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APRIL 28 - MAY 11, 2017 • VOL. 9 — NO. 9
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Brookhaven Reporter Learn About Our Local Birds ► Mom-and-pop concession stand hits a home run PAGE 4 ► Happy surprise: Braves traffic scoring well so far PAGE 6
Join us for family friendly guided bird walks along the trails at Overlook Park and backyard birding programs held at Lost CHOA Corner Preserve. faces
Smart biking basics
questions about planned Bird Programs expansion Lost Corner Preserve
Bird Walks
Morgan Falls Overlook Park
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Join the Atlanta Audubon Society for family friendly guided BIRD WALKS along the trails at Overlook Park. Binoculars will be available to borrow. WINTER BIRD WALK
The last month of the winter will offer opportunities to see waterfowl and eagles.
Saturday March 4, 2017
8:30-10:30 AM
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s request to have 11.4 acres of unincorporated DeKalb County property annexed into the ACKYARD IRDING city of Brookhaven for a new office building has area residents concerned about the traffic congestion at the busy I-85 and North Druid Hills interchange that has burdened the area for years. More than 50 people living near the proposed annexation site attended an
Join us at Lost Corner Preserve learn about B B from a lo birding expert! THE 10 COMMON BIRDS OF ATLANTA
Saturday March 25, 2017
10 a.m.-12:00 p
See CHOA on page 10
ALL ABOUT BLUEBIRDS
10 a.m.-12:00 p Congressional HOW TO MAXIMIZE YOUR BIRD FEEDER Opportunities to look for spring migrants and the race revives arrival of summer nesting species. Saturday May 13, 2017 10 a.m.-12:00 p talk of purple STANDOUT STUDENTSaturday April 22, 2017 8:30-10:30 OUTAM & ABOUT COSTPerimeter : $12.00 each program Teen’s service See these in SPRING BIRD WALK
Saturday April 8, 2017 PHIL MOSIER
Nedra Deadwyler of Georgia Bikes, left, explains proper helmet use to resident Natalie Asanti during the Smart Bicycling class and ride April 22 at Blackburn Park. The bicycling advocacy nonprofit teamed with the city’s Parks and Recreation Department for the event, which drew a group of residents who learned about bicycle riding and repair, then took a ride through the neighborhood.
began at age 5
COST : These Bird Walks Are Free! I would like to see [politiyour cal ads] focus more on the pertinent issues affecting Georgians instead AGES : 6 AND... UP of solely focusing on PARTICIPANTS UNDER AGE 16 their political parties.
yard
BY JOHN RUCH AND DYANA BAGBY
BirdKaren Walks areandprovided Republican Handel Democrat by Jon OssoffAtlanta are headedAudubon to a June 20Society runoff u election for the 6th Congressional District contract with Sandy Sp seat in a race that gained national attenRecreation region and Parks tion for a majority-GOP nearly Departm turning blue. For locals, the idea of the Perimeter turning purple is a familiar political theme. Last fall, state Senators Hunter Hill (RSmyrna) and Fran Millar (R-Dunwoody) won surprisingly close races against little-known
MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT.
How useful were IN AX campaign ads? Congressional Residents speak out.
M / M : 6/20 Page 20
See COMMENTARY, Page 14 Page 19 Call 770-730-5600 for more information.
See CONGRESSIONAL on page 22
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2 | Community
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Community Briefs CITY SEEKS D R ESDEN V I L L AG E L AWS UI T DI S M I S S A L
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The city of Brookhaven denies it did anything illegal when it rezoned a parcel on Dresden Drive for a mixed-use development and says added activity in the area one resident predicts in a lawsuit is part of “normal, urban growth and development.” In its April 11 court filing in DeKalb County Superior Court, the city says a lawsuit filed by resident Steve Pepmiller should be dismissed because his allegations that his neighborhood will be inundated with traffic, that schools and utilities will be overburdened and that his property values will be lowered are “mere inconveniences that are insufficient to establish standing as a matter of law.” Pepmiller’s attorney did not return a call seeking comment. Pepmiller, who lives on Caldwell Road adjacent to Dresden Drive, sued the city in February alleging the city illegally zoned the nearly 4-acre parcel of land where the DeKalb tag office is currently located. The rezoning makes way for the construction of a 5-story complex with 169 apartments and retail shops on the ground floor. The development will also include a six-level parking deck, seven for-sale townhouses facing Caldwell Road and the Dixie Moon restaurant on Caldwell Road. The city, in its motions to dismiss, denies the allegations and says Pepmiller does not have standing to sue. The city’s attorneys further say that Pepmiller fails to identify in his lawsuit how the development would directly affect him differently than his neighbors. They say his lawsuit should be dismissed. “In short, Plaintiff’s interest amounts to nothing more than that of a ‘champion of a community’ who seeks to have regulations strictly enforced for the ‘benefit of the general welfare of the community or general enhancement of property values.’ … His claims should therefore be dismissed,” according to the city.
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The City Council recently awarded a $187,022 contract to Sustainable Water Planning and Engineering to come up with a plan to clean up the North Fork Peachtree Creek watershed. The study and plan is slated to be completed by May 2018 and includes several projects: evaluate and characterize watershed conditions; identify problems, impairments and threats; identify causes and sources that may impact the watershed’s health; hold two public meetings to discuss the project; determine strategies to maintain and restore the health of the watershed; identify funding sources; and develop the watershed improvement plan. North Fork Peachtree Creek is considered “impaired waters” due to, among other issues, the presence of fecal coliform bacteria. Arrow Creek, a major tributary to North Fork Peachtree Creek within the city of Chamblee, also is listed as impaired for fecal coliform bacteria. The watershed study will assess potential sources for water quality impairment and develop a prioritized list of capital improvement projects intended to improve water quality and maintain the high quality of life enjoyed in Brookhaven. The study will coincide with the recently approved Peachtree Creek Greenway Plan.
R ECO R D -SETTING $4 .7M PAV ING C O NT R A C T A P P R O V ED The City Council on April 12 approved a $4.7 million contract to C.W. Matthews for paving of 59 streets, the most in the city’s four-year history. Paving of more than 10 miles this year is expected to begin in June. Since Brookhaven’s founding in 2012, 18.8 percent of the city’s 120 miles of roads have been repaved. With an additional 10.7 miles of resurfacing, rehabilitation or reconstruction planned in 2017, nearly 28 percent of Brookhaven’s city roads will be less than 4 years old. Brookhaven uses a Pavement Condition Index (PCI) to determine the quality of the asphalt of the road on a scale of 0 to 100, with 100 representing the best condition possible. This approach uses a scientific criteria for prioritizing road repairs and improvements. The approval of the $4.7 million contract to C.W. Matthews means paving work should begin in June, shortly after the end of the school year, to minimize traffic impact. Weather permitting, paving on all 59 streets should be substantially completed in September, with final repairs and punch-list items completed by November. BK
APRIL 28 - MAY 11, 2017
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Community | 3
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City Council approves revised Ashford-Dunwoody corridor study BY DYANA BAGBY dyanabagby@reporternewspapers.net
A revised Ashford-Dunwoody Corridor Study that does not include any recommended major modifications to the unusual Johnson Ferry Road intersection was approved by the City Council on April 24. The vote completes the approximately year-long, $125,000 study conducted by Gresham, Smith and Partners that aims to make the busy thoroughfare a more walkable and bikable corridor as well as seeking ways to alleviate congestion. A draft version of the study recommended realigning the X-shaped intersection of Ashford-Dunwoody and Johnson Ferry roads by creating new bypass roads behind the Kroger and Publix shopping centers. Backlash from residents and business owners led Mayor John Ernst to pull those recommendations completely from the study. “The concept is not ripe yet,” Mayor John Ernst said at a council work session April 12. Ernst said that although the proposed plans are good to have in place for planning and applying for grants, the future of the intersection is dependent on the redevelopment of the shopping areas around the Kroger and Publix grocery stores. Redevelopment of those properties may be 10 or more years in the future and more ably handled by a future City Council, Ernst added. “I think we eliminate it and let a future council deal with it,” he said. Ernst also said feedback he received from the public was overwhelmingly opposed to the long-term vision for the intersection. City Councilmember Linley
Jones suggested keeping the long-term plans for the intersection in an appendix, or to table that section for later action. But the mayor shot down those suggestions, saying he was concerned residents would believe the council was trying to deceive them. “If we table it, people will see it as a ruse,” Ernst said. The long-term proposal would have let most north-south traffic circumvent the Johnson Ferry intersection completely by creating new roads behind the Publix grocery store and the Cambridge Square shopping center, where Kroger is the anchor store. The existing intersection would remain for shopping access and east-west traffic. Representatives from both the Cambridge Square and Publix properties addressed the council in recent weeks and said having such a vision on the books would hurt their businesses and cause tenants to abandon their spaces. In an April 25 interview, Ernst said the history of the odd Ashford-Dunwoody/ Johnson Ferry intersection dates back to the mid-1900s when Lynwood Park was an African-American enclave and Jim Crow laws affected travel. Black people were forced to use Johnson Ferry Road and white people used what is now Ashford-Dunwoody Road, he said. “And that’s why we have that weird intersection.” “My understanding … from oral history … is that Osborne Road was once Johnson Ferry Road and there used to be a bridge [over Nancy Creek] to connect to Lynwood Park,” he said. DeKalb County eventually stopped maintaining the bridge, isolating Lynwood Park and leading to what is now Windsor Parkway as the communi-
ty’s only point of ingress and egress, according to a 2008 Georgia State University history thesis by Veronica Menezes Holmes titled, “Stories of Lynwood Park.” “From my limited history [including reading this thesis] and from what I have heard, [white people] always isolated pockets of African Americans … they wanted to control or monitor them, which led to different roads because of the Jim Crow laws,” Ernst said. At the April 12 work session, Councilmember Bates Mattison asked that the corridor study include a clear message in an introduction or executive summary stating the city would work with property owners before any designs and plans are implemented as a way to assuage anxiety. City Manager JOHN ERNST Christian Sigman MAYOR
ing lanes to create one longer dedicated left turn lane and one left/through/right lane. The short-term plan also includes relocating an existing narrow median divider to prevent left turns into Publix from southbound Ashford-Dunwoody Road and separate northbound and southbound traffic; and improve the existing mid-block pedestrian crossing near Kadleston Way to include a small refuge island and pedestrian crossing signal. A change expected to occur by the end of this year, but not part of the city’s Ashford-Dunwoody Corridor Study, is installation of a concrete island installed at the intersection of Donaldson Drive and Johnson Ferry Road. The island will only allow people driving on Donaldson Drive toward Johnson Ferry Road to turn right onto Johnson Ferry Road toward I-285. City officials said the installation of the concrete island was mandated years ago before Brookhaven became a city as part of the Brookleigh development, a 56acre master-planned community owned by the Housing Authority of DeKalb County.
