Dunwoody Crier - July 23, 2026

Dunwoody OKs $6.3M Mount Vernon Road project

By JAMIE GODIN newsroom@appenmedia.com

DUNWOODY, Ga. — The Dunwoody City Council has unanimously approved a $6.3 million construction contract for the long-planned Mount Vernon Road improvement project, moving the infrastructure overhaul one step closer to construction while clearing up a funding shortfall that city officials

had previously identified. officials had previously identified.

The council voted 6-0 to award the contract to Wilson Construction Management for improvements along Mount Vernon Road between Mount Vernon Place and Jett Ferry Road. The project is intended to replace aging underground utilities, improve traffic flow, and expand pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure along the corridor.

Although the council approved the contract, the city cannot execute it until DeKalb County approves its share of the project funding through the county’s Contract Administration and Business Services process. Public Works Director Michael Smith said that approval is expected to take one to two months.

Smith also said staff had resolved what had previously been presented as roughly a $500,000 funding gap. Since

the project was last discussed in June, city staff reviewed the bid with the contractor and determined that a larger share of traffic control costs should be attributed to the county-funded water main portion of the project rather than the city’s roadway work. The adjustment increases DeKalb County’s contribution by roughly $200,000.

Seeds to Sow program builds leadership in young girls

BY HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Enrollment is open for Seeds to Sow’s Blossom Girlz continuum, a set of empowerment programs designed to build confidence, emotional wellness and leadership skills in girls ages 5 to 17.

The DeKalb County-based nonprofit is hosting an open house Saturday, Aug. 8, from 1:30-4 p.m. at the Five Forks Branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library System, 2780 Five Forks Trickum Road SW, in Lilburn. The informational event is free and open to the public. To register for the open house, visit seedstosowinc.com.

Blossom Girlz uplifts girls by teaching financial literacy, social and

emotional learning skills, and college and career readiness. Sessions are led by professionals with backgrounds in socialemotional development, creating a safe and culturally responsive environment for young girls.

Founded by social worker Evelynne Sumlin, Seeds to Sow operates without a fixed location, bringing programming directly into the communities it serves through rotating venues across DeKalb and neighboring counties. The organization’s Blossom Girlz continuum includes five distinct tracks tailored to different ages and needs, including Blossom Besties, Girl Talk & Vibes, Bloom Beyond Bullying, Blossom Boss Academy and the Emerging Leaders Program.

See BLOSSOM, Page 11

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Tires are on display during a press conference on Dec. 12, 2025, as DeKalb

announces the county's efforts to address illegal tire dumping.

County approves new ordinance to curb tire dumping

By DYANA BAGBY dyana@appenmedia.com

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance on July 14 to punish those who illegally dispose of tires, more than a year after members began considering ways to curb rampant dumping.

An ordinance to curb tire dumping was introduced in May 2025 following years of the county being plagued by tens of thousands of tires dumped in local parks, paying millions to clean up local creeks, and arresting numerous people for illegal dumping.

The county’s new ordinance states an enforcement officer may issue a written warning for the first violation of dumping one scrap tire if the tire is removed immediately or within a period of time required by the county. First-time violators may also face a misdemeanor charge for illegal tire dumping and be charged with a fine of up to $500 or up to 30 days in jail, or both.

Those found guilty of a second offense face up to a $1,000 fine and up to 6 months in jail. Every day the illegally dumped tires are not

removed will count as a separate offense. The ordinance also states that a tire business in DeKalb County can lose its business license if it gives scrap tires to a company that is not authorized by the state to transport tires.

“Hallelujah,” Presiding Officer Chakira Johnson said with a smile as Commissioner LaDena Bolton moved to approve the ordinance. It passed unanimously.

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division manages scrap tire transportation by permitting generators, haulers and processors. In DeKalb County, there are 150 businesses permitted to generate tires and 15 haulers. There are five disposal facilities across the state.

Some businesses and haulers are the primary drivers of illegal tire dumping to try to avoid disposal fees, according to officials. Fees can run from a couple of dollars for a car tire to more than $12 for a truck tire. Environmental fees can add more.

“This is one of those issues that we champion and I am extremely proud that we’ve brought a product that the community will benefit from,” Bolton said. “Congratulations to everyone for

a new way to continue to bring DeKalb County into the 21st century.”

Commissioner Robert Patrick, the sponsor of the legislation, said it all started with a post he saw on social media.

“Literally … a resident got on Nextdoor and said, ‘I’m walking my dogs in the neighborhood, and there is a huge pile of tires that have been dumped here,’ and that one complaint made it to me,” he said.

He said his staff worked with fellow commissioners and county officials to write the ordinance. He also thanked Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson for her help and praised CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson for her office’s assistance with the legislation.

“When the issue is pertinent and everyone can get behind it, we can do some really truly amazing things,” Patrick said. “This is a good sign of collaboration between the executive and the legislative branches, where we work together and we come up with a product that I think everyone is going to appreciate.”

Patrick said the next step is to work with surrounding jurisdictions to pass similar legislation to reduce illegal tire dumping.

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Pernoshal Park to reopen after trail repairs July 31

DUNWOODY, Ga. — A portion of the Dunwoody Trailway will reopen July 31 after construction crews repair a crack in the concrete leading from Pernoshal Park to Brook Run Park.

The trailway behind Parnoshal Park and Caroline Walk, leading to Brook Run Park or Georgetown Park, is currently closed.

City staff learned of the damage last year and let the project out

to bid within two months of being notified through the SeeClickFix program.

The city council approved a $154,428 contract with Rhino Design Build in May to complete repairs to the retaining wall, striping and other concrete repairs. The project is financed through the Parks and Recreation Department’s general capital fund.

— Hannah Yahne

A map shows a portion of the Dunwoody Trailway accessible at Pernoshal Park that is closed through July 31 to allow repairs to the retaining wall and concrete path.

MJCCA in Dunwoody announces fall Arts & Authors lineup

DUNWOODY, Ga. — The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta announced its fall 2026 Arts & Authors season, featuring comedy, cabaret, Broadway tributes and family programming.

“The Arts & Authors season exists to create shared experiences that bring people together,” said Pam Morton, the center’s Arts & Authors director. “All our events are firmly rooted in the belief that live performances have the power to connect us across generations and backgrounds.”

The season starts at 6:30 p.m.

DRIVEWAYS & CONCRETE

Aug. 16 with “Gotta Sing Broadway: A Musical Theater Sing-Along Party”, a Broadway show-tune sing-along with an optional Italian buffet dinner at 6 p.m.

“The Velvet Hour: Sinatra, Swing, and Standards”, a cabaret with jazz and pop standards made famous by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Ella Fitzgerald, will be at 4 p.m. Aug. 23.

Author Harlan Coben will discuss his new book, “Plot Twist”, at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 10, ahead of a book signing with titles available through A Cappella Books. Coben, whose Myron Bolitar series has won the Edgar, Shamus and

Anthony awards, co-created Netflix’s “Fool Me Once,” “Stay Close” and “The Stranger.

Comedian Eitan Levine will perform “A Night of Kosher Comedy” at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 1. Levine’s work has appeared on “The Daily Show” and “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and in The New York Times.

Performer Deb Bowman returns at 8 p.m. Oct. 10 with “Baddies of Broadway: A Cabaret Concert”, backed by a band performing songs from “Cabaret,” “Chicago” and “Wicked.”

The center and the Alliance

DRIVEWAYS

Theatre will present “All Smiles!” — a sensory-friendly show for children 5 and younger — at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Oct. 11. Children younger than 2 attend free. The production was developed with the Marcus Autism Center.

The 35th Book Festival of the MJCCA runs Nov. 1-22, bringing in authors for talks, Q&As and signings. Tickets go on sale Sept. 1.

All events will be held at the center, 5342 Tilly Mill Road.

Elle Girard

PAST TENSE

Meet Ammi Williams, 1860 DeKalb landholder

In September 2025, I wrote about an 1860 DeKalb County map that combines land lot numbers, landholder names and 1986 road names. Some of the names in north DeKalb are familiar today, such as Powers, Ball, Tilly, Dunwody, McElroy and Chesnut. However, other names are individuals who bought land as an investment, never living on the property.

Ammi Williams was one of those people. In 1860, he owned Land Lots 349, 350 and 363 in the area between Chamblee Dunwoody Road and Ashford Dunwoody Road in today’s Dunwoody.

He also owned Land Lot 199 on Peachtree Road in Brookhaven, or Cross Keys as it was known then, next to early settler Solomon Goodwin.

In downtown Atlanta, he owned Land Lot 78 along with Judge Reuben Cone. Williams Street in Atlanta is named after Ammi Williams and Cone Street for Judge Cone.

He was born in Columbia, Connecticut, in 1780. He first saw Decatur, the town he would later make his home, on his way to Carroll County, Georgia. Williams brought enslaved people with him to work in the gold mines.

