johns creek herald, may 1, 2014
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May 1, 2014 | northfulton.com | 73,500 circulation Revue & News, Johns Creek Herald, Milton Herald & Forsyth Herald combined | 50¢ | Volume 18, No. 18
Real Estate ReportSponsored section ► PAGE 22
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JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Appen Media Group – publishers of the Revue & News, Johns Creek Herald, Milton Herald and Forsyth Herald – returned from the Association of Free Community Papers (AFCP) an-nual conference this month in Orlando, Fla., with 19 awards for editorial, ad creation and publication design. Five of the awards were firsts among the 83 juried categories and 1,400 entries.
“The Best of the Best” trade show recognizes extraordinary
works in the fields of journal-ism, photography, ad design and page layout, said Appen Media General Manager Hans Appen.
“We took home 19 awards, more than any of the more than 250 newspaper groups represented at the conference, including Best in Show – the most prestigious award they hand out,” said Appen.
Executive Editor Hatcher Hurd won first place for Best Original Writing, News Article, for his summer-long coverage
of the Johns Creek City Coun-cil’s attempt to oust Mayor Mike Bodker through an “in-vestigation” of his conduct dur-ing an election campaign while one councilmember resigned her seat to run against him.
“This entry is community watchdog journalism at its best,” the judges said in mak-ing the award. “Solid, thorough reporting that kept its com-munity informed every step of the way.”
Hurd, who wrote nearly 30 articles from June through November 2013, said it was the most sustained and gruel-
HATCHER HURD/STAFF
Appen Media Senior Graphic Designer David Brown shows where he makes his magic. Brown won an astounding seven AFCP awards including three first place awards.
Appen Media wins 19 national awards, named Best in ShowCoverage of Johns Creek mayoral investigation named Best Original Writing, News Article
See AWARDS, Page 26
Cyclists rollin CriteriumHundres turn out for annual cycling festival
► PAGE 25
Candidatessquare offForum allows votersto hear the issues
► PAGE 4
By HATCHER [email protected]
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Another addition to Johns Creek’s qual-ity of life is nearing completion – the 500-seat Newtown Park pavilion/amphitheater.
The Johns Creek City Council authorized the con-struction of a pavilion in 2014 to provide space for family get-togethers, reunions and corporate outings. But the idea quickly grew – doubling the size – so that the community could get more use out of it.
Now, a pavilion with 4,800 square feet of covered space and a stage will open June 28 with a free concert by the Johns Creek Symphony Or-chestra.
“We want to be able to pro-
vide a Chastain [Park] kind of experience for our residents,” said Mayor Mike Bodker. “Our first concern will be to have it up and running by June 28.”
Headley Construction of-ficials say the project will be open on time, and indeed, the construction is nearly done with landscaping still to come. Headley was the low bidder at $808,000. The high bid was $1.3 million.
Public Works Director Tom Black said his staff began working on the project in response to repeated requests from residents for such a facil-ity. The plans grew as it was decided to make the facility more versatile.
The pavilion sits in a natu-
JC makes statement with new pavilionConcerts, farmers market, family reunions among uses for $808K Newtown Park addition
See PAVILION, Page 9
HATCHER HURD/STAFF
Mayor Mike Bodker goes over plans for the new Johns Creek pavilion and its debut for a June 28 concert. From left are Public Works Director Tom Black, Bodker, Parks Division Manager Robby Newton and Recreation Manager Kirk Franz.
Soccer moms upsetover gun in parkStranger flaunting gun on hiptriggers frantic 911 calls
► PAGE 6
2 | May 1, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald | northfulton.com PUBLIC SAFETY
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Weapon stolen in break-inJOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Two vehicles were broken into April 18 at the Century State Bridge Apartments, with a firearm taken from one of them.
One victim told police a window in her soft-top Jeep was slashed open. Taken from inside was $10 cash. A search of the surrounding area turned up the victim’s driver’s license along with another license, a set of car keys and a cancelled check.
Another victim said the key found belonged to him. They were taken from inside his vehicle, which was left unlocked overnight. A CZ P-07
9-mm pistol was taken from the vehicle.
Rental company swindles landlord, tenant
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – A landlord was defrauded out of thousands of dollars of rent after a rental company refused to pay her.
The victim told police she signed an agreement with Future Mortgage and Finance, based out of Norcross for them to manage property she owns in Johns Creek. After several months, a check for nearly $1,000 was sent to the victim from the mortgage company, however the check bounced. The victim then received a let-ter from her mortgage com-pany claiming she has not paid her mortgage for nearly six months and owned more than $18,000.
The victim searched
through state records and found Future Mortgage had their license revoked in 2008 and had been operating ille-gally since.
Contacting the renter, the victim learned they had been paying monthly rent regularly to Future Mortgage, totaling $14,000.
IRS scam strikes againJOHNS CREEK, Ga. – A Wind-sor Park Drive couple are out $4,600 after falling victim to an IRS scam.
The victim told police she was contacted by phone by someone claiming to be with the Internal Revenue Service. They said she owed $2,300 im-mediately. She was instructed to buy some Green Dot cash cards at local stores and then tell the caller their numbers. The victim did this. The caller said he would check with the accounting department and
call back within half an hour.When he did call back,
he said the victim’s husband would also need to pay $2,300 or he would have trouble. The victim repeated the process.
It was only later the victim realized she was scammed.
Pot bust results from strange behavior
ALPHARETTA, Ga. – An Al-pharetta woman was arrested April 13 after a string of suspi-cious incidents culminated in her arrest for possession of drugs.
An officer on patrol at about 2 a.m. saw a vehicle that appeared to be looking for an address. It turned out of the parking lot of one closed business and then turned into another, gated business. When it turned around, police pulled
POLICE BLOTTERAll crime reports published by Appen Media Group are compiled from public records. Neither the law enforcement agencies nor Appen Media Group implies any guilt by publishing these names. None of the persons listed has been convicted of the alleged crimes.
MILTON, Ga. – A Gainesville resident was arrested April 13 after allegedly trying to break into a home while armed with a baseball bat.
Police were called to a Fairfield Way home after reports of a fight. The victim told police Ormond Louis Mayer, 59, of
Gainesville, had walked up to the resi-dence and demanded to be let inside to speak with his son. The two had argued the previous night. Mayer was armed with an aluminum baseball bat. The victim told Mayer he was not welcome in the home and to leave. Mayer allegedly tried to force
his way inside. He and the homeowner fought over the bat and Mayer eventually left. Mayer’s son and a witness confirmed the events.
Mayer was picked up by police in For-syth County and arrested for aggravated assault and burglary.
Baseball bat not a key
See BLOTTER, Page 3
DUI arrests ► Kelly Warren Drew, 46, of
Atlanta was arrested April 6 on Ga. 400 in Alpharetta for DUI.
► Lara G. Oliveira, 29, of Faircrest Lane, Alpharetta, was arrested April 6 on Ga. 400 in Alpharetta for DUI and failure to maintain lane.
► Michael Maddalena, 51, of
Foster Drive, Cumming, was arrested April 9 on Mansell Road in Alpharetta for DUI and possession of drug-related items.
► Jabril Ali Fenderson, 23, of Creek Landing Lane, Alpharetta, was arrested April 12 on Webb Bridge Road in Alpharetta for DUI, open con-tainer and failure to maintain lane.
► Michael Alexander Escobar, 24, of Atlanta was arrested April 6 on North Point Parkway in Alpharetta for DUI, too fast for conditions and failure to obey a traffic control device.
► Alexander Ryan Miller, 27,
of Duluth was arrested April 9 on State Bridge Road in Johns Creek for DUI, failure to main-tain lane, tag light violation, expired registration and failure to update his address on his driver’s license.
► Ashley Elizabeth McLaughlin, 33, of Canton was arrested April 11 on State Bridge Road in Johns Creek for DUI and speeding.
► William Robert Pack, 55, of Kentmere Drive, Cumming, was arrested April 6 on Morris Road in Milton for DUI, stop sign violation and violation of a limited permit.
► Joseph Pierce Flanagan,
20, of Fourth Fairway Drive, Roswell, was arrested April 9 on Champion Hills Drive in Milton for DUI, disorderly con-duct and possession of drug-related items.
► Theodore Victor Goodhart, 74, of Wyndham Farms Drive, Alpharetta, was arrested April 13 on Bethany Road in Milton for DUI, failure to maintain lane and hit and run.
Drug arrests ► Renaldo Vince Cooper, 29,
of Atlanta was arrested April 6
DUIS & DRUGSAll crime reports published by Appen Media Group are compiled from public records. Neither the law enforcement agencies nor Appen Media Group implies any guilt by publishing these names. None of the persons listed has been convicted of the alleged crimes.
See ARRESTS, Page 33
northfulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | May 1, 2014 | 3PUBLIC SAFETY
it over. The driver said he had traveled from Kennesaw to meet a girl at 3331 Old Milton Parkway. He did not know the girl’s name and claimed they had met online.
Suspicious of possible prostitution, the officer had the man call the girl to verify his story. The driver called Temaya Smith, 18, of Old Milton Park-way, Alpharetta, who allegedly said she would meet him at the swimming pool at the agreed address and that she was “rising up,” a slang term for getting high.
The officer repots he saw a vehicle pull up to the address and Smith get out and walk toward the man’s vehicle. The car drove away.
When Smith saw the police officer, she allegedly turned around and tried to walk away. He stopped her and questioned her. Inside her purse was marijuana. She also alleg-edly smelled of alcohol. Smith was arrested for underage consumption of alcohol and possession of marijuana. The
driver was released without charge.
Fake IDs, cards land N.Y. woman in jailALPHARETTA, Ga – A New York woman was arrested April 19 after she was allegedly found with several forged credit cards and IDs as she tried to make purchases at the mall.
Police were called to the Apple store after Antiana N. Hernandez, 20, of Bronx, N.Y., allegedly tried to buy three Apple iPhones using a fake Maryland driver’s license and credit card.
Police found the vehicle Hernandez drove to the mall and discovered more credit cards and IDs inside that ap-peared fake from Pennsylvania and Ohio.
Also found in the car were receipts from Apple stores from around the state. Hernandez was arrested for credit card fraud and first-degree forgery.
Large, fake check raises red flagsALPHARETTA, Ga. – A fake
$42,500 check and some marijuana landed a man in jail April 11.
According to police, Frederick Lamar Scott, 42, of Duluth, drove into the drive-through lane of the Renas-ant Bank on South Main Street and attempted to pass a fake check. Tellers said the $42,500 check appeared forged because it lacked basic security features. They double checked with the business on the check and found it was forged.
Police stopped Scott as he was in the drive-through. In-side his car, they found a small amount of marijuana.
Scott was arrested for third-degree forgery and pos-
session of marijuana.
He just can’t get comfortableALPHARETTA, Ga. – An At-lanta man is suspected in the theft of several sets of comfort-ers from the local Sears store.
Police were called out March 10 to the Sears store at North Point Mall after a man was seen picking out two comforters, each valued at $200, and trying to leave the store without paying. When approached by employees, the suspect ran, dropping the items.
He fled in a 1990s black Ford Explorer. Workers said
they recognized the man as doing the same thing two days earlier and several times the month earlier.
Using the vehicle’s tag, po-lice issued a warrant for Chet Deoblo Stinson, 41, of Atlanta for shoplifting. He was arrested April 17 in Carroll County on a DeKalb County shoplifting warrant.
Continued from Page 2
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4 | May 1, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald | northfulton.com Submit your news & photos to [email protected]
GARAGE SALESSee more garage sales in the classifieds • Page 34
ALPHARETTA/MILTON, Yard Sale. Avensong Subdivision, 735 Avening Court. Saturday 5/3, 9am-4pm. Vintage Blue Willow and glassware, household goods, crochet items, Corningware, and more!.ALPHARETTA, Estate sale. 12070 S. Magnolia Circle, 30005. Saturday, 5/3, 8AM-3PM. Household contents, wide variety, including furnishings, kitchen, dining, exercise equipment, electronics, jewelry.ALPHARETTA, 200 Lantern Ridge Court 30009. Saturday 5/3, 8am-12pm. Furniture, tools.ALPHARETTA/MILTON: ESTATE SALE, White Columns Subdivision, 175 White Columns Drive. Friday 5/2 and Saturday 5/3, 8am-3pm. Many upscale furni-ture pieces in large, 6 bedroom estate home, includes all household items and 6’3” Baldwin Model L Grand PianoCUMMING, Plant sale; Perennials, groundcovers. Glencree Subdivision, 4390 Wicklow Court. Saturday 5/3, 9am-2pm. CUMMING, Stonebrooke Commons HOA Community Yard Sale, Saturday 5/3, 9am-2pm. Our residents will have their treasures out on the driveways. A rain
date has been scheduled for Saturday 5/10 MILTON, Big charity yard/thrift sale benefitting COTA. Friday 5/2 8:00am-2:00pm. Saturday5/3, 8:00am-3:00pm. Highland Manor Clubhouse (indoor) 15890 Milton Point 30004.MILTON, Crooked Creek, moving; huge! 14570 Creek Club Drive. Friday 5/2 , Saturday 5/3 8am-3pmMILTON, Multi family. 765 Quarterpath Lane. Wood Valley Subdivision, off Freemanville. Saturday 5/3, 8am-2pm. Designer clothing, shoes, handbags. Antiques. Furniture. Household items. Hartman luggage. Tools. Designer decor. ROSWELL, huge multi family! Brookfield Subdivision, 855 Ferncroft Court 30075. Friday 5/2, Saturday 5/3, 7am-3pm. Proceeds for scholarships; vin-tage and household items; organ, childrens’ equipment ROSWELL, 255 Saddlebrook Terrace. Several families. Friday 5/2 and Satur-day 5/3, 8am-3pm. Household goods, estate downsizing. Bargains galore
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ERIC FRAGOSO Age: 33 Occupation: Business consultant Education: M.A. Public Administration, Univer-sity of Georgia B.A. History, Asbury University Public service/commu-nity involvement: Vice chairman of the Johns Creek Board of Zoning Appeals; homeowner board member; elder at Perimeter Church
ARUN MISRA Age: 62 Occupation: Retired college professor and businessman Education: Doctorate in microbiology
and genetic engineering Public service/com-munity service: Rotary Club of Johns Creek; Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce, Indian Business Association; Atlanta Botanical Gar-dens
ROBERT GRAY Age: 50Occupation: President – Commercial Services, NTT DataEducation: Purdue University, B.S. En-gineering; University of Chicago, M.B.A. Fi-nance Public service/com-munity service: Geor-
gia Tech ATDC Mentor Program, 2014 – present; North Point Church men’s ministry; Swift School trustee and board trustee; Governor’s Johns Creek transition committee; YMCA Adventure Guides Program
THOMAS K. RADFORD Age: 52 Occupation: Founder/CEO of International Business Development Inc. Education: Executive M.B.A., Georgia State University; graduated B.B.S. Accounting, Georgia State University Public service/community involvement: Children’s discipleship leader 2009 to present and elder at Perimeter Church;
service and monetary donations to Community Outreach, Norcross Co-op; support ministries for Guatemala, India and China
POST 6STEVE BROADBENTAge: 60 Occupation: Executive benefits consultant Education: B.S. in Nuclear Engineering, University of Virginia; MBA, University of North Carolina at Cha-pel Hill; M.A. in Public Policy, George Washing-ton University Public service/community involvement: Director, Johns Creek Foundation; for-
9 candidates vie for 2 council seatsBy HATCHER [email protected]
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – With nine can-didates seeking two City Council seats,
they must find ways to set themselves apart from the field for the May 20 elec-tion.