I think we eliminate it and let a future council deal with it... If we table it, people will see it as a ruse.
agreed that would be prudent, saying the corridor study is a “visioning document” and that there will be public engagement before any plans in the study are developed. The short-term plans for the Johnson Ferry Road intersection adopted by the council include: extending the right lane on northbound Ashford-Dunwoody Road from south of the Publix grocery store to Johnson Ferry Road and restriping exist-
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Perimeter Business A monthly section focusing on business in the Reporter Newspapers communities
PHOTOS BY DYANA BAGBY
Left, Carol and Bill Gregoire sell concessions at Dunwoody Senior Baseball. For nearly two decades, they sold concessions at Murphey Candler Park for the girls softball league. Right, Carol Gregoire makes one of her signature grilled cheese sandwiches.
Mom-and-pop concession stand hits home run at Dunwoody ballfields BY DYANA BAGBY dyanabagby@reporternewspapers.net
As the loud “pings” of aluminum bats sound in the distance, Carol Gregoire takes an order through a window from a mom wanting a pickle and some pickle juice for her toddler. Carol serves up the pickle in a small foam cup for a dollar. She tells the woman, who’s dressed in shorts and a T-shirt, that she hopes the young one enjoys it. It’s another Saturday at the ballfields in Dunwoody Park. Carol and her husband, Bill, are working the concession stand, selling hot dogs, chips, candy and, yes, pickles and pickle juice, to baseball players and their family and friends sitting in the stands. “On a beautiful Saturday or Sunday, we’re out with the community and watching baseball,” Carol said during a lull. “What’s not to like?” This is not your fancy chef-driven or chain-restaurant concession stand where a hamburger can cost $12 or more, such as the ones at the new SunTrust Park. Carol and Bill, who don’t have an official name for their for-profit concession business, sell sodas and candy bars for $1.25, cheeseburgers for $4 and even peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for $2. Carol is a bookkeeper at Dunwoody Elementary School and Bill drives a bus for the DeKalb County School District. Their daughter, Katherine, 25, is a teacher at
Dunwoody High School and occasionally who was in her 80s and had run the conceshelps out at the stand. sion stand business for Dunwoody Senior Carol and Bill have been in the conBaseball for years, was ready to finally recession stand business for some 20 years, tire, Weiner told them. beginning at Murphey Candler Park in “So we came and worked with Miss BetBrookhaven, where they live. Carol played ty last spring to learn the ropes and decidsoftball as a girl on the fields there and ed to do it,” Carol said. “This is on a much when her daughter signed up to play, Carsmaller scale than at Murphey Candler. It’s ol signed up to help. much more laid back and definitely someShe began selling snacks and drinks thing the two of us can do.” at the Murphey Candler Girls Softball DSB does not charge the Gregoires rent Association games and tournaments to use the stand, a simple building set up with other volunteer parents and did so between the two baseball fields at Dunfor about eight years. woody Park. The family purchases the food When the association decided to get out it sells, marks it up and keeps any profits. of the concession business 12 years ago, “I wouldn’t say we make a huge amount Carol recruited Bill to run their own literof money,” she said. “But it is enough to al mom-and-pop business. give us extra stuff and to give us nice famLast year, some ily vacations. I can see us doing this Murphey Candler when we can retire.” leagues decided they Carol said she takes a simple wanted local restauapproach to pricing. She wants a rant Café at Pharr to family to be able to eat at the park take over the concesfor around $20 because she knows sion business. Carol money is not always a luxury. and Bill thought their “Who wants to pay $30 for a other career was over. park meal? For that amount, I may Jerry Weiner, presas well go to a restaurant and have ident of Dunwoody a margarita,” she said. Senior Baseball, how“I may sell a drink for $1 and ever, had other ideas. someone else sells it for $2, but He called Carol and I know I am making money on asked if she would be that $1 and that I’m not trying willing to take over to gouge you,” she added. “I just DYANA BAGBY concessions for their ask myself, ‘What would we pay The menu at the Gregoires’ league. “Miss Betty,” if we went out?’” concession stand.
Over the years, customers have told Carol they wanted healthier food options. She does sell protein bars for $2.50, but attempts to sell items like salads or healthy drinks were largely unsuccessful. A major reason Carol said she decided to go into the concession business all those years ago was to provide jobs for her son and daughter, who started working at the stand wrapping burgers and working the window in their early teens. Katherine still helps out when she can. Carol credits the concession stand business for also keeping her and her husband young. They don’t have a cash register and count money in their heads. The children and teens they see at the ball park are many of the same ones they see at their jobs in the school system. The job is not just candy and sodas, however. The hours are long — especially after putting in a long day at school or driving a bus. Working seven days a week is also not unusual, so rooting for a rain-out is not frowned upon in their household. “We like rain outs,” Carol said with a grin. “But we also know there will be makeup games.” Does Carol have a specialty? Some coaches and players tell her she makes a “mean grilled cheese sandwich,” she said. And when it’s not busy, Bill said he likes to pull up a chair outside and watch a game while working on a crossword puzzle. “Sometimes we can just enjoy the day,” he said.
Perimeter Business | 5
APRIL 28 - MAY 11, 2017 ■ www.ReporterNewspapers.net
Perimeter Business A monthly section focusing on business in the Reporter Newspapers communities
Business groups work to bring millennials into the boardroom BY JOHN RUCH johnruch@reporternewspapers.net
At a Leadership Sandy Springs event in February, a speaker delivered a familiar message: The millennial generation is important to Perimeter cities and businesses. Also familiar was the lack of many millennials in the audience of business and political leaders. But this time, one of them spoke up — Samantha Marks, the marketing and social media manager for Sandy Springs Hospitality and Tourism. She expressed her generation’s desire to get involved in city leadership, “but I’m the only person in the room” from the age group, and said she objected to the term “millennial” and its stereotypes. The speaker, Lee Fisher of Ohio-based CEOs for Cities, said Marks had a point. “For too many years, cities have patronized young generations,” Fisher said, describing millennials as placed at the “kid’s table. It’s like Thanksgiving all over again.” The millennials don’t have the patience for that, he added. “We’re in a time [where] we need to have millennials at your table, not at the kid’s table,” he said. Perimeter-area business associations are working hard to bring millennials to the table. Some, like the Dunwoody Perimeter Chamber, still are trying to attract their first millennial board members. Others have been more successful, like the Buckhead Business Association, where 2018 board president-elect Chris Godfrey is a millennial. But, experts say, millennial leadership in business organization is easier said than done. There are challenges on both sides of the equation, they say, as old-school business groups meet a generation that is used to individual impact and instant gratification. It’s also a generation that seeks to be appreciated without being stereotyped — a tricky balance for an organization to pull off. For those that do, says Godfrey, the millennial representation pays off. “It matters a lot, absolutely, because we want to stay relevant,” he said of his
Buckhead association.
