Dunwoody Reporter - January 2021

reporternewspapers.net

JANUARY 2021 • VOL. 12 — NO. 1

Dunwoody Reporter

FOCUS ON EDUCATION

Students find creative ways to support the community in pandemic crisis P19-30

2020IN

Pandemic economy turns hotel project into senior apartments

Looking back at a historic year P11

COMMENTARY

Peering into the 2021 crystal ball

BY HOLLY R. PRICE

P16-18

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

New Year, New Beginnings P16

Top, the 18-foot-tall big “D” for Dunwoody would cost anywhere from $51,857 to $106,525 and would likely be used at an entrance to the city.

Above, conceptual illustrations of monument signs for the city limits, consisting of illuminated metal letters on an 18-foot-long stone column.

City considers supersized welcome signs, other wayfinding

BY HOLLY R. PRICE

The Dunwoody Reporter is mail delivered to homes on selected carrier routes in ZIP 30338 For information: delivery@reporternewspapers.net

A giant silver “D” welcoming visitors to town? Or how about a sculpturestyle sign of the city’s name with playground swings built into the “Os” in “Dunwoody”?

Those are among the ideas in a plan

for welcome markers to the city and more modest wayfinding signs that will direct visitors or tell people how far it is to get to, say, MARTA. The Dunwoody City Council apSee CITY on page 13

POSTAL CUSTOMER

See Page 98

It was touted as a sleek gray 12-story boutique hotel across from Perimeter Mall when it was approved by the Dunwoody City Council in 2019.

But now, due to the economic destruction to the hotel industry following the pandemic, the plan has been scrapped in favor of an age-restricted apartment complex. That type of project is something the city has been seeking for years, said Michael Starling, director of economic development for Dunwoody.

“Hotels are great from an economic development standpoint. They are great for many reasons,” Starling said. But the senior living “is a market we’ve been after for a while. We need options for residents as they age. It’s a good trade-off.”

The 2.8-acre property, located at the corner of Ashford-Dunwoody Road and Perimeter Center East, is being proposed now as an adults-only apartment complex. Currently the site of a vacant bank, the planning board has recommended approval of a rezoning of the property.

JSJ Perimeter plans to construct a 14-story apartment complex with up to 225 units and reserve 80% of the units for people aged 55 and older. Starling said he understands it’s going to be highSee PANDEMIC on page 15

PRSRT STD ECRWSS US Postage PAID Monroe, GA Permit #15

2 | Education

Facebook.com/TheReporterNewspapers ■ twitter.com/Reporter_News

DeKalb Schools may return to inperson in January with new metrics

R

UT OU ASK ABO

E LIMITED-TIM FFERS! SPECIAL O

BY HOLLY R. PRICE

SENIOR LIVING AT ITS FINEST! Chef-Prepared Meals with All-Day Dining 24-Hour Caring Staff Pet-Friendly | Easy Move Program Full Activity Calendar | Private Swimming Pool

Schedule a Private Tour or Take Our Virtual One

(678) 534-2382

4355 Georgetown Square | Dunwoody, GA 30338 DunwoodyPines.com

The DeKalb County School District has announced staggered dates to return to in-person learning in January if COVID-19 positivity rates remain at certain levels.

Staff could return as soon as Jan. 4, and some students as soon as Jan. 19, the date classes are scheduled to resume after winter break.

Previously, DCSD officials said they wouldn’t return to face-to-face learning until the countywide COVID-19 diagnoses dropped below 100 cases per 100,000 people for 14 straight days. As of Dec. 13 those numbers were 373 cases per 100,000 people.

But at a Dec. 14 town hall meeting, Superintendent Cheryl Watson-Harris said the district is planning to allow staff to return to school when there is a 10% positivity rate for two weeks. They would be teaching remotely at that point.

The school district had no comment about the new dates., said Carla Parker, communications specialist.

As of the dates Nov. 26 through Dec. 9, the positivity rate was 10%, according to Eric Nickens, spokesman for the DeKalb County Board of Health.

If the positivity rate is between 8% and 10% Jan. 19, students in Pre-K; kindergarten through second grade can return, along with sixth- and ninth-graders.

The remaining grade levels will phase-in on Jan. 25 if the positivity rate is between 5% and 8%, following a hybrid model of the school district’s plan.

The district will follow the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines on mask-wearing, social distancing, hand-washing and cleaning and disinfecting.

The district will continuously monitor current COVID-19 data and assess the level of spread to determine if and when the current learning model should be adjusted, according to its website. The next assessments will be presented during upcoming board meetings.

At the town hall, questions from the public ranged from what happens if kids don’t wear masks to whether the schools are going to hire more nurses or medical staff. The answers were that kids would be provided masks and made to wear them. And medical staff is being hired for all schools who don’t already have them.

Some parents have been vocal in wanting their children back in school, saying the district’s metrics were unreasonable.The Georgia Department of Education reported last month that less than 7% of Georgia’s school districts have no face-to-face learning.

Parents aren’t the only ones that have been frustrated. “Every school system around us is back,” said Dunwoody City Councilmember Jim Riticher at a Dec. 14 council meeting.

Schedule a Free Consultation

$100 OFF BOTOX TREATMENT 50 Unit Minimum

New Year.

New You.

Dr. Jeff Priluck Dunwoody’s only Master of the Academy of General Dentistry (MAGD) Dr. Priluck brings the same excellence, precision and quality of care to enhance your smile and brighten your face with Botox and Juvederm as he has to his cosmetic dental practice for over 40 years.

Jeffrey G. Priluck DMD, MAGD

Priluck & Nordone

5548 Chamblee Dunwoody Road (in front of Publix)

770.393.9450

DUN

Community | 3

JANUARY 2021 ■ www.ReporterNewspapers.net

Permit data shows how local construction is weathering the pandemic storm

BY JOHN RUCH AND MAGGIE LEE The commercial and residential construction industry is weathering the pandemic storm in local cities, though with fewer of the gigantic projects filed in 2019, according to a Reporter review of building permit filings.

Building permit categories and filing methods vary among local cities, but officials agree that the number of filings is a general indicator of developers’ and homeowners’ confidence in growth and investment. And those numbers were broadly similar in 2020 compared to 2019, despite the apocalyptic pandemic and its economic fallout.

Officials say that the lack of severe plunge in permit filings illustrates some of the industry changes in the pandemic. City halls shifted to online permitting and virtual inspections. The construction industry remained an “essential” business immune to shutdown orders.

And there was a boost in home renovations as some people who shifted to teleworking found themselves eager to spruce up the four walls they were now staring at all day.

The city of Dunwoody successfully shifted its planning staff to teleworking, says Community Development Director Richard McLeod. “We never really shut down. We closed City Hall for the most part, but we had everyone working at home and we could handle [permits] pretty well,” he said.

In his city, McLeod said, “the commercial permits have dropped a little,” while residential permits “ticked up because so many people were doing home projects.”

While the number of permits were similar, McLeod said, the fee revenue dipped because, especially on the commercial side, 2020’s projects were smaller. Last year, for example, including permitting for one of the new skyscrapers at State Farm’s new complex in Perimeter Center.

A similar drop in large-scale projects is part of the story in Atlanta, the local city that did see a significant dip in permit filings. The city of Atlanta also briefly shut down its permitting and inspections in March.

City Planning Commissioner Tim Keane said that new residential and commercial permitting citywide in 2020 is about 70% of what it was last year. But here’s the thing, he says: 2019 was Atlanta’s biggest-ever development year.

“If you consider that we’re in a global pandemic, to be at 70% of the permits we did last year, the busiest year in the city’s history — it’s pretty impressive,” Keane said. Permitting in the last quarter of the year has picked up to about 85% of 2019 numbers, he said.

Permit filings in Buckhead’s main ZIP codes echo the citywide trend, with single-family and commercial permits down about 70%. But 2019 also had a big local spike from the Peachtree Hills Place senior residences on Peachtree DUN

Hills Avenue, where each condo was permitted individually.

The city of Sandy Springs had a similar 2019 spike that did not repeat: a phase of the massive Aria residential development along Abernathy Road and Glenridge Drive. Ginger Sottile, the city’s community development director, said the permit mix changes naturally year to year, and in 2020 might be tilted toward renovations rather than new construction.

“I think our overall permit numbers are very consistent over the past few years,” she said.

Building permits are just one window into the state of the construction industry. Not every permit it approved, and many projects that get a permit are never finished.

Big projects will have many permits filed over several years.

Time will tell whether the pandemic may have longer-term impacts on what is built and when, noted Burke Brennan,

a spokesperson for the city of Brookhaven, which continued its permitting uninterrupted and saw little change in the numbers.

“Building permits are … a step in a pro-

MLK JR.

cess, which is often months, sometimes years, in the making,” Brennan said. “As it pertains to what plans may have been interrupted by this pandemic, those results may have yet to be seen.”

NOW through January 18:

DAY OF

SERVICE

presented by the City of Dunwoody in partnership with Jack and Jill of America, Inc.

Drop off non-perishable food donations to collection bins across Dunwoody. Pantry items will be donated to the Community Assistance Center and Malachi’s Storehouse.

For bin locations, visit dunwoodyga.gov/mlkday

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY OF SERVICE

Monday, January 18 9 a.m.

Open to all members of the community and local organizations Volunteer for safe, socially-distanced projects including:

Tree Planting and Daffodil Planting at Brook Run and projects at Dunwoody Nature Center • Spruill Center for the Arts

Register in advance dunwoodyga.gov/mlkday

4 | Perimeter Business

Facebook.com/TheReporterNewspapers ■ twitter.com/Reporter_News

1,500

$

DENTAL IMPLANTS*

BY JOHN RUCH

Lee “Mac” Whitesides, DMD, MMSc Board Certified Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon If missing teeth are affecting your quality of life, we are here to help. When tooth loss occurs due to disease or trauma, dental implants can be a long-term, natural-looking solution.

Schedule an appointment today to see how dental implants from Northside Oral Surgery can restore your smile.

770.615.6909 | NorthsideOralSurgery.net 4700 Chamblee Dunwoody Road | Dunwoody, GA 30338

*New patients only. Must mention offer to receive discount. May not be combined with any other offer, discount, insurance, or reduced-fee program. Treatment needs may vary by patient. Abutment and crown not included. Consult fee ($105) and X-rays ($100) due at consultation.

ADA 6000, 6199. ADDITIONAL CHARGES MAY BE INCURRED FOR RELATED SERVICES WHICH MAY BE REQUIRED IN INDIVIDUAL CASES. Dr. Gene Witkin & Associates. Expires 60 days after receipt. Issued 9/20

Construction Loans Renovation Loans Purchase and Refinance First Time Homebuyers FHA and VA Loans Jumbo Loan Specialist

3490 Piedmont Rd. N.E., Suite 1350 Atlanta, GA 30305

BROOK BENTON Terms and conditions apply.

Loan approval and terms are dependent upon borrower’s credit, documented ability to repay, acceptability of collateral property, and FCM underwriting criteria.

FCM NMLS ID 629700

How big corporations became bellwethers of pandemic lifestyle changes

AVP, BRANCH MANAGER

NMLS# 6049

Mobile 678-643-0864 Brook.Benton@fcmhomeloans.com

Pairs Well with a Toast with the purchase of a Bundtlet

Sandy Springs 5975 Roswell Rd Suite A-103 Sandy Springs, GA 30328 (404) 236-2114 NothingBundtCakes.com Expires 1/31/2021. Limit one (1) coupon per guest. Coupon must be presented at time of purchase. Valid only at the bakery(ies) listed. No cash value. Coupon may not be reproduced, transferred or sold. Internet distribution strictly prohibited. Must be claimed in bakery during normal business hours. Not valid for online orders. Not valid with any other offer.

Back in early March of 2020, local residents and organizations were trying to figure out how seriously to take this “novel coronavirus” that had come to Georgia. Meanwhile, major multinational corporations in the area were ahead of the game, already setting up policies of sheltering in place and social distancing that would soon become everyone’s reality.

A public hint came March 9, when the Georgia Chamber of Commerce quietly canceled a major Perimeter Center conference partly because many companies were barring employees from gathering and traveling. (That conference was to feature U.S. Sen. David Perdue, who went on to be accused of, and to deny, insider stock trading based on COVID-19 briefings.) The eye-opening March 11 cancelation of Atlanta’s annual “State of the City” address came at the order, not of keynote speaker Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, but of the event’s multinational-corporate sponsor, the Coca-Cola Company.

Several local leaders in politics and business agree that big corporations were ahead of the curve, though they disagree on whether an advantage that was sometimes a matter of weeks or days could have better influenced public safety policy. But some say that corporations remain a bellwether for where pandemic business and society are headed on big issues like reopenings and teleworking.

Chris Clark, the Georgia Chamber’s president and CEO, says that “we did see larger Georgia-based companies respond quicker and more aggressively in managing and protecting their employees. Some companies phased in work-from-home schedules in early March when the public still wasn’t fully focused. And now, we see many firms postponing travel and office return well into Q2 or Q3 for 2021.

“I believe this speaks to the built-in resiliency of large companies around the world to better plan and more quickly respond to crisis while maintaining their business models,” Clark said. “We need to help smaller companies better prepare for future risks as well.”

Johann Weber, who runs the Perimeter Connects alternative commuting program at the Perimeter Community Improvement Districts, says that locally based companies like Cox Enterprises and Mercedes-Benz USA acted faster than the state government on remote working and travel restrictions.

“They were at least a couple of weeks, probably, ahead ... of everybody else in recognizing that they needed to be ready and they took advantage of that time to test things out,” Weber said.

While many local organizations and governments were still planning on a rel-

atively short pandemic shutdown, major Perimeter Center companies were quietly settling into office closures or occupancy caps into January. And now, Weber says, many of them already quietly extended those closures well into the New Year.