The Johns Creek Community Association attempted to give those candidates – six men and three women – center stage when it sponsored a candidate forum April 24. JCCA board member Cleve Gaddis moderated the
event at Taylor Lodge at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church and served up ques-tions from the audience.
Candidates had one minute to re-spond. In their answers to many of the questions, there was little real disagree-ment.
Most of the differences were about degree. Also, they often did not get into
details. For instance, everyone recognized
the need to repair the many crumbling streets in the city as a top priority.
Yet candidates did not offer up many ideas on how the $40 million in identified road needs would be pro-cured. Instead, all pledged not to raise taxes.
JCCA forum gives them chance to air positions
FRAGOSO
MISRA
GRAY
RADFORD
BROADBENT
See COUNCIL, Page 7
northfulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | May 1, 2014 | 5Recycled paper | Submit your news & photos to [email protected]
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6 | May 1, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald | northfulton.com NEWS
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FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A man carrying a gun in his belt’s holster at Fowler Park had a lot of concerned parents calling the authorities.
“We were getting a call ev-ery five minutes,” said Deputy Doug Rainwater, a spokesman for the Forsyth County Sher-iff’s Office.
The incident unfolded at the United Futbol Academy soccer field at Fowler Park on Monday and Tuesday, April 21 and April 22. The man walked up to the spectator benches and stood there with his gun in his holster in his belt — getting a lot of people’s attention.
“This person claims to have been exercising at the park while carrying a knife on Mon-day and then returning with a firearm on Tuesday,” said a United Futbol Academy board member in a news release to
parents. “We need to under-stand that they don’t want to harm anyone and it’s best to just leave them alone, don’t engage them and hope they move on.”
The sheriff’s office has increased patrols at the park, not for the man, but to assure parents they are in the park, Rainwater said.
“A park is one of those places where you can openly carry a weapon if you do have a permit,” Rainwa-ter said. “A lot of parents with their kids at Fowler Park don’t understand that in Georgia you do have that right.”
Iggy Moleka, a United Fut-bol Academy executive board member, said that training was canceled on Wednesday, April 23, but would resume on April 24.
“United Futbol Academy is totally neutral on this Second Amendment,” Moleka said in an email to the Forsyth Herald. “Our concern is our kids and our members.”
Rainwater said it’s unclear why the man was at the park, but he did not break the law.
“He has not pulled the gun
out,” Rainwater said. “He’s walk-ing around the park with a gun in the holster on
the belt.”Rainwater said
the law that covers carrying guns in public
places such as parks dates back to 2010.
But last week, licensed gun owners in Georgia were given more leeway to carry their weapons in places that include bars, schools, churches and some government buildings.
Gov. Nathan Deal on Wednesday, April 23, signed the state’s “Safe Carry Protec-tion Act,” which some critics call the “guns everywhere bill.”
The new law goes into ef-fect July 1 and allows licensed
gun owners in the state and visitors from 28 other states to bring a gun into a bar without restrictions and carry a firearm into some government build-ings that don’t have security measures.
It also allows school districts to decide whether they want some employees to carry a firearm and religious leaders to decide whether to allow licensed gun owners at their church, synagogue or mosque.
Gun shy of gun lawGun-toting stranger sends soccer parents calling 911 at Fowler Park
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A park is one of those places where you can openly carry a weapon if you do have a permit. A lot of parents with their kids at Fowler Park don’t understand that in Georgia you do have that right.”DOUG RAINWATERForsyth County Sheriff Deputy
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northfulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | May 1, 2014 | 7Submit your news & photos to [email protected] NEWS
mer chairman, Johns Creek Planning Commission; director, Development Authority of Fulton County; member, Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce Military service: Commander (retired), U.S. Navy
TOM MAZZUCKELLI Age: 56Occupation: General dentist, Thomas J. Maz-zuckelli, Ph.D., DMD, PC; adjunct faculty member, Georgia Re-gents UniversityEducation: B.A., Au-gustana College, Rock Island, Ill. 1979; Ph.D., Duke University, N.C. 1983; D.M.D.,
Medical College of Georgia, 1995Public Service: President of Haynes Landing Homeowners Association; member Emile T. Fisher Board for Dental Education in Georgia; member Northern District Georgia Dental As-sociation
NANCY REINECKE Age: 62 Occupation: Dietitian/nutritionist/teacher Education: M.S., Medical Science, Emory University; B.S., Food Science and Nutrition, University of Massachu-setts, Amherst Public Service: Fulton County poll manager for eight years; substitute teacher for Johns Creek middle and high schools for seven years; community advocate and orga-nizer of the Buice Road Homeowners Coalition; roadside litter pickup; PTA
member and school volunteer (read-ing, Project Self-Esteem, environmental classes, Odyssey of the Mind, Academic Bowl team coach); Doublegate Garden Club master gardener advisor
LEA TAYLORAge: 47 Occupation: Social media coordinator for Gaddis Partners Realty; preschool teacher at Mount Pisgah Christian School Education: B.A. in Commercial Art at American College for the Applied Arts; studied for advanced degree in education at Kennesaw State University Public service/community involve-ment: Board of Directors, Johns Creek Arts Center, secretary; Zoning Commit-tee liaison for Johns Creek Commu-nity Association; JCCA 2008 Margaret
Krueger Volunteer of the Year; Friends of Ocee Library Board; secretary, Johns Creek Beautification Board; Johns Creek Board of Zoning Appeals Post A; volunteer at Mount Pisgah United Methodist Church
ESTHER WEATHERSAge: 29 Occupation: Fund-raising consultant and mother Education: Attended Brenau University and the University of Georgia Public service/com-munity service: Gwin-nett/North Fulton Junior League and chair-elect of the Georgia State Public Affairs Committee; Canine Pet Rescue; attended National Republican Conven-tion as a voting delegate; youngest member of the Electoral College from Georgia in 2008
Continued from Page 4
Council:
MAZZUCKELLI
REINECKE
TAYLORWEATHERS
Post 4 candidates lay out ideas for city’s future
Much has been made about the imbalance of the Johns Creek tax base, with only about 20 percent of property taxes paid by commercial de-velopment and 80 percent by homeowners. How important is it to rectify that imbalance in future zoning cases?
FRAGOSO: The 80-20 split in the tax base is not good, Fragoso said. Better would be 60 percent [homeowners]
and 40 percent [commercial]. A higher commercial tax base would be an indication of a vibrant city. But business zon-ings should be in those areas that make sense.
GRAY: He agreed in principle with Mayor Mike Bodker’s stated desire to see a town center that would at-
tract new development while providing a trendier nightlife that would bring a talented younger element to the work-force for anticipated new busi-nesses.
The city needs to create a more robust local economy and do away with the proliferation of empty store fronts.
MISRA: The city does need a city center that would do much for the city’s economy, Misra said. He noted there
are large parcels of land that are undeveloped or under-used that if developed would boost the city’s economy.
RADFORD: There are a lot of empty store fronts, Radford agreed. But quality is needed in the new develop-
ment. Radford noted there are communities “across the river” that have similar imbalances between their residential and commercial tax bases. But they are not so limited. He also called for the city to get more of a return from its county taxes.How can the city better man-
age its traffic congestion?
RADFORD: There are a “lot of smart people” in the city. It is a problem that has to be dealt with. Radford said he had “no political agenda,” but he wanted to see the facts before committing to a plan. He also said the Comprehensive Land Use Plan is “too vague.”
The city needs to look at projections that look three, five, 10 and 20 years out, Rad-ford said.MISRA: What people want are more trees and parks but that hasn’t happened. More growth would provide the city the funds to improve traffic and more parks.GRAY: First, the city needs a plan – one that is innovative with solutions such as “smart roads” that regulate traffic sig-nals in real time and the use of diamond intersections that cre-ate more efficient traffic flow.
“We need to also align growth with our vision,” he said.FRAGOSO: We have to take the global view with the local, he said. That means working more closely with the Georgia Department of Transportation and creating long-term objec-tives. Meanwhile, the city has to find ways to fund its local projects, Fragoso said.
What is the biggest issue facing the city?
GRAY: He said he has seen a lot of changes in the 20 years he has lived in Johns Creek, and more change is coming. The city needs to be “intention-al” in its planning.
“The American dream is happening here in Johns Creek,” he said.MISRA: The city should concentrate on creating more parks, while there is still land to do it. Johns Creek should also have a college in its bor-ders, and a shopping mall of its own that would help the city have economic balance.
High-rise Class A office would also help the city remain vibrant.RADFORD: “We need to focus on our infrastructure,” he said.
He said the city builds a lot of sidewalks, but he doesn’t see people on them. The city needs to do a better job of pri-oritizing its needs.FRAGOSO: The big issue for the city is not growth – Johns Creek will continue to do that, with its great schools and housing. But the city needs a plan and a vision for manag-ing that growth. That would include a redesign of the Com-prehensive Land Use Plan.
Post 6 candidates speak on JC’s issues
It has been suggested that connecting Johns Creek to the recreation opportunities of Gwinnett County and Duluth by restoring Rogers Bridge as a pedestrian bridge would be a good idea. Do you support this?
WEATHERS: “I do sup-port it. I think this can be a great monument for the city,” Weathers said.
However, she said she would like to see private in-vestment involved in making it happen.
TAYLOR: She said she is in favor of exploring that opportunity.
“Also, I think we need to show that we
can play well with our neigh-bors,” Taylor said.
REINECKE: She would love to see the bridge made viable to allow residents to walk to Duluth’s facilities as
well as Gwinnett’s.“The cost is not prohibitive,
and we need to increase [the city’s] recreation opportuni-ties,” she said.
MAZZUCKELLI: “I can’t think of a more underused and beauti-ful spot,” he said.
It is unfortunate
Rogers Bridge is not easily accessible to the whole city, but it would be an outstanding asset for the city, he said.
BROADBENT: He likes the idea of the recre-ation Rogers Bridge would provide, but he would need to see the
costs first. “We need to carefully priori-
tize our needs, and right now, roads are our biggest need,” Broadbent said.
How should the city go about paying for its badly needed road work?
MAZZUCKELLI: There are funds available in the yearly budget for repairs. We had a hard winter, and it was hard on our roads. We need to pri-oritize that work, he said.
“Traffic and roads are key to the community. But we have to take care of what we can,” Mazzuckelli said.REINECKE: The city must repair its roads. Johns Creek will receive an increase of $1.9 million in additional sales tax distribution due to the new Census figures.
Road work should be pri-oritized. The city doesn’t need to do it all at once,” Reinecke said.TAYLOR: Clearly, roads need to be a priority, and the city needs to do more, Taylor said. Other solutions could include managing trash haulers that seem to roll on city streets almost daily, she said.WEATHERS: We have $40 mil-lion in road needs – obviously that is not going to happen, Weathers said. The city needs to start with the worst roads and repave them as funds are available. Prioritization is the answer, she said.BROADBENT: He said there three solutions: Continue to repave as funds are available in the annual budget; incur a short-term loan: or incur long-term debt.
“All three solutions are eas-
ier if we have more businesses in the city,” Broadbent said.
Where do you stand on the proposed city center?
REINECKE: “I want a strong, vibrant city. We need green space,” she said.
Reinecke proposed the Regal shopping center as one possibility for a city center. It would fill up empty store fronts and is close to other destina-tions such as Johns Creek High School.TAYLOR: The city center is a great idea that needs looking into, Taylor said. She noted that the Suwanee town center has been successful, but more study should be done on the viability of the city. She also noted that property could be available east along State Bridge Road.WEATHERS: The Suwanee town center is a good example of a successful project. Weath-ers said she “absolutely” thought Johns Creek needed a similar development to attract new business to the city rather than go elsewhere.
“We want young profession-als to come here and stay,” she said.BROADBENT: He supports the town center plan, but he wants limits on the city’s investment. There should be private sector dollars involved, he said.
A development authority could be a conduit [for private sector money], but Broadbent said Technology Park may be the best place for such a project.MAZZUCKELLI: A city center is important for Johns Creek’s long-term growth, he said.
