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City Council advances Bell Road roundabout

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County polling changes may affect thousands

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KATIE ANDERSON/HERALD

DUTY, HONOR, COUNTRY

Retired U.S. Air Force Capt. Bill Robinson, the longest-held enlisted prisoner of war in American history, addresses a crowd at Newtown Park in Johns Creek Sept. 19 during a National POW/MIA Day ceremony. Hall’s helicopter was shot down by enemy fire in fall 1965. He spent the next seven and a half years in various prisoner of war camps in North Vietnam. Other Vietnam prisoners of war, seated from left, Kevin Cheney, Wayne Waddell and Ron Mastin, were featured at the ceremony. Read more, Page 6

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Fire reported in dumpster outside apartment complex JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Johns Creek police responded to a dumpster fire Sept. 17 outside the Avonlea on the River Apartments on State Bridge Road. According to a police report, a large dumpster in the apartment complex was engulfed in flames when an officer arrived on the scene. The officer tried to use a fire extinguisher to extinguish the blaze, but it didn’t work. Johns Creek fire crews arrived shortly afterward and extinguished the flames.

DUI & Drug arrests Trinidad Palma Salome, 38, of Peachtree Place Parkway, Atlanta, was arrested Sept. 21 on Haynes Bridge Road for DUI, improper driving and operating without lights required by law.

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Cauley Creek Park is due some $20 million in upgrades, thanks to a $3 million state grant and another $17 million in local bond funding.

Johns Creek Council approves long-awaited roundabout plans New traffic device will be installed at park entrance By KATIE ANDERSON newsroom@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — The Johns Creek City Council is moving forward with long-anticipated improvements to the Bell Road and Boles Road corridor. At it’s Sept. 21 meeting, the council approved $1.4 million in funding for a roundabout at Rogers Circle South and Bell Road near the entrance to the new Cauley Creek Park. Construction will be similar to the large roundabout at Bell and Boles roads with three legs. This project is fully funded through the local transportation sales tax, or TSPLOST, that the Council has previously budgeted for Bell and Boles roads corridor improvement. This project includes funding for filling in the gap of sidewalk and trail between a number of neighborhoods, Shakrag Elementary and River Trail Middle School. Fulton County has notified the city it will reimburse the cost for relocation of water facilities necessary to the project. “It’s definitely needed and something that the community has been waiting for, along with the park,” Councilman Brian Weaver said. “A lot of exciting things are happening so I’m looking forward to the future.” At an earlier Sept. 8 work session, Councilman Lenny Zaprowski questioned the 10 percent contingency consistently included on TSPLOST projects.

Mayor Mike Bodker said that the more relevant question is not if it’s included, but if the fund is actually being used. Zaprowski did vote in favor of the project on Sept. 21, but made sure his contingency concerns were still voiced. “I’m gonna approve this tonight because I know you’re gonna watch that contingency amount and keep it as low as possible,” Councilman Zaprowski said. Councilmembers Chris Coughlin and Stephanie Endres voted against the project because they had not voted in favor of the right-of-way acquisition. “I support the project, it’s a great project, but it would be a little hypocritical if I voted for one and not the other,” Coughlin said. The project groundbreaking is set for October, and construction is anticipated to last nine months. The council also discussed and approved a $751,000 contract with Yellowstone Landscaping for the 2021 fiscal year. The move comes after two years with Optech, but over the course of 2020, staff recommended finding a new contractor because they were not satisfied with Optech’s performance. “I don’t think there’s any reason to start this with anything other than a fresh start,” Councilman John Bradberry said. “I look forward to Yellowstone and what they’re going to do to make Johns Creek shine like they do in the other properties they manage.”

SCHOOLS

Fulton school buildings finally open for students

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | October 1, 2020 | 3

Alpharetta Alpharetta

Full return to in-person classes remains on track for Oct. 14 By CANDY WAYLOCK candy@appenmediagroup.com NORTH FULTON — Classrooms across the Fulton School System opened up Sept. 21, welcoming back thousands of students for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered school buildings in mid-March. The return was a gradual one in Phase 3 of a five-phase reopening, with groups of approximately 25 percent of students allowed in school for one day a week. Chief Academic Officer Cliff Jones said approximately 15,000 of the district’s 90,000 students returned to in-person learning the first day. Similarsized groups took turns each day the rest of the week, except for Wednesday. District leaders and school staff spent weeks developing a plan for a safe return to school, Jones said, and new protocols may be devised after lessons learned the first week. “With any first day, our schools reported learning a few things,” Jones said. “Schools tweaked their class change procedures to allow parts of the building less or more time for passing, and some schools adjusted their cafeteria procedures for Day 2 to allow more flexibility in seating. Students were divided into four groups and assigned a day to return to school. All students remained at home on Wednesday for remote learning. “Wednesdays are used for remote instruction in small groups [as well as] to clean and prepare the school for Thursday and Friday,” Jones explained. Teachers were challenged by the need to simultaneously teach students both in-person and remotely. Although in-class groups were small — as few as eight in some classrooms — teachers took to the district’s social media sites to express concerns about the long-term sustainability of the model. One teacher asked parents to be understanding, and “lift teachers up” instead of tearing down teachers on social media. Although teachers in some parts of

