Dunwoody Crier - January 22, 2026

Council parses North Peachtree Road path project

By ADAM DARBY newsroom@appenmedia.com

DUNWOODY, Ga. – In its first meeting of the year Jan. 12, the Dunwoody City Council focused on the North Peachtree Road Corridor Safe Routes to School Project.

Two options were presented regarding the funding and timeline for the plan. Each option depends on the federal funding timeline with differing completion times.

The first option includes a shared-use path on the west side and a sidewalk on the east side, extending from Cotillion Drive to Barclay Drive. This is

expected to take approximately five years to complete the design and right-of-way acquisition phases, with construction projected to be advertised in 2032. The estimated project cost totals $8.1 million, with $6.4 million coming from federal funding and the city contributing the balance.

The second option omits the shared-use path from the initial construction process, focusing solely on the east-side sidewalk.

The local sidewalk project is anticipated to take 20 months for design and right-of-way acquisition, with construction advertising projected for 2028.

See PROJECT, Page 11

Dunwoody officials honor law enforcement officers who saved lives in the line of duty at the Jan. 12 City Council meeting. Officers were presented Life Saving Medals of Meritorious Service.

Development Authority affirms Village District character components

BY ADAM DARBY newsroom@appenmedia.com

DUNWOODY, Ga. – The Dunwoody Development Authority held the year’s opening public meeting on Jan. 15 at 5 p.m. in City Hall. Currently comprised of seven members on four-year terms, the Development Authority promotes trade, commerce, industry, and employment opportunities. Members are allowed to package bond financing for companies based on their investment and the number of jobs created.

The primary order of business at the meeting was to discuss and confirm the proposed vision and narrative for the community’s Village District branding moving forward. The proposed vision for the popular district describes the social center as a “charming town center where neighbors connect, local businesses thrive, and inviting public spaces bring people together.” This aligns with the city’s hopes to further solidify the Village District as a prime spot for dining, shopping, and communal fellowship.

The proposed narrative states, “Dunwoody’s Village District, enjoyable in every season, is our community crossroads where simple routines drive the local economy and where we gather for shared experiences that foster connection.”

See DISTRICT, Page 11

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Sandy Springs officer helped girlfriend allegedly cheat Alpharetta police exam

By CARL APPEN carl@appenmedia.com

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — A Sandy Springs police officer found himself in hot water after allegedly helping his girlfriend cheat on an Alpharetta Police Department exam in August, according to records obtained by Appen Media.

The Sandy Springs officer was a sergeant at the time but has been demoted after an internal investigation concluded he violated the department’s rules of conduct. Police officials also required him to write a letter to the statewide law enforcement accreditation agency recommending his girlfriend have her certification revoked.

Appen Media and its Sandy Springs Crier newspaper obtained copies of that investigation, the board letter and other public documents that describe the allegations.

According to those materials, the woman was a Sandy Springs police officer for eight months before the department released her during field training in December 2024. She then applied to join the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety.

Alpharetta leadership said they would not normally have hired her, according to public documents. However, according to the Sandy Springs investigation, the sergeant called an Alpharetta detective to vouch for her. He also allegedly told Alpharetta she did not have a good match with her Sandy Springs Field Training Officer (FTO) and that the FTO had since been removed from several department assignments.

During the internal affairs probe, the sergeant told Sandy Springs officials the two were not in a relationship at that time of the phone call but became involved later.

The Alpharetta recruiter said he would not have moved the candidate forward without that recommendation.

He added that he learned the two were in a relationship when the sergeant pinned on her badge during the Alpharetta swearing-in ceremony, according to the Sandy Springs report.

After the ceremony, the woman was taking an exam in order to use the less-lethal weapon Taser 7. While taking the test in a room with two other Alpharetta police officers, she called the Sandy Springs sergeant

and read him questions, according to the investigative report. The sergeant, who had been a Taser 7 instructor at Sandy Springs, allegedly gave her the answers.

One of the woman’s peers reported the incident to their supervisors, Alpharetta department officials told Appen Media. After investigating the situation, they terminated the woman’s employment and notified the Sandy Springs Police Department.

“We take violations of integrity seriously and act decisively when our standards are not met,” Alpharetta officials said.

Upon receiving notice of the incident, Sandy Springs opened an internal investigation.

During that process, the sergeant admitted to helping the woman with answers but said he didn’t know she was taking a test until after the fact, according to the report. If he had known, he told investigators, he would not have answered her questions.

Following the investigation, Sandy Springs officials handed down a determination that the sergeant’s actions constituted a violation of the department’s code of conduct.

Officials took particular issue with the sergeant’s involvement in the woman’s hiring at Alpharetta and his alleged comments about the Sandy Springs field training program.

The sergeant, who has been with the department since 2017, was at one point a Field Training Officer

himself.

Sandy Springs officials said the woman’s performance there was lacking and noted, “at the time of her release from the SSPD Field Training program, most of the FTOs documenting her poor performance were assigned to [the sergeant’s] shift. His recommendation to Alpharetta PD was inaccurate, misleading, and damaging to the reputation of the Sandy Springs Police Department.”

As part of the prescribed disciplinary actions, the sergeant had to give an in-person apology to the Sandy Springs FTO corps and the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety.

He also faced a demotion, four-day suspension, loss of take-home car for 30 days and mandatory training.

Perhaps one of the more heartwrenching punishments was the letter he had to write to the state law enforcement standards board recommending they revoke the woman’s certification.

A week after the investigation concluded, he sent the note.

“It is our duty to remove those that are unfit to remain in this profession,” it included.

As of Jan.14, the woman is still eligible for duty, but the accreditation agency has a flag on her file for review.

While the man lost his rank of sergeant, Sandy Springs said he will be eligible to test for promotion in September.

Changes are coming to Dunwoody student assignment

ANDREW ZIFFER

The Student Assignment Project (SAP) is DeKalb County School District’s long-term planning process for how students are assigned to schools, how attendance boundaries are drawn, and how school facilities are used. It brings together enrollment projections, building capacity, program placement, and community input so the district can make responsible, data-informed decisions over time.

This column focuses specifically on what the SAP data shows for the Dunwoody cluster. SAP is complicated, emotional, and important, and while not everyone will like where the conversation ultimately leads, avoiding it does not make the underlying issues go away.

Beginning January 2026, the DeKalb County School Board will start public conversations related to SAP. These are not votes or final

recommendations. They are early discussions designed to review data, hear community perspectives, and evaluate tradeoffs before any decisions are made. These conversations will take place at public meetings and will be accessible to everyone. I also want to be very clear that I do not have insider information — I see the same public data that everyone else sees.

A prior superintendent publicly stated that roughly two dozen schools may eventually need to close, which understandably raised concern. That statement was not made in a vacuum. DCSD currently operates over 120 schools and serves roughly 90,000 students.