Jim Durrett is the executive director of the Buckhead Community Improvement District, a group of major businesses, and heads the nonprofit Buckhead Coalition, whose members include many corporate leaders. He doesn’t think the big-business edge on pandemic information mattered much, because broadly speaking, local companies pivoted quickly to new ways of doing things.

“Better information sharing between the private and public sector could be helpful, to the extent that businesses have a head start on rapidly developing situations, but that didn’t necessarily appear to be the case in 2020,” Durrett said.

Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul said that rapidly changing information from the most important sources -- public health experts -- were a challenge to any decision-making in government. “It’s very hard to develop a policy path forward when even the best experts are unsure of how to react,” he said, adding that the cumulative knowledge and experience of the pandemic is what will make his city better prepared for a future challenge.

Paul noted that business reactions to the pandemic varied as well, though remote working emerged as a trend.

“Some companies acted immediately, while others initially tried a wait-andsee approach,” he said. “Yet, most came to an early conclusion that an employee work-from-home strategy was best until a better understanding of the situation evolved.”

Journalists had trouble getting quality information, too, says Sabriya Rice, the Knight Chair in Health and Medical Journalism at the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. She said a broader, international perspective in reporting could have better clarified subjects like mask-wearing, a widely adopted public health measure that in the U.S. was initially spun by federal authorities as unnecessary as a way to prevent a run on supplies. That international perspective, she said, includes following the actions of multinational corporations. Specialty trade publications watched those businesses closely, she said, while general news reporting did not.

“I think there are lessons we all could learn,” said Rice. “I think you’re right to look at how those corporations are responding, because they may be a good indication of what is to come next.”

DUN

Community | 5

JANUARY 2021 ■ www.ReporterNewspapers.net

Village gets new mixed-use zoning, sparks lawsuit over buffer dispute

BY HOLLY R. PRICE AND JOHN RUCH A rezoning intended to remake Dunwoody Village into a mixed-use, pedestrian-centric area won approval by the City Council Nov. 30. But one shopping center was left out after its owner sued the city in a dispute about the rezoning’s buffer area between it and neighboring houses.

More than a year in the making, the Dunwoody Village Overlay updates were approved by the City Council Nov. 30.

Dunwoody Village is an area of stores and shopping centers surrounded by residential neighborhoods in what many consider the heart of the city. The Dunwoody Village Overlay is a special zoning district tailored to the area and previously included a famous provision requiring a quasi-Colonial “Williamsburg” architectural style. The overlay covers 165 acres surrounding the intersection of Mount Vernon and Chamblee-Dunwoody roads.

The rezoning allows larger, modernstyle structures and a big shift to ownership-only residential uses. The updated overlay rules will guide any private redevelopments that may be proposed and does not suggest any specific projects itself.

The council approved the rezoning with some alterations. Single-family houses without yards were added as

a use. And buffer zones were extended from 150 feet to 200 feet wide to separate the parking from homeowners nearby.

But those buffer zones, which limit the available redevelopment area, have been controversial and resulted in the last-minute lawsuit filing by the owner of the Shops of Dunwoody at 5500 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road. Peachtree Shops of Dunwoody LLC had threatened the lawsuit in August.

Den Webb, the attorney for Peachtree Shops of Dunwoody LLC, did not respond to comment requests. City spokesperson Jennifer Boettcher declined to comment on the lawsuit and referred to a brief explanation of it on a blog written by City Councilmember John Heneghan.

According to Heneghan, an executive session prior to the overlay vote was a discussion about the lawsuit. As a result, he said, the council removed the Shops of Dunwoody and an adjacent car wash property at 1244 Dunwoody Village Parkway from the rezoning.

“The City carved them out of the rezoning and will attempt to settle facts and a way forward to add those properties back into the Village zoning, along with proper neighbor buffering protections for larger buildings that may someday be built there,” Heneghan wrote.

In December 2019, the council imposed a moratorium on reviewing or permitting any redevelopment in the over-

lay area pending the new zoning. On Nov. 30, the council lifted that moratorium, except for the two properties that were left out due to the lawsuit.

The rezoning creates four separate districts with different land uses: DV-1 is Village Commercial; DV-2 is Village Office; DV-3 is Village Residential; and DV-4 is Village.

Building heights would range from three stories closer to single-family neighborhoods to five stories in the central area of Dunwoody Village.

As properties redevelop, new streets would be required to be built by developers. The intent is to spread out traffic and encourage walking. Pedestrian paths would be encouraged to connect to single-family neighborhoods adjacent to the village.

Developers will be allowed to exceed the maximum amount of parking as an incentive to construct shared, public parking decks that serve the surrounding area. Along public or private streets, parking structures would be required to be fronted by buildings having living space along their full length.

New developments will be required to upgrade sidewalks to 8 to 12 feet wide, with a 6-foot-wide landscaping area adjacent to the curb. The landscaping area would include street lights and benches and would be flexible to avoid impacting trees. Additionally, developers would

be required to put utilities underground, but the city could assist with Mount Vernon and Chamblee-Dunwoody roads in some cases.

Facades would incorporate materials such as brick, stone, stucco, or ceramic panels. The regulations will define four building types (shopfront, general, townhouse, and civic), along with regulations for their setbacks, ground-floor height, facade design, and requirements for uses on the ground floor versus upper floors.

Automobile-centric commercial uses will be prohibited, including gas stations, auto repair shops and drive-thrus. The intent is to focus on pedestrian-friendly uses.

Commercial developments would be limited to no more than 50,000 square feet to prevent big-box stores.

Any proposed multi-family rental project would be required to be reviewed by the Planning Commission and approved by the council with a special land use permit. Some degree of mixed-use development is required within the DV-1, DV-2, and DV-4 districts.

Owner-occupied multifamily units would be allowed in all districts, and townhomes would only be allowed in Village Commercial and Village Residentia.

Any rental units would require a special land use permit approved by the council.

Density would be regulated by building height.

Matthew Christen Adams Matthew Christen Adams, Matt, 56, unexpectedly passed away on Friday, November 27, 2020, at his home in Dunwoody, Georgia. He was born on February 22, 1964, in Massena, New York.

Matt Adams founded Facility Management Metrics, FM², an operations and management consulting firm specializing in facility management for large institutions and nonprofits. Mr. Adams has worked with more than 200 institutions and nonprofits for more than 20 years. Matt Adams is the recipient of his profession’s highest award: at the APPA conference in Phoenix, July 2002, Adams was awarded the “Eagle Award” for lifetime achievement. This award had not been awarded

for the past twelve years. Matt was very humble about his professional career but was a leader in his industry. He published numerous articles and books and was a frequent speaker for APPA - Leadership in Educational Facilities and many other professional associations.

Mr. Adams was very active and enjoyed many sports, including golf and water sports. He was an avid skier all his life. He joined the Cataloochee Resort Ski Patrol (120 members dedicated to promoting safety, providing emergency care and transport, free of charge) in 2010. As an instructor for Outdoor Emergency Care, Toboggan, and Instructor Development, he encouraged and assisted fellow patrollers in advancing their knowledge and skills. To this goal, Matt was serving as Dixie Region Senior Program Advisor. Mr. Adams was also a terrific leader who had served as Assistant Team Lead, Assistant Patrol Rep. and was currently serving as Cataloochee Ski Patrol Representative to the Southern Division of the National Ski Patrol.

Mr. Adams was an active member of Dunwoody Country Club where he enjoyed spending time with fellow members, was

an active golfer, swimmer and served as a member of the board of governors.

Even though Matt enjoyed his work, skiing, and golf, his main passion was being Nick’s Dad. You could never spend any time with Matt without hearing him talk about his son Nick. He was one of the proudest Dads you would ever meet. His favorite pastime was going on the many vacations they took together.

To Matt’s friends, we will miss his ever-present smile, his sense of humor, his generosity, his listening ear, his tremendous grace, his love of country, his friendship, and most of all, we will miss our friend Matt.

Mr. Adams graduated in 1986 with a degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he was President (Consul) of the Sigma Chi fraternity. He was a member of Georgia Tech’s College of Engineering Advisory Board and was named to the Academy of Outstanding Engineers in Georgia.

He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Beverly Welsh Adams, his son Nicholas Adams, and his uncle, Jerry Welsh. He was preceded in death by his father, Mr. William J. Adams.

Please visit matthew-c-adams.forevermissed.com for more information.

DUN

6 | Community

Facebook.com/TheReporterNewspapers ■ twitter.com/Reporter_News

Pandemic safety complaints at hospital resolved or nonexistent, reviews say

BY JOHN RUCH

we the power of

Together we thrive.

Connection is key to a longer and more vibrant life, and powers everything WE do here at The Piedmont.

It’s like being part of a super supportive family of waiters, chefs, housekeepers, ZEST® activity coaches, care & wellness teams, and even a bunch of really friendly and fun neighbors, all helping you thrive.

This is what “we’re in this together” is all about.

Experience the Power of WE at The Piedmont at Buckhead senior living community.

Please call 404.381.1743 to schedule a personalized tour today!

C A R F - AC C R E D I T E D INDEPENDENT & ASSISTED LIVING RESIDENCES

650 Phipps Boulevard NE • Atlanta, GA

404.381.1743

www.ThePiedmontatBuckhead.com ASK ABOUT OUR EXCEPTIONAL SAVINGS SPECIAL! AN

SRG SE NIOR L I V ING COMMUNI T Y

Employee allegations of a lack of COVID-19 safety precautions at Dunwoody’s Peachford Hospital have been ruled as resolved or nonexistent by federal inspectors and a private accrediting organization. The hospital has denied having any pandemic protection problems.

The federal Occupational Health and Safety Administration said in letters obtained through a public records request that it was satisfied by a response from the mental health hospital, including photos, that came over three months later without an on-site inspection, though under the threat of one.

The Joint Commission, an Illinois-based private organization that accredits hospitals, said it had “worked with the organization to satisfactorily address the concern.”

But the Joint Commission would not say what that concern was or how it was addressed.

The Oct. 14 response letter to OSHA from the hospital said it “respectfully disagrees” with the complaint and that a “comprehensive approach” to dealing with the pandemic was in place.

“We believe that Peachford Hospital is responding appropriately for the type of healthcare institution that we are,” said the letter, which was signed by Clay Boyles, the hospital’s corporate compliance officer and director of human resources. “Healthcare workers are the heroes in times like these and the staff at Peachford Hospital are no exception.”

Boyles declined further comment.

Peachford is a 246-bed hospital that has operated at 2151 Peachford Road since 1973.

It currently has 520 employees, according to Boyles. It is operated by Universal Health Services, a Pennsylvania-based Fortune 500 company.

Three Peachford employees who spoke to the Reporter in July 2020 on the condition of anonymity complained about pandemic safety concerns, including a lack of social distancing and mask-wearing for patients, and lack of notice about at least two patients and one staff member testing positive for COVID-19. One of those employees did not respond to a comment request about the OSHA and Joint Commission findings.

OSHA is a a federal agency that enforces worker protection laws and guidelines. According to the OSHA documents, the agency contacted the hospital July 2 about a complaint it had received from an employee whose identity was withheld. OSHA said its notice to the hospital was not a determination that any alleged hazard actually existed and was not a citation.

According to OSHA, the complaint read: “At the hospital, the staff was exposed to COVID-19 while taking care of a patient who tested positive for COVID-19. The company has not developed and implemented an Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response Plan. Two other patients are showing symptoms and employees are not been [sic] properly protected and informed.”

OSHA said the hospital was “requested to immediately investigate the alleged conditions and make any necessary corrections or modifications.” The hospital also had to post a copy of the OSHA letter and company response in a place where all employees could see it. A written response was required by July 10 or, OSHA threatened, an inspection would happen.

It is unclear from the documents why the hospital did not respond until Oct. 14.

Among other points, the hospital’s letter says that personal protective equipment was in “abundant supply”; that an isolation room with controlled airflow had been created for patients with COVID-19 symptoms; and that the hospital had an “Outbreak Management” plan dating to 2010.

The same day, OSHA notified the complainant that it considered the matter resolved.

“OSHA feels the case can be closed on the grounds that the hazardous condition(s) no longer exist,” a letter said, adding the complainant had 10 business days to disagree.

The OSHA files did not contain any disagreement.

As for the Joint Commission, spokesperson Katie Looze Bronk would only say that its Office of Quality and Patient Safety reviewed a “patient safety concern” related to pandemic guidelines. “We will continue to monitor and address any new patient safety concerns,” Bronk said.

The Joint Commission is a private nonprofit organization without any regulatory powers, but its accrediting process is influential in the healthcare industry.

EQ UA L HOUSING OPPOR T UNI T Y DUN

Commentary | 7

JANUARY 2021 ■ www.ReporterNewspapers.net

Around Town

Joe Earle is editorat-large at Reporter Newspapers and has lived in metro Atlanta for over 30 years. He can be reached at joeearle@ reporternewspapers.net

Fighting a deadline in pursuit of an Eagle

Avery Maxwell knew from the start that she wouldn’t have time to spare. She was in a race with the calendar. There would be lots to do, and, in the beginning, she figured she’d have only about two years to do it. She had to wrap up everything before she turned 18. Her 18th arrives next month, on Valentine’s Day. “It’s so close, yet so hard,” the Dunwoody High School senior said recently, “because there was so much work to do and so little time to do it.”

Before she started in 2019, she charted what she had to do on an online task board.

She figured out her deadlines along the way and determined she could just make it in time. So, she set to work.

This month, Avery is scheduled to wrap up her race to become one of the first girls in the country to be awarded an Eagle Scout rank by the Boy Scouts. Yes, you read that right. Boy Scouts. If all goes as planned, Avery will join the inaugural flight of girl Eagles.