“We have to have a place where we can centralize activi-ties, and Technology Park is the most likely place,” Maz-zuckelli said.
But the city should be wary of what he called “multi-family creep,” that would put too many apartments in a city center.
8 | May 1, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald | northfulton.com Submit your news & photos to [email protected]
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6 local teams earn spots in state baseball playoffsBy MIKE BLUM [email protected]
NORTH FULTON, Ga. – Six local teams begin action in the state baseball play-offs this week, with four North Fulton AAAAAA teams taking on opponents from Gwinnett County.
The first round playoff games are scheduled to begin Friday with double-headers, with a third game if needed set for Saturday.
Defending state champion Milton won the Region 5-AAAAAA champion-ship and will be at home in the first round against North Gwinnett, the No.
4 team from Re-gion 7.
The Eagles fin-ished the season with a 12-2 region record, 19-7 over-all. Milton won its last seven games in succession and is ranked third in AAAAAA. North Gwinnett brings a 14-12 record into the state playoffs, going 9-7 in region play.
Johns Creek placed second in Region 6 behind unbeaten and state No. 1-ranked Lambert, and will host Brookwood in the first round.
The Gladiators finished 10-4 in the region and 14-11 overall, with Brook-wood taking third in Region 8 at 11-5, 14-12 overall.
Roswell finished third in Region 5 at 9-5, ending the season 16-10 overall. The Hornets were tied with Walton go-ing into the final two games of the sea-son, but lost 2-1 and 4-0 to the Raid-ers, who placed second behind Milton.
The Hornets play at Mill Creek, which was second in Region 7 at 12-4, 16-10 overall. Roswell reached the championship series last year against Milton, losing in extra innings in the decisive third game of the series.
Chattahoochee closed out its season with a 13-6 victory over Johns Creek to take third in Region 6 at 8-6 behind Lambert and Johns Creek.
The Cougars play at Grayson in the first round. The Rams placed second in Region 8 with a 13-3 record, 17-9 overall.
The Milton-North Gwinnett series winner will face either Grayson or Chat-tahoochee in the second round, with a doubleheader scheduled for May 7 and the third game if needed the next day.
The Roswell-Mill Creek winner will likely draw No. 1 Lam-bert (26-0) in the sec-ond round, with Lam-bert hosting Dacula in the first round.
The Johns Creek-
Brookwood winner will play either Mountain View or Lassiter in the second round. Mountain View (22-4) won Region 8 and is ranked fourth in AAAAAA. Lassiter (11-15) tied Etowah (20-7) for fourth in Region 5 at 8-6, tak-ing the tiebreaker thanks to two wins over Etowah during the season.
Blessed Trinity went 12-1 in 6-AAA to take the region championship, finishing 19-7 overall. The Titans host Jackson, which also went 19-7 and finished fourth in Region 8-AAA at 9-5. Friday’s doubleheader is scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m.
If the Titans advance to the second round, they would be at home against either Sonoraville, the No. 3 team from 5-AAA, or North Hall, the No. 2 team from 7-AAA.
King’s Ridge dropped its final game of the season to Gordon Lee 13-7 to fin-ish second in its 6-A sub-region at 16-4 behind Mount Paran Christian, which was 20-0 in region play.
The Tigers, who are 20-4 overall, were ranked second in the state among Class A private school teams going into the final week of the season, but could drop to third behind Mount Paran.
Eagle’s Landing Christian was ranked first going to the final week.
King’s Ridge will be at home in the first round Friday against an opponent to be determined after the final power rankings are released. The Tigers would play a second round series on their home field if they advance.
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ral bowl, so the idea of making it an amphitheater with four terraced levels to allow for lawn seating was added. The pavil-ion lawn seating will double the capacity as an amphithe-ater.
With the additional adjoin-ing terraces, people can spread blankets and enjoy concerts or plays. The facility will be able to seat 252 for a dining event with tables or 528 seats under the structure with another 500 to 800 on the terraces. A sound engineer was consulted during the design and a sound system will be built in.
“We were able to use the last good piece of develop-able land in the park. We have already decided to add another use. It is perfect for the Johns Creek Farmers Market,” Black said. “It will be under the shelter in the shade so ven-dors won’t even have to put up tents.”
Bodker said he was excited about the opportunities for residents to use the pavilion.
“We plan a series of three concerts this summer. As its popularity grows, I think we will be able to have a mix of free concerts along with non-free concerts,” Bodker said.
But much of that is still down the road. Bodker said while it will be Chastain-like in its setting, it won’t be on Chas-
tain’s scale. Chastain Park is 268 acres and its amphitheater seats 6,900. Newtown Park is 46 acres.
“We have to strike a bal-ance. First, we want to be respectful of our neighbors, because this park is in a neighborhood. We don’t want to interrupt their lives or people using the park for other purposes,” Bodker said.
“This will be more inti-mate,” he said. “And it will be done right.”
Bodker also had good words for staff in finding the space for the pavilion.
“Newtown has the highest use of any of our parks, and so I have to compliment our staff for being so creative in the use of space,” he said.
Continued from Page 1
Pavilion:
HATCHER HURD/STAFF
The arches supporting the roof are southern yellow pine, each weighing 4,300 pounds.
10 | May 1, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald | northfulton.com Submit your news & photos to [email protected]
ATLANTA – Board members of the Atlanta-Fulton County Water Resources Commission (AFCWRC) have elected Fulton County Commissioner Liz Haus-mann, District 3, to serve as chairwom-an for 2014.
She previously served as chair of the AFCWRC in 2012 and served as vice chair in 2011. Her appointment is for a one-year term.
“Water is an issue of critical impor-tance in Fulton County and throughout our state and region.
I look forward to continuing our important work with this commission,” said Hausmann.
“The protection of the environ-ment and, more specifically, our water resources, is vital to the overall health, welfare and economic progress of the
county and its citizens.”The AFCWRC is a seven-member
management commission that acts as agent for the city of Atlanta and Fulton County, owners of the Atlanta-Fulton County Water Treatment Facility at 9750 Spruill Road, Johns Creek. This facility provides drinking water to both Atlanta and North Fulton County sys-tems via two independent, yet connect-
ed, sets of pumps and piping.
Together with the city of Atlanta, the AFCWRC is re-sponsible for meet-ing the needs of 90 percent of water customers in Fulton County.
Hausmann to chair Atlanta-Fulton Water Resources Commission
HAUSMANN
ROSWELL, Ga. — For the Love of a Horse, a local horse rescue, is hosting its third annual golf tournament at the Trophy Club of Atlanta, 15135 Hopewell Road in Alpharetta, on June 6.
All proceeds will benefit For the Love a Horse.
The 18-hole golf classic will include a four-person team scramble format with prizes, gift bags, hole-in-one contests, longest drive con-test and boxed lunch.
An awards reception, silent auction and raffle will take place after the tournament.
For a foursome, the price is $450 and for a single, $125.
An “early bird” player registration special of a $400 foursome and a $100 single is available through April 30.
For the Love of a Horse is a local Roswell charity dedicated to the rescue and rehabilita-tions of equines, specifically those with critical-care medical needs that would otherwise be euthanized.
To register, visit www.fortheloveofahorse.org.
—McKenzie Cunningham
Horse rescue hosts 3rd annual golf tourney
ROSWELL, Ga. — On May 9 and 10, the National Career Ministry Conference will be held at Roswell United Method-ist Church.
The conference, hosted by Roswell United Methodist Church and Crossroads Career Network, is for church pastoral and lay leaders, job clubs, ca-reer ministries and workforce development professionals.
It will educate attendees on how to help people find jobs, careers and God’s calling.
Attendees will also hear how faith communities are responding to America’s jobs crisis and see how to start and grow a career ministry.
The event lasts from 2 p.m.
to 8 p.m. on Friday, May 9, and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 10. It includes dinner, breakfast and lunch as well as books and programs.
For more information and registration, visit bit.ly/1hS3Z71.
Career ministry conferenceconducted at RUMC
If you goWhat: National Career Ministry ConferenceWhen: 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, May 9, and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Satur-day, May 10.Where: Roswell United Methodist Church
Johns Creek Youth Football
Association now registering players at www.JCYFA.com
Now registering elementary-age children for its 2014 fall football season. JCYFA off ers tackle football for rising second, third, fourth and fi fth graders, as well as fl ag football for kindergarten through fourth grade and cheerleading for grades one through fi ve.
JCYFA is celebrating its ninth season of exciting and successful youth sports programs. The association has grown rapidly and owes its great success to parent volunteers, excellent coaching staff and outstanding student athletes.
The fall football and cheer programs are a great way for children to learn how to work together as part of a team, excercise, have fun and establish new friendships. Teams fi ll up fast so register today online at www.JCYFA.com.
northfulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | May 1, 2014 | 11SCHOOLS
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By CANDY [email protected]
NORTH FULTON, Ga. – With the exception of a new elemen-tary school in Roswell, addi-tions to three middle schools and a career tech extension at Cambridge High, the school construction boom has slowed considerably in North Fulton, at least through 2017.
During an April 16 meeting of the Fulton School Board, a plan for capital projects remaining in the 2012-2017 cycle was presented. The five-year cycle mirrors the special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) term; the one-cent sales tax expected to generate $800 million for construction and technology needs in the 2012-17 timeframe.
The construction plan for the system is based mostly on expected classroom needs through 2017, as well as exist-ing needs at schools. Based on projections, the need for new classrooms in North Fulton will not be as great as in Sandy Springs and South Fulton schools in the coming years.
“A lot of the capital program is driven purely by classroom needs, but we [also consider] renovation needs,” said Patrick Burke, deputy superintendent for operations for the Fulton County School System (FCSS). “Every year, we look at this to readjust and refine…to make the best use of taxpayer dollars and give us that lens to the future.”
Projections show classroom space in North Fulton elemen-tary and middle schools is sufficient through 2018 with the opening of the new Roswell elementary school and middle school additions at Hopewell, Taylor Road and Autrey Mill.
However, overcrowding will remain an issue in North Ful-ton high schools, said Burke. Based on current projections, area high schools, in total, will be over state capacity by 418 students by 2018.
Burke said the career tech
addition at Cambridge High School, opening in winter 2015, will not increase the capacity of that school. The decision on how to address the overcrowding in high schools will be made in the next capital cycle, beginning in 2018.
A planned addition to Crabapple Middle School is on hold while planners look at plans to rebuild the school sometime after 2018. Burke said renovation needs at the school top $18 million, while a complete rebuild is $28 mil-lion.
“At some point, you have to ask yourself if you have the right budget and the right project,” said Burke. “It has become clear there is a better solution.”
Burke said basic upgrades, such as new carpet, will be made to the school to keep it in good shape until a decision is made on a rebuild. An admin-istrative consolidation that will move the school system head-quarters to North Fulton is still moving forward.
The headquarters and the North Learning Center are on schedule to be completed before the end of this calendar year; the South Learning Cen-ter will be complete in winter 2015.
“The really good news is we continue to be in a very strong position for executing [the capital program] accord-ing to plan, and our reserves will continue to increase as our revenues increase,” said Burke.
Capital projects limitedin NF through 2017 Only one new school plannedin area
By CANDY [email protected]
ATLANTA – An improving economy could be a huge boon
to revenues collected for the special purpose local option
SPLOST revenues expected to be 8 percent higher
See SPLOST, Page 30
A lot of the capital program is driven purely by classroom needs, but we [also consider] renovation needs.” PATRICK BURKEDeputy superintendent for operations for the Fulton County School System (FCSS)
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By CANDY [email protected]
ATLANTA – The recent “report card” from the Georgia Depart-ment of Education indicates Fulton County schools are making progress in academic achievement, but still making a C-plus when it comes to stu-dents’ readiness for college.
The average score for the Fulton County School System was 77.5, compared to 75.8 for all Georgia public schools. While the average score for Fulton elementary schools fell below the state average, Ful-ton’s middle and high schools scored higher than their state peers.
Northview High School, which earned a 93.9, had the highest score in the state when compared to non-magnet high schools. Chattahoochee and Johns Creek high schools fol-lowed close behind with scores of 93.8 and 92.4, respectively. Milton High also broke the 90 point barrier with a 90.7.
Of the 100 schools in the Fulton County School System, 67 made gains from last year, raising the overall score by 1.7 points.
This is the second year Georgia public schools have been evaluated based on the 100-point College and Career Ready Performance Index (CC-PRI), the alphabet soup acro-nym that replaced the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) mandate.
In 2012, Georgia was one of only 10 states in the nation that earned a waiver from the much maligned NCLB stan-dards, which aimed to have all students proficient in reading and math by 2015. The NCLB law was passed in 2001, and after a decade of implementa-tion made little impact on stu-dent achievement – other than to show most schools failed to hit goals.
With the CCRPI, the goal was to take into consider-ation other factors that make a school successful, not just one annual test as was the case with NCLB. Schools now are judged on a weighted scale that includes not only aca-demic achievement and year-to-year progress, but also the graduation rate and efforts to close the achievement gap.
