12-26-2014 Brookhaven Reporter

Brookhaven Reporter www.ReporterNewspapers.net

DEC. 26, 2014 — JANUARY. 8, 2015 • VOL. 6 — NO. 26

Inside

Predictions for 2015

Empty tank

Kroger gas station denied COMMUNITY 2

‘Urban camping’ Homeless: Don’t sleep here PUBLIC SAFETY 17

The year brought out smiles in all of us, no matter if we were painting, dancing, counting or playing sports — it was good to live in one of the Reporter Newspapers communities. We’ve selected a few of our favorite cover photos from 2014, shown here, with more on pages 8-9.

COMMENTARY 12-13 Far left, Sammy Lesser, 4, shows off his “inner artist,” with mom Nancy’s help, during Dunwoody’s Lemonade Days Festival at Brook Run Park on April 26. Left, Blaire Bodell, 8, left, and sister Mara, 2, dance before an audience of “bunnies” at the Ashford Park Easter egg hunt in Brookhaven on April 12. Below, Simoni Castillo, nanny for Ansley Shane, 1, helps compare toes with Brutus, a Mastiff, during a program at the Buckhead Branch Library on July 17.

YEAR IN REVIEW

Below, left, Julia Rutledge, front, with Susanna Robinson, back left, show “gator glory” during the Sandy Springs Youth Sports baseball and softball Opening Ceremonies and Parade at the Morgan Falls Athletic Complex on March 8. PHOTOS BY PHIL MOSIER

In DeKalb government, the Jesters offer ‘one-stop shopping’ BY JOE EARLE

joeearle@reporternewspapers.net

The Jesters joke they soon will offer DeKalb taxpayers “one-stop shopping.” “It’s one-stop shopping for people who want to complain [about county taxes or school problems],” Nancy Jester said. “You just call a Jester.” Nancy Jester was sworn in Dec. 8 as the newest member of the DeKalb County Commission. On Jan. 5, her husband Stan Jester, will be sworn in as a member of the DeKalb County school board. Suddenly, the Dunwoody couple will consolidate a pair of the highest-ranking jobs in county government under

one roof. “This is the kitchen cabinet,” Nancy Jester joked one recent Saturday morning as the pair sat at their kitchen table during a break between their children’s weekend ball games. “It’s us sitting around the kitchen table.” The Jesters met in Texas, where Stan grew up and Nancy, who was born in Columbus, Ga., was working at the time. They married, had their first child, and then moved to Georgia in 2003-4, they said. They now have three children -- a daughter, now 11, and two sons, 9 and 7. They got their start in DeKalb politics after their daugh-

ter enrolled in a DeKalb school. The two, now both 43, say they were like a lot of young DeKalb parents who didn’t like what they saw going on with the school administration and board at the time. There Nancy and Stan Jester were charges of corruption and dysfunction and Nancy Jester believed the school board was out of touch with parents. “None of the board members had kids in school,” she said. She started as a blogger, writing online for parents about CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

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Brookhaven City Council on Dec. 16 denied Kroger’s request to install a fuel center at its store near the intersection of Ashford Dunwoody and Johnson Ferry roads. Dozens of nearby residents showed up at the council’s meeting to oppose the grocery store’s request, citing concerns about traffic in the congested area. The city council’s unanimous action, which was put into moBR I EF S tion by Councilwoman Rebecca Chase Williams, followed the recommendations of both the staff and the Brookhaven Planning Commission. The commission on Dec. 3 recommended a denial of Kroger’s request for a special land use permit to install a 14-pump gas station near the grocery store at Ashford Dunwoody and Johnson Ferry roads. That action followed city staff’s recommendation to deny the application. Ben Song, the city’s deputy community development director, said that recommendation was based on the fact that the area is zoned for neighborhood shopping and that gas stations such as the one requested are typically found in denser areas.

Hastings rezoning deferred City Council on Dec. 16 allowed a 60-day deferral for a mixed-use development on Peachtree Road near Historic Brookhaven. The Brookhaven Planning Commission on Dec. 3 recommended that the council defer for 60 days a request from JLB Realty to rezone property at 3920, 3930 and 3926 Peachtree Road for a mixed-use development consisting of 272 multifamily units and 17,695 square feet of shops. The rezoning for the property, which is the former site of Hastings Nursery, has drawn the opposition of some nearby Historic Brookhaven residents who are concerned with the proposed height and density of the project. Carl Westmoreland, lawyer for JLB, told the planning commission that the company is requesting the deferral for the opportunity to continue working with the neighbors.

City approves $31 million budget for 2015 City Council on Dec. 16 approved a $31 million budget for 2015. The general fund budget is $19.5 million for both revenue and expenses, up from 2014’s adopted budget of $18.5 million. The amended 2014 budget after mid-year adjustments totaled $20.5 million in 2014. The council asked city staff members to hold off on the budget’s 3 percent raises for city employees until a formal review process is adopted.

Brookhaven Government Calendar Brookhaven City Council usually meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 7 p.m. at Brookhaven City Hall, 4362 Peachtree Rd. For complete and up-to-date schedule of Brookhaven city meetings, go to http://brookhavenga.gov .

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DEC. 26, 2014 – JAN. 8, 2015 | 3

2014 YEAR IN REVIEW

Settlement with Pink Pony, new councilman highlight the year In its second year of cityhood, Brookhaven faced a unique set of challenges. In April, the city lost its District 2 councilman when Jim Eyre abruptly resigned. It made a first attempt at creating a charter school. The city also continued working to change and update ordinances it inherited from DeKalb County and create a long-term plan for the city. Brookhaven also added two land parcels to the city despite pushback from neighbors.

District 2 loses councilman, elects new one In April, Brookhaven City Coucilman Jim Eyre abruptly resigned his post at the beginning of a council meeting, leaving District 2 without a council representative until a special election could be held in November. “There comes a time when you have to be true to yourself,” Eyre said April 23. “Last night was it. I decided I was no longer effectively representing District 2.” Eyre had been the sole member of the council who publicly criticized the salary and contract offered to City Manager Marie Garrett. In November, John Park won the District 2 seat by claiming nearly 60 percent of the vote cast in a four-man race for the seat. Park had organized the hugely popular Atlanta SoccerFest in Brookhaven earlier in the year, and vowed to work on park improvements. Park handily defeated Tim Nama, a former Zoning Board of Appeals chairman, who collected 33 percent of the votes cast. Two other candidates – Charles P. Barry III and Bill Brown – dropped out of the race during the last week of the campaign and each polled about 4 percent of the votes cast.

Brookhaven corrects zoning map About a year ago, city employees discovered the city’s zoning map was full of mistakes. Because of inconsistencies and missing files, many zoning changes that had been made by DeKalb County officials before Brookhaven became a city weren’t reflected on the city’s official zoning map. City officials scrambled to fix the flawed zoning map they adopted in 2013. They hired a consultant that combed through DeKalb records and drew up a new map that fixed errors on nearly 1,000 parcels. In August, Brookhaven City Council readopted the corrected zoning map.

Creating a charter school While the State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia on Aug. 27 denied the petition for Brookhaven Innovation Academy, a charter school planned by City Council that had also received the support of the DeKalb County School System. Councilman Bates Mattison said the city will petition for the school again in the upcoming year. Bonnie Holliday, the commission’s executive director, said she is encouraging the school to reapply for next year. The purpose of the school, officials say, is to address overcrowding at DeKalb schools while also offering a STEM program with computer programming as part of the curriculum.

Pink Pony settlement After agreeing to end a string of lawsuits between the city and the Pink Pony strip club, city leaders said it was time to move on, while the strip club threw a “settlement party.” The settlement, approved by the Brookhaven City Council on Nov. 4, ended three lawsuits between the club and the city, and a dispute that goes back to the city’s start more than a year ago. The settlement came after the Georgia Supreme Court ruled in the city’s favor in one of the suits and said the city had the authority to regulate sexually-oriented businesses.

