1Q, to survey market research residents of our topics of state firm, communities and local interest. periodically about In our first poll, Religious Freedom we ask about Restoration Act the proposed ture. Nearly two-third being considere d in the state s of 200 responde reactions to the Legislants said the bill law. Read more should be rejected. about the poll Here are two and local commen ts on page 11. ►

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crowd Familiar sights at the Atlanthe new exhibit Georgia ta History Center. Wreck holds BY DYANA BAGBY Tech’s Ramblin’ eady dyanabagby@repor center stage. A billboard-r one ternewspapers.net in Chick-fil-A cow protests Eugenia Calloway away, a Varflipped through corner. A few feet pages of the 1968 the hangs from a Cross Keys High sity car-hop’s tray yearbook, glancing School Valiant. over the photogra door of a ’63 Plymouth of many white phs the items faces. But in It’s no surprise that the back of the show yearbook she museum found first the in this particular boys’ basketball team all part of and then the seem familiar. They’re girls’ basketba team. repto ll chosen Atlanta. Each was “That’s me,” feature of she said, pointing resent some important smiling girl at say. to the curators the far right the city, the exhibit’s in the girls’ varsity team in 50 Obphoto.apers.n etblack JAN. 22 - FEB. One other The exhibit, “Atlanta was on the 4, 2016 • VOL. rnewsp girl Jan. 16 and is reporte far left; all the 10 — NO. 2 jects,” which opened players and the TER_NEWS coaches in between July 10, is FACEBOOK.COM/THER TWITTER.COM/REPOR were white. to be on display through EWSPAPERS EPORTERNEWSPAPER way, “That’s EPORTERN own its when I had the show, in S to TWITTER.C FACEBOOK.COM/THER intended most fun, when OM/REPORTER_NEWS I was playing Atlanta. 2 basketball,” she reporte what makes Atlanta VOL. 7— NO. said. Calloway was thing is the FEB. 4, 2016 • rnewspapers.net one of 17 students “I think my favorite JAN. 22 -Jamie integrated Cross who t,” guest curator who Chatman, one of the “Lynwood ments are Keys High School King manuscrip integrated Cross Integrators,” ly 50 years ago, benear►Mixed-use develop not for attends a Rev. Keys High School ►Mixed said on the day part of that Martin Luther -useWilson nearly 50 years develop Amy first group King Jr. Day dinner trend, but they’re of black students ments she and by graduates of Lynwood High School, ago. The Jan. PHIL MOSIER a hotand celebration honoring opened, asare 18 program, a hot trend, Cross Keys High to attend an PHIL MOSIER fore the all-white butshow School and Chamblee held at Lynwood Park school in DeKalb they’re not for directhe 17 Recreation e Kings Day or County and now Charter High everyon Center, featured studentss everyoneHistory Center exhibitions during the Three School. See additiona as the “Lynwood known comments busines for a performance draw made last-minute l photos Integrators.” Group, prepares photos on page 15.► on page 13.► tor Dan Rooney eter hotels 10. See additional Danza Aztec Dance the Jan. ►Perim of pointon ►Perim She page Center member a 14, exhibit. History eter to thedraw service, Ana Avilez, 12 hotels tweaks Continued festival at the Atlanta businesseries | P17 on page 12 “Dia de Los Reyes” with MARTA access, with MARTA a case holding a s R: TARTAN TROT ed toward access, CALENDA yela service, from ons Reporter pages attracti Newspapers is attractions of handwritten working with Rev. Atlanta-based a new mobile pad on which the 1Q, to survey market research research firm, Pages 4-9low legal residents of ourP4-9 Jr. had writtopics of state firm, a new mobile market communities and local interest. Martin Luther King s is working with CALENDAR: TARTAN periodically about es periodically about In our first poll, Religious Freedom speech for his Reporter Newspaper of our communiti TROT | P17 we ask about ten the acceptance Restoration Act to survey residents ask about the proposed the proposed ture. Nearly two-third “It’s the original Atlanta-based 1Q, being considere our first poll, we 1964 Nobel Prize. d in the state local interest. In s of 200 responde in the state Legislareactions to the Legislatopics of state and nts said the bill being considered are two law. Read more manuscript.” Restoration Act should be rejected. be rejected. Here started about the poll Religious Freedom s said the bill should Here are two 11. ► and local commen Wilson and RooneyPage 18 of 200 respondent comments on page ts on page 11. in Novemture. Nearly two-thirds the poll and local ► work on the project Read more about beidea reactions to the law. ber 2014. The original – gathering BY DYANA BAGBY hind the exhibit imporI’m dyanabagby@reporte so sick of Georgi objects that represent histornewspapers.net events in looking like backw a Even having a l tant themes or BAGBY propos City in a few othEven having a proposalaw DYANA cials are BY offi BY JOHN RUCH preparing to pers.net ry – had been used foons. This is just ard bufof a religious freedom al look for by@reporternewspa a newdyanabag shows city manager I’m so sick of Georgiad bufjohnruch@reportern of a religious freedom law to replace Marie er high-profile museum legaliz ewspapers.net seems rett, who held Smiththe Gar-would backwar ed in “The to Theater as like discrim step be a step theng looking jobBrook and books, such sinceRun seems to be a Brookhaven’s inceptionRenovati and fit plain and simple ination, right direction... in the of America inA hole in the sidewalk . ately $7.5 million sonian’s History foons. This is just direction... to start . to If near a Dunkin’ that start comright cost approxim Donuts A national 14 page at 6060 Roswell isn’t enough, it’s search citya new of Dunwoody’s having more consid Continued Road marks where into thefor city ager was easily legalized discrimination, bad for a fire hydrant a new feasihaving more consider erg to manexpected to begin was knocked that e plan, accordin ation for religio as soon as state down by a the period. tails prehensiv econom hicle de-Consercenter’s of vea nearly religion, separatio plain and simple. If for History Brook Run ically. n, period. a year ago and The the The Atlanta ation for between studynfrom remains missin 50 ing. And city and Garrett bility could be reached. exhibition, “Atlanta for the last four A 44-YEAR-OLD A 34-YEAR-OLD isn’t enough, it’s bad unique, Council mem- that we months of 2015, WOMAN WOMAN bers metvancy. if Objects,” showcases fi refi 34-YEAR-OLD WOMAN know A behind ghters cally. you WHO LIVES WHO LIVES had needed water closed doors to let katana from IN BROOKH IN SANDY SPRING with Garrett y has a SANDY SPRINGS the state economi “I am pleased local items like this and a mediatio to battle a blaze there, they AVEN WHO LIVES IN TV show. S n attorney that Dunwood would have found “The Walking Dead” is sigto work out areannow certainon Jan. 20that to hydrant across try there a WOMAN fi re LD agreemen the street gone A 44-YEAR-O facility and as well. ity for need for this t. Mayor John BROOKHAVEN Such long repair Ernst and members in the commun WHO LIVES IN times and uncertain nificant support of City inspections for ncy President the city’s 4,000 states Conserva public and that need,” private fire hydrants Countinued on letter14to the couna Jan. 15page are an ongoing Danny Ross in cern for Sandy conSprings fire offi at cials. Fire cil. Rescue Chief t a new theater Keith Sanders is now gearThe cost to construc ing up a tighter, $24.5 milcost would size more accounta ble inspecabout the same tion system. Step one: bringing y study states. PHIL MOSIER lion, the feasibilit hydrant inspections in-house feasibility PHOTOS BY ncy sent its instead of using Cutno breaks The conserva recently vate contracto priplayer Anjanice a varsity rs, as the Council members court during High School basketball study to City has done since city come up at the At left, Dunwoody as she heads down her home Wolverines on Jan. 15. its is expected to pack and the issue founding. High School Lady away from the the Miller Grove 25 meeting. game against council’s Jan. is support talks “The Nash there that Angela 2016 Tillie O’Neal-Ky Coach les, founder of While Ross argues he may inspections Above, Lady Wildcats with her players. Every Woman named the city’s g Brook Run Theater, Works, a nonprofi 2016 Humanita over strategy for renovatin council. will be done rian of the Year, t that battle from the at the 10th annual helps achieve financial top, 62-37, and independence, still face an uphill Rev. Martin Luther s came out on by the San22 are 8-9 PHIL MOSIER King Jr. Day celebratiopersonal growth and family The Lady Wolverinerecord. The Lady Wildcats Continued on page 12- 8 leadership 15.► dy Springs