Repping a generation Like most generational labels, “millennial” is a term from marketing and demographics, with definitions that vary somewhat among those who measure such things. Mark Kooyman, CEO at the Athensbased EXPERIENCE Discovery Group, a branding and marketing consultant to major corporations, defines the generation as those born in 1979 through 1994 — now ages 23 through 38. More important than specific ages, Kooyman says, is that’s a big generation — about 76 million people — that is now hitting its peak of societal influence. About 98 percent of babies born this year are coming from millennial parents, he said, and millennials are likely the largest share of the workforce and possibly the largest taxpaying base. “A firm or organization that doesn’t inContinued on page 8
Lee Fisher, head of CEOs for Cities, discusses millennials at a February event hosted by Leadership Sandy Springs.
JOHN RUCH
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Braves traffic is more dream than ‘nightmare’ BY JOHN RUCH johnruch@reporternewspapers.net
The Braves stadium traffic dreaded for years as a potential “nightmare” turned out to be a dream over the team’s first week of home games, starting with the April 14 opener. While officials say it’s still too early to have solid data or completely relax, SunTrust Park’s light traffic has surprised many and paved the way for boosts to the local hotel business. Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul, who repeatedly predicted initial traffic would be a “disaster,” had a different perspective at the April 18 City Council meeting. “It’s not over yet, but so far, it’s been a non-event as far as traffic impacts on Sandy Springs,” he said. Reed Haggard, the president of Sandy Springs’ Riverside Homeowners Association, hosted a forum last fall that drew more than 250 residents expressing traffic fears. “Braves traffic hasn’t been much of an issue,” Haggard said last week. “No
Stationed on Powers Ferry Road at Northside Drive, Sandy Springs Police Officer Tim Taylor spent most of his time near his cruiser, not directing the light traffic.
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Perimeter Business | 7
APRIL 28 - MAY 11, 2017 ■ www.ReporterNewspapers.net
PHIL MOSIER
Traffic heading west on the Perimeter toward the new SunTrust Park in the distance from Sandy Springs’ New Northside Drive interchange was lighter than a Friday rush hour norm. This photo was taken around 6 p.m., 90 minutes before game time.
doubt, ‘regular’ traffic is on the rise,” he added. That “regular” traffic includes increased congestion on the “top end” Perimeter as repairs continue on the collapsed section of I-85 in Atlanta. Yet Opening Day traffic was below average at the interchange of I-285 and Northside Drive on the Cobb County line, where Sandy Springs officials feared the worst impacts. “The traffic this evening is lighter than usual,” said Sandy Springs Police Officer Leon Millholland, standing next to his car in the interchange with little to do only 90 minutes before game time. “We were expecting more congestion than is here.” Dave Rossman is the general manager of the Wyndham Atlanta Galleria hotel, located smack dab in the middle of the interchange. “Traffic’s not been that bad,” Rossman said. “Traffic seems to be moving very well.” Also going pretty well is the hotel business. When first reached for traffic comment, Rossman couldn’t talk – he was riding a hotel shuttle bus full of guests heading to a Braves game. Why has traffic worked so well? It’s hard to say yet, with a few factors in play. The Braves and local governments put considerable effort into various traffic strategies and tactics, from stadium entrance placement to new signage. Traffic back-up fears may have scared away people who would otherwise have driven through the area, or the fears might have been overblown to begin with. Michael Hunter, a traffic engineering professor at Georgia Tech, said he has not formally studied the stadium’s traffic plan, but his professional instinct is that the Braves got it right. “I would say it is not luck, but a function of well thought-out planning,” Hunter said of the stadium’s traffic. He pointed to the stadium’s multiple entrances, dispersed parking lots, and adjacent commercial complex as good strategies for spreading out traffic across several
hours and different roadways. The Braves were happy to take credit for good planning. Team spokesperson Beth Marshall also pointed to the later game times, advance parking sales and use of the Waze navigation app, along with coordination with government agencies. “This combination of planning, education, execution and the cooperation of our fans and those in the surrounding area made our opening home stand a success,” she said. Sandy Springs has some hard data on the way, as it is conducting before-and-after traffic counts at 39 intersections and roads. City Councilmember Andy Bauman, who requested the traffic counts, said the initial data reports should be available in the next few weeks. Many locals are getting a first-hand experience, too. Mayor Paul said he had already attended three Braves games. It took him about 15 minutes to arrive, and returning home took about “twoand-a-half songs on the radio” while he passed police officers standing around “like the Maytag repairman.” Rossman, the hotel manager, has also visited SunTrust Park. He and his son ran into the stadium’s one significant traffic issue – a confusing lineup of Uber drivers that led to delays. “If that’s the worst problem, it’s pretty good,” Rossman said. Overshadowed by traffic talk is the opportunities some local businesses see in the stadium’s attraction of tourists to the area. Rossman said he’s already had some guests clearly staying for the baseball games, with some wearing gear advertising the Braves or the opposing team. The hotel is now dedicating one of its existing shuttle buses to game-day trips. Rossman expects even better business from the stadium’s forthcoming slate of major concerts, which likely will draw regional visitors. “There’s no season ticket holders for Billy Joel,” he said of the headliner for SunTrust’s first concert, slated for April 28.
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Business groups work to bring millennials into the boardroom Continued from page 5
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Sandy Springs Office | 5290 Roswell Rd, Atlanta, GA 30342 | 404-250-9900 | HarryNorman.com The above information is believed accurate but is not warranted. Offer subject to errors, changes, ommissions, prior sales, and withdrawals without notice
talking via social media, “but as much as everything’s digital … face-to-face networking … has its place.”
corporate them today … has to think about aging out,” Kooyman said. Myths and realities Perimeter business groups are acutely aware of that. The BrookhavAs the target demographic du jour, local en Chamber of Commerce is “very conmillennial business leaders say they like sciously” working to gain millennithe attention, but not the stereotyping. al board members, and now has a few, “Stereotyping us is unhealthy,” said said board Chairman Jay Groundwater. Snodgrass, laughing while describing A few years ago, the chamber conductsomeone assuming she automaticaled a demographic study of Brookhaven ly knew how to use the Snapchat app. and found the city is about 30 percent milChambers shouldn’t be stereotyped, eilennials — “that really ther, she added. surprised us,” GroundGodfrey said that water said — and about when his coworkers 30 percent minority as learned he would be well. And it was a contalking about millencern for his board. nials, “they were like, “Chambers tend to ‘Oh, that word.’” He be older folks” and give dislikes the “assumpan impression they’re tion we’re job-hop“sort of an old, stodgy ping or wanting to men’s organization, if be in charge of everyyou will,” Groundwater thing immediately.” said. “So keeping that Kooyman said there [demographic study] in are certainly some false mind, we’ve tried to crestereotypes — includate a chamber that’s a ing that millennials little more diverse than are college-aged, when one might expect. DiSPECIAL that’s actually a differversity, by age, by ethnic Chris Godfrey, 2018 president-elect of ent generation. the Buckhead Business Association. group, whatever, is imBut, he said, there portant to the lifeblood of a chamber.” are common behaviors and attitudes that The Dunwoody Perimeter Chamber’s hold true across racial, economic and top staff member, president and CEO even national lines, probably due to the Stephanie Snodgrass, is a millennial. But unifying effect of social media and techits board has yet to gain its first millennial nology. Indeed, feeling they are immune member, she said. to stereotyped behavior is itself one of “We are trying hard to fill that role … betheir characteristics, he said with a mildcause we are a young city and we’re attractly evil burst of marketing laughter. ing the millennial types,” Snodgrass said. The era of “helicopter parents and “If we’re representative of our businesses … soccer moms” and smartphones gave we have to change.” millennials a culture of getting what At a board retreat this year, she said, they want on demand, he said. members talked about the rising impor“They have a demand for impact. They tance of social media and the difficulty of have a demand for change. And they begetting younger people to come to tradilieve they can get it,” he said. tional meetings. Some of the older memThat individualism can be tough for bers — “we use the word ‘seasoned,’’’ both sides when it comes to business orgaSnodgrass said with a laugh — have no nizations. “They basically don’t understand first-hand understanding of social media and haven’t dealt much with organized functions such as Facebook analytics. politics,” Kooyman said of millennials. Most local chambers and other large At the Sandy Springs event, Fisher said business organizations have young prothat “by and large, the millennial generation fessionals groups that can act as feeder is one that doesn’t want to wait its turn.” systems for millennial leadership. The Kooyman has a different context, Buckhead Business Association goes an saying the millennials shouldn’t be extra step, making the president of its viewed as impatient. It’s more about “Young Bucks” group a board member offering meaningful, locally impactful of the overall group as well. That gave positions, not token slots. Godfrey his seat at the table that is now “It’s not so much they want to be a turning into the board presidency. leader, but they want to affect change The local business group leaders say and be part of the process,” he said. that drawing in younger business people “They want some self-acknowledgement has challenges. Groundwater said that traand reward for what they do.” ditional breakfast meetings don’t work so Or as Godfrey put it, his is “a generation well for millennials. Godfrey, on the oththat wants to give back and wants to have er hand, said that his generation is used to something behind what they’re doing.”