An 1840 survey of land lots in downtown Atlanta shows four lots. They include LL 52 owned by Lemuel P. Grant, 47 owned by Samuel Mitchell, 51 owned by the Hardy Ivy estate and 78 owned by Williams and Cone.

The first owner on record of Land Lot 78 was Jane Doss, a widow from Jackson County. Property consisting of 202.5 acres became available to purchase by lottery after Native Americans were forcibly removed. Widows who had lived in Georgia three years were given one lottery draw and widows of war veterans were allowed two draws.

The family home of Ammi Williams in Decatur was on Atlanta Avenue. He sold it to Benjamin Swanton in 1852. Swanton moved from Maine to Georgia in the 1830s to sell machinery to gold miners. The circa 1825 Benjamin Swanton home was moved in the mid-1960s to Adair Park on West Trinity Place in Decatur.

On the night of July 19, 1864, as the Federal Army came through Decatur, Brigadier Gen. Thomas W. Sweeney used the Swanton home for his headquarters.

In the 1840s Atlanta city officials became concerned that the city needed a new cemetery. Williams and Cone agreed to donate one acre of land and sell four adjoining acres to establish Oakland Cemetery in 1850. The four additional acres were sold for $100 per acre. Ammi Williams and his wife Laura Loomis are both buried at Oakland, as is Reuben Cone and his wife Lucinda. Oakland Cemetery includes 48 acres of land today.

Sources for this article include 1966 and 1975 articles in The Atlanta Constitution and dekalbhistory.org.

Award-winning author Valerie Biggerstaff is a longtime columnist for Appen Media and the Dunwoody Crier. She lives in Atlanta. Write her at pasttensega@ gmail.com. Learn more at pasttensega.com.

Dunwoody should sunset tax freeze

There is something wrong in Dunwoody and it needs to be fixed. Some residents are paying twice as much as other residents in city property taxes, and it simply isn’t fair.

In 2007, prior to Dunwoody becoming a city, the state legislature placed on the ballot in DeKalb County a measure to freeze the value of your home for calculating property taxes for as long as you owned your home. That means that if the property tax millage rate remained the same, your property taxes will never go up, no matter how much inflation increased the cost of services — for as long as you live in your home.

When Dunwoody became a city, we grandfathered this assessment freeze into our property tax calculations.

Now, almost 20 years later, we see the impact. Longtime homeowners are paying

TALK BACK TO THE CRIER

a fraction of the property taxes to support city services, and new residents are being unfairly penalized.

A Dunwoody home valued at $370,000 in 2009 is now valued at $736,000. That means the resident who has been here for 20 years is paying $294 a year in city property taxes to support police, parks and road paving, and a new Dunwoody resident, in a house with an identical value, is paying $592.

This is super sneaky injustice. Unless you looked at a neighborhood’s property tax bill and studied it closely (and who does that?), you would never know that you were paying twice as much for city services as they are.

As a longtime resident, I am a beneficiary of this “newcomers” tax, but I recognize that it is unfair for me to pay so much less than all my neighbors

who have bought into our subdivision in recent years.

It is time for Dunwoody to stop subsidizing longtime residents and adopt a tax code that treats all homeowners equally based on the value of their home today, not what it was nineteen years ago. This will require a citywide referendum: “Should the City of Dunwoody sunset the property tax assessment freeze so that all homeowners pay property taxes based on the assessed value of their home?”

The city council should place this measure on the November ballot to sunset the assessment freeze gradually over the next five years.

Robert Wittenstein Former member, Dunwoody City Council

TALK BACK TO THE CRIER: You talk, we listen. The Crier is parking the Talk Back section at the front of the paper for the foreseeable future. Send your letters to newsroom@ appenmedia.com by Sunday night and they’ll end up here that week. Park locations, tree-lined medians and backyard chickens welcome.

Rules of engagement:

• Typically we restrict letters to 300 words. To limit fury from the copy desk, try and stay below that line.

• We normally do not publish letters written in response to other letters. We are going to waive that policy for the time being.

• We won’t publish your letter or name without explicitly getting your approval.

The creepiest ‘sales demo’ of all time

On Sept. 30, 2025, a Flock vice president logged into the Dunwoody PD’s Flock system and looked at a camera in the children’s gymnastics room of a private community center here in Dunwoody.

He did not look at any other cameras in the entire 400-camera

network that day.

The community center shared their cameras directly to the PD under the pretense that access was “solely for real-time critical incident response.”

Flock and Dunwoody elected officials both say this was for a “sales demo.” They claim this was “part of authorized

activity approved under the city’s demo partner agreement.”

The problem with that is that the city cannot provide any information that that demo partner agreement exists.

What kind of sales demo would require looking at one camera in a

children’s gymnastics room? Can anyone rationally explain why a police agency that is interested in Flock would like to see one third-party camera integration that is in a children’s gymnastics room?

Jason Hunyar Dunwoody

DeKalb warns residents of misleading voter mail

By DYANA BAGBY dyana@appenmedia.com

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — DeKalb County election officials are urging residents to verify their voter registration information through official sources rather than relying on mailings from outside groups.

The DeKalb County Voter Registration and Elections Office (DeKalb VRE) said the deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 3 general election is Oct. 5. In the weeks leading up to that deadline, officials say many county residents are likely to receive voter registration applications or election-related mail from organizations that are not affiliated with DeKalb VRE or the Georgia Secretary of State's Office.

Some of those mailings may include official state of Georgia voter registration forms, but officials said the mailings are created and sent independently, not by election authorities. Officials also warn that third-party voter registration groups routinely conduct mass mailings before major elections and often rely on outdated commercial databases that contain inaccurate or obsolete

information.

The Georgia Secretary of State's Office is investigating reports that some of the third-party groups sent voter registration solicitations to deceased and otherwise ineligible people across the state. Local officials say they have also received numerous reports of similar mailers being sent to deceased DeKalb County residents, causing confusion among voters and their families.

In response, DeKalb VRE plans to launch a public awareness campaign to help residents distinguish official election communications from outside mailings.

"Every eligible voter deserves access to accurate and trusted election information," DeKalb VRE

Executive Director Keisha L. Smith said in a news release. "Our office remains the official source for voter registration information, election deadlines, polling locations and voting resources."

Smith encouraged residents to verify their registration status before filling out or returning any voter registration form they receive in the mail.

Officials said some of the mailings

DEAN HESSE/APPEN MEDIA

“I Secured My Vote” stickers at Oakhurst Baptist Church in Decatur on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2025.

appear to be based on outdated address lists, meaning people who are already registered at their current address — or who have died — may still receive applications.

DeKalb VRE recommends that residents take the following steps:

• Check their registration status through DeKalb County Voter Registration and Elections or the

Georgia Secretary of State's My Voter Page.

• Call DeKalb VRE at 404-2984020 with questions about their registration or whether a new application is needed.

• Visit dekalbvotes.com for official deadlines, polling locations and election updates.

• Be cautious about giving personal information to unfamiliar organizations or websites.

• Take no action if they are already registered at their current address.

DeKalb VRE said it will continue sharing voter education information through its website, social media accounts, digital newsletters and community outreach throughout the election season.

"We want every eligible voter to have confidence in the election process and know exactly where to turn for accurate information," Smith said. "If you have questions about a voter registration mailing or your registration status, contact us first. We're here to help."

For more information, residents can visit dekalbvotes.com or call 404298-4020.

County residents face rising stormwater fee

By DYANA BAGBY dyana@appenmedia.com

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Stormwater and sanitation fees are increasing for DeKalb County residents with planned hikes for both utilities over the next decade.

The DeKalb County Commission voted July 7 to approve a 10 percent increase over the next 10 years in the stormwater utility fee, an increase officials say is needed to repair and maintain the county’s aging stormwater infrastructure and to repair the county’s dams.

The commission also approved raising the county’s sanitation fee 15 percent this year and in 2027, and 10 percent annually for eight years after that. The increase is needed to maintain operations and enable the Department of Solid Waste Management to return to operating as a self-sustaining fund, according to officials.

Stormwater fee increase

The approved increase bumps the stormwater fee to $11 a month, or $132 a year — up from $120 a year.

Through 2035, fees will jump nearly 160 percent to about $26 a month, or $311.25 a year.

The incremental increase will look like this:

• In 2027, the stormwater fees will be a little over $12 a month, or $145.20 a year.

• In 2028, the fee will increase to $13.31 a month, or $159.72 a year.

• In 2029, the fee will be $14.64 a month, or $175.69 a year.

• In 2030, the fee jumps to more than $16 a month, or $193.26 a year.

• In 2031, residents will pay about $17.71 a month, for an annual fee of $212.59.

• In 2032, the fee will be almost $19.50 a month, or $233.85 a year.

• In 2033, the fee increases to $21.43 a month, or $257.23 a year.

• In 2034, the fee will be about $23.57 a month, or $282.85 a year.

