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Reforms anew Milton County back on the map? COMMUNTY 4

Laying an egg? Ethics reform like Easter Bunny, says Rep. Wilkinson COMMUNITY 5

Up in arms Readers sound off over gun control

Sandy Springs Reporter

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FEB. 8 — FEB. 21, 2013 • VOL. 7 — NO. 3

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Pretty in Pink

COMMENTARY 8-9

Wild things ‘Mixed-up’ animals come alive in book AROUND TOWN 10

Heart strings Group hits high notes for Valentine’s Day COMMUNITY 11

Bible verses Clergy share favorite scripture ‘love stories’ FAITH 12-13

Speak easy Actors ‘blossom’ with this theater company OUT & ABOUT 14-15

Summer Camps

A special advertising section PAGES 18-21

Holy Spirit Episcopal School’s varsity cheerleaders, from left, Bailey Garthune, Catie Johnson, Kelsey Falconer, Rhett Jerrum, Sabrina Angelo, and, back, Emily Schulte, cheer on members of the girls’ basketball team during a game against Heritage High School on Feb. 1. The annual “Pink Benefit Game” raised funds for St. Joseph’s Mercy Care Services. Holy Spirit won the game 35-26.

City approves $84 million downtown plan BY DAN WHISENHUNT

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PHIL MOSIER

County, cities pursuing radio systems BY DAN WHISENHUNT

danwhisenhunt@reporternewspapers.net

danwhisenhunt@reporternewspapers.net

The city will soon move forward on a plan to build its downtown almost from scratch, a project expected to cost taxpayers $84 million over the next decade. During its regular meeting Feb. 5, City Council voted to approve the first phase of the city center plan after receiving assurances that members will be informed of the progress and costs as it unfolds. The price does not include the cost of building a City Hall. The vote was unanimous. “Go for it,” Mayor Eva Galambos told City Manager John McDonough after the vote. “It’s going to be fun,” Councilman John Paulson said. The resolution gives McDonough permission to move ahead,

North Fulton County taxpayers may in the near future pay for two separate radio systems covering the same area. Officials with Fulton County and its northern cities say building two parallel systems and making taxpayers pay twice for the same service is unavoidable. Officials with the cities and the county say partnership possibilities exist. What kind of partnership opportunities? Neither side has a definitive answer. The north Fulton cities that signed the governmental agreement are Sandy Springs, Alpharetta, Roswell and Milton. Both are forging ahead with no plan to curb redundant costs. Fulton County anticipates a $22 million to $26 million cost for

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