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page 8

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firm, market research with a new mobile periodically about ers is working communities Reporter Newspap the proposed residents of our we ask about 1Q, to survey LegislaAtlanta-based In our first poll, d in the state and local interest. are two being considere topics of state be rejected. Here Restoration Act the bill should page 11. ► Religious Freedom s of 200 respondents said comments on the poll and local ture. Nearly two-third about more law. Read reactions to the

a I’m so sick of Georgiard buflooking like backw foons. This is just ination, legalized discrim . If that plain and simplebad for isn’t enough, it’s ically. the state econom WOMAN A 44-YEAR-OLD AVEN IN BROOKH WHO LIVES

proposal Even having a law of a religious freedom in the seems to be a step start to right direction... erhaving more consid n, period. ation for religio

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BY JOE EARLE

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the city’s sound off on to The chance to 120 people more than parks drew on Jan. 12. library branch Dunwoody’s room, standinto a meeting They packed ideas on a to voice their ing room only, parks plan. city’s five-year rewrite of the n a bit familthe discussio Some found

iar. to all these ago, we went “A few years 12 Continued on page

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New giant projects join senior housing boom Continued from page 1 according to a press release from financing company SunTrust Banks. Village Park did not respond to questions. The 9-acre project would include independent living, assisted living and memory care – a so called continuum of care that is a popular model for seniors to age in the same community. According to the press release, it “will feature French inspired architecture, groomed courtyards, a movie theater, flower shop, library, wine bar, sports bar and other unique amenities.” “I’m excited to launch the most premier senior living community in the underserved Paces market just north of Atlanta and Midtown,” said Village Park Senior Living CEO Tim Gary in the press release. “The Atlanta population is booming. Many professionals are moving to the city and bringing their parents along with them. This community will deliver on the highest quality of service and care for our residents while protecting their dignity and lifestyle.” The first phase will include a total of 204 units: 82 independent living, 75 assisted living and 26 memory care. That phase will create more than 350 permanent jobs, the press release says.

Lenox Park

A five-story multifamily residential development with 199 senior housing units is proposed to be built on an approximately 5-acre undeveloped site in Lenox Park. The proposed project is described as a “senior living community” for people 55 and older. It is also the first project to meet Brookhaven’s new zoning code that requires 10 percent workforce housing. The property at 1035, 1045, 1055 and 1065 Lenox Blvd. is owned by Bellsouth Telecommunications. The developer, Atlanta-based Greystar GP, is set to go before the Brookhaven Planning Commission on Feb. 6 to seek approval to remove the current site plans for the property. The vacant property is currently zoned for two office buildings with six and eight stories, according to plans filed with the city. A community development plan for the office park does not include approval for apartments. The proposed development would include 199 apartments for seniors age 55 and older, according to a letter of intent on file with the city of Brookhaven. The development would be “an active adult residential community,” the document states.

In 2017, a developer proposed to build a six-story apartment complex with 273 units on the same undeveloped site. The developer withdrew plans following backlash from residents living in the area who complained of traffic and density. The five-building Lenox Park office complex, located near the Buckhead border, was bought in August by a real estate firm. The 32-acre office park along Lenox Park Boulevard has long been occupied by AT&T offices. Bridge Investment Group, the new owner, says it will renovate 1277 Lenox Park Boulevard, a seven-story tower that AT&T recently vacated. The renovation is for speculative office space geared for any type of potential tenant, a spokesperson said.

Canterbury Court

Canterbury Court, at 3750 Peachtree Road near the Brookhaven border, dates to 1965 and opened its current nine-to-10-story towers in 1991 and 2005. It says it needs to modernize medical uses, such as a clinic, and wants to add about 136 residential units to the current 188. That involves three new buildings ranging from roughly three to 10 stories. The project has had rough going with many neighbors. It gained approval at the Jan. 8 NPU-B meeting after a zoning condition agreement was hammered out moments before the vote, so fresh it was not available in finalized form. Tensions were high, with neighborhood representative Cathy Boston saying agreed-upon mitigations had been “gutted,” leaving residents “at wit’s end.” Chuck Konas of the development team said the neighbors were changing demands and creating “death by a thousand cuts.” Well-known community advocate Sally Silver was deputized to broker a deal among both sides in a 20-minute discussion in a lobby outside the meeting room at the Cathedral of St. Philip. “They’re getting trees. They’re getting walls. Everybody’s happy,” she announced as compromise was reached. Boston and project attorney Carl Westmoreland confirmed the deal appeared to be fine. The project was expected to head to the ZRB this month. However, not all neighbors are happy. Maggie Patton, a Club Drive resident, said she felt residents were “railroaded” at the meeting and that buffer issues are still a problem. “The fate of our homes and family investments was left to a chaotic scramble,” she said.

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‘We rose to the oc

Fire chief wants Exhibit highlights to reform hydrant Atlanta nonprofit with Humanitarian of the Year award inspections Studen ts faced hardsh City honors founder of in ips, discrimination 50 objects and many challen ges

BY DYANA BAGBY reporternewspapers.net dyanabagby@ would Run Theater Renovating Brook and fit ly $7.5 million comcost approximate city of Dunwoody’s easily into the a new feasiaccording to prehensive plan, ConserThe Brook Run bility study from

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‘Lynwood Integrators’ honored for courage during desegregation