In February of 2019, the Boy Scouts of America changed. The organization, renamed Scouts BSA, for the first time allowed girls to join. That meant girls, in girls-only troops, could earn BSA merit badges, go camping as BSA scouts, and earn the BSA’s highest rank, the Eagle Scout.

Avery wanted in. Her two older brothers had been Boy Scouts and had reached Eagle rank, and she wanted to do the same. She had tried Girl Scouts for several years when she was younger, but quit, she said, after deciding that program wasn’t for her.

Continued on page 8 ROBERT MAXWELL

Avery Maxwell works on the observation platform she planned and built at the Dunwoody Nature Center to earn her Eagle rank through Scouts BSA.

INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS it's what we do.

Fo r ov er two d ecad es, the Perim eter Co mm unity Improvement Distric ts has invested in acc es s, mobility , and s ense o f place projec ts to create a s ignatu re destination for co rporat e head qu arters, hos pitality, and ret ail.

Learn more about how we improve quality of life in Central Perimeter, visit perimetercid.org

8 | Commentary

Facebook.com/TheReporterNewspapers ■ twitter.com/Reporter_News

Fighting a deadline in pursuit of an Eagle Continued from page 7 She wanted more camping and outdoor activities.

Her dad, Robert Maxwell, said that when the Boy Scouts first announced plans to allow girls to join, “she made a beeline for me and said, ‘Dad, I’m joining.’”

The Scouts BSA program did offer her the chance to get out into the wild. She took part in an eight-day canoe trip near the U.S.-Canada border in 2019, she said.

She planned on hiking this past summer at the Boy Scout’s Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, but that trip was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Still, her main goal remained earning that Eagle rank. Only a small fraction of the boys (and now girls) who start out in

scouting reach that rank, she said, “and I wanted to be part of that 5 percent.”

Why? “It means you can work for a long period of time and actually put your mind to doing something that big,” she said.

In September, Scouts BSA announced that all the girls across the country awarded Eagle rank by Feb. 8, 2021, would be considered part of the inaugural group of girl Eagles and their awards would note that fact.

That appeals to Avery. “Having that on your resume…,” she said, “saying, ‘I’m in the first group of [girl] Eagle Scouts,’ that will be amazing.”

To make it in time, her father said, she needs to wrap up her project and application so it can be approved by the middle of this month, her dad said. “I will make

it,” Avery said. “I just need to get the paperwork done.”

What do her brothers think of her becoming an Eagle Scout? “They think it’s really cool that I was able to join them, especially in the time I had. They took their own sweet time about it. They got [something like] six or seven years [to finish]. I had two.”

And the COVID-19 pandemic slowed things at times, making it difficult to do things she needed to do to collect some of the ranks and badges she needed. Still, there were only a couple of time when she questioned whether she could finish.

For her Eagle Project, she decided to build a pavilion at the Dunwoody Nature Center where visitors can observe a working beehive. She organized construction of the structure and raised

money through a Go Fund Me page to pay for it. Any excess contributions, she said, will go the nature center.

In December, she and her crew of volunteers (including, her dad said, both her brothers and her boyfriend) were finishing up the project, the last thing on her list before submitting her claim on Eagle rank for review. What did she have to say now that the end of her two-year Eagle pursuit was so near? She thought about that a moment. “It’s been a lot of hard work …,” she said. “It’s crazy… Wow.” Then she was off to spend part of her weekend writing emails to solicit more contributions for her project. Her deadline loomed. She had things yet to do and the days were growing short.

Creating Unexpected Happiness PAID ADVERTISEMENT

How Corso Atlanta is reshaping the way we think about the senior experience.

If you have recently visited the West Paces Ferry Shopping Center, you’ll notice a “city block of Paris” developing across the street at 3200 Howell Mill Road. The gated Parisian-inspired senior living community, Corso Atlanta, is not only reshaping how senior living looks but how we think about the senior experience.

Transforming senior living from a need into a want has been Founder and CEO Tim Gary’s passion for over two decades.

Corso Atlanta’s parent company, Galerie Living, began with a single community in Commerce, Ga., in 1996.

Since then, Galerie Living continues to lead the senior living industry through award-winning community concepts, expert management, and most uniquely, through creating unexpected happiness.

“Whether you’re 8 or 80, happiness matters,” Gary said. “We define happiness as a feeling of belonging, purpose, comfort, independence and security. It’s in the moments shared around the family dinner table or running into an old friend while getting coffee. Adding chandeliers and Olympic-sized pools will change someone’s surroundings. But finding ways to add connection and joy into an everyday moment – that changes someone’s life.”

Galerie Living’s in-house design, operations, and technology teams have worked to build moments of “unexpected happiness” throughout Corso’s 500,000 square feet of residential and common space. The team recognizes the multifaceted approach

between infrastructure, programming and technology as critical to building dynamic communities.

“Operations, technology and design must work together to create the sophisticated product seniors are looking for in today’s market.” Chief Operating Officer Kari Samuelson explained. “What sets Corso apart is that the entire campus is engineered to be both beautiful and functional.”

This balance of form and function is largely based on human-scale design principles. Human-scale architecture focuses on creating people-centered environments that foster positive interaction and connection.

Corso’s human-led architecture and programming are informed by decades of developing, owning and operating communities for seniors. The minds behind Corso understand that the way people interact with spaces often shifts with age. A family home that was once a place of comfort can slowly become a burden.

Stairs, heavy doors and long driveways that once added character to a home can become cumbersome to everyday life, leaving many seniors feeling overwhelmed.

Senior Living Consultant Kim Linder has helped many seniors overcome the fear that downsizing their home means downsizing their quality of life.

“When I’m working with seniors planning for their next home, I ask them to consider two questions: ‘Does this add value to my life?’ and ‘What do I want my life to look like now and when I need care?’ Searching for a senior living community requires different considerations than searching for a typical home. It’s less about square footage and more about the services, experiences and relationships improving your everyday life.”

Linder emphasized the importance of planning for potential care needs when choosing a senior community. Needs can arise unexpectedly, resulting in seniors and families scrambling rather than carefully weighing all the options. Planning ahead and asking the right questions provides peace of mind, added control and a smoother transition. For active seniors seeking a vibrant social scene, it’s easy to focus on the services and amenities offered to independent living residents without considering how offerings may shift should care needs arise. More traditional communities may require you to

move into a separate building to receive assisted living services or you may have to hire your own caregiver from an outside agency. These are just a few of the questions to ask when choosing your next home.

Corso’s “no-move” care model is especially appealing to those who prefer to plan ahead. Residents of independent living can receive assisted living services without moving to a new residence. While many future residents do not currently need care, it provides peace of mind knowing Corso’s in-house nurses and care staff are there if you need them. Knowing your next-door neighbors will be your neighbors for years to come builds strong ties that are essential to overall happiness.

The same commitment to providing seniors with peace of mind, flexibility and control applies to Corso’s leasing model. Unlike more traditional continuum of care communities, there are no large buy-ins or invasive financial assessments. Residents of Corso are in full control over their financial and personal decisions. Corso has to earn the trust of residents and families daily because it is their choice to call Corso Atlanta home.

The community is now pre-leasing city homes, independent living, assisted living and memory care homes. City homes are distinguished by their private front door entrances and patios overlooking Corso’s vibrant courtyards. In addition to having their own private exterior entrances with a second entrance to the main building, city homes offer refined architectural details such as rounded corners, coffered ceilings, elevated trim work, and top-line appliances, including hidden Sub-Zero refrigerators. The community offers over 45 floorplans including specialty unit styles with added design details. All residents of city homes, independent living, and assisted living have full access to a wide range of destinations, including a formal dining venue, wine and cheese tasting room, bistro, on-site florist, full-service salon and spa, theater, heated pool and more. Each destination is thoughtfully designed to create “familiarity with the past while giving the ability to experience beauty on a dayto-day basis.” Corso also provides unparalleled concierge services such as black car transportation, valet, pool-side service, 24/7 security, and additional services such as private dining in the teahouse, floral arrangement delivery and spa services.

Every amenity and service has been intentionally included to make Corso Atlanta a place residents and guests look forward to enjoying together.

To learn more about Corso Atlanta, please visit corsoatlanta.com or call 404-891-9190. You can also visit their new Leasing Center location at 3303 Howell Mill Road. Corso’s team of senior living consultants are available Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday by appointment.

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

Commentary | 9

JANUARY 2021 ■ www.ReporterNewspapers.net

Carol Niemi is a marketing consultant who lives on the Dunwoody-Sandy Springs line and writes about people whose lives inspire others. Contact her at worthknowingnow@gmail.com.

Boxing is a knockout exercise for people with Parkinson’s

An estimated 1 million Americans are living with Parkinson’s disease, with 60,000 new diagnoses every year, 13,000 of them here in Atlanta. Many famous people have PD, including actor Michael J. Fox, who was diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease (YOPD) at age 29.

So common is PD that most of us have known someone with it.

I watched it destroy my former father-in-law -- who before PD was a healthy, confident small-business owner -- physically, mentally and emotionally. It also wreaked havoc on his brokenhearted wife,is awho regretfully sent him a nursing home when she Carol Niemi marketing consultant who lives on theto Dunwoodycould no longer help him getSprings out of chair.

Sandy lineaand writes about people whose lives inspire Contact at worthknowingnow@gmail.com.

That was 20 years ago. others.

There washer and still is no cure for Parkinson’s, but if my fatherin-law were alive today, he would have the hope of slowing the progression of his disease.

That hope is boxing. And one of the leaders in the Parkinson’s boxing movement, Boxing for Parkinson’s, is headquartered in Sandy Springs. An all-volunteer organization sponsored by the nonprofit Livramento Delgado Boxing Foundation (LDBF), it moved in September to its own 4,700-square-foot, state-of-the-art wellness center and is flourishing in the midst of one of the worst years any of us can remember.

Recently, LDBF Chairman Denise Formisano, who has not only PD but also multiple sclerosis, invited me to attend a boxing class with my contact Ellen Bookman, the LDBF communications director.

But why boxing? Because it naturally incorporates elements that can alleviate PD symptoms: footwork, balance, agility, movement in all planes, hand-eye coordination, Continued on page 10

SPECIAL/ELLEN BOOKMAN

Chairman Denise Formisano and Director of Operations Tom Jeffrey of the Livramento Delgado Boxing Foundation pose among the bags at the Sandy Springs boxing gym.

Your trip around the world may have been cancelled, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start 2021 with one very special trip to Lauderhills

Gems from around the world

2090 Dunwoody Club Dr Ste 107 Sandy Springs, GA 30350 770-396-0492 www.Lauderhills.com

10 | Commentary

Facebook.com/TheReporterNewspapers ■ twitter.com/Reporter_News

Boxing is a knockout exercise for people with Parkinson’s Continued from page 9 strength, endurance, flexibility, posture, breathing, cognition, aerobic conditioning and camaraderie.

Upon my arrival, Tom Jeffrey, Denise’s husband and LDBF’s operations director, took my temperature and squirted sanitizer into my hands. He then fitted me with sanitized hand wraps over which he placed boxing gloves. One side of the room was lined with rows of hanging punching bags, which we vigorously attacked after a warm-up that included jumping jacks. The full-time volunteer instructor, a former Air Force boxing instructor now working on a Ph.D. in ancient history, began calling out patterns of numbers and random dates.

The numbers represented different boxing punches. If the instructor called

out 1-2-4-3, the students had to know they meant jab, cross, rear hook and lead hook in that order and be able to repeat the pattern rapidly until the next sequence.

If that sounds easy, try not only instantaneously remembering what each number represents but also repeating the punches in sequence while jumping around. I’m a gym rat, but this class challenged me physically and mentally.

And the dates the instructor called out along with the punch numbers? They were all from ancient history, and the students had to be able to repeat them at the end of each sequence. They were then told why the date was significant. A boxing workout and ancient history lesson all in one class!

According to the Parkinson’s Outcome Project, the largest ever clinical study of Parkinson’s disease with more than

13,000 participants in five countries, exercise helps improve not only motor skills but also mood, depression and anxiety, all of which can affect people with PD more than motor impairments. The study also found that the sooner after a diagnosis people begin exercising, the more they can slow the decline in their quality of life.

Denise says she was lucky because her diagnosing doctor stressed the importance of exercise and she started exercising immediately. She was so impressed with the results that she gave up her fulltime career in fashion design to become the full-time volunteer chair of LDBF. Ellen Bookman, the LDBF communications director, wasn’t so lucky.

“I was diagnosed by a doctor who handed me a brochure and said, ‘Go boxing,’” said Ellen, who received her diagno-

sis of YOPD at the age of 52. “I came home, got on the internet and freaked out. Then I did nothing for a whole month but sit on the couch totally depressed.”

When she finally looked into boxing and called Denise, everything changed.

“Denise saved my life,” she said.

Ellen currently writes a blog about living with YOPD, called “Loving & Living,” and plans to launch a YOPD mentoring program in April.

Boxing for Parkinson’s offers a variety of classes, including yoga, six days a week. Its 200 members range in age from 38 to 92, with varying skills, including some who use wheelchairs.

The address is 6667 Vernon Woods Drive, Suite A-16, in Sandy Springs. For information, call 404-747-3032 or go to boxingforparkinsons.org.