That averages to about 750 students per school, while school systems of our size historically operate closer to 1,000 students per school. That mismatch, combined with declining enrollment, creates real financial pressure, particularly at the elementary level. Consolidation and rebalancing are part of the conversation, not because of ideology, but because of sustainability and

responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.

Across the district, and clearly in the SAP data, elementary schools drive most of the capacity imbalance. There are more elementary schools than middle or high schools, and they vary widely in size and utilization, and they carry high fixed operating costs regardless of enrollment. For those reasons, most student assignment movement historically occurs at the elementary level, with fewer changes at middle and high schools.

In Dunwoody, the issue is not a lack of elementary seats overall, but where those seats are located. Based on the 2030 attendance forecast, the Dunwoody cluster has roughly 4,000 elementary school seats serving an estimated 3,500 students. In total, capacity exists, but it is unevenly distributed.

Hightower Elementary and Chesnut Elementary are projected to operate well above capacity, at approximately 134 percent and 136 percent, respectively. At the same time, nearby schools are projected to

be significantly underutilized: Austin Elementary at about 70%, Dunwoody Elementary at 71 percent, Vanderlyn at 79 percent, and Kingsley at 78 percent. The result is a system that is both overcrowded and inefficient.

At the secondary level, Peachtree Middle School is projected to operate at approximately 114 percent utilization, indicating moderate but manageable pressure. Dunwoody High School, however, is projected at approximately 132 percent utilization, signaling sustained enrollment pressure that must be considered alongside elementary and middle school planning.

At the secondary level, Peachtree Middle School is projected to operate at approximately 114% utilization, indicating moderate but manageable pressure. Dunwoody High School, however, is projected at approximately 132 percent utilization, signaling sustained enrollment pressure that must be considered alongside elementary and middle school planning.

See CHANGES, Page 9

Affordability, literacy are priorities for General Assembly

By ZOE SEILER zoe@appenmedia.com

ATLANTA — Literacy and affordability are among the top priorities for lawmakers in the Georgia General Assembly going into the 2026 legislative session. The Legislature gaveled in on Monday, Jan. 12.

Crossover Day is scheduled for March 6 and the General Assembly will adjourn on April 2.

This year will see lawmakers appealing to their bases, Republican and Democrat, as many run for a statewide office. In November, voters will choose a new governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, and attorney general, among other elected offices.

Rep. Scott Hilton (R - Peachtree Corners) noted there will be some politicking. Sen. Kim Jackson (D - Senate District 41) said there will be more speeches from the Senate floor. State Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver (D-Decatur) said the discussion will be driven by Lt. Gov. Burt Jones’ desire to run for governor.

“I think about one-third of the Senate is running for another office,” Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver (D - Decatur) said during a DeKalb Democrats webinar on Jan. 6.

“That’s not unusual. That’s a pattern, and it’s more a pattern of the Senate than the House.”

Education

During a press conference on Jan. 7, House Speaker Jon Burns (R - Newington) said literacy is his No. 1 priority.

In 2025, literacy efforts included increasing access to dyslexia screening, expanding training resources and providing literacy coaches. The House will continue to build on those initiatives, Burns said.

“We’re going to put forward an initiative to put literacy coaches in every elementary school in Georgia,” Burns said. “We believe that will be a difference maker, that will give our students further hands-on support as it comes to their challenges in literacy.”

Both chambers are anticipated to take up cell phone bans in schools. Burns said the House will look at banning the devices in high schools.

“I believe that’ll be something we will certainly have a lively discussion about, and certainly want to respect parents and their freedom of security for their students,” Burns said.

Hilton agreed and has done some work on classroom technology and on ensuring schools are cell phone-free. He is the secretary of the House education committee.

Housing affordability

Legislation in the House will include property tax reform, as assessments have drastically increased across the state. The House will focus on eliminating property taxes on primary residences.

people,” Jackson told Georgia Press. “It’s another thing when you own hundreds of houses in an entire neighborhood; perhaps you should not be paying the same kind of property taxes that the rest of us are because you’re running a major corporation.”

Data centers and other topics

The Legislature will take up the issue of data centers, though lawmakers aren’t sure what that will look like yet.

“That’ll be interesting to see how that plays itself out. Consumers are telling us that ‘I don’t want my rates to go up to subsidize data centers,’” Rep. Scott Hilton (R - Peachtree Corners) said. “I’m supportive of that, to make sure that the consumers know that they’re not footing the bill for data centers.”

Lawmakers tried to repeal data center tax credits in 2024, and Hilton added that it may come up again.

“Based on Georgia’s cheap power and available land, I don’t see a reason right now why we would need one. The governor said we needed some predictability in keeping that in place,” Hilton said.

During the Jan. 6 webinar, Rep. Oliver said there is legislation in the House and the resource management committee has been evaluating the issue.

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He will be working to allow redshirting across school districts. This is the practice of holding a child back and delaying their start in kindergarten or first grade. Hilton said that is a topic that has come up in his district, which represents Alpharetta, Roswell, Johns Creek and Peachtree Corners.

Gwinnett County Public Schools began standardizing its enrollment practices in 2025, requiring 5-year-olds to start in kindergarten and 6-year-olds in first grade, 11 Alive reported. But under that policy, a 5-year-old currently in preschool might have to start first grade, instead of kindergarten, at 6.

“That’s a pretty significant jump,” Hilton said on the Georgia Politics podcast.

He will introduce legislation that gives parents that choice back.

“What it involves is those who are entering kindergarten or first grade at a younger age, parents find holding that child back for an additional year to be incredibly successful,” Hilton said.

While Burns said literacy is his top priority, affordability has become the theme of the upcoming session.

“You’re going to hear affordability coming out of GOP mouths and Democrats’ mouths,” Jackson said on the Jan. 8 episode of the Decaturish Download podcast.

“For the vast majority of Georgians, our homes are our single largest investments in our lives,” Burns said. “For that investment of a lifetime, I don’t think any of us in Georgia should ever face the possibility of losing our home because we can’t afford to pay rent to the government.”

Oliver noted, during the webinar, that Democrats have ideas to address housing affordability as well.

“The inability of people to buy houses, to stay in houses, to be a tenant whose property is maintained according to the law, all of that is really bad right now,” she said. “This year, I think housing is going to take a more front row position.”

Hilton is passionate about housing, especially for first-time homebuyers. He plans to look at how the buying process can be made easier and how the housing supply can be increased.

“We’re not building [starter homes] these days and it’s because there’s so much red tape and regulation that developers have to put up with,” Hilton said on the Georgia Politics podcast. “There are ways the state government can help reform that permitting process so that you see a larger supply of homes, which will drive down the cost.”

Senate Democrats will have legislation on corporate housing to at least examine who owns housing in Georgia.

“It’s one thing if you’re a Georgia citizen who’s like a mom and pop and you own two houses that you rent out to

“It’s something that I’m watching with interest because I think bipartisan elected people are feeling the heat on the interest of data centers because of the way it impacts our water,” Oliver said.