A hole in the sidewalk near a Dunkin’ Donuts at 6060 Roswell Road marks where a fire hydrant was knocked down by a veFamiliar sights hicle nearly a year ago and remains misscrowd the new exhibit ing. And for the last four months of 2015, at the Atlanta History if firefighters had needed water to battle a Center. Georgia Tech’s Ramblin’ blaze there, they would have found a fire Wreck holds BY DYANA BAGBY vancy. that we center stage. hydrant across the street gone as well. to let you know A billboard-re dyanabagby@ ady “I am pleased has a reporternewspapers.net Chick-fil-A cow Such long repair times and uncertain that Dunwoody protests in one sigis are now certain corner. A few there inspections for the city’s 4,000 public and Eugenia Calloway feet away, a Varfacility and that for need for this flipped through sity car-hop’s private fire hydrants are an ongoing conpages of the 1968 in the community the tray hangs Cross Keys High nificant support President door of a ’63 Plymouth from a cern for Sandy Springs fire officials. Fire yearbook, glancing School Conservancy Valiant. over the photographs that need,” states to the counIt’s no surprise Rescue Chief Keith Sanders is now gearof many white a Jan. 15 letter that the items faces. But in Danny Ross in in this particular the back of ing up a tighter, more accountable inspecthe yearbook museum show she found first at cil. seem familiar. the boys’ basa new theater tion system. Step one: bringing hydrant ketball team They’re all part and then the The cost to construct cost $24.5 milof girls’ basketball Atlanta. Each inspections in-house instead of using priteam. size would was chosen to about the same represent some important city vate contractors, as the study states. “That’s me,” she said, pointing PHIL MOSIER lion, the feasibility PHOTOS BY the city, the exhibit’s feature of its feasibility its since done sent has smiling to the girl at the far curators say. Cutno breaks The conservancy recently right in the The exhibit, player Anjanice varsity team founding. girls’ a varsity “Atlanta in 50 Council members photo. One other court during High School basketball the study to City Objects,” which to come up at black girl At left, Dunwoody as she heads down her home Wolverines on Jan. 15. 2016 “The was on the far opened Jan. 16 pack Lady issue is expected left; all the players the School and and High away from the is to be on display and the coaches in between inspections the Miller Grove 25 meeting. through July game against were white. council’s Jan. 10, is intended to show, Nash talks that there is support will be done “That’s when Coach Angela in I had the most While Ross argues Above, Lady Wildcats with her players. what makes Atlanta its own way, Theater, he may fun, when I was playing by the SanAna Avilez, 14, renovating Brook Run over strategy basketball,” she Atlanta. for a member of PHIL MOSIER said. “I think my favorite from the council. the Danza dy Springs Calloway was battle “Dia de Losface Aztec Dance Group, uphill top, 62-37, and anfestival thing is the one of 17 students was still Reyes” came out on and family leadership, prepares for a are 8-9 King manuscript, Jamie Chatman,fire departat the Atlanta on page 22 integrated Cross a nonprofit that helps achieve financial independence, personal growth who of Every ”Woman performance The Lady Wolverines ContinuedHistory Center Tillie O’Neal-Kyles, founder The Lady Wildcats one of the “Lynwood page 15.► guest Works, Keys High School during the Day celebration at City Hall on Jan. 18. Story onwho curator a 12- 8 record. PHIL MOSIER on Jan. 10. See integrated Cross Integrators,” on page 15.► SandWilson said of the Year, at the 10th annual Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. ly 50 years ago, 2016 Humanitarian ment,” currently have the city’sAmy nearnamed additional photos Three Kings Day or attends a Rev. Keys additional photos High School nearly on the day bepart of that by graduates on page 15.► Martin Luther this season. See fore the show 50 years ago. first group of Lynwood said. of black students ers High School, The Jan. 18 program, King Jr. Day dinner and opened, as she Cross Keys High to attend an celebration honoring PHIL MOSIER and History Center all-white School and Chamblee held at Lynwood Park school in DeKalb “That way, I the 17 students exhibitions direcRecreation Center, County and now Charter High featured comments tor Dan Rooney School. See additional as the “Lynwood known know all hymade last-minute photos on page Integrators.” Reporter Newspapers firm, tweaks to the 13.► drants have exhibit. She market research is working with point- Reporter Newspapers is working with a new mobile market research firm, Atlanta-based a new mobile a new mobile ed toward a case Continued on page been touched 1Q, to survey periodically about is working with market research holding a series 12 residents of our about communities periodically topics communities our our of fi of residents rm, of survey to of 1Q, Reporter Newspapers handwritten proposed state Atlanta-based been communities and have the residents and local interest. pages from a Reporter Newspapers periodically about we ask about 1Q, to survey In our first poll, Religious Freedom yel- topics of state and local interest. In our first poll, we ask about the proposed low legal pad LegislaAtlanta-based In our first poll, is working with inspected.” we ask about in the state Restoration Act on which the Atlanta-based and local interest. a new mobile the proposed are two ture. Nearly two-thirds Rev. Religious Freedom Restoration Act being considered in the state Legisla1Q, to survey being considered being considered Martin Luther topics of state market research That will mean be rejected. Here residents of our Restoration Act King Jr. had in the state topics of state of 200 respondents fi rm, two the bill should are Here Freedom rejected. be ► said communitie should bill reactions writthe 11. Legislasaid and local interest. ten the acceptance Religious on page said the bill should ture. Nearly two-thirds of 200 respondents to the law. Read s periodically “more accuracy, more Religious of 200 respondents In our first poll, about local comments speech for his more about the be rejected. Here on page 11. ► Freedom we ask about it 1964 Nobel Prize. ture. Nearly two-thirds more about the poll and said, adding poll and local Restoration Act Page 18 reactions to the law. Read more about the poll and local comments are two accountability,” Sanders ture. the proposed comments on “It’s the original law. Read being considered Nearly two-thirds page 11. ► manuscript.” reactions to the hands-on knowlin the state of 200 respondents will also give firefighters reactions Legislasaid the bill should to thein law. Read more Wilson and edge of where the city’s hydrants are be rejected. Here about the poll Rooney started Page 18 are two and local comments BY JOE EARLE Page 18work on the project case they need to find them in an emers.net on page 11. ► rternewspaper in Novemjoeearle@repoI’m so sick ber 2014. The proposal gency. a of Georgia original idea Even having beEven having a proposal off on the city’s hind the exhibit law looking I’m so sick of Georgia sound But those inspections are where the fire Even having a like – gathering The chance to backwarto BY DYANA BAGBY proposal of a religious freedom crucial objects that I’m so sick of Georgiad bufthan 120 people d bufof a religious freedom law department’s direct control moreThis foons. looking like backward bufof a religious freedom represent imporI’m ofsothe in the dyanabagby@ parks drew sick of Georgia on Jan. 12. is just reporternewspa tant themes safety devices ends. The 2,910 hydrants seems to be a step start looking like backwar library branch law pers.net seems to be a step in the or events in legalized foons. This is just seems to be a step Dunwoody’s looking by the Even having a histoto room, standdiscrimin ry – had been on city streets are actually ownedlike backward bufinto a meeting proposal ation, used in a few City officials right direction... a foons. This is just ation, right direction... to start They packed are preparing othplain legalized discrimination, right direction... in the their ideas on foons.of This Watershed er high-profi of a religious freedom voicesimple. city of Atlanta’s Department toand to look for a new city manager le museum shows is just to start If that plan. ing room only, having more considerlegalized discriminIf that having more considerlaw to replace Marie and books, such take months to isn’t city’s five-year parks plain and simple. If that having more considerManagement, which can legalized seems to be a step period. rett, who held Garas “The Smithdiscrimination, rewrite of the enough, it’sa bad bit familthe job since for sonian’s History plain and simple.bad for ation for religion, Brookhaven’s make repairs. ation for religion, period. the discussion inception. isn’t enough, it’s bad for the state plain and “chalation for religion, of America in right direction... in the Some found economically. Sanders called that situation a simple. to start If that period. isn’t enough, it’s D WOMAN A national search Continued page iar. A 34-YEAR-OL isn’t enough, the state economically. having more considerally. A 34-YEAR-OLD WOMAN went to all these of for a new city 14 not aware it’s A 44-YEAR-OL ago, we A 34-YEAR-OL lenge,” though he added he is IN SANDY SPRINGS ager was expected bad for manD WOMAN “A few years the state economic D WOMAN WHO LIVES WHO LIVES IN SANDY SPRINGS to trouThe Atlanta History ghters had firefistate ation for religion, WHO LIVES Continued on page 12 any recent fire wherethe WHO LIVES tails of a separation begin as soon as deA 44-YEAR-OLD WOMAN economic IN BROOKHAV IN SANDY SPRINGS ally. period. D WOMAN exhibition, “Atlantacenter’s between the city EN ble finding a working hydrant on a public A 44-YEAR-OL BROOKHAVEN IN Garrett in LIVES EN WHO 50 could Objects,” showcases A 44-YEAR-OL be reached. Council and A 34-YEAR-OL IN BROOKHAV unique, D WOMAN 14 D WOMAN WHO LIVES Continued on page local items like bers met behind memWHO LIVES this katana from WHO LIVES closed doors with IN BROOKHAV IN SANDY SPRINGS “The Walking and a mediation Garrett Dead” TV show. EN attorney on Jan. 20 to try to work out an agreement. Mayor John Ernst and members of City Countinued on page 14