See SCHOOLS, Page 21

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4 | October 1, 2020 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

NEWS

County hopes to avoid election issues with polling changes By TIFFANY GRIFFITH newsroom@appenmediagroup.com FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Thousands of Fulton County voters will learn soon whether they will have to cast their ballots in a new location this November. Elections Officials have spent September reassigning polling places and allocating grant money ahead of this year’s presidential election. It’s an effort by leaders to run a problem-free process, while avoiding more national criticism. During a special meeting Sept. 4, it took six minutes for Elections Preparation Manager Nadine Williams to read every precinct the county was interested in changing. The list focused on more than one-third of the county’s 255 polling sites. Williams said the aim is to disperse voters among polling places to reduce crowding at any one location. “All these precinct changes are to decrease the number under 5,000,” Williams said. Williams said the action creates new polling sites for thousands of voters. Targeted precincts include Johns Creek Environmental Campus. The proposed alternative is Barnwell Elementary School, more than three miles away. In addition to the greater distance, Board Vice Chair Vernetta Keith Nuriddin asked Williams if she was mindful of accessibility. “I agree that we have to be complicit with the law,” Nuriddin said. “But we also have to work to make this process not harder for voters, but easier.” She said she wonders whether they have an obligation to voters, the handicapped and the elderly if they don’t have a car, to make a reasonable attempt to have polls they can actually get to with-

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Fulton County is increasing the number of polling sites to promote more social distancing. out walking 15 minutes. Nuriddin used the polling location at Childress Dr. SW and McMurray Dr. SW in Atlanta as an example where sidewalks are inadequate and there is no nearby MARTA bus stops. Chairwoman Mary Carole Cooney said, although they don’t have the strict requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, she believes a reasonable attempt to accommodate is key. County officials also had to walk away from several precincts because of COVID-19. Four of the five board members were in attendance for the special meeting. Dr. Kathleen Ruth was absent. Board members Cooney, Nuriddin, Aaron Johnson and Mark Wingate voted in favor of the changes. Notices are expected to arrive in voters’ mailboxes at least two weeks before

Election Day. Fulton County operated 164 precincts during the June Georgia Primary. Now, with nearly 100 more polling locations for November, a $6.3 million grant is being used to help run those sites efficiently. Fulton County Elections Director Richard Barron said they’ve reduced to four the number of polling locations with more than 5,000 people registered. Of the almost 7,000 people requesting to be poll workers, Barron said he expects the county will assign and train 2,900 for election staff this season. Workers will have to pass a more difficult test to make the cut. Staffing will include line managers and technicians to immediately address problems in the voting booth. Training was tailored to address issues experienced during the June Primary. And to prevent people

HERALD FILE PHOTO

from showing up at the wrong polling place, Barron said an assigned worker at each location will help to redirect them. “We are also going to be the first county in Georgia to unveil mobile voting units. These are essentially buses that have nine voting stations on them and two check-in stations,” Barron said. The mobile units will spend six days in each district during early voting and help with overflow at the busiest locations on Election Day. In addition, the county will debut an app to assist voters with absentee voting and access to the state’s My Voting Page. Early voting for the November General Election runs Oct. 12-30. To check your polling location for the Nov. 3 election, visit https://fultoncountyga.gov/ services/voting-and-elections/votingone-stop-shop.