On the Decaturish Download, Jackson said a bill calling for a one-year moratorium of data centers will be introduced to gain a better understanding of the impact the facilities have on municipalities and resources.

Republican Senate leaders are going to look at eliminating the personal state income tax by 2032. The proposal would waive income taxes up to $50,000 a year for individuals and $100,000 for married couples starting in 2027, the Georgia Recorder reported.

“I’m sure that will take a sizable amount of debate in the Legislature this coming year,” Jackson said.

Jackson anticipates seeing legislation regarding elections.

“I suspect there will remain attempts to shut down Sunday voting, to make early voting optional for municipalities and jurisdictions,” Jackson said. “I don’t think it will be included in the omnibus, but there will certainly be a movement towards paper ballots once again.”

The General Assembly passes the state budget each year, which is the only piece of legislation they are required to approve. Oliver said it is the most important bill lawmakers take up.

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MOVIES

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5. William H. Macy comedy. Mouth piece. It might be wild.

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1 Female relation. ‘75 Richard Dreyfuss horror flick. Nap.

2. Climbing vine. Hitchcock title. Can’t stand.

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 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 4, 5 and 5 letters). The clues are numbered 1 through 7, which 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!

3. Monthly expense. Highchair part. 2009 Sam Worthington fantasy.

4. Chess piece. Demi Moore fantasy. No

5. William H. Macy comedy. Mouth piece. It might be wild.

6. Bad to the bone. Closet type. ‘66 Michael Caine comedy

7. Vociferate Stalone boxing flick. Also-ran.

Appen launches new site for state political stories

By HANS APPEN hans@appenmedia.com

ATLANTA — Appen Media, publisher of Decaturish and the Georgia-based Herald, Crier and Ink newspapers, announced the launch of GeorgiaPress. com, dedicated to in-depth political coverage and essential reporting on the issues shaping Georgia.

GeorgiaPress.com will focus primarily on Georgia politics—state government, elections, policy and power—while also covering other important and timely current events affecting communities across the state. The site is designed to fill critical news gaps, connect local and statewide issues, and deliver clear, independent journalism to readers across Georgia.

Publisher Hans Appen and Deputy Editor Zoe Seiler will lead GeorgiaPress. com, with the full backing and support of the entire Appen Media newsroom. Seiler continues her news coverage in DeKalb County for Decaturish.com and Decaturish Ink newspaper, as well.

“Georgia needs strong, consistent political coverage that goes beyond headlines and explains how decisions made under the Gold Dome affect people statewide,” Appen said. “GeorgiaPress. com reflects our mission to lead Georgia’s political coverage while filling gaps left by shrinking newsrooms.”

Seiler said the new platform will emphasize accountability, context and reach.

“Too many important stories, especially in underserved areas, don’t get the attention they deserve,” she said. “Our goal is to provide fair, thorough reporting that helps Georgians understand what’s happening, why it matters and how it will impact them. We want to connect readers to the Gold Dome.”

In addition to daily digital reporting, readers can subscribe to a weekly Georgia Press newsletter featuring a curated selection of political coverage and statewide news. GeorgiaPress. com will also serve as the home of The Georgia Politics Podcast, the state’s leading political commentary podcast, featuring in-depth conversations, analysis and roundtable discussions on Georgia’s political landscape.

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PAST TENSE

Namesakes for Pitts Road have ties to Morgan Falls

VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF Columnist

The namesake of Pitts Road was James Stanford Pitts. Born in 1872, Pitts worked at Morgan Falls for Georgia Railway and Electric Company (later Georgia Power) in the early 1900s. Later, he was a bus driver for North Fulton High School and Liberty Guinn School.

James S. Pitts is an ancestor of Gail Pitts, who graciously shared her family history with me. She confirmed that Pitts Road in Sandy Springs was named after her great-granduncle James Stanford Pitts.

He was born in Cobb County to James Thomas (Jim) Pitts and Mary Ann Elizabeth Maudlin-Rutherford. Rutherford was Jim’s second wife. Gail Pitts’ great grandfather Namon Francis Pitts was the son of Jim’s first wife, Samantha Alzira Hardman. Jim and Namon were stepbrothers.

James S. Pitts married Martha Jane (Mattie) Black in 1905. According to the 1920 census, the couple lived on Morgan Falls Road with their three young children. James was employed as a laborer in the electric plant. Their neighbors along Morgan Falls Road were also working at the electric plant. By 1930, census records indicate the road name was Bull Sluice, the name of the lake at Morgan Falls. They had four children and two lodgers at home.

In 1940, James S. Pitts lived on Roswell Road in the Grogan’s district of Fulton County. Two daughters, Zelma and Frances, lived with him, and he was employed as a school bus driver. In 1950, James and daughter Zelma lived on Pitts Drive, which would become known as Pitts Road. The road ran between Spalding Drive and Roswell Road. (U.S. census archives, 1940 and 1950)

When James S. Pitts died in 1954, his funeral was held at First Baptist Church at Roswell. He was buried at the Roswell Methodist Cemetery. His obituary states, “He formerly was associated with Georgia Power Company. Pitts Road was named for him.” (Atlanta Journal, June 25, 1954)

Family records show that when Jim Pitts died in 1891, his children purchased some of the property in his estate. James S. Pitts deeded a portion of the land he bought to Post Oak Methodist Church on Post Oak Road in Marietta.

Gail Pitts is the daughter of Roy

PITTS FAMILY

COLLECTION/PROVIDED

The James S. Pitts family in front of their Morgan Falls Road home, circa 1921. From left front: Zelma Lee Pitts, Martha Jane “Mattie” Pitts, Martha Frances Pitts in Mattie’s lap, John Thomas Pitts; Back row, from left: James S. Pitts and James Clarence Pitts.

Clifton Pitts and Juanita Ruby Clemmer. Many of her Pitts and Sullivan ancestors have a connection with Morgan Falls and Georgia Power.

Roy Clifton Pitts and his brother Curvin Thomas both attended Morgan Falls School, located along Roswell Road near where the Fulton County North Service Center stands today. Curvin worked for the Atlanta Journal; Roy worked for Georgia Power for 50 years, retiring in 1984 as supervisor of the Hammond Plant in Rome. (Atlanta Journal, July 18, 1987)

The brothers were both veterans of World War II. Curvin served with the 102nd Infantry, also known as the Ozarks. Roy served in the Army, primarily in the Aleutian Islands.

Gail’s grandparents, Roy Thomas Pitts and Irene Sullivan, married on April 28, 1918. Six months later, Roy was sent to serve in World War I, first at Camp Gordon in Chamblee for training and then overseas. He was part of the Replacement Draft, Company D, 161st Infantry. In 1950, he was working as a machinist with Georgia Power.