Schools receive additional points if they have a significant number of economically dis-advantaged students, English
Average score still bests state average; local schools continue to outperform most of state
Fulton gets C+ on Georgia schools ‘report card’College and Career Ready Performance Index
(CCRPI) Score SummarySchool 2012 2013 Change
ElementaryAbbotts Hill 85.2 95.1 9.9
Alpharetta 85.9 93.5 7.6
Amana * 78.4 82.7 4.3
Barnwell 87.6 93.9 6.3
Birmingham Falls 91.0 91.1 0.1
Cogburn Woods 88.2 88.9 0.7
Crabapple Crossing 95.7 93.0 -2.7
Creek View 90.2 90.5 0.3
Dolvin 93.4 94.0 0.6
Esther Jackson 72.5 68.1 -4.4
Findley Oaks 95.1 93.8 -1.3
Fulton Sunshine Acad.* 95.1 95.6 0.5
Hembree Springs 93.1 90.8 -2.3
Hillside 83.0 77.3 -5.7
Lake Windward 92.5 92.3 -0.2
Manning Oaks 85.3 90.9 5.6
Main Street Acad.* 65.4 77.9 12.5
Medlock Bridge 94.3 97.4 3.1
Mimosa 64.1 63.9 -0.2
Mountain Park 93.1 92.1 -1.0
New Prospect 91.1 87.6 -3.5
Northwood 88.0 88.7 0.7
Ocee 94.9 94.9 0
River Eves 84.2 83.1 -1.1
Roswell North 79.4 72.7 -6.7
Shakerag 94.2 95.0 0.8
State Bridge Crossing 94.1 93.4 -0.1
Summit Hill 88.7 92.1 3.4
Sweet Apple 93.2 93.6 0.4
Wilson Creek 94.9 94.8 -0.1
Middle SchoolsAmana Academy* 89.1 78.8 -10.3
Autrey Mill 95.3 93.6 -1.7
Crabapple 89.2 92.9 3.7
Elkins Pointe 81.3 78.9 -2.4
Haynes Bridge 84.9 89.5 4.6
Holcomb Bridge 79.9 78.3 -1.6
Hopewell 84.8 84.6 -0.2
Main Street Acad.* 60.2 68.5 8.3
Northwestern 92.4 93.9 1.5
River Trail 94.2 94.9 0.7
Taylor Road 92.3 93.1 0.8
Webb Bridge 95.2 95.8 0.6
High SchoolsAlpharetta 84.4 87.1 2.7
Cambridge na 86.8 na
Centennial 75.6 75.5 -0.1
Chattahoochee 91.9 93.8 1.9
Independence 73.6 63.5 -10.1
Johns Creek 91.7 92.4 0.7
Milton 92.4 90.7 -1.7
Northview 93.7 93.9 0.2
Roswell 77.9 84.4 6.5
Fulton Science* 89.6 89.4 -0.2
*charter schoolsSee SCHOOLS, Page 33
northfulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | May 1, 2014 | 13Submit your news & photos to [email protected] NEWS
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By JONATHAN [email protected]
NORTH FULTON, Ga. – Anyone who drives in North Fulton knows traffic is one of the larg-est problems the area has. Now Roswell, Alpharetta and Sandy Springs have banded together to try and fix this.
For the entirety of Ga. 9/Alpharetta Highway from Aber-nathy Road in Sandy Springs up to Windward Parkway in Alpharetta, each traffic light is joined to the others via a large, interactive system that is designed to make traffic flow better.
Called “Adaptive Traffic Control,” the system joins 38 traffic cameras and more than 60 traffic lights that can all be controlled from a control room in Roswell.
From this control room, staffers can view live feeds of intersections and control signal timing in emergencies. More importantly, during the day-to-day grind, the software the system uses automatically adjusts signal length based on how traffic is at any given moment. If there is a backup
at Mansell Road eastbound, the system may give that light more priority than Ga. 9 north-bound until traffic lightens up.
“This is the most complicat-ed, yet largely invisible, project we have ever undertaken,” said Roswell Director of Transporta-tion Steve Acenbrak.
Under typical systems, the lights are controlled either by a timer or basic program-ming based on whether there are vehicles stacking up in a direction. The adaptive system continually updates its timing to best alleviate backups. The problem with these formats is that they cannot handle emergencies or unusual traffic patterns. If there is an accident on Ga. 400, traffic begins to move onto Ga. 9, stressing the system much more than usual because it cannot adjust itself.
The new system will adjust itself to meet the new demand.
“This creates a smoother, more balanced flow, especially at peak times,” Acenbrak said.
Roswell Traffic Engineer Muhammed Rauf said drivers should notice the difference.
Links lights from Sandy Springs to Milton
New traffic system could save headaches, time
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13 Sun Valley Drive14 Houze Way15 Mansell Road16 Commerce Parkway17 Holcomb Bridge Rd18 Woodstock Road19 Norcross Street20 Oak Street21 Oxbo Road22 Park Square Street23 Marietta Highway24 Riverside Road
See TRAFFIC, Page 33
The intersections included in the Adaptive Traffic Control network are all on Ga. 9. These are:
14 | May 1, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald | northfulton.com COMMUNITY
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By HATCHER [email protected]
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. –The Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Maestro J. Wayne Baughman, ends its seventh season with a program of classical music featured in well-known Hollywood movies, as well as classic Hollywood movie music.
JCSO Maestro J. Wayne Baughman said Hollywood is known for “borrowing” music of the best classical composers.
From the silent era of films, classical music was played for accompaniment, to create mood and tension on screen. True, there were also no copyright fees.
But equally undeniable is the exquisite impact classical music has had on the movies. And for many, it is only through the movies that the public has been made aware their great music.
Conversely, there are many examples of great composers of film scores whose music stand as symphonic masterpieces apart from the movies for which they were written.
Baughman said the orchestra wants to pay an homage to the “cross-fertilization” of music between contemporary and clas-sical sources that make for great sym-phonic entertainment.
“We want to have fun with the rela-tionship the movies have always had with great music,” he said. “We also have a wonderful soprano who will sing some of the classics like ‘Summertime’ from ‘Porgy
and Bess,’” he said.Hollywood’s great movie composer Max
Steiner’ score for “Gone with Wind” holds up quite well played without Rhett and Scarlett on the screen.
Examples of great composers whose music was adapted to film are rampant.
“2001: A Space Odyssey,” fans in-stantly recognize the juxtaposition of the Strauss waltz “On the Blue Danube” when the space station comes on screen or in Richard Wagner’s “The Ride of the Valkyrie” as American helicopters descend to assault a Vietnamese village in “Apoca-lypse Now.”
Sometimes the original music source is completely overshadowed in its adapta-tion.
Many may not be able to name Ros-sini’s William Tell Overture, but they will immediately associate it with the Lone Ranger’s theme and a hardy, “Hiyo Silver.”
“There will lots of recognizable music that they may associate with a certain film,” Baughman said.
Elmer Bernstein’s score for “the Mag-nificent Seven” is instantly recognizable.
Other Music selections include Puccini, Rossini, and Strauss. The music of “Star Wars,” “Gone with the Wind” and James Bond will entertain.
Contemporary composers such as John Williams and especially Ennio Mor-ricone stand with the greats of all time, Baughman said.
JC Symphony Orchestra presents ‘Classic Hollywood’You never knew If you go
What: A concert of classical & clas-sic Hollywood music
When: Saturday, May10, 8 p.m.
Where: The theater at Johns Creek High School
Cost: $30 adults; $24 seniors; $15 students/groups
More Info: call 678-748-5802; or [email protected].
Maestro J. Wayne Baughman brings the "classics" to "Classic Hollywood".
northfulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | May 1, 2014 | 15Submit your news & photos to [email protected] COMMUNITY
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – The Johns Creek April 19 student art show proved once again the city’s students have an enor-mous range of talent.
Asked to interpret “diversity,” they came up with a wide range of themes on that topic.
Arts Center Director Gail Hisle said the work produced was “amazing.”
Art students from fifth grade, middle school and high school participated. Funding was made possible by grants from UPS and the city of Johns Creek. The Johns Creek Herald wishes to make a correction about one artist who cre-ated a butterfly made from the shavings of colored pencils. She is an artist from Autrey Mill Middle School.
—Hatcher Hurd
Johns Creek Arts Center ‘Diversity’ art show spotlights talentLocal student artists display amazing works
Abbie Biggs
Audey Zermuehlen Chase Meena
Fea Raizes Gabrielle ForeroAllison Matony
16 | May 1, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald | northfulton.com Submit your news & photos to [email protected]
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Atlanta Athletic Club loans artifacts for ‘Legends and Lore’JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – The Atlanta Athletic Club loaned some of its artifacts, including the Grand Slam trophies won by Bobby Jones in 1930, to the “Legends and Lore” presenta-tion held at TPC Sugarloaf.
The program featured ma-jor champions Ben Crenshaw, Larry Nelson and Larry Mize and was one of the featured events held during the Greater Gwinnett Championship.
Crenshaw, who is consid-ered the pre-eminent historian among professional golfers, was in awe of the Bobby Jones memorabilia that was on dis-play.
Moderator Dave Marr of the Golf Channel joked about the
difficulty of pulling Crenshaw away from the trophies and scrapbook that commemorated Jones’ accomplishments.
“He transcended golf,” Crenshaw said of Jones. “He was entirely unique.”
After the program, Cren-shaw spoke about the upcom-ing U.S. Amateur Champion-ship, which will be hosted by the Atlanta Athletic Club Aug. 9-17.
Crenshaw never won the Amateur Championship.
He was runner-up to Vinnie Giles in 1972 and turned pro-fessional the next year, rather than waiting until after the Amateur.
“I loved playing amateur
golf and I wish I’d been able to win the Amateur,” Crenshaw said. “That’s a great champion-ship and I know it’s going to be especially great this year at the Athletic Club. I’m sure Bobby Jones would be happy to have that event hosted by his home club.”
In addition to the four Grand Slam trophies, the Atlanta Athletic Club also provided photographs of Bobby Jones, framed newspapers chronicling the Jones victories, a Bobby Jones scrapbook, a copy of the PGA’s Wanamaker Trophy and the enlarged score-card from Larry Nelson’s 1981 PGA Championship.
The Atlanta Athletic Club will host the U.S. Amateur Championship for the first time this summer. The club has hosted three PGA Cham-
pionships, the U.S. Open, the U.S. Women’s Open, the U.S.
Junior Amateur and the U.S. Mid-Amateur.
From left, announcer Dave Marr, two-time Masters champion Ben Crenshaw, one-time Masters champion Larry Mize and three-time major championship winner Larry Nelson participate in the “Legends and Lore” presentation at TPC Sugarloaf.
The four trophies from the 1930 Grand Slam were on display from the Atlanta Athletic Club at the Greater Gwinnett Champi-onship.
DR. GREG ROBERTSON, Cardiologist at Emory Johns Creek Hospital JOIN TODAY: 770-993-8806 • WWW.GNFCC.COM
17 | April 30, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald | northfulton.com
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Emory JC doctor offers hope to amputee candidates
By HATCHER [email protected]
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Emory Johns Creek Hospital’s Dr. Greg Robertson says many of the 150,000 limb amputations annu-ally could be pre-vented if more people were aware of a new surgical procedure he helped pioneer.
The cause of these amputations is what is known as peripheral arterial disease (PAD) where the arteries be-come clogged with plaque – the build-up of fatty deposits and other cells that can build up in the walls of arteries over time.
The old technology of detecting plaque build-up with X-rays does not provide the degree of visual competency to go in and scrape the walls of the ar-teries. In advanced cases, the treatment becomes amputation.
“It’s a problem. There is so much awareness of cancer and heart disease, but PAD flies under the radar,” Robert-son said.
Robertson says what is especially tragic is there is a new procedure to al-low a tiny laser camera mounted in the device that allows the surgeon to see to score the arterial walls.
The way Robertson describes the device (called an Ocelot and manufac-tured by Avinger Co.) is it is like an auger with a laser camera.
“So what we need to do is a better job of educating doctors and nurses to screen for PAD – not only to diagnose
it, but to treat it with the latest tech-nology,” he said. “It’s a 15-minute test similar to an EKG.
“What is needed is the understand-ing, the training and the passion to treat PAD patients.”
Patients most at risk of PAD are diabetics and smokers.
Robertson has been working with Dr. John Simpson at Stanford Univer-sity.
Simpson is perhaps the leader in less invasive cardiovascular surgical
procedures and invented the Ocelot.Robertson conducted the trials
for the Ocelot in Germany and South America that got the Ocelot medically approved for use in the United States.
“It is really life-changing for these patients,” Robertson said. “It allows the surgeon to see inside the artery as he performs the [removal of plaque]. You put a laser camera on the device; it allows the surgeon to stay on target without poking a hole in the artery.”
He recently had a 38-year-old pa-
tient who was a farmer in Tennessee. Diagnosed with PAD, he was referred to Robertson as his last and best chance to prevent amputation.
Robertson was successful in saving the leg with this minimally invasive procedure.
“He had already lost his other leg at the knee in an accident. As a farmer, had he lost his other leg he would not have been able to earn a living,” Robertson said. “Not only that, blocked arteries are the leading cause of death in America.”
Laser technology can save legs otherwise lost to arterial disease
ROBERTSON
EMORY JOHNS CREEK HOSPITAL
Dr. Greg Robertson uses the Ocelot to do ground-breaking arterial surgery.
18 | May 1, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald | northfulton.com Submit your business news & photos to [email protected]
Is it a buyers market or a sell-ers market?
When we have more than a six-month supply of homes, it’s a buyers market.
If we have a 5 months supply or less than it’s a sellers market. So technically, based on current inventory levels, it is a sellers market.
But really the market is a little funky right now.
The market has improved greatly over the past year and comparing the first quarter of this year to Q1 of 2013, the median sales price has gone up 14 percent in Forsyth County. Not too shabby to say the least, but sales are flat.
Flat is better, I guess, than be-ing down 10 percent for the same period like North Fulton. But it begs the question - Why aren’t we seeing more sales, especially with low inventory?
Buyers don’t seem to be pressed into pulling the trigger on properties like they were last year
Strong public schools are an important facet of any housing market.
The difference between a good elementary and a great elementary school can trans-late into thousands of dollars. Home buyers will stretch their budgets $10,000 to $15,000 more to get into an area where the schools have been ranked high academically.
Good schools equate to a more vibrant community. If the real estate market is hot in a particular area… so is the local economy. It has been shown that there is a definite correla-tion between the school system and the real estate market.
The Rand Corporation did a study for the city of Santa Monica, CA and found 4 major impacts made by the school system on the community. They were: Housing values, crime rate, tax revenues and civic participation.
