AUGUST 4 - 17, 2017 • VOL. 11 — NO. 16
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Sandy Springs Reporter
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► Retiring to the North GA mountains
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► Chasing waterfalls in state parks
SPECIAL SECTION | P18-26
City election races begin with two open council seats
Smiles behind the shield
BY JOHN RUCH johnruch@reporternewspapers.net
KATE AWTREY
Elijah Coons of the Sandy Springs Police Explorers program, right, helps Jean Pierre Vega try an armored shield at the National Night Out event Aug. 1 at Perimeter Mall in Dunwoody. Police and fire departments from Brookhaven, Dunwoody, Johns Creek and Sandy Springs joined in the ninth annual event, which is intended to build relationships between the police and the community.
EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATOR Sharing wisdom of ancient ages
Please get rid of the constant standardized tests. Teachers teach for the test instead of imparting knowledge.
OUT & ABOUT Wing it with butterflies
See COMMENTARY, Page 14
See CITY on page 16
Council prepares for big zoning code decision BY JOHN RUCH johnruch@reporternewspapers.net
Following its Aug. 1 hearing on the new draft zoning code, the City Council has at least one big decision to make: whether to erase existing “conditions” that limit redevelopment to suit neighborhood demands. The council heard split opinions on the question, with planning staff arguing for the erasure of all but a few types, and residents calling for keeping them all. Several other big issues were discussed, including criticism of the code’s proposed affordable
What is your local school’s biggest challenge? Page 28
Campaigns for the Nov. 7 city elections have already begun, with two open City Council seats and Mayor Rusty Paul’s reelection decision helping to shape the races. District 2 City Councilmember Ken Dishman recently announced he will not run again, joining District 4 Councilmember Gabriel Sterling in leaving office. That means much of north-central Sandy Springs will get new representation. Jody Reichel, a Mount Vernon Woods resident, announced a campaign for the District 4 seat on Aug. 1. Incumbents seeking re-election include City Councilmembers Andy Bauman (District 6), Chris Burnett (District 3), Tibby DeJulio (District 5) and John Paulson (District 1). No challengers have yet emerged against any of the incumbents.
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See COUNCIL on page 17