Perimeter Business | 9
APRIL 28 - MAY 11, 2017 ■ www.ReporterNewspapers.net
Openings Cutting the ribbon April 20 at Chastain Wealth Management, 7000 Central Parkway in Sandy Springs, were (from left) Angela Forrester of the Sandy Springs Perimeter Chamber of Commerce; city representative Erica Rocker-Wills; company CEO Larren Odom; co-owner Jennifer Odom; Operations Director Cary Norpel; Ed Ukaonu of the Chamber; and Suzanne Brown, the Chamber’s vice president of client relations. For more info, see chastainwealth.com.
Minuteman Press of Sandy Springs, at 6780 Roswell Road, cut its ribbon April 19. Joining in were, from left, Beth Berger of the Sandy Springs Perimeter Chamber of Commerce; Minuteman’s Arona DeSure; owner Jon Wittenberg; graphic designer Kyle Gisel; and the Chamber’s Suzanne Brown and Ed Ukaonu. For more info, see sandysprings.minutemanpress.com.
FR EN CH RESTAUR ANTS M ER G E Two longstanding French restaurants have merged into Petite Violette, a Brookhaven dining spot that scheduled a public grand opening May 5. The restaurant is at 2948 Clairmont Road, the former location of Violette, which has merged with the former Petite Auberge, which was located for more than 40 years in the Toco Hill Shopping Center near Emory University. The May 5 grand opening runs 3:30 to 5 p.m. and includes complimentary hors d’oeuvres on the patio. The celebration also serves as a memorial for Violette’s longtime owner and manager, Stephanie Belcher, who died last month. The event will include a condolence book and details on donations in her memory to the Callanwolde Fine Arts Center. For more information, see petiteauberge.com or call 404634-6268.
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CHOA faces questions about planned expansion Continued from page 1
gional Commission. In November 2015, when the April 20 community meeting with CHOA Brookhaven City Council approved a representatives at the CHOA office park special land use permit for CHOA to on Tullie Circle to learn more about the build its 8-story Center for Advanced requested annexation along the NorthPediatrics, Galloway also said a maseast Expressway. ter plan was coming. He sidestepped arCHOA attorney Woody Galloway said guments at that time by some residents the hospital “wants to be part of the sothat CHOA was doing piecemeal zoning lution” of the notorious traffic congesto avoid the DRI. tion that bleeds from the interstate and What CHOA is sharing publicly so far North Druid Hills Road into residential is that it wants to annex the 11.4 acres of neighborhoods. property so it can build an 8-story office With Emory University purchasing tower and a 7-story parking deck. This 60 acres of Executive Park located across office building would house employees the street, Galloway said the two health now working out of one-story buildings care giants bring serious clout that could in its office park on drive the improveTullie Road and Tulments needed. lie Circle. “We hope to be a Plans would catalyst for change,” then be to raze the he said. office park buildMany residents ings and build a $1.3 living in the area billion hospital on were not optimistic. that land to replace More densely-occuCHOA’s Egleston pied development Hospital on Clifton in an already busy Road near Emory area, they said, will University. A hospionly lead to more tal takes 8 years to traffic. A few resibuild, CHOA offidents questioned cials said. CHOA’s decision to “We’re landreveal incrementallocked at Egleston,” ly its plans for the CHOA Chief Public 45-acre site dubbed Policy Officer David the North Druid Tatum said, noting Hills Campus, rath- BRIAN BRODRICK that area’s traffic is JACKSON SPALDING er than making much worse than public its overall at I-85 and North master plan. They Druid Hills. After also questioned why there was still no the meeting Tatum added, “We have to master plan. do something and we can’t do it at Eg“Isn’t it naive to expect that we should leston.” accept this incremental change?” one The 8-story Center for Advanced Peresident asked as several people audibly diatrics facility is under construction agreed. now and is slated to be completed next Galloway insisted a master plan is year. The Center for Advanced Pediatrics still being developed and would include will house 457 physicians and employcomments and information gathered at ees and anticipates managing more than public meetings like the one on April 20. 100,000 patient visits in the first year. He indicated the master plan could be The new hospital and office building finished at the end of the summer or this are necessary for CHOA to continue to fall. provide medical care to sick children, “Children’s has to plan decades ahead Galloway and Tatum said. to provide care for patients from across One fix CHOA is proposing to alleviGeorgia and the metro area, but does not ate traffic is to add four lanes under the generally comment on potential real esinterstate overpass leading into the protate acquisitions,” said Brian Brodrick posed new development south of Cliff of Jackson Spalding, a public relations Valley Way. CHOA representatives said and marketing firm representing CHOA, the plan is receiving support from the when asked if CHOA has future plans to Georgia Department of Transportation. annex more property in the area. There now are only U-turns allowed After the master plan is complete and under the bridge. A bike/pedestrian path CHOA starts the application process with leading to the Peachtree Creek Greenway Brookhaven, a Development of Regional would also be included and as part of Impact (DRI) will be triggered, Galloway the master plan, Galloway said, the area said. A DRI involves a traffic impact and would become a more park-like setting. mitigation study through the Atlanta ReCHOA also recently purchased Execu-
Children’s has to plan decades ahead to provide care for patients from across Georgia and the metro area, but does not generally comment on potential real estate acquisitions.
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BLACK LINE IS BROOKHAVEN CITY BOUNDARY
REPORTER NEWSPAPERS ILLUSTRATION BASED ON CITY OF BROOKHAVEN GIS MAP
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tive Park apartments on Briarcliff Road because the land became available and that property is also part of the master plan, Galloway said. The apartments have tenants who will soon move out and then the buildings will be demolished and replaced with an empty lot. The area could possibly be used as an access to the hospital campus, Galloway said, drawing groans from some people in attendance. Funding for the traffic improvements is also being discussed by CHOA officials. Galloway said CHOA is looking at potentially resurrecting a tax allocation district, or TAD, for the area. A decade ago, DeKalb County formed a TAD in the area, and about $200,000 raised then remains in the bank, Galloway said. A TAD raises funds from rising property tax assessments. CHOA also is considering trying to form a community improvement district, in which commercial landowners agree to tax themselves for improvements, Galloway said. Funding the improvements has been a concern for many residents because CHOA and Emory are nonprofit hospitals, so they do not BK
pay property taxes. But Galloway said CHOA would contribute to the TAD or CID. “Big dollar funds come from local jurisdictions … which [in this instance] is Brookhaven,” Galloway added. Brodrick said in an email that CHOA is working with Brookhaven, GDOT and local governments to address road improvements and plans to undertake a DRI to “provide clarity on transportation improvements.” “[A]s a not-for-profit we do not pay property taxes, but our employees and patients do have a tremendous economic impact on the area,” Brodrick added. “We are committed to working closely with Brookhaven and other agencies to mitigate any impact our project may have, but the specifics of how to fund transportation improvements -- which will benefit not just Children’s, but local residents, businesses, and others in the area for many years -- have yet to be determined.” Tatum said a hospital development will bring other developments to the area, including hotels and restaurants. Property values will also likely go up, he said.
Another resident asked why CHOA wanted the 11.4 acres annexed into Brookhaven rather than leaving it in unincorporated DeKalb. Many of the residents attending the meeting live outside the city limits. Brookhaven has no accountability to the DeKalb residents directly impacted by CHOA’s developments, the man said. Galloway said a business decision
was made years ago to have CHOA be located inside the city limits and have its offices and hospitals in one jurisdiction. If CHOA can get the 11.4 acres annexed, plans are to start construction on the new office building by the end of this year. The parking deck would begin going up in 2018. City Council is slated to take up the annexation proposal in June.
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12 | Community
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Bridge fires put spotlight on homelessness, advocates say BY EVELYN ANDREWS evelyn@reporternewspapers.net
PHIL MOSIER
Repairs continue at the I-85 overpass where a fire was allegedly set by a man who is homeless.
Join us on the green space for culinary delights from our restaurants!