Intown and in the Mountains

Atlanta, Highlands, Cashiers, Glenville & Sapphire 2020 SALES HIGHLIGHTS Bill Gilmore

In-Town Highlands, NC Biscuit Rock Road Sold for $1,782,565

In-Town Highlands, NC Guest House, 1.8 Acres Sold for $1,465,000

Highlands, NC Old Edwards Club - The Views Condo Sold for $590,000

Highlands, NC Highlands Falls Country Club Listed and Sold for $400,000

Cashiers, NC - Land Mountaintop Golf and Lake Club Sold for $450,000

Highlands, NC Old Edwards Club Vacation Rental VRBO 257773 or Call Directly

Ansley Park - FMLS # 6720651 Sold for $2,945,000

Ansley Villas - Unit 401 Sold for $490,000

404-455-5712 - Cell 404-876-4901 - Office William.Gilmore@comcast.net GA license 359350

404-455-5712 - Cell 828-526-8128 - Office bill@highlandscoverealty.com NC license 283355

YEAR

Community | 11

JANUARY 2021 ■ www.ReporterNewspapers.net

IN

BY HOLLY R. PRICE AND JOHN RUCH Beyond the history-making pandemic and racial justice protests in 2020, Dunwoody faced overcrowded schools, finding a new DeKalb Schools superintendent, police lawsuits and I-285 toll lanes that could take some residents’ homes. There was even controversy with the city’s unofficial motto “Everything Will Be OK.” 2020 had some silver linings, as plans for a new park got underway and several development projects came to fruition.

PANDEMIC SHUTDOWNS AND OPENINGS

MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS ROCK POLICE DEPARTMENT

Dunwoody faced similar shutdowns and mask-mandate debates as the rest of the metro area. It was one of the first cities to start significant reopening activities, both official and cautious, such as a partial City Hall opening, and controversial, like a Dunwoody Village concert that drew 100 people on Memorial Day weekend. The city government disbursed various relief funds but especially focused on small businesses and restaurants with such efforts as a painted-picnic-table campaign and funding for equipment to allow outdoor operations in wintertime.

Allegations of sexual harassment and other misconduct against former Dunwoody Police Department Lt. Fidel Espinoza — including claims he demanded sexual favors for work benefits — rocked the city. One lawsuit and three formal complaints alleged misconduct not only by the once-popular Espinoza but also by other command staff. Police Chief Billy Grogan and an outside attorney have called three of the four complaints untrue or unproven. Meanwhile, the city’s insurer settled for $400,000 a lawsuit from a man who was struck by a police

Mask-wearing manager Brandon Smith readies a pick-up order for a customer on the opening day of the Dunwoody Farmers Market in April.

opted from a famous mural at the Spruill Center for the Arts gallery. The term rose to international prominence early in the pandemic as Create Dunwoody and the Spruill Center collaborated on an artist-supporting fundraiser that sold yard-sign versions of the mural. But mural artist Jason Scott Kofke, who was using the slogan on his own pandemic projects, objected on copyright infringement grounds. The dispute was settled, but the fundraiser soon ended and the gallery announced plans to move the mural to Brook Run Park. A new, rotating display of art installations is taking its place at the gallery.

I-285 TOLL LANES SHOCK WITH PROPERTY IMPACTS The Georgia Department of Transportation in January revealed preliminary designs for toll lanes, on I-285, which are intended to speed traffic as part of a metro-wide system, but would impact hundreds of properties and would turn some local streets into highway interchanges. Approximately 155 properties in Brookhaven, Dunwoody and Sandy Springs could be affected or demolished.

More details will come in the new year.

DEKALB SCHOOLS FINALLY GETS A SUPERINTENDENT BLACK LIVES MATTER PROTESTS COME TO TOWN The nationwide protest movement over the Minnesota police killing of George Floyd came to Dunwoody, with unprecedented demonstrations organized by activists and residents. Mayor Lynn Deutsch and Police Chief Billy Grogan were among those who attended. Deutsch went on to call for racial dialogue and increased diversity on city boards, but that dialogue has not materialized and the mayor’s first post-protest board appointments were of all-White members.

DUN

FILE

Mayor Lynn Deutsch, left, speaks with protester and Dunwoody resident Tanis Singleton during a Black Lives Matter protest at City Hall in June.

car while running from officers; the department says the officer was cleared by an internal investigation.

UNOFFICIAL MOTTO CAUSES CONTROVERSY The slogan “Everything Will Be OK” has long been an unofficial city motto, ad-

Superintendent Cheryl Watson-Harris took over the DeKalb County School District this summer after months of turmoil, including a Board of Education rejection of prior candidate Rudolph Crew, who claimed the vote was discriminatory. Watson-Harris came on in the midst of the pandemic and debates about when to return to in-person classes.

GOLD KIST SITE MAKEOVER PLANNED The former Gold Kist headquarters in Perimeter Center was targeted for remodeling and renovation into a corporate campus. Buckhead-based RocaPoint Partners

FILE

and New York-based The Georgetown Company purchased the approximately 13-acre site at 244 Perimeter Center Parkway for an undisclosed amount.

DUNWOODY VILLAGE GETS MIXED-USE ZONING, AND LAWSUIT A rezoning intended to remake Dunwoody Village into a mixed-use, modern-looking, pedestrian-centric area won approval by the City Council. But one shopping center was left out after its owner sued the city in a dispute about the rezoning’s buffer area between it and neighboring houses.

CONTROVERSIAL EMPTY-NESTER PROJECT IS APPROVED After months of deliberation, the City Council approved a rezoning for a gated community across from the new Austin Elementary School on Roberts Drive. Developer Peachland Housing Group says the project, which includes the historic Swancy Farmhouse, would provide better living options for senior residents.

There are, however, no actual age restrictions for the homeowners.

SCHOOL OVERCROWDING CONCERNS While the announcement of a new elementary school in Dunwoody was welcomed by some residents and officials, they also questioned the move when local middle and high schools remain overpopulated. The DeKalb County Board of Education approved plans to build a 950-student school on the former campus of Shallowford Elementary on Chamblee-Dunwoody Road. Along with the opening of a larger Austin Elementary School on Roberts Drive earlier in the year, the new site is expected to alleviate some overcrowding that has led to contentious redistricting and use of trailers

12 | Art & Entertainment

Facebook.com/TheReporterNewspapers ■ twitter.com/Reporter_News

Author Q&A: A food historian looks at Atlanta’s culinary past and future

BY KEVIN C. MADIGAN Author and food tour guide Akila McConnell will be addressing the Buckhead Heritage Society Book Club on Jan. 13 to discuss her career and her first book “A Culinary History of Atlanta,” a finalist in the 2020 Georgia Writer Association Author of the Year Awards. McConnell holds degrees in philosophy, accounting and law, and is the founder of Unexpected Atlanta, which offers tours about the city’s history and food culture.

Her Buckhead Heri-

tage appearance will be held virtually at 7 p.m. and is free, but registration is required at BuckheadHeritage.com.

Q: Tell us about your book.

A: It’s a food history of Atlanta, of course, but really it’s about recognizing stories that we usually don’t hear. I had read pretty much every history of Atlanta and most of those focus on the role famous people play, but I was more interested in the people you don’t hear about, such as Myra Miller, a Black woman who after the Civil War became one of the city’s most famous bakers.

Who was the first restaurateur in the city? Who was doing food production? It was women. During the antebellum period, it was the slaves. It became the African Americans after slavery, and today it is our immigrant population. They are doing the bulk of food production both from a cooking angle and the food we get from our factories.

Q: You write about Martin Luther King Jr. being something of a foodie.

A. Absolutely, yes, he was a huge foodie. The Civil Rights Movement was very much a grassroots organization and they needed places to have their meetings, and so Atlanta’s restaurants played a huge role in that.

Paschal’s, which is still open, was a huge location for human rights gatherings -- also Busy Bee Cafe [and] Frazier’s Lounge. Restaurants had an impact on the Civil Rights Movement.

Q: How did you go from practicing law to writing about food?

Akila McConnell.

A: My passion was not in the law. It was in telling stories associated with

SPECIAL

food. I quit my job when I was 30. My husband and I decided to travel around the world for three-and-a-half years. I started writing a blog about food and travel and the history behind food in different places. This blog became super popular. We were picked up by the L.A. Times and USA Today and others, and so I realized I could make a living writing about food. Then I found out that I was having a child, so we came home to Atlanta and it only made sense that I focus on Atlanta’s food stories.

NEW IN DUNWOODY!

Q: What are your thoughts on Atlanta’s food culture during the pandemic?

A: The big change I see is there is going to be a reliance on takeout long-term. This

Non-Invasive pain management for Weekend Warriors of all ages.

“It is time to get back to old style medicine where a board certified orthopedist sees you, evaluates you, and cares for you.”

- Dan Richin & Dr. Paul Richin, MD

404-292-3538

•

•

•

•

Walk-in care from a boardcertified orthopedic surgeon One visit for both your evaluation and treatment Taking the hassle out of modern day healthcare Easy access & free parking

All insurance accepted www.theocic.com

is something that restaurants have to face, especially high-end restaurants, which is kind of unthinkable. Another thing is, the pandemic has revealed a lot of food disparities -- you see these huge lines of people at food banks. It also has revealed some real flaws in our warehousing system because there are people struggling to get food and at the same time there is all this food that’s going to waste.

Another long-term consequence is that there will be more direct-to-consumer options. I own a food tour company and we have shifted to doing foodie gift boxes.

It’s basically getting the middleman like the grocery store out of it. We take a much smaller margin.

Q: What’s your take on the restaurant scene in Buckhead?

A: Pre-1950s, it was a high-end residential area. The restaurant scene at that time was relatively small, but then Lenox [Square] mall opened up and that was a total game-changer. When you think of places like Dante’s Down the Hatch, a Buckhead institution, it’s not a coincidence that it was located directly across the street from Lenox mall. It was very intentional because that’s where everybody in the city was coming to shop. There was nowhere like Lenox anywhere in the South.

Even today you see all the restaurants congregated mainly on Peachtree, around the Lenox mall hub. A single anchor can define what a neighborhood becomes.

Buckhead continues to evolve and is more upscale, continuing to push that gourmet level higher, whereas in some other locations there is less of that. That’s fascinating to me.

1705-B Mt. Vernon Rd Dunwoody, GA 30338 (across from Dunwoody Village) DUN

Community | 13

JANUARY 2021 ■ www.ReporterNewspapers.net

City considers supersized welcome signs, other wayfinding Continued from page 1

Councilmember Sta-

proved a “gateway and wayfinding”

cy Harris said she

plan unanimously Dec. 14, but will have to come back to vote on a contract for the plan with costs and specifics in January. There is no overall price estimate because the city doesn’t know which signs it will use or how many.

There are, however, some estimates for the markers — anywhere from $51,857 to $106,525 for the 18-foot-tall big “D” to $224,450 for the 12-foot-tall “O” swing structure. Depending on materials and designs selected by the city, a pedestrian sign could run anywhere from $387 to $1,310, and a sign oriented for vehicle drivers could run $1,760 to $6,029. Some designs have metal “Dunwoody” toppers as an option. Others don’t.

The big “D” may not make it into the council’s final plan, once decisions are made on what to include.

liked it.

It would be strategically placed, said Michael Starling, director of economic development.

“You

can’t

just

take a big ‘D’ and put it on the side of the road,” he said.

The plan also proposes

monument

signs for the city limits that consist of “Dunwoody” spelled out

in

illuminat-

ed metal letters attached to an 18-foot-long stone column that could be set upright or placed on

The pedestrian signs would tell residents how long of a walk it might be to the MARTA station or the library. Each one of those would cost anywhere from $387 to $1,310, depending on special features or materials used.

the ground, where one illustration suggests it could double as a bench.

“I’m not a fan of the single ‘D,’” said

A showpiece of the plan is the Dun-

Councilmember John Heneghan. But

Continued on page 14

WORTHWHILE CONVERSATIONS WHAT NOW? WEALTH PLANNING AFTER COVID-19…

DOES THE COVID-19 EXPERIENCE MEAN THAT WEALTH PLANNING IS NOW TOTALLY DIFFERENT? No, not necessarily. Market and economic conditions continue to change, but good wealth planning comes from being consistent in making sound decisions.

HOW CAN YOU MAKE SOUND DECISIONS WHEN THE FUTURE IS SO UNCERTAIN? In 50 years of wealth planning, we have worked with families who can personally recall terribly uncertain conditions. In 1962, the United States and the Soviet Union were staring each other down over nuclear missiles in Cuba and plenty of people felt it could be the end of civilization. In 1974, a sitting U.S. President resigned from office in disgrace and the average citizen’s faith in our government reached an all-time low. There have been times, of course, when the future looked bright. In 2000, we ushered in a new Millennium amidst great optimism, following a decade that saw the fall of the Iron Curtain and a peace dividend.

during the month of the Cuban missile crisis, you were 30% richer one year later. If you put money to work in U.S. stocks during the month Richard Nixon resigned the Presidency, you were 250% richer ten years later. If you waited for the optimism of the new Millennium to put your money to work in U.S. stocks, you were 35% worse off two years later.

SO, WHAT IS YOUR POINT? Certainty, or uncertainty, about the future is an unreliable basis for building wealth. Ryan Patterson, CFA, CFP®, our Chief Investment Officer, puts it this way: “When everyone is feeling good about the future, the prices of financial assets are higher, reflecting that feeling. When few people feel good, prices are discounted and opportunities are greater.” If you invested in U.S. stocks

SO -- THE MORE THINGS CHANGE, THE MORE THEY STAY THE SAME? Circumstances may change but financial behavior should be consistent and disciplined, not reactive. Most families benefit from the coaching of an experienced, 100% fiduciary wealth advisor. That is the model we follow at Linscomb & Williams. We have the credentialled and experienced team ready to sit down and formulate a plan for your success right now, right here.

Bill Kring, CFP®, and MaryJane LeCroy, CFP®, discuss wealth planning strategies during uncertain market conditions with Sam Tortorici, CEO & Director, Cadence Bank, N.A., and President, Cadence Bancorporation.

2727 Paces Ferry Road SE Building Two, Suite 1475 Atlanta, Georgia 30339 770 333 0113 www.linscomb-williams.com

Linscomb & Williams is not an accounting firm. Subsidiary of Cadence Bank. Investment Products: Not insured by FDIC. Not bank guaranteed. May lose value. Not insured by any Federal Government Agency. Not a bank deposit.

