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Roswell keeps operating tax rate flat, raises debt service By ERLANDRYA RUTLEDGE erlandrya@appenmedia.com
Faith-based Day of Hope event brings free services to Roswell By ERLANDRYA RUTLEDGE erlandrya@appenmedia.com ROSWELL, Ga. — The 17th annual Roswell Day of Hope, held Sept. 26 on the grounds of City Hall, connected residents to resources and wellness services. Event attendees spoke to representatives from mental health organizations, visited food trucks and enjoyed music on the bright fall day. They were
also able to get haircuts, pick up new socks and shoes, and have consultations with on-site doctors and dentists. The community tradition is a project of Hope Roswell, a nondenominational network of leaders from local churches. It was free and open to everyone. “A big focus of our event is prayer,” Coordinator Brenda Orlans said. “We’re a faithbased organization, so people
are getting things that they need but also getting spiritual help.” Orlans said the event has continued to grow since the COVID-19 pandemic, adding representatives from the police and fire departments, additional mental health providers and other grooming services, including manicures.
See HOPE, Page 25
Representatives from North Fulton Community Charities hand out free groceries and toiletries at the Roswell Day of Hope on Sept. 26. The organization gave out about 1,000 bags of food and toiletry items at the event. ERLANDRYA RUTLEDGE/ APPEN MEDIA
ROSWELL, Ga. — The Roswell City Council voted 4-2 Sept. 28 to set the city’s 2026 property tax rate at 5.232 mills, ending weeks of debate over the matter. The rate of 5.232 mills includes 4.049 mills for maintenance and operations — the city’s operating budget — and 1.183 mills for debt service. At this rate, the property owner of a $500,000 home will see an annual tax bill of about $1,046 before any exemptions. The increase from the 2025 rate of 4.949 mills will be about $57, or about $4.75 a month. Property tax bills will be mailed in mid-October, with payment due in 60 days from the sending date. Late fees for any unpaid balance will be assessed starting Jan. 1. The 2026 millage rate has been a point of contention since Sept. 2 when Mayor Mary Robichaux and her administration initially proposed a rate of 7.732 mills. She said at the time that rate was required due to years of deferred maintenance and an $18 million list of priorities, including new fire engines and protective gear for firefighters. The majority of council members rejected that rate, opting in a 4-2 vote Sept. 14 to set 5.9 mills as a starting point for the 2026 property tax rate.
See TAX, Page 25
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2 | October 1, 2026 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell
POLICE BLOTTER 770-442-3278 AppenMedia.com 319 N. Main Street Alpharetta, GA 30009 HANS APPEN Publisher RAY APPEN Publisher Emeritus CONTACT NEWS TIPS Contact reporters directly or send story ideas to newsroom@appenmedia.com. LETTERS, EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Send your letters, events and community news to newsroom@appenmedia.com. See appenmedia.com/submit for more guidance. ADVERTISING For information about advertising in the AlpharettaRoswell Herald or other Appen Media properties, email advertising@appenmedia.com or call 770-442-3278. CIRCULATION To start, pause or stop delivery of this newspaper, email circulation@appenmedia.com or call 770-442-3278.
All 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.
Woman with dementia loses $14,500 to FTC impostor ROSWELL, Ga. — A woman called the Roswell Police Department Sept. 23 to report her mother, who has dementia, had been scammed out of $14,500. On Sept. 5, the mother got a call from someone claiming to be with the Federal Trade Commission. The caller said they accidentally put $15,000 into her account instead of $500 and told her she would need to send back the difference. She was instructed to take out the amount in cash, place it inside a book and mail it to them. After shipping the money, she started getting calls asking her to send more. That’s when the mother realized she was being scammed. The daughter told police she has power of attorney over her mother’s affairs. The daughter said she does not know how her mother got to the Bank of America location on Alpharetta Highway or how clerks let her withdraw the money given her dementia. The daughter also told police she found a piece of mail showing a credit card had been opened in her mother’s name. The Barclays JetBlue credit card was opened Sept. 2 and had an $11,000 credit limit. There was a misspelling in the name on the card. It was never used. The daughter said she has spoken with the Federal Trade Commission and the Social Security Administration about the incident. She also asked Bank of America officials
PUBLIC SAFETY why they allowed her mother to take out that much cash and asked to see a copy of the currency transaction report, but the bank said they cannot give out that information. — Hannah Yahne
Officers hear gunshots during suspicious persons call ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell police officers were dispatched to Roswell Creek Lane around 11:30 p.m. Sept. 21 after a resident reported a suspicious person pulling on the handles of vehicles and residences. When officers conducted a check of the area, they saw a 2007 Ford Explorer with its emergency lights flashing but did not observe any signs of forced entry or criminal activity involving the vehicle. While conducting the premises check, the officers heard around five gunshots coming from the woods behind one of the buildings. Additional officers responded to assist with checking the surrounding area for people who could have discharged the firearm. Due to potential risk to officer safety, they did not enter the wooded area. Instead, officers maintained positions around accessible portions of the area and monitored the surrounding locations to see if anyone would emerge from the woods. One officer made contact with several male residents seated outside their apartment. They reported seeing two subjects walking along the main entrance of the Roswell Creek apartment complex in the direction of the Holcomb Bridge Road entrance about 30 minutes before officers arrived on scene. Officers conducted an additional check of areas surrounding the apartment complex and from where
the gunshots were heard but were unable to locate any potential suspects or any individuals exiting the wooded area. — Hannah Yahne
Alpharetta man jailed for loitering, misrepresentation ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A 45-yearold Alpharetta man was arrested on loitering and misrepresentation charges Sept. 2. Alpharetta police said officers were patrolling near a North Point Parkway hotel when they saw a vehicle parked with its windows open. Concerned because vehicle burglaries are common in the area, officers spoke with the driver. During the conversation, the man allegedly lied to officers about his residence, saying he was parked at the hotel for hours because he was fighting with his wife. Officers contacted the homeowner, who said the man no longer lived there. The man was charged and taken to the Alpharetta Detention Center. — Jon Wilcox
Conyers man charged for not paying restaurant bill ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A 36-year -old Conyers man was charged with theft of service after he allegedly declined to pay a restaurant bill Sept. 5. Alpharetta police said officers were dispatched to the Haynes Bridge Road business a little after midnight. Officers asked restaurant staff whether the man could wash dishes to pay for the meal but staff asked to press charges if they did not receive payment. The bill totaled more than $90.
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AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | October 1, 2026 | 3
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4 | October 1, 2026 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell
NEWS
Alpharetta OKs pet clinic in Windward Plaza suite By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com ALPHARETTA, Ga — A pet clinic that will offer dentistry and other services is coming to Alpharetta after receiving approval from city council members Sept. 28. During a regular meeting, the Alpharetta City Council unanimously approved a master plan amendment and conditional-use requests for veterinary hospital operator Mission Pet Health. The operator plans to open a Veterinary Dental Specialty of Atlanta office in a 4,257-square-foot suite at the Terraces at Windward shopping center, 3070 Windward Plaza. Steven Hornbuckle, senior preconstruction manager for Mission Pet Health, said the clinic will provide specialty care to pets. Services will include dental and cardiovascular care, diagnostics, surgery and post-operative care. Mission Pet Health currently operates almost 1,000 pet clinics across 43 states. “We are excited by the opportunity to bring our specialty hospital to the area,” Hornbuckle said. Hours of operation will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday by appointment only. The clinic will provide no emergency, after-hours care, although pets required to stay past closing will be observed by a staff member. “Everything will be scheduled accordingly,” Hornbuckle said. The business will employ 12 to 15 staff members. Alpharetta is already home to at least 11 veterinary offices. The closest to the soon-to-be Veterinary Dental Specialty location is Edgewater Animal Hospital, 6195 Windward Parkway.