• And in 2035, residents will pay almost $26 a month, or $311.25 a year.

Officials said the county’s stormwater infrastructure inventory includes more than 4,500 critical

pipes, with about 714 in poor or inoperable condition. The county also owns and maintains 200 dams, and 12 state-regulated dams require repairs.

DeKalb doubled its stormwater fee in 2023, the first time it had raised the fee since 2004. In 2023, the county also approved a stormwater master plan. The plan estimates it will cost more than $530 million to repair or replace the pipes in unincorporated DeKalb County over the next 20 years. Annual projects are estimated to cost about $49 million.

With this year’s fee increase, revenue is projected to jump from about $32 million in 2025 to more than $83 million in 2035.

Since the stormwater fee increase in 2023, county officials said the roads and drainage division of DeKalb County Public Works has repaired, rehabilitated, resolved or improved over 1,600 stormwater infrastructure issues in its backlog. By reducing the backlog, the division has been able to establish a stormwater capital improvement plan and is moving

forward with a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers loan to repair and rehabilitate county dams.

Sanitation fee increase

The Department of Solid Waste Management needs the sanitation fee increase to maintain services, including paying salaries and covering increased fuel costs, according to county documents. The fee increase is expected to add about $522 million to the county sanitation fund by 2035. Without the fee increase, officials said the county sanitation fund would face a $31 million deficit in 2027 and a $66 million deficit in 2028. Residential sanitation services currently cost $315 a year. With the approved rate hike, the cost for the service is rising to $362.30 for this year. In 2027, the fee jumps to $416.60 and continues to increase to $893.10 in 2035.

The fee increase will not take effect in the cities of Avondale Estates, Chamblee and Decatur until 2027. Future rate increases for these cities will be based on the cities’ waste reduction program success, according to officials.

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 4, 5 and 5 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!

FAMOUS FIRST NAME

1. Jingle. Sicilian volcano. Baseball’s Mr. Doubleday.

2. Civil rights activist Ms. Parks. Positive pole. Its capital is Doha.

3. Iridescent gem. Director Mr. Ponti. Renter’s agreement.

4. Western star Mr. LaRue. Small burrowing rodent. Ladder part.

5. Chess piece. Fuzzy fruit. TV’s Mr. Godfrey.

6. Hate. Movie’s Ms. Kitean. Litter member.

7. Nevada city. Movie & TV’s Mr. Pyle. Domestic.

1 Jingle. Sicilian volcano. Baseball’s Mr. Doubleday

2. Civil rights activist Ms. Parks. Positive pole. Its capital is Doha

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. Iridescent gem. Director Mr. Ponti. Renter’s agreement.

4. Western star Mr. LaRue. Small burrowing rodent. Ladder part

5. Chess piece. Fuzzy fruit. TV’s Mr. Godfrey 6. Hate. Movie’s

How to Solve: To solve the Sudoku puzzle, each row, column and box must contain the numbers 1 to 9.

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.

Future of DeKalb Schools redistricting project is unclear

By JIM BASS jim@appenmedia.com

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — DeKalb County Schools' redistricting effort is scheduled to resume after the summer break, but as of its July 13 board meeting, it still lacks a director and a coordinator.

The redistricting effort, called the Student Assignment Project (SAP), has been on hold since it was rebooted following an outcry from parents over plans to close dozens of schools.

At the beginning of the nine-hour board meeting, the board updated its agenda to remove an $850,000 contract with a community-based action planning group called OGR Public Health Group LLC, along with an unrelated change order request for the Early Learning Center at Terry Mill HVAC project.

“What I've been told is that it would be proper to remove these items, and then we will bring them back to the agenda when and if it's time to bring them back,” Board Chair Allyson Gevertz said.

How did we get here?

The Student Assignment Project began in 2024 to address declining enrollment in the DeKalb County School District. Currently, the district operates with about 90,000 enrolled students and 110,000 seats, creating a financial inefficiency.

While the project began in 2024 with the district meeting frequently with 150 community members in the SAP Committee, SAP attracted controversy after announcing in February that 27 schools were being considered for closure.

After a revised second round released in March, thousands of mostly negative community responses prompted the district to reconsider its approach. In late April, the district informed SAP committee members that the process would be delayed and revamped in the fall under a different structure.

DeKalb County Schools is divided into clusters, with each high school being fed by a middle school and elementary schools.

The process is now scheduled to take place in phases. The district will form a community action team of 50 to 75 members for each cluster, including community members, principals, staff, district personnel, alumni and students.

Beginning in August, the district will form groups to address overcrowding and redistricting. The focus will be new schools and renovations, including the new Sequoyah Middle and High Schools, Cross Keys High School, Idlewood Elementary School and Dresden Elementary School.

This will include the Lakeside, Cross Keys, Chamblee, Tucker, Dunwoody and Druid Hills clusters. Interim Superintendent Norman Sauce said that phase one will conclude and be voted on by the board in December.

In spring 2027, the district will focus on under-enrolled schools in phase two.

Future plans

The request for proposal to lead the project was sent to 260 vendors on the DCSD vendor list, 1,680 vendors through the State of Georgia Procurement Registry (GPR) and 836 vendors through IonWave, the district's solicitation portal. Two vendors, including OGR, were deemed responsive to solicitation requirements.

According to the district’s SAP timeline presented, interviews with the two bidders took place on July 8 and the agenda was updated with the contract on July 10. According to board member Whitney McGinniss, the decision to

JIM BASS/APPEN MEDIA

DeKalb Schools Interim Superintendent Norman Sauce speaks to Chamblee parents in Dunwoody High School’s feedback session about the Student Assignment Project process on March 26.

table the contract with OGR came in the 24 hours leading up to the meeting.

McGinniss asked how this delay would affect the timeline for the upcoming phase one slated to begin in August. Sauce said that the district still fully intends to present the board with a recommendation from phase one in December.

McGinniss also asked for an update on the district’s search to find a new executive director of student assignment. Former Executive Director of Student Assignment Sarita Smith led the project since 2024 after being brought in from former Superintendent Devon Horton’s former district in Evanston, Illinois.

Smith stayed on board as Horton faced a federal indictment in October 2025. He’s accused of wire fraud while serving as superintendent of Evanston-Skokie District 65. Smith, however, announced her departure from the district in May 2026, citing personal reasons.

With neither a coordinating group, called a facilitator, nor a director in place for August, many planning items in the SAP update were described as "being finalized."

McGinniss later expressed concern that the project was being rushed.

“I do have concerns, as we have tabled this item for the community engagement vendor, because we have not hired a director to run our student assignment process,” McGinniss said. “I want us to think very carefully about continuing with the goal to have December be the deadline.”

In other business, the board:

• Discussed Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST VI) overpayments totaling $12 million that must be paid to City Schools of Decatur and Atlanta Public Schools.

The error was due to the district failing to file a certificate of distribution in 2022, causing the Georgia Department of Revenue to apply ESPLOST V distribution ratios rather than the enrollment-based percentages agreed upon in 2022.

• Received a reminder from the district’s attorney Winston Denmark about board conduct and following Robert’s Rules of Order during meetings.

In the reminder, he told board members to remain respectful with one another and be efficient. Denmark also said that abstaining from votes should be reserved for rare instances only, not used as frequently on controversial items.

Vice Chair Awet Eyasu disagreed with Denmark that

abstaining should not be used as often.

• Approved a $15 million purchase for K-12 social studies instructional materials from multiple vendors.

During the item’s discussion, board member Andrew Ziffer urged a more thoughtful and detailed curriculum be adopted for subjects including the Holocaust and the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks in Israel.

“Over the past several weeks, community members have brought concerns to my attention that some important subjects in the proposed materials are compressed or shortened,” Ziffer said. “Some lack the necessary context, and some may contain factual errors or significant omissions. These concerns deserve careful and independent review on subjects this important.”

“I will be asking that, before this curriculum is used in classrooms, staff develop a Middle East teaching supplement for historically sensitive and complex topics such as this,” Ziffer added. “That supplement should provide accurate context, address identified errors and omissions, and give teachers consistent, credible resources for instruction.”

• Heard from multiple attendees in public comment who shared their support for a future DeKalb Schools policy that helps protect against federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement from entering schools.

The proposed policy is scheduled for a first reading at the August meeting and, if advanced, would come up for a formal vote in September.

“The DeKalb County School District’s Policy Committee reviewed a proposed draft of Board Policy JBCF: Response to Federal Immigration Enforcement (Safe Zones) in May,” a district spokesperson said. “The proposed policy is scheduled for a first read by the DeKalb County Board of Education during its August meeting. DCSD remains committed to providing a safe, secure, and supportive learning environment for all students.”

• Reviewed a third-party central office assessment by Research Triangle Institute (RTI) to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the district's central office.