OUT & ABOUT

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Survey: No to ‘Relig

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Nationwide search planned for new city manager

16 | Community

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Darlington displacement impacts tenant-aid nonprofits Continued from page 1 as one of the few affordable rental options in Buckhead. In 2017, it was bought for $30 million by Sandy Springs-based Varden Capital Properties, which is known for acquiring and renovating lower-rent apartment complexes around the South. Varden’s property management arm, Hammond Residential Group, last year began vacating the Darlington, culminating in mass evictions that triggered a public protest in September. Varden and Hammond have not responded to phone calls and their plans and timeline for the Darlington remain unclear. The tower’s website now pitches it as a “luxury lifestyle” complex, while advertised rental rates for the small units remain relatively affordable at $641 to $792. While John Marti, Hammond’s vice president of operations, carried out the Darlington displacement, he also continued to serve as a founding board member of Open Doors, a Decatur-based nonprofit that connects people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness with landlords who are willing to lower barriers to signing leases. Open Doors Executive Director Matt Hurd said his group has worked with Marti and Hammond since 2013 to find apartments for “hundreds” of tenants — including in the Darlington. And, Hurd said, Marti had made him aware of the Darlington displacement plan from the start, 18 months ago. “We had discussed it, and we were part of the initiative to relocate remaining tenants that needed assistance,” Hurd said. Asked about the situation of working with a partner company to mitigate a displacement it was itself conducting, Hurd said, “I think that’s the reality across the board. … Our property partners are our bread and butter, but they’re also in busi-

FILE/EVELYN ANDREWS

The Darlington Apartments at 2025 Peachtree Road.

ness.” “It’s a double-edged sword,” he said of the nonprofit’s work with real estate firms, but added that rising rents are reality across today’s market, and affordability is a complex challenge. “What I can say with confidence is, groups like Hammond and all of our real estate partners … [are active] in trying to make sure affordability is a reality, espe-

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cially [for] people exdonation from neighiting homelessness,” boring Piedmont HosHurd said. “Hampital, according to mond’s really worked Kase. The hospital did well with us in not not respond to quesonly lowering those tions. barriers, but somePart of the reason times lowering rents. for that donation was … Partners like Hamthat many Darlingmond are just absoton tenants worked lutely essential.” at the hospital, Kase For Kase at the said. The displaceBuckhead Chrisment also disrupttian Ministry, howeved the complex’s own er, Varden and HamSPECIAL Keeva Kase of Buckhead mond have taken a sense of community, Christian Ministry. big bite out of the budhe said. get for its own work “They had a helping people with homelessness. And, church at the Darlington. They met in the he says, the displacement has disrupted a lobby on Sunday,” Kase said he was told by community and a local workforce. a former tenant. “That’s really special.” As of early December, Kase said, his Records of where 32 Darlington tengroup had aided 37 Darlington tenants ants assisted by Buckhead Christian Minwith moving expenses, rental deposits on istry now live show that only a few were new apartments and similar issues. That able to stay in Buckhead and all were scatcost $35,000 to $45,000 in direct cash and tered around the metro area. Some ended more in staff time and other costs, he said. up as far as 12 miles away. Several now live And he expects those costs to rise, as the in other cities, including Clarkston, Smyrgroup continues to help tenants, including na, College Park, Decatur and Doraville. with rent assistance in new housing that in most cases costs more. “Hopefully, Varden will do the right “We’re just not done with the Darlingthing and make the ministry and commuton. These folks are clients of ours now,” nity whole,” Kase said. “More importantKase said. “I expect we’ll be supplying those ly, I hope the community will take steps to folks with clothing, food and rent into the make displacement events like the one at future.” the Darlington more humane, thoughtful, Among the assistance Buckhead Chrisand for the benefit and betterment of our tian Ministry itself received was a $25,000 community.”

Community | 17

JANUARY 2019 ■ www.ReporterNewspapers.net

Local legislator lends personal experience to ‘fake service animals’ study BY EVELYN ANDREWS

rants, grocery stores and apartments on the difference between the types of animals “as well as the fraudulent misrepreState Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick brought sentation of such terms and meanings,” her experience volunteering with her the report said. pet dog Dobie to the table to make recA service animal is trained to perommendations on how to curb the use of form specific tasks to help someone with “fake service animals.” a disability, such as a guide for someone “That’s why I am on the committee,” who is blind, according to the Americans said the senator, who represents part of with Disabilities Act website. Dogs are Sandy Springs. “I am an animal person.” the only animal whose use is fully proThe Senate study committee was adtected under the ADA, although miniadressing concerns about people passing ture horses are allowed under different off their regular pets as trained service regulations. The ADA allows dogs to acor emotional support animals to gain accompany their handlers anywhere they cess to public spaces that typically ban go, unless the dog is out of control or them, particularly restaurants and airbreaks safety rules, such as going in a lines, Kirkpatrick said. The issue often public pool. happens with pet dogs, sometimes causEmotional support animals provide ing safety issues or disruption, she said. comfort, typically to people with such People can buy certifications and vests psychological conditions as anxiety or for their pet online with little regulation, depression. The animals cannot accomKirkpatrick said, which are sometimes pany their handler to every public space, used to circumvent apartment pet bans but their use is protected under the Fair or fees. Housing Act and Air Carrier Access Act, “Everyone from airlines to grocery according to the committee documents. stores to apartment owners have conAirlines and landlords can ask for docucerns,” Kirkpatrick said. ments from a mental health professionThe confusion and debate revolves al that verify the need for the animal, a around at least three categories of anicommittee document said. mals: Kirkpatrick volunteered with her pet ■ Service animals: trained to perdog as a therapy animal, which only has form specific tasks to assist someone basic obedience training and can visit fawith a disability. cilities that pro■ Emotional vide permission support animals: to visit to comprovide general fort people, such comfort to people as patients in a with psychologihospital or resical conditions. dents of an assist■ Therapy aned-living facility, imals: provide she said. Theracomfort to peopy dogs were disple other than the cussed in some of handler in places the committee’s like hospitals and sessions, but are assisted living fanot usually used cilities. to pass off as a The committee fake service dog was created to reand are not mensearch possibly cretioned in the final ating a uniform cerreport. tification process or Ideas includcriminalizing the use ed requiring inof a fake service anstate physician imal, according to certification and the group’s final remonetary fines, port, which was isbut the commitsued in January. The tee backed away KAY KIRKPATRICK report called for more from this, saying STATE SENATOR awareness about the more research is difference between needed to ensure “service animals” and “emotional supthe state laws would not violate the ADA. port animals.” Similar laws in other states have be“The thing that was startling to me is come a “strong point of contention bethe lack of understanding of different antween lawyers and advocates, especially imals and regulations,” she said. “We’re in the housing industry,” the report said. trying to figure out how to clear that up.” Dawn Alford, the public policy direcRecommendations include drafting tor at the Georgia Council on Developlegislation that calls for public service mental Disabilities, warned in a commitannouncements and guidance for restautee meeting there could be “unintended evelyn@reporternewspapers.net

The thing that was startling to me is the lack of understanding of different animals and regulations. We’re trying to figure out how to clear that up.

Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick sits with her dog Dobie while volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House in Sandy Springs.

consequences that could result from any attempts to criminalize the misrepresentation of ‘fake’ service animals” that could harm people with disabilities, according to the report. The committee heard testimony from groups like Delta and the Georgia Restaurant Association who did not recommend state level legislative changes but encouraged more education and awareness, the report said. The committee was not looking into more regulations on pet ownership or allowing pets into public spaces, such as pet-friendly parks or restaurants. Kirkpatrick’s dog is in a separate category from a service or emotional support dog. Her dog, a golden doodle, served as a “therapy dog,” which has been screened for temperament, has passed basic obedience training and provides comfort to people other than its handler. Dobie typically visited the Ronald McDonald House that serves Sandy Springs’ Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite. The visits were coordinated and overseen by an Atlanta group called Happy Tails, which also uses pet cats and rabbits and therapy animals, according to its website. “It was great for him and great for families who were far away from home for months with their kids who are sick,” she said. She volunteered for five years and became a group leader for volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House, which is run by a nonprofit and provides hous-

SPECIAL

ing for families during their child’s hospital stay. Dobie has gotten too old to continue the visits, but Kirkpatrick said she hopes to get another dog and continue volunteering. “It’s very rewarding,” she said. “It’s a win-win-win.” But therapy dogs are not permitted anywhere their owner can go, which service dogs can, Kirkpatrick said. “A therapy dog is a pet that has basic obedience training,” she said. “No selfrespecting therapy dog owner would try to pass their dog off as one that can go in a restaurant.” She said more education is needed to ensure everyone is aware of those differences in what the law allows. “There are possibly people gaming the system, but I think it’s more confusion,” she said. The committee’s report also calls for doing more research on the need to clarify the difference between the types of animals in state law. She expects other dog-related bills to come up this session, including one that allows people to attempt to save animals from hot cars, which was recommended by the committee, and a return of a bill to ban pet store sales of animals from breeders statewide. Sandy Springs and Atlanta already have a pet sale ban on the books. Opposition by major stores that sell pets is expected to try to “thwart local control,” Kirkpatrick said.

18 | Art & Entertainment

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tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the Studio Theatre at City Springs. This year’s event features the work of Los Niños Primero, an educational program serving at-risk Latino preschoolers and their families in Sandy Springs over the past 18 years. Meet the families and volunteers of this program and learn how you can get involved. Free. 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs. Info: sandyspringsga.gov.

BROOKHAVEN’S MLK DAY DINNER

FREE ADMISSION FOR MLK DAY AT ATLANTA HISTORY CENTER

Monday, Jan. 21, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Atlanta History Center once again offers free admission and a full slate of special programming for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Events include a Freedom Ride simulation, museum theater performances and inspirational activities for all ages. Among the highlights is a 1 p.m. film screening and discussion of “Paul Laurence Dunbar: Beyond the Mask,” a regional Emmy Award-winning documentary by Frederick Lewis. At 3:30 p.m., author Adam Parker discusses his new book “Outside Agitator: The Civil Rights Struggle of Cleveland Sellers Jr.” Sellers, who was program director of Atlanta’s Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee, will join Parker for this talk. 130 West Paces Ferry Road N.W., Buckhead. Info: atlantahistorycenter.com.

SANDY SPRINGS’ TRIBUTE TO MLK

Monday, Jan. 21, 10 a.m. The city of Sandy Springs holds its annual

Monday, Jan. 21, 5:30 p.m. The city of Brookhaven hosts its fourth annual “MLK Dinner and Program,” an event appropriate for all ages, at Lynwood Community Center. Former Lynwood Park resident U.S. Army Brigadier General Richard Dix will be keynote speaker. Tickets can be purchased at the Lynwood Community Center, once the site of the segregated Lynwood schools, whose students integrated the DeKalb School System in 1968. $10. 3360 Osborne Road, Brookhaven. Info: 404-637-0542.

DUNWOODY’S MLK DAY OF SERVICE

Monday, Jan. 21, 9 a.m. to noon. Dunwoody’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day of service kicks off at Brook Run Park. Volunteers check in at 8:30 a.m. and the morning begins with donuts, coffee, music and giveaways. Volunteers can either stay and work in the park or drive to their selected locations. Opportunities include: planting trees, cleaning up a park, daffodil planting and completing projects at the Community Assistance

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Art & Entertainment | 19

JANUARY 2019 ■ www.ReporterNewspapers.net Center (CAC). 4770 North Peachtree Road, Dunwoody. Info: dunwoodyga.gov.

PERFORMANCES “THE LAST NIGHT OF BALLYHOO”

Friday, Jan. 25 to Sunday, Feb. 17. Stage Door Players presents “The Last Night of Ballyhoo,” winner of a Pulitzer Prize and a Tony Award for Best Play. The play by Alfred Uhry is a comedy/drama set in an upper-income German-Jewish community in Atlanta in December 1939. College student Sunny examines her Jewish identity and begins to question the beliefs with which she has been raised. $15-$33. 5339 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody. Info: stagedoorplayers.net or 770-396-1726.

“VITALY: AN EVENING OF WONDERS”

Saturday, Feb. 9, 8 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 10, 5 p.m. The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta presents “An Evening of Wonders” starring Vitaly Beckman, one of Canada’s top illusionists. From making drawings and paintings come to life to teleporting playing cards from one audience member to another, Vitaly’s illusions defy logic and belief. $20$28. 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody. Info: atlantajcc.org/boxoffice or 678-812-4002.

VISUAL ARTS WOMEN IN AFRICAN ART

Friday, Jan. 18 to Sunday, April 21, Tuesdays through Sundays, noon to 5 p.m. Oglethorpe University Museum of Art presents “Stories Without an End: Power, Beauty and Wisdom of Women in African Art of the Mehta Collection.” The exhibit represents art from more than 25 ethnic groups spanning 12 countries and was inspired in part by the work of the Grandmother Project, an American nonprofit that works with elders in West African villages to fight the maltreatment of girls. $5; free for members, Oglethorpe University students and children under 12. 4484 Peachtree Road N.E., Brookhaven. Info: museum.oglethorpe.edu.