DEC. 26, 2014 – JAN. 8, 2015 | www.ReporterNewspapers.net

Bye to the Bard Housed in Oglethorpe University’s Conant Performing Arts Center for nearly three decades, Georgia Shakespeare announced on Oct. 8 that it was ceasing operations due to “substantial financial deficiencies.” That announcement came just weeks after the company publicly declared it was in financial trouble and cancelled its production of “Henry V,” which had been scheduled to open Oct. 1. The company had earlier in the year initiated a fundraising campaign to raise $750,000 in operating capital from strategic funders to eliminate debt and create a working capital reserve. Managing Director Jennifer Bauer-Lyons said that the company at the end had $343,000 in debt, and that the theater had been using operating money to pay the debt. BK

2014 YEAR IN REVIEW

Making plans

The city approved a set of long-range plans this year. City Council on Nov. 18 approved its Comprehensive Plan 2034. “We are excited to have this first-ever city of Brookhaven comprehensive plan,” Susan Canon, community development director, said, calling it a “20-year blueprint” for city planning. A highlight of the plan is a character area map with that focuses on 13 areas of the city and their long-term use. The plan calls for maintaining the character of eight residential areas and looking at five community activity areas that could benefit from mixed-use developments. The city also approved plans for parks, transportation projects and Buford Highway redevelopment.

Here are the most popular articles from Brookhaven posted at ReporterNewspapers.net in 2014. 1. Closed: Fulton County, DeKalb County and Atlanta Public Schools cancel classes for Tuesday, Jan. 7 2. Pink Pony offers $200,000 a year to settle lawsuit 3. Perimeter market becoming ‘economic hub’ of metro Atlanta region 4. DeKalb District 1 commission candidates talk about ways to clean up DeKalb County 5. Supreme Court says Brookhaven can ban Pink Pony

Boyer out, Jester in Elaine Boyer had held the seat representing the northern end of DeKalb County on the County Commission for years. Then, last summer, federal authorities accused her of pocketing county money. Boyer resigned, pleaded guilty and is to be sentenced in early 2015. Five candidates ran in a special election to succeed her. After a runoff election Dec. 2, Nancy Jester of Dunwoody, a former member of the DeKalb school board, won the job.

Annexation of CHOA, Executive Park After three delays over about two months, Brookhaven City Council on Dec. 8 unanimously added Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Executive Park to the city. The council took its time to mull the early October request from the two parcels, located on the city’s south side and across I-85. The city released a service report stating that the annexation would require the city to hire five more police officers and another code enforcement official. City officials say they were initially concerned the city could not afford to bring the properties in. Owners of the properties agreed to pay for the services the city would have to provide in order to not burden taxpayers. Ultimately, the parties came to a “cost defrayment agreement,” whereby CHOA would pay $342,000 to provide services for its tax-exempt parcels. CHOA representatives say they plan to start developing the property as soon as possible. Meanwhile, a special tax district will be created for Executive Park and the non-exempt parcels of CHOA to offset the cost of their portion of city services. BK

Walgreens gets approval After years of contentious debate, the Walgreens project on Peachtree Road finally got the vote it needed to move forward. Brookhaven’s Board of Zoning Appeals voted 3-2 on July 16 to allow a series of zoning variances needed for a new proposal for the project. The plan calls for a three-story, brick-faced building with a parking garage at the corner of Peachtree Road and Colonial Drive. Walgreens will operate a pharmacy on the first floor, and offices will fill the second and third floors, developer Jay Gipson said. Construction was expected to be completed in 2015. Walgreens had been trying to locate a pharmacy on the property for years, stretching back to before the creation of the city of Brookhaven. Its plans drew opposition from neighbors because they said the proposals violated terms of the city’s overlay zoning district. The overlay, which governs aspects of development in the area, was created to give the area an “urban look,” and requires multi-story buildings built along the street.

Tree ordinance City Council on Aug. 26 unanimously voted to approve a new tree ordinance it had been discussing for a number of weeks, but vowed to keep working on the ordinance with citizen input. The council first heard proposed changes to the tree code at a July 15 work session in which the new regulations were presented with the intent of improving the ordinance, which was adopted from DeKalb County when the city formed. Before the decision, some residents voiced concerns about the proposed ordinance, saying it is too lenient on developers and doesn’t do enough to preserve trees.

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DEC. 26, 2014 – JAN. 8, 2015 | 5

2014: YEAR IN REVIEW

State Farm’s arrival, Buckhead Atlanta highlight past year “Live, work, play.” Politicians, business leaders and residents repeated those three words throughout 2014 as a mantra devised to explain the lure of north metro Atlanta to businesses. Both Buckhead and the Perimeter – that loosely defined area alongside the top end of I-285 and encompassing portions of Sandy Springs, Dunwoody and Brookhaven – offer MARTA stations, regional shopping malls, apartments, hotels and relatively easy access to just about everywhere in Atlanta.

Finding live, work and play in one place was enough to attract some pretty big names, including State Farm, which said it was moving to Dunwoody to appeal to the younger workers known as “millennials.” Other businesses shot for even higher targets: Buckhead Atlanta, a shopping and living center in itself, talked about luring the rich from around the world to fill its new high-end stores. When it came to business news, there was plenty to talk about in 2014. Here are some highlights.

State Farm breaks ground in Dunwoody Construction began in May on a new high rise across from the Dunwoody MARTA station to house a new national operations center for State Farm, one of three the insurance giant was building across the country. The overall project, its Texas developer said, will take years to complete and will include 2.3 million square feet of offices, 100,000 square feet of restaurants and shops, and a 200-room hotel. The first building will provide 13 floors of offices perched atop a 7-story parking building. The Atlanta Business Chronicle called the project one of the largest corporate office developments in metro Atlanta history. Folks in Dunwoody began to talk of a “ripple effect” from the project that would lead to even more development. For its part, State Farm plans to post thousands of employees to its Dunwoody campus and promised to get deeply involved in its new community. “We are excited. We are so excited about what the future holds,” State Farm Vice President and COO Michael Tipsord told members of the Dunwoody Chamber of Commerce. “We are excited by the talent. We are excited about the business environment.”

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The billion-dollar highway project It’s expected to cost a cool $1 billion before it’s done and has been described as the most expensive road improvement project ever undertaken by the Georgia Department of Transportation. But local businesspeople, the Perimeter Community Improvement Districts and Gov. Nathan Deal all threw their weight behind a redesign of the Ga. 400/I-285 interchange, so plans for the project have moved quickly. DOT says the new interchange will stretch from west of Roswell Road to east of

2014: YEAR IN REVIEW Ashford-Dunwoody, and from Hammond Drive to the Glenridge Connector. At Hammond, it connects to another project that adds collector and distributor lanes along Ga. 400. The new interchange was promoted as good for business because it addressed traffic troubles in the Perimeter area and would help cross-country carriers who expect more freight once the port in Savannah is deepened. Local residents seemed to like the new interchange, but fretted about construction over the next several years. “If it alleviates traffic in the area, it’s a good thing,” Mike Buchbinder of Sandy Springs said in August. “But I think it’s going to make traffic worse, especially when they’re building it.”

Hines Interests Limited Partnership will scale back its ofﬁce building from 50 to 42 stories.

FILE

Hines, for a moment, prepares to go big Front, OliverMcMillan’s Dene Oliver, center, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and right, Buckhead Coalition President Sam Massell, ofﬁcially opened the ﬁrst shops at Buckhead Atlanta.

FILE

Buckhead Atlanta ﬁnally opens After years as little more than a hole in the heart of Buckhead, the development known now as Buckhead Atlanta (originally named “The Streets of Buckhead”) opened for business with big name, high-end shops such as Hermes, and lines of burger fans waiting for a space to open in the Shake Shack. Developer OliverMcMillan wants to draw shoppers from around the world, and has promised a luxury shopping experience, including high-tech security; a valet service allowing customers to drop off a car at one location and pick it up at another; and “park assist,” which directs drivers to empty parking spaces. “We want shoppers and visitors to say, ‘We used to go to New York to shop, but now we come to Buckhead Atlanta,’” General Manager Michael Diamantides told members of the Buckhead Council of Neighborhoods.