Poverty group targets hurdles that stifle prosperity Some programs fail to follow population struggling to advance By MATT BRUCE newsroom@appenmediagroup.com METRO ATLANTA — The widening wealth gap creates a financial minefield for the unemployed and working poor fraught with economic pitfalls. And for many, the COVID-19 pandemic has only made those hurdles harder to overcome. A group of Fulton County advocates, non-profit stakeholders, faith-based and community leaders gathered for a virtual conference Sept. 24, seeking strategies

to put the county’s workforce on even footing after coronavirus. Financial vulnerability was the topic of discussion, and attendees sought solutions to create “workforce resilience” once the toll of the global outbreak dissipates. The event was organized by North Fulton Improvement Network, a coalition of leaders from all Fulton cities that focuses on helping the working poor and shedding light on “financial vulnerability” in the county. The group, formerly dubbed the North Fulton Poverty Task Force, re-branded itself after conducting a mail-in survey last year. According to the organization’s chairman Jack Murphy, the study showed that many people didn’t identify Fulton as a pocket of poverty despite the fact that about 29,000

residents in the county were living below the poverty line at the time. The Sept. 24 panel was the first in a series of monthly “fireside chats” the organization plans to host to find strategies to assist people living in financial vulnerability. Alex Ruder, a principal adviser for the Federal Reserve of Atlanta, gave a presentation on the outlook for the county’s workforce in the post-pandemic climate. Ruder said many of the institutions that the Fed is working with now are trying to gather data on the impact COVID-19 has had on families’ pocketbooks. They’re also studying to find opportunities to stabilize households now and in

See POVERTY, Page 20

NEWS

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | October 1, 2020 | 5

Cities head toward settlement with Fulton over relief aid Municipalities pass negotiated agreement with Fulton County By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com NORTH METRO ATLANTA, Ga. — Cities appear ready to settle their feud with Fulton County over $104 million in federal relief aid for expenses incurred due to COVID-19. The coalition of 13 cities is petitioning Fulton County for a greater share of the money it received back in March. The county originally offered to release $2.5 million, but after cities threatened suit, the offer has now been raised to $25 million. The money would be divvied up among the cities based on population. The funds are part of the $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act signed into law by President Trump in March. So far, about half the cities in the coalition have agreed to terms the county issued Sept. 21. Sandy Springs and Milton were set to discuss the offer this week.

The Roswell City Council met in special session Friday, agreeing to the terms, but not without Mayor Lori Henry blasting Fulton County’s attitude as “heavy-handed.” Henry said Fulton County’s current leadership has set relations with the cities back 15 years, erasing strides made by former Chairman John Eaves. One positive, she said, is that all the mayors in the coalition, plus the small city of Mountain Park, will be united in confronting Fulton County in any future disagreements. Roswell is expected to receive about $3.9 million in the disbursement. Johns Creek approved the document on Thursday. Mayor Mike Bodker said the final version of the agreement must still be ratified by Fulton commissioners because cities demanded adjustments to the dates the county set for submitting eligible expenses. He said quick negotiations with County Commission Chairman Robb Pitts assured him the county would allow expenses incurred from March through Dec. 15. The county’s original proposal allowed expenses through Nov. 15. Alpharetta approved the agreement at its regular City Council meeting Sept. 21. City Attorney Sam Thomas said the core elements seemed to satisfy most

The coalition of 13 cities is petitioning Fulton County for a greater share of the money it received back in March. municipal officials he’d heard from, but the original dates the county set for eligible expenses put the squeeze on all the cities. “They took a month away from us in terms of where we could spend this money,” Thomas said. “And we really need that money.” While Alpharetta accepted the terms amid some grumbling, the debate was more fevered in Johns Creek. Council members Stephanie Endres and Chris Coughlin said they did not want to see the money lingering in the city’s coffers. They sought assurances from their colleagues that the city’s anticipated allotment of $3.5 million would go primarily to those hurt most

by the government’s actions during the pandemic. Coughlin said he wants the money to go directly to the businesses damaged by government mandates issued during the height of the crisis. Endres agreed. “I can tell you that if we end up paying ourselves, after the tax increase we had, and we have all that excess capacity, I don’t want to support that,” she said. “If it gets back to those businesses that we directly injured, then I’ll support it.” Mayor Bodker said no one is interested in padding the city’s pockets, and he said Johns Creek’s actions to limit operations of certain businesses, like restaurants, were taken in response to state guidelines. He also pointed out that all expenses incurred since March by the Department of Public Safety are eligible for reimbursement through the CARES Act. Bodker said he wouldn’t be painted into a corner on a vote about whether or not to accept money from the county. The majority on the council agreed that the proper action right now is to accept the money, then work out details for how it can be distributed to local residents and businesses who suffered most during the pandemic.