CITY OF ALPHARETTA/PROVIDED
A site plan of the Terraces at Windward shopping center, 3070 Windward Plaza, shows in red the 4,257-square-foot suite where Veterinary Dental Specialty of Atlanta plans to open. The Alpharetta City Council approved the clinic Sept. 28.
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DeltaCommunityCU.com/Roswell350 Insured by NCUA. *OFFER ELIGIBILITY: You must be a resident of Georgia who is a first-time member of Delta Community and join the Credit Union between October 1 and November 30, 2026 (the “Promotion Period”). OFFER REQUIREMENTS: Open a consumer membership with a Savings Account and Free Checking Account during the Promotion Period by presenting promo code ROSWELL350 at the time of membership opening and, within 60 days of account opening, (1) fund Savings Account with at least $5, (2) complete deposits totaling $1,000 or more to the Free Checking Account and (3) make 10 Visa® Debit Card purchases. Offer cannot be combined with other offers and is not valid unless all requirements are met. Limit one offer per member. OTHER REQUIREMENTS: Transfers from another Delta Community account (including those of another member) do not count toward deposit requirement. ATM transactions do not qualify as Debit Card purchases for this promotion. Debit Card transactions must post and clear the account within the 60-day period. BONUS PROCESSING: The bonus will be deposited to the Checking Account within 60 days after deposit and transaction requirements are met. OTHER TERMS: Bonuses earned through this promotional offer are subject to IRS reporting. Accounts of applicant must remain in good standing, with deposit balances above zero dollars, any applicable loan payments current, and all accounts in compliance with any other terms, conditions and governing requirements until the bonus is paid. As of October 1, 2026, the Annual Percentage Yield (APY) for Savings is 0.25%. Rates subject to change. Fees may reduce earnings on account. Delta Community Credit Union reserves the right in our sole discretion to prohibit a bonus payment to non-eligible individuals for any offers claimed via third party websites and promotional materials with no affiliation or prior authorization from the Credit Union. This offer cannot be combined with any other offer.
AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | October 1, 2026 | 5
FRIDAY NIGHT
COREY SMITH
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SISTER HAZEL
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sATURDAY, OCT 10 12PM-11PM
Join your friends and family in Downtown Alpharetta for the weekend to experience this FREE, TWO-DAY songwriters festival. Don’t miss this year’s legendary lineup with headliners COREY SMITH and SISTER HAZEL.
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6 | October 1, 2026 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell
COMMUNITY
Milton dad creates children book, ‘Honey Badger Has a Heart’ By ERLANDRYA RUTLEDGE erlandrya@appenmedia.com MILTON, Ga. — Milton resident Brian Rawls-McQuillan’s children’s book “Honey Badger Has a Heart” was inspired by his and his partner Brant’s second son, Ollie, whose nickname inspired the title. Released in August and launched Sept. 1, the book follows the character Lolly Ollie, a honey badger, who Brian describes as having a “defiant spirit” but in a good way. Intended to be read by children in early elementary grades, the book has funny moments that capture the younger audiences’ attention. “Honey Badger Has a Heart” is available on Amazon digitally,
paperback and hardback. Brian noticed many children’s books are outdated, missing the modernity of what today’s children are living through. “The way I like to describe a lot of children’s books is like Christmas movies,” Brian said. “You like to watch them because it gives you that nostalgic feel, but it doesn’t necessarily resonate with your life today. So, I wanted to find something that resonated more with what they deal with.” He said Ollie has always been a busybody, climbing on the banister of the stairs and constantly on the move around the house. As he began growing up, he started to show moments of kindness.
“The first part of the book is all of the crazy things that have gone on in our lives with our child and then just encapsulate that with where I see the sweet, tender moments come out which is when he’s more relaxed and a little bit more, what I call, the pause moment,” Brian said. After testing the book out with about 50 people, the couple now wants to connect more with the local community. Among those readers is Milton resident Jenny Schroeder, whose daughter has taken to the book immediately. “This book goes everywhere with us,” Schroeder said. “We’ve taken it to literally every place since we got it, my daughter is obsessed with it.” Another resident, Stacy PROVIDED Meinhardt, said the book “Honey Badger Has a Heart” cover. was a cute addition to her child’s library. “What a great message for storyboarding it; coming up with kids, especially the wiggly ones,” different scenes and the different Meinhardt said. “I love the cute verbiage.” characters, too, and relating realWanting to ensure the “wild but biglife situations through a cute Honey hearted” message was present, he said Badger. I think it looks great; I love the he made sure the book was fun and rhyme scheme it has as well.” realistic. Recalling a part in the book The book is affiliated with the where strawberries are on the ground NEA Foundation, a nonprofit that and Lolly Ollie starts craving candy, believes the most effective education Brant said it was a detailed moment policies come from educators working that other children can relate to. alongside those committed to equity, “The immediate reaction of a lot of excellence and opportunity. As part of parents during crazy times is, ‘Oh my the partnership, an annual percentage God’, right? So, it’s a nice reminder of book sales goes to the foundation, to parents too that they’re just being and the book receives recognition in kids,” Brant said. return. He said around that age kids can “The one thing we liked about that get unfairly labeled as disruptive and is we have such great teachers in our wild parents should be teaching them kid’s life, and so some way to give back how to channel that energy. to teachers in general just felt natural,” “Where labels start to be messy, Brant said. especially for little ones, is it starts A technology leader at a large to become part of their core identity, company, Brian said he’s always been that if you start to label they start to a mix of right and left brain, although realize that’s who I am,” Brian said. he’s more passionate about his creative “And I think that’s a mistake… work side. In his spare time, he creates art, with them to kind of blossom who they mainly abstract paintings and enjoys become.” science. He said writing the book The couple said Ollie likes the book fueled his creativity. It took a year to but does not want it displayed in his narrow down the focus and illustration classroom because he feels it’s too of particular scenes the book portrays. directed at him. Lucas, their eldest “I’m the kind of person that, once son, is proud of his dad’s book. Brian I get my mind on something, I’ll just said he is planning to write a book keep doing it, even if I don’t have a about Lucas, too, and hopes to release ton of time,” Brian said. “It took a it sometime next year. long time to do and I found myself “One of the greatest gifts ever is my on the beach writing it out on my family; my kids are everything,” Brian phone, taking it to the computer and said.
AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | October 1, 2026 | 7
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[I wanted to do] just my little part in making things better … and bagels were the answer for me.” ERIN STIEGLITZ, Founder, Bagel Rescue 8 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | October 1, 2026
Dunwoody nonprofit turns leftover bagels into a lifeline By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com DUNWOODY, Ga. — Since founding Bagel Rescue in 2021, Erin Stieglitz has connected strangers in what she calls an “epic web of goodness” one bagel at STIEGLITZ a time. The concept is simple: volunteers collect unsold baked goods from local businesses and deliver them to housing shelters and food banks. But Bagel Rescue wasn’t always a nonprofit organization partnered with 88 restaurants and 175 receiving agencies across six states. It started during COVID-19 when Stieglitz wanted to bring a bagel breakfast to Northside Hospital employees. Her son called their favorite bagel shop – Goldbergs Fine Foods – and asked the manager if they would help. He agreed. “I was really stunned by the hundreds of bagels that we picked up that day,” Stieglitz said. Stieglitz started collecting the eatery’s excess bagels and distributing them to frontline workers once a week during the 2020 holiday season. Other restaurants soon joined the cause. “[I wanted to do] just my little part in making things better … and bagels were the answer for me,” Stieglitz said.
