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JUNE 2021 • VOL. 15 — NO. 6
Sandy Springs Reporter
1 TOP STUDENTS OF THE CLASS OF 2021 P13
HEAD FOR THE HILLS 20- 28
Market Mugs
WORTH KNOWING
The saviors of senior pets P18
Public input emerges as theme of mayoral race BY BOB PEPALIS
FOOD & DRINK
A seafood market comes to Brookhaven P8
PHIL MOSIER
COMMENTARY
A local school advocates for affordable housing P16
AUTHOR INTERVIEW
A reporter recalls KKK’s downfall P7
Donna Grammas, a clay artist from Roswell, shows off a Sandy Springs mug as customers browse her wares at the Sandy Springs Farmers Market May 1. Grammas is one of many vendors at the city-operated market, which runs Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to noon, through Nov. 20 at City Springs, 1 Galambos Way. For more information, see citysprings.com/farmersmarket.
Pedestrian, traffic safety improvements proposed for medical district BY BOB PEPALIS Twelve projects were proposed to the Sandy Springs City Council to improve safety for pedestrians and motorists in the medical district around PeachtreeDunwoody and Johnson Ferry roads at a May 4 work session.
In the past five years 781 accidents have occurred in that area, which equals to three per week, said Andrew Antweiler, senior project manager at KCI Technologies. The city’s consultant said stakeholder meetings were held with See PEDESTRIAN on page 29
When Atlanta gets hot, hot, hot, how do you cool off?
How the city collects and uses public input on diversity, housing affordability and a proposed cultural center are becoming a theme of the mayoral race between Dontaye Carter and incumbent Mayor Rusty Paul. A Diversity and Inclusion Task Force appointed by Paul earlier this year was given the goal to suggest ways to improve inclusion in city government and the community following Black Lives Matters protests that occurred in the city last summer. Carter claimed the city is not listening to public input or to the task forces and committees it creates like the Diversity and Inclusion Task Force. He said the city needs equitable action on what task forces suggest. Paul said that gaining input is the reason he named the Diversity and Inclusion Task Force. “So why would I not listen to a group I appointed? He’s assuming behavior well outside how I typically operate,” Paul said. “I’ve asked them for a comprehensive rather than piecemeal report so staff can look holistically at the recommendations and create an action agenda for council,” Paul said. Paul said the purpose of the Diversity and Inclusion Task Force is to offer suggestions on ways to make all people in the community feel welcomed and valued. Carter said he’s not disregarding city task forces, but if it is created then the city needs to listen to the individuals placed on it to make a difference. See PUBLIC on page 30
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