M a r c h 2 3 , 2 0 2 3 | A p p e n M e d i a . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 2 7 , N o . 1 2
Creek City seeks 'vitality' in branding campaign Johns considers plan Mayor claims newspaper erred in Juneteenth discussion account
for task force on elections
By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com
Roswell scraps effort to conduct ’23 polling
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — The Johns Creek Vitality Committee has been tasked with efforts to cement a health and wellness brand for the city, but its path forward is still up in the air. Formerly called the iHeart Johns Creek Advisory Committee, Johns Creek created the group in 2020 to promote the city’s image as a healthcare, wellness and innovation destination. Since August 2022, the Vitality Committee has participated in special events like the International Festival, Trunk or Treat, the Diwali Festival and the Arts Festival where members surveyed visitors, distributing fliers and branded merchandise. A more recent development, led by the committee, is the inaugural 5K run at Cauley Creek Park. But there was consensus among the City Council at both the March 14 work session, and at the January strategic planning retreat, that the group needs more structure and pointed direction. City Councilman Bob Erramilli noted that committee attendance has been sparse. Only four of its 11 members showed up in February, he said. “It seems to me that if there is some great purpose for that organization, they will be motivated to show up there,” Erramilli said. Finding staff support Since the retreat, the committee has received more support from city staff through Economic Development Manager Randall Toussaint. While Johns Creek Mayor John Bradberry suggested the committee continue working with Toussaint, others said his existing responsibilities are a greater priority.
See BRANDING, Page 19
By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com
AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA
Johns Creek City Councilman Bob Erramilli discusses potential objectives for the Johns Creek Vitality Committee at a council work session March 14.
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Roswell officials have decided to stick with Fulton County to run its municipal elections this November, adding to the list of area cities abandoning efforts to operate their own polling. Johns Creek, the first out of a North Fulton group to make the same move, has begun scoping logistics for setting up self-run municipal elections in 2025. So far, Milton is the only North Fulton city that has formally adopted plans to operate its own municipal elections this November. In the first year, Milton has estimated $72,254 in costs for two polling locations on election day. Sandy Springs has no council posts or referendums scheduled for this year. Sparked by Milton’s decision in December to wrest control of its own city elections from the county, other cities across north Metro Atlanta have been exploring the idea over the past two months. Discussion has centered around
See ELECTIONS, Page 18