‘Literally one relationship at a time’ Stieglitz and her friend, Amy Wilensky, worked together to find businesses where they could “rescue” excess bagels. So far, they have formed partnerships with 71 businesses in metro Atlanta. Stieglitz calls them her “bagel babies.” “Everything was built just piece by piece,” she said. “It was literally one relationship at a time.” The duo also recruited other volunteers, including Jake Greenfield, a recent Dunwoody High School graduate. He started volunteering with Bagel Rescue during his sophomore year. With his mom, he started picking up bags of bagels and delivering them to Stieglitz. Greenfield later struck up a conversation with Kristin HathawayHansen, executive director of The Rich’s Foundation. The Atlanta-based grantmaking organization supports nonprofits working in a variety of areas. During that chat, Greenfield said a “light bulb went off,” and he connected Stieglitz with the foundation. It later granted $25,000 to Bagel Rescue. That gift helped Bagel Rescue lease a delivery van and keep its work going. “I think there’s so many times in all of our lives … where we have a choice in that moment to put things together in our brains,” Stieglitz said. “What seems like such a small gesture made such a huge difference to Bagel Rescue.”
See BAGELS, Page 9
BAGEL RESCUE/PROVIDED
Dunwoody High School students make sandwiches with bread donated to Bagel Rescue during a community service project. The nonprofit organization delivers the sandwiches to its receiving agencies.
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AppenMedia.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | October 1, 2026 | 9
PHOTO AND LOGO BY BAGEL RESCUE/PROVIDED
Members of the Young Men’s Service League’s Brookhaven chapter lift bags of sorted bagels. Bagel Rescue will donate the bagels to its partner agencies in the area.
Bagels: Continued from Page 8 An ‘opportunity to help’ As a junior, Greenfield took on an expanded role with Bagel Rescue and joined the nonprofit’s teen program alongside other high schoolers. The program gives teens a “behind-thescenes” look at running such an organization. The students recruit volunteers, lead delivery routes and facilitate community service projects, including making sandwiches and sorting deliveries. Greenfield said the best part of working with Bagel Rescue is seeing it grow throughout his hometown of Dunwoody. “It’s amazing we’re helping people,” Greenfield said. Dunwoody High senior Catherine Le, also the president of the school’s National Honor Society chapter, recently led one of Bagel Rescue’s sandwich-making projects. “We’ve worked with Bagel Rescue for a couple of years now,” Le said. “Their work and mission are admirable and something that we as an honor society are grateful to have the opportunity to work with.”
Juliet Utreras, also a Dunwoody High senior, is a member of the nonprofit’s third teen group. She said the program gives young people a meaningful way to address food insecurity in their communities. “It’s hard when you’re a kid to feel like you can actually make a meaningful impact or create change in the world, especially when you see people struggling,” Utreras said. “Bagel Rescue gave me the opportunity to help … to make a difference.” As president of the school’s Spanish National Honor Society, Utreras said she hopes to get its members more involved with Bagel Rescue in the future. ‘A huge impact, even with small things’ The nonprofit’s reach is steadily growing across the country. Volunteers have moved out of the Atlanta area and taken the mission with them. In 2025, Bagel Rescue expanded to Birmingham, Alabama, as well as Raleigh, North Carolina, and Portland, Oregon. The group also operates in Nashville, Tennessee, and Alexandria, Virginia. “We identified those cities as cities that have bagels to donate … and also areas of need,” Stieglitz said. In its first five years, the nonprofit
has kept more than 1.7 million pounds of baked goods — bagels, breads and pastries — out of landfills. Volunteers have helped deliver 30,000 meals a week, with more than 4.4 million items donated to the group. Corporations are also recognizing the impact of Stieglitz’s organization and helping to grow Bagel Rescue. The nonprofit partners with around 20 Einstein Bros. Bagels locations in metro Atlanta. The chain’s leadership recently connected Stieglitz with three locations in Birmingham. “I know we will continue to grow into new markets,” Stieglitz said. “It’s going to be where we have some strong leaders and where we recognize that that’s a good place for us to be.” Stieglitz said she looks back at the organization’s humble beginnings — with hundreds of bagels stuffed in freezers in her garage — and feels full of joy. “I feel so lucky to get to be doing what I’m doing, and I feel like it happened just at the right time of my life,” she said. “Bagels are small, but we’re trying to show people that you can make a huge impact, even with small things.” To learn more about Bagel Rescue or to get involved with the organization, visit bagelrescue.com.
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10 | October 1, 2026 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell
COMMUNITY
JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA
Lisa Potish and her daughter Evah draw on the sidewalk during a Sept. 26 art event at The Boardwalk.
Arts on the Boardwalk showcases Johns Creek creativity “Everybody that walked by was really impressed,” Hudson said. “It’s amazing to see students and their hard work and to celebrate them and their successes.” Hudson said it’s important for artists to connect with their community.
See ARTS, Page 11
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colored chalk. “We are doing a mother-daughter day,” Lisa said. Natalie Hudson, an art teacher at Johns Creek High School, attended the event with a handful of students. At a tent at the lake’s edge, they showcased their work, answering questions and humbly accepting numerous compliments.
erfi el
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Residents enjoyed a flawless fall day at The Boardwalk Sept. 26 during an event that showcased the community’s creativity. Arts on the Boardwalk was held at the city’s new outdoor recreation and
gathering space, drawing hundreds of visitors from across Johns Creek. The event featured local artists, artisans and authors. It also gave residents the chance to make some art of their own. Lisa Potish and her 11-year-old daughter Evah were spotted during just that, sitting on a park sidewalk and drawing on the pavement with
De
By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
COMMUNITY
AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | October 1, 2026 | 11
JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA
Natalie Hudson, an art teacher at Johns Creek High School, takes down student paintings at the end of a Sept. 26 art event at The Boardwalk.
Arts: Continued from Page 10 Vibrant art can be evidence of a community’s health, and by all regards the art on display at her tent demonstrates all is well in Johns Creek, she said. “For the students to represent their perspectives is really important to me,” the teacher said. “It’s also important that they see they have a voice that is
valued. The opinions they can express through their work are really strong and beautiful.” Student artist Anabelle Rusnak said she has been making art since middle school. She said she loves the sense of accomplishment that painting gives her. A friend said she was deeply proud of Rusnak’s sense of style and ability to communicate her ideas. “A lot of people were like, ‘Oh my gosh, did you make this?’” her friend said.
12 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | October 1, 2026
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Take control of your next remodel Brought to you by – Bath and Kitchen Galleria For decades, the relationship between homeowners and the home improvement industry has been defined by friction and unfulfilled expectations. While technology has revolutionized sectors like retail and banking, residential remodeling remains stubbornly resistant to progress. Year -after -year, consumer protection agencies report the same reality: home improvement ranks near the top of consumer complaint lists. According to John Hogan, president of Alpharetta based Bath and Kitchen Galleria, “there are 3 main causes and there is a 5 step process to fix this. • The overwhelmed contractor: The vast majority of remodeling businesses employ fewer than five people. The person swinging the hammer is often the same person
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before any material orders are placed. DO NOT DESIGN ON THE FLY! • Payment by milestones: NEVER agree to a payment schedule based on dates. Instead, tie your payments strictly to verifiable physical milestones (e.g., X % after rough plumbing, X % after drywall is hung, etc.). This ensures the contractor only gets paid when real progress is made. • Project schedule in writing. Contractor MUST provide a weekly schedule or Gantt chart showing work completed by week and completion date. With certainty, you can avoid the 80% home improvement dissatisfaction rate by requiring all of the above 5 items. These avoidance steps all need to happen before the job starts. To learn more about this contact John Hogan, 678 459 2292, Bath and Kitchen Galleria, 10591 Old Alabama Rd Connector, Alpharetta.