Among the nine recommendations, RTI suggested that the district reduce its number of cabinet members and appoint a deputy superintendent. The district currently has 15 cabinet members, three more than any of the nine other districts in RTI's analysis.

• Approved, in a 5-2 vote, a $2 million contract to four different companies for synthetic sports flooring services. McGinniss and Eyasu opposed.

• Approved a $1.25 million contract for district-wide evening preventative HVAC maintenance services with four companies.

• Approved a $3 million contract for district-wide roofing repairs and emergency services with three different companies.

• Approved, in a 5-2 vote, an $823,652 use of a cooperative agreement with Cooper Lighting for lighting upgrades to both North DeKalb Stadium and Napoleon B. Cobb Stadium. McGinniss and Eyasu opposed.

• Renewed a $1.59 million contract with Alliance Technologies (Evolv Systems) for district-wide emergency communication and campus safety initiatives. This is the fourth of five renewal options.

• Renewed a $1.1 million contract with Centegix for district-wide emergency communication and campus safety initiatives. This is also the fourth of five renewal options.

• Approved, in a 6-1 vote, the nonresident tuition cost at $9,444, calculated using a state-provided formula. McGinniss opposed.

• Approved the $2.5 million renewal of the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Assessment for the 2026-27 school year.

DeKalb school district owes Decatur, Atlanta $12M

By JIM BASS jim@appenmedia.com

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — The DeKalb County School District owes City Schools of Decatur (CSD) and Atlanta Public Schools (APS) an estimated $12 million in Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST VI) funds due to overpayments.

The announcement and board discussion occurred at the district's monthly board meeting July 13.

The ESPLOST VI has been collected since July 2022. According to interim Superintendent Norman Sauce, the overpayments occurred because the district failed to submit a required certificate of distribution to the Georgia Department of Revenue after ESPLOST VI was approved by voters.

The certificate serves as the revenue department's distribution total and is based on total enrollment numbers across each district in the county.

"We do know, as a matter of factual basis, that the certificate of distribution that was passed by the board in 2022 and also by the other boards was not submitted to the Georgia Department of Revenue for reasons that are not clear," Sauce said.

Sauce said he did not know how the failure to deliver the certificate of distribution occurred. He called 2022 a point of transition. Between DeKalb, Decatur and Atlanta Schools, that was 10 superintendents ago.

However, he said the district will make no excuses and learn from the mistake that occurred during a period of high turnover.

"I want the public to understand that this has been in the midst of a lot of transitions …," Sauce said.

He also said there have been three chief financial officers and three chief operating officers since the error occurred.

Without receiving the certificate, the state Department of Revenue used distribution ratios from ESPLOST V, resulting in DeKalb receiving more than allotted each month since July 2022. DeKalb Schools was supposed to receive 90.44%, Decatur Schools 5.45%, and Atlanta Schools 4.11 percent.

A sample month, October 2024, shows a glimpse of the error. The district received $12,622,603 that month, $225,294 above the district's allotted amount, with Decatur Schools receiving $169,891 less than expected and Atlanta Schools receiving $55,402 less than expected.

Decatur Schools is owed $9.1 million to make up for the error, and Atlanta Schools is owed $2.9 million. DeKalb Schools will consider taking funds from its forecasted interest collected from ESPLOST VI to pay back the money, according to Chief Financial Officer Byron Schueneman.

"I've also discussed this proposal and approach with the interim CFO for Atlanta

Public Schools and the CFO for City Schools of Decatur, both of whom were comfortable with the calculations and timing, and plan on discussing this approach with their superintendents," Schueneman said.

City Schools of Decatur Superintendent Gyimah Whitaker had contacted Sauce after the district discovered the issue. DeKalb Schools has worked with both CSD and APS since the overpayment was found and announced on June 15.

Along with ESPLOST VI sales tax collections, the district also collects interest on those collections. According to the capital projects update, the district has earned $42 million in interest from ESPLOST VI to date.

At the end of its ESPLOST overpayment presentation, district staff recommended deferring four ESPLOST VI projects.

According to a district statement, these four deferments are a result of shifting priorities in ESPLOST VI projects and not the overpayments issue.

The projects that could be deferred to ESPLOST VII are a $34 million Allgood Elementary School renovation, a $21.4 million Kittredge Magnet School HVAC replacement and renovation, a $25 million bus purchase and a $14.5 million purchase of fire alarm enhancements.

However, the district will continue to prioritize the $35 million Stoneview Elementary School renovation in ESPLOST VI due to the lower facility condition score and the building being overenrolled, according to Chief of Capital Improvement Darrell Stallings.

Sauce said that the failure to deliver the certificate "will not happen again" and that district staff will designate a cabinet member to deliver it for the upcoming ESPLOST VII distribution.

ESPLOST VII will be voted on in November and, if approved by voters, begin in July 2027.

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Meet Nyssa. We love our seniors, and this one is at the top of the class. She is over 11 years old, but you’d never know it. She is still playful, enjoys toys and knows all the tricks — sit, paw, down, and roll over. We don’t know her past, but someone loved her at one time. She just needs someone to give her a comfy loving home again.

Expand your family by four furry little feet. All adoptions include spay and neuter, vaccinations and microchip. All you have to do is provide the love and security that every shelter animal deserves! If you would like more information about Nyssa or if you have questions about adopting, fostering or volunteering, email adoption@

dekalbanimalservices.com or call 404294-2165. All potential adopters will be screened to ensure Nyssa goes to a good home.

Come visit Nyssa and hundreds of other adoptable pets at DeKalb County Animal Services today — no appointment needed. Our address is 3280 Chamblee Dunwoody Road in Chamblee. We look forward to helping you find your new best friend!

If you can’t adopt, please consider fostering or come take one of our pups for a fun day out with our Dog for the Day program. This program is a great way to borrow a canine companion for a hike, a trip to the park or a lazy day at home.

Children’s and Young Adult BOOK SALE

Friday–Saturday, July 24-25

Monday, July 27 Dunwoody Library 5339 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road

Fri. 10am-Noon: Preview Shopping for Members Only Noon-5pm Open to All (Join that day!) Sat.10am-5pm

Mon. 10am-5pm Bag Day –Fill a large grocery bag for $7.00

DeKalb County commissioners vote to raise property taxes

By DYANA BAGBY dyana@appenmedia.com

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — The DeKalb County Commission voted July 7 to approve raising property taxes, a move officials say is needed to provide services while also funding initiatives they say residents are demanding.

Tax bills go out in August.

County officials described the increase as a “modest cost.” For the owner of a home in unincorporated DeKalb with the average fair market value of $364,000, the tax increase raises county property taxes by $69, an increase of $5.74 per month, Budget Director T.J. Sigler said. One mill equals $1 for every $1,000 of assessed value on a home or commercial property.

The vote increases the millage rate to 21.31 mills, one-half mill higher than

the 2025 rate. Commissioners anticipated the property tax increase when approving the 2026 budget earlier this year. The half-mill increase is expected to generate about $18.1 million in revenue, Sigler said. Some of it will fund a new comprehensive housing strategy to address housing affordability and care for the unhoused.

But several residents spoke out against the tax hike and questioned where the county is spending its money.

“What operational efficiencies or spending reductions were implemented before proposing higher taxes?” resident Jimmy Easton asked. “What is the county's long-term strategy to prevent residents from facing repeated tax increases?”

“We need to know where our dollars are being spent, not just how we can continue to fund the government,” local advocate Gina Mangham said.

Commissioners noted that the last time the millage rate was increased was in 2011. In 2015, the millage rate was reduced by 0.4 mills and has remained at 20.81 since then.

Sigler said county funds are also going toward expanding economic and workforce development. The county is expanding health care access while offering better pay and benefits to recruit and retain firefighters and police officers. The money also will be used to expand animal welfare services, food security programs, voter outreach and continued support for the arts.

“This proposal balances the need for additional revenue to support the services that we're providing, as well as to sustain our fiscal health as a county,” Sigler said. “[A]nd to try to deliver on services that we've heard the most from residents that they say matter.”

Black bear necessities: What to know as sightings rise

By JOSHUA WILSON joshua@appenmedia.com

ATLANTA — A black bear might be a scary sight, but officials say the animal would rather avoid you than confront you.

Recent local news reports have noted bear sightings in Sandy Springs and Smyrna neighborhoods, a natural occurrence in the summer months for bears wanting to establish habitats, find food or even locate a mate. The animals, according to the North American Bear Center, are timid and will often run away when they encounter humans. A fact sheet from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources notes there are no recorded bear attacks on humans in the state’s history and only two documented fatal attacks in the Southeast.

Black bears were once common in the Peach State, according to the fact sheet, but have been reduced in population by habitat loss, unrestricted hunting and overall degradation of habitat due to human development. There are now about 5,100 black bears throughout the state.

The animals can still be a nuisance, officials note, and game management offices receive numerous calls about them every year. Instead of immediately capturing and relocating bears, staffers evaluate “why the bear is causing problems,” according to the fact sheet.