Advance Tickets: $25 - Day Of Event: $35 To purchase tickets, visit www.eventbrite.com and search Taste of Town Brookhaven. Benefiting LifeLine Animal Project
Two recent fires underneath bridges allegedly set by homeless people has raised fears among service agencies of official crackdowns. But the reaction is not as bad as one expert thought it would be. “It’s actually been a lot more mild than you would expect,” said Jasper Preston, program coordinator at the Georgia Alliance to End Homelessness. The location of the fires also underscore the lack of shelters in areas like Brookhaven and Buckhead. David Villa, who is homeless and lives under the Corporate Boulevard bridge along Peachtree Creek in Brookhaven, said on a recent morning that he recently arrived here from Waco, Texas. “During the day, I go on Buford Highway looking for work. Nothing yet,” Villa said. He said he recently fell and injured his leg. “I have no family and friends here, but I am trying to get on my feet,” he said. The public is more educated on homelessness than they have been in the past and are more empathetic, Preston said, adding that “the first thing we have to recognize is these are just humans who can’t afford a home.”
PHIL MOSIER
David Villa, who is homeless, rests under the Corporate Boulevard bridge in Brookhaven.
The fire and resulting collapse at an I-85 overpass in Buckhead on March 30 drew national media attention. Basil Eleby, who is homeless, has been charged with setting that fire. A question on the issue of homelessness was asked of GDOT Commissioner Russell McMurry at an April 4 press conference updating the media on I-85 reconstruction. McMurry responded that “homelessness is a social issue that deserves bigger conversation.” A couple weeks later, on April 17, the possessions of a homeless person living underneath a Buford Highway bridge in Brookhaven caught fire, according to officials. Investigators determined no significant damage was done to the bridge and it was reopened two hours after the fire began. The Brookhaven Police Department reported on its Facebook page the “fire started in the mattress of a homeless person who sought shelter under the bridge” and added “there is no indication this fire was intentional.” Although the public is responding less negatively than Preston anticipated, he still expects stricter enforcement of laws involving the homeless. “It will probably bring a crackdown simply because there is public concern,” he said. There is a stigma around going to homeless shelters, Preston said, so some homeless people avoid them. Instead, they seek shelter under bridges or moving to other areas perceived to be safer. Buckhead is one of those areas, Preston said. But the neighborhood has no shelters, though the Buckhead Christian Ministry on Piedmont Road offers assistance to homeless people. Preston said he wouldn’t be surprised to see some of the homeless population migrate toward Cobb County, as the construction of SunTrust Park and the surrounding developments may mean the area will be viewed as a safer place for homeless people. There are already more homeless people than shelter space in the city of Atlanta. The Georgia Department of Community Affairs put the number of shelter spaces at 3,906 in 2015. The same year, the number of homeless people was estimated to be 4,317. --Phil Mosier contributed
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APRIL 28 - MAY 11, 2017
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Apartments targeted for replacement with townhomes BY DYANA BAGBY dyanabagby@reporternewspapers.net
A developer plans to tear down a large apartment complex near Buford Highway to build 73 owner-occupied townhomes, renewing concerns about how rapid development in the city could eliminate affordable housing. Atlanta-based Ardent Companies is seeking a variance for the 6-acre Park Villa Apartments at 2069 Coosawattee Drive. The complex is made up of 12 three-story buildings with 92 rental apartments. Coosawattee Drive is at the intersection of North Cliff Valley Way and just north of Buford Highway. “The apartment complex is occupied, but the 54-year-old facility is functionally obsolete,” the developer said in its April 3 letter of intent and variance request to the city. As part of the variance request, the developer states the current zoning of multifamily residential for the property allows for up to 114 apartments to be built. “Given current development trends in the immediate area, however, the applicant hopes to redevelop the subject property with 73 owner-occupied townhomes, which is 41 units less than the current zoning would allow,” the letter says. The proposed new townhome development would have three-story units, each with a two-car garage. The units would range in size from 2,200 square feet to 2,800 square feet. The development would also have a pool, according to documents on file with the city. The variance request seeks to reduce the 50-foot transitional buffer to zero feet to remove asphalt and to reduce separation between buildings from 40 feet to 28 feet. A call to the developer for comment was not returned. The Zoning Board of Appeals will consider the variance request May 17. Members of the city’s Affordable Housing Task Force, formed late last year, were not aware of the proposed development, which would raze a complex where mostly Hispanic and Latino immigrants live, task force chair David Schaefer said. “Part of the reason we were formed was to address that kind of thing,” said Schaefer, who also serves as director of Policy and Advocacy at the Latin American Association, which is based in Brookhaven. “We have strong concerns -- people’s lives are at stake -- and that concerns me as not only the chair of the task force but as part of the Latin American Association,” he said. “This won’t be the last [development], unfortunately.” The task force is expected to make recommendations to City Council next month on handling rapid development that includes tearing down apartment complexes, especially along Buford Highway, to make way for mixed-use developments and “luxury” housing. Schaefer said the task force is looking at various ways to ensure affordable housing remains in the city, including offering incentives to developers to include affordable housing in new projects. In 2015, Bryton Hills Apartments, across the street from Skyland Church, was torn down to make room for three-story townhomes priced in the high $400,000s. Many of the residents in the 58-year-old complex near Clairmont Road and Buford Highway were Latino.
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14 | 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 NTA C T US Founder & Publisher Steve Levene stevelevene@reporternewspapers.net Editorial Managing Editor John Ruch johnruch@reporternewspapers.net INtown Editor: Collin Kelley Editor-at-Large Joe Earle Staff Writers Dyana Bagby, Evelyn Andrews Copy Editor: Donna Williams Lewis Creative and Production Creative Director Rico Figliolini rico@reporternewspapers.net Graphic Designer: Soojin Yang Advertising Director of Sales Development Amy Arno amyarno@reporternewspapers.net Sales Executives Julie Davis, Jeff Kremer, Janet Porter, Janet Tassitano Office Manager Deborah Davis deborahdavis@reporternewspapers.net Contributors Phil Mosier
Free Home Delivery 60,000 copies of Reporter Newspapers are delivered by carriers to homes in ZIP codes 30305, 30319, 30326, 30327, 30328, 30338, 30342 and 30350 and to more than 500 business/retail locations. For locations, check “Where To Find Us” at www.ReporterNewspapers.net For delivery requests, please email delivery@reporternewspapers.net.
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Community Survey / Congressional campaign ads Question: In the April 18 6th Congressional District special election, how useful were campaign advertisements, such as mailers, in deciding your vote? It turns out those political TV ads we all love to hate may have utility after all. In our most recent 1Q.com community survey, 48 percent of the respondents found mailers and other political ads to be useful as they made up their minds on how to vote in the special election in 6th Congressional District. Thirty percent of the respondents to the cellphone survey said the ads were useless, but 16 percent found them “very useful” and 33 percent said they were “somewhat useful.” The rest of the 147 residents of Sandy Springs, Dunwoody or Brookhaven – the portions of the 6th District within Reporter Newspapers’ circulation area – who responded said they didn’t see or hear any ads or mailers, or didn’t vote. When asked what more they wanted to hear from the two remaining candidates during the run-up to the runoff, respondents mentioned just about every hot-button issue, from healthcare to taxes to jobs, and from partisan bickering in Congress to dealing with the president. “I would like to see them focus more on the pertinent issues affecting Georgians, like job opportunities, economic development and education, instead of solely focusing on their political parties,” a 27-year-old Sandy Springs woman commented. “I would also like to see them address the recent infrastructure issues in Atlanta.” A 44-year-old Brookhaven woman called for more discussion about “infrastructure, social issues, getting rid of the ridiculousness in Washington” while a 36-yearold Dunwoody woman wanted the candidates to reveal “how they’re going to keep [President] Trump in check.” Others wanted to hear more about less mainstream issues. A 28-year-old Dunwoody man wanted more discussion about the “legalization of marijuana.” A 33-yearold Sandy Springs woman called for “less trash talk and more talk about issues.”
8.8% 16.3% 11.6%
29.9%
33.3%
Very useful. I learned a lot about the candidates. 24 (16.3%) Somewhat useful. I learned something, but not enough, about the candidates. 49 (33.3%) Useless. I learned little or nothing about the candidates. 44 (29.9%) I saw or heard campaign ads, but I didn’t vote. 17 (11.6%) I didn’t see or hear any campaign ads. 13 (8.8%)
Riveting or ridiculous? Our editors debate the District 6 ads Enough mailers! (But more Texan postcards!)
Turn up the TV, the ads are on!