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
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REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
Autumn in North Atlanta
Brought to you by - Tracy Morton of HOME Luxury Real Estate, North Atlanta | Tracy@HOMEgeorgia.com | 404.784.6970 There’s something special about fall in North Atlanta. Cooler mornings finally arrive, patios fill up again, and our communities seem to find a reason to celebrate just about every weekend. From wine and live music to art, nature and family traditions, late September and October offer plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy Alpharetta, Roswell and Milton. Wine lovers will want to mark Sunday, September 27, for Alpharetta Uncorked on the Alpharetta Town Green. From 2–6 p.m., guests can sample more than 60 wines while enjoying live music and food available from downtown restaurants. A tasting passport guides guests from whites to reds, making this
a fun way to spend an autumn afternoon while enjoying everything Downtown Alpharetta has to offer. Fall is also a wonderful time to visit the Chattahoochee Nature Center in Roswell. The season TRACY begins with the Farm MORTON Fair on September 20, featuring local vendors, farm-themed fun and family activities. Gardeners can visit the Fall Plant Sale September 25–26, while the center’s Naturally Artistic exhibits run throughout the season. Then comes one of Roswell’s favorite Halloween traditions. The Nature Center’s Halloween Hikes, October 23–25, take families along not-so-spooky trails where costumed characters bring nature-themed stories to life. It’s a
refreshing alternative to the traditional haunted-house experience and a great way to enjoy an October evening outdoors. Saturday, October 3, brings two terrific community events. In Milton, Crabapple Fest transforms historic Crabapple into a bustling outdoor marketplace from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. More than 100 art, antique and craft vendors fill the area, complemented by food, music and family activities. It’s one of those events that captures the smalltown charm that makes North Fulton special. Just down the road, Roswell celebrates its 76th annual Youth Day Celebration the same day, with the Frances McGahee Parade, Art Block, Fall Farmyard, Truck Zone and Food Truck Alley. Music fans should save October 9–10 for Alpharetta’s Wire & Wood
Songwriters Festival. More than 40 performances will take place across six outdoor stages in Downtown Alpharetta, and admission is free. Roswell closes out another season of Alive in Roswell on October 15, bringing music, food and festivities back to Historic Canton Street. If selling your home in spring 2027 is even a possibility, now is the time to start preparing, not March. Meeting with an experienced local real estate professional this fall can help identify which repairs, updates and improvements are worth tackling over the winter, and, just as importantly, which ones aren’t. A thoughtful plan now means less stress, smarter spending and a home that’s truly ready when the spring market arrives. Enjoy the festivals, enjoy the beautiful fall weather—and if a move might be part of your plans for 2027, let’s start the conversation now.
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Does an LLC or Corporate protect all of your assets? Brought to you by – Holly Geerdes Estates Law Center USA No, and this is one of the most common misunderstandings I see. An LLC or corporation is not a blanket shield. It HOLLY GEERDES separates your Estate Law Center USA Top 5% Super Lawyer in Georgia personal assets from what happens inside the LLC. If you are sued over something related to your LLC's business, the person suing you generally cannot reach your personal bank account or home, only what is inside the LLC or corporation. That protection is valuable, but it has limits. The piggy bank problem The protection disappears if you treat the LLC or corporation like a personal piggy bank. If a lawsuit
happens and someone finds dinners out, personal purchases, or anything not genuinely business related, that blurred line can strip away the protection the LLC was supposed to give you. An LLC or corporation only protects you when it is run like a real, separate business, with its own bank account, clean records, and a clear line between company money and your money. What an LLC or Corporation doesn't protect Even a well-run LLC or corporation won't cover everything. If you personally cause harm, such as being at fault in a car accident on a business errand, you can still be held responsible. If you signed a personal guarantee on a loan or lease, your personal assets are on the line. And the LLC or corporation does nothing to protect your personal assets from lawsuits unrelated to the business.
commingle a dollar often overlook this. Keeping finances separate protects you during your lifetime, but it does nothing to transfer your company when you die. If your ownership interest is in your individual name, it will typically go through probate, a public, court-supervised process that can be lengthy and costly. Decisionmaking can freeze and access to business accounts can be delayed while payroll and vendors still need to be paid. This is true even if you own the company with your spouse or children, because each owner's share passes through that person's own estate. A will doesn't solve it either, since a will is carried out through probate. Even worse you haven't done any succession planning to prevent litigation and fighting over control over the company and distribution of income and profits between family members.
What happens when you die Even business owners who never
And if you become incapacitated? If a stroke, accident, or illness
leaves you unable to make decisions, someone still has to run the business. Without a plan, your family may have to go to court for that authority, which is another slow, public, and costly process. The solution A properly funded revocable living trust, coordinated with your operating agreement, is the most reliable way to handle both situations. Your successor trustee can step in right away without waiting on a court. Add a durable financial power of attorney, and your business keeps running whether you're recovering or gone. The bottom line An LLC or Corporation is a powerful tool, but it's only one piece of the puzzle. Run it like a real business to protect yourself today, and pair it with the right estate plan to protect your family and your company tomorrow. Come to one of our workshops to learn how to protect your assets, including your business.
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16 | October 1, 2026 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
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PROVIDED
Why wait? Move-in ready homes available now at Patrick Malloy Communities Brought to you by – Patrick Malloy Communities If a new home is on your wish list, why wait months to start enjoying it? Patrick Malloy Communities has an exceptional selection of Move-In Ready homes available now throughout metro Atlanta, including opportunities at the popular 55+ active adult communities of Soleil Belmont Park and Soleil Summit Chase, plus the final new construction home at Horizon at Laurel Canyon. Leading the way is Soleil Belmont Park in Canton, where homebuyers can move into a beautiful new home and immediately begin enjoying one of North Atlanta’s most impressive resort lifestyles. More than 70% sold, Soleil Belmont Park has become a sought-after destination for active adults looking for more than just a new home. The community’s
spectacular resort is open and bustling with activity, offering homeowners countless ways to stay active, socialize and connect with neighbors. Amenities include a spacious clubhouse with grand bar, resort-style swimming pool with cabanas, pool bar, pickleball and tennis courts, bocce, community gardens, an event lawn, fire pit, coffee café, and much more. An active lifestyle program keeps the calendar filled with fitness classes, pickleball, social events, clubs, celebrations and neighborhood gatherings. Best of all, buyers don’t have to wait to become part of it. A selection of Move-In Ready homes is available now at Soleil Belmont Park, featuring thoughtfully designed floorplans with open living areas, gourmet kitchens, luxurious owner’s suites and inviting outdoor spaces. Plus, for a limited time Soleil Belmont Park is offering
Free Unfinished Basements on select inventory homes. For buyers who are ready to make their move, it is an opportunity to choose a new home today and start enjoying the Soleil lifestyle sooner. Patrick Malloy Communities also offers another active adult opportunity at Soleil Summit Chase in Snellville. This 55+ community recently celebrated the grand opening of its new resort, giving homeowners an exciting new centerpiece for recreation, fitness and social activities. With Move-In Ready homes currently available, buyers can enjoy the convenience of new construction without the traditional building timeline. Currently Soleil Summit Chase has 5 movein ready homes priced under $500,000. For those looking for a spacious home in Canton, there is just one final new construction opportunity at Horizon at Laurel Canyon. This Move-In Ready home features
three bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a large study, beautiful mountain views and a rare flat backyard on more than one acre. Residents also enjoy the established amenities of Laurel Canyon, including a clubhouse, swimming pool, tennis, pickleball and walking trails. With no more new homes to follow, this is truly the last opportunity to purchase new construction in the community. Whether you are looking for a resortinspired 55+ lifestyle or a Move-In Ready home in an established community, Patrick Malloy Communities has something worth seeing now. Homes are priced from High $400’s to $1 million. Why wait to start your next chapter? Tour a Patrick Malloy Move-In Ready home today. Visit PatrickMalloyCommunities. com to view available homes and learn more about communities throughout metro Atlanta.