DUN

14 | Community

Facebook.com/TheReporterNewspapers ■ twitter.com/Reporter_News

City considers supersized welcome signs, other wayfinding Continued from page 13 woody structure with the “O” swings.

The top of it is a latticework of words that, when the sun shines through, spells out “Everything will be OK” in ground shadows.

That slogan is an unofficial city motto adopted from a famous mural that long stood at the Spruill Center for the Arts’s gallery on Ashford-Dunwoody Road. Earlier this year, mural creator Jason Scott Kofke got into a copyright dispute with the center about using his design as yard signs for a pandemic fundraiser. The dispute was settled, but later the center announced the “Everything Will Be OK” mural would be relocated to Brook Run Park and its old gallery site instead hosting a rotating art installation display.

Top, Driver-oriented wayfinding signs are included in the plan.

Above, the showpiece of the markers and signs is the structure that spells out Dunwoody with swings in the “O’s.” It has paintings on the back and LED lights on the front which can change colors. The 12-foot-tall, $224,000 piece has a latticework of words on the top, that when the sun shines through, spells out “Everything will be OK” in ground shadows.

The swing structure would have LED lights and the color can be changed.

Discover Dunwoody, the city’s convention and visitors bureau, paid for

AT L A N TA’ S F I N E S T SHOWROOM EST. 1962

the conceptual study. The city will pay for the signs.

The CVB completed a strategic plan in 2018 and decided to implement a welcome and sign

system for Dun-

woody.

In 2019, they pulled together a working group of their board and city staff to work with design firm TSW of Atlanta.

The designs include a primary and secondary gateway sign package, pedestrian and vehicular directional signs, and two placemaking signs that brand Dunwoody.

City staff members have identified the following priority for implementation: the gateway sign program throughout the city; pedestrian directional signs in Perimeter Center and other commercial districts; and vehicular directional signs throughout the In partnership with:

7455 Trowbridge Road. | Sandy Springs, GA 30328 | 404.255.0640 www.sewellappliance.com

city.

DUN

Community | 15

JANUARY 2021 ■ www.ReporterNewspapers.net

Pandemic economy turns hotel project into senior apartments Continued from page 1 end “with a concierge” and similar amenities.

More than 43,000 square feet of retail and commercial space is also included in the project, along with a fivelevel parking deck.

There’s nothing like it in Dunwoody right now, Starling said. So the hotel not materializing, “is not a huge loss.”

The city has had four hotels built since it incorporated in 2010.

But it’s another blow to the hotel business, which has taken one of the hardest hits in 2020, officials said.

We “have been devastated by this crisis,” said Jeff Sprouse, executive director of the Georgia Hotel and Lodging Association.

84 Perimeter, as the hotel was to be known, fits the mold of what happened after March 2020 - people started backing away from the hotel building business, said Vik Zaver, who works in investment sales of hotels for the real estate firm Colliers International.

Developers that had financing and had hotels already under construction stuck with it, he said. Otherwise they canceled plans. But Richard Hathcock, a city planner, said off the top of his head he couldn’t remember any other hotel projects recently falling through in Dunwoody.

Across the Atlanta metro area and the state, though, that has been the case. Zaver said that developers are not likely to go ahead with a hotel project knowing “they weren’t gonna make any money at all in the next two years.”

The losses are staggering. Sprouse said 2020 started as probably one of the best years in Georgia history as far as profits and expansions. And then March came. Cancellations for conventions and personal travel started pouring in. A lot of hotels that were at 70% capacity before the pandemic have fallen to 15%.

It will be 2023 or 2024 before the numbers get back to where they were, he said.

For some hotels, it’s getting to the point that it’s just a matter of how long they can last with the lack of revenue. “It’s getting harder and harder,” Sprouse said.

For these reasons, the hotel group pulled out of the deal at 84 Perimeter, said Laurel David, an attorney for JSJ Perimeter LLC, which owns the property. She wouldn’t name the hotel group.

The property at 84 Perimeter has been considered for a hotel before.

In 2008, the property was zoned by DeKalb County for a 12-story hotel and a 70,000-square-foot fitness center.

Branch Properties tried to revive the

hotel plans in 2017 and replace the fitness center with commercial and retail.

But that never happened.

“It’s amazing that this site has been vacant as long as it has,” Starling said.

The former bank at 84 Perimeter Center East was transformed into “Perimeter Trust” in the action-packed movie “Baby Driver,” about an eclectic band of bank robbers. The “Perimeter Trust” scene included a heist that went wrong and had the getaway driver forced to drive up on the stone walls in the bank’s parking lot to escape the police.

But other than that memorable moment in motion pictures, the building and property have been unused for several years.

Developer, JSJ Perimeter LLC, is now picking up the flag to build a mixeduse project at 84 Perimeter Center East, located on the prime real estate in Perimeter Center. To do so, the developer needs major modifications to the 2008 rezoning to make room for 40,000 square feet of retail.

Laurel David, attorney for JSJ Perimeter, said there is interest by restaurants and retailers, but nothing has been nailed down yet.

Conditions of the rezoning request

include a minimum of 20% open space, including green space and landscaping that could include a plaza area or outdoor patio.

The Planning Commission is requesting the project include a crosswalk and pedestrian refuge across Perimeter Center East on the northeast corner of the property to provide a connection to Park Place shopping center where Alon’s is located. Credit unions and savings and loans offices would only be allowed on the second story of the retail building and any kind of traditional bank with a drive-through is banned.

City staff reports 235 trees would be cut down for the development, including 10 specimen trees. Approximately 75%of the trees are pine.

The project would include an 8-footwide street buffer, 8-foot-wide sidewalk and 16 feet of extra sidewalk width for patio dining along Ashford-Dunwoody Road. On Perimeter Center East, the project would have a 6-foot street buffer, 6-foot sidewalk and 7- to 10-foot of extra sidewalk or landscape buffer or potential patio seating.

The City Council is expected to take up the first presentation of the proposed development in January.

Hotels are great from an economic development standpoint. They are great for many reasons. [But the senior living] is a market we’ve been after for a while. We need options for residents as they age.

It’s a good trade-off.

MICHAEL STARLING DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Clean out your jewelry box this year!

Trade in odds and ends, broken pieces, half pairs of earrings and jewelry you're not wearing... and trade it in for cash, store credit or custom design a brand new piece!

You'll be AMAZED at what your old gold scrap amounts to!

4500 OLDE PERIMETER WAY, ATLANTA, 30346 - 770.393.0321 - JEWELRYARTISANS.COM

DUN

16 | Commentary

Reporter Newspapers

Our mission is to provide our readers with fresh and engaging information about life in their communities.

Published by Springs Publishing LLC 6065 Roswell Road, Suite 225 Sandy Springs, GA 30328 Phone: 404-917-2200 • Fax: 404-917-2201 Brookhaven Reporter | Buckhead Reporter Dunwoody Reporter | Sandy Springs Reporter www.ReporterNewspapers.net Atlanta INtown www.AtlantaINtownPaper.com Atlanta Senior Life www.AtlantaSeniorLife.com

C O N TAC T US Publisher Emeritus Steve Levene Publisher Keith Pepper keith@springspublishing.com Editorial Managing Editor John Ruch johnruch@reporternewspapers.net INtown Editor: Collin Kelley Editor-at-Large Joe Earle Staff Writer Bob Pepalis Contributors Maggie Lee, Carol Niemi, Kevin C. Madigan, Holly R. Price, Claire S. Richie Creative and Production Creative Director Rico Figliolini rico@reporternewspapers.net Graphic Designer Quinn Bookalam

Facebook.com/TheReporterNewspapers ■ twitter.com/Reporter_News

Publisher’s Note: New Year, New Beginnings Against the strong headwinds facing journalism (and newsfluential neighborhoods and cities. Our readers have come to papers in particular), the hyperlocal media space continues rely on our journalists to know what’s happening: from city to thrive, delivering the type of relevant journalcouncil meetings and local school issues to real esism that is essential to a functioning society and tate and where to find the newest “best burger.” a vibrant community. Providing consistent, reliBy producing high-quality products that reach able news and information while growing a viacoveted audiences, local advertisers have been ble print media business requires engaged local able to grow their businesses using simple but ownership. effective marketing plans to connect with their That’s why we are excited to announce the neighbors. It’s because of these engaged constittransition of Reporter Newspapers and its parent uencies that Reporter Newspapers has been able company, Springs Publishing, to a new, local ownto survive so many changes in the industry. The er, Keith Pepper. Keith is an Atlanta native who plan going forward is to lean into this market has deep roots in the community (he was born at leadership and continue to cover the stories that Northside and grew up in Dunwoody and Sandy are meaningful to our communities and to do it in Keith Pepper Springs) and will continue to operate the compafun, engaging and non-sensational ways. ny with a focus on being present in civic, corpoWe will keep it old-school with thorough rerate and cultural events across our coverage areas. search and clear, concise writing. At the same As regular readers of this paper know, Springs time, we will experiment with new ways to meet Publishing founder/owner Steve Levene built a our readers in places they may not expect. successful group of local papers by staying focused Continue to look for the Reporter in the mail on the communities they serve. The Springs famiand around town, but also please connect with ly includes the four Reporter Newspapers, plus Atus on social media. Spread the word: we’re all in lanta INtown and Atlanta Senior Life. These publithis together. While our names may be on the cations are produced by a committed and talented masthead, we want this to be your paper as well! staff of journalists, designers and sales executives.

Please reach out with feedback or questions to For 14 years, the Reporter has been the go-to publisher@springspublishing.com.

Steve Levene source for metro Atlanta’s most dynamic and in-

Commentary: Looking into the political crystal ball for 2021 Every year, the Reporter asks local leaders to predict the biggest local issues in the next 12 months. In 2020, no one saw a world-changing pandemic on the horizon. In what will hopefully be a safer and calmer 2021, here’s what they see in this year’s political crystal ball. For more of what each had to say, see ReporterNewspapers.net.

Advertising Director of Sales Development Amy Arno amyarno@reporternewspapers.net Sales Executives Jeff Kremer, Janet Porter Office Manager Deborah Davis deborahdavis@reporternewspapers.net

Free Home Delivery 58,000 copies of Reporter Newspapers are delivered to homes in ZIP codes 30305, 30319, 30326, 30327, 30328, 30338, 30342 and 30350 and to 100+ business/retail locations.

For locations, check “Where To Find Us” at www.ReporterNewspapers.net.

For delivery requests, please email delivery@springspublishing.com.

Honored as a newspaper of General Excellence

2018

© 2021 with all rights reserved

Publisher reserves the right to refuse editorial or advertising for any

reason. Publisher assumes no responsibility for information contained in advertising. Any opinions expressed in print or online do not necessarily

Mayor Lynn Deutsch Dunwoody This time last year, I wrote this in the Reporter: “Dunwoody’s opportunities abound and 2020 promises to be an exciting year.” Of course, we all know what happened. And while the COVID-19 pandemic slowed the work we wanted to accomplish, it has not stalled it.

We will continue to work on improving connectivity, whether it be infrastructure and pedestrian improvements or better internet connectivity.

We have taken possession of the old Austin School property and have demolished the building. In 2021, we will work with our residents to develop a plan for the future use of the property. The new park at Waterford will have tennis courts and a pavilion available by the end of the

year. As the necessary restrictions related to COVID-19 are loosened, I look forward to seeing a full range of programming at Brook Run Park and our other parks.

Jim Durrett Buckhead Coalition and Buckhead Community Improvement District Without question, increasing the safety and security of the people who live in, work in and visit Buckhead is the number one priority for the Buckhead Coalition and the Buckhead CID in 2021. We’ll be working very closely with our partners to implement the Buckhead Security Plan and begin to restore public confidence in the safety of our community.

In addition to the work on public safety, the Buckhead Coalition will focus on issues of homelessness. The Atlanta region is facing an intractable housing crisis. With the threat of evictions rising at the close of the year, the Coalition will work with government and community leaders to relieve the suffering of our neighbors experiencing homelessness and to preserve the desirability of Buckhead for life and commerce.

The Buckhead CID will continue to

improve streets and sidewalks throughout the district and to help beautify and maintain our community’s public spaces.

Mayor Rusty Paul Sandy Springs Based on what we know today, job one as we enter the new year is ensuring that we effectively and efficiently deploy the COVID-19 vaccines as soon as they are available. It is a critical step to ameliorate the economic and health impacts of the virus. As COVID lessens, we want to relaunch a full line of concerts and performances at City Springs, with plans to announce the lineup this spring.

In the coming year, we will continue pursuing our goal of securing control of our water system from the city of Atlanta. Renovation will begin on our newly acquired public safety complex, and we will start construction on two new fire stations in the central and northern portions of the city, with projects including training facilities for our first responders.

Also among our top goals is to continue our efforts to make every Sandy Springs resident feel valued and included within the community at large. And finally, we stand ready to meet the unknown

represent the views of Reporter Newspapers or Springs Publishing.

DUN

Commentary | 17

JANUARY 2021 ■ www.ReporterNewspapers.net challenges, keeping the safety and security of our residents the top priority.

State Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick

Mayor John Ernst

One of the big issues we will face is the economic impact of the COVID virus on our state revenue and budget. We have less revenue to work with and more needs, especially in healthcare, including mental health.

I have a bill being drafted to address patient safety concerns about sedation in the outpatient setting, and another to put some guidelines in place on sober housing facilities for people in recovery. I have other bills related to insurance reform of networks and prior authorization requirements, both of which can have a big impact on patient access to care.

I work a lot on veterans issues and am excited that we will soon have a transition center in the metro area to assist people coming out of military service into the private sector. I am also working to update our laws on autonomous vehicles to accommodate new technologies.

Brookhaven At the top of the list is transit, and I’m looking forward to continuing to address long-term traffic concerns with the I-285 top end transit project. In addition to connecting the existing and future GDOT ventures and implementing transit options such as light rail and bus rapid transit, the top end mayors are also exploring a trail system along both sides of I-285, running east and west.