The next Past Tense will tell the history of others in Gail Pitts’ family tree who worked at Morgan Falls, including W. Cliff Sullivan. Sullivan became superintendent of all six of Georgia Power’s North Georgia Plants in the 1930s.

Award-winning author Valerie Biggerstaff is a longtime columnist for Appen Media and the Dunwoody Crier. She lives in Atlanta. You can email Valerie at pasttensega@gmail.com or visit her website at pasttensega.com.

OPINION

TALK BACK TO THE CRIER

To reflect ethical governance, Dunwoody must show good faith

When Dunwoody voted to become a city, it was not an abstract exercise in governance. It was a conscious choice by residents to take responsibility for our own future. We wanted decisions made locally, transparently, and in alignment with values we could see and trust.

I write today not as a representative of any neighborhood, but as someone who helped found this city and who authored its first ordinance, the Code of Ethics. That code was not symbolic. It was foundational. It expressed a belief that good governance begins with integrity, openness, and accountability. It is also why Dunwoody was later recognized by the Georgia Municipal Association as a City of Ethics. That recognition carries meaning only if we continue to live up to it. Cities are tested not when issues are easy, but when they are complex, uncomfortable or costly. The true measure of ethical governance is not whether a city avoids blame, but whether it engages forthrightly with substantiated concerns raised by its citizens, especially when those concerns involve infrastructure the city manages

Talk Back to the Crier

The Crier is committed to its role as Perimeter’s community thread. As readers have reminded the paper, part of that role means budgeting premium space for letters from residents. Talk Back to the Crier by Sunday night and your note will be on page 3 that week. Email letters to newsroom@appenmedia.com. The Crier won’t publish it without explicitly getting your approval.

and fees residents are required to pay.

Over time, every city faces moments when legal caution begins to crowd out civic responsibility. Advice oriented toward litigation defense can be appropriate in courtrooms, but cities are not courtrooms. Municipal governance exists to prevent harm, not merely defend against it after the fact.

When decisions are shaped primarily by silence, delay or narrow interpretations designed to avoid responsibility, citizens are left wondering whether risk avoidance has replaced stewardship. That question is not legal. It is ethical.

We did not become a city so that legitimate concerns would be met with

nonresponse. We did not incorporate so that responsibility would be blurred rather than clarified. And we did not adopt a Code of Ethics so that it could be honored in name but not always in practice.

One localized issue has recently made this tension visible. It matters less for its specifics than for what it reveals about how we evaluate advice, how we interpret our own ordinances, and how willing we are to engage transparently when the answers are not convenient.

Kingsley Lake is not the story. Governance is.

As Dunwoody grows and its infrastructure ages, similar questions

will arise elsewhere involving stormwater, roads, drainage, or other shared systems. The framework we apply now will shape how future issues are handled across the city.

That is why this moment deserves reflection, not defensiveness.

Ethical governance does not require perfection. It requires good faith engagement, timely response, and alignment between our actions and the values we profess. Silence may reduce short term discomfort, but it erodes long-term trust.

As the author of the city’s first Code of Ethics, I feel an obligation to ask a simple question on behalf of all residents. Does our current approach reflect why Dunwoody chose to become a city and the ethical standard we set for ourselves when we did?

That question is not an accusation. It is an invitation to recommit to the principles that brought this city into being and to ensure that City of Ethics remains more than a title.

Our citizens deserve nothing less.

DANNY

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Continued from Page 3

This brings us to the uncomfortable but necessary part of the conversation. Every school, regardless of size, carries administrative costs, utility costs, maintenance obligations, and staffing minimums.

configured school, and it turned out to be an excellent experience. That experience shapes how I approach this work today. Different does not automatically mean worse. Sometimes, different can be just as good — or better.

Changes: SHOP LOCAL EAT

A 500-student elementary school is not proportionally cheaper to operate than a 900-student school. At a time when we want to pay teachers more, manage rising healthcare costs, and provide additional classroom support, we have to be honest about tradeoffs. I would rather see - and I hope you would as well - district dollars invested in teachers, paraprofessionals for kindergarteners, and student services than in excess buildings, duplicate overhead, and utility bills for half-empty schools.

I understand why this conversation is difficult. When my family moved to Dunwoody in 2006, we did so because of Vanderlyn Elementary. Shortly after, Dunwoody Elementary transitioned from a fourth- and fi fth-grade academy to a K–5 school. Even as strong believers in public education, we were uncertain. Our child became part of the first kindergarten class at the newly

One thing I will not compromise on is the elementary school experience. If boundaries or programs shift, students should still learn with peers, feel connected to their community, and receive a strong educational foundation.

I understand that parents naturally view this process through the lens of their own child. That is human. But the broader the lens we bring to this conversation, the more constructive the feedback and the better the outcome for everyone. As these conversations move forward, I will support SAP options that improve student outcomes, use taxpayer dollars responsibly, and represent a net positive for students. I will challenge proposals that do not.

I will continue to share SAP data, charts, meeting schedules, and links to official district resources as discussions evolve. These conversations will be public, and community engagement matters. Let’s focus our resources where they matter most — on students and teachers, not underutilized buildings. More to come.

READ LOCAL

GIRLS: TIGERS 81, ANGOLAS, 28; BOYS: TIGERS 84, ANGOLAS 48

Tucker boys, girls dominate Clarkston

By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com

TUCKER, Ga. — The Tucker boys basketball team dominated Clarkston 84-48 Jan. 13 at Tucker High School.

The girls played the opening match, setting the tone with a statement 81-28 win. It was the Tigers’ first time scoring more than 80 points since Feb. 16, 2016.

Harmonie Cooper returned as the fourth-leading scorer in DeKalb County and has had another strong campaign for her senior year thus far. Cooper led the Tigers against Clarkston with a near double-double of 23 points, six rebounds and nine assists.

Fellow senior guard Jonna Snelling was right behind with 21 points, four assists and four steals.

The teams met earlier this season on Nov. 21, and Clarkston boys came into the second matchup determined to not take another 50-point loss after a 90-39 result in the first game.

Tucker forward Adarian Johnson, who transferred from Alcovy High this season with twin Adrian, led the Tigers with 21 points and connected with guard JaKobe Williams for several lobs.

Adarian said his focus is looking ahead to the Tigers’ next game against St. Pius X.

“[Anticipating] a good, hard-fought matchup,” he said. “We ain’t shying down, we’ll play together as a unit, and that’s how we’ll get a win. Playing through gaps, taking what the defense gives me tonight had me wide open backdoor with [Williams] cutting.”

Williams took a backseat playmaking role against Clarkston but is averaging over 19 points per game. Only five players in Tucker history have sustained that average for an entire season, and just two have in the last 10 years.

Senior forward Julian Glenewinkel was inactive against Clarkston due to an undiagnosed knee injury but spoke about how the transition from playing in Germany and Switzerland has been going.

