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Johns Creek proffers stricter contract on struggling Chamber of Commerce By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Under a proposed binding contract, the Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce would have to work harder to maintain its partnership with the city — the equivalent of a $20,000 check each year. The nonprofit, acting as a hub for small businesses, needs the money now more than ever because of revenue declines since the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Johns Creek Economic Development Director Kim Allonce introduced the new contract at the Sept. 9 City Council work session. It includes more stringent conditions than what had been in place the past three years. The new contract would require the nonprofit to explain how it met about a dozen performance standards each quarter, standards that were characterized as a “high level.” One new standard would require its Small Business Resource Center to provide technical assistance, host training and workshops, and disseminate information to a minimum of 10 businesses each quarter. Another requires data collection on the center, such as the number of business walk-ins, businesses assisted and business programs offered. While the previous agreement, which expired in June, required quarterly reports and annual performance metric goals, they were more loosely defined.
See CHAMBER, Page 21
Former U.S. spy relates her story during Cold War By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Author Martha “Marti” Peterson said she had to push for a “real” assignment in the CIA, one on par with her male counterparts. Speaking to a crowd of more than two dozen at Johns Creek Books Sept. 17, Peterson recalled it was the early ’70s, and she had just lost her husband John while they were on a tour in Laos. She wanted to do what he intended to do before his death — assess and recruit foreign spies who would give the U.S. government secrets from their country. “I was a piss poor secretary,” Peterson said. The 79-year-old Wilmington, North Carolina, resident was at the store promoting her autobiography “Widow Spy,” published in 2012. Peterson assured visitors that she ran the book
See PETERSON, Page 14
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Johns Creek Economic Development Director Kim Allonce introduces a new “binding” contract with the Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce at the Sept. 9 City Council work session. If approved, it would require the nonprofit to meet about a dozen performance standards, or face termination and lose out on its $20,000 annual check from the city.
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