“SHARED SPACE”

Saturday, Jan. 19 to Wednesday, March 6, Monday, Fridays and Sundays 9 a.m. to noon and by appointment. Opening reception Jan. 19, 6-8 p.m. Three fine arts painters — Laura Davis Shainker of Sandy Springs, Susie Stern of Dunwoody, and Deb Rosenbury of Marietta — jointly present a collection of their paintings at Gallery 4945 at Highpoint Episcopal Community Church. A portion of the sale proceeds will be donated to North Valley Animal Disaster Group, a nonprofit working to care for pets and farm animals displaced by the recent wildfires in northern California. 4945 Highpoint Road, Sandy Springs. Info: highpointepiscopalchurch.org.

COMMUNITY EVENTS ATLANTA JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL

Wednesday, Feb. 6 to Tuesday, Feb. 26 Featuring a diverse collection of international and independent cinema, the annual Atlanta Jewish Film Festival takes place at six metro Atlanta locations, including its new anchor venue, the Sandy Springs Performing Arts

Center at City Springs at 1 Galambos Way. The full lineup of events for the 2019 festival will be released on Jan. 10. Tickets go on sale beginning Monday, Jan. 28. Info: ajff.org.

11TH ANNUAL STUDENT AND INSTRUCTOR JEWELRY MARKET

Sunday, Feb. 10, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. This fundraiser for the Spruill Center for the Arts features the handmade creations of jewelry artists ranging from beginners to professionals using precious metals, glass, beads, gemstones and more. Metal sculpture and hand-forged items will also be for sale. Free. 5339 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody. Info: spruillarts.org.

describes her struggles; her messages include the importance of respect and tolerance. Exhibit begins at 6 p.m. “Hope and Perseverance” starts at 7 p.m. Am Yisrael Chai is a nonprofit Holocaust education and awareness organization that focuses on the spirit of survival and success. Free. Byers Theatre, Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs. RSVP required: 2019remember.eventbrite.com.

MASTER GARDENER SESSION

Saturday, Feb. 9, 11 a.m. to noon. Join the Dunwoody Community Garden and Orchard group at Brook Run Park for a presentation on tomatoes by Richard Osterholtz — hybrids vs. heirlooms, disease resistance and tomato growing tips. Meet at the “barn” in the DCGO greenhouse complex, opposite the skate park. Free. Refreshments served. 4770 North Peachtree Road, Dunwoody. Info: dcgo.org.

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Saturday, Feb. 2, 1-2 p.m. In February’s edition of “Free First Saturday,” Nature’s Echo will do a birds of prey presentation in the Dunwoody Nature Center meadow. Learn what makes raptors different from other birds and how you can help protect them. Free First Saturday is a recurring event sponsored by Northside Hospital. 5343 Roberts Drive, Dunwoody. Info: dunwoodynature.org.

SANDY SPRINGS’ DADDY DAUGHTER DANCE

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Saturday, Feb. 9, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Refreshments, a DJ and photos are in store for this dance at the Lynwood Park Community Center. $25 per couple; $5 per extra child. 3360 Osborne Road, Brookhaven. Registration: brookhavenga.gov. Info: brookhavenga. gov or 404-637-0512.

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Sunday, Jan. 20, 6-8:30 p.m. In commemoration of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Am Yisrael Chai presents an event featuring Holocaust survivor speaker Marion Blumenthal Lazan. Lazan’s memoir “Four Perfect Pebbles” vividly

drbrentmurphy.com | 404-480-4008 | 755 Mount Vernon Highway NE

20 | Community

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Super Bowl brings business excitement, traffic worries BY JOHN RUCH johnruch@reporternewspapers.net

The Super Bowl comes to Atlanta Feb. 3, bringing a 10-day football festival that is stoking local excitement about hospitalityindustry money, and fears of “horrific” traffic and other congestion impacts that have the General Assembly likely to suspend its session. Buckhead is expected to be a center of activity, as many attendees of the NFL championship game are staying in local hotels, and the neighborhood is hosting many public and private parties. Farther north on Ga. 400, Perimeter Center is likely to be busy as well, though officials said hotels were not sold out there for the Super Bowl. “Buckhead businesses are excited to have the Super Bowl come to Atlanta and very enthusiastic about the economic benefits our area is expecting,” said Chris Godfrey, the president of the Buckhead Business Association, in an email. “Buckhead leads Atlanta in hospitality, fine dining and nightlife – so we expect a very busy month ahead. Hotels have been booked for many months and at premium rates! With Buckhead’s accessibility to MARTA, we are thrilled about our connectedness for the event.” The BBA was keeping an eye on traffic and other effects as well, including by hosting a breakfast speech from the Super Bowl host committee’s head of logistics that was scheduled for Jan. 10, after the Reporter’s press time.

Sam Massell, the former Atlanta mayor and current president of the Buckhead Coalition, said he is also a member of an advisory board for the Super Bowl. In a written statement, he praised planners for “proactive rather than reactive problems management.” “Having also been on the Olympic Committee for the 1996 games in Atlanta, and helped coordinate control of some community interests when the National Democratic Convention was held here in 1988, I’ve understood the importance of advance planning for crowds,” Massell said. “There’s no end to the amount of effort that can be exercised, and there’s always the potential for missed issues, even alongside of ‘overplanning.’ Still, it’s been my experience that our City Hall and its police department have been ready and able to confront the day-today activities.” Massell said that the advice to most residents is to “be prepared to be proud of your city and enjoy the excitement, and hopefully profit from the commercial impact.”

Policing and traffic

In Buckhead and the neighboring city of Brookhaven, officials plan to cover the main club and hotel districts with more police officers than usual as security for game-related events. Buckhead’s Lenox Square mall will house a police command center, said Robin Suggs, who manages the mall for Simon Properties, at a recent meeting of the

Independently

together

Buckhead Community Improvement Districts. Interim Deputy Chief Brandon Gurley of the Brookhaven Police Department said his force is “preparing to have additional officers on hand during the peak times to increase our police presence around our hotels and entertainment venues.” The last time Atlanta hosted a Super Bowl, in 2000, Buckhead became the scene of a notorious crime that crystalized crime concerns and helped to spark redevelopment of Buckhead Village’s old nightclub district. Ray Lewis, a star NFL player, and two other men were charged in a doublemurder by stabbing after a fight outside a West Paces Ferry nightclub. Lewis’s murder charges were dropped and the other men were acquitted. Meanwhile, the nightclub zone was remade into what is now the Shops at Buckhead Atlanta high-end shopping center and related mixed-use development. The Shops are among the local sites hosting Super Bowl events, including a Feb. 1 fashion show by the Off the Field Players’ Wives Association. For Buckhead’s business district, the downside of police coverage is typically offduty officers being pulled into service as part of the event’s massive security plan. The BCID hires such officers to direct commuters, especially out of parking garages during the 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. rush hour. BCID staffer Tony Peters said at the recent board meeting that means “we will, more than

likely, not be able to have our regular police officers” for the entire work week prior to the Super Bowl, Jan. 28 through Feb. 1. “So it’ll be a tough week,” said BCID chairman David Allman, who is also president of the real estate firm Regent Partners. He predicted traffic “will be horrific.” Denise Starling, executive director of Livable Buckhead, works with businesses on commuting alternatives. She said that many people are unaware that the Super Bowl is a 10-day event, not just the Sunday game. Her group is calling on employers to let people work from home. Starling said businesses should “treat it a lot like the Olympics.” The 1996 Summer Olympics, held in Atlanta, are widely remembered as a time of wide-open highways due to commuters being scared away from downtown and people leaving town to rent out their homes. In Perimeter Center, a similar program of off-duty traffic officers is run by the Perimeter Community Improvement Districts. That program shows no sign of being affected by Super Bowl security duty, according to PCIDs government relations director Linda Johnson. However, Perimeter Connects, the PCIDs’ commuting assistance program, is advising employers to consider letting employees work from home, especially those with commutes that run through the city of Atlanta. The crunch days will be Feb. 1 and Feb. 4, the Friday before and the Monday after the game, said Johann Weber, the assistant program manager at Perimeter Connects. Police departments in Perimeter Center cities are loaning small numbers of officers to the main downtown Super Bowl security team. Brookhaven is providing about 10 officers; Dunwoody is providing three, and Sandy Springs is providing 10. Most of those officers are SWAT team members and all of those departments say their regular patrols will not be affected.