He said getting acquainted in a new country has gone smoothly in

Captains and head coaches from Tucker and Clarkston meet with officials at center court prior

part thanks to coach James Hartry, who Glenewinkel said has earned his legendary status.

“I’ve learned a lot, just from Hartry’s presence and the energy he brings every day in practice,” Glenewinkel said.

“We’re definitely playing for February basketball, but it’s taking every game one step at a time.”

Both teams committed technical fouls in the final minutes of the fourth quarter. Tensions from the region matchup raised through the second half with words being exchanged between players, finally boiling over in the final frame.

Hartry said “getting techs because of your mouth” is unacceptable for where he wants his team to be come the region tournament next month.

“I’m a sportsmanship guy, I believe in having some integrity on the floor,” he said. “I try not to get caught up in the regular season’s big games, because the big games to me are played after Valentine’s Day. This is the toughest region in 4A, we know who we got to hunt.”

School Jan. 13. The home team came out victorious in the nearly 40-point win. Targeted local

Clarkston senior Kaleb Andre attempts to inbound the ball past two Tucker defenders, Kelan Smith, left, and Adrian Johnson at Tucker High School Jan. 13.

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County defers Ellenwood data center application

By ZOE SEILER zoe@appenmedia.com

DECATUR, Ga. — The DeKalb County Commission, at its Jan. 13 meeting, deferred a data center proposal until the summer. DeKalb County has received a special land use permit application for a data center at 4358 and 4280 Loveless Place.

This would be in small lot residential and mixed-use low-density zoning districts. The 95-acre site would be a data center campus with an outdoor electric substation. Three two-story buildings would be located on the site.

The deferral was to the July zoning cycle, so it will go before the community council in June and then to the planning and county commissions in July. Commissioners Ted Terry and Chakira Johnson opposed the deferral.

The planning staff has recommended denial of the application because it does not fit the requirements of the comprehensive plan or the Bouldercrest Overlay District. The properties fall within Tier 5 of the overlay district, which is predominantly single-family residential.

“This character area calls for the preservation of established subdivisions and small-scale infill,” Zoning Administrator Rachel Bragg said. “The proposed intent of the Bouldercrest Overlay is to protect established residential areas from encroachment of incompatible or adverse uses and to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of DeKalb.”

District:

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The official slogan proposed for the district moving forward is “local by design and welcoming by nature”.

“I think it will be helpful for everybody to have a common language

Project:

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The shared-use path would come later in 2032 as originally advertised. The total cost is projected at $8.7 million, with the city contributing $3.8 million and $4.9 million from federal funding. While this option would require more local funding, it would speed the work.

Mayor Lynn Deutsch raised objections to the scope of the work.

“This doesn’t work for me at all,”

Office, transportation, storage, commercial and all industrial uses are not allowed in the overlay district. In the data center application, it says that the facility would be a utility structure, which is allowed with a special land use permit. But Bragg said the large data center is not a utility structure.

“It appears to require a much larger building, footprint, and a much larger impact on community resources than a standard utility structure that we’ve reviewed previously,” Bragg said.

Audience members snapped their fingers in support of the planning department’s recommendation and groaned at Commissioner Nicole Massiah’s motion to defer.

“Before we approve, deny, or do anything else, we have to make sure we have the protection in place,” Massiah said. “I’m not willing to approve or deny either way until I get a text amendment in place so that we can use that as a criterion to make a determination as to how we move forward with this issue that we’re all dealing with, which is the data centers.”

The proposal continues to draw community opposition. A few residents spoke against it during public comment. Some also attended the meeting wearing shirts that say “no data campus” and “friends don’t let friends build data centers.”

“Hyperscale data centers are substantial economic investments, but whether the return on investments to local governments from incentive packages, tax abatements and utility

[for the district],” Chairman Jonathan Sangster said. “The pieces are coming together, but this is to give everyone the same way of thinking and talking about it.”

Since 1968, the Village District has been a central part of the community’s social gatherings and events. What started as a Chevron gas station with a few small businesses surrounding it has

Deutsch said. “We don’t have to go all the way to Cotillion [Drive]…we need to start at the apartment complex driveway. That will probably save a little bit of money. We’ve been talking about [the project] on and off for a long time, and we need to get it to a ‘yes’ and do it quickly.”

While Mayor Deutsch intends to move forward with the project, she expressed a desire for greater focus on city funding and less reliance on federal money. The council made no official motion on the project, intending to revisit it at an upcoming meeting once a more formulated and descriptive

along Interstate 10 and said a portion of it is known as “cancer alley” because of the large businesses in the area, mostly fossil fuel plants.

“Now, we’re here in DeKalb County wanting to establish a data center that’s going to impact me, us, my family environmentally. We do not need this,” Edwards said.

He added that it’s an election year and if the commissioners don’t meet the needs of the community and join them in stopping the Ellenwood proposal, there could be repercussions at the ballot box in November. Commissioners

Michelle Long Spears, Nicole Massiah and LaDena Bolton are up for reelection this year.

All the current commissioners are Democrats and the deferral to July means that they would not have to vote on this issue until after the Democratic primary scheduled for May.

Jan Dunaway, who is DeKalb County’s soil and water conservation supervisor, noted that DeKalb County may not have permission from Clayton County to use Old Field Road as an entrance to the facility, which is on the border of DeKalb and Clayton.

rate reductions will be a substantial win-win for both parties is highly debated,” Rosalind McIntyre said.

Joel Edwards moved from Louisiana to DeKalb County in 1996. He lived

gradually grown and evolved into one of Dunwoody’s fast-growing hot spots. While the city plans to further transform the district into a key component of Dunwoody’s economic and residential expansion, Development Authority members strive to foster a shared understanding of what the Village District means to both guests and residents. The members have decided to

construction plan is in place.

“I think we have a shared objective to do something in this corridor that doesn’t involve federal money, because we need to get it done,” Deutsch said. “All I ask is that we try to get some version of phase one done in a relatively quick timeframe…but come to us with a plan so we can figure this out.”

In other matters at the meeting, the council honored local law enforcement officers for acts of bravery in the line of duty. Life Saving Medals of Meritorious Service were presented to Lt. Curtis Clifton, along with Officers Sebastian

“This application has been misrepresented by the SLUP application for a 1 million squarefoot [data center], when in fact it’s a 2 million square-foot data center. This means more water, more electricity, and we don’t want it,” Dunaway said. “We’re asking that you deny it outright … and to follow the planning staff’s recommendation for denial.”

move forward with the proposed vision and narrative.

The Dunwoody Development Authority meets on the third or fourth Thursday of each month at 5 p.m. in the City Manager’s conference room on the second floor of City Hall. For any questions or more information about previous or upcoming meetings, visit www.DunwoodyGa.gov or call 678-382-6700.

Wright, Eddie Estes, Felipe Moreno, and Katherine Thielman.