For a moment, there was talk of the possibility of a 50-story building in Sandy Springs. It would have been the tallest outside the Perimeter. But Texas developer Hines, which proposed a couple of towers along with a rezoning for a mixed-use development that would have included 500 apartments, retail and hotel space, withdrew its rezoning request after repeated deferrals. Members of Sandy Springs City Council said they needed more time to address residents’ concerns over increased traffic that the development – to be located at Abernathy, Peachtree Dunwoody and Mount Vernon – would bring to an already congested area. In September, Hines had said they would study a new proposal that decreased the number of apartments, and took the office building down to 42 stories.

Apartments sprout all over While Hines rethought its high-rise plans in Sandy Springs, other developers scattered new apartments all over the map. In October, the Buckhead Coalition said 30 different projects totaling 9,422 units were planned in Buckhead. In Sandy Springs, workers cleared ground for the Gateway Project, a mixed-use development on Roswell Road, and the city approved another large apartment complex nearby. Developers added apartment complexes on Hammond Drive in Sandy Springs and Dresden Drive in Brookhaven. “Apparently, it’s a direct response to the population growth of 25- to 35-year-olds who presently prefer the flexibility of renting, rather than owning,” Buckhead Coalition President Sam Massell said of the apartment announcements in Atlanta.

New zoning codes for Perimeter area In 2014, city officials in Sandy Springs and Dunwoody decided to take a fresh look at zoning regulations for new projects in the Perimeter area. In May, Dunwoody officials began working toward drawing up those regulations. In October, officials from Sandy Springs, Dunwoody and Brookhaven met to talk over requirements in the area. Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul said the idea was to get all the cities on the same page. “With an unprecedented surge in development interest,” Paul said, “we want to make sure we have a unified, concise policy that allows for long-term economic viability of this market, as well as ensures a high quality of life for existing and future residents and visitors.”

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DEC. 26, 2014 – JAN. 8, 2015 | 7

2014: YEAR IN REVIEW 2014 brought festivals, sporting events and plenty of chances for people to play. Over the past 12 months, we published photographs residents of Brookhaven, Buckhead, Dunwoody and Sandy Springs as they enjoyed numerous community activities. Here are some of our favorite cover shots from our various editions during the past year. At left, Monk Sonam Choephel extends a welcome to Narzin Khyunglho, 2, wearing traditional Tibetan attire, during the annual Atlanta Tibetan Festival on Nov. 2 at the Drepung Loseling Monastery. The monastery is located on Dresden Drive.

Brookhaven Reporter

Below at left, from left, Oliver Jackoniski, Brody Garrard, William O’Neil, Bryce Matlock and Kota Suttle, members of the “Tin Caps,” the 6-year-old boys team, stand ready during Opening Ceremonies for the Murphey Candler Little League Baseball season on March 7. Right, Alex Ozburn, left, and Chip Cary have a snack before watching the U.S. men’s soccer team take on Portugal during SoccerFest, an all-day World Cup viewing party held at Brookhaven Park on June 22. The game ended in a 2-2 tie. PHOTOS BY PHIL MOSIER

Buckhead Reporter PHOTOS BY PHIL MOSIER

Far left, Mary Collier Thurman has her party face on while she watches the Carnaval parade during International Travelers Week at Sarah Smith Elementary School on May 9. The event “took” students to Brazil, helping them learn about the country’s culture.

Jordyn Vaxter, center, enjoys the storytelling portion of the “Juneteenth: The First Day of Freedom” program at the Atlanta History Center on June 21. The two-day celebration focused on the end of slavery in the U.S.

Abigail Frank, 2, above, awaits her turn at a popsicle stand while attending the annual Little Nancy Creek Park Fall Festival on Sept. 26. Attendees enjoyed a food truck and live music. |

DEC. 26, 2014 – JAN. 8, 2015 | www.ReporterNewspapers.net

2014: YEAR IN REVIEW Phil’s pick: Vocal fan at Soccerfest in Brookhaven

Phil Mosier teaches photography at Georgia Perimeter College and takes many of the photos that appear in Reporter Newspapers. We asked him to choose his favorite photo we published in 2014. Here’s his choice and his reason for choosing it. “This picture says it all, with a shout, about our community. I was able to capture a Latin American young man, happily waiving an American flag, while watching the U.S. team score during a World Cup Soccer match beamed live to a diverse crowd in Brookhaven Park. Taking that photo made me proud as a citizen and as a photojournalist.”

Dunwoody Reporter At left, Anisha Singh, 7, front, and Mei Kumaran, 5, attending the Spruill Center for the Arts’ summer camp program, play on “chess pieces” during recess on July 21.

LEFT AND RIGHT PHOTOS BY PHIL MOSIER

JAMES BARKER PHOTOGRAPHY

At center, Dunwoody High School’s football Wildcats began their 2014 campaign with higher hopes, after a 3-7 season the previous year. At right, Julie Greer, 2, daughter of Kimberly Greer, assistant to Dunwoody’s city manager, plays before the grand opening of Phase II of Brook Run Park’s multi-use trail on Aug. 23.

PHOTOS BY PHIL MOSIER

Left, “Hammerheads” teammates and twin sisters, May Weis, front, and Leah, center, with goggles, get themselves pumped up before a swim meet against the Byrnwyck “Blue Dolphins” at the Hammond Hills pool on June 3.

Center, the city kept the Fourth of July holiday going with a community ﬁreworks show on July 5, at the Concourse Ofﬁce Park complex. Enjoying the night on the lawn, from left, Chanse Hendrick, 4, Cameron Bignault, 5, Leila Wesley, 3, and Emily Volkman, 12. Right, Collins Zgutowicz, 2, dressed as Snow White, creates a colorful chalk walkway at the Sandy Springs Farmers Market on Aug. 2. www.ReporterNewspapers.net |

DEC. 26, 2014 – JAN. 8, 2015 | 9

2014: YEAR IN REVIEW

Making a difference: Blessing bags, ‘scaring away’ autism and more During the past several years, we’ve introduced readers to some of their neighbors whose volunteer work has helped shape our communities into better places to live. Here are a few we met in 2014 who were making a difference and whose stories especially impressed us.

Jeff Marcus

Sandy Springs doctor Jeff Marcus’s Halloween display began as a simple family project. His daughter, Melissa, who is autistic, loved Halloween, with its costumes and candy, so Marcus put an array of ghosts and witches in his front yard to delight her and his neighbors. He called the annual show “Scare Away Autism” and it now draws crowds of admirers. A couple of years ago, Marcus and his family began collecting donations from the people who came to admire the display. They gave the money to Autism Speaks, a charity that pays for autism research, advocacy and services for families with autistic members. This year, things really took off. Marcus said the family collected nearly $13,000 for Autism Speaks, double the amount raised the year before. Marcus is already thinking about 2015. He said he wants to get others involved to help set up and market the display “to make it more of a community event.” But in 2014, it remained the Marcus family’s show. Melissa had a great time greeting and thanking people who came to visit. “We had a good year,” Marcus said.

monalities dealing with ... issues,” he said. “The goal is to foster some cooperation and understanding on the environmental side and in other areas as well.”

two daughters Reagan and Steele take lessons with Adams. “He just has a way with kids. One year he gave every one of them a new club or shoes.”

Greg Chevalier

Fran Farias

Sandy Springs Rotarian Fran Farias’ two disabled brothers made her aware of the high cost of home medical equipment. So when she was looking for a way to utilize some money raised by the Rotary Club of Sandy Springs, she had an idea. “No one [in the area] was really doing anything to recycle home medical equipment,” said Farias, who serves as Rotary’s community service director, is a past president and has been a member for 18 years. So last fall she started working on an idea for such a project. She approached the city, which referred her to Keep Sandy Springs Beautiful, which operates the city’s recycling facility on Morgan Falls Road. Kathy Reed, executive director of Keep Sandy Springs Beautiful, said she was more than happy for the recycling center to house the Rotary’s trailer, where folks can drop off unneeded medical items such as crutches, wheelchairs and walkers.