General Assembly

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For the General Assembly, which is scheduled to begin its legislative session Jan. 14, sharing the Gold Dome area with Super Bowl fans raises “special logistical challenges” that could mean a hold in lawmaking, said Kaleb McMichen, a spokesperson for House Speaker David Ralston. Traffic is an issue; so is the tourist use of hotel rooms that otherwise are used by out-of-town legislators. The legislature has “got the lodging to consider as well as just the issue of traffic given the proximity of the Capitol to the event sites,” said McMichen, a spokesperson for House Speaker David Ralston. “The Super Bowl has a series of ancillary events taking place the entire week leading up to the game itself, so that adds to the considerations when it comes to traffic.” He said no decisions will be made until the House and Senate calendars are established after the session’s start. State Rep. Deborah Silcox (R-Sandy Springs) said the early talk was pausing for a couple of days. A full break in business is not the only option, she said. One possibility is holding appropriation hearings, which do not require the attendance of the full legislatures, so that some business is done.

Classifieds | 21

JANUARY 2019 ■ www.ReporterNewspapers.net

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Reporter Classifieds HELP WANTED Farmer’s Basket Perimeter Inc seeks a Culinary Operations Specialist to design and implement internal policies to promote food, hygiene, safety and service qualities; analyze budget and cost on restaurants oprtns and mngmnt, kitchen personnel training and inventory controls; develop restaurant menus with nutrition concentration; oversee chefs for food preps; design and implement sales/marketing strategies. Must have bachelor’s deg. in culinary arts management. 40hrs/wk. Resumes to 4400 Ashford Dunwoody Rd. Ste. 1665, Atlanta, GA, 30346

Unlimited PCS Georgia LLC seeks Database Administrator to perform server database programming, management, & maintenance for Mobile and Web applications. Need two years’ experience in Mobile & Web applications management by using Java/J2EE, Core Java, JDBC, JSP, JIRA, SQL Server. 40 hr/wk. Must have Bachelor’s degree in computer science or its foreign equivalent degree plus two year of experience in Mobile & Web applications. Resume to 1841 Chamblee Tucker Road, Ste. 1-4A, Atlanta, GA, 30341.

Marmoluna Tile & Stone, Inc. seeks Operations Research Manager to collect data on all business operations, conduct analysis, and provide relevant information to executives; assist in budgetary planning; assist in establishing company policy and periodic sales goals; analyze purchasing behavior/market trends to develop marketing plans; and analyze business competitors. Must have Bachelors in Econ. + 5 yrs. of marketing or prom. exp. Resumes to 4437 Park Drive, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 30093

Atlanta Yajima Chiropractic, LLC seeks Chiropractor to: Adjust spinal column and other articulations of the body to correct abnormalities of the human body believed to be caused by interference with the nervous system. Examine patient to determine nature and extent of disorder. Manipulate spine or other involved area. May utilize supplementary measures, such as exercise, rest, water, light, heat, and nutritional therapy. Must have a Doctor of Chiropractic degree. Must speak, read, and write Japanese to take care of Japanese patients. 9-5, 40hrs/ wk. Send resume to 5000 Winters Chapel Rd. Suite #1, Doraville, GA, 30360.

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Insurance Sales Agent - Ardra Financial, Inc. seeks Georgia Licensed Insurance Sales Agent to sell various types of insurance policies. Determine clients’ needs and financial concerns; develop protection plans by calculating and quoting rates for immediate coverage and long term strategy implementation; obtain underwriting approval. Must have Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or its foreign equivalent degree plus min. 2 year’s experience in financial analysis or management. Please send resume to 691 John Wesley Dobbs Ave. #V-15, Atl. GA 30312

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Four charged in Pine Hills drug bust Buckhead attorney sues Catholic archdiocese for alleged sexual abuse, claims cover-up

BY DYANA BAGBY

dyanabagby@reporternewspapers.net

A weeks-long investigation into the alleged sale of methamphetamine from a residence in Brookhaven’s part of Pine Hills has netted four arrests, according to police. Brookhaven Police and North Metro SWAT raided a house at 1072 Hedge Rose Court early Dec. 20 after obtaining a search warrant to search for drugs, police said. Hedge Rose Court borders the Pine Hills neighborhood that straddles Buckhead and Brookhaven. Those arrested include: Maggie Erin Marshall, 30, charged with destruction of evidence, possession of methamphetamine, conspiracy to sell methamphetamine, second degree forgery; James Michael B. Mitchell, 34, charged with conspiracy to sell methamphetamine, forgery second degree; Joshua Bishop, 31, charged with possession of methamphetamine; and Haywood Robin Hendrix, 48, charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Major Brandon Gurley said Marshall, Mitchell and Bishop were detained Dec. 20 and taken to Brookhaven Police headquarters where they were later charged. “We had a narcotics search warrant … and based on the information we had, North Metro SWAT was asked to secure the scene,” he said. When officers knocked on the front door and announced who they were, nobody answered, Gurley said. Officers used a loudspeaker to announce their presence and to be allowed to enter, but again nobody responded. Gurley said officers broke down the door after they could see and hear people inside the home but not responding to their requests to come to the door. Hendrix, identified as the homeowner was not at the scene at the raid, but the three others taken into custody were known to regularly visit the house, Gurley said. Hendrix was later arrested. Detectives seized an unknown amount of meth and drug paraphernalia from the house. The four suspects are being held at the DeKalb County Jail.

BY JOHN RUCH johnruch@reporternewspapers.net

A Buckhead attorney is suing Atlanta’s Roman Catholic archdiocese on behalf of an anonymous client allegedly sexually assaulted by a priest in the 1970s, in a case that claims church officials are continuing to cover up abuse cases. The archdiocese recently released a list of clergy members it says were credibly accused of abuse — including the late Rev. John Douglas Edwards, who is the alleged abuser in the lawsuit. Attorney Darren Penn — who attends Buckhead’s Cathedral of Christ the King, the archdiocese’s mother church — says a goal of the lawsuit is to get a fuller picture of abuse cases. “I don’t think we have a real list. We have a fake list,” or at least the “easy list” of accused clergy, most of them already dead, Penn said. The suit claims the archdiocese and Atlanta Archbishop Wilton Gregory “have conspired, continue to conspire,