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6 | October 1, 2020 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

COMMUNITY

Johns Creek veterans honor POWs and MIAs By KATIE ANDERSON newsroom@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — About three dozen people gathered in Newtown Park Sept. 19 for a ceremony in honor and recognition of America’s prisoners of war and those who are still missing in action. “We must never forget, freedom is not free. Someone has to pay for it,” Georgia Military Hall of Fame Inductee Roger Wise said. In 1979, President Jimmy Carter deemed the third Friday of every September National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame Director and Chairman Col. Rick White started planning the Johns Creek event after speaking with good friend Bill Robinson, the longest-held enlisted prisoner of war in American history. When White found out Robinson would be in Georgia for POW/MIA Recognition Day, he invited him to attend the Johns Creek ceremony. Three other Air Force POWs, Kevin Cheney, Wayne Waddell and Ron Mastin, shared their stories with veterans, family members and Johns Creek citizens. “The community of Johns Creek, I’m very proud to say, is a very patriotic city,” White said. “This is a Purple Heart city and we get their total support. We don’t normally have a ceremony for POW/MIA Day, so this is a big deal.” Johns Creek Newtown Park is home to the 4-acre Veterans Memorial Walk and the Wall That Heals. The walk features a trail with black, granite monuments recognizing each conflict involving American armed

KATIE ANDERSON/HERALD

Johns Creek Newtown Park is home to the 4-acre Veterans Memorial Walk and the Wall That Heals.

forces since World War I. It also includes special monuments to Purple Heart recipients and POW/MIAs and women in service. Johns Creek acquired The Wall That Heals, a 250foot replica of the Washington D.C. Vietnam Veterans Memorial, in March 2020. “Most Americans don’t realize that there are still 81,000 veterans unaccounted for who have served in wars all over the world,” said Mike Mizell, Johns Creek Veterans Association president. “That means there are

81,000 families out there who don’t know the status of that veteran or where they are. These are the few that sacrifice so much.” Kevin Cheney, a prisoner of war for nine months in Vietnam, recalled how he had been held with his college roommate’s father, a Colonel Guarino at the Hanoi Hilton. Cheney was able to use a tapping communication system to tell Guarino that his wife still had a photograph of the two of them hanging above the mantel in their home. The other men in Guarino’s cell told Cheney that his message brought the colonel hope. “Being single and shot down, not fun,” Cheney said. “But that one moment, being able to do that for Colonel Guarino, made it worthwhile.” Ron Mastin, a prisoner of war for six years and one month, shared the three things that kept him going during his first months in captivity. He relied on communications with other prisoners through their tapping code, setting goals or plans for the next day and the strength of his own character to endure the punishment. While progress has been made in finding those who are still missing in action in Vietnam, Robinson said it is the citizen’s responsibility to help bring them home. Robinson explained that they are running out of time to find those who are still missing in action because of the acidic soil in Vietnam. “It is our responsibility to keep pressure on our elected officials to make sure that they are never forgotten,” Robinson said. “In this great land of ours, some people dream the dream, some live the dream and the armed forces defend that dream.”

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COMMUNITY

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | October 1, 2020 | 7

Appen Podcast Network launches ‘Hustle’ By ADAM DARBY adam@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The Appen Podcast Network recently launched their new show “Hustle,” with its premiere episode on Aug. 24. The podcast, co-hosted by Donna Choate and Bill Rawlings, focuses on ordinary people who overcome difficulty and hardship to accomplish significant things. With their first three episodes currently available, the two are always looking to speak with inspirational guests with big stories to tell. “They are from all walks of life, different ages, and backgrounds,” Choate said. “Bill and I loved the idea that hustle and grit can lead to success in the same way that education and opportunities do… It is fascinating to find out how people use challenges to propel themselves forward as opposed to having it define them in a negative way.” Choate is no stranger to podcasts. She also serves as the co-host of “My Second Act” with her husband, wellknown Atlanta broadcast personality Cadillac Jack. Rawlings serves as both an executive strategist and the senior vice president for Atlanta Fine Homes

Listen to the podcast To find the show, search “Hustle” in the Apple podcast store or wherever you download your podcasts. Sotheby’s International Realty. The show came to fruition while the two were eating dinner together. Choate initially came up with the show’s title and premise before recruiting Rawlings to join her as co-host. Rawlings said it was then when the real brainstorming began, and they discussed guest and concept ideas. However, they both wanted to ensure that everything covered in each episode was completely natural in a way that goes beyond a straightforward interview. “What makes ‘Hustle’ unique is that we have many unknown guests sharing their stories, and we do so through the means of a conversation as opposed to a direct Q&A,” Rawlings said. “Listeners

will be able to escape from their daily trials and tribulations to hopefully put their challenges in perspective.” Choate and Rawlings shake things up with each episode by featuring guests who are either famous or unknown. In their most recent episode, they spoke with Aidan Anderson, a teenager who hosts inspirational TED Talks of his own. Listeners can also look forward to upcoming episodes featuring discussions with Brian Brasher, founder of the rock band Creed, and reality television star Todd Chrisley of “Chrisley Knows Best.” “We have some fascinating people coming up on the podcast,” Choate said. “Our hope with each episode is that listeners find something in each episode that speaks to them. Many people are experiencing challenges during this time period. We believe that the people we interview will give direction and hope to anyone that needs a reboot…” “Hustle” aims to inspire and engage listeners with unforgettable stories from fascinating people. With the world still experiencing a global pandemic, there couldn’t be a better time. “Hustle” is currently available on all podcast platforms.