There was also strong evidence that the quality of education impacted the physical and mental health in the community. A one year increase in the average educa-tion levels showed a substan-tial reduction that same year in major crimes – 27 percent fewer murders; 30 percent fewer assaults and 20 percent fewer motor vehicle thefts. The study noted that a 1 percent increase in the average school district reading or math scores equated to a .5 percent to 1 percent increase in prop-erty tax revenue. The higher housing values, the higher the property tax revenues are for the community. Schools defi-nitely impact our community.
Another impact comes from our community leaders. They must be made aware of a very dangerous term, “Stu-dent Mobility.” This refers to the phenomenon of students changing schools for reasons other than grade promo-tion. Frequent movement of students from school to school puts those students at greater risk for academic and behav-ioral problems. Many drop-out students have been victims of frequent school change. Housing is the most important issue that must be addressed with this critical problem. Often times a family moves due housing being cheaper for the family.
When this movement oc-curs, and schools end up with a 40 to 60 percent mobility rate, the quality of the educa-tion for all students in the system are impacted.
With being in Real Estate for 40-plus years and raising several kids, I know how impor-
tant schools are to the com-munity. It is so essential for the community leaders, the school system and the real estate
companies that operate in that community to work together to preserve high academic stan-dards for our clients.
We all must remember that students are clients; the citi-zens who live in our area are clients; and new buyers and sellers of homes are clients.
They definitely deserve our cooperation in working together to give them an out-standing community in which to live, work and grow
ROBERTSTRADERLocal RealtorKeller Williams Realty
Do good schools mean hot real estate markets?
ROBERTAIKENSenor VP, Managing BrokerHarry Norman Realtors Forsyth/Lanier
Forsyth County housing snapshot
northfulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | May 1, 2014 | 19Submit your business news & photos to [email protected] BusinessPosts
Flat is better, I guess, than be-ing down 10 percent for the same period like North Fulton. But it begs the question - Why aren’t we seeing more sales, especially with low inventory?
Buyers don’t seem to be pressed into pulling the trigger on properties like they were last year
at this time. Last year was really the first time we started to see greatly reduced inventory and mul-tiple offers. Buyers rushed to get what they could because we hadn’t been in this position for years.
Now, with prices up an average of 14 percent in Forsyth County and 12 percent in North Fulton, I think buyers are being very critical of what they are paying for and, in many cases, opting to continue the search rather than settle. Sellers are, understandably, pushing the upper limits on asking prices. But if they push top asking prices with-out offering top condition, buyers are indicating that they will keep on looking.
Do you have a mobile sales team?
Are your sales profession-als equipped with technology that makes them as effective and efficient out of the office as in the office?
There are significant ben-efits you’ll realize by having a mobile salesforce, and at the top of the list is getting more business.
Recent studies have shown that mobile sales reps are much more likely to achieve their sales goals.
Why? Using a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) application on a mo-bile device shortens the sales cycle.
Sales professionals have all the information they need right at their fingertips.
Because a mobile sales resource has instant access to information, they are more responsive to their custom-ers.
They also can get an-swers to questions they have much more quickly than returning to their office and logging on to their computer.
Mobility provides not only a more efficient way to work your territory or manage your accounts, but also a more effective way.
With access to docu-ments, client information and pipeline data, sales pro-fessionals can get more done each day. A mobile sales team also collaborates more often. Sharing of information and analytical insights can provide the whole team with best practices as well as ad-vice for specific situations.
The major benefit of hav-ing a mobile sales team is very simple.
They are more productive. And a more productive sales team will help you to better grow your small business.
DICKJONESFounder & PresidentJones Simply Sales
Benefits of a mobile sales team
Forsyth County housing snapshot Forsyth County Home Sales
SIN
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Total
Transactions
Average
Original List
Price
Average List
Price
Median Sales
Price
Avg. Sale
Price/Orig.
List Price
Avg. Total
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Market
Q1 2014 664 $311,638 $307,870 $275,000 96.1% 76.3
Change 0% 8% 9% 14% 2% -28%
Q1 2013 666 $287,373 $279,364 $236,970 94.1 106.3
A mobile sales team also collaborates more often.
20 | May 1, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald | northfulton.com Submit your business news & photos to [email protected]
RIBBON CUTTING »
Carmichael Consulting has ribbon cutting eventALPHARETTA, Ga. — Carmichael Consulting Solu-tions and the Alpharetta Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony April 24 at their new offices in Alpharetta.
Tyler Jones, owner, said the company offers information technology services.
“We have deep roots in Alpharetta and we are glad to be in the heart of Alpharetta,” Jones said.
The offices are located at 319 North Main Street in Alpharetta.
On May 8 from noon to 1:30 p.m., Carmichael will host a free lunch and learn – “Security 101.” The event will cover basics of securing information electronically and how to better protect yourself from electronic threats.
Call 678-719-9671 or email [email protected] for more information.
OPENINGS »
Autumn Leaves of Towne Lake to hold grand opening May 1WOODSTOCK, Ga. — Autumn Leaves of Towne Lake, the first free-standing memory care commu-nity in Towne Lake, has scheduled its official grand opening event for May 1, from 4 to 7 p.m.
The 28,000-square-foot memory care commu-nity, located at 1962 Eagle Drive in Woodstock, will provide specialized care for as many as 46 residents exclusively living with Alzheimer’s, dementia and memory impairment.
The event, which is free and open to the public, will feature a ribbon cutting, live entertainment, dinner, drinks and community tours.
Autumn Leaves of Towne Lake will also pro-
vide free services for families in the area including educational seminars, speakers and Alzheimer’s support groups.
RSVP is required. To RSVP, contact Kim Waid at [email protected] or 770-928-2440.
Northside Total Joint Specialists opens in AlpharettaALPHARETTA, Ga. — Northside Total Joint Special-ists announced its new Alpharetta location. The full-service practice focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of hip and knee conditions.
The practice is led by Dr. Jon Minter, an expert in the surgical management of hip and highly com-plex arthritis disease.
“We look forward to providing every patient with individual, quality patient care and to improving their quality of life,” said Minter.
Northside Total Joint Specialists is at 3400-C Old Milton Parkway, Suite 290, in Alpharetta. For information, call 770-667-4343.
Big Vaults opens 3rd location in metro Atlanta ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Big Vaults, a portable storage and moving company, announced the opening of a third location in Alpharetta. This makes the com-pany one of the larg-est moving and stor-age provid-ers in the metro Atlanta area.
Big Vaults, with headquarters in Buck-head, is part of Truck and i, a national mov-ing company started by Colombian businessman Carlos Urrea.
Big Vaults employs over 30 people and has two other warehouse locations in Buckhead and Nor-cross.
Advanced Cosmetic and Family Dentistry opens new locationALPHARETTA, Ga. — Advanced Cosmetic and Fam-ily Dentistry, the office of Dr. Brett S. Silverman, announced the opening of its new office at 4205 North Point Parkway, Building D in Alpharetta.
Advanced Cosmetic and Family Dentistry is a dental practice devoted to restoring and enhanc-ing the natural beauty of smiles using conservative, state-of-the-art procedures that will result in long-lasting smiles.
For more information, visit www.acfdga.com or call 678-389-9000.
TECHNOLOGY » Signum Group names Chris Spangler senior VPATLANTA — Signum Group, the authority in asset and operations software solutions, announced the appointment of Chris Spangler as senior vice president, sales and operations.
Spangler is responsible for the strategic management and leader-ship of Signum’s sales and opera-tions teams to drive growth and ensure high value delivery of ser-vices to customers. Spangler previously held senior leadership positions at Delinea, CSC and Deloitte.
He will be based out of Signum Group’s head-quarters in Atlanta.
HEALTH CARE »
Wells awarded Emory Healthcare’s Second Century AwardJOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Because of his leadership skills and mission to advance patient-centered care and quality for patients, Donald E. Wells has been awarded Emory Healthcare’s 2014 Second Century Award for Emory Johns Creek Hospital (called the Emory Johns Creek Hospital Legacy Award).
Wells was honored recently at the ninth annual Second Century Awards dinner and ceremony at the Atlanta History Center.
He served as executive director of Emory University Hospital for seven years, director of business develop-ment for Emory Healthcare for five years and chair of the Emory Johns Creek Hospital board of directors for seven years. Wells helped instill Emory Johns Creek’s focus on quality and patient-centered care, leading efforts to recruit top staff and build a partnership be-tween the hospital and the Johns Creek community.
MBM eHealthCare Solutions awarded technology agreement JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — MBM eHealthCare Solutions has been awarded a group purchasing agreement with Premier to provide technology security services to Premier alliance members.
The new agreement allows Premier members, at their discretion, to take advantage of the special pricing and terms pre-negotiated by Premier.
This agreement offers Premier members a full range of HIPAA-compliant security services and innovative solutions that meet the information se-curity needs of the health care industry.
Services offered include Web application scan-ning, penetration testing, risk assessments, audits, remediation, vulnerability management, risk man-agement and products.
SPANGLER
northfulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | May 1, 2014 | 21Recycled paper | Submit your news & photos to [email protected]
Submit your event to northfulton.com or email with photo to calendar@ northfulton.com. For a more complete list of local events including support groups, volunteer opportunities and business meetings visit the calendar on northfulton.com.
LOCAL LIVE MUSIC »
THIS HOPE IN CONCERTThis Hope will be performing at the Crabapple First Baptist Church during their morning worship service. 10:30 a.m. May 4. 12760 Birmingham Highway, Milton. Please visit crabapplefbc.org.
ART »
COLORS FESTIVAL OF ARTSThe 24th annual Colors Festival of Arts will be held in Roswell’s Historic Town Square and will feature artists displaying their art and musicians performing throughout the day. A variety of food vendors will be present as well. The event is sponsored by the Roswell Junior Woman’s Club, and is a perfect way to celebrate Mother’s Day weekend. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. May 10 – 11. Corner of Atlanta Street and Marietta Highway, Roswell. Please visit visitroswellga.com.
BUCKHEAD SPRING ARTS AND CRAFTS FESTIVAL The Atlanta Foundation for Public Spaces is proud to announce its Fifth Annual Buckhead Spring Arts and Crafts Festival coming up in Atlanta.
Give mom “Arts from the Heart” this Mother’s Day weekend from the Buckhead Spring Arts and Crafts Festival. The festival will be held in Atlanta’s beautiful Chastain Park, featuring two days of art and activities sure to delight the entire family. In addition to the abundance of unique art, there will be a children's area, local gourmet food, beverages and a small stage for acoustic musical performances. 11 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. May 10 - 11. 4469 Stella Drive, Atlanta. Please call 404-873-1222 or visit buckheadartsfestival.com.
THEATER » ‘CHARLOTTE’S WEB’ The Center for Puppetry Arts presents “Charlotte’s Web,” an adaptation of the novel by E.B. White, in which Charlotte the spider and Wilbur the pig become unlikely friends. Show times vary. April 10 – May 25. 1404 Spring St. Northwest, Atlanta. Please call 404-873-3391 or visit puppet.org.
MICHAEL JACKSON: THE IMMORTAL WORLD TOURMichael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour is a once-in-a-lifetime electrifying production that combines Michael Jackson music and choreography with Cirque du Soleil creativity to give fans worldwide a unique view into the spirit, passion and heart of the artistic genius who forever transformed global pop culture. 8 p.m. May 10 – 11. 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. Please call 770-813-7500 or visit gwinnettcenter.com.
EVENTS »
FLAVORS OF FORSYTHStart Mother's Day weekend off right by tasting what this town has to
offer. Bring your family, especially mom, to spend Saturday evening sampling delicious appetizers, entrées and desserts from dozens of local restaurants. Jam out to live performers on the main stage or visit the Artists Market and take a peek at work from local artists. Don’t miss out on the fantastically fun Kids Zone with face painting, inflatables, hamster balls, Mother's Day Arts and Crafts and more. Watch talented artists compete in the 2nd Annual Chalk Walk Competition. For adults, check out the craft beer and wine tasting inside the Forsyth Conference
Center. From fine dining to on-the-go, there is a flavor for everyone to enjoy. 4 – 8 p.m. May 10. 3410 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Cumming. Please call 770-781-4110 or visit unitedwayforsyth.com/flavors_2014.php. ROCKIN’ AT THE RIVER GALAThe Chattahoochee Nature Center hosts its annual Rockin’ at the River Gala. Enjoy music, food, drink and nature in support of the CNC and its mission. There will be live music, as well as both live and silent auctions. May 10. 6:30 p.m. 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell. Please call 770-992-2055 or visit chattnaturecenter.org.
DOWN HOME DERBYEnjoy the excitement of the Kentucky Derby right here in Alpharetta with the Down Home Derby at the In Your Dreams Farm. The sixth annual Down Home Derby will benefit the Child Development Association, and will feature live music, food and drink and live and silent auction. Boots, hats and bow tie attire. 5 – 11 p.m. May 3. 17875 Birmingham Highway, Alpharetta. Please call 770-992-4339 or visit cdakids.org.
RACES AND BENEFITS »FIESTA 5K/15K CHALLENGEAs the name suggests, the Fiesta 5k/15k Challenge is not your ordinary race. Casual runners and walkers enjoy the 5k or the Fun Run, while
endurance runners will want to participate in the 15k distance. The Fiesta 15k/5k Challenge is the perfect way to kickoff Cinco de Mayo. The race brings everyone out for a morning of health and fitness, awareness for ALS, and celebrating life. 100
percent of race proceeds and donations benefit the Emory ALS Center. 7:30 a.m. May 3. 3410 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Cumming. Please call 678-491-0639 or visit fiestarunga.com.