“There is a saying that when you save a life, you save the world,” Mayor Deutsch said. “This is exceptional work. To all of our fine officers and leadership…and to your families who make it possible for you to serve us, thank you. There are no words.”

The Dunwoody City Council holds meetings every second and fourth Monday of the month at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 4800 Ashford Dunwoody Road. To view previous meetings, times, or agendas, visit www.dunwoodyga.gov. For questions, call 678-382-6700.

Importance of skin checks for mature skin

Brought to you by – Dr. Kehinde Olumesi of Epiphany Dermatology - Brookhaven

As skin matures, it undergoes various changes that necessitate regular skin checks to ensure overall skin health. Differentiating between age spots, healthy moles and potential skin cancers is crucial. Age spots, often appearing as flat, brown, or black spots on sun-exposed areas, are generally harmless but can be mistaken for more serious conditions. Early detection of skin cancer, including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, significantly increases the chances of successful treatment. Therefore, routine skin examinations are essential for mature skin to maintain health and catch any issues early.

Addressing skin conditions and rejuvenation procedures

Dermatologists can assist with a

variety of skin conditions and rejuvenation procedures for mature skin. Common issues such as dryness, age-related pigmentation and conditions like rosacea, psoriasis and eczema, which can persist or develop with age, are also addressed with specialized care plans.

In addition to treating conditions, dermatologists offer rejuvenating procedures to enhance the appearance and health of mature skin. Treatments such as chemical peels, laser rejuvenation and injectable treatments like BOTOX® Cosmetic and dermal fillers can reduce the appearance of wrinkles, improve skin texture and promote collagen production. These procedures not only rejuvenate the skin but also boost confidence and overall well-being. Establishing a relationship with a dermatologist ensures that your skin receives comprehensive care tailored to its evolving needs, promoting long-term skin health and vitality.

Renting vs. purchasing stair lifts:

how to choose!

Stair lifts can mean the difference between being able to age in place or having to relocate when one starts to experience diminished mobility. When there is a temporary need like visiting family, or post-op recovery renting a stair lift can be the perfect solution!

Purchasing: Stair lifts range in price based on the style of your staircase (whether it is curved or straight) the length of your staircase, and whether optional pieces are necessary such as a folding rail. The price range is broad, but can start around $3, 800 and up to $25,000 depending on the specifics of the project. The rails and seats may come in a variety of colors, and you will want to spend time determining what palette will match the aesthetics of your home. Curved stair lifts can be installed as quickly as 7 days from the date of evaluation or may require custom manufacturing that can take up to a month so planning ahead is crucial! Additionally, there may be a variety of models available that differ in max. weight capacity and features.

Renting: Rental stair lifts have an introductory price for the first month, and then a set price for subsequent months. At Mobility Plus Alpharetta, our rental stair lifts start at $898 for the first month, and $199 for

each additional month. The state of Georgia requires that all stair lifts (regardless of whether they are rented or purchased) are permitted. This is mandated by the Georgia Dept. Of Fire Safety, and all installers, must hold a 3-R elevator license to legally install stair lifts. Renting a stair lift can allow someone to try a stair lift for a few months to determine if it is the best solution for them. It can also provide a safe mode of transit between floors for family members who might be visiting for a period of months. It is also a great addition to a rental home (they leave almost no trace when removed!). Rental stair lifts will be more limited in color choices and available models, but can often be installed more quickly, and with a much lower initial cost than purchased lifts. Please note that only straight stair lifts may be rented. Curved stair lifts are custom welded and must be purchased.

Service and Repair: Your local dealer should provide service and repair of both purchased and rented stair lifts. At Mobility Plus Alpharetta, we service everything that we sell and even offer the option of purchasing a rented stair lift after it has been rented for several months!

We are a proud authorized dealer of Harmar stair lifts. Please call us at 470-545-1827 to schedule your initial phone stair lift evaluation today!

A Walk for Peace brings new mindfulness

When 19 Buddhist monks departed from the Huong Dao Buddhist Temple in Fort Worth, Texas, on Oct. 26, 2025 on a historic Walk for Peace across 10 states to Washington DC, they knew there would be some unique challenges. They also believed deeply that the walk would inspire many people to have greater awareness of “peace, loving kindness and compassion.” Both results came to pass as thousands of people in Georgia and other states have reached out to the monks on their 120-day, 2,300-mile journey.

Buddhist monks have a long global history of walking for peace, but the 2025-2026 walk from Texas to Washington D.C. is the first large scale U.S. peace walk.

The monks have been hiking at a quick pace through towns and on rural highways, stopping only for meals and overnight hospitality. They mingled with hundreds and sometimes thousands of local residents and people who traveled long distances to meet them and to listen to short evening lectures. Being in the presence of the monks has been for virtually everyone a deeply meaningful, sometimes lifechanging experience.

Accompanying the monks is their faithful dog Aloka the Peace Dog. Aloka, who has a natural heart shaped mark on his forehead, was once a stray who followed a group of monks for 100 days on a peace walk across India that included the current March for Peace leader Venerable Bhikkhu Paññakara. Aloka is about 4 years old and has his own Facebook page, “Aloka the Peace Dog,” with about 560,000 followers. The monks often stop briefly to allow children to pet the always calm Aloka.

But the walk has not been without problems.

One monk, Bhante Dam Phommasan was seriously injured by a car near Houston on Nov. 19. He underwent surgery to amputate a leg on Dec. 3. When he was able, he flew to Atlanta and continued his recovery at the Wat Buddha Khanti Lao Buddhist temple in Snellville, his home temple. He reunited with the traveling group when they arrived at the temple after passing through

STEVE COLQUITT/PROVIDED

Bhikkhu Paññakara leads the group of monks on their Walk for Peace on Jan. 4 in Oglethorpe County. Note that Bhikkhu Paññakara is wearing only socks. The monk behind him is walking barefoot with tape and bandages on his feet. Some monks wear sandals or sneakers. Foot and calf problems are common on the walk. The monks are presently scheduled to arrive at the U.S. Capitol in Washington in mid-February.

Atlanta in late December. His return was symbolic and described as emotional and a symbol of resilience and acceptance. He has not returned to walking.

Some of the monks have suffered serious foot problems. After two months of continuous walking on roads, some hot, wet, irregular and rough, a number of the monks had serious foot problems. During their stop in Morrow, just south of Atlanta, Grady Health staff treated the monks’ sores, calluses, blisters and aching leg muscles. Many monks walk without shoes. Their training probably reduced the severity of injuries. They were used to daily walking meditation, minimal footwear and mental discipline that helped control pain and discomfort. Medical services from other counties also provide assistance.

The monks create a major impact wherever they go. They spent the night of Jan. 3 at the Oak Ridge Lodge, a popular event facility in Arnoldsville,

a rural Georgia town of some 500 inhabitants near Athens. It was the monks 70th day on the road. Wingate Downs, owner of the lodge, says more than 500 people came to hear the Venerable Bhikkhu Paññakara speak that night.