Milton resident Donna Choate is teaming with Cumming resident Bill Rawlings to present “Hustle,” a new Appen podcast that focuses on ordinary people who overcome hardship to make significant contributions to the community. Choate also serves as the co-host of “My Second Act” with her husband, broadcast personality Cadillac Jack. Rawlings serves as both an executive strategist and the senior vice president for Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty.

I think the ones that will make it through this will have a lot of pent up energy and ideas, and they’ll think of new ways to do business. WHITNEY BRYANT, chairwoman, Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce 8 | Johns Creek Herald | October 1, 2020

SHE-CESSION PART 3

Recession presents big challenges for female-led small businesses By TIFFANY GRIFFITH newsroom@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Johns Creek business owner Shellie Dimery Noisette represents many of the issues that have defined 2020. The Black Lives Matter demonstrations were a reminder of her multicultural heritage. Her years of traveling the world as a Marine gave her early warning about the coronavirus. And her efforts to keep the doors open at Twisted Spokes Bicycles during a recession, repeated the challenges of being a female entrepreneur. “I think it would be more difficult if I didn’t have men that looked to be the face of my business,” said Noisette, even though she’s the majority owner and can fix bikes worth thousands of dollars. She had to ask potential customers to leave her store after they refused to wear masks. The coronavirus also affected sales, with bikes and necessary parts stalled in China and Taiwan. Twisted Spokes Bicycles is among the 12.3 million women-owned businesses in the United States, according to Fundera, a business funding matchmaker. Data shows America’s female entrepreneurs generate $1.8 trillion in revenue and employ approximately nine million people across the country. Women run 40 percent of all U.S. businesses, and the coronavirus recession has some local female business owners on edge. Noisette said surviving the coronavirus recession is why women in business

should be taken more seriously. “As women, being business owners, it allows men to see us in a light that we’re not in the backseat. We’re right there on par,” Noisette said. “And sometimes, more than a few steps in front of them.” Cory Holtz, owner of Holtz Creative in Johns Creek, says running a company and being there for your family was difficult enough before the pandemic. “To juggle regular business is hard, but I think a pandemic on top of that is even harder,” Holtz said. “Because you have to double your efforts to stay relevant and stay in business. The competition is a little harder.” Holtz said now is the time for female entrepreneurs to get a good business plan in place to market their services and generate more revenue. “They need to know who their target market is, who they want to reach out to, and they need to be very clear with their message,” she said. “That can be tricky with what is happening during the pandemic. A lot of companies are hitting the same keywords and using the same graphics.” Bonnie Mauldin with The Mauldin Group in Roswell said female entrepreneurs need to refocus on self-care and find support among each other. “Once women learn to support each other, and help each other with these things, we’ll have more time to focus on growing our businesses and careers,” Mauldin said. Many of these women said they know other female entrepreneurs who had to walk away from their businesses during the recession.

TIFFANY GRIFFITH/HERALD

Johns Creek business owner Shellie Dimery Noisette of Twisted Spokes Bicycles represents many of the issues that have defined 2020. Start:Me helps build and grow small businesses in the Atlanta area. Program Associate Alina Bills shared the program’s recent survey, detailing some of the tough circumstances local small businesses face because of COVID-19. “Seventy percent are cutting hours or closing operations, 76 percent saw a significant drop in sales, 67 percent required significant emergency funding,” Bills said. Going out of business can have a ripple effect. Bills said, although most female small businesses run on fewer than 10 people, operations help keep 500 related workers employed. Each woman expressed a need for more investment in woman-owned businesses. Some argued the small business loans offered by the government only helped in a limited way. However, Bills has seen a shift this year. “Access to capital is something our

entrepreneurs always struggle with,” Bills said. “More loans and grants for women and minority-owned businesses have come out within the last year.” Bills suggests business owners connect with Startup Atlanta and look into the Russell Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship for further assistance. Whitney Bryant, chair of the all-female led Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce. Recommends employers reach out to their local chamber for funding, resources and support. She also took an optimistic view of female entrepreneurs post-coronavirus recession. “I think we’ll come roaring out of the gate,” she said. “Of course, there will be some that won’t survive. I worry about a lot of different businesses. But I think the ones that will make it through this will have a lot of pent up energy and ideas, and they’ll think of new ways to do business.”