Speaking of trails, design should be completed on Phase II of the Peachtree Creek Greenway, paving the way for right of way acquisition and then development in 2022.

Other 2021 milestones will include the grand opening of our new public safety building and wrapping up most of the parks bond projects approved by the voters in 2018. In fall of 2021, our City Centre Master Plans will be completed, which will guide future developments in the area around the Brookhaven MARTA Station for years to come Finally, in 2021, I want to assist in getting the COVID vaccine to as many locations as possible so we can put an end to this long, global nightmare and get back to living life the way we used to.

Brookhaven will celebrate with a party like no other, once COVID is eradicated and it is safe to do so.

J.P. Matzigkeit Atlanta City Council Safety remains my highest priority. I am excited about the recently announced Buckhead Security Plan, which I call “Buckhead Blue.” It’s a collaborative effort of the city, its police, business and citizens groups, and the Atlanta Police Foundation to build a coordinated and comprehensive safety plan for Buckhead.

We must implement competitive and fair impact fees on development that adds demand on city services. It’s been a quarter-century since we raised the fees that are used for transportation infrastructure, public safety and parks.

We also must pass a comprehensive tree ordinance to better preserve our tree canopy and simplify the requirements.

The one we have is not strong enough and is outdated. I’m committed to preserving Atlanta’s precious tree canopy and keeping Atlanta’s moniker of a “city in the forest.”

DUN

R-Marietta

State Rep. Matthew Wilson D-Brookhaven We have a lot to do in the legislature, including jump-starting our business climate, but most especially ensuring that Georgians who have fallen on hard times during this crisis are not only taken care of today, but have the same and even greater opportunities to succeed in the days to come.

I’m also thankful to say that, thanks to the voters of DeKalb County, 2021 will bring us a fully reconstituted DeKalb Board of Ethics. But even as we have had success addressing local issues, what we don’t need to be doing is continuing to rehash the results of the 2020 election. I will strongly oppose any attempt to add more barriers to democratic participation in our elections based on conspiracy theories.

State Rep. Josh McLaurin D-Sandy Springs We are not out of the woods yet with the pandemic. With Congress failing to act, state and local governments must do everything we can to provide relief to residents. Now that we know state revenues for FY2021 will be higher than originally projected, I’m hopeful that we can increase our commitment as a state to ensuring basic

Earn up to 9.0% Annual Income... and 100% of a Nation’s Gratitude JNF charitable gift annuities offer a generous income, tax advantages, and the opportunity to support the land and people of Israel.

For as little as $5,000, you can help achieve your financial goals and those of a nation—Israel JEWISH NATIONAL FUND’S charitable gift annuity will provide you with a generous income stream,the benefit of tax savings, plus recognition in Israel.

Single-Life Gift Annuity* AGE

PERCENT

65 70 75 80 85 90+

4.7% 5.1% 5.8% 6.9% 8.0% 9.0%

To receive a confidential, no obligation illustration, contact our Planned Giving Specialists 800.562.7526 · jnflegacy.org

18 | Commentary

Facebook.com/TheReporterNewspapers â– twitter.com/Reporter_News necessities are met.

One of the worst problems we face is continued housing insecurity.

Amid the pandemic, we are also dealing with an artificial controversy surrounding one of our most fundamental rights: the right to vote. Although there is no credible evidence of widespread voter fraud, the majority party has signaled it is going to restrict or even eliminate noexcuse absentee voting this upcoming session. I will do everything I can to fight against efforts to restrict access to voting.

State Rep. Mike Wilensky D-Dunwoody

FEB 17 – 28

Moving into the 2021 legislative session, we must focus on issues that will impact our community and Georgia for years to come. We now must fight harder than ever to ensure all Georgians have access to voting. Our democracy only thrives when all eligible voters have access to the ballot.

Also, every 10 years there is redistricting in our state due to the new Census. This process is where gerrymandering occurs.

This redistricting will not only change the House district lines, but also for the state Senate and Congress.

We must also focus on helping our communities and small businesses that are suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Last, but definitely not least, we must make sure our public schools are properly funded and we must make sure that children can return to school safely.

Jeff Rader DeKalb County Commission 2021 will be a challenge to all governments as we start seeing the longerterm impact of the pandemic on our economy and the public we serve.

Locally, commercial tax assessments are vulnerable to appeal as property owners demonstrate that empty buildings are worth less than leased ones.

Our public utilities will see higher delinquency rates due to strapped ratepayers.

Public safety and social service demands will grow just as revenues erode. But it is darkest before the dawn, and I’m hopeful that governments at all levels will work to restore our commitment to the public interest and confirm the promise of our republic.

I hope to continue to expand and improve greenspace, bike and pedestrian infrastructure, and manage the growth in DeKalb that can change our communities for better or worse.

State Rep. Betsy Holland D-Buckhead The COVID-19 crisis will impact everything we do in the 2021 Session. Our top

priorities need to be strengthening our healthcare systems, protecting the health of Georgians, administering the vaccine, and forging a path to economic recovery. The legislature also faces the challenge of finding new streams of revenue to restore funding to the state budget without creating an undue burden on Georgians.

After the COVID-19 recovery, the next hottest topic for the legislature this year will be reapportionment. With the results of the 2020 Census coming in, the state will need to redraw lines for state House and Senate seats as well as the U.S. Congressional districts. This has a huge impact on citizens for the next 10 years.

Lee Morris Fulton County Commission In 2021, Fulton County government, which has responsibility for public health, will continue to address the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our citizens and businesses. That will be the number one issue facing our neighborhoods, state, country and world.

I will continue to work with the Buckhead Coalition, the Buckhead Council of Neighborhoods and others, to do what we can to curb crime that makes citizens feel so unsafe.

But my own personal crusade will remain property tax relief and fairness for homeowners in Fulton County, as it has since I took office. As the pandemic may cause the tax base to fall and as costs of government rise, there will be pressure to raise tax rates, imposing more burdens on homeowners.

Robb Pitts Chairman, Fulton County Commission Although the coronavirus halted some of my initiatives, I will rededicate my efforts to continue with the expansion of the Charlie Brown Airport, the building of a first-class animal control facility, and work to create a viable transportation plan for Roosevelt Highway and the South Fulton Parkway. I will also work to complete our Library Facility Master Plan and reopen senior centers and other government offices and facilities. I will also continue my efforts toward justice reform by working with the new sheriff and district attorney.

And lastly, I will continue my efforts to develop a first-class medical facility in south Fulton.

DUN

Education | 19

JANUARY 2021 ■ www.ReporterNewspapers.net

FOCUS ON EDUCATION The Kids Are Alright

Tomorrow calls for a new kind of leader.

These students found ways to give back during a year of pandemic, politics and societal change

BY COLLIN KELLEY

January is usually the month we present our 20 Under 20 honorees, recognizing the extraordinary work students do in the community and for nonprofits. But after the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, divisive politics, and a new reckoning over racial injustice, it didn’t seem right to hold a competition. Instead, we decided to speak with a group of young people who dedicated themselves to helping others and making a difference – even from behind their computer screens – during an unprecedented year.

A

tlanta International School sophomore Asanshay Gupta, 15, developed an app to help makeshift COVID-19 facilities in India during his summer internship with Allied Medical, which makes high flow oxygen therapy machines. More than 100 medical practitioners are now using Gupta’s app to monitor the oxygen supply and flow rates in their facilities. “My family is from India, so I was hearing many stories of how such a huge country was responding to the pandemic on a huge scale, by making makeshift hospitals in stadiums and other large venues. When I heard from my grandfather that the very people who are saving lives in these COVID-19 response centers are wasting valuable time doing tedious calculations that could be easily automated, I designed an app that allows them to easily perform these calculations. I am looking forward to visiting some of these hospitals to see my app being used and getting some realworld feedback, and also continuing some more projects such as my eye tracking power wheelchair for paraplegic patients. I want to see how I can use my interest in robotics to serve my local community.”

Asanshay Gupta

C

risto Rey Jesuit High School senior Marquel Jones, 18, has been a student leader and community volunteer for years, including creating the monthly Teen Talk Back sessions that have addressed everything from religious tolerance, to LGBTQ youth, to incarceration rates in the criminal justice system. As president of the DECA club, he helped raise $50,000 to renovate the school’s media center, a project put on hold due to the pandemic. Marquel shifted gears to assisted with the DECA Christmas Tree Giveaway to needy families as well as the 12 Disciples Food Box Drive to provide food security to Cristo Rey families during the pandemic. He has volunteered at Open Hand Atlanta and the Million Meal Pack. “The most valuable lesson I have learned as a volunteer this year is that if you want to see change, you have to be that change. I recognize sitting back and hoping that things get better does not actively improve anything. When I put action behind the ideas that I have, I am able to foster real change and that is heart-warming.”

Marquel Jones

DUN

Every day, we connect bright, curious students with a community of support and opportunities that awaken their aspirations so that they can lead positive change in the world. Learn more at westminster.net

WESTMINSTER Love. Challenge. Lead. Change.

1424 West Paces Ferry Road, NW | Atlanta, Georgia 30327

Photo taken prior to Covid-19.

20 | Education

Facebook.com/TheReporterNewspapers ■ twitter.com/Reporter_News

Galloway students

learn more than just core academic subjects; they learn about themselves, who they are, and what role they want to play in making our world a better place.

G

abriel Howland, 17, is no stranger to giving back to not only the local community, but on a national and international scale. He traveled to Jamaica to help an impoverished elementary school start an organic garden, worked with Native American students on environmental issues in California as a “Bioneer,” founded a drone photography company, mentored at summer programs, and is a member of Dad’s Garage Theatre Company’s youth ensemble. During the pandemic, he coordinated directed, and edited a play for a summer camp via Zoom. Gabe also helped a prepare a pre-school for reopening in September and assisted in setting up outdoor classrooms at the New School where he’s a senior. When his grandmother told him that one of her neighbors needed help getting groceries and help around her home during the pandemic, Gabe volunteered his time. “I think that the pandemic and 2020, in general, made me realize what type of person I am. Hardship really can bring out the best and worst in people, and I hope that this year brought out the best. Honestly, helping other people is what helped me get through this year, especially when it was around gaining a semblance of normalcy.”

Gabriel Howland

AGE 3 – GRADE 12

Schedule your visit today at gallowayschool.org!

paceacademy.org/admissions

CONNECTING LEARNING TO LIFE AT EVERY LEVEL.

L

ike many others stuck at home due to the pandemic, Leah Nuffer began baking. A lot. Over the summer, the 17-year-old Woodward Academy senior created Leah’s Bakeshop (leahsbakeshop. com) to benefit Families First, an organization that provides mental health support and educational services to those in need. One-hundred percent of the proceeds from the bakeshop are going to the charity. Leah also worked with Horizons Atlanta as a K-2 “Literacy Coach” where she tracked the students’ progress, observed classes, set individual goals, met with students individually, and became a cheerleader for their success. “The pandemic actually forced me to discover new ways of being involved in service that I didn’t even realize were possible. Not only did I begin to interact with communities virtually, but I also realized that some of the biggest help is done just through organizing programs and raising money. Volunteering for “behind the scenes” work of non-profit organizations is just as important as helping in the face-to-face interactions.”

Leah Nuffer

D

uring the COVID-19 shutdown, Maddalena Jones, 17, created a virtual dance program to keep children physically active and occupied at home while their parents continued to work. The 45-minute classes were also educational, and Maddalena created tutorial videos to post on social media to remind the children of the skills they had learned. A senior at Holy

Maddalena Jones

Continued on Page 22 DUN

JANUARY 2021 â– www.ReporterNewspapers.net

DUN

Education | 21

22 | Education

Facebook.com/TheReporterNewspapers ■ twitter.com/Reporter_News

• •

A healthy, safe environment that serves the whole child, as well as the family, through fostering learning and social development.

We have served the Dunwoody community for over 30 years.

• • • • • • • • • • •

Privately owned and operated Full day, year-round programs - Infants - Toddlers - Preschool - Pre-K - Kindergarten Safe, Secure facility 3 outdoor playgrounds and an indoor gym Strong, academic curriculum Professional, degreed teaching staff and administrators Chef prepares snacks and Lunch on site Tuition assistance available for Pre-K and Kindergarten Sibling Discount Accredited with Quality by Georgia Accrediting Commission Current Cogina Accreditation Licensed by Bright from the Start Conveniently located in Dunwoody Village

Let us help you navigate your child’s education safely during this pandemic

770-396-2973 • www.dunwoodyprep.com 5493 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd. • Dunwoody, GA 30338

1 8 M O N T H S – 8 T H G RA D E

Continued from page 20 Spirit Preparatory School, Maddalena said 2020 helped her to have more patience and be grateful for the gifts we are given. “Teaching these online Zoom classes to younger children was certainly challenging at times for myself because I did not have much experience in this area and I was unsure if the children were really appreciating the classes half as much as the time and effort I was spending putting into them. However, I realized that if I was patient, then everything would work itself out the way it was meant to. Another thing I realized was how blessed I am to have been able to grow up with a wonderful gift such as dancing. Sharing that gift with younger children during the pandemic was really something special and it warmed my heart getting to see the smiles on the younger kids’ faces every time that I would teach a class.”

T

he pandemic couldn’t stop Zoe Glickman, 17, and her dedication to combating racism, anti-Semitism, and discrimination against the LGBTQ community. The North Atlanta High School senior developed the idea for a Black and Jewish student coalition and reached out to peers from both those groups as well as community leader to present the idea of a union. Despite the challenges of COVID-19 and social distancing, Zoe’s efforts resulted in the inception of the first student organization of its kind at North Atlanta. “The most valuable lesson that I’ve learned as a volunteer this year, is to take time to educate yourself rather than sitting and waiting for someone else to do it. By educating yourself, I mean taking time to listen to stories of people whose lives are far different than your own, as well as learning the history behind why a community might be hurt.”