“I was struck by how quiet and respectful the public was. I loved seeing how reverent they were with their hands on their hearts or in prayer positions,” says Wingate.

The monks wanted to sleep on the floor wrapped in the blankets they carried with them.

Alpharetta residents Mike Buchanan and his girlfriend Deborah Eves waited on the side of a rural road for the Walk for Peace to pass by. Gradually, a large crowd gathered, eager to see and be inspired by the monks.

“Strangers became friends as we all waited,” says Mike.

Mike reported that the experience made people feel part of something

PROVIDED

Alpharetta residents Deborah Eves and Mike Buchanan found out how to locate the Walk for Peace via live updates of its location online. It was a very emotional experience that neither will forget.

bigger than ourselves.

He said, “People realized that if these guys can do what they are doing, it should be easy for us to be a little bit better -- to heal ourselves while helping others.”

Deborah commented, “This event was different from anything I have ever experienced. A common purpose and outlook was shared among strangers. A monk handed me a flower as they quickly walked by.”

The walkers spent the night at a farm. In his speech that evening the Venerable Bhikkhu Paññakara spoke about mindfulness and how people should treat each other. Mike summed up the experience by saying “none of us were the same people that night that we were in the morning.”

To track the Walk for Peace or for instructions on how to experience their journey in person go to Facebook Walk for Peace.

Bob is a Member of the City of Alpharetta Historic Preservation Commission and Director Emeritus of the Milton Historical Society. You can email him at bobmey@bellsouth.net. Bob welcomes suggestions for future columns about local history.

OPINION

Having fun exploring the story behind flower names

In the spring and summer, we are especially busy in our gardens, loving the beauty and fragrance of many familiar flowers while the bees and butterflies fly about as we work. Winter is a time of anticipated relaxation for gardeners, usually spent planning next year’s garden, often with the help of gardening books. One I recently discovered discusses the common names we use for plants, rather than their often complex and hard to remember Latin names. How did some of those names come to be used? For fun, here are a few:

Dogwood (Cornus) – This is a familiar tree whose flowering beauty is striking every spring. But, what does it have to do with dogs? Most likely this naming has to do with the hardness of the wood. There is an old English word, “dagwood.” Slender stems of the tree’s hardwood were used for “dags” (daggers, skewers and arrows). Sometime in the early 1600s, dagwood was changed to dogwood as language developed.

Bee balm (Monarda) – Sounds like a balm for the bees themselves, but if you notice, this plant does not attract bees. Hummingbirds, yes. There is a resin derived from the plant which can be used for soothing bee stings. Therefore, the balm is really for you!

Foxglove (Digitalis) – Foxglove’s spire of blooms is tall and pointed, very finger-like, thus the proper name of Digitalis. The common name of foxglove comes from this delightful story: a fox was having a hard time sneaking into the henhouse to grab a quick meal. A hint from the naughty fairies was to slip his paws into the glove-like blooms of the plant so he could silently sneak up on the chickens. If you look into the flowers, you will see the fox’s paw prints.

Forget-me-not (Myosotis) – There are many stories about how this little blue flower got its name. In every story, a lover trying to cross a river to reach his sweetheart gets swept away by the current but manages to grasp some flowers on the bank to throw to her as he calls out, “Forget me not!”

Naked ladies (Lycoris) – This lily-like flower grows from a bulb, but by the time the stalk and flower appear, the leaves at the base have disappeared and seem a bit “undressed.” I have also heard them

Pictured are forget-me-nots at the top, foxglove on the bottom left, St. John’s wort on the middle right, and Impatiens on the lower right.

called surprise lilies, as no leaves were there to announce their arrival.

Obedient plant (Physostegia) –This is a beautiful native plant, but obedient it is not. I planted it only once. After it spread aggressively, I ended up having to remove it, as it threatened to take over the flower bed. But on the spike of the plentiful and lovely blooms, if you push a single flower to the side, it will stay there. Therefore, it is obedient—a little bit!

Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) – This common native plant does have a striking look with red stems and purple berries that birds love to eat but then leave

purple “deposits” on your car or elsewhere. The berries are poisonous to mammals, and pokeweed can cause severe dermatitis. Surprisingly, the boiled young leaves are supposedly quite tasty and were often eaten in the rural South and known as poke salet. In the 1960,s there was a popular ballad called “Poke Salad Annie” about a poor rural southern girl who gathered the leaves for salad. Maybe it’s pokeweed because it aggressively pokes its nose up through the soil everywhere!

Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana) – These beautiful, shadeloving plants are popular in gardens

About the author

This week’s guest “Garden Buzz” columnist is Roswell resident, Dianne Short. Dianne has been a Master Gardener for 22 years, taking her initial training in Virginia. In 2013, she moved to Roswell to be near grandchildren and affiliated with the North Fulton Master Gardeners. Dianne is a retired school social work specialist. Her interests are organic gardening; native plants; and attracting birds, bees, and butterflies to her garden.

for their color and abundant flowers. If you look closely for the seed pods, gently hold one between your fingers and give a small squeeze. The seeds will explode outward, as if impatient to get out and spread, which they do generously. They come back every year in my garden. In the United Kingdom they are known as Busy Lizzies as they are always about the business of spreading.

St John’s wort (Hypericum) –“Wort” is an archaic word meaning plant or herb. This herb has a calming influence when ingested and was often carried by missionaries due to great regard for St. John the Baptist. It also comes into flower around June 23, which is St. John’s Day, which may also account for its common name.

Learning about these common names gave me a new perspective on some old plants. Keep in mind the reason they have botanical (Greek or Latin) names is because the same plant can be called different things in different parts of the world, emphasizing the global nature of horticulture and our shared common interests across the globe.

Happy Gardening!

North Fulton Master Gardeners, Inc. is a Georgia nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization whose purpose is to educate its members and the public in the areas of horticulture and ecology in order to promote and foster community enrichment. Master Gardener Volunteers are trained and certified by The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. Previous Garden Buzz columns are featured at: https://appenmedia.com/opinion/ columists/garden buzz/.

Mark your calendar for next year’s Garden Faire: April 11, 2026.

HAVEAN ANNOUNCEMENT TOSHARE?

Anyone interested in a crystal ball into the future may have just found it.

One of the few talking heads that I follow is a guy named Peter Zeihan. Peter is a demographer, an author, and a geopolitical analyst. Every weekday he sends out an email that links to his (typically) 5-minute YouTube commentary on current events ranging from financial, to geopolitical, to social and political subjects.

He is not an advocate for the left or the right. In fact, he has a very low opinion of Obama’s presidency as well as Trump’s. He also says that the numbers for electric vehicles simply do not make sense – that they contribute more to the environmental degradation than the alternatives – and that the U.S. cannot afford not to continue burning fossil fuels to meet our immediate and mid-term energy needs – as dark and forbidding as that sounds. He simply takes a hard and educated look at the numbers, especially population trends and history – which often provides critical context. Then, he gives you his opinion of what those numbers suggest and why you should care.