In 2014, for the second straight year, members of a Brookhaven congregation gathered to stuff “blessing bags” as part of an effort to end the commercial sexual exploitation of children. Brookhaven Christian Church hosted the blessing bag event in partnership with Street Grace, an organization that aims to end the sexual trafficking of children. Greg Chevalier, coordinator of the program for Brookhaven Christian, also serves on the state of Georgia’s CSEC Task Force, an acronym which stands for Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children. Through the task force, Chevalier has helped create a curriculum to help educate organizations such as schools, neighborhoods, corporations and governments about the issue of commercial sexual exploitation of children. The city of Brookhaven recently joined the initiative, becoming Georgia’s first city to take part in a task force combating child sex trafficking. At a Nov. 10 press conference and ceremony, city officials signed a “Not Buying It” pledge.

Angi Bemiss

Robert Port

The first time Dunwoody lawyer Robert Port took his bike to Israel, he thought it would be a good way to see another land close up. But after that trip in 2006, he was hooked. He returned in 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2013 to take fundraising rides across that country. He figures that through his rides he’s raised $20,000 to $25,000 for the Arava Institute of Environmental Studies, an academic program that brings Jordanian, Palestinian, Israeli and western students together at a kibbutz in the Arava Valley, which runs along part of the border between Jordan and Israel. “The goal is to have students of all these different backgrounds come together and try to find some com-

Matt Adams

He’s been called a Pied Piper by a member of the Chastain Park Conservancy. He’s been called a savior by parents. But Matt Adams says he just loves teaching children the game of golf. “He's devoted his life to teaching kids how to golf and how to respect the game at the same time,” said the Conservancy’s Jay Smith. Adam teaches golf clinics to children at the park’s North Fulton Golf Course. He’s been teaching for 35 years, 12 years at Chastain. He also helped found the Annual Sutton Middle School Invitational Golf Tournament, which draws 20 to 30 schools each year to the Bobby Jones Golf Course. “He teaches them etiquette like shaking hands and saying ‘thank you,’” said Theresa Southerland, whose

DEC. 26, 2014 – JAN. 8, 2015 | www.ReporterNewspapers.net

Angi Bemiss has been described as an “on call” healer who plays the harp for patients at Northside Hospital twice a week through the hospital’s Healing Sounds Program. A certified music practitioner, Bemiss says she plays differently depending on the audience. Her listeners range from newborn babies to people convalescing to people who are dying, she said. She usually performs on Friday Do you know an organization or mornings and Sunindividual making a difference day afternoons. “Just a few hours ago, I was in our community? Email there and ran into a editor@reporternewspapers.net cancer patient waiting for her ride,” Bemiss said recently. “Tears came to her eyes when she saw the harp, ‘Oh my, you played for me in May, when I was in the hospital and almost died. I still remember how your soothing music made me feel.’ That's what it's all about!”

COMMENTARY

As another year ends, tell your stories There are stories everywhere—in the stars, in the trees, in the grasses and glades. We find in those places heroes and monsters and fairies; we find remembrances of our past and hope for our future. I grew up surrounded with stories and delighted by them, because my mother is a storyteller. She earned a degree in library science at Simmons College and a Master’s at Emory, and became a children’s librarian (in the days before there were “media specialists”). She was the librarian at my elementary school and for years was the children’s librarian at Maude Burris Library in Decatur. My mother chose themes for her story hour, selecting her books accordingly, and she embellished her story-time with music, dance, puppets and handmade tokens. She had a special talent for lifting the tales right off the page with her

was sure that the world revolved around her— she thought it was spelling out her name as a wonderful surprise. But it was December 7, 1941, and the ROBIN JEAN airplane was MARIE CONTE writing WAR in the sky. ROBIN’S NEST Her father, in the Navy reserves, was deployed within days. Mom told the story of how she met my father, the love of her life, and about their courtship and early marriage. She talked about his strength and quick wit throughout their marriage, a humor which endured in spite of the pain of his cancer. And she spoke of how dearly we miss him now. I have a CD copy of our session. It sits on my counter beside some candid family snapshots, as a reminder to us to continue telling our stories. And we do. Every second of our lives is an experience. And I sometimes wonder which of our experiences will take shape into a story — solid SPECIAL enough to be passed around, Robin and her mother, Bobbie Conte. resilient enough to withstand the passing? Which voice until the stories wrapped themones will lodge in our memories, and selves around roomfuls of squirming our children’s memories, and be handed children like a charmed cloak and left down to their children and grandchildren? them completely entranced. Which experiences, though they seem So it was high time that this year I mundane to us now, will shed a glimmer should give mom the chance to tell her of insight into our lives for those who look own stories. I booked an hour-long sesat us from the vast prospective of future sion with StoryCorps at the Atlanta Hisgenerations? tory Center, where I would interview This year was filled with new expeher in a taped sound booth. The time riences for our family — some advencame and her stories unfolded. She talkturous, some silly, some mundane. But ed about her grandparents who emigratthey hold the promise of more stories: ed from Italy: her grandfather, a dapeight Boy Scout buddies at Philmont per shoemaker, and her grandmother, Scout Ranch; seven hours of icy grida mother of seven who learned English lock, six people reunited for Thanksfrom her children and then continued giving, five hours at the Smithsonian her English language education by walkhomosapiens exhibit; four extracted wising to classes until she earned her certifdom teeth; three days at Cumberland Isicate of completion. land; two graduations — two wonderful Mom told of her mother, who went celebrations; and one massive zucchini. to work at a candy store after school at We all have a lot to talk about. age 13, calculating purchases and change So cozy around the fireplace in this on the back of a brown paper bag and deep December, with the people you love presenting her salary to her father each and a mug of something hot. “Take a cup week, in a sealed envelope. of kindness, yet, for auld lang syne.” Mom remembered watching an airAnd as another year ends, tell your plane writing letters in the sky as a young stories. girl in Brooklyn. Because it was the day after her birthday and she recognized Robin Conte is a writer and mother of the letter “R” from her name — and befour who lives in Dunwoody. She can be cause she was of the tender age when she contacted at robinjm@earthlink.net.

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DEC. 26, 2014 – JAN. 8, 2015 | 11

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

CONTACT US Founder & Publisher Steve Levene stevelevene@reporternewspapers.net Editorial Managing Editor Joe Earle joeearle@reporternewspapers.net Intown Editor: Collin Kelley Associate Editor: Ann Marie Quill Staff Writer: Ellen Eldridge Copy Editor: Diane L. Wynocker Creative and Production Director of Creative & Interactive Media Christopher North chrisnorth@reporternewspapers.net

Q&A

What do you think will make big news in 2015?

Our local communities delivered their share of big news in 2014. State officials proposed a billion-dollar construction project in Sandy Springs to remake the interchange of I-285 and Ga. 400. State Farm started construction on a new skyscraper in Dunwoody. The long-awaited Buckhead Atlanta shopping and housing area opened for business. Brookhaven “Reconstruction of the Ga. 400/I-285 interchange will begin final preconstruction phases in early 2016. Our PCIDs support efforts by Gov. Nathan Deal and the Georgia General Assembly to identify $1 billion in funding for enhancing Georgia’s transportation infrastructure over the next five years. The new interchange will have sustainable economic impact statewide. Traffic continues to be a top concern for metro Atlanta residents and commuters, and wishing alone won’t make the congestion ease.”

Yvonne Williams president and CEO, Perimeter Community Improvement Districts

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Free Home Delivery 65,000 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. © 2014-2015 With all rights reserved Publisher reserves the right to refuse editorial or advertising for any reason. Publisher assumes no responsibility for information contained in advertising. Any opinions expressed in print or online do not necessarily represent the views of Reporter Newspapers or Springs Publishing, LLC.