Zoe Glickman

E

li Rubenstein, 16, was feeling isolated and lonely during the pandemic, so he came up with an idea to create an online community for LGBTQ teens – the only one of its kind in Georgia. Early last summer, the Ben Franklin Academy sophomore launched “The Closet,” an online chat for teens age 14 to 18 held every Friday and Saturday night. The online chat events are moderated by an LGBTQ adult to ensure the space is safe, appropriate, and fun. The chats have been such a success, that Eli hopes to create a hybrid of virtual and in-person chats post-pandemic. “Starting ‘The Closet,’ I was able to virtually connect with kids from Georgia who had similar interests and it really gave me a sense of community. We watched movies, talked, and were able to share what we were all going through during a really difficult time.

I’m really looking to connecting face to face with all the friends I’ve made online and expand our relationships.”

Eli Rubenstein

K

Some things have changed, but Springmont School still offers an authentic Montessori experience, where individualized learning inspires students to become creative, independent thinkers.

Virtual Open House Jan. 24 Applications due Feb.15 Contact admission@springmont.com or call 404.252.3910 for more info or a virtual tour.

ATLANTA’S F I R ST MONTE S SOR I SCHO OL

Kaili Stith

aili Stith, 12, organized a protest in Morningside against police brutality and racial injustice at the height of this summer’s demonstrations, rallying dozens of her classmates and neigbhors to participate. The Howard Middle School seventh grader also designed and commissioned the manufacturing of a line of shirts on Etsy called, Tee Shirts for Justice. The shirts sold out almost immediately and Kaili is using the proceeds to put together care packages for local women living in shelters. “I am looking forward to continuing protesting for human rights, but with a larger audience. I look forward to giving back in a way when I can interact with people face to face, that really just brightens up my day when I am able to see the impact I make.”

DUN

Education | 23

JANUARY 2021 ■ www.ReporterNewspapers.net

GCADP is a medical practice providing comprehensive evaluations for and management of a wide range of child, teen and young adult developmental and behavioral difficulties.

Our Services:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Language Delays • Attention Deecit Disorder (ADD)/Attention Deecit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD) • Anxiety, adjustment disorders and depression • Learning disorders, including dyslexia and other school-related challenges • Regulatory disorders, such as feeding problems or sleep disorders • Challenging and disruptive behaviors in preschool and school-aged children and teens We are now providing medical care for adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADD/ADHD Dr. Mark Moncino, MD FAAP is a board-certified pediatrician who understands developmental issues impact the entire family, not just the individual child.

We help the child and family grow together...and thrive!

WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US FOR OUR

VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE PRESCHOOL

JR.K-3RD GRADE

4TH-8TH GRADE

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21ST 9:00 AM

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21ST 1:00 PM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 22ND 1:00 PM

REGISTER BY VISITING: ATLANTAACADEMY.COM

6065 Roswell Rd, Suite 470, Sandy Springs (Northside Tower) For further information or an appointment www.gcadp.com

Since 1973, High Meadows has inspired children in Pre-K through 8th grade to think critically, learn creatively, act globally and live compassionately.

Our inquiry-based approach encourages children to ask the next question, to embrace intellectual challenge, to consider multiple perspectives, and to discover the wonders of life through experience.

Open House

January 24th from 2-4

24 | Education

Facebook.com/TheReporterNewspapers ■ twitter.com/Reporter_News

C

resilient

UNAPOLOGETICALLY Things have changed.

Yet, one thing remains the same.

Atlanta Girls’ School offers the best educational experience for girls grades 6-12 in Atlanta — onsite or online.

Accepting applications for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 school years.

Contact us today. admission@atlantagirlsschool.org

Schedule a tour today to experience Epstein for yourself.

At Epstein, students experience an exceptional education led by specialized STEAM and Hebrew language programs. The school prepares confident lifelong learners grounded in their unique Jewish identities.

harlie Kazazian, 16, received the Congressional Gold Medal this summer for his 400 hours of volunteer work with the nonprofits MedShare, Action Ministries, NFCC, Must Ministries. For the last few years, the Wesminster junior has worked with the nonprofit Mad Housers, which helps provide temporary shelter to the homeless by building individual wood huts. During the pandemic, Charlie downloaded the hut schematics and built a hut with his dad, which was then deployed to designated location in Atlanta. He said he wants to continue his volunteer work post-pandemic, including building more huts.

“Serving in this way has really helped me get through the pandemic.”

Charlie Kazazian

A

cademe of the Oaks senior Lucy Sackin, 18, is a budding social justice advocate and ally to black and trans women. During the pandemic, Lucy sprang into action following the tragic death of Oluwatoyin Salau, which inspired her to do more by organizing a GoFundMe to fund self-defense items for Black and trans women in Atlanta. Her goal was to raise enough money to supply self-defense products to 50 women since Black and trans women are at a high risk of assault.

She achieved her goal by using social media and via support from her classmates.

“Seeing the lack of response from our own government made me realize just how important it is to work directly with my community. I realized that mutual aid is the backbone of any social movement.

Protecting and supporting Black women and trans women is so important to me because I want to create more accepting and safe communities for everyone.”

Lucy Sackin

Brandon Hall School

DAY AND BOARDING SCHOOL • ATLANTA, GEORGIA

Our unique Life Skills program helps students develop important abilities in emotional intelligence, executive functioning, mindfulness, and coding.

335 COLEWOOD WAY NW | SANDY SPRINGS, GA 30328-2956 EPSTEINATLANTA.ORG

FIND YOUR PATH, Offering Rolling Admissions For LEAD THE WAY! JANUARY, SUMMER and FALL NICHE A+ SCHOOL GRADES 6 TO 12 SMALL CLASS SIZES IB AND AP COURSES www.brandonhall.org • 770 - 394 - 8177 • admissions@brandonhall.org

Education | 25

JANUARY 2021 ■ www.ReporterNewspapers.net ary Baptist Church, he has volunteer in food drives every Saturday since pandemic began and assisted with organizing virus testing for the community. He participated in marches against racial injustice both in Atlanta and Washington, D.C. and created his own company, Empire Films, to make a documentary, “Through the Black Lens,” about the impact COVID-19 has had on families and schools. All the profits received from the documentary will go to helping

Elli Moraitakis

T

he pandemic fueled Elli Moraitakis, 17, to continue serving her community with a focus on what could be done rather than what could not. Her first opportunity arose when The Schenck School needed their alumni to help encourage students struggling with virtual learning. Understanding the complex issues that dyslexia present, Elli presented via Zoom a list of successful tactics she was employing during the lockdown. She and her family helped pack 300 “Bags of Love” for the homeless with toiletries, socks, underwear, water, non-perishables and a handwritten word of encouragement or Bible verse. The Greater Atlanta Christian School junior also volunteered to package and deliver more than 3,000 orders during the virtual Greek Festival at her church, the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation. Over the holidays, she performed random acts of kindness to mark the 12 days of Christmas, including raking leaves, paying for someone’s food at the drive-thru, and buying blankets for the homeless. “Even in the hardest of days, there is always something good that can be done.”

John Edwards

J

ohn Edwards, 14, has devoted himself to helping others affected by the pandemic and racial injustice. At New Birth Mission-

communities and organizations such as Hosea Helps and the NAACP. A student at Dekalb Agricultural Technology and the Environment, said he was humbled by the people he met and things he witnessed during 2020. “The pandemic and 2020 in general, strengthened my resolve to give back to the community, specifically helping to cut down the shortage of food resources and every-

A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION • Rigorous International Baccalaureate curriculum from Preschool to Grade 12.

• A welcoming community with local roots and global reach.

• Full immersion Preschool and partial immersion Primary programs in Chinese, French, German, and Spanish.

aischool.org

day necessities, such as toilet paper.”

Revealing possibilities.

Photos taken before March 2020

2020_AISAd_Reporter_4.94x6.185_JAN.indd 1

12/11/20 3:12 PM

26 | Education

No one prepares a child for school like Kenan.

Facebook.com/TheReporterNewspapers ■ twitter.com/Reporter_News

Girls on the Run

Nonprofit keeps girls active and healthy despite pandemic challenges

BY CLARE S. RICHIE Girls’ confidence drops about twice as much as boys’ during adolescence and now COVID-19 has dramatically increased the number of teen girls reporting loneliness and isolation. Thankfully, Girls on the Run of Atlanta

(GOTR

said. “We have the quality, researchbased curriculum that intentionally addresses the challenges of being a girl, COVID-19 or not.”

For 20 years, GOTR Atlanta has delivered after-school programming focused on teaching

healthy

building

Atlan-

oneself and oth-

ing the pandemic

ers,

to still offer girls

to their commu-

week program that

nities.

incorporates physies personal development, promotes team building and connection, and culminates with a 5K. “Now more than ever girls really need us and we’re here for them,” GOTR

3160 Northside Parkway NW, Atlanta, GA 30327 | atlantaspeechschool.org

Atlanta Executive Director Lea Rolfes

mak-

ful contribution

grade a virtual 10-

cal activity, encourag-

and

ing a meaning-

in third to eighth

Register at atlantaspeechschool.org/kenan or 404-233-5332 ext. 3003.

confi-

dence, caring for

ta) pivoted dur-

See how the latest in early childhood education research is put into practice.

habits,

with

It

began

three

teams

and 30 girls and has since served 30,000 girls across four counties – Cobb, Fulton, DeKalb, and Gwinnett.

“My role has been to grow the organization to become more accessible to get more girls involved,” Rolfes said. “We offer full scholarships, financial assistance, running shoes, running

Your child will thrive at Trinity

bras and snacks. We’re about breaking down barriers to get girls committed to activity and connected with friends no matter their zip code, family situation, race or ethnicity.”

Each session is led by trained volunteer coaches who use physical activity

Serving children age three through Sixth Grade, Trinity School is Atlanta’s only private elementary-only school.

interspersed with dynamic discussions to guide and mentor the girls.

“We talk about anything and everything. How to be a good friend. Who we surround ourselves with. Our emotions are very important to us,” GOTR Atlan-

Begin your child’s journey today!

ta Board Member sand former coach

trinityatl.org/admissions

Kathryn Gilbert said.

The program attracts girls drawn to running and others drawn to the friendships and conversations about processing their emotions.

In response to the question, what would you tell your friends who weren’t in GOTR Atlanta, girls answered: “It’s

4301 Northside Parkway NW, Atlanta

fun, it teaches you ways to calm down

January 29

and interact with other girls. It’s also

APPLICATION DEADLINE

and reach a goal” a sixth grader said.

a good way to get some extra exercise “It’s supportive and helps teach you how to believe in yourself and be a better person,” a fifth grader responded.

Education | 27

JANUARY 2021 ■ www.ReporterNewspapers.net “My favorite thing is Interacting with my teammates because I never want to be lonely,” a third grader shared.

COVID-19 did have an impact. The nonprofit typically fields 100 teams in the fall, 140 in the spring. This fall, only 42 teams participated, with only two teams meeting in person. But through Zoom conversations and exercises like

Discover Marist Parent Information Sessions

lunges and jumping jacks at home, the girls pressed on. The other silver lining was that girls from schools or com-

Tuesday mornings via Zoom

munities that didn’t offer GOTR Atlanta joined eight open teams. The virtual format allowed for girls from Duluth, Mableton, and South Fulton to participate on the same team.

“For being completely virtual and just about all strangers, our girls did a phenomenal job becoming a team,” a coach shared. “They supported each other and really opened up, sharing personal anecdotes and details. It was amazing to watch and be part of.”

And at the end of fall season, the girls still came together for a celebratory virtual rae, “5K Your Way,” which recognized that not all girls had the

JANUARY 5, 12, 19

You want a school that’s the right fit.

We do too.

War Eagle Walking Tours

Varying weekday afternoons on campus JANUARY 4, 27, FEBRUARY 1

Open Forum Fridays

Serving grades 7–12, Marist School provides an education where achievement exists within a spirit of humility and generosity.

Students are challenged by an extensive college-preparatory curriculum and an array of extracurricular activities to prepare them to be compassionate and confident leaders.

Q&A with the Admissions Team via Zoom JANUARY 8, 15, 22

Application Deadline: January 25

REGISTER TODAY AT:

same access to a safe place to run.

“We mailed and shared via email – a bingo card of activities that they

marist.com/admissions An Independent Catholic School of the Marist Fathers and Brothers

could do at home. We had live workouts, dance parties and fun activities on our social media channels. Girls still got their bibs, their medals and finish-

Attend a Virtual Open House or Request a Tour.

er t-shirt. We had girls on bikes, on rollerblades, running laps around buildings and dancing in their living rooms.

DiscoverGAC.org

It was neat to see how they put an exclamation point on the end of the season,” Rolfes said.

Registration is open for the spring season, which begins on Feb. 15.

“We are trying to identify places where we can have practice – parks, churches or any public building – and implement protocols of masks and social distancing. We are hoping to have half of the teams meet in-person, half virtual. There is definitely going to be something for everyone – even if GOTR hasn’t been in your community before,” Rolfes said.

As the program builds back its number of teams, volunteers are needed to start a new site, become a coach, or support the staff.

“If someone feels called to join us, we can certainly use them,” Gilbert said.

For more information, visit girlsontherunatlanta.org.

DUN

Innovative | Rigorous | Faith-infused

28 | Education

Facebook.com/TheReporterNewspapers ■ twitter.com/Reporter_News

A Q&A with advocacy groups about APS’s in-person return

BY JOHN RUCH The public schools systems in Atlanta and DeKalb County are tentatively set to return to optional in-person classes in January, depending on the state of the COVID-19 pandemic, after months of advocacy by parents, teachers and staff.