LEADERSHIP NORTH FULTON ANNOUNCES CLASS of 2021 The Greater North Fulton Chamber is excited to announce the NEW Leadership North Fulton Class of 2020-2021. Leaders are often created during times of uncertainty, and the newly selected members of this year’s class have accepted that challenge. Learn more about the Chamber’s leadership programs at www.gnfcc.com and join us in congratulating the following leaders! Alex Battle Spencer Benfield Charlie Brown Erin Carper Katie Carr Jordan Corbitt Cynthia Douglas

North Fulton CID Choate Loyal Trust Bank Carper Wealth Management State Farm Kimley Horn Taylor Morrison

Jeff Dorris Scotty Duncan Stephanie Johnson Sandy Jones Kiran Fatania Tori Kerlin Dequies Lanier

Mauldin & Jenkins Andersen Tate & Carr The Cottage School Artisan Financial Strategies City of Roswell Greater North Fulton Chamber Troy University

BJ Martin Jalpa Patel Nicky Rudd Felix Soto Sean Spitzer Vinay Uchil Jason Wells

Pond Georgia Power Morgan Stanley Wellstar North Fulton Smith & Howard Jacobs Kaiser Permanente

www.gnfcc.com

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The 3 most important factors that will affect the sale of your home Brought to you by — Rhonda Haran Trusted Advisor, Ansley Atlanta Real Estate In any market, the three most important factors that affect the sale of every home are PRICE, CONDITION, and MARHARAN KETING. Understanding how you can fully leverage all three factors is to the key to a successful sale. CONDITION – There are many things that fall under “condition”. First, there are general maintenance items. Making sure the landscaping is fresh, the front entrance is appealing, and that all home repairs are addressed prior to putting the house on the market can mean the difference between a quick sale and waiting months for a buyer. Sometimes a fresh coat of paint is the winning difference! A little bit of sweat equity on the front end can mean more

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14 | October 1, 2020 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section

A summer of success Brought to you by — Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties overcomes adversity to achieve a record-breaking summer. As we head into the fall season, we close the chapter on what might go down as one of the most unique summers in our nation’s history. From the spread of COVID-19 to social unrest and everything in between, there is no doubt that 2020 will not soon be forgotten. One of the things that drastically changed throughout this year, is how companies have been forced to re-evaluate their business plans and transition into a different way of conducting dayto-day operations. In an industry like real estate, which is heavily dependent on face-to-face relationships, these times have been challenging, however, one real estate brokerage has found ways to stand out as a leader in innovation and success. Led by President and CEO, Dan Forsman, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties announced that the company had the best summer ever in terms of sales in the history of

its existence, despite the unprecedented challenges that continue to arise. “Our entire team came together and committed to not let the pandemic define this year’s success,” said Dan Forsman, President and CEO Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties. “Instead, we all rose above adversity and achieved an amazing accomplishment of over $500 million in sales in just one month. We stepped up to the challenge and beat our company record for the best month ever in our organization’s history. I am so fortunate to be surrounded by the best sales and marketing talent in the industry.” “A home is something that is more important than ever in this day and age,” said President and CEO, Dan Forsman. “It’s a place of security and stability, and it’s our job as Realtors to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to have a place to call home, no matter what is happening in the world around us.” Historically low interest rates continue to make this a prime time to buy, sell or refinance. With COVID-19 stay at home restrictions loosened, it appears that both buyers and sellers are taking advantage of Atlanta’s strong housing market.

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Johns Creek Herald Delivers to 20,000 households every Thursday Zip Codes: 30022, 30097. Johns Creek’s primary news source. Est. 1997. Johns Creek’s paper of record. Milton Herald Delivers to 10,000 households every Thursday Zip Code: 30004. Community news for and about the City of Milton. Est. 2006. Milton’s paper of record.

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16 | October 1, 2020 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section

How to make your home office space a selling point Brought to you by – BILL RAWLINGS Senior Vice President & Managing Broker, North Atlanta Office Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty As more employees have adjusted to working RAWLINGS from home, the demand for office space within the home has increased exponentially. According to a REALTOR.com® survey, 63% of respondents plan on buying a new home given they must work remotely. Additionally, listings with a home office sell nine days faster at a 3.4% price premium compared to homes without a home office on average. 1. Be mindful when converting rooms Although the demand for home offices

has increased greatly, the number of bedrooms is still more important to buyers, according to real estate professionals. Potential buyers could overlook your property if one of the bedrooms only works as a home office. Rather, focus on creating dual-purpose spaces by potentially adding a combination guest room and office, filling a space with a freestanding desk or maximizing closet space. 2. Pick somewhere quiet Having an office in the central part of the home is not practical for a quiet, productive home office area. It’s best to choose a spacious room situated far from main living spaces like the kitchen, living room and dining room. Doing so will allow an environment conducive to work efficiency.