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The most serious market of the year Brought to you by – Bill Rawlings, Peachtree Town & Country The fourth quarter is the most serious market of the year. Every buyer touring a home in October has a reason to be there. Where the market stands The metro Atlanta market enters the fourth quarter in balanced territory on both sides of the Perimeter. Prices are holding, inventory has normalized, and pace has replaced urgency BILL RAWLINGS as the defining condition. What has changed most is not value but tempo, and tempo rewards preparation. The read below covers each of our markets on its own terms, across single-family, condominium, and townhome living. Town: Inside the Perimeter Buckhead's single-family segment closed the first half with more than $1 billion in volume across 541 sales, up 5.2% from the prior year. The strength at the top is real: ten single-family contracts were written above $3 million in June, up from four a year earlier, and September brought an estate sale at $18,600,000, the secondhighest residential price ever recorded in metro Atlanta. Overall supply remains near 4.4 months. The constraint in Buckhead is not demand. It is the limited number of
truly exceptional properties available at any given time, which is why well-positioned listings continue to command attention even as broader contract activity follows its normal seasonal curve through Brookhaven, Morningside, and Ansley Park. The condominium and townhome story in town splits cleanly by product. The broad resale condominium market is carrying heavier supply and longer market times, with roughly 550 condominiums available across Buckhead at a median list price near $315,000 and market times running around 80 days. New luxury product is the exception: Elyse Buckhead opened with more than $60 million in early contracts before breaking ground on West Paces Ferry, and recent closings at The Graydon, including its penthouse at $8,700,000, or $1,239 per square foot, define the segment's ceiling. Well-located buildings with strong amenities and management are holding value. Commodity units are competing on price, and their sellers should expect to. Country: Outside the Perimeter North Fulton continues to read as a balanced, orderly market. Alpharetta holds at roughly 4.4 months of supply, and accurately priced homes are going under contract in a median of about 24 days, while homes priced to last spring are sitting well past the first month. Milton, Roswell, and the Forsyth corridor follow the same pattern. The market is not punishing sellers. It is simply declining to reward optimism, and the sellers winning this fall are the ones pricing to the last ninety days of closed sales rather than to a neighbor's result from 2024. In the condominium and townhome segment, demand follows walkability. Townhomes near downtown Alpharetta and Avalon continue to command premiums
and shorter market times, with newer product running from the $600,000s to above $1.5 million, while entry-level townhomes remain available from the $300,000s across the broader corridor. New construction is this segment's real competition: builder incentives are shaping what buyers expect, and resale sellers should position against that product deliberately, on condition and location, rather than attempt to match it on concessions. The cost of money Mortgage rates drifted modestly higher through late summer and have settled in the mid-six range. Buyers have now lived with this environment long enough that it no longer delays decisions. The buyers in the market this fall have accepted the cost of money and are moving on value, condition, and fit. What we are advising clients right now For sellers, fourth-quarter traffic is thinner but meaningfully more intentional. A relocation, a school-year plan, a closed business chapter: the buyers touring now carry real timelines, and a residence priced correctly in October can close before year end. Price to the most recent closed sales, present the property at its best, and treat every showing as the serious inquiry it likely is. For buyers, this is the widest selection the fall has offered in several years, whether the search is a singlefamily residence, a townhome, or a condominium, paired with sellers who would rather finish the year with a closing than carry a listing into January. Move decisively on the right property, and let terms and timing work in your favor. The clients who act with intention this quarter will begin 2027 already settled, while others are just starting to look.
Puzzles
Dunwoody Crier 8/7/25 Connect-it
Connect-It
Copyright ©2025 PuzzleJunction.com
Alpharetta-Roswell Herald...................October 1, 2026 | 20 Dunwoody Crier 8/7/25 Crossword Across
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1 Comic Sandler 5 Nabokov novel 8 Destiny 12 Fight decisions 14 Peddle 16 Food thickener 17 Stave off 18 Roof overhang 19 Water stoppers 20 School assignment 22 Fissure 24 Three-way joint 25 Sandusky’s county 27 Ransacker 29 Waterford lass 32 Psyche 33 Aphrodite’s lover 34 First name in jeans 37 Choler 41 Came across 42 Looks up to 44 Sugary drink 45 Conundrum 47 Wild oxen 48 Auxiliary 49 Irritation 51 Nonstop 53 London attraction 56 Residence hall 57 Preceded 58 Resting on 60 Nonpoetic writing 63 Mishmash 65 Pitfall 67 Pontificate 69 Swill 70 Discharge 71 Fit for a king 72 Paving stone 73 Menu words 74 Plaything
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CITIES OF THE WORLD 1. City in Montana. Hurry up. Like a beaver. 2. Edible mushroom. Sheik’s bevy. City in Peru. 3. Swiss city. Bird of prey. Genre of music. 4. Gambling game. City in Belarus. Like a sheep. 5. City in Utah. Disney dog. Miserly. 6. Baby’s bed. Malian city. Spill the beans. 7. Beach sight. Fertile track in a desert. City in North Dakota. PuzzleJunction.com
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Dunwoody Crier 8/14/25 Sudoku7 68
World Cities How to Solve: Each line in the puzzle above has three clues and three answers. The last letter in the first answer on each line is the letter of city. the second answer, soaon. The connecting letter is outlined, giving you the correct number of letters for each 1. first Montana Hurry up. and Like beaver. answer (the answers in line 1 are 4, 5 and 5 letters). The clues are numbered 1 through 7, which each number containing 3 clues for 3 answers on the puzzle, line. Sheik’s But each here’srow, the catch! Theand clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually 2. Edible bevy. City of Peru. Tothe solve themushroom. Sudoku column be formust the second or the thirdnumbers answer in 1that line. Got it? Good luck! box contain to 9.
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Each line in the puzzle below has three clues and three answers. The last letter in the first answer on each line is the first letter of the second answer, and so on. The connecting letter is outlined, giving you the correct number of letters for each answer (the answers in line 1 are 5, 5 and 4 letters). The clues are numbered 1 through 7, with each number containing 3 clues for the 3 answers on the line. But here’s the catch! The clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually be for the second or third answer in that line. Got it? Good luck!