“One of the most signiﬁcant things I foresee coming up for my constituents in House District 54 in 2015 is addressing our transportation issues. Georgia’s failure to properly maintain and prioritize upgrades to our transportation infrastructure threatens our continued economic growth. The Joint Study Committee on Critical Transportation Infrastructure Funding established by the Georgia General Assembly earlier this year will present its ﬁndings and recommendations shortly. We must prioritize our transportation needs and identify sources of funding so Georgia can continue to grow and attract new businesses while maintaining and improving quality of life for our residents.”

Rep. Beth Beskin (R-Atlanta)

DEC. 26, 2014 – JAN. 8, 2015 | www.ReporterNewspapers.net

city officials cut a deal with the owners of the Pink Pony strip club that pays the city $225,000 a year and allows the club to stay open for six more years. We asked newsmakers from across Reporter Newspapers communities to play prognosticator and predict what big news or big events 2015 would bring. Here are their answers.

“2015 represents an opportunity to create connections which enhance access to the city’s essential amenities. Several key projects planned for 2015 which underline this connectivity include the construction of the new 5-acre Pernoshal Park, the construction of the Tilly Mill Road and North Peachtree Road intersection project, the Chamblee Dunwoody Road bicycle and pedestrian improvement project, and the construction of the connecting phase of the multiuse trail creating pedestrian and bike connectivity from the Georgetown area all the way to Brook Run Park. Our focus continues to emphasize investments in infrastructure, public safety and quality of life amenities.”

Mike Davis, mayor of Dunwoody

“I’m upbeat for my North Buckhead neighborhood in 2015. • January: Ribbon cutting for PATH400’s Tower Place to Old Ivy Road phase. PATH400 will transform pedestrian mobility and recreation from North Buckhead south to I-85. • March: City Council is to approve the North Buckhead Neighborhood Master Plan. • June: Mountain Way Common becomes a real, usable park with the completion of a major pedestrian bridge over Little Nancy Creek. • Later in 2015, PATH400 opens from Old Ivy Road to Wieuca Road.”

Gordon Certain president, North Buckhead Civic Association

“2015 will be the year that high-rise residential really begins to impact Buckhead’s commercial core. We will become more of a community, rather than a job and activity center, with a more healthy mix of jobs and housing. The big question will be how this community gets around, so creating more attractive and safe options to get around on foot, on transit (MARTA’s 110 – “The Peach” – operates every 15 minutes on Peachtree, folks!), and on bicycle will be crucially important. We will also begin to create a safer Peachtree Road from Midtown up to Piedmont.”

Jim Durrett executive director, Buckhead Community Improvement District

“Buckhead’s commercial skyline, which has mushroomed over the past quarter-of-a-century, beckons as a jobs market. Developers have read the census data and now scramble to ﬁll the needs with 32 complexes offering over 10,000 compact, multifamily rental units for the millennials. The occupancy proﬁle will maximize pedestrianization, introduce technical startups, and share fresh thinking leadership. We have evolved from a ‘Bedroom Community’ in the ‘40s and ‘50s to a respectful ‘Boardroom Atmosphere,’ ensuring tomorrow’s economic success in our 28-square-mile boundary. We are the center of Atlanta’s metropolitan region and the ‘address of choice’ for urbanized quality of life.”

Sam Massell, president, Buckhead Coalition

COMMENTARY “For us, it’s the City Center (getting it out of the ground), and developing strategic plans for the Perimeter and Powers Ferry and Roswell road areas to set a 15-year guide path to work through what we want those three areas of the city to look like in the future. That’s 2015 for me – getting the City Center out of the ground and having an opportunity to plan the next 15 years.”

Park Springs Member Pat Thomas

Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul “2015 will bring a new and potentially exciting dynamic to the Fulton County Commission, given the redrawn district lines that gave additional representation to the northern part of the county and the election of three new commissioners to the seven-member body. The increased representation from the northern part of the county that pays so much of the tax burden, hopefully will result in a county government that is more efﬁcient and effective, and more ‘customer friendly’ to all citizens of the state’s largest county.”

“The most important issue for DeKalb homeowners is that the Legislature make the property tax freeze permanent. It is set to expire and homeowners will be subject to 10 years of assessment increases. The DeKalb House delegation through Mike Jacobs passed a bill last session and the Senate failed to act. People throughout the county should be outraged. Until this issue is resolved it will be difﬁcult for most DeKalb legislation to move forward.”

Fulton County Commissioner Lee Morris

Sen. Fran Millar (R-Dunwoody)

“I believe the key issue in 2015 will be the outcome of the current cityhood movement now playing out between three key players: the future city of Tucker, the future city of LaVista Hills (formerly Lakeside), and then the ever-present desire of the city of Atlanta to expand its boundaries within DeKalb County. The five-member State Legislative Committee recently settled the border dispute between Tucker and LaVista Hills by dictating the non-negotiable boundaries. The more significant problem will be how far and how aggressive Atlanta will be in their move for expansion. Many issues are at stake: the cohesiveness of long-standing communities; DeKalb County schools becoming part of the Atlanta Public Schools system; the expense of the inevitable legal fees to be paid by the DeKalb County School Board; the potential impact on our county’s improved status of Accredited Warning with SACS; the loss of a northern tier tax base for the already financially distressed county government; and the list goes on... There is a 300-pound gorilla in the room. Atlanta sees a weakness and they are going after it, and what Atlanta wants, they usually get. This could be a defining year for DeKalb County.”

Joe Gebbia, Brookhaven City Councilman

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“The most signiﬁcant thing that I see coming in my community is my re-introduction of the Independent School System legislation. This would lift the constitutional prohibition on cities forming school systems that has been in place since 1945. With the state of DeKalb County Schools, this would allow individual municipalities to form local school systems. The second major thing is the start of construction of the Ga.400/I-285 interchange re-do. This project is the single largest transportation project in Georgia history and will bring needed trafﬁc relief in the area that currently sees 420,000 cars daily.”

Rep. Tom Taylor (R-Dunwoody) “I am cautiously optimistic that 2015 will be the year we stem the tide of bad news for DeKalb County. It will require hard work and compromise on the part of state legislators, county officials and citizens in all areas of the county. DeKalb remains a desirable place to live. The headlines of the past couple years have raised significant hurdles for our community. However, I am confident that working together we can overcome those hurdles this year.”

Rep. Mike Jacobs (R-Brookhaven)

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DEC. 26, 2014 – JAN. 8, 2015 | 13

out& about BROOKHAVEN • BUCKHEAD • DUNWOODY • SANDY SPRINGS

LET’S LEARN!

Medicinal Plants

Chinese Astrology

Organizing Workshop

Saturday, Jan. 10, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Get a holistic start to the new year! This beginners’ class focuses on herbs and oils used since antiquity to treat a variety of ailments, with an emphasis on women’s needs and particular energizing blends that help chase the winter blues away. Class includes a hands-on presentation and crafting of floral water and teas to take home. $30 general public; $20 members. Register by Jan. 7. Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Rd., Roswell, 30075. Call 770-992-2055 or visit: www.chattnaturecenter.org for information.

Saturday, Jan. 10, 1-3 p.m. Chinese Astrology is an ancient system of fortune telling that takes into consideration planets and the Sun, and calculates time in twohour intervals. Each year is depicted by two elements, one of which is an animal. 2015 is the year of the Wood Goat. Learn what’s in store for the new year! Free and open to everyone. For adult, college, high school, middle school audiences. Sandy Springs Branch Library, 395 Mount Vernon Highway, Sandy Springs, 30328. Email: comments@co.fulton.ga.us or call 404-3036130 for details.

Saturday, Jan. 10, 3-5 p.m. Join a certified professional organizer for a free workshop. Topics include: dealing with paperwork, mail, email, general household clutter, time management strategies, goal setting, and the benefits of making a daily “to-do” list. All are welcome. For adult audiences. Sandy Springs Branch Library, 395 Mount Vernon Highway, Sandy Springs, 30328. Email: comments@co.fulton.ga.us or call 404303-6130 with questions.