DRAKE WALKThe fifth annual Drake Walk to benefit local non-profit organization The Drake House, presented by DataScan consists of 1 mile and 5k routes that go through beautiful historic downtown Roswell. The walk starts and ends at the Roswell United Methodist Church. Entry cost for individuals is $15; families pay $30 and groups of 10 or more pay $10 each. There will be lots of fun for the whole family at the finish line festival, including entertainment, food, music, and raffles. There are still sponsorship opportunities available. Registration required in advance or on the day of the walk. 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. May 3. 814 Mimosa Blvd., Roswell. Please call 770-587-4712 ext. 307 or visit thedrakehouse.org.
FORSYTH CENTURY CHALLENGEThe Forsyth Century Challenge will be the best ride of your life. Forsyth County has the best roads and breathtaking scenery for avid cyclists. The course has a 17, 32, 67 and 100 mile loop, and full SAG support throughout the ride. Come out and enjoy the great ride and the festivities after the event. We will have a variety of food, great rest stops, music, raffles and a lot of fun. 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. May 4. 4155 Drew Road, Cumming. Please call 678-222-8744 or visit runsignup.com.
RYAN PIERONICalendar [email protected]
TOP FIVE EVENTS
KEVIN HORGAN AUTHOR TALKAuthor Kevin Horgan will discuss his book “The March of the 18th” in the Civil War, the true story of an invalid regiment serving behind the lines during the Civil War. 5 p.m. May 4. 115 Norcross St., Roswell. Please call 770-640- 3075 or visit forl.net.
“YOU GOTTA HAVE HEART” A brunch and fashion show to benefit Hadassah's Women's Heart Health Programs. Featuring guest speaker Dr. Marlene Blaise, cardiologist. 10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. May 4. 4100 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek. Please call 770-390-9353.
TASTE OF ALPHARETTADine at over 50 restaurants in one night that’s become an annual tradition for 50,000 families, foodies and festival-goers. Sample delicious appetizers, entrees and desserts along downtown streets. 5 – 10 p.m. May 8. 2 South Main St., Alpharetta. Please call 678-297-6000 or visit awesomealpharetta.
‘THE GOLDEN AGE OF TELEVISION’ The Georgia Senior Follies pay tribute to "The Golden Age of Television." Don’t miss this evening of music and laughter for the whole family. Show times vary. May 2 - 18. 101 School St., Cumming. Please call 770-781-9178 or visit playhousecumming.com.
‘CLASSIC HOLLYWOOD!’ PRESENTED BY THE JCSOThe JCSO presents “Classic Hollywood!” The performance will feature pieces heard in classic movie scores, from “Star Wars” to “James Bond” to “Gone with the Wind.” 8 p.m. May 10. The Theater at Johns Creek High School, 5575 State Bridge Road, Johns Creek. Please call 678-748-5802 or visit johnscreeksymphony.org.
22 | May 1, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald | northfulton.com Submit your news & photos to [email protected] | Recycled paper
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Real Estate ReportNorth Atlanta’s
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Standby Generators Can Increase Home Resale Value(NAPSI)—For the first time in a long time, home remodel costs are trending in a positive direction for homeowners looking to add value with cost-effective projects.
According to a recent study by Remodeling, the average cost-to-value ratio has increased to 60.6 percent.Recouping On A Remodel
The Remodeling report also said, regarding the national average for mid-range home remodeling projects costing less than $12,000 that still recoup at least half of their cost:•A steel entry door replacement in-
creases resale value by 85.6 percent of its cost.
•A garage door replacement increases resale value by 75.7 percent of its cost.
•A fiberglass entry door replacement increases resale value by 65.9 per-cent of its cost.
•A wood deck addition increases resale value by 77.3 percent of its cost.
•A vinyl window replacement in-creases resale value by 71.2 percent of its cost.
•A wood window replacement in-creases resale value by 73.3 percent
of its cost.•A backup power generator
increases resale value by 52.7 percent of its cost.
Why RemodelMeanwhile, you and your
family can enjoy the com-fort and savings that these improvements provide. For example, the backup power generator, also known as a standby or home generator, can offer your family peace of mind during emergencies and natural disaster.
During a power outage, standby generators provide a seamless supply of power using a transfer switch and power management system.
This lets you run appli-ances such as sump pumps, air conditioners, heaters, refrigerators, clothes washers, dryers and lights.
“Any time a homeowner can choose a remodeling proj-ect that increases the home’s livability while also recouping a large chunk of the project investment it’s a great idea,” said Amanda Grandy of
Briggs & Stratton, one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of home standby generators.Further Facts
To learn more about standby gen-erators or to find a dealer, visit www.briggsandstratton.com/us/en/genera-tors.
(NAPSI)—According to a survey by Har-ris Interactive, 75 percent of military families believe that owning a home is one of the most important things to service members upon returning from active duty.
The reasons include a desire to have their own residence (73 percent), establishing a household (43 percent), and financial security (36 percent).
In addition, the majority of veterans (88 percent) said that owning a home makes them feel safer.
While one roadblock that veterans face in the pursuit of homeownership is securing steady employment, they display a generally positive attitude in regard to potential employers and posi-
Homeownership Help
Returning veterans want a home and a job. Fortunately, some organizations can help them get both.
See HELP, Page 23
Johns Creek Herald | northfulton.com REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section May 1, 2014 23
By BILL RAWLINGSVice President/Managing Broker North Atlanta Office Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty
Spring is off to a great start here at Atlanta Fine Homes So-theby’s International Realty, as we have seen a good beginning to home buying for the spring season! And we’re not the only ones, according to “Realtor.com® Report: 2014 Home Buying Starts Strong.” The nation as a whole is off to a strong start for the season already finding inventory levels rising as there are more homes arriving on the market and home prices are rising.
This booming market we are beginning to see, is enticing for both buyers and sellers. Many buyers have been very anxious to make a purchase, but rather discouraged with the limited inventory available through the past few months. On the flip side, sellers are now more enticed to put their homes on the market
with the economy coming back and higher home list prices being more justified.
According to the article, “The median list price for January rose 8.3 percent compared to the same time last year...”
Although the harsh winter storms have had a tremendous effect on both the real estate market and even the nation as a whole, it seems that everyone is motivated by the beginning of the spring season.
Buyers and sellers alike are ready for and welcoming the warmer weather and hopefully a stronger market along with it. The article states, “…the national median existing home price is projected to rise about 5 percent to 6 percent in 2014, according to the National Association of REALTORS®.”
Despite the lull in inventory and reluctance to list during the cold winter months, the overall consensus is that people are ready to get back out there and start buying and selling!
Spring buying starts strong
Continued from Page 22
Help:tions.
•More than two-thirds believe that employers ap-preciate their unique skills learned in the military, while the same 67 percent believe employers are eager to hire veterans.
•It’s important to note, how-ever, that nearly half agree that their skill set does not match the requirements for many available positions.
•Only one in five considered opening their own business when they returned home from the military.All totaled, finding a suit-
able home and employment and assimilating back into ci-vilian life are challenges many veterans and their families face.
Fortunately, services for veterans, including employ-ment, mental health programs, housing and other special care services, are available.
For example, Easter Seals provides direct services to the new and unmet needs of tens of thousands of service mem-bers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, and “Recruiting America’s Heroes,” offered by Century 21 Real Estate LLC, the franchisor of the world’s largest residential real estate sales organization, provides re-turning veterans who are inter-ested in becoming real estate agents with specific benefits to make a smooth transition. Former military personnel get special training programs and continuing education courses, discounts, and waived annual global conference registration fees.
Anyone interested in learn-ing more about the resources available to active and retired service members can call the Easter Seals Community One Source Hotline, (866) 423-4981, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.century21.com/aboutus/.
24 | May 1, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald | northfulton.com Submit your news & photos to [email protected]
Eye Drop Schedule.Changed.Forever.
The surgeons at Milan Eye Center have taken another step towards
the modernization of cataract surgery, with the launch of our new App - ‘Easy Drops’. ‘Easy Drops’ aims to simplify eye drop regimens, educate the patient and promote better outcomes
through better compliance.
Call today for a consultation 678-688-4575
6300 Hospital Pkwy, Suite 325 | Johns Creek970 Sanders Rd, Suite 100 | Cumming
Learn more at www.MilanEyeCenter.com
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Creek View Elementary honored its Teach-er and Employee of the Year at an after school event April 3.
First-grade resource teacher Mollie DeCouto was chosen as Teacher of the Year for 2014, and custodian Rosny Benjamin was chosen as Employee of the Year.
Creek View honors Employee and Teacher of the Year
Creek View Elementary School’s Employee of the Year, custodi-an Rosny Benjamin, and Teacher of the Year, first-grade resource teacher Mollie DeCouto, celebrate their recognition.
In front are team co-captains Elizabeth and Jessica Maksimik. Standing, from left, are Mi-chele Yang, Noor Abi Rached, Natalie Siegman, Alex Levine and Dania Ibrahim. (Emily Buchanan is not pictured).
JCHS Lifesavers raisemoney for Relay for LifeJOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Several students from Johns Creek High School have banded togeth-er to form a Relay for Life team called “Lifesav-ers.”
Twin sisters Jessica and Elizabeth Maksimik have formed a team with six of their friends to participate at this year’s American Cancer Society Relay for Life Johns Creek.
The event will be at Taylor Road Middle School from 6 p.m. Friday, May 2 through 6 a.m. Saturday, May 3.
“Everyone has been touched by cancer and
it’s time to find a cure for this terrible dis-ease. We are participating in memory of our grandmother,” co-captain Jessica Maksimik said.
The team members have raised funds through family and friends, and the group raised more than $250 in a bake sale in the Falls of Autry Mill subdivision.
They are well on their way to meeting their fundraising goal of $1,000.
Visit www.johnscreekrelayforlife.org for more information.
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northfulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | May 1, 2014 | 25Submit your news & photos to [email protected] COMMUNITY
nfayp nfaypJoin us today at www.nfayp.com!
Thanks to Village Tavern® for hosting the April Networking Event
North Fulton Alliance of Young Professionalsoday at
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Join us May 20th atBrunswick
Bowling Alley!
Roswell Cycling Festivalrolls through city
By HATCHER [email protected]
ROSWELL, Ga. – The Roswell Cycling Festival celebrated its 13 year, and almost finished out of the rain.
The men’s professional bikers ped-aled through the sometimes heavy rain to conclude a daylong event filled with cycling activities for the entire family.
Hundreds once again lined Canton Street and its environs to watch some of the best cyclists in the country race literally elbow to elbow down city streets.
Some came to cheer friends and family, others to watch the action from a veranda with a cold beverage in hand.
The Roswell Criterium is as much a social event as a sporting event, and Canton Street restaurants do quite well.
It is also a time and place where politi-cians and the politically active meet during one of North Fulton’s premier spring events.
Criterium racers showhow it’s done in the streets
HATCHER HURD/STAFF
Not only to the winner belong the spoils, but the obligatory post-race interview.
HATCHER HURD/STAFF
Judge Tom Campbell shares his ringside race seat with Councilman Rich Dippolito.
HATCHER HURD/STAFF
The leaders are neck and neck with little margin for error.HATCHER HURD/STAFF
Hmmm … Could this be the winner of the Ugly Dog contest?
26 | May 1, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald | northfulton.com Submit your news & photos to [email protected] | Recycled paper
ing coverage he ever had to provide.
“I called it my long, hot summer. Very quickly, the investigation became the whole focus of the campaign. I am certainly gratified to have the AFCP recognize those efforts,” he said.
The AFCP divides the edito-rial competitions based on the percentage of editorial content in them, and Appen Media is in the highest classification.
Appen Media won three other news awards. Northside Woman (a monthly Appen pub-lication written for women) had NSW Editor Katie VanBrackle register a third-place finish in the Best Original Writing – Feature Article category for her article titled “Cock-a-doodle Doo, It’s Farmer Sue.”
It entertainingly told about a retired graphics designer who now teaches art to young students at her Art Barn.
NSW also won a second-place award for General Excel-lence and a third pace for Best Cover Design.
“I’m thrilled that North-side Woman has received an AFCP General Excellence award three years in a row,” VanBrackle said. “It speaks to our commitment to inform, enlighten and entertain our readers with compelling stories
about women living right here in our local community.
“We also write about travel, books, fashion, food, health – any topic of interest to local ladies,” she said. “Our small staff works hard each month to create an informative and attractive magazine, and it’s an honor to be recognized nation-ally for our efforts.”
Other writing awards went to Alpharetta-Roswell Revue & News Editor Jonathan Copsey and a second to Hurd.
Copsey received Honorable Mention in the Best Commu-nity Service/Editorial divi-sion. He wrote about the teen suicide crisis in North Fulton and its prevention. Hurd won a third place nod in Best Original Writing – Column to Inform/Educate the Reader. That column explained how transformational the $600 mil-lion Avalon mixed-use project in Alpharetta will be for the region. Both prize-winning edi-torials appear in the Opinion section of the newspaper.
However, if there is an MVP on Team Appen Media, it is David Brown, the company’s senior graphic designer. Brown had a three first place awards and won seven of the com-pany’s 19 awards. He won the top award for Best Ad Series (Original Pancake House), Best Single Ad (Paul Martin Inte-riors) and Advertising Design Contest. Brown also had three second place awards and one Honorable Mention. Brown
said the secret to a good ad is first understanding the client and the product’s audience. “With that knowledge, you have to find page-stopping graphics. Ads are like bill-boards. You have to win the page to capture the eye and get the prospect right away,” Brown said. “You have to put the sizzle on paper,” he said. “You can have the best mes-sage in the world, but you have to get their eyes to look at it first.” Production Manager A.J. McNaughton was also in line for some kudos. His redesign of the company’s Medical AnswerBook took third in the Most Improved Publication category, and he garnered an-other third place award in the Best Cover Design, Newsprint Tabloid, for his Forsyth Herald Football Preview. McNaugh-ton sees designing covers as a puzzle. “You have to make all of the pieces fit in such a way that it draws the people in,” he said. “You want to make the copy appealing so that the people want to read the story. “If the headlines and graphics don’t jump off the page, the reader probably will never get to the story,” he said. Good community journalism is a staple in any community where the standard of living is high and community interests are broad, Appen said. “It informs, educates, entertains and con-nects. Appen Media Group went to a national conference proudly representing not only
itself, but the communities we serve. And once again north Atlanta comes out on top,” he said. “We have to thank our
readers for their continued support,” he said. “We are proud to be your local news-paper.”