“Most problems can be resolved through simple actions such as taking

Project:

Continued from Page 1

Additional funding was also identified through the city’s stormwater utility for detention pond improvements and from paving funds already budgeted for this section of Mount Vernon Road.

“As a result, we’ve identified all the funding now for the full project, so that we shouldn’t have to dip into any other projects,” Smith said.

The revised funding plan eliminates the need to shift money from other capital projects, an option staff

are involved.

Game management staffers consider capture and relocation a last resort, only warranted if a bear persists in being a nuisance and warrants a safety threat. Disturbing bears could disorient them, experts warn, ultimately causing them to wander onto roadways and be killed by passing traffic.

So, what should you do if you see a black bear in the wild? Biologist Lynn Rogers, who founded the North American Bear Center, says to “enjoy it” and observe the bear from a safe distance. It will move on, she writes in a blog post. However, if it lingers past your comfort, you can make the bear run away by waving and announcing your presence. The animals tend to “run first and ask questions later,” she adds.

“Most attacks by black bears are defensive reactions to a person who is too close, which is an easy situation to avoid,” Rogers notes.

Continued from Page 1

While Sumlin brings clinical social work expertise to the organization’s approach, Blossom Girlz offers prevention-focused, strengths-based

down bird feeders, taking in pet food, or storing garbage in an area unavailable to bears like a garage,” the fact sheet notes. “Removing or making attractants unavailable to bears is a critical step in resolving bear/human conflicts. It is equally important for people to be patient. It may take several days for the bear to learn that it is no longer going to be provided with a free meal.”Campers and those enjoying Georgia’s ample

had previously indicated might be necessary.

The project will modernize infrastructure along a section of Mount Vernon Road, where many of the utilities are 30 to 50 years old. Plans call for replacing aging water and gas mains, installing a second 16-inch water main to improve water pressure, upgrading stormwater infrastructure, adding left-turn lanes at several intersections, widening the existing sidewalk on the north side of the road, constructing a new sidewalk on the south side, and building a multiuse path for pedestrians and cyclists.

Council members also briefly discussed the possibility of installing

programming rather than therapeutic treatment. Facilitators track growth using established tools to measure social-emotional development over time.

“I started Seeds to Sow because my own daughter needed a place to belong, a place to find her voice and build real friendships,” Sumlin said. “When I

outdoor offerings are also urged to avoid providing easy food offerings for black bears.

“When camping or hiking, store food items in a vehicle or hoist food packs into the air away from the trunks or trees,” the fact sheet advises.

After losing their meal ticket, bears will “simply move on” to “a more traditional range,” officials say, but it might be necessary to install an electrical fence if beehives or gardens

a drinking fountain with a dog bowl along the corridor while the water infrastructure work is underway. Smith estimated the addition would cost $15,000 to $20,000 and said it would be easier to complete during construction, though no action was taken. Council members agreed the idea could be considered at a later date without delaying the larger project.

Other business

• The council held a first reading on zoning and special land-use requests for a proposed Kroger Marketplace at the former Walmart site at 4725 Ashford Dunwoody Road. Residents

looked into other social skills programs, I ran into two problems — the cost put them out of reach for a lot of families, and the photos on their websites didn’t look like my daughter. I wanted her, and girls like her, to walk into a room and see themselves reflected, and to have programming that honored their culture, not just made room for it.”

The biologist says a small can of pepper spray is “a good way to feel self-confident around black bears.” The spray will not hurt the bear but will prompt it to leave the area. Throwing stones at the bear can also scare it away, she mentions.

“Black bears have killed 61 people across North America since 1900,” she says in the post. “This no longer worries me. My chances of being killed by a domestic dog, bees, or lightning are vastly greater.”

living behind the shopping center raised concerns about truck delivery noise and requested more restrictive delivery hours, but no vote was taken. The proposal is scheduled to return for a second reading later this month.

• The council received an update on plans for a proposed $1.1 million SWAT facility at the Dunwoody Police annex on North Shallowford Road.

The building would house North Metro SWAT vehicles and equipment currently stored at multiple locations and provide indoor space for police training and applicant testing. Bids are expected back in August, with a construction contract anticipated to come before the council later this year.

Seeds to Sow also serves as a field placement site for students pursuing their bachelor’s or master’s degrees in social work through partnerships with the University of Georgia and Georgia State University, giving the next generation of social workers hands-on experience in community-based youth programming.

UV safety awareness month: Protecting every skin tone

Brought to you by – Dr. Tiffany ClayRamsey, Epiphany Dermatology

July is UV Safety Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to remind ourselves that protecting our skin from the sun is one of the most important investments we can make in our long-term health. As the newest dermatologist at Epiphany Dermatology – Brookhaven, I’m excited to partner with patients in our community to help them keep their skin healthy through prevention, education, and early detection.

One of the biggest misconceptions I encounter is that people with darker skin don’t need to worry about sun damage or skin cancer. The truth is that skin cancer can affect people of every skin tone. While individuals with more melanin may have a lower overall risk of developing certain types

of skin cancer, they are often diagnosed at later stages, when treatment can be more difficult. Avoidance of daily sunscreen in darker skin tones may also lead to hyperpigmentation. No matter your complexion, protecting your skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays is essential. Make sunscreen with an SPF of 30

or higher part of your daily routine, wear protective clothing when spending extended time outdoors, and seek shade whenever possible during peak sunlight hours. These simple habits can significantly reduce your risk of sun damage and skin cancer while helping prevent premature aging. Just as importantly, become

familiar with your skin. Watch for new or changing moles, sores that won’t heal, or growths that look different from the rest. If you notice anything concerning, don’t wait to have it evaluated.

Regular skin cancer screenings with a board-certified dermatologist are one of the best ways to detect skin cancer early, when it’s most treatable. During your visit, we can also answer questions about your skin, discuss your individual risk factors, and develop a personalized plan to help keep your skin healthy year-round. This UV Safety Awareness Month, remember that sun protection is for everyone. Whether your skin is fair, olive, brown, or deeply pigmented, it deserves expert care and attention. I look forward to helping patients throughout Brookhaven protect their skin for years to come.

PROVIDED

Navigating the Caregiver Support Network

guide for seniors and families in Georgia

Brought to you by – Mobility Plus Alpharetta

Building a strong caregiver support network is one of the most important steps a family can take when helping an aging loved one stay safe and independent at home.

Key roles in the Senior Care Team

Primary Care Physician (PCP): The First Point of Contact The primary care physician is typically the quarterback of everyday senior health. PCPs manage chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, order routine screenings, and are usually the first call when something feels off.

Geriatrician: Specialized care for complex aging needs

A geriatrician is a physician with specialized training in the health issues that accompany aging — multiple chronic conditions, polypharmacy, cognitive changes, frailty, and fall risk. Not every senior needs a geriatrician, but when it comes to a geriatrician vs. primary care physician decision, geriatric specialists become especially valuable once health issues start to overlap and interact.

Occupational Therapist (OT): Home safety and daily living

Occupational therapists focus on helping people safely manage everyday activities — bathing, dressing, cooking, getting in and out of bed. For seniors, occupational therapist home safety assessments are essential: an OT can walk through a house and identify specific hazards, from a bathroom missing grab bars to a bedroom that's become difficult to navigate. OTs are also frequently the professionals who recommend adaptive equipment and home modifications, including stairlifts, vertical platform lifts, or home elevators, based on a senior's

specific mobility limitations.

Physical Therapist (PT): Strength, balance, and fall prevention

While OTs focus on daily function, physical therapists focus on the body itself — strength, balance, range of motion, and mobility. PTs are the go-to resource after a fall, a surgery like a hip or knee replacement, or a hospitalization that's led to muscle weakness. A PT-designed exercise program aimed at rebuilding strength and improving balance directly reduces fall risk, and PTs frequently work alongside OTs to translate physical gains into safer daily routines.

Home Mobility Equipment: Stairlifts, platform lifts & home elevators

Once an OT or PT identifies a mobility barrier at home, the conversation often turns to equipment — stairlifts, vertical platform lifts, or residential/home elevators. These are mechanical systems a senior relies on daily, often without supervision, which is why proper installation isn't optional. This is also the point in the caregiver journey where medical guidance and home modification decisions intersect most directly.

Why choose Mobility Plus Alpharetta

At Mobility Plus Alpharetta, every installer is fully licensed and experienced — and every one of them is a W-2 employee of our company. We do not contract our installations. That means the person who assesses your home, the person who installs your stairlift, vertical platform lift, or home elevator, and the person who stands behind the finished job are all accountable to the same company you hired. Call us at 470-545-1827 to schedule your free in-home stairlift, ramp, vertical platform lift or residential elevator installation today!

Milton care home runs on generators after water mishap

By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmedia.com

MILTON, Ga. — It has been three months since an assisted living home in Milton lost electric utility service.