Hawks and Owls

Personal Branding

Saturday, Jan. 10, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Feathered predators are guaranteed to liven up a cold winter’s day. Learn about the winter habits of hawks and owls. Live birds of prey will make an appearance, courtesy of AWARE (Atlanta Wild Animal Rescue Effort). $10 per person. RSVP to 678-315-0836. Blue Heron Nature Preserve, 4055 Roswell Rd., Atlanta, 30342. Learn more by going to: www.bhnp.org.

Saturday, Jan. 10, 1-3 p.m. Want to know how to brand or market yourself to help your career? Learn personal branding techniques, including how to use social media to become a personal brand. Class limited to 15 participants. For adults. Free and open to the community. Register by calling 770-512-4640. Dunwoody Branch Library, 5339 Chamblee-Dunwoody Rd., Dunwoody, 30338.

Sunday, Jan. 11, 4-5:30 p.m. Join geriatric specialist P.K. Beville as she shares her insight and practical tips to help families and caregivers more effectively manage the challenges of loved ones with dementia. Free and open to the public. Offsite shuttle service; park at Georgia Perimeter College, Lot 11 on Womack Road. RSVP to 404-410-1200 or visit: www.jewishhomelife. org. Marcus Jewish Community Center Atlanta, 5342 Tilly Mill Rd., Dunwoody, 30338.

DEC. 26, 2014 – JAN. 8, 2015 | www.ReporterNewspapers.net

Dementia Lecture

COMMUNITY

BOLD & JUICY

FOR KIDS

BOLD& JUICY Winter Stars

Resolution Run Thursday, Jan. 1, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Start the new year on the right foot at Atlanta Track Club’s Resolution Run 4 Miler, 1 Mile and Kilometer Kids Dash! 4 Miler (ages nine and up), $25; 1 Mile (seven and up), $15; Kilometer Kids Dash (six and under), $10. No headphones, pets, baby joggers/strollers, roller/inline skates or bicycles. Register online through Dec. 29 at: atlantatrackclub.org. Brookhaven MARTA station, 4047 Peachtree Rd., Brookhaven, 30319. Questions? Call 404-231-9064 or email: atc@atlantatrackclub.org.

Monday, Jan. 5, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Are you curious about stars and constellations? Have you wanted to know the myths behind our constellations? See nature like you’ve never seen it before inside the Chattahoochee Nature Center’s inflatable planetarium! Take a journey through the night sky viewing stars and locating constellations. Included with the center’s general admission. 9135 Willeo Rd., Roswell, 30075. Call 770-992-2055 or visit: www.chattnaturecenter.org for further information.

Three Kings Day Sunday, Jan. 4, 1-5 p.m. Kick off the New Year with the Three Kings Day Festival, held in collaboration with the Mexican Consulate and the Instituto de Mexico. Learn about this tradition of our southern neighbors through storytelling, music, live performances, food and activities designed for the entire family. Free admission day. Food and drink available for purchase. Atlanta History Center, 130 W. Paces Ferry Rd., NW, Atlanta, 30305. Call 404-8144000 or go to: http://AtlantaHistoryCenter.com/Family for details.

THE ARTS

Lily Smernou Friday, Jan. 2, 1-5 p.m. Check out Lily Smernou’s work at the Sandy Springs Branch Library. Free and open to the public. On display through Jan. 31. Appropriate viewing for all ages. 395 Mount Vernon Highway, Sandy Springs, 30328. Email: comments@ co.fulton.ga.us or call 404-303-6130 for information.

with purchase of Fresh Cut Fries and Drink

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GRAND OPENING at the Prado Sandy Springs Open New Years Day!

One for the Chipper Saturday, Jan. 3, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Area residents can put discarded Christmas trees to good use during Keep Sandy Springs’ recycling program, “Bring One for the Chipper.” Remove decorations and lights before dropping off trees. Drop off at Home Depot, 6400 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd., Sandy Springs, 30328, and also at the Sandy Springs Recycling Center, 470 Morgan Falls Rd., Sandy Springs, 30350. Mulch to be used for playgrounds, public beautification projects, wildlife habitat and homeowner landscaping projects. Find out more by visiting: www.knfb.org.

FREE Bobby’s Classic Single Cheeseburger

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Film Class Monday, Jan. 5, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Join Emmy award winner Michelle Watson in this hands-on training that teaches students the fundamentals of acting, voice over recording, and the creative and technical demands of storytelling with moving pictures. Free. For ages 9-12. Registration required and started Dec. 17. Space is limited. Visit the Sandy Springs Branch Library, call 404303-6130 or email: leah.germon@fultoncountyga.gov to sign up or if you have questions.

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Tiny Tales Tuesday, Jan. 6, 11-11:25 a.m. Come and enjoy stories, songs and learning activities for infants and toddlers. Free and open to the community. Appropriate for ages six to 35 months. In the Story Time Room, Sandy Springs Branch Library, 395 Mount Vernon Highway, Sandy Springs, 30328. Email: leah.germon@fultoncountyga.gov or call 404-303-6130 for details.

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Lunch Buffet: 11:30am-3:00pm & Dinner a la carte 5:00pm-10:00pm

Teen Study Time Wednesday, Jan. 7, 5-6:30 p.m. Teens in grades 6-12 have priority use of the Buckhead Branch Library’s small conference room. Reserve ahead for a group project or drop in and sign up on a first come, first served basis. Valid library card required. Free WiFi available. You may also reserve a librarian to help with research projects. To reserve a librarian, email: amy.alexander@fultoncountyga.gov or call 404-814-3500. 269 Buckhead Ave., NE, Atlanta, 30305.

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DEC. 26, 2014 – JAN. 8, 2015 | 15

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Happy Holidays!

We will be closed Dec. 24-Dec. 28, closing at 1pm on Dec. 31 and closed New Years Day

New high end consignment for women in Fountain Oaks Shopping Center. Taking current clean and cute womens consignment clothing. Would love to see you. –Janet and MC 4920 Roswell Rd. Ste. 5, Sandy Springs GA, 30342 Mon-Fri, 10-6; Sat, 10-5; closed Sunday | 770.286.6432

Melissa Babcock, M.D.

We wish you a happy and healthy New Year.

Standout Student

Student Proﬁle:

 Summer Robinson  North Springs High School, senior Some students spend their summers on pool decks, beaches or phones texting their friends, but North Springs senior Summer Robinson had different plans. During June and July, Summer traveled to Ethiopia and Ghana with Black to Our Roots, a two-year program that promotes African cultural values. While there, Summer immersed herself in the culture, she took in the sights and had lively interactions with the people. “The trip was really eye opening for me and everyone else; it made me realize how sheltered I am living here in the United States,” Summer said. Each participating student is assigned different tasks for the trip. Summer’s task was to produce a documentary of the group’s trip, highlighting everyone’s experience and reflections. For Summer, this was the quintessential project, as it aligned with her love for film. Her fellow travelers loved her artistic creation. One of the trip advisors, Shevon Myers, was delighted with the film. “It was refreshing to hear her recount the experiences she had in Africa in such a thought-provoking manner, noting the people, places she visited, culture, and societal challenges that influenced her perspective of Africa,” Myers said. “As an aspiring filmmaker, Summer is well on her way to becoming a leader.” In preparation for the trip, Summer sought out donors to provide necessities for her host countries. One benefactor, Dan Moore, president of the APEX

Museum, which focuses on the appreciation of African American history, gave a generous gift for Summer to deliver. In addition, he also gave her a camera, instructing her to take pictures so upon her return so she could write a book detailing her expedition to Africa. Moore pushed Summer into finishing the book, and she says the words fell off the page easily. “[The trip] lit a fire in me to be more involved and see all the cultures, so writing the book wasn’t difficult because it was all from my own knowledge and experience,” Summer said. Summer has been a member of the track team for the past three years. She is also a member of the Anti Bullying Club and the League Club as well as a staff member for her school magazine, where she contributes articles and poems.

What’s Next: Summer has not yet decided where she will be attending college next fall, but she hopes to pursue a career as a screenwriter after college. This article was written by Amanda Gibson, a student at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School.