Continued from Page 1
Awards:
The Ultimate TemptationThe Best Breakfast in Atlanta is located here in Alpharetta.Eating breakfast can be just a meal or it can be an event. It can be an event because the food is so fresh, so made from scratch, so healthy and savory that, well, it’s no longer just eating. It becomes an indulgence — a reward you give yourself.
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Some of The Appen Media Group awards included First place for Best Original Writing, News Article - Johns Creek, Hatcher Hurd; First Place, Best Ad Series, Original Pancake House, David Brown; Honorable Mention, Community Service/Editorial- Johns Creek Herald, Jonathan Copsey.
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northfulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | May 1, 2014 | 27Recycled paper | Submit your news & photos to [email protected]
28 | May 1, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald | northfulton.com Submit your news & photos to [email protected]
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Palmer Dodge 'Student Athletes of the Week' are selected by the Athletic Departments of Alpharetta, Centennial, Chattahoochee, Milton, and Roswell High School. If your school is not represented,
the deadline was not met.
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Name: Zachery H. Hathaway Age: 18 GPA: 3.0 Athletic Team: Varsity LacrossePosition: Mid-FielderSchool and/or Community Activities: Mountain Biking Club, Lacrosse VarsityAthletic Awards: Two Year Varsity LettermanAcademic Awards: Academic Athlete Future Plans: Heading to Young Harris College, received academic and athletic scholarships to play lacrosse for the Mountain Lions
Arts festival packs AlpharettaBy JONATHAN [email protected]
ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Once again, Milton Avenue was jam-packed with people for another weekend event April 26-27. This time, it was the annual Alpharetta Arts Streetfest. With near-perfect, sunny weather, artists and vendors from throughout the country con-verged on the street to set up
booths and hock their wares.This is the second year
that Alpharetta artist Camille Kohler has held a booth at the arts festival.
“It’s definitely worth my time to come back,” said Kohler.
Carolyn Wilson came from McHenry, Ill., to set up her fused glass pieces.
“I did the show last year and did enough business to warrant coming back,” she
said. “I lucked out with the weather this year.”
Wilson takes pieces of colored glass and fuses it onto background glass. This creates a layered effect. One piece was a fishbowl with goldfish float-ing inside, all made of glass.
She and her husband, Leonard, have been creating the glass art for 30 years. What started as a hobby has turned into their full-time business.
PHOTOS BY JONATHAN COPSEY/STAFF
Leighton Holman, 1, practices on the drums.
Carolyn Wilson, of “The Glass Haus” in McHenry, Ill., returned to the Alpharetta Arts Streetfest this year.
Kenna Arnott, 15, of Cum-ming, creates a small pot on a pottery wheel.
Festival-goers make their own works of art using recycled items.
northfulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | May 1, 2014 | 29Submit your news & photos to [email protected] COMMUNITY
CITY OF ALPHARETTAPUBLIC NOTICE
PH-14-AB-07
PLACECity Hall
Two South Main StreetCouncil Chambers
May 8, 20143:00P.M.
PURPOSEConsumption on Premises
Liquor, Beer & WineSunday Sales
APPLICANTMain Event Entertainment, LP
d/b/a Main Event Entertainment
10700 Davis DriveAlpharetta
OwnerMain Event Entertainment, LP
Registered AgentMichael Sard, Esq.
CITY OF ALPHARETTAPUBLIC NOTICE
PH-14-AB-08
PLACECity Hall
Two South Main StreetCouncil Chambers
May 8, 20143:00P.M.
PURPOSEConsumption on Premises
Liquor, Beer & WineSunday Sales
APPLICANTSouth Main Kitchen
9 South Main St.Alpharetta, Ga. 30009
OwnersLouis Soon
Scott FlorenceRegistered Agent
Scott Florence
CITY OF ALPHARETTAPUBLIC NOTICE
PH-14-AB-09
PLACECity Hall
Two South Main StreetCouncil Chambers
May 8, 20143:00P.M.
PURPOSEPackage StoreBeer & Wine
APPLICANTReliance Management, LLCd/b/a Reliance Food Mart12335 Arnold Mill RoadAlpharetta, Ga. 30004
OwnerShariq Ghaznavi
Registered AgentAbdul Hajwane
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS
CITY OF ALPHARETTA, GEORGIA
FOR
STAGE, SOUND AND LIGHTS FOR CITY SPECIAL EVENTS
BID #14-023
The City of Alpharetta is accepting bids for the rental of stage, sound and lights for several special events includ-ing, but not limited to, consultation, set-up and breakdown of the stage and equipment and the technician team during the event.
The Bid document will be available online Thursday, May 1, 2014, at our website, www.alpharetta.ga.us choose the Bids Online tab. The bid opening will be held on Friday, May 23, 2014 at 10:00 AM at the City of Alpharetta, Finance Depart-ment, 2970 Webb Bridge Road, Alpharetta, Georgia 30009. For information, please contact Stephanie Cochran at the City of Alpharetta Finance Department at 678-297-6052 or via email at [email protected].
ATLANTA — The Governor’s Office of Consumer Protection is warning consumers about a timeshare resale scam in which scammers falsely claim that they are representatives of Georgia Escrow Services.Here is how the scam typically works: Consumers who own vacation timeshares in Mex-
ico receive a phone call from someone allegedly working for a travel company. The caller tells the consumer that there is a buyer interested in purchas-ing the consumer’s timeshare property and Georgia Escrow Services will act as the escrow agent While the timeshare sale is supposedly pendinwg, the
company posing as Georgia Escrow Services adds previ-ously undisclosed fees and taxes, which consumers pay upfront via wire transfers. One consumer lost over $100,000 in this scam. While there is a legitimate company called Georgia Escrow Services, it has nothing to do with timeshare
sales or vacation travel pack-ages, nor does it market its services to consumers. Scam-mers have hijacked the identity of this business to perpetrate the fraud, filing fraudulent documents with the secretary of state and creating a fake website. This all makes it so that a consumer investigating
the company online or with the secretary of state is led to be-lieve that the Georgia Escrow Services they are communicat-ing with is legitimate. Consum-ers who believe they have been victims of this scam should visit www.ftccomplaintassis-tant.gov.
—McKenzie Cunningham
Scammers posing as Georgia Escrow Services employees
ATLANTA — Georgia Sec-retary of State Brian Kemp announced that 11,970 Georgians went online using a computer or the “My Voter Page” (MVP) mobile app to use the new online voter registration system.
To date, 6,884 new voters used the system and 5,086 citizens used the sys-tem to update their informa-tion.
Georgia voters can download the new MVP app on their Apple or Android device, where they can view
their specific sample ballot, find their early voting and election day polling locations, check voter registration sta-tus and track the status of their absentee ballot.
While the April 21 dead-line for voter registration in order to participate in the May 20 primary has passed, citizens can still use the sys-tem to register for the Nov. 4 general election.
The deadline for registra-tion for the general is Oct. 6.
—McKenzie Cunningham
New Georgia voter registration system
ATLANTA — To better accom-modate the growing number of patients requiring treat-ment at the hospital’s Atlanta Cancer Center, Northside has expanded its radiation therapy services.
Northside has completed a thorough renovation of its flag-ship Cancer Center in Atlanta
including the relocation of an existing linear accelerator from another facility and the addition of a fourth and brand new linear accelerator – Varian Medical Systems’ TrueBeam.
TrueBeam can treat can-cers anywhere in the body, where radiation treatment is indicated, and opens the door
to new possibilities for the treatment of challenging cases such as cancers in the lung, breast, abdomen, head and neck.
It offers many advanced features, using imaging to show tumors in real time, customizing the amount of radiation sent to different parts
of the tumor and treating the entire tumor in an arc while sparing normal, healthy tissue.
Northside’s Cancer Center also underwent a complete renovation of its facility.
Additional exam rooms and dressing rooms were built, the waiting room was enlarged and all spaces were redesigned.
The new facility and tech-nology enables Northside to see more patients, while reducing wait times they might experi-ence.
For more information about the Northside Hospital Cancer Institute, visit www.northside.com/CancerInstitute.
—McKenzie Cunningham
Northside Cancer Center expands radiation oncology services
NORTH FULTON, Ga. – The National Merit Scholarship Corp. recently announced local stu-dents who are recipients of prestigious honors as part of its 2014 awards program.
Local high school graduates received corpo-rate scholarships designated to students with career plans the sponsor wishes to encourage, for children of their employees or for residents of a community where a company has opera-tions. Approximately 1,000 students nationwide qualified for this prestigious award.
In addition, five local seniors were named winners in the 50th annual National Achieve-ment Scholarship Program, an academic competition for African-American high school students. Each has won a $2,500 cash prize or an equivalent scholarship.
2014 National Merit Corporate-Sponsored ScholarshipsChattahoochee – Siddharth R. Duddikunta, Suryabrata Dutta, Sunidhi Ramesh, Joy C. Xu, William Z. YangCentennial – Dorothy A. CannellaJohns Creek – Gordon Y. Li, Shohini RakhitMilton – Naganavya S. RavooriNorth Springs Charter – Adam G. Berger, Jacob A. Busby, Daniel M. MuehringNorthview – Samar Abdelmageed, Rohan K. Doshi2014 National Achievement ScholarshipsCentennial – Evan S. JohnsonChattahoochee – Lorin J. CrearJohns Creek – Peyton B. Smith Milton – Arianna M. Brown, Brenna C. Fromayan
Area grads receive National Merit Corporate, Achievement scholarships
30 | May 1, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald | northfulton.com Submit your news & photos to [email protected] | Recycled paper
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS
CITY OF ALPHARETTA, GEORGIA
FOR
WILLS PARK EQUESTRIAN CENTER STALL CLEANING
BID #14-021
The City of Alpharetta is accepting bids for Wills Park Equestrian Center Stall Cleaning. The scope of service requires the contractor to provide labor and supplies necessary for the cleaning of the stalls, providing containers for the shavings/manure, and the removal and disposal of the waste. The facility is located at 11915 Wills Road, Alpharetta, GA 30009.
The Bid document will be available online Thursday, May 1, 2014, at our website, www.alpharetta.ga.us choose the Bids Online tab. The bid opening will be held on Thursday, May 29, 2014 at 10:00 AM at the City of Alpharetta, Finance Department, 2970 Webb Bridge Road, Alpharetta, Georgia 30009.
A Mandatory pre-bid site visit will be held on Friday, May 16, 2014, beginning promptly at 10 AM, at the Park Services Offi ce at 11915 Wills Rd, Alpharetta, GA 30009. The City will only accept bids from bidders who have attended this pre-bid meeting.
For more information, please contact Abby Shipp of the City of Alpharetta’s Finance Department at 678-297-6052 or via email at [email protected].
CITY OF ALPHARETTANOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The following item will be heard at a public hearing held by the City Council on Monday May 12, 2014 commencing at 7:30 p.m. in the Alpharetta City Hall Council Chambers, 2 South Main Street, Alpharetta, Georgia.
a. PH-14-09 Jones Alley Right of Way AbandonmentConsideration of abandonment of the Jones Alley Right of Way for vehicular traffi c while maintaining pedestrian access. The alley is located between Old Roswell Street and Main Street within Land Lot 1269, 2nd District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia
Note: Georgia law requires that all parties who have made campaign contributions to the Mayor or to a Council Member in excess of two hundred fi fty dollars ($250) within the past two (2) years must complete a campaign contribution report with the Community Development Department. The complete text of the Georgia law and a disclosure form are available in the offi ce of the City Clerk, 2 South Main Street.
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS
CITY OF ALPHARETTA, GEORGIA
FOR
WEBB BRIDGE PARK LOWER FIELD DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS
BID #14-022
The City of Alpharetta is accepting bids for WEBB BRIDGE PARK LOWER FIELD DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS including, but not limited to, asphalt pavement preservation, clearing and grubbing, grading, delivery and installation of storm sewer system materials, installation of concrete header curb, bioretention cell installation, grassing, erosion control, and work related to the installation of stormwater treatment facilities. The location of the work is at Webb Bridge Park, 4780 Webb Bridge Road, within the City of Alpharetta, Georgia.
The Plans and Project Manual will be available online Thursday, May 1, 2014, under the tab “Bids Online” on our website, www.alpharetta.ga.us.
The bid opening will be held on Thursday, May 29, 2014 at 2:00 PM at the City of Alpharetta Finance Department, 2970 Webb Bridge Road, Alpharetta, Georgia 30009.
For information, please contact Debora Westbrook at the City of Alpharetta Finance Department at 678-297-6052 or via email at [email protected].
CITY OF JOHNS CREEK
RFP #14-153
VIDEO STREAMING PROJECT
The City of Johns Creek is accepting sealed Requests for Proposals (RFP) from qualifi ed fi rms to provide a turnkey solution to stream audio and video transmission of the City Council meetings over the internet. Sealed RFP’s will be received no later than 2:00PM on June 2, 2014 in the City of Johns Creek Purchasing Offi ce, 12000 Findley Rd., Suite-400, Johns Creek, Georgia, 30097. RFP’s received after the above time or in any other location other than the Purchasing Offi ce will not be accepted. A mandatory Pre-Submittal Conference will be held on May 15, 2014 @ 10:00AM at City Hall in the Taylor Farms Conference Room (3rd Floor).