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Copyright ©2025 PuzzleJunction.com
Down 1 Wanted-poster letters 2 ‘93 Kevin Kline comedy 3 Some votes 4 Crumbs 5 Caesar’s hello 6 Letter opener 7 Blacksmith’s block 8 Craze 9 Banded stone 10 Circus performer 11 Highlands tongue 13 Rubberneck
15 Roxana author 21 Traffic sign 23 Cloaks 26 Hostile force 28 Heavy weight 29 Tastelessly funny 30 Popular cookie 31 Leases 35 ___ Appia 36 Annoyed 38 Acquire 39 Mythology anthology 40 Quaint dance 42 Curacao neighbor
3. Swiss city. Bird of prey. Music genre.
43 Bar in court 46 Physics unit 48 Type of car 50 Actress Davis of Mr. Skeffington 52 Trial’s partner 53 Scarlett O’Hara, e.g. 54 Dimwit 55 Bellini opera 57 Red ink amount 59 Beach item 61 Palm starch 62 List abbr. 64 Choose 66 Educ. group 68 Building wing
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AMERICAN LEGION POST 201 EVENTS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
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Copyright ©2025 PuzzleJunction.com
How to Solve: To solve the Sudoku puzzle, each row, column and box must contain the numbers 1 to 9.
GA
Solution
1 • Alpharett
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Dances & Dance Instruction Dance Nights Open to All 18 Years & Older Visit www.club201dance.com for all the Details
Po s
Toys For Tots Benefit Puppet Show 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17 - Post Ballroom Featuring Ventriloquist Doug Mickan Children under 16 - $5 without a Toy Free with an Unwrapped Toy Adults - $10 per person cash or credit card Visit www.legion201.org for More Details
7 94
Solution on next page ts S BINGO – 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11 & 25 Ve ince 1 ing Jackpot – $1,000 Future Games: 2nd & 4th Sunday Each Month
201 Wills Road Alpharetta, GA 30009 770-475-9023 www.legion201.org
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How to Solve: Kakuro, also known as Cross Sums, is a challenging number puzzle, solved in a crossword style grid. The rules are easy: A number above the diagonal line in a black square is the sum of the white squares to the right of it. A number below the diagonal line is the sum of the white squares in the sequence below it. You may only use the digits 1 to 9, and a digit can only be used once in any sequence.
AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | October 1, 2026 | 21
NOTICE FOR CITY OF MOUNTAIN PARK The City of Mountain Park does hereby announce that the millage rate will be set at a meeting to be held at the Community Building located at 100 Lakeshore Drive, Mountain Park, GA 30075 on Wednesday October 14, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. and pursuant to the requirements of O.C.G.A. § 48-5-32 does hereby publish the following presentation of the current year’s tax digest and levy, along with the history of the tax digest and levy for the past five years. The Public Hearing will be immediately followed by a Special Called Meeting to adopt the millage rate. The state required advertisement below is advertised at the 2026 rollback rate of 5.4370. CURRENT 2026 PROPERTY TAX DIGEST AND 5 YEAR HISTORY OF LEVY
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22 | October 1, 2026 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell
COMMUNITY
MINORI DE SILVA/COURTESY
Minori de Silva, a 16-year-old Johns Creek ballerina, is lifted into the air by her partner during a performance.
Teen dancer earns spot at Royal Ballet School By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Minori de Silva, 16, was standing in a Chattahoochee High School hallway when her entire life changed. In March, she had been waiting for an email, and when it arrived, she didn’t wait to find a quieter location. Instead, she opened it where she stood and couldn’t stop the tears.
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She has received an honor few dancers get: acceptance to the Royal Ballet Upper School in London, the training ground for one of the most storied ballet companies in the world. Onward to London Her time in ballet started when she was 7 at the MorningStar Dance Academy in Johns Creek. For four years, she has been involved with the Royal Ballet School as an international
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one of four dancers from the U.S. to be selected as a candidate for the Prix de Lausanne in Switzerland for the second straight year. Over the past six years, through the Youth America Grand Prix, she has placed in the Top 12 at the international finals. The competition is the world’s largest, with up to 15,000 dancers from more than 80 countries. ATTENTION - Double check ad for ALL content. Phone, web, address, coupons, etc. Assume nothing Reply back that ad is approved once ALL ITEMS HAVE BEEN CHECKED FOR ACCURACY.
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scholar. She traveled to London more than three years ago, spending a week at the “White Lodge” — the Royal Ballet Lower School. De Silva is one of 17 dancers entering the upper school. Over the next three years, she will work on a bachelor’s degree, taking coursework in the United Kingdom. She is most nervous, she says, about essay writing and presentations. It’s not de Silva’s first time being selected out of a sea of dancers. She was
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Ballet: Continued from Page 22 She won the Grand Prix Award the past two years as well as three gold medals at the World Ballet Competition in Orlando. Consistency amid change Ballet, her fun hobby, became her life’s purpose around the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Shortly before the novel coronavirus erupted, she competed in her first solo performance. She was only 10. Her legs shook as she took the stage. She expected no recognition but won first place. Her mother’s expression sealed it for her. Her future was ballet. “I was so nervous … [but] look at what I can achieve, even when I might be having a hard time mentally,” de Silva said. The isolation caused by the highly contagious virus soon took hold. Her classes — school and dance — moved online. Her rehearsal space became a small room in her house. Stuck there all day, she made the best of it. There were daily practices, with no interruptions for the pre-COVID normal schedule. Consistency, de Silva said, carried her through. The virus and life’s new norms built the foundation she needed for success. “When I dance, I can forget about everything else,” she said. “It really keeps me in a calm
COMMUNITY
place. If I needed something, I could just go and practice and dance it out.” Ballet has taken her from Georgia to Mexico, Switzerland, Italy and China. De Silva hopes to give back as much as she has gained. “I hope that I’m a dancer that can move the audience … help them feel like they can forget everything when they’re watching and just be so immersed in the performance,” she said. Wynne Huo, an award-winning choreographer, taught de Silva at MorningStar. She was one of Huo’s youngest pupils. Huo said de Silva’s success and drive set a good example for her current students. De Silva is like a “big sister” to them, she noted. “These kids that you see on the weekdays, they definitely know who she is and they see her in the studio … and they think, ‘If I work hard, I can really get to this level,’” Huo said. “We always like having the big sisters around to have the kids see what it’s like to be a good leader.” De Silva’s talent is one thing — but the other key to her success, she says, is that consistency paired with hard work. She was a full-time student at Chattahoochee High until her junior year. Weekdays meant five or six hours of dance practice after school and then several more with homework. Weekends were not restful periods, either; Saturdays alone brought six to eight more hours of rehearsals. De Silva shared a message to young dancers who might want to follow her path. “Follow your heart — and don’t forget to be consistent,” she said.
MINORI DE SILVA/COURTESY
Minori de Silva, a 16-year-old from Johns Creek, poses during a ballet performance. She was recently accepted to the Royal Ballet Upper School in London.