Vitality Living Milton lost power April 1 and has been operating on generators since. Its emails to families of residents go back and forth, with high expectations one day and dashed hopes the next. Some family members say they are anxious, frustrated and wary.

“The ongoing power issue at Vitality has been extremely stressful for my mother, who is legally blind,” Alpharetta resident and former City Councilwoman Karen Richard said. “I am fortunate to live only a few minutes away, which has allowed me to respond quickly to the power interruptions and outages that have occurred over the past three months.”

Vitality Living, based in Brentwood, Tennessee, operates about 30 assisted living communities across the Southeast. The 94-unit facility on Webb Road in Milton provides three distinct care programs. Independent living supports active community life. Assisted living provides full-time personal care. Memory care delivers specialized cognitive assistance. Families of residents say they pay thousands each month, and prices vary according to the level of care.

Company officials said July 10 they expect full utility power restoration sometime around the week of July 27. The community lost power April 1 when an irrigation pipe burst and flooded the electrical panel. The facility immediately switched to generator power, but emails to family members suggest not everything has gone smoothly.

Within days of the electrical problem, an email to families from Sandra Spencer, senior executive director of Vitality Living Milton, reported efforts to replace the main breaker. She wrote that the required part had been sourced and was expected to arrive that Friday or Saturday.

When the part did arrive, families said they were told technicians successfully replaced the parts affected, but another issue was identified that prohibited turning the main power on.

Over the next 12 weeks, Spencer provided email updates to families about progress and the difficulties in securing the correct parts to repair the electrical system. The emails included extra measures being taken to add staffing and equipment, including portable air conditioning units.

Several attempts were made by phone and email to speak with Spencer. She did not respond.

Two families contacted for comment said they were reluctant to speak on the

GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF AUDITS & ACCOUNTS

A 2025 state audit of the Georgia Healthcare Facility Regulation Division shows the monitoring agency fell short of its oversight duties in personal care home inspections.

record for fear of reprisal. Both said they worried management could find some vague justification to remove their loved ones from the facility. One relative said elder care homes are not like grocery stores, and you cannot move a disabled loved one to another facility at the drop of a hat.

Both families said they were concerned about the ongoing electrical issue and how it has been handled.

Generator failure

Things came to a head Sunday morning, June 28. Richard said she saw the camera in her mother’s room blank out at 8:30 a.m. Because temperatures were forecast in the mid-80s that day, she immediately drove to Vitality Living Milton and found the lights out inside. Illuminated exit signs were the only evidence of power anywhere in the building, she said.

Within an hour, the facility issued an email to families that the generator had given out. Management called in additional staff to ensure the safety of residents and initiate group activities, according to an email sent to families by Vitality Living Chief Real Estate Officer Charles Hall.

A new generator was brought on site, and power was restored within five hours.

The delay is not due to a lack of urgency. The repair requires specialized electrical equipment with extended manufacturing and delivery lead times.”

CHARLES HALL Chief Real Estate Officer,

Vitality Living

sure that this gets all the way to the finish line,” she said.

Cunningham also addressed those families who cited fear of reprisal for speaking out.

“Our goal is to foster an environment where residents and families feel safe, heard and respected,” she said. “We welcome honest feedback and are committed to addressing concerns without fear of negative consequences.”

In a July 1 email to residents, Hall addressed the delay in restoring electrical utility power.

“The delay is not due to a lack of urgency,” he wrote. “The repair requires specialized electrical equipment with extended manufacturing and delivery lead times.”

In a phone interview, Christy Cunningham, vice president of sales and marketing for Vitality Living, said the Milton facility has installed backups to the backup generators to ensure power remains on.

“It was really specialized electrical equipment that was damaged, and unfortunately that has extended manufacturing and delivery lead time,” she said. “We’ve been working with the utility company, with the manufacturers, with the electricians … to try to speed this process up.”

She said the June power outage was unfortunate, but the facility has stocks of portable oxygen and other emergency equipment to handle power interruptions. Contingency plans, Cunningham said, are a standard at Vitality Living facilities.

All the new electrical components are set to be installed within a day after arrival, she said.

“So we have a very short window here to make it the rest of the way and to battle through this on our side to make

She said it makes her sad families fear any sort of retaliation for speaking out, and she encouraged them to call the Vitality hotline, 888-303-6800, with any concerns.

Regulatory authority

The state’s 28,000 personal care homes are licensed and monitored by the Healthcare Facility Regulation Division (HFRD) within the Georgia Department of Community Health.

The agency’s latest spot inspection on Vitality Living Milton was conducted March 17, two weeks before the electrical incident. Results of that inspection showed no violations of the rules and regulations governing assisted living homes.

Still, deficiencies at the state regulatory agency worry Richard, who depends on the department to ensure the safety of her mother.

In June 2025, the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts released a report about the agency, critiquing its monitoring of assisted living facilities. In that report, officials stated, “HFRD could improve oversight over the residential facilities that serve elderly and disabled adults. Over the past six years, HFRD has not routinely inspected many facilities or fully utilized its authority to assess penalties for identified violations.”

Vitality:

Continued from Page 14

The audit showed:

• Between 2019 and 2024, HFRD did not ensure all facilities received a routine inspection, and those that did were often less frequent than HFRD’s established 18-month goal.

• Of the 2,540 active facilities due for a routine inspection, 43% (1,100) had no routine inspection between January 2019 and November 2024.

• Of the 1,440 that received an inspection, 63% (900) were not inspected within HFRD’s established 18-month goal.

• Many facilities have received site visits related to complaint investigations, though routine inspections are intended to be more comprehensive.

• Of the 190 complaints reviewed, approximately 30% (54) could have been categorized at a higher priority than what HFRD assigned during intake — potentially delaying investigations.

Vitality Living Milton, a 94-unit facility on Webb Road in Milton, offers independent living, assisted living and memory care.

• Among the most serious complaints (which indicate harm may be occurring or resident health and safety is in immediate jeopardy), 15% (14) were not investigated within the required two days. Similarly, 13% (1,492) of investigations into other complaints occurred outside the 45-day requirement.

• It does not appear HFRD imposed fine amounts on all serious violations, which HFRD procedures state incur a mandatory fine. Approximately 30% of fines assessed since 2022 ($93,200) remain outstanding.

Despite the ongoing situation, Richard said she has nothing but

admiration for the team at Vitality Milton.

“During each outage, they responded professionally and demonstrated genuine care and concern for the residents,” she said.

But she still has concerns.

First, she said, she wants to know what other critical infrastructure may

be vulnerable to failure.

“[Also,] once the repairs are complete, what will the commissioning and testing process entail?” she asked. “Specifically, what measures will be taken to ensure residents do not experience another prolonged loss of power, particularly during the peak heat of July?”

The gift of never casting judgment

Every time I write a column, I am torn between writing about a subject that is local, timely and in some way unique or writing about a topic that is not necessarily “local” but instead “universal,” like love, loss, kindness, education, patriotism or faith.

I know that regardless of which direction a column takes, it always helps to tell a story. We all love stories. And, if one can tell a story that also recognizes someone or something important, teaches a lesson or imparts a positive value — all the better. So, here is a story for you.

Ralph Rucker, one of the people I admired more than almost anyone else in this world, recently died. His death took me by surprise because — even though he was closer to 90 than he was 80 — it never entered my mind that he was, as we all are, subject to mortality. He was too strong, too indestructible, too good, too kind, too loyal and too

fierce in his unshakable faith.

Yet, despite all that, we lost him. His death made me notice others lately who have passed — many famous, many not and many not so very old.

Some made big splashes; they built businesses, wrote books and made movies. They invented things, made lots of money, traveled across the world, gave lectures, taught and healed. They drove expensive cars, lived in big houses and ran for office. Others struggled, as single parents, to raise kids and put food on the table. Their greatest accomplishment — their proudest achievement — was raising a kid who didn’t do drugs, respected people and grew up strong, honest and self-sufficient.

And it never occurred to them that they could have done “better.” They knocked it out of the ballpark. I think we tend to not remember so much what people did, or how much they had, as much as how they lived — how they treated other people, how they saw their lives in relationship to the world around them, how many people they touched and helped in some way. That, I think, determines if one is remembered — if there is something left

over after mortality catches up with us.

Part and parcel to how we treat other people is how we don’t treat other people. When my friend died, I took inventory of why he was so important to me and to others. One thing stood out more than almost everything else. I never — as in never ever — heard him say a single disparaging remark about another person. Never. Think about that. He didn’t cast judgment — no red or blue attacks, no making someone else feel smaller. There was no “holier than thou” attitude with Ralph Rucker. That value is, to me, life’s gamechanger. Look around. Isn’t life really, honestly, way too short to blow through your very limited time and energy doing stuff as unproductive, destructive, debilitating and downright unfun as casting stones in judgment of others? Don’t we all have better things to do?