BY JOHN RUCH As I dig through the landfill’s worth of mailers that 6th Congressional District candidates buried me under, my favorite is a picture postcard from Texas. I didn’t much care about its handwritten, yet vague, appeal to vote Democratic. I was just relieved to see some colors that weren’t mugshot gray, and to acquire an actual fact or two. Thanks to that postcard, I learned more about the Fort Worth Botanic Garden than I did about any top candidate. Jon Ossoff spent millions to tell me that he doesn’t like Trump. Meanwhile, the Republicans acted more like Valentine’s Day than Election Day, fighting each other over who liked Trump more. Less clear was exactly what their Trump-hate or The Donald-love would do for me and my life here in the 6th. One ad did give me very personalized info – a Democratic mailer shaming my “average” voting record and threatening that my neighbors would find out. My neighbors have seen me bring home dinners consisting entirely of frozen personal pizzas, so I figured I can’t look much more pathetic to them. But it was something to see an election so wretched, it even went negative on its own voters. Then again, maybe issues are nonsense. Tom Price, the last guy to hold the office, touted his Obamacare-slaying plan at every Rotary luncheon for years. The seat is open because he finally got called to Washington to do the deed, and look at how that turned out. Well, if it’s going to be superficial name-calling, go all-out. Make this a helmet-vs.-tousle showdown of the candidates’ impressive hairdos – both contrasted with Trump’s, of course. Make it a wordplay war about who can get the most out of the pun-inducing names “Handel” and “Ossoff.” Meanwhile, maybe I’ll just sit this one out and take a vacation from the inarticulate shouting. I hear Fort Worth is lovely this time of year.
BY JOE EARLE I admit it. When the negative TV ads started appearing in the 6th District race, I rolled my eyes and changed the channel like everybody else. After all, I don’t even live in the district (I live in the 5th), so what did I care about a bunch of mean-spirited TV commercials tossing dirt in an election I can’t even vote in? But then something changed. As the campaign picked up steam, I got into it. I realized that we metro Atlanta election watchers had the chance to see something we seldom, if ever, truly are exposed to: a batch of take-no-prisoners political ads in a campaign that stood for a moment at the center of the national political landscape. Usually, no one but us cares about our campaigns. Because of the way lawmakers have drawn our districts, most of our elections are so uni-partisan as to be virtually non-partisan; we can guess whether a Republican or a Democrat will win before the first candidate files. But this was different. This time, outside interests seemed to think there was a fight here worth spending their money on. Of course, they mostly don’t care who wins, just what party the winner belongs to. Still, their machine-driven, meanspirited attack ads can make for good political theater. What new vile abuse will they pile on Nancy Pelosi today? Who believes any of those angry folks on TV actually live around here and aren’t really just actors? And when did local Republicans start to turn on one another so viciously? Now that the campaign has ground down to two candidates, one from each party, I expect the TV ads only will grow nastier. As long as such baldly mean-spirited ads don’t become a regular thing in the future, I’m OK with that. Just for this one race, bring it on. BK
Community | 15
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just days before the fest kicked off, recorded nearly 123 million Twitter impressions. Twitter impressions are the total number of timelines tweets are delivered to, but does not mean they are actually read, according to Union Metrics, a firm that specializes in in-depth social media analytics. The county’s stats showed that there were only 306 clicks from Twitter to links about the festival from March 13 to March 24. A Twitter party is essentially a SPECIAL Mayor John Ernst, far right, with the Cherry live online chat using a designated Blossom Festival ‘digital influencers’ and their hashtag – in this instance, “#Cherfamilies at last month’s festival. Discover ryFest17” -- that is meant to bring DeKalb paid $45,000 to 10 bloggers to promote awareness to other digital influencthe festival on their social media networks. ers and people with like-minded inBY DYANA BAGBY terests. A Porter Novelli representative told dyanabagby@reporternewspapers.net City Council that two people were hired to conduct the Twitter party. The hosts used Discover DeKalb spent nearly $200,000 content created by Porter Novelli. The 10 advertising this year’s Cherry Blossom Fesdigital influencers posted about the Twitter tival, including paying out $45,000 to “digparty to invite others to participate. During ital influencers” to promote the festival on the party, 1,018 twitter users participated social media and more than $70,000 on resulting in slightly more than 6,700 posts. out-of-state billboards. According to Porter Novelli, 29 percent Despite the major cash spent to market of those participating in the Twitter party the fest, attendance was estimated to be the were local to the Atlanta area. same as last year at about 15,000 people, acCity Manager Christian Sigman praised cording to a city spokesperson. the digital outreach at the April 12 meeting, Discover DeKalb, the nonprofit hosbefore attendance figures were available. pitality and tourism agency that serves “Billboards come down, print gets Brookhaven and other DeKalb cities, paid thrown out ... but the digital footprint stays 10 people to promote the city’s festival on out there. It’s always there. [That is] the ultisocial media, such as Twitter and Facebook. mate payback for the branding effort,” SigThe city itself spent $40,000 from its homan said. tel/motel tax funds to hire the NUN Group Also for the first time, Discover DeKalb to organize the event held March 25-26 at spent more than $70,000 renting billBlackburn Park. boards in other states in what it called This was the first time Discover DeKalb “feeder” cities to metro Atlanta to promote hired digital influencers in any of its marthe Cherry Blossom Festival. This included keting attempts, said communications manseven billboards in Birmingham, Ala.; four ager Michael Lee. Digital influencers tend to in Charlotte, N.C.; nine in Columbia, S.C.; have many followers on social media and one in Chattanooga, Tenn.; and six in Nashare used by companies in branding efforts. ville, Tenn. Discover DeKalb also rented “We hired them based on the amount billboards in Rome, Ga., and Calhoun, Ga. of engagement they have online, such as The billboards received more than 20 unique visitors to their sites,” Lee said. million impressions, according to DiscovAll the digital influencers hired to proer DeKalb. Billboard impressions are meamote the Cherry Blossom Festival live in sured using criteria such as traffic counts metro Atlanta, Lee said, and he called the made available from various government first-time campaign successful. Lee actransportation departments. Another knowledged he did not know if Discover $50,000 was spent on video ads on 11Alive, DeKalb would hire digital influencers in an Atlanta television station, that resulted the future. in 1.9 million impressions with a total of “It was a successful campaign, 4,179 clicks, according to Discover DeKalb. but we can’t guarantee it will be used A total of $32,550 was spent on radio ads. again,” he said. “Billboards is something we’ve always At an April 12 work session, Discover done. This was something Brookhaven DeKalb Executive Director and CEO James wanted to do ... to market and reach outTsismanakis touted the use of digital influside Atlanta,” said Lee. encers to City Council members, saying the “We definitely know this was a successcampaign “set the bar” for marketing and ful campaign and new efforts and new mebranding awareness. dia ... did pay off,” Lee said. “[Brookhaven] Representatives from Porter Novelwon’t get immediate returns, but more li, a public relations firm hired by Discovawareness has been raised and the city will er DeKalb to work with the digital influreap the benefits for years to come. It’s defiencers, said a “Twitter party” on March 22, nitely the long-term effect we’re going for.”
Call (404) 497-1020 for an appointment.
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875 Johnson Ferry Road NE, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA 30342 PeachtreeDunwoodyIM.com
FoxTheatre.org/Riverdance
ee for children 3 and under. You don’t need to purchase tickets in advance and can pay as you arrive via Facebook.com/TheReporterNewspapers 16 | or Out & About ash, check, credit card.
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an I bring the whole family? f course! Our concerts this summer feature a diverse group of talented musicians who will be jammin’ in the meadow, but the entire family is always welcome at the Dunwoody Nature Center.
an I bring my own food? bsolutely!BROOKHAVEN That’s one of •theBUCKHEAD best things •about our concerts. Feel free to pack up the picnic basket and your DUNWOODY • SANDY SPRINGS lankets and beach chairs. This year, we will also have cold water available as well as craft beer specifically hosen for each show.
PERFORMANCES
CONCERTS BY THE SPRINGS Sunday, May 14, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Heritage Sandy Springs announces its 21st season of outdoor Concerts by the Springs, held one Sunday evening each month, May through September, on The Sandy Springs Society Entertainment Lawn at Heritage Green. The 2017 season opens with the Big Band sound of performer Douglas Cameron. Gates open at 5 p.m. Picnics welcome; food, beer and wine available. Free. 6110 Blue Stone Road, Sandy Springs. Info: heritagesandysprings.org, or 404-851-9111, ext. 1.
GET INTO NATURE DUNWOODY NATURE CENTER SUMMER CONCERT SERIES Saturdays, May 6, May 20, June 3, June 17, July 1 and July 15, 7 p.m.
The city of Dunwoody presents a series of six Saturday concerts at the Dunwoody Nature Center. The series kicks off May 6 with alternative band Pony League. Arrive early to set up chairs and picnic in shade. Cold water and beer available for purchase. Park at the Nature Center or Dunwoody Park ball fields. Free to Nature Center members; non-members: $5 adults, $3 students and free to children 3 and under. 5343 Roberts Drive, Dunwoody. Info: dunwoodynature. org/2017-summer-concert-series.