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and have actively engaged in efforts to” cover up cases of sexual abuse by clergy. Paul Wynn Grant, a spokesperson for the archdiocese, said that is not true. She noted that Edwards died over 20 years ago and that Gregory has been archbishop only since 2005. “Here in the Archdiocese of Atlanta, we have had a zero tolerance policy with respect to clergy or any other person credibly accused of child sexual abuse,” Grant said. “The insinuation in the Doe lawsuit, that Archbishop Gregory and the Archdiocese of Atlanta would permit predator priests to remain in ministry to the people of God, is simply not true.” The lawsuit was filed Dec. 20 in Cobb County Court — the archdiocese’s home county — on behalf of a “Philip Doe.” It alleges that Edwards molested the victim at least eight to 10 times between 1976 and 1978, mostly at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dalton. The suit names as defendants that church, Gregory and the archdiocese. “As a result of the sexual abuse, Plain-

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tiff has throughout his life suffered from yet,” and he expects more evidence to a variety of emotional and psychologicome out as the lawsuit progresses. cal problems including but not limited A major motivation of his client, Penn to embarrassment, shame, anger and desaid, was a belief that Gregory’s list is pression,” the lawsuit complete, and one of complaint says. “Plainthe demands is a court tiff also experienced a injunction requiring loss of faith and spirfull disclosure of the ituality, which were identities of credibly bedrocks of his life priaccused clergy. or to the abuse.” The lawsuit claims Edwards appeared the defendants “activeon the list of credibly ly concealed the idenaccused clergy that tities of sexual predaGregory released in tors and allowed them November. The list did to remain in unsusnot say where any of pecting communities, the alleged abuse ocexposed to innocent curred. Edwards was children, for decades.” shown as serving in And Penn said his cliSPECIAL many locations as a ent wants to answer Attorney Darren Penn priest, including at the question, “Is inforChrist the King in 1961 mation currently, acand at Brookhaven’s Our Lady of the Astively today being withheld?” sumption from 1963 to 1965. Penn said One reason for that claim is Edwards’ the current lawsuit does not involve any history of assignments, with 14 postings claims of abuse at those churches, but and two leaves of absence in 28 years. added, “I don’t know the answer to that Penn said that fits the pattern of known

cover-ups in other church abuse cases, where predatory priests were moved around to get away from victims and accusers and took absences for internal counseling. “All the signs are there, and it really looks like that’s what happened,” Penn said of Edwards’ record. Penn is working on the case with Paul Mones, a California attorney who has been involved in prominent sexual abuse cases against such institutions as the Boy Scouts of America. Penn and Mones are preparing several other lawsuits against schools in the metro Atlanta area, including Buckhead, but have run into legal time limits on raising such complaints decades later. Penn has been an advocate of legislative attempts to extend or remove such limitations. Penn said time limitations likely will be an argument in the current lawsuit. His legal argument is presenting the covering up of sexual abusers’ crimes as a “public nuisance” to which limitations do not apply. When Gregory released the list of accused clergy last year, he said in a writ-

ten statement, “Along with the publication of this information, I also renew my apology for the damage that young lives have suffered and the profound sorrow and anger that our families have endured. It is a response in faith that must accompany this listing.” Gregory is now on an internal committee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops that is considering ways to address and implement any recommendations related to the abuse scandal that may come from a Vatican gathering in February. Grant said the archdiocese runs a 24hour hotline to take any reports of abuse by clergy or lay associates at 1-888-4370764, and has information about counseling and child protection on its website at archatl.com. “We reiterate that we in the Archdiocese of Atlanta abhor every instance of abuse,” Grant said. “Now, as in the past, we care deeply about the survivors, who deserve emotional, physical and spiritual healing, and we offer our pastoral resources and staff to assist them.”

2400 block of Parkland Drive — Dec. 25

Dec. 16

500 block of Bishop Street — Dec. 27

2100 block of Piedmont Road — Dec. 27

500 block of Bishop Street — Dec. 17

1700 block of Moores Mill Road — Dec.

Police Blotter / Buckhead The following information, involving events that took place in Buckhead during the month of December, was provided to the Buckhead Reporter by the Zone 2 precinct of the Atlanta Police Department from its open data records.

HOMICIDE 1900 block of Main Street — Dec. 3 4400 block of Northside Parkway —

Dec. 20

RAPE 700 block of Lambert Drive — Dec. 3 3100 block of Peachtree Road — Dec. 7 2400 block of Forrest Avenue — Dec. 11 1600 block of Johnson Road — Dec. 13

2300 block of Piedmont Road — Dec. 17

2300 block of Piedmont Road — Dec. 1

100 block of West Wieuca Road — Dec. 18

700 block of Morosgo Drive — Dec. 1

1100 block of Woodland Avenue — Dec. 18

1400 block of Mecaslin Street — Dec. 2

900 block of Huff Road — Dec. 19

100 block of Albemarle Drive — Dec. 2

2300 block of Parkland Drive — Dec. 20

700 block of Cosmopolitan Drive —

2400 block of Coronet Way — Dec. 20

Dec. 2 2100 block of Georgian Terrace — Dec. 3 1000 block of Chastain Drive — Dec. 5 900 block of East Paces Ferry Road —

600 block of Garson Drive — Dec. 20

28 1900 block of Sumter Street — Dec. 30 3200 block of West Shadowlawn Ave-

nue — Dec. 31

LARCENY In December, there were 319 larcenies

from vehicles reported across Zone 2 and 161 reported cases of larceny and shoplifting.

AU TO T H E F T

500 block of Bismark Road — Dec. 21 2300 block of Bishop Street — Dec. 21

In December, there were 78 reported

incidents o

2500 block of Piedmont Road — Dec. 23

Dec. 6

1800 block of Emery Street — Dec. 21

300 block of Pharr Road — Dec. 26

2400 block of Parkland Drive — Dec. 6

700 block of Holmes Street — Dec. 22

400 block of Northside Circle — Dec. 10

700 block of Morosgo Drive — Dec. 22

2400 block of Coronet Way — Dec. 7

500 block of Bishop Street — Dec. 11

300 block of King Drive — Dec. 23

2300 block of Peachtree Road — Dec. 7

400 block of Bishop Street — Dec. 11

600 block of Garson Drive — Dec. 24

3600 block of Piedmont Road — Dec. 7

400 block of Armour Street — Dec. 13

400 block of Armour Drive — Dec. 25

400 block of Armour Street — Dec. 13

2400 block of Coronet Way — Dec. 25

Dec. 7

1600 block of North Rock Springs Road

1800 block of La Dawn Way — Dec. 26

3400 block of Stratford Road — Dec. 8

400 block of Armour Drive — Dec. 26

2500 block of Piedmont Road — Dec. 10

400 block of Armour Drive — Dec. 26

2300 block of Parkland Road — Dec. 10

1200 block of West Wesley Road — Dec. 27

3300 block of Peachtree Road — Dec. 11

AG G R AVAT E D A S S AU LT

1300 block of Ellsworth Industrial Bou-

levard — Dec. 14 2000 block of Bolton Road — Dec. 14

B U R G L A RY—R E S I D E N C E

— Dec. 15

400 block of Armour Drive — Dec. 17

700 block of Morosgo Drive — Dec. 16

2100 block of Faulkner Road — Dec. 18

3200 block of East Wood Valley Road —

B U R G L A RY — N O N-R E S IDENCE 2300 block of Marietta Boulevard —

Dec. 1 1700 block of Peachtree Street — Dec. 4 1000 block of Lindbergh Drive — Dec. 6 800 block of Chattahoochee Avenue —

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