George Carlin used to do a shtick about grudges. He said that holding a grudge was like drinking poison in the hope the other guy dies. Casting judgment — and disparaging other people — seems, to me, very close to holding a grudge.

One of the best things I have ever done for myself was to make a

conscious, deliberate decision a couple years ago to never be in a hurry again — for anything or anyone. Doing that has literally changed my life. It’s like a whole new ballgame. My stress level plunged. Incidences of anger and frustration plummeted. My patience with other people greatly increased, and because I am less occupied with being frustrated and angry, I have the capacity to engage in other stuff — stuff that is healthy, nurturing and simply more fun.

Eliminating the default impulse to negatively judge others — to criticize or disparage — will be a much harder task than deciding to stop being in a hurry. I know this. It will require a lot of work, a lot of discipline. But I also know the rewards will be far greater.

It seems like a no-brainer to me. Game on. Going for it.

Thank you, Ralph Rucker, for being the example for me — for leading my way to that path. I wonder how many other people have followed or will follow your lead. What a wonderful gift you left — a present that will surely endure for a very long time.

Ray Appen is the publisher emeritus at Appen Media Group.

Retiring amid a circle of friends; what a way to go

PAT FOX Managing Editor

pat@appenmedia.com

You cannot imagine the unease a newspaperman feels when a city issues a proclamation in his honor.

Members of the press are expected to be at odds with government. Some take pride in it.

When the Alpharetta City Council chose to honor my 45 years in newspapers July 13, I was ambivalent. On one hand, it is humbling to be celebrated by such a remarkable city. On the other, journalists feel more comfortable being lambasted from the dais because it shows they’re not in cahoots with government.

I haven’t the fingers and toes to count the number of times officials have blasted me during meetings, attacking my account of the mess they’ve made or the imprudent path they’ve pursued.

Years ago, I recall covering one county commissioner who’d spent the evening in jail on what turned out to be a bogus DUI charge. Two blood tests showed zero alcohol.

He declined to speak on the record that night, but he added that if he were going to talk with anyone from the press, it would be me. I was not a soft touch, but I always listened.

That’s how journalists should operate. Give everyone a fair shake but keep your eyes open.

I later uncovered evidence that same commissioner was part of a coalition that profited by voting to overpay for park land. He resigned amid a grand jury investigation.

After having spent some 15 years covering Alpharetta, it strikes me that the city gets things right more than it gets them wrong. It has smart people on and off the dais, and its government operates with a lot more openness than most cities and counties I’ve covered.

Going out of their way

The July 13 affair was made more exhilarating by the people who turned out to wish me well. There were many Alpharettans, great people I’ve come to know.

Most startling was the number of colleagues, past and present, who attended. There were Aldo Nahed and Jonathan Copsey, my first newsroom

That’s how journalists should operate. Give everyone a fair shake but keep your eyes open.”

PATRICK FOX Managing Editor

mates at Appen Media 12 years ago. Aldo looked younger. Jonathan looked the same.

There were many wonderful current and former reporters. It was so humbling to have them make the effort.

Dan Whisenhunt, the current executive editor, was there, although I know he works at least 24 hours a day.

And, there were the Appens — Ray, Christina, Hans and Carl — who, over the years, always spoke of how they valued me. You only get treated like that at a true family-owned newspaper.

What lies ahead

In retirement, every day is Saturday. There is much to do around the house, and I may write a little. If money runs tight, though, I have a few schemes to earn some cash:

• Express checkout lane bouncer — I’d have to bulk up for this, but those who feel entitled to overload the express checkout lane should be called out.

• Certified jellybean accountant (CJA) — Plenty of gigs available in the outdoor entertainment industry. County fairs, shopping center promotions — the list is endless.

• Booking agent for church aisle seats — Back in the day, devotional etiquette required you scoot toward the center of the pew when arriving for worship. Today, even those arriving on time face an obstacle course of legs and knees simply to find a seat. Churches should charge a premium for aisle seats. I could handle the arrangements.

• Thanksgiving dinner fact-checker — Oh, the fun of setting Uncle Raymond straight when he prattles on about the latest news he read on the internet. Families could rent me out to do what I’ve been doing for the past 45 years. So long for now.

OPINION

Going home again, back to the water

You might not know this, but there was once a time when I didn’t fish for trout. Sure, I fished for other things — for bream, mostly, and usually with a glob of worms. Red wigglers were good. Super-jumpers were better. But catalpa worms, those colorful caterpillars from the trees down by the pond, were always best of all. It’s a fact, Dad would say, that you just can’t find a better bait for bream, even as he reminded one and all that the proper way to say it was “catawba.”

From the time I was about 12 years old, Dad always had a pond. The house he built for us back in the mid-60s had one, a nice little farm pond of about an acre. Near the upper end, where a tiny creek flowed in, we built a boat dock sized just right for the Sears aluminum john boat which was such an essential part of my childhood.

It was a nice pond. One bank was open and sunny; the other was shaded and dark and mysterious, especially right before rain on a summer afternoon.

What was it about an impending storm that always seemed to make the fishing better? The air got thick and heavy. The sky morphed from blue to gray, the same gray as a sheet of stainless steel. The wind slowed and then stopped completely. The earth held its breath. Premonition?

And then the bream went wild. You just knew you were going to catch a mess of fish. And we did too — big bream, lots of them, each bending the rod in a battle of epic proportions. We’d catch a mess of them and then clean them and carry them up to the kitchen, where Mom had hush puppies (made from cornbread mix and sweet onions and other stuff, but never from a recipe)

all mixed up ready to go. In the massive pot sitting on the stove, the grease was hot and ready for frying. Hush puppies went in first. Then, while those drained on paper towels folded over a big cookie sheet, she’d bread and salt and pepper the fish and set them in the hot grease, too, where they bubbled merrily until she deemed them just right.

By the time the fish were done, the hush puppies were cool enough to eat without burning your tongue. And then — then! — we’d sit at the round table, that platter of fried bream on the lazy Susan, and we would bask in heavenly bliss right here on earth until the platter was bare and the real world drifted back into view.

Oh, those bream … is it any wonder that I didn’t think about other fish? Is it any wonder, through those shimmering years between childhood and adolescent awakenings, that bream were the center of my universe?

Yeah, bream. But no trout.

The trout came a little later, and my spirit guide to their world was a buddy, Randy. Randy and I shared lots of interests — music, ham radio and fishing — but when it came to things piscatorial, Randy was sophisticated in a way that I was not.

Randy, you see, had gone beyond bream. Randy knew the ways of trout.

One day, somewhere during the high school years, he called me. I paraphrase shamelessly, but the conversation went something like this:

“Want to go trout fishing?” he asked.

Trout fishing! It was the holy grail. I’d read of it, but I’d never dabbled. Now, though, there was a way forward.

“Sure,” I said.

A couple of days later, early on a Saturday morning, he picked me up (in his pumpkin-orange Karmann Ghia) and off we went.

We were bound for Boggs Creek, the namesake stream of the U.S. Forest Service’s Boggs Creek Recreation Area up in Lumpkin County about 15 miles north of Dahlonega off U.S. 19/129. It’s easy to find — just go up 19/129 for about 15 miles, and watch for the brown-and-white sign announcing that you’ve arrived. The sign is about an eighth of a mile before you get to the access road, which turns right off the main highway.

Besides fishing, what will you find in the Boggs Creek Recreation Area today? Vehicle access is limited by a closed gate, but there’s picnicking before you reach it. Beyond the gate, foot travel opens up places that relatively few take the time to see, including waterfalls on Little Ridge Creek, a tributary to Boggs Creek proper.

But for us, that day, the trout were the thing. That’s why we were there.

We had with us two ultralight rods and a small container of bait.

Wait. Bait? Not my hallowed latter-day flies? No sir, but I was younger then and can be forgiven. Or maybe forgiveness is not required. Maybe in my neophytic enthusiasm I’d just stumbled onto a great bit of trout-catching wisdom. I’ll let you decide.

Anyway, bait (specifically, mealworms) was what we had, and so mealworms were what we would use. They are the larval form of some sort of beetle and were, as I recall, kind of cream colored and each about an inch long. Randy told me they were the thing for trout, even better than catalpa worms were for bream.

I had high hopes.

We rode a while, and pretty soon we were there. Randy parked the Karmann Ghia, and we hiked a little bit to his secret spot (some things never change) and then hunkered down by the creek to talk it through.

“That’s where they are,” Randy said, pointing to a deep run that

flowed close by a big rock.

Randy, the expert, selected a mealworm and slipped it onto my hook.

“Cast it over there and let it drift through the deep water,” he said, and I did.

Right away I had a bite. I lifted the rod and hooked the fish and brought it in, a small rainbow trout about 6 inches long. It was the first of about a half dozen we caught over the next hour or so — and (I have to be truthful here) we kept them all and cleaned them right there and sprinkled on salt and pepper and cooked them over a tiny fire right beside the sparkling water. They were delicious.