GARDENS FOR CONNOISSEURS TOUR
Saturday, May 13, and Sunday, May 14. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Ten lush private gardens, from tranquil woodland settings to intimate urban oases in Buckhead, Brookhaven, Sandy Springs and Midtown, will be on public view during Mother’s Day weekend. Tickets for the self-guided tour, to be held rain or shine, are $28 in advance (garden members $22), $35 on tour days, and are valid both days. Info: atlantabg.org.
FESTIVALS
ATLANTA CONCERT BAND & THE BIG PEACH SWING BAND Sunday, May 7, 4 p.m.
These two bands will present “A Stroll Down Jazz Street,” featuring the music of George Gershwin, in a concert open to the public at the Chaddick Performing Arts Center of The Galloway School. Free. 215 West Wieuca Road N.W., Buckhead. Info: atlantaconcertband.org.
CHORAL GUILD OF ATLANTA Sunday, May 7, 4 p.m.
Choral Guild of Atlanta performs music from the repertoire of Leonard Bernstein, including “Missa Brevis”; “The Chichester Psalms,” performed in Hebrew; and selections from “Wonderful Town” and “West Side Story.” Northside Drive Baptist Church, 3100 Northside Drive, Buckhead. Tickets: $15; $12 seniors; $5 students. Info: 404-2236362 or info@cgatl.org.
DUNWOODY ART FESTIVAL
Saturday, May 13, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, May 14, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The largest art festival in Dunwoody draws more than 60,000 people each year to check out the array of arts and crafts created by artists from across the country. The festival has a food court, a “Kidz Zone,” and continuous music performances. Free admission and parking. Dunwoody Village Parkway, Dunwoody. Info: dunwoody.splashfestivals.com.
Out & About | 17
APRIL 28 - MAY 11, 2017 ■ www.ReporterNewspapers.net
GET PHYSICAL
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Thursday, May 4, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The Atlanta Cajun Zydeco Association offers beginning Zydeco dance classes with a focus on building confidence on the dance floor. Cost: $10, including a discount on the June 10 ACZA dance. Darwin’s Burgers and Blues, 234 Hilderbrand Drive, Sandy Springs, Register by contacting instructor Don Baggett at essex34d@aol.com. Info: aczadance.org.
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HARRIS JACOBS DREAM RUN Sunday, May 7, 8 a.m.
The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta presents the 24th Annual Harris Jacobs Dream Run, beginning and ending at MJCCA’s Zaban Park campus. The community event features the 5K Road Race/Walk, which is a 2018 Peachtree Road Race qualifier, and the 1-Mile Community Walk. Race/Walk fees: $30 by May 6, $35 on race day; $15 for children 12 and under. 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody. Info: atlantajcc.org/HJDR, or Pam Morton at 678-812-3981.
We call her Speedracer!
Continued on page 18
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18 | Out & About
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Continued from page 17
DUNWOODY COMMUNITY BIKE RIDE Sunday, May 7, 2:45 p.m. to 4 p.m.
A community ride for all ages and abilities kicks off at Dunwoody’s Village Burger on first Sundays monthly through November. Helmets are required and bikes with gears are recommended to handle hills on a 4.5-mile loop around Dunwoody. Riders age 10 and under must be with an adult. Rides cancelled in inclement weather. 1426 Dunwoody Village Pkwy., Dunwoody. Info: bikewalkdunwoody.org.
PARTIES WITH A PURPOSE
ROCKIN’ AT THE RIVER
Saturday, May 13, 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
This annual event, featuring food, music, drinks, dancing and a live auction on the grounds of the Chattahoochee Nature Center, supports the center’s efforts to connect people to nature and preserve the Chattahoochee River. Tickets: $125. VIP tickets: $250. Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell. Info: chattnaturecenter.org/ratr or 770-992-2055, ext. 225.
COMMUNITY CELEBRATIONS BROOKHAVEN COMMUNITY DAY Saturday, May 6, noon to 5 p.m.
This annual event includes a cookout, music, activities and a parade that starts at noon from the Lynwood United Church of God in Christ to the Lynwood Community Center. Free. Lynwood Park Recreation Center, 3360 Osborne Road, Brookhaven. Info: brookhavenga.gov.
ISRAEL’S BIRTHDAY BASH Tuesday, May 2, 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Join the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta’s young adults for Israeli street food, drink specials, Israeli dancing and a night of fun celebrating Israel’s Birthday. Ages 21+. Free to first 300 registrants, $18 for all others. Buckhead Saloon, 3227 Roswell Road N.E., Buckhead. Info: Stacie Graff at 678812-3972 or stacie.graff@atlantajcc.org.
FOOD THAT ROCKS
Saturday, May 6, 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
This second annual event presented by Taste of Atlanta features food and wine/ beer/cocktail tastes from more than 25 Sandy Springs restaurants and mixologists. Benefits three Sandy Springs nonprofits. Ages 21+ only. Advance tickets: $55 general admission; $70 for VIP First Taster. Tickets are $5 higher at the door. Hammond Park, 705 Hammond Drive N.E., Sandy Springs. Info: foodthatrocks.org.
PEACHTREE HEIGHTS EAST GARDEN PARTY Sunday, May 7, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The 31st annual Garden Party of Buckhead’s Peachtree Heights East neighborhood this year celebrates its newly restored Duck Pond Park. The event, held at the park, includes fun eats, drinks, music and shopping at the new “Duck Pond Store.” Proceeds will help
n About Our Local Birds
Out & About | 19
APRIL 28 - MAY 11, 2017 ■ www.ReporterNewspapers.net
endlysince guided along theGarden trails atAdults Overlook Park the 1930s.bird Hostedwalks by the Ladies of the Lake Club. only. 70 Lakeview Ave., Buckhead. Tickets: $50 in advance; $60 at event. Info: ladiesofthelake.org/tickets. d birding programs held at Lost Corner Preserve. fund special projects and maintenance at the private park, maintained by neighbors
LEARN SOMETHING
lks
ATLANTA’S FINEST PRIVATE GARDENS
Bird Programs
2017
TITLES @ TWILIGHT Lost Corner Preserve look Park Tuesday, May 2, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
7300 Brandon Mill Rd. N.W. 30328 This monthly education program for adults continues with an appearance by Myra Lewis Williams, author, with Linda Hughes, of “The Spark That Survived.” Williams, singer-songRD ALKS ACKYARD IRDING writer Jerry Lee Lewis’ former child bride and cousin, presents her story of how she crawled out of darkness and came to stand in the light of building a new life COMMON BIRDS OF ATLANTA ALK for herself. Free. Garden RoomTHE offer opportunities at the Williams-Payne House, 6075 Sandy Springs Circle, ALL ABOUT BLUEBIRDS Sandy Springs. Info: heritagesandysprings.org.
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bon Society for W along Binoculars will
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COST: $12.00 each program BRING ON THE BIRDS
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Saturday, May 13, 10 a.m. to noon.
Learn to create a birdwatcher’s paradise through different types Bird Walks are provided by the of seeds and feeders and landAtlanta Audubon Society under scaping designed with birds in with Preserve, Sandy Springs mind. contract $12. Lost Corner 7300 Recreation Brandon Mill Road, and ParksSanDepartment. dy Springs. Info: registration.sandyspringsga.gov.
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20 | Education
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Teen’s service began at age 5 Megan Anandappa, senior St. Pius Catholic School
Standout Student
The idea of service is no foreign concept to Megan Anandappa. Starting at the age of 5, Megan began working in St. Francis Table Soup Kitchen weekly alongside her father, and the tradition has never stopped. Megan is responsible for cooking meals for the homeless people who visit the soup kitchen and preparing the shelter before they arrive. She attributes her early love for working at the soup kitchen to the fun routine her dad started: “Because the shifts would be really early in the morning, my dad and I would always get Dunkin’ Donuts before. It became a fun little tradition.” Now, her service extends far beyond the walls of St. Francis Table. In the winter, her family cooks meals together and then serves the food at Central Night Shelter. Additionally, Megan is the president of the Students for Life Club at St. Pius, in which she first became involved in freshman year. As president, she organized a drive to collect diapers for low-income expectant mothers so that they can begin providing for their children as early as possible. This drive successfully collected 1,500 diapers. One charity that holds a special place in Megan’s heart is the Our Lady of Perpetual Help, a cancer home located in downtown Atlanta. She makes and collects encouraging cards to bring to the patients during her visits. During one visit, Megan was able to see one of her former teachers, Charleen Klister. “Going to see her there was really cool, and she was a really good person, so being able to help at that home really meant a lot knowing I was impacting people that I knew,” Megan said. Megan’s teachers have high praise for her, with many highlighting her humility. Her AP Statistics teacher, Katie Stilson, reveres Megan for her “incredible intelligence and talent, yet her focus is never on herself. She takes whatever time is necessary to help those around her.” Nominating Megan to be included among Reporter Newspapers’ “20 under 20” honorees this year, Father Michael Silloway called her “the most engaged, most present, strongest-charactered teenager” he has ever met.