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NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | October 1, 2020 | 17

Office: Continued from Page 16 3. Transform unused areas This is an opportunity to get creative! By identifying underused attributes of your home, you could transform a finished basement, area under the staircase or dead space upstairs into an ideal work-from-home spot. If you have no other option than to set up an office in the main area of the home, be sure to separate it by a curtain, folding screen or partition wall. 4. Showcase technological capabilities Buyers want to know the true functionality of a home office space. High-demand details include a multitude of outlets, cord-minimization options and locations for wall-mounted routers. Also, the quality of Wi-Fi is critical! Be sure to advertise access to dependable, speedy internet, if possible.

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5. Stage your home office well Like any other room, staging is crucial for buyers to envision themselves living in your home. Begin with a clean, clutter-free space, then invest in trendy, functional office storage and furniture. To prevent monotony, add pops of colors through rugs, décor, houseplants, curtains and more! Get to work creating your perfect home office space! Not only will you enjoy having an ideal work-fromhome area, but you will also appeal to a specific buyer demand given the current global environment. If you need assistance creating your home office, please contact Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty at 770.442.7300. We would be happy to help! Compiled and edited by Holly Haynes, Marketing Coordinator

WANT MORE? FOLLOW US ON facebook.com/JohnsCreekHerald

AtlantaFineHomes.com | 770.442.7300 Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. All rights reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty® and the Sotheby’s International Realty Logo are service marks licensed to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC Atlanta Fine Homes, LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each franchise is independently owned and operated. and used with permission. Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each franchise is independently owned and operated.

18 | October 1, 2020 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

A glimpse into the future of the future My PhD biologist friend told me a while back that being in this pandemic is like sitting in the stands at a ball game, except that instead of watching the competition, we are watching natural selection, live RAY APPEN before our eyes — the Publisher Emeritus ray@appenmediagroup.com future of the future as we see and observe it. My world-wise accordion-playing, half-time Dog Island resident and halftime Vermont, Boston and Cape Bretton resident, dear friend Virginia, who has seen maybe too much in her around 80 years, swears that we are done for and are just preparing the earth for our progeny — bacteria. And she is really adamant about that. Maybe those “macro” concerns are accurate and maybe they are not. What real changes in our daily lives can we expect in the future? Let’s look at just one

OPINION

important area of probable permanent change — education. Forward a couple years. It’s early 2023. The vaccines have finally begun to have a widespread impact, and students have started returning to campus. By the end of 2024 however, there has been an increase in brand new online-only universities — fully accredited — as well as a near-complete conversion of a small number of well-known, established institutions — outliers. Even though these changes are on their radar, the majority of colleges and universities have settled back into the status quo — in-person classes, large numbers of employees, sports-generated funding, burdensome brick and mortar fixed expenses, extremely expensive tuition and “the college experience.” By 2024, enrollment in the primarily online universities has begun to accelerate. These early-to-market pioneers have started to realize the benefits of their competitive advantages over the traditional education model, including the ability to eliminate geography from the education model. That is, the online model is beginning to allow these outlier universities to have a nationwide and worldwide student body with enrollments many times greater than any traditional-model university. Low tuition, convenience, and the same accreditation as the traditional institutions drives enrollment and proves

unstoppable. Rapidly, the price of tuition at the well-known universities that have converted primarily to the online-only model has dropped to a fraction of the average cost of the traditional-model universities. The operating costs at these onlineonly universities begins to drop precipitously. One professor is able to teach thousands of students instead of hundreds. These universities also quickly realized that their portfolio of brick and mortar, all the real estate formerly associated with their cost of operation — classrooms, dorms, maintenance facilities and stadiums — as well as costs for maintenance, insurance, property taxes and energy can be eliminated. And it is. Tuition continues to decrease and never reverses. The traditional-model institutions cling to their model. They cling to the sports revenue. They are convinced that “the university experience” is too important to their “customers” — us. They make only incremental change. Meanwhile, the number of students enrolled at the new model institutions keeps accelerating. Hedge funds discover the incredible margins in online educations and jump into the game, fully funding new universities and acquiring a number of Ivy League schools which have begun to fail. The new online-only universities begin to pay seven figure salaries for the best, most famous, most skilled professors to teach