Population trends are one of his principal markers for what the future looks like – big picture. The larger the workforce, the more goods and services are produced and consumed. More people getting a paycheck means more people spending money. The more money that is being spent, the more credit is available in the system, and vice versa.

People in the workforce – generally those ages 18-65 – drive consumption. They are getting married, making babies, buying houses and cars and more. That is, they are making money and spending it. Then they retire and their consumption falls off the cliff. They save. They become

DEATH NOTICES

Cynthia Bratton, age 78, of Roswell, GA passed away on January 10, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Ann Gephart, age 89, of Johns Creek, GA passed away on January 8, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Michael Kincaid, age 75, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on January 6, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

William Mack, age 93, of Roswell, GA passed away on January 10, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

more frugal. They consume much less. Instead of paying into the Social Security system including Medicare and Medicaid, they begin withdrawing from it, leaving those still working to support it.

The problem, as Peter says, is those 65 and over – as a percent of the population – is rapidly increasing in most countries, while the percent under the age of 65 – those paying into Social Security –is shrinking.

Here is a comparison of the number of retired people per 100 working-age adults in 2000 and 2050 across seven major countries

Data provided by ChatGPT.

Japan is forecast to experience massive stress on its economic system by 2050. A retiree is projected to be supported by only 1.3 workers, and the country is expected to experience a projected net loss of 25 million workers (compared to the workforce in 2000). Tremendous stress occurs on pensions, health care and the labor pool. Germany and China are close behind with 2 workers per 1 retiree by 2050. Germany, China and Russia all face critical declines in both share and absolute working-age population through 2050.

The U.S. and Canada numbers look better. The U.S. is expected to realize a net increase of 50 million working-age individuals by 2050 from the year 2000 labor pool of 188 million. Mexico’s net working-age numbers are projected to

Charles MacWilliams, Jr., age 95, of Roswell, GA passed away on January 5, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Karen Miller, age 79, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on January 6, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

add approximately 40 million – a huge percentage gain from the year 2000 base of 63 million and will be in the best shape of all with 1 retiree per 3-4 workers in 2050. This could have a huge economic upside if jobs and productivity grow. Of note, Mexico is the only western country projected to realize a net percentage increase in the workforce relative to total population by 2050.

Projected total population change from the year 2000 to projected 2050 for select countries is as follows:

U.S.: +35%; Mexico: +50%; Canada: + 29%; China: 0%; Germany -13%; Japan: - 17%.

Note, when there is no absolute growth in total population – or a loss –and that is combined with an increasing aging population, economic viability and GDP growth is increasingly less viable. Fertility rates, morbidity rates and immigration are core drivers of population growth in general.

All this matters because GDP growth falls when the labor pool shrinks – in relative and absolute terms; the tax base narrows with increasing retired cohort; and pension and healthcare costs grow faster than the revenue to support it.

Overview: North America is comparatively the strongest demographic position going forward worldwide. Mexico and Canada add significantly to this favorable position. We should consider this as we make policy decisions in the future.

East Asia and Europe face significant structural headwinds, and China is in the worst shape of all.

The future looks bright for us through mid-century and probably past. This should be the “Northern Hemisphere century” – if the present administration doesn’t blow it.

Find out more about the future! Peter Zeihan’s “The End of the World is just the Beginning” offers a fascinating overview of what may be in store for us. If he is only right even half of the time, what a century we have in front of us!

Morris Moore, age 83, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on January 8, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Marilyn Roe, age 74, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on January 6, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

INFORMATION MEETING CONCERNING PROPERTY LOCATED AT 244 Campus Way, DUNWOODY, GEORGIA

We are notifying all owners of nearby residentially zoned property of an informational meeting open to the public to discuss a rezoning of property at 244 Campus Way. The purpose of the rezoning is to change an old DeKalb County O-I (Office-Institution district) zoning to a current Dunwoody PD (Planned Unit Development district) zoning that will allow a mixture of uses to complement our recently developed building, hotel, and campus. The meeting will take place on Thursday, February 5 th from 6:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. and will be held in the Campus 244 Office Building at 244 Campus Way, Dunwoody, GA. Please feel free to attend this meeting should you have any questions. If you are unable to attend but would like to obtain information, please contact Matt Phillips at matt. phillips@rocapoint.com or 404-316-0575.

THE CITY OF DUNWOODY, GEORGIA

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The City of Dunwoody City Council will meet on Monday, February 23rd , 2026 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Dunwoody City Hall, which is located at 4800 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody, GA 30338, for the purpose of due process of the following:

RZ 25-05 & SLUP 25-04, 84 Perimeter Center E: JSJ Perimeter LLC requests a major modification of the zoning and special land use permit conditions of cases RZ 23-02 & SLUP 23-03 to modify existing conditions, update the site plan, as well as a special land use permit for a drive-through restaurant.

Should you have any questions, comments, or would like to view the application and supporting materials, please contact the City of Dunwoody Community Development Department at 678-382-6800. Staff is available to answer questions, discuss the decision-making process, and receive comments and concerns.

3rd Annual Feeney’s 5K Fun Run and Virtual Run will take place at Brookrun Park on March 8, 2026. This year’s event is dedicated to supporting the initiative to install Lifesaving Billboards across Georgia during 2026, spreading the crucial message: “Don’t be a BYSTANDER. CALL 911. Be a LIFESAVER.” This event takes place within the park between 8:30 am and 12 pm. There may be increased traffice on N. Peachtree Rd, Peeler Rd and Barclay Dr. For more information or questions, please contact www. feeneylegacyproject.org

DC Aiken

Big Sky Franchise Team

David & Michelle Bertany

Amour & Duane Carthy

Barbara Anderson

Kerry Arias

Scott Baynton

Joseph Bell

Rita Brown

Carl Abernathy

Bruce Ackley

Salpi Adrouny

Alpharetta Lions Club

Omar Altalib

Dave Altman

Ron Altman

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Donor Operations Supervisor

The Donor Operations Supervisor (Full-time) The Donor Operations Supervisor manages the donation door process and delegates tasks to staff, volunteers, and community service workers. As the face of NFCC, they provide excellent customer service while greeting donors and ensuring donations are properly removed from vehicles and sorted in designated areas. They are responsible for maintaining the security of merchandise and keeping all areas clean and organized.

The Supervisor must be able to lift up to 75lb frequently and be on their feet most of their shift. They must enjoy staying busy, training and influencing other to work as a team in a professional manner within a fast paced environment. Must have the ability to work Tuesday through Saturday 9am – 5pm. An extraordinary Total Rewards Package is included with this opportunity!

If this sounds like the role for you, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org