What’s next?
Megan will attend the University of Georgia in the fall. After college, she hopes to pursue a career in the medical field.
Megan Anandappa.
SPECIAL
This article was reported and written by Amanda Gibson, a student at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School. To nominate a Standout Student, contact editor@reporternewspapers.net.
Reporter Classifieds To Advertise, call 404-917-2200 ext 110
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Driveways & Walkways – Replaced or repaired. Masonry, grading, foundations repaired, waterproofing and retaining walls. Call Joe Sullivan 770-616-0576. Home Tending – Regular inspections of your unoccupied property. Call Charles, 404-229-0490.
CEMETERY PLOTS Arlington Cemetery – Buy 2 at $8,000 and Get 2 free. Call 770-314-1271. This is a total of 4 plots. Arlington Memorial Park (Sandy Springs) – Beautiful, Pine crest section, Plots 11B, spaces 3 & 4. Arlington staff will be happy to show plots. Call 913-714-2499. Arlington Memorial Park (Sandy Springs) – Tandem crypts for two people, 3rd level All Faith Mausoleum. Location: CC Crypt #13. Priced to sell. Call 770-886-6090.
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22 | Community
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Congressional race revives talk of purple Perimeter Continued from page 1
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Ossoff alone spending more than $6 million. Knippenberg, who lives in the district and received his share of mailers and “robocalls,” said the ad money will only increase for both sides. That sort of spending in itself can turn off voters, he said. “I think there’s a risk both campaigns run that they’ll drive people screaming from the room,” he said.
Democratic challengers. And in 2015, Democrat Taylor Bennett had a surprising win in Brookhaven/Sandy Springs’ House District 80, though he lost the seat last year by a slim margin to Republican Meagan Hanson. Joseph Knippenberg, a professor of politics at Oglethorpe University, said Ossoff was “running the Taylor Bennett campaign Election Night parties on a wider scale, and Republicans would Ossoff held his Election Night party at do well to remember what happened in Dunwoody’s Crowne Plaza hotel in the Rathat district.” vinia complex. Among the local attendees But for now, Knippenberg said, the rewas Perimeter Progressives founder Joe gion still is typically a safe place for a “geSeconder. neric Republican with name recognition,” At her party in Roswell, Handel drew and Handel fits that bill. such supporters as Dunwoody City CounAccording to the Secretary of State’s Office, Ossoff won 48.12 percent of the vote (92,673 votes) and Handel won 19.77 percent (38,071). For Ossoff, a virtual unknown who doesn’t even live in SPECIAL the district — an unJon Ossoff and Karen Handel. usual situation alcilmember Terry Nall and Brookhaven City lowed by the U.S. Constitution—the vote Councilmember Joe Gebbia. Coincidentaltotals came amid national media attenly, Handel celebrated her birthday on Election and party support as he presented the tion Day and the usual campaign night race as a referendum on President Donald amenities were joined by a birthday cake. Trump. “I have the greatest gift ever, and this is Handel emerged from a huge field of all of you in this room,” Handel said in brief Republicans as the experienced contendcomments to the crowd. er. The Roswell resident is a former GeorOssoff’s party had a rock-concert atgia secretary of state and Fulton County mosphere. The hotel ballroom was packed chair, though she has failed in runs for govwith hundreds of supporters and cars lined ernor and U.S. Senate. Trump support, or the narrow roads at the complex. lack thereof, was something of a litmus test DuBose Porter, chair of the Georgia among GOP candidates, too, as they sniped Democratic Party, led the raucous crowd at each other with negative ads. into a loud chant of “Flip the 6th!” — a camThe president himself weighed in on paign slogan about bringing Democratic the race several times via his favorite merepresentation to the majority-Republican dium, Twitter, including after the race was district. called a runoff. Seconder said, “I found out I’m not the “Despite major outside money, FAKE only Democrat in Dunwoody” as he waved media support and eleven Republican canat the crowd in the ballroom. didates, BIG ‘R’ win with runoff in Geor“I thought it was wildly crazy to think gia,” Trump tweeted. “Glad to be of help!” Ossoff would win outright,” Seconder said. Knippenberg said the president, with But he said that Ossoff can win the runoff his penchant for unpredictable statements and live up to the national attention. “Even and surprise policies, will remain an X-facthough the seat doesn’t change the vote in tor in the race and could sway it either way. Congress, it damn well changes the per“A lot can happen in two months,” he said. ception to the American public,” SecondAnother factor, Knippenberg said, is er said. the “enthusiasm gap” between complacent Dunwoody Councilmember Nall said or uncertain Republicans and energized Handel would represent the area well and Democrats who recently formed such likes her campaign’s “energy.” grassroots groups as Dunwoody’s Perime“It was a very hard-fought race, but the ter Progressives. energy is very high and support is very “The challenge for Republicans is to gin strong,” Nall said, adding that he believes up the enthusiasm, and Ossoff’s challenge Handel “would be good for both DeKalb is to sustain it,” he said. County and Dunwoody.” The campaign is already notable for enormous amounts of advertising, with
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APRIL 28 - MAY 11, 2017
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Public Safety | 23
www.ReporterNewspapers.net
Police Blotter / Brookhaven Brookhaven Police reports dated April 15-23 from Brookhaven’s Police-2-Citizen website.
morning, a woman was arrested and accused of cocaine possession.
POSSESSION AND DUI
3200 block of Buford Highway — On
3900 block of Peachtree Road — On
April 15, in the afternoon, a man was arrested and accused of marijuana possession. 2200 block of Briarwood Way — On
April 16, in the early morning, a man was arrested and accused of marijuana possession. 4200
block of Peachtree Road — On April 16, in the morning, a woman under the age of 21 was arrested and accused of driving under the influence with a blood alcohol content of 0.02 or more.
April 15, at midnight, items were removed from a vehicle. 3600 block of Buford Highway — On
April 16, in the morning, a forced entry burglary at a home was reported. 800 block of Town Boulevard — On April 16, in the afternoon, a theft occurred.
3500 block of Buford Highway — On April 16, at night, a car was reported stolen.
Road — On April 16, in the morning, a man was arrested and accused of driving under the influence of alcohol. 1200 block of Ashford Creek Drive —
On April 16, at night, a man was arrested and accused of marijuana possession. 3700 block of Buford Highway — On
3300 block of Buford Highway — On April 16, at night, a street robbery occurred involving a cutting instrument. 2000 block of Curtis Drive — On April
17, in the morning, a burglary took place. 3400 block of Durden Drive — On
April 17, in the evening, a burglary took place at a residence.
April 17, just after midnight, a man was arrested and accused of driving under the influence of alcohol.
1200 block of Briarwood Road — On
3100 block of Buford Highway — On
1400 block of North Druid Hills Road
April 18, items were removed from a vehicle.
April 17, just after midnight, a man was arrested and accused of public intoxication and consumption.
— On April 18, items were removed from a vehicle.
2000 block of Cobblestone Circle —
April 19, in the early morning, items were removed from a vehicle.
On April 17, in the early morning, a man was arrested and accused of public intoxication and consumption. 3600 block of Buford Highway — On
April 18, in the early morning, two men were arrested and accused of public intoxication and consumption. 4000 block of Peachtree Road — On
April 21, in the early morning, a man was arrested and accused of trafficking cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamines and other illegal drugs. 3300 block of Buford Highway — On
April 21, in the afternoon, a man was arrested and accused of public intoxication and consumption. 2800 block of Buford Highway — On
April 22, in the early morning, a woman was arrested and accused of driving under the influence of alcohol. 2800 block of
Buford Highway — On April 22, in the early
SHOP LOCAL
3100 block of Ashford-Dunwoody
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T H E F T A N D B U R G L A RY
2700 block of Buford Highway — On
A S S AU LT 1100 block of Town Boulevard — On
April 16, in the early morning, a battery occurred. 300 block of Buford Highway — On
April 17, just after midnight, a simple battery took place.
DRESDEN DRIVE | 1375 FERNWOOD CIRCLE
BROOKHAV E N FARM E RSMARKET.COM
3500 block of Buford Highway — On
April 18, at night, an aggravated assault took place. The victim was cut. 4400 block of Memorial Drive — On
April 19, in the morning, an aggravated assault took place.
ARRESTS: 4300 block of Peachtree Road — On
April 15, in the evening, a man was arrested and accused of public indecency.
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