Hope:
NEWS
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charge to those receiving Medicaid. Erin Eslinger with Pathways2Life said her organization helps families in crisis. The group also helps prevent individuals from getting to a crisis point, she noted. Representatives from North Fulton
Community Charities were also on hand providing free groceries. Will Rupard, the organization’s food pantry supervisor, said they gave out about 1,000 bags of food and toiletry items. Items were donated by community
members and sourced from providers like the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Rupard said events like the Day of Hope help get “families where they need to be.” “Our biggest thing is trying to get families stable,” he said. The event helped relieve burdens for local families, he added. Roswell resident Cynthia Dominguez attended the event, as she has in the past, and said it is always helpful. “It’s nice being here — the people are always so nice and friendly,” she said. Orlans said the event truly takes a community effort and about six months to organize each year. “We use social media, and we advertise through all the schools, sending flyers,” she said. “The social workers send it out to the families they know are in need the most. The churches do a lot of advertising, too, and that’s where we get our volunteers.” She said a highlight of this year’s event was working with cosmetology students from Paul Mitchell The School Esani in Roswell. They provided the haircuts and manicures. “I thought it was a great fit because a lot of the guests that we serve don’t have any residual income to get their nails done,” Orlans said.
money to the reserves and then tell your people what you’ve done for them, not what you’ve done to them.” Bridget Thorne, the Fulton County commissioner for District 1, said she understands Roswell has real needs but called the property tax increase “significant.” “I believe that a property tax increase should be the last resort,” Thorne said. “I understand the seniors that are on fixed incomes that can’t afford the $20 or $30 extra a month. Your bill — combined with our [Fulton County tax bill], combined with the [Fulton County School System] tax bill — has an impact on the constituents.” Some residents, along with Council Member Allen Sells, have called for the city to spend from its reserves instead of increasing the millage rate. In an earlier interview with Appen Media, Finance Director Adam Novotney said the city has $40.6 million in reserves. He explained how that works: A city ordinance requires keeping 25% of the city’s general fund — its operating costs — in reserve. That amounts to $25.7 million, Novotney said, with another $2 million of unspent money also put into an operating contingency as a cushion for unexpected costs. Another $2.8 million is money the city had beyond that required reserve. That money has been earmarked for capital projects, he said. The city has also set aside about $1.4 million in possible merit raises for city
employees, an action taken under the previous mayoral administration during a December 2025 budget amendment, Novotney noted. The finance director said the city also banked $2.2 million for purchases it approved in 2025 but will not pay for until 2026. That leaves about $6.5 million that is not currently set aside for any purpose, Novotney said. He cautioned the $40.6 million is an unaudited figure from June 30 and that the city’s fund balance rises and falls throughout the year. “The fund balance itself throughout the year fluctuates wildly,” he said. “That’s why we generally go with the annual audited number because that is a pretty well set in stone dollar amount.” The city collects a large amount of business tax revenue early in the year and most of its property tax revenue near the end, he said. In between, the city relies mostly on sales tax and smaller revenue sources. Robichaux said during the Appen Media interview the $6.5 million should not be treated as money the city can spend however it wants. The mayor pointed to a ceiling that recently fell at Smith Plantation. That site will need significant repairs, she said. During the Sept. 28 meeting, Novotney said the city is on track to end 2026 at or below budget “in many respects” and would likely be able to move some budgeted funds to future capital projects.
Sells said during that meeting the city would soon collect more than $30 million in property taxes, which would refill the reserve fund. “She [the mayor] counts it as going against the reserves,” the council member said. “Well, guess what, we’re gonna end up with the reserves at essentially the same spot, plus the growth of our investments this year.” Sells then motioned to move forward with a millage rate of 5.232 mills. That rate keeps 2025’s maintenance and operations millage rate, 4.049 mills, and adds in an updated rate of 1.183 mills for debt service. The raise in the debt service rate is required by the terms of the bond approved by Roswell voters for the 2022 bond program. Council Members Chris Zack, Christine Hall and Jennifer Phillippi joined Sells in favor of 5.232 mills, while Council Members Sarah Beeson and Eren Brumley voted against that rate. Beeson and Brumley previously voted in favor of a millage rate of 5.9 mills. Beeson, at the Sept. 14 meeting, attempted to push forward the rate of 7.732 mills as proposed by the mayor but did not receive any support from her colleagues. Zack said the council can revisit the administration’s priorities list in upcoming budget talks. “We can’t just clap our hands and move on from this,” he said. “I would prefer talking about these items within the 2027 budget.
Continued from Page 1 Mental health groups on hand for the event included Johns Creek & Alpharetta Counseling, Summit Counseling, Pathways2Life, Revved Up Kids and NAMI. Cheyenne Land-Requiz with Johns Creek & Alpharetta Counseling said the practice spoke to attendees about behavioral concerns for children and how to support family members and friends who seem to be struggling with the complexities of life. She said she recommends attendees — and other members of the public — dial 211, the number for information and referrals to social services and other assistance, as needed. Land-Requiz said her practice can also match those in need with therapists and service providers through its trusted referral network. Diana Campos Pena with Summit Counseling said residents who struggle with their mental health may not have health insurance and fear asking for help because of the cost. Her group has a client assistance program and also provides services free of
Tax: Continued from Page 1 Residents have objected to both proposed rates, with dozens of public comments heard at hearings throughout the month. Twenty-nine public comments were heard prior to the Sept. 28 vote. Lisa Smith, a 43-year-resident of Roswell, thanked Robichaux and council members for their work on the millage rate. She said she was fortunate to live in Roswell but wondered if the city could move forward without a tax increase. “We can’t defer maintenance, or we can end up in an expensive situation like the City Hall roof, which is costing us $5 million more … than it would have cost 10 years ago, when the roof was 27 years old,” she said. Deborah Zink, a 40-year-resident of the city, said she attended all the city’s meetings and hearings on the matter. She said she was disappointed with the outcome. “It may be that there’s a small tax increase that’s needed, but I don’t think you can possibly know that until you go through this effort and certainly [not Robichaux and new city officials who took office in January 2026],” she said. “And for our mayor … why not decide to be your city’s hero instead of your city’s villain this year? “Save some money, return some
ERLANDRYA RUTLEDGE/APPEN MEDIA
Attendees explore resource booths on the grounds of Roswell City Hall during the 17th annual Roswell Day of Hope on Sept. 26.
26 | October 1, 2026 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell
OPINION
PICT RIDER/ISTOCK
Rage against the machine It is hard to know where to start. And maybe just simply, “rage” is the logical place. Road rage. AI rage. Political rage. Inflation rage. Clean air and water rage. Immigrant rage. RAY APPEN Food rage. Pesticide Publisher Emeritus ray@appenmedia.com rage. Vaccine rage. Wage rage. Facebook rage. School rage. Education rage. Gun rage. Screen rage. Social media rage. Tat rage. Home-school rage. Government rage. Regulation rage. War rage. Faith rage. Musk rage. Coal rage. EV rage. Waiting in line rage. Rage, rage, rage. Freaking exhausting. Meanwhile some go about their daily lives miffed that they have to wait an extra 30 seconds in the grocery store because the special-needs clerk moves too slow, or because someone can’t find their voucher to pay for food fast enough, or on the way to the grocery, that old guy slows down to enter the roundabout. Blast the horn. White knuckle-grip the steering wheel. Drop some F-bombs,
Rage – anger by another name – is something we live with day in and day out – to one degree or another...Rage perhaps is a manifestation of a sense of powerlessness – the feeling that you have no control over your life.” rage. Beat someone. Culture anger in a petri dish and make it grow. Only the petri dish is you. What is happening? Has it always been like this? Or is it business as usual but maybe wearing slightly different clothes? Life is hard, I know, but does it have to be this hard? I am not unhappy; why should anyone else be unhappy? I got mine; go out and work and get yours. Alarmist? Buzz-killer? Whiner? Bad attitude? Maybe. Probably. Bueller? My dad always used to say that “no news is good news.” Which is to say that at least nothing bad is happening. I suppose. But he saw bad stuff every day – day in and day out. He was a doctor in a small town with his own practice.