Everyone agrees that in-person classes should resume, but when and how remains controversial.

In Atlanta, a group called We Demand Safety APS has advocated for better safeguards before an in-person return. Another called Committee for APS Progress has advocated for an immediate in-person option. The Reporter asked those

groups for their opinions about the return plan. The answers, which were edited for length and clarity, were provided by David Hayes, a Buckhead resident and chairman of Committee for APS Progress, and the steering committee of We Demand Safety APS: Markesha Daniel, Canek Fuentes Hernandez, Allison Glass, Laura LaHiff, Andy McIntyre, Jennifer Rogers-Givens, Sara Totonchi, Elizabeth Wickland, Sara Zeigler and Robin Deutsch Edwards.

Now that APS has set tentative in-person return dates, how much does that satisfy your group’s concerns?

FOR COLLEGE FOR LIFE FOR ETERNITY

Holy Spirit Prep’s 21st-century classical approach combines the latest in academic excellence with authentic Catholic teachings that enrich students’ hearts, minds and souls.

Committee for APS Progress: APS families have been shut out of schools for over 270 days and the option to return to face-to-face learning could not come soon enough. We were sitting in a similar situation in October, when the superintendent and Board of Education pulled the plug on that reopening plan and kept our schools closed to our children. We are cautiously optimistic, but have no faith in the superintendent or board that they will follow through with the current plan. We will believe when we see it.

We are fighting for the parents, students, teachers and staff who simply want the option to return to face-to-face learning.

One size does not fit all, and it doesn’t have to. The ramifications of this extended period of school closure will be felt for years to come.

We Demand Safety APS: The entire APS community would like to return to face-to-face learning; however, it is essential that it be done in a way that prioritizes equity, safety and health for staff, students and their families.

While we understand that there is tremendous pressure to reopen schools, we want to be sure this is done in an equitable manner that centers the needs and concerns of the most vulnerable among us.

Based on what was shared in the APS community Town Hall on Dec. 3, we appreciate that APS is prioritizing and funding upgrades to HVAC systems for all schools, developing a COVID-19 testing plan, and identifying a capacity cap for all schools of 60%. However, it is critical that efforts be made to improve transparency and communication.

Committee for APS Progress: Our first priority is to give parents, students, teachers and staff the option to make their own personal decision on returning to face-to-face learning. This can be done safely by following the CDC guidelines. Right now there is no option.

There will be COVID-19 cases in schools once they reopen. We fully expect there to be periods of quarantine and shortterm closures. This is why a mitigation and isolation plan is vital. Volumes of recent public health research and studies tell us school is actually the safest for children during the pandemic and that face-to-face learning actually reduces overall community spread.

What is the most urgent concern that motivates your advocacy?

We Demand Safety APS: We would like the district and individual schools to be transparent about their aspirations for how in-person learning will be conducted versus what it will actually look like in schools. And in the push to return to in-person instruction, the most urgent concern should be the safety and needs of APS staff to ensure a successful learning environment for students. Voices and expertise of APS staff should be solicited and amplified, affirming success and innovation around virtual teaching and learning -- and the expertise should be shared across the entire district so all schools can benefit and implement the safest and best educational models for learning in this unprecedented time.

Serving Preschool to 12th grade students

COME SEE WHAT’S NEW! Schedule your Private Tour today. www.holyspiritprep.org 678.761.7992

Committee for APS Progress: We have seen a dramatic loss of learning and development in students at all levels from this extended period of school closures. Despite the hard work of APS teachers and staff, virtual learning is no substitute for face-to-face learning.

Major concerns about in-person return timing are public health and quality of education. What are your points of agreement with those concerns and where do you differ with other advocates?

We Demand Safety APS: We recognize that there are children who would benefit greatly from face-toface instruction, especially children with disabilities and special learning needs, our youngest learners, those without adult supervision at home, those with internet connectivity issues, and those struggling with mental health concerns.

We remain steadfast in our belief that the entire APS community would like to return to face-to-face learning; however, it is essential that it be done in a way that prioritizes equity, safety and health for staff, students and their families.

Recent studies suggest that while schools do not drive the spread of COVID-19 in communities where schools have been opened, they do mirror the rates of transmission of COVID-19 within their communities. We urge APS to engage state governmental and public health leadership in Georgia to prioritize supporting schools with additional resources to implement testing and contact tracing strategies.

What has your group learned from the Fulton County School System, which has returned to in-person classes but also had to close many schools?

We Demand Safety APS: One of the major lessons we have Continued on Page 30 DUN

Education | 29

JANUARY 2021 ■ www.ReporterNewspapers.net

CREATE YOUR PATH EVERY CHILD’S EDUCATION IS A UNIQUE JOURNEY.

At Woodward, we provide the compass.

IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL LEARNING Woodward is dedicated to creating a safe, healthy setting for children to learn and flourish, with virtual options for families who choose to stay remote. Schedule a virtual tour today!

Main Campus, College Park, Pre-K to 12 Woodward North, Johns Creek, Pre-K to 6 404.765.4001 WOODWARD.EDU

Confidence

By Building Character

During this time of uncertainty, we are even more committed to empowering students as they design a better world.

Schedule a virtual visit or call today. mountvernonschool.org/admissions Photo Taken Fall 2019 DUN

30 | Education

faith

kindness friendships uniqueness possibilities milestones growing up n

2-year-olds through 8th grade

n

Personalized attention and instruction

n

Unique opportunities to pursue passions

n

Strong spiritual formation

Facebook.com/TheReporterNewspapers ■ twitter.com/Reporter_News

WHOLE HEART

ED

ON-CAMPUS PREVIEW EVENTS EARLY CHILDHOOD Saturday, Jan. 23 | 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

ELEMENTARY & MIDDLE Sunday, Jan. 24 | 1 - 4 p.m.

Pre-register at stmartinschool.org

Continued from page 28 learned from school reopening efforts across the U.S. is that schools need to have a detailed mitigation strategy for ensuring the COVID transmissions can be prevented and detected rapidly. When schools do not put multiple mitigation strategies in place, such as 100% mask wearing, testing, and creative scheduling (e.g., cohorts, alternating or staggered schedules) to provide social distancing, COVID can spread -- putting too many people at risk.

Committee for APS Progress: Obviously, COVID-19 cases are going to be a fixture of the next several months.

The key is mitigation and isolation.

What Fulton County and countless other school districts locally and nationally have shown us is 1) face-to-face learning can happen during this pandemic, and 2) the importance of a plan for mitigation at the school level. APS has not shown such a plan. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing.

Unfortunately, there will COVID-19 cases when APS schools reopen; this will be true despite the diligent work and planning of the individual school principals.

However, all the research shows that open schools don’t contribute to community spread. Instead, research has shown us that open schools are actually linked to reduction of community spread.

Once the pandemic ends, are there any long-term changes to education policies or practices you would see coming from your advocacy?

Committee for APS Progress: Once schools reopen, the damage done to our students through school closure needs to be addressed and a plan for making up for this loss needs to be implemented. In the long term, we will be focused on electing an APS board that won’t allow politics to drive its decisions, that will hold the superintendent accountable, and that will make educating students its top priority.

We Demand Safety APS: We hope that the voices and expertise of APS staff and the APS community are solicited and amplified beyond the current crisis. APS staff has shown great resilience and creativity during the pandemic and success stories should be acknowledged and recognized.

This pandemic has reminded all of us of the essential roles that teachers and schools play in our society -- and how under-resourced schools are. It is time for us to consistently reward dedicated education professionals and ensure that our state resources prioritize funding for all public schools and teachers so that all students in Georgia can benefit equally.

DUN

Classifieds | 31

JANUARY 2021 ■ www.ReporterNewspapers.net

HELP WANTED

HOME SERVICES DIRECTORY All Gutter Cleanings include gutter repairs and spider web knockdowns

First time clients save $15

Kitchen Bathroom Basement

Showroom, Design, Build

404-910-3969

CARLOS LAZARRE (706)572-4023

SHOWROOM

IN HOME CONSULTATION

www.RemodelingExpo.com

48 KING STREET ROSWELL, GA 30075

Belco Electric

reliablegutterguy@gmail.com Free estimates

FREE ESTIMATES

LICENSED & INSURED

• Family Owned since 1972 • Fast, Dependable Service by Professional, Uniformed Electricians

770-455-4556

Check out our new website www.BelcoInc.com and follow us on

404.355.1901

CURT GOFF

404-565-3765 | goffcurtis007@gmail.com Paramountroofingandconsulting.com

Small Jobs & Chores are My Specialties!

7 AM

Building Material Replacement Specialists

appointments available

404-547-2079 Mwarren8328@gmail.com

wood and vinyl

DOORS

Handyman Services

steel fiberglass wood

Moving & delivery too!

COMPOSITE DECKING

No job too small References Available

howard kaufman hkaufman@randallbrothers.com 4 0 4 -69 5-8 62 4

803-608-0792

Cornell Davis, Owner

Organizers • Carpentry Drywall • Painting

Troy Holland 770.256.8940

Plumbing

Senior Discount

Electrical HVAC

All your needs!

REPAIRS • REPLACEMENT NEW INSTALLATION

Family Operated - 38 Years Experience COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL

“Serving Metro Atlanta Since 1998”

To advertise in this section, call 404-917-2200 ext 110 DUN

CAREGIVER Caregiver, Sitter & Companion Available for your loved ones! Certified with Great References. Call Deidre Kimbro 404-397-9429 - Available Today.

SERVICES AVAILABLE Driveways and Walkways - Replaced or repaired. Masonry, grading, foundations repaired, waterproofing or retaining walls.

Call Joe Sullivan 770-616-0576.

• SIDING • GUTTERS

770-939-5634

• ROOFING

3910 Lawrenceville Hwy, Tucker GA 30084

CEMETERY PLOTS

• WINDOWS

www.paintingplus.com

Compassionate Caregiver/ Light Housekeeping for elderly woman who has pleasant personality. Some meal prep. 770-393-4578, resume to jimknocke@gmail.com.

Best Rate Painting - We beat all estimates!! Room as low as $175.00, Exterior as low as $1,750.00. 25 years’ experience. Free estimates and NO money down. 10% off with this ad. Call 404-434-8941. bestratepaint@bellsouth.net or visit www.bestratepainting.com

• PAINTING

770-971-1577

Asian Market Research Analyst Baily International of Atlanta Inc. seeks an Asian Market Research Analyst to study Asian consumers’ spending & consumption habits and types; analyze Asian ethnic groups to develop marketing strategies and campaigns; conduct competitive analysis research on pricing, costs of the product origins; review and analyze sales data on Asian foods, groceries and restaurant supplies for management decisions. Must be able to speak, read, and write Chinese.

40/hrs/wk. Min. Bachelor’s degree or its foreign equivalent degree with 2 years of marketing or sales experience. Resumes to 3312 N Berkeley Lake Rd. Ste B, Duluth, GA 30096

ASSISTANT NEEDED

WINDOWS

www.WindowCleanAtl.com

CLAIM SPECIALIST

Matthew’s Handy Services

Winter Clean-up Special

Atlanta’s Premier • Window Cleaning since 1968 • Gutter Cleaning • Pressure Washing • Family Owned • Licensed and Insured • FREE ESTIMATES

"Your Roof Needs Us - We're a Company You Can Trust"

Operations Research Analyst Merotec, Inc. seeks Operations Research Analyst to research market conditions for potential sales of outdoor power equipment; apply mathematical and analytical methods (Artificial and Business Intelligence) to improve and streamline decision making process; create detailed system functional document, monitor e-commerce business to manage orders, financials, returns, and customer service; gathering and analyzing data management to support sales metrics and track reports. Must have Master of science plus 1 year of experience as business or actuarial analyst. 40 hrs/week. Resume to 3655 Kennesaw N. Industrial Parkway, Kennesaw, GA 30144

WINDOWS

Windows And Doors Buy with confidence!

Visit our showroom in Tucker!

quinnwindows.com

Cemetery space available below cost. Oakhill section at Arlington Memorial Park - Sandy Springs. $6500. Call Cindy 423-290-3865.

LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED BONDED & INSURED PROFESSIONAL & RELIABLE Serving Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, Buckhead, Brookhaven, and Peachtree Corners

MrHandyman.com (770) 852-5453

RECENTLY REDUCED! For Sale Two Privately owned burial sites in Sandy Springs Arlington Cemetery - Serenity Section. Lots 133D1 & 133D2 - $7,500 sold together or $4,000 each if sold separately.

Priced well below sales price for sites in the cemetery. Contact 770266-8645, J.F.RISHER.

| 32

JANUARY 2021 â– www.ReporterNewspapers.net

LEADING CARE CLOSE TO HOME. At Northside, we believe dedicated care makes a difference. Our teams of trusted physicians offer expert, compassionate care that puts you first. From innovative technologies to advanced treatments, our network of providers delivers the highest standard of care to your community.

Schedule your virtual or in-person visit today.

Our Locations Laureate Medical Group Natanel Leibu, MD Stephen D. Skjei, MD

6135 Barfield Road, Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30328 404-649-6999

Pulmonary & Critical Care of Atlanta 960 Johnson Ferry Road NE, Suite 500 Atlanta, GA 30342 404-257-0006 pccatl.net

laureatemed.com

Northside Hospital Orthopedic Institute – Sports Medicine

Southeastern Neurosurgical Specialists

Joseph Powers, MD

Kumar Vasudevan, MD

960 Johnson Ferry Road NE, Suite 415 Sandy Springs, GA 30342 1-855-NH-SPORT

980 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 490 Atlanta, GA 30342 404-254-3160

sportsmedicine.northside.com

DUN

se-neurosurgical.com

Urology Specialists of Atlanta 5673 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Suite 910 Atlanta, GA 30342 404-255-3822 urologyspecialistsatlanta.com