That was a long time ago. So why, just the other day, did I decide to go see Boggs Creek again? I hadn’t been there even once since that fateful day in 1970-something, so why go now, a half a century later? Was I trying to rediscover the heady thrill of a first? Was I maybe trying to atone for trout caught on wormy things and cooked?

I don’t know. But I went.

I wish I could now share with you an inspiring return-of-the-native narrative, an uplifting story of many trout now caught on tiny flies, a tale of justification or affirmation or some other such multi-syllabic arc of lofty prose.

But I can’t. I can only tell you the truth, and the truth is I didn’t catch a single fish. Not a one.

But that’s okay. Sometimes that happens. It’s the experience that matters, after all.

You know, there are things you always remember — things like the first time you kiss the love of your life … or the first time you catch a trout. They’re way different, those two things are, but they’re kind of the same too.

And you know what? That next kiss is even sweeter than the one before. Always.

Steve Hudson is an award-winning outdoor writer and fly fisherman.

BRADSHAW'S BRIEF

Five-sided clown show damaging military

Gen. Colin Powell became chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Oct. 1, 1989. This is the highest military position in the Department of Defense. At that time, I was a young captain serving in a tank battalion in Kitzingen, West Germany.

As an African American Army officer, it is hard for me to overstate the profound sense of pride that I felt seeing that someone who looked like me could ascend to that position. Although wearing the stars of a general was never my ambition, it was still a wonderful thing to see.

African Americans have always been willing to serve in uniform as a testament to our love for this country, despite its deep flaws. We serve with the hope and expectation that the demonstration of our service and sacrifice would be met with the respect and acceptance that we deserve. Of course, this has not always been the case.

I am mindful of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, which was composed of African American soldiers who saw extensive action in the Union Army during the Civil War. Their story was wonderfully depicted in the 1989 movie “Glory,” starring Matthew Broderick, Morgan Freeman and Denzel Washington.

I also highlight the Tuskegee Airmen, who were among the first Black pilots who distinguished themselves in the skies over Europe during World War II. Their story was wonderfully depicted in the 1995 movie “The Tuskegee Airmen,” starring Laurence Fishburne, Andre Braugher and Cuba Gooding Jr.

I will also mention the 761st Tank Battalion, which was an African American armored unit that earned renown for its combat effectiveness during World War II. As a tanker myself, their distinguished service was especially salient to me. Gen. George S. Patton once opined that Blacks didn’t have the mental aptitude to serve as tankers. The 761st certainly proved him wrong and consequently earned his respect as he came to depend upon these capable warriors. I would like to think that old Gen. Patton would have respected my tanker skills as well.

Then there is my father, Mr. Raymond L. Bradshaw, who enlisted in the U.S. Navy only a decade after President Harry Truman’s executive order desegregating the military. During my tenure in

public office, I displayed a photo of the graduating class of February 1957 from Great Lakes Naval Station in Illinois. Over 60 recruits are pictured, with only one of them being African American.

As folks entered my office, they were somehow drawn to that photograph. As a test, I would ask them if they could guess which one of those young recruits was my father.

I have no idea how much crap my father put up with, not only from the instructors, but from his fellow recruits. He has never really talked about it. Nor do I know how many other Black guys started that training. What I do know is that my father was there at the end, which makes me very proud. That is why I displayed that picture so prominently.

Fast forward to Jan. 20, 2025, the day Donald J. Trump was inaugurated for a second term as president of the United States. Four days later, Pete Hegseth was confirmed as the secretary of defense in a process that required Vice President JD Vance to cast the tiebreaking vote in the U.S. Senate.

At that time, Gen. C.Q. Brown was serving as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, only the second African American to hold that position. Less than one month after Hegseth’s confirmation, Brown was

abruptly dismissed from his position. Apparently, his advocacy for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in the military rubbed the new Pentagon leadership the wrong way. Consequently, he had to go.

I freely acknowledge that any official at that level serves at the pleasure of the president. Likewise, the president has the right to nominate whom he chooses for a cabinet post. But Pete Hegseth is probably the most unqualified person to ever serve in that role, especially when compared to predecessors like Lloyd Austin, Jim Mattis and Robert Gates.

I also acknowledge Hegseth’s military service, which included deployments to a war zone. Then again, so did mine, and likewise, I am woefully unqualified to manage one of the world’s largest bureaucracies.

Hegseth’s tenure has been questionable at best. Examples include the “Signalgate” episode, which may have threatened national security; a press policy that severely limits the media from accurately reporting on the actions of the department that we pay for; and the renaming of the Defense Department to the Department of War, a throwback to a bygone era and a name that misrepresents what that department is supposed to be about.

Personally, I find the way the secretary presents himself cartoonish. It is as if he is playing a role in a TV show rather than discharging the solemn duties of high office. And his seeming purge of minority and female officers, in the name of combating DEI, is what I find the most offensive. These actions dishonor so many who have sacrificed so much to serve this great country.

The Pentagon’s five-sided building design by architect George Bergstrom makes it one of the most recognized and iconic buildings in the world. As the headquarters of our armed forces, it stands as a fortress and a symbol of service and sacrifice.

I believe that Pete Hegseth’s tenure as defense secretary has debased that office and turned the Pentagon into a clown show. Consequently, I believe that some of the esteem that our military holds in the hearts and minds of the American people has been eroded. Hopefully this can be regained when his time in that role ends.

Perhaps by the time this publishes President Trump will have come to realize that Pete Hegseth’s presence in his cabinet is a net negative. And that this will hasten the end of his tenure. One can hope.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The City of Dunwoody Planning Commission will meet Tuesday, August 11th, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Dunwoody City Hall, which is located at 4800 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody, Georgia 30338 for the purpose of due process of the following:

RZ 26-02, 1369 Spalding Drive & 5646 Roberts Drive: The Providence Group of Georgia, LLC requests a rezoning from the R-100 (Single-dwelling Residential-100) district to the R-60 (Single-dwelling Residential-60) district to allow the creation of 3 lots.

RZ 26-04, 209, 211, 219 & 223 Perimeter Center Parkway and 1051 Hammond Drive: High Street Development, LLC requests to modify the zoning conditions for the property to amend the site plan and ratio of approved uses for Block 6 of the High Street development.

RZ 26-06, 4891 Ashford Dunwoody Road: Lennar Georgia, LLC requests a rezoning from the O-I (Office-Institution) district to PC-3 (Perimeter Center) district to allow the development of up to 33 townhomes.

SLUP 26-02, 125 Perimeter Center W: SmartMed, LLC requests a Special Land Use Permit to allow a drive-through medical office.

SLUP 26-03, 5342 Tilly Mill Road: The Marcus Jewish Community Center requests a Special Land Use Permit to allow an indoor pickleball facility.

Should you have any questions or comments, 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.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The City of Dunwoody City Council will meet Monday, August 10, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Dunwoody City Hall, which is located at 4800 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody, Georgia 30338 for the purpose of due process of the following:

RZ 26-05, 1200 & 1240 Ashwood Parkway and 4754 Ashford Dunwoody Road: Ashwood Grove LLC requests a rezoning from the O-I (OfficeInstitution) district to the PD (Planned Development) district to allow the development of 122 attached homes.

Should you have any questions or comments, 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.

James Andrew Anchors

February 19, 1942 – June 30, 2026

Dr. James Andrew Anchors, 84, passed away on June 30th, 2026. While we are deeply saddened by his loss and will miss him terribly, we have peace knowing that he is once again reunited with his beloved bride, Barbara, after losing her just 7 months earlier.

Jim was born February 19th, 1942, in Atlanta, Georgia. He always had a larger than life personality, but was also focused and driven. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout, reflecting his dedication and character, and always knew he wanted to be a chiropractor. He was accepted to Logan Chiropractic College, and after he and Barbara married at the young age of 20, they moved to St. Louis, Missouri. Upon graduation, they moved back to Georgia, and he opened Anchors Clinic of Chiropractic in Dunwoody, serving the community for over 5 decades.

of Chiropractic Examiners. He also spent many years involved with Life University and was instrumental in growing it into the esteemed school it is today.

He loved his family, which he showed in so many ways throughout the years. He was always present and took us on the best family vacations and so many weekend trips that we will never forget. He was truly the best husband, father, and grandfather. He genuinely loved people, and his joy was contagious. He loved a good joke and a good laugh more than anyone. He was always smiling and lifting others up, and he never met a stranger. He truly lived a full, rewarding, and exceptional life.

He is survived by his daughter, Kim; his son, Brad, and his wife, Kristin; his grandchildren, Ella and Owen Anchors.

Throughout his distinguished career, Jim served in many roles in the Georgia Chiropractic Association and was appointed to both the Georgia and National Boards

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, July 25th, 2026, at Dunwoody United Methodist Church, with a reception immediately following in the fellowship hall.

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