Do you know a standout high school student? Send nominees to editor@reporternewspapers.net.

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DEC. 26, 2014 – JAN. 8, 2015 | www.ReporterNewspapers.net

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Hours of Operation Tues- Sat 9-7 Sunday 12-5 Closed Mondays

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Gregory Brian Moody was arrested by Brookhaven police after he was found urban camping near Buford Highway.

Cities use ‘urban camping’ to keep homeless off local streets BY ELLEN ELDRIDGE

in jail,” said lawyer Gerry Weber. “The cost to the taxpayers is significant.” Weber, then an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia, won a class-action legal challenge in 1997 that led to the revision of the “urban camping” law in Atlanta. He said one of the nine people in the 1997 lawsuit was a college student who failed classes because he was arrested for urban camping and another was an employed homeless person who lost a job after being jailed for urban camping in Atlanta. He said the way the ordinance was written meant anyone lying down in a public park could be arrested, but only homeless people were being targeted. Weber said these ordinances violate their constitutional rights. Taking homeless people to jail isn’t what some city officials said they mean to do first. But that doesn’t always work. “Ultimately, we can’t force [Moody] to seek help from outside resources,” said Carlo Nino, a spokesman for the Brookhaven Police Department. Nino said Moody’s urban camping CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

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Brookhaven Police know Gregory Brian Moody well. He has a DeKalb County arrest record going back four years, featuring charges including public drunkenness, carrying an open container of alcohol, soliciting and loitering. The day before Thanksgiving, Moody was arrested for “urban camping” in Brookhaven, accused of violating an ordinance the city had adopted in March. The city’s urban camping ordinance outlaws the “improper use of public spaces,” including erecting tents or other temporary structures or objects providing shelter; sleeping in a single place for more than one hour at a time; cooking or preparing meals; or other similar activities. Similar ordinances exist in Sandy Springs, Dunwoody and Buckhead, which is covered by Atlanta’s ordinance. City officials say the ordinances keep homeless people from setting up permanent residences on unused property, but critics say they’re intended to make homeless people disappear. “They are designed to sweep homeless people off the streets and put them

T.J. & Lois

ANDERSON Residents since 2012 Composer • Conductor Orchestrator • Professor Volunteer • School Librarian Book Reviewer

We appreciate spirited discussions and connecting with

NEW INTERESTING FRIENDS. The idea of retirement community living never really occurred to the Andersons. Their daughters wanted them close by and willingly did the research, visiting several communities, and eventually choosing Canterbury for its welcoming feeling. With T.J. actively composing most days, their newly renovated apartment had to provide a gracious home for his piano, as well as expansive art and book collections. That it also offered a great view of Peachtree fireworks was icing on the cake.

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DEC. 26, 2014 – JAN. 8, 2015 | 17

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Cities use ‘urban camping’ to keep homeless off local streets CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

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arrest occurred after the manager of a Urban camping food store on Buford Highway called arrests in 2014 police recently after his warnings didn’t deter local homeless people from living Brookhaven: 11 on the business’ property. Dunwoody: 2 On Nov. 26, the police officer on patrol decided to check the rear of the Sandy Springs: 5 property behind the store and a gas station and found violators, including Moody, Nino said. Moody was arrestappropriate agency or have them move ed and charged with urban camping. He on. Occasionally, we have to make an spent Thanksgiving in jail, before being arrest.” released on his recognizance on Nov. 28. Dunwoody resident Jenny Carter He could not be located for an interview said she’d prefer her tax dollars go to profor this article. grams that provide a hand rather than Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul said to fund incarcerations. As the direchis previous work as tor of finance at Dunthe assistant secretary woody United Methfor the Department of odist Church, Carter Housing and Urban said people in need of Development gives him resources can find help, perspective on dealing if they ask. with the problems assoCarter said she ciated with poverty. He wishes government said that homelessness offi cials would learn is a symptom of a larger from agencies such problem, so programs as Family Promise of should work toward reNorth Fulton, which solving underlying isshe sees as the area’s sues of mental illness, primary initiative to addiction or poverty ashelp the homeless in sociated with couples Dunwoody and Sandy who divorce. Springs. Gregory Brian Moody “We don’t have the “Their first stops are ordinance to put them usually to food banks and then, once in jail,” Paul said. “The first thing we try those folks hear their stories, that’s when to do is get them to social services. If you they know to refer them to other procan keep them from becoming homegrams,” Carter said. Dunwoody UMC less, that’s a better action.” has a food pantry where anyone can When Brookhaven police officers come once a month and pick up a box first encounter homeless people, police of food, she said. urge them to take advantage of resourc“When people come in and ask for es and shelters in nearby Atlanta, Nino help, we want to get them from food to said. transitional housing to employment,” “Urban camping is not a severe probshe said, describing how the cycle of lem in Dunwoody,” Dunwoody Police poverty often means suffering from late Chief Billy Grogan said. “However, we fees on rent and utilities that create more do have occasions where there are issues, debt. “We always wonder if there’s a betand we deal with each incident based on ter way. It’s a tough cycle. They have to the specific circumstances of each case. miss work to apply for help.” For most, we try and refer them to the

DEC. 26, 2014 – JAN. 8, 2015 | www.ReporterNewspapers.net

AngIe PonSELL SANDY SPRINGS

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Jesters offer ‘one-stop shopping’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

DeKalb schools. She decided to run for school board and, in 2010, defeated incumbent board member Jim Redovian. Soon, she, too, was off the board, removed in 2013 by Gov. Nathan Deal as he named replacements for six board members after the school system was placed on accreditation probation. She was the only ousted board member who did not contest her removal, resigning rather than pursuing an appeal through the courts. Later that same year, she campaigned for a higher schools-related position, running unsuccessfully for state Schools Superintendent. Along the way, Stan Jester got interested in politics, too. He’s an IT guy who looks at things in terms of numbers. Nancy is an actuary, so she’s interested in numbers,

too. Stan helped Nancy with her website and did analyses of county school budgets. “People all said, “Y’all need a hobby,’ Stan Jester said. “This is our hobby.” Stan decided to run for the seat on the school board his wife had held. “Nancy had left the school board and I wanted to continue her work,” he said. He won without opposition. He says his goals as a board member are to reduce class sizes, improve the daily rate of pay for teachers and shed light on the school budget. Late last summer, Nancy Jester decided to run in a special election for the District 1 seat on the DeKalb Commission after veteran Commissioner Elaine Boyer was accused by federal prosecutors of misusing county funds. Boyer resigned and Jester won the five-candidate race for the seat

after a Dec. 2 runoff. Nancy Jester says she believes that Boyer’s crimes mean her district will bear more scrutiny than in the JOE EARLE past. “The “Power couple” Stan Jester, left, and his spotlight is wife Nancy meet at their kitchen table really on this district,” she if things don’t change, their constituents said. “I don’t care how much good will I’ve will know where to find them. got, it should be short lived if I don’t [pro“The good thing is, they meet on duce].” Monday and we meet on Tuesday,” NanBoth Jesters say they want to change cy Jester said, “so come see the Jesters on the ways things are done in DeKalb. And, Wednesday.”

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DEC. 26, 2014 – JAN. 8, 2015 | 19

PUBLIC SAFETY

Brookhaven Police Blotter From police reports dated Dec. 6 through Dec. 20.

18, theft of auto by taking was reported.

 3000

block of Clairmont Road—On Dec. 19, theft by taking auto was reported.

AS S AULT

ROBBERY

 3400

block of Durden Drive—On Dec. 16, two burglaries were reported.

 300

block of Brookhaven Avenue—On Dec. 16, a sex offense was reported.

 2400

block of Druid Hills Reserve Drive—On Dec. 18, burglary was reported.

 1600

 3400

 3500

BURGLA RY

block of Hermance Drive—On Dec. 12, burglary was reported.

block of Buford Highway—On Dec. 15, simple assault was reported.

block of Lenox Overlook Road— On Dec. 7, simple battery was reported.

