September 2020 - Buckhead Reporter

Page 1

reporternewspapers.net

SEPTEMBER 2020 • VOL. 14 — NO. 1

Buckhead Reporter

EDUCATION GUIDE FALL 2020

►VIRTUAL SCHOOL YEAR BEGINS

Pages 22-30

►Q&As WITH LOCAL

SUPERINTENDENTS

Making a connection

Gun court, permit checks are among crime-fighting ideas

WORTH KNOWING

Theater groups aim to stage pandemic comebacks

BY JOHN RUCH johnruch@reporternewspapers.net

P18

AROUND TOWN

Georgia Audubon spreads its wings P19 COMMENTARY

Basic needs of teachers and students must be met P16

PHIL MOSIER

The Confluence Bridge is lowered into place over Peachtree Creek near I-85 on Aug. 21. The bridge connects the PATH400 multiuse trail with South Fork Conservancy trails. See story and more photos, p. 11. ►

Mystery group proposes cityhood, annexation; Mayor’s Office criticizes it

BY JOHN RUCH

johnruch@reporternewspapers.net

The Buckhead Reporter is mail delivered to homes on selected carrier routes in ZIPs 30305, 30327 and 30342 For information: delivery@reporternewspapers.net

A mysterious group called the Buckhead Exploratory Committee is preparing to study possible cityhood for the neighborhood or annexation into the cities of Sandy Springs or Brookhaven -- an idea the Mayor’s Office says “clearly loses sight of the need for inclusion and equity.” In an unsigned email, the committee de-

clined to identify its members or answer questions, including about its claim to have behind-the-scenes support from some local elected officials, which several of them have denied. However, the committee has posted a privately organized webinar about the idea on YouTube, where a moderator named Jack Montgomery outlined the concept and answered some audience questions. In the video, Montgomery said the orSee MYSTERY on page 20

A specialty “gun court,” a firearms buyback program and an investigation of permits for late-night businesses are among the tactics authorities are considering as Buckhead deals with its share of a citywide spike in shootings and other crime, from street racing to water-selling. But a crime-fighting challenge, especially on the shootings, is figuring out whether a common factor is driving the spike as anecdotes and rumors fly freely. Meanwhile, the police force is by all accounts stressed and dwindling both citywide and in Buckhead’s Zone 2 precinct. “Zone 2 -- I hate putting this out there,” said Atlanta City Councilmember Howard Shook, who represents much of north and central Buckhead, voicing frustration. “Zone 2 on a typical shift has all of 14 people on patrol for a zone the size of Rhode Island.” Hiring off-duty officers to patrol in police vehicles is an increasingly popular tactic. City Councilmember J.P. Matzigkeit in August hired an officer to watch Peachtree Road for street races, expressing his frustration. The Buckhead Community Improvement District has a specially branded patrol car driven around the central business area See GUN on page 21

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