RFP packages are available on the City of Johns Creek website (www.johnscreekga.gov) . Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Purchasing Offi ce at (678) 512-3233. RFP’s shall be presented in a sealed opaque envelope with the RFP number and name clearly marked on the outside of the envelope. The name of the company or fi rm submitting an RFP response should also be clearly marked on the outside of the envelope. ONE (1) COPY OF THE RFP ON CD MUST BE SUBMITTED. RFP’s will not be accepted verbally or by fax or email. All offerors must comply with all general and special requirements of the RFP information and instructions enclosed herein.
The City of Johns Creek reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to waive technicalities and informalities, and to make award in the best interest of the City of Johns Creek.
Monte Vavra Mike BodkerInterim City Manager Mayor
Continued from Page 11
SPLOST:sales tax (SPLOST) for the Fulton County School System (FCSS) through its current five-year cycle.
Based on projections by a local economist, school of-ficials anticipate a $60 million increase over initial projections made in 2012. The current SPLOST, which is the fourth renewal of the one-cent sales tax to fund education initia-tives, ends in June 2017.
Robert Morales, chief financial officer for FCSS, said the initial SPLOST projections of $742.5 million over the five-year period were purposely conservative given the econom-ic picture at the time.
Based on current revenue growth, FCSS expects to bring in nearly $803 million – a $60 million increase – by the end of the SPLOST. The one-cent sales tax was first approved by voters in 1997, and has been renewed three times since then.
SPLOST IV proceeds are dedicated for capital improve-ments, construction and technology initiatives across the school system. Any sur-plus will likely be used to cover unanticipated construction costs and to purchase land for future schools and facilities.
The law does not allow the school system to add addition-al projects that were not identi-fied in the original SPLOST documents approved by voters in 2012.
“We are trending in a very good position,” said Morales during his report to the Fulton School Board on April 16.
northfulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | May 1, 2014 | 31Submit your news & photos to [email protected] COMMUNITY
By HATCHER HURD& JONATHAN COPSEY
ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Avalon had a party last week to cel-ebrate another milestone – the “topping out” of the property. That is the setting of the last beam in the last building of the retail quarter of what will eventually be North American Properties’ $600 million mixed-use residential, commercial and office playland of North Fulton.
But North American Prop-erties Managing Partner Mark Toro and his associates had much more to celebrate than the end of principal construc-tion (although finishings will take another six months). Toro has a whopping 93 percent of the property signed to leases with another 4 percent of the property in the last stages of negotiations for leases.
“In effect, we are 100 per-cent leased with six months to go. That is practically unheard of,” Toro said.
In all, there will be 500,000 square feet of retail on 87 acres.
There has been so much interest in the residential com-ponents of the property – both single-family and luxury rental units (Avalon doesn’t use the word “apartment”) – that they
won’t discuss prices yet.Michael Davis, service
development manager for NAP, said there are 1,400 firm letters of interest for the 101 Monte Hewitt homes on Avalon property. Sotheby’s Inter-national Realty, the leasing agency, received more than 900 letters of interest in the first three weeks of solicitation.
“We’re still six months away from opening. We just don’t know yet what sort of numbers these properties are going to generate,” Davis said.
Avalon officials did say they expect the250 luxury units above the retail to start around $2 per square foot. One bedroom units will range from around 812 square feet to 1,100 square feet. The two-bedroom, 2.5 bath units range from 1,200 square feet to 1,789 square feet.
Likewise, Monte Hewitt Homes has not yet set home values for the 22 single-family homes and some 75 courtyard attached-homes planned. With around 1,500 letters of interest in hand and construction more than a year away, the company has not been able to establish value yet.
The 108,000 square feet of office loft space above retail is 54 percent pre-leased. Even the architect is moving in. Lamar Wakefield of Wakefield Beasley and Associates will relocate corporate offices from Norcross to a prime spot with 3,200 square feet overlooking the central fountain of Avalon.
Retail Avalon space begins at $32 per square foot and
tops at $45 a square foot. Most shells for retailers to finish are around 225 square feet.
It will also be a gigabyte community, which means for $99 a month, anyone can have a gigabyte of data online, some of the fastest speeds commer-cially available.
Speaking to his guests at the topping out party, Toro said they were surrounded by the first $370 million of invest-ment coming up out of the ground.
It is all for what Toro calls “experiential lifestyle.” People won’t come to just shop or just eat at one of Avalon’s “killer”
Topping out party means NAP passing baton to new tenants
Avalon 97% leased with 189 days to go
JONATHAN COPSEY/STAFF
Avalon, North Fulton’s $600 million project, is slated to open its first phase Oct. 30. Inset: Mark Toro, Avalon devel-oper.
Star-studded affair: From left are Fulton County Commissioner Liz Hausmann, Sen. Brandon Beach, Integrated Care CEO Chris Aubrecht, Alpharetta Mayor David Belle Isle and Alpharetta City Council member Michael Cross.
Sen. Brandon Beach, who is also the president of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, praised the work done in Ava-lon, adding the local, county and state governments are all pitch-ing in to help make Avalon work, including the Chamber helping improve the intersection of Ga. 400 and Old Milton Parkway.
The final girder of Avalon was raised April 23 amid great cer-emony. Avalon will open Oct. 30.See AVALON, Page 33
32 | May 1, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald | northfulton.com SCHOOLS
SHARE YOUR NEWS!YOUR PHOTOS!
northfulton.com
Chaz and Chelsey Tillman of Johns Creek proudly announce the birth of their daughter Nora Lynn Tillman on March 1st, at 4:25pm at North-side Hospital. Nora weighed 5lbs 10oz and was 18.5” long. Grandparents are Jeff and Jan Bohon from Buford, GA and Mike and Genine Tillman from Baltimore, MD
Nora Lynn Tillman
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS
CITY OF ALPHARETTA, GEORGIA
FOR
Main Street (SR 9) Operational ImprovementsWinthrope Park Drive to Winthrope Chase Drive
Project: P.I. No. 0010870
BID No. 14-024
The City of Alpharetta is accepting bids for Main Street Operational Improvements including, but not limited to, minor widening and restriping to convert approximately 1800 feet of right turn lane into a through lane and provide a two way left turn lane.
All construction shall conform to the State of Georgia Standard Specifi cations for the Construction of Transportation Systems, 2013 Edition. Only contractors that have been pre-qualifi ed with the Georgia Department of Transportation to perform this class of work shall be allowed to submit bids. Please submit your Georgia Department of Transportation qualifi cation specifi cation letter with the package.
The Project Manual will be available for download on Thursday, May 1, 2014, under the tab “Bids Online” on our website, www.alpharetta.ga.us. Georgia Standard Specifi cations for the Construction of Transportation Systems, 2013 Edition, are available from the Georgia Department of Transportation website, http://www.dot.ga.gov/doingbusiness/thesource/Pages/home.aspx.
The bid opening will be held on Thursday, May 22, 2014 at 3:30 PM, at the City of Alpharetta Finance Department, 2970 Webb Bridge Road, Alpharetta, Georgia 30009.
For information, please contact Debora Westbrook at the City of Alpharetta Finance Department at 678-297-6052 or via email at [email protected].
Creek View chess player No. 1 for age groupJOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Arthur Guo, a second-grade student in Daphne Hamrick’s Creek View Elementary School class, began chess tourna-ment competitions two years ago. He was the 2012 “First Grade National Co-Champion.”
He tied for second place in the National Competition in 2013. Today, Arthur is ranked No. 1 among players 7 and younger in the USA.
He will represent the United States in the World Youth Championship in South Africa in September.
Since his USCF chess rating tops 1800 prior to his eighth birthday, Arthur will be selected to join the 2015 All-American Chess Team. He will be honored at the 2014 National K-12 Champi-onship in Orlando in December.
Arthur Guo, 7, has is a chess whiz, and will travel to South Africa to play for the United States.
northfulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | May 1, 2014 | 33Recycled paper | Submit your news & photos to [email protected]
North Fulton’s Only On-Site Crematory
Rex T. Grizzle, OwnerLocally Owned and Operated12050 Crabapple Rd. Roswell, GA [email protected]
NORTHSIDECHAPEL
FUNERAL DIRECTORSand CREMATORY
Morgan Broms, 72, of Atlanta, passed away April 21, 2014. Arrangements by Byars Funeral Home.
Helen Heath Cashin, 89, of Alpharetta, passed away April 21, 2014. Arrangements by Byars Funeral Home.
Richard S. Davis, 67, of Alpharetta, passed away April 15, 2014. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.
Rose Kelan Ellis, 86, of Alpharetta, passed away April 14, 2014. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.
Douglas Homer Hassell, 58, of Cleveland, passed away April 19, 2014. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home.
Thanh Thi Hoang, 80, of Alpharetta, passed away April 18, 2014. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.
Willard E. Hoffman, 69, of Roswell, passed away April 14, 2014. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.
Alice Gunter, 80, of Gainesville, passed away April 16, 2014. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.
Ann Krumwiede, 91, of Marietta, passed away April 15, 2014. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.
Lisa Marie Berquist Polk, 43, of Cumming, passed away April 19, 2014. Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home.
Edward F. Scarbrough, 39, of Cumming, passed away April 19, 2014. Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home.
Catherine Love St. Claire, 64, of Woodstock, passed away April 6, 2014. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.
Ray Stuart, 76, of Cumming, passed away April 19, 2014. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home.
Virginia Vieweg, 91, of Alpharetta, passed away April 15, 2014. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.
Sean Edward Vollrath, 19, of Cumming, passed away April 15, 2014. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home.
DEATH NOTICES
on Mansell Road in Alpharetta for possession of marijuana and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
► Nicholas Leon Webb, 25, of Hickory Mill Lane, Milton, was arrested April 11 on Morris Road in Milton for possession of marijuana and expired tag.
► Jonas Ray Berrios, 19, of Bethany Creek Drive, Alpharetta, was arrested April 11 on Bethany Bend in Milton
for possession of marijuana and possession of drug-related items.
► Irvi D. De Jesus Juanpedro, 19, of Worthington Hills Manor, Roswell, was arrested April 12 on Morris Road in Milton for possession of marijuana, reckless driving, speeding and suspended license.
► Jackeline Anne King, 25, of Weatherburne Drive, Roswell, was arrested April 12 on North Main Street in Alpharetta for possession of a schedule IV controlled substance and drugs not kept in original container.
Continued from Page 2
Arrests:
learner students and students with special needs. Schools also receive points for mak-ing extra efforts in encourag-ing students to participate in college and career readiness programs.
“The CCRPI uses a vari-ety of metrics that are more meaningful in measuring
school performance,” said Fulton Superintendent Robert Avossa. “It’s also aligned with our strategic goals of improv-ing graduation rates and preparing students for college or the workforce.”
This year, the performance bar was raised, placing more emphasis on year-to-year progress. Student achieve-ment now counts for 60 points – down from 70 points last year. Progress now ac-counts for 25 points – up from
15 points last year. The new weighting, say school officials, better evaluates a school’s ef-forts to improve each year.
Another change this year is giving schools more credit for graduating students in four years, instead of five. Last year, four- and five-year graduation rates received the same weight.
Currently, there are no punitive measures for schools with low scores, according to a spokesman from the state.
JONATHAN COPSEY/STAFF
Roswell Traffic Engineer Muhammed Rauf said North Fulton driv-ers should notice a difference in traffic with the new traffic light control system.
“The peak hours change daily,” Rauf said. “This notices variations at different times of the day. Before, we had set timings. But a Sunday during the holiday season has dif-ferent traffic than any other Sunday.”
This will change, he said.It can also shorten the time
to fix problems. Before, the city would have to rely on residents calling 911 to report a prob-lem – such as an accident or a light malfunctioning. Then 911 would call either emergency services or transportation workers.
Now, the system will au-tomatically report issues, and workers in the control room will be able to see the issues in real time themselves.
Roswell has been building the system since 2008. Jointly funded with the federal govern-ment, Roswell’s part of the project totaled $196,524. The construction of the project was federally funded at 100 per-cent, with Roswell’s portion at $1,321,974. The project con-cept and design was conducted by URS Corporation and con-structed by R.J. Haynie and Associates Inc. In Alpharetta, the entire project was installed and paid for by the state, said Pete Sewczwicz, Alpharetta transportation director.
This system is the second adaptive control system on a state road in Georgia. It is also the second multijurisdictional adaptive control in the state.
“This will make a differ-ence in our lives,” said Roswell Mayor Jere Wood. “We can spend more time doing things we enjoy and less time waiting for a light to change.”
Continued from Page 13
Traffic:Continued from Page 12
Schools:
restaurants. Instead it will all be part of an Avalon experi-ence that in turn pampers, amazes and spoils visitors and residents alike.
And there is more to come. When the market is ready, another $350 million in Class A office space is ready for development. Alpharetta of-ficials also are negotiating a public-private partnership in a five-star hotel and conven-tion center.
“No one has been more supportive than the city of
Alpharetta,” Toro said. “That didn’t mean they made it easy for us though. But they helped make it great.”
Alpharetta Mayor David Belle Isle in turn had words of praise for Avalon.
“It is just one more great thing – a marvelous thing – that makes this city a special place,” Belle Isle said.
Fulton County Commis-sioner Liz Hausmann echoed those thoughts calling Avalon “one more piece of the puzzle” that generates tax revenue, creates jobs and attracts more jobs and development to Ful-ton County.
“Avalon will generate $21 million in sales tax alone. An-other $4.5 million in property
taxes and $2.1 million for the hotel-motel tax will come from Avalon.
When you have to deal with Fulton County’s $100 million shortfall and cutting much needed services, you can really appreciate what Avalon has done here,” Haus-mann said.
Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce Presi-dent Brandon Beach branded Avalon as an “iconic and transformational” develop-ment for North Fulton.
“Today, we can see that this is true. It is iconic, and it is transformational. And you just don’t see many $600 million developments being built,” he said.
Continued from Page 31
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36 | May 1, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald | northfulton.com Submit your news & photos to [email protected] | Recycled paper