 4200

 3000

 3300

 1600

block of North Druid Hills Road—On Dec. 18, robbery of a residence with a weapon was reported.

block of Standard Drive—On Dec. 10, burglary was reported.

block of Gables Drive—On Dec. 14, simple battery was reported.

 3000

 1900

 1100

 1300

block of Lincoln Court Avenue— On Dec. 6, battery was reported.

 1100

block of Clairmont Road—On Dec. 8, two burglaries were reported, one at around 7 a.m. and a second at around 3 p.m.; On Dec. 12, burglary was reported.

Road—On Dec. 14, battery was reported and an arrest was made.

 600

block of Buford highway—On Dec. 18, a strong-arm robbery was reported.

 2900

block of Briarwood Road—On Dec. 17, theft of auto by taking was reported.

 2900 block of Buford Highway—On Dec.

The following information was pulled from Brookhaven’s Police-2-Citizen Portal Event Search website and is presumed to be accurate.

 3200

 1700

block of Town Boulevard—On Dec. 16, burglary was reported.

block of Buford highway—On Dec. 20, burglary was reported.

A UTO T H EFT  3000

block of Buford Highway—On Dec. 7, theft by taking auto was reported.

 3700

block of Buford Highway—On Dec. 11, theft by taking auto was reported.

 3100

block of Clairmont Road—On Dec. 16, theft of auto by taking was reported; On Dec. 18, theft by taking auto was reported.

DEC. 26, 2014 – JAN. 8, 2015 | www.ReporterNewspapers.net

block of Briarwood Road—On Dec. 7, simple battery was reported. block of Buford highway—On Dec. 11, battery was reported.

 3500

block of Telfair Way—On Dec. 12, simple battery was reported.

 3900

block of Peachtree Road—On Dec. 12, simple assault was reported.

 2700

block of Buford highway—On Dec. 13, simple battery was reported.

 1800

block of Corporate Boulevard— On Dec. 14, battery was reported.

 1900

block of North Druid Hills

block of Clairmont Road—On Dec. 17, simple battery was reported. block of Skyland Trail—On Dec. 20, simple assault was reported. block of Buford Highway—On Dec. 20, sexual assault was reported.

FRAUD  2600

block of Buford Highway—On Dec. 8, fraud was reported.

 6200

block of Brixworth Place—On Dec. 10, fraudulent activity was reported.

 2200

block of Limehurst Drive—On Dec. 12, fraud by impersonation was reported.

 2800

block of Buford Highway— On Dec. 15, financial transaction card fraud was reported.

404 Cut Tree AAA Auto Club Group AARP Acadia Homes Adman Promotions Advantage Painting Agave Alexander Academy Alfie Pets LLC All Sports Camp at Agnes Scott All Sports Camp at PRUMC Alliance Theater Allie J. 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Doc Chey’s Noodle House Dorsey Alston Realtors Dorsey Alston Realtors - Erin Yabroudy Dr. Arthur Silver DDS, PC Dunwoody Brokers Realty Please shop and patronize them when Dunwoody Nature Centerlocal Dunwoody Photo Dunwoody Pines Dunwoody Preservation Trust Dunwoody Veterinary Center Eighteen Eight Fine Men’s Salon Elements Massage Emory Healthcare Emory University - Asthma Clinical Res Engel & Volkers Intown Atl - Ken Covers Engel & Volkyou’re looking high quality products and services. ers Intown Atl - Scott Askewfor ENT of Georgia South EpiCity - 627 Irwin St Townhomes Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia Epstein School Euro-Distribution Co EZ One Price Cleaners Farsi Fine Jewelers Fast Signs Ferst Center for the Arts First Watch Flatz Shoes Fresh ‘N’ Fit Cuisine-Cumming Friends and Neighbors of Bill Bozarth Friends School of Atlanta Fripp Island Resort Fujiyama Japanese Sushi & Steak Fulton Science Academy OurHealth advertisers choose Newspapers Atlanta Intown we&reach Functional Inc. Galloway School Reporter Garage Dude, The Gas South and George’s Restaurant & Bar because Georgia Blinds Interiorsmore Georgia Perimeter College Georgia Urology Gifty Nibo Goddard School Good Measure Meals Goodchild for Georgia Gordon Street Realty Gravity Studio Great Clips homes and cover more news in our five communities than any other local publication. Great Gatsby’s Fine Antiques Greek Orthodox Cathedral Greenfield Hebrew Academy Gunnison Tree Specialists HammerSmith Hammocks Trading Company Hands Youlook Demand Harry Norman Buckhead - Hilof Harper Harry the Norman Buckhead NorthWe’reHammond proud toGlen beSenior yourCommunity newspaper and forward to another year growing local Bob Glascock Harry Norman Intown-Rodney Hinote Harry Norman Intown - Chris Hough Team Harry Norman Perimeter - Peggy Feldman ties that matter most to ourHarry customers and readers alike. Harry Norman Realtors - Carolyn Calloway Norman Realtors - Travis Reed Haygood Preschool High Meadows School Highland Pet Supply Hindson & Melton Hitch House Holy Innocents Episcopal School Holy Spirit Preparatory School Home Care Assistance Home Rebuilders Homestead Real Estate Consultants Howard School, The ID Tech Camps In Stitches InShapeMD Insidesign Intaglia Home Collection Integral Structure Inter Atlanta FC Janke Glass Studio Jewish National Fund The Joint Junior League of Atlanta-Nearly New Kaikudo Martial Arts Academy Kazoo Toys Keller Williams-Angie Ponsell Keller Williams - Alex Wilkinson Keller Williams - Gipson Team Keller Williams - Kelly Marsh Keller Williams - Schiff Realty Partners Kevin Aycock Homes Kids Enabled Kudzu Antiques & Vintage Home Mkt LaAmistad Landmark Vacation Rentals %Priority Mkt Las Margaritas Little Da Vinci International School Little Szechuan Los Bravos Mexican Restaurant Lovett School Lucky’s Burger & Brew Lutheran Church of the Redeemer Marcus Jewish Community Center Marcus L Dorsey Marist School W Atlanta Downtown MARTA Maryville College Massage Envy Spa Maxim Maylan International Academy MBS Wellness McDaniel & Durrett, PC Gynecology McKenna Long & Aldridge Medlock Gulf MedZed Mercedes-Benz of Buckhead Merlin Auto Group Merry Maids 1185 Michael Smith Midtown Bank MJCCA Moda Floors Modern Atlanta Modern Dental Modern Emergent Care Moksha Indian Cuisine Moon Bros., Inc Mosaic Group Atlanta Mount Vernon Presbyterian School Mt. 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Silk Route Simple Finds Interiors & Antiques SKIRT Slice of Brookhaven Smiles By Design Snow Companies Sophia Academy Southcare Cremation & Funeral Society Southeastern Lung Care Southern Classic Jewelry Southern Outdoor Construction Spivey Hall - Clayton State University Sports Broadcasting Camp Springmont School Spruill Center For The Arts SRA International, Inc SSYS St James United Methodist St. Benedict’s Episcopal Day School St. John Children’s Center St. John United Methodist Church St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church St. Luke Lutheran Church St. Martin’s Episcopal School St. Pius X Mother’s Club State Farm-Jerome Johnson State Farm-Harold Florence Steel Canyon Golf Club Sufi’s Restaurant Suzuki School Sweet Repeats Swift School Sylvan Learning Center Tacos and Tequilas Target Auction Teela Taqueria Temple Emanu-El Schiff Preschool Ten Thousand Villages Tenet Health/Atlanta Medical Center Tennessee Valley Railroad The Haute Spot The Pet

We’re celebrating another year of growth! More advertisers More circulation More local stories

Thank you from the Reporter Newspapers and Atlanta INtown staff!

Buckhead Reporter

Brookhaven Reporter

Dunwoody Reporter

Sandy Springs Reporter

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DEC. 26, 2014 – JAN. 8, 2015 | 21

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DEC. 26, 2014 – JAN. 8, 2015 | www.ReporterNewspapers.net