He saw a lot of sick people. Then, on weekends he would do a 24 hour shift in the ER. He saw even more sickness – a lot more. I always used to wonder how he could still function and see so many people hurting – so many people in pain – and still be able to smile or carry on a conversation with his children or wife – talk about history class, the recital, or her book club. Maybe he couldn’t. Maybe he was just pretending to be interested or care. Maybe he just blocked that part of his life out – compartmentalized it – so there was enough room left over for something positive – something affirming – something with light. But when you do that – when one isolates part of themselves from themselves – from the
inside and the outside world, what is left? Ah, there is the rub. Is it enough? Rage – anger by another name – is something we live with day in and day out – to one degree or another. Everyone has their own personal 24-hour ER shift of some kind and has to choose or find a path to deal with it. The “stuff” today is probably the same as the “stuff” in the past, but if there actually is a difference, it may be that much of life today is amplified — which makes it harder to escape or compartmentalize. That is, it is getting harder to believe that because life is not awful, that it is good. I am not sure how sustainable that path is. Rage perhaps is a manifestation of a sense of powerlessness – the feeling that you have no control over your life. As AI evolves – as technology takes an increasing role in our lives – in how the world around us works, is viewed, and communicated – it is hard to imagine our ability to cope with it all improves in any significant way although perhaps — just maybe — we can learn to find more balance in simple things – the arts, music, giving, sharing, helping, caring and faith. That wouldn’t change what we must cope with, but it might change how we nourish our souls and sustain ourselves.
OPINION
AIKENOMICS
AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | October 1, 2026 | 27
Washington stirs pot again, mortgage rates climb Just when it appeared tensions in the Persian Gulf might finally be cooling, Washington stirred the pot again. Fighting between the U.S. and Iran intensified, quickly sending oil prices higher and once again, the bond and mortgage markets
D.C. AIKEN Guest Columnist dcaiken.com
followed. We’ve seen this movie before. Whenever conflict escalates in the Middle East, financial markets immediately begin calculating the potential impact on the global oil supply. It doesn’t necessarily take an actual shortage to move prices. The possibility of disrupted production, shipping lanes or exports is often enough for traders to build a geopolitical “risk premium” into the price of a barrel of oil. And that matters far beyond what we pay at the gas pump. Oil is woven throughout the economy. Higher energy prices increase transportation, manufacturing, shipping and distribution costs. Airlines pay more for fuel.
Randy Knighton City Administrator
Trucking companies pay more for diesel. Manufacturers pay more to produce and transport goods. Eventually, some of those increased costs find their way to consumers. In other words: higher oil prices can mean higher inflation and inflation remains the bond market’s biggest enemy. When investors believe inflation may remain elevated, they typically demand higher yields to own longer-term bonds. That puts upward pressure on the 10-year Treasury yield, which is one of the most important benchmarks influencing mortgage rates. The chain reaction looks something like this: Persian Gulf tensions — higher oil prices — greater inflation concerns — higher Treasury yields — higher mortgage rates. Unfortunately, that chain reaction is playing out again. The average top-tier 30year fixed mortgage has climbed to about 6.89%, its highest level since June 2025. We haven’t quite reached the June 2025 peak of roughly 6.97%, but we are getting uncomfortably close to seeing a “7” in front of mortgage rates again. Perhaps the most frustrating part for homebuyers is that this latest move has
City of Roswell Notice of Public Hearing
Mary Robichaux Mayor
The following Items will be considered at a public hearing by the Mayor & City Council, Tuesday, October 13, 2026, 7:00 PM, at Roswell City Hall, Council Chambers, 38 Hill Street, Roswell, GA, 30075. a. Text Amendment – Modify 10.3.22 and 14.2: Temporary Sign Permit Required and Defined Terms (second read) b. Text Amendment – Modify 10.3.16: Signs Which Require No Permit (second read) The complete file is available for public view at the Roswell Planning & Zoning Office, 38 Hill Street, Suite G-30, Roswell, GA, (770) 817-6720 or planningandzoning@roswellgov.com. Refer to www.roswellgov.com. WIRE AND WOOD ROAD CLOSURE NOTICE Thurs, October 8 from 9am through Sun, October 11 at 4am • North Broad St. Fri, October 9 from 6am through Sun, October 11 at 4am • Milton Ave. from Roswell St./Canton St. to HWY9 • Old Roswell St. from parking lot entrance to Milton Ave. • South Broad St., Market St., Commerce St. • Park Plaza from Academy St. to City Hall parking deck entrance Fri & Sat, Oct 9th 10am–midnight & Oct 10th from 10am – Oct 11th at 2am • Hwy 9 from Milton Ave to Old Milton Pkwy • Southbound on Haynes Bridge Rd. from Academy to the roundabout Vehicles left on the streets will be towed at the owner's expense. For more information, www.wireandwoodalpharetta.com
very little to do with housing. Home prices didn’t suddenly surge. Mortgage demand didn’t suddenly explode. And the U.S. economy didn’t suddenly change IMAGE PROVIDED TO APPEN MEDIA overnight. Instead, mortgage rates are once again being influenced by events occurring thousands of miles away. That’s also why predicting where rates go from here is particularly difficult. A cooling of tensions and a retreat in oil prices could quickly
Randy Knighton City Administrator
provide some relief to bonds and mortgage rates. Additional escalation, however, could push oil higher and keep inflation fears and mortgage rates elevated. For buyers waiting for the “perfect” interest rate before purchasing a home, this is another reminder that the road to lower mortgage rates was never going to be a straight line. For now, keep one eye on the 10-year Treasury and the other on the Persian Gulf. DC Aiken is senior vice president of lending for CrossCountry Mortgage, NMLS #658790. For more insights, you can subscribe to his newsletter at dcaiken.com. The opinions expressed within this article may not reflect the opinions or views of CrossCountry Mortgage LLC or its affiliates.
City of Roswell Notice of Public Hearing
Mary Robichaux Mayor
The following items will be considered at a public hearing held by the Planning Commission on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, 7:00 PM, Roswell City Hall, Council Chambers, 38 Hill Street, Roswell, GA 30075. a. Text Amendment – UDC 4, 6, 9: Auto Showroom and Maintenance. b. ZONE-0726-000001 – 290 Rucker Road The applicant, AEC Inc., is requesting a rezoning from AG-43 to RS-9; land lot 1240. This item will also be presented at a Neighborhood meeting on October 6, 2026, at Room 220, Roswell City Hall. c. Text Amendment – Impact Fees Amendment to Section 11.6 Development impact fees. The complete file is available for public view at the Roswell Planning & Zoning Office, 38 Hill Street, Suite G-30, Roswell, GA, (770) 817-6720 or planningandzoning@roswellgov.com. Refer to www.roswellgov.com.
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32 | October 1, 2026 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | AppenMedia.com/Alpharetta_Roswell
IN THE WORDS OF OTHERS WE COULD TELL YOU — THEY DID IT FOR US Every honor below was decided by clients, colleagues, our community, or our own team.
BEST REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE
BEST IN THE CITY
BEST NEW BUSINESS
Awarded, People’s Choice for 2026
Awarded, The Ones to Watch in 2026
Awarded, People’s Choice for 2025
Modern Luxury | INTERIORS
Modern Luxury | THE ATLANTAN
Appen Media | North Atlanta
TOP ATLANTA WORKPLACE
BEST REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE
BEST LOCALLY-OWNED BUSINESS
Awarded, Employee’s Choice for 2026
Awarded, People’s Choice for 2026
Nominated, People’s Choice for 2026
Axios Atlanta and Energage
Appen Media | North Atlanta
Appen Media | North Atlanta
6 HONORS. 1 YEAR. AND WE’RE JUST GETTING STARTED.
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