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their classes. Increasingly, fewer and fewer professors are required, but those who do teach — the marquee professors — get rich, just like football coaches. In late 2027, professors begin to write case studies about the evolution of education post-pandemic. They quickly realize that they have seen this before — with the newspaper industry. The core facts are almost identical. By 2028, consolidation of education institutions has begun the final phase — worldwide. Tuition costs are now miniscule compared to pre-pandemic. College sports is no longer directly associated with specific geographic-based institutions because there are none. The value of a college education has plunged because the supply of college-educated people has multiplied, and most work is now performed by educated workers in developing countries. In early 2029, Mark Zuckerberg announces that Facebook will fund all education worldwide. Education will become free. Apple’s CEO and Google’s CEO team up to try to stop Zuckerberg but are unsuccessful. Zuckerberg has too much political power. Almost all education becomes free with the exception of a few elite private institutions in Switzerland for a small number of ultrarich families. So, what’s in it for Zuckerberg? Why would Facebook pay for the world’s education? The data, of course.

SCHOOLS

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | October 1, 2020 | 19

Innovation Academy in final stages of opening School district announces registration starts Oct. 15 By CANDY WAYLOCK candy@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA — Walls are up, furnishings arriving and finishing touches are evident as the Innovation Academy in downtown Alpharetta awaits the final piece of the picture: students. After years of planning and design, the science, technology, engineering and math magnet school will open registration Oct. 15 for its first class of 9th and 10th graders in August 2021. The sprawling campus is on the site where old Milton High School stood for more than 80 years. Innovation Academy is a non-traditional high school and guides students to one of three career pathways — healthcare, information technology and engineering. Principal Tum Duncan says the focus is on practical knowledge for a career immediately after high school, or as a foundation for further education in college. “In addition to the core curriculum, Innovation Academy is a school that provides an educational experience that will push students to be creators and problem-solvers for a continuously changing world,” Duncan said. The school is open to all students in North Fulton. A sister school, Global Impact Academy, also opens in August 2021 in South Fulton offering a similar tech-centered education. The planning for Innovation Academy goes back several years, and the school was originally scheduled to open last month. However, Fulton School officials opted to open both STEM high schools at the same time to better integrate curriculum and develop community partnerships. The decision to delay proved fortuitous. COVID-19 upended the education system and caused delays in construction that may have impacted an earlier opening. In a tour of the nearly complete school last week, Duncan pointed out elements of Innovation Academy that make the school unique. Features include “maker labs” with advanced technology, a surgical suite, ambulance prototypes and learning hubs for selfdirected activities. While much of the furniture, equipment and student resources are still waiting on construction to cease, Duncan clearly sees the vision. “I want this school to look like a science fair every day,” said Duncan, who served as principal at Chattahoochee High School for more than a decade. “The [students’] project will define the school.”

The new Innovation Academy features an industrial, open concept design that fosters collaboration. PHOTOS BY CANDY WAYLOCK/HERALD

Application information Two virtual information sessions are scheduled for Sept. 29 and Oct. 13 at 6 p.m. for students/parents wanting to know more about the Innovation Academy. Applications for admission opens on Oct. 15 and are due by Dec. 15. A lottery will be held if applications exceed available space. Students zoned for high schools in North Fulton are eligible to attend Innovation Academy. Bus transportation is available between the student’s home school to Innovation Academy. For more information visit www. fultonschools.org/innovationacademy He walked through an open courtyard between buildings and said he wants this to the “messy space” for students to turn ideas into reality. Do the students want a ping pong table? Then they can build one, Duncan said, laughing.

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Principal Tim Duncan stands at the entrance during a special tour of the new school last week. “I want this space to be their space,” Duncan said. “It’s an outside design lab where they can create and fulfill their ideas.” The school will meet all Georgia high school requirements for graduation but will focus primarily on “design thinking” to understand the roots of a problem to be solved and innovative ways to solve it. Teachers will work as collaborators, Duncan explained, to not simply provide answers but work alongside students. The goal is to understand and define the problem, then work to find innovative solutions by building prototypes, testing theories and arriving at outcomes. There is not a “typical’ student for Innovation Academy other than a desire to learn in creative ways, he said. “Students are going to get a lot more

Career pathways and areas of study • Healthcare – Biotechnology, nursing, surgical tech, EMT, health information tech • Information Technology – Computer science, game design, networking, Internet of Things, cybersecurity • Engineering – Engineering and technology, mechatronics exposure [to their interests], and by the time they graduate they are narrowing down their career options,” Duncan said. “They are going to make a much better decision about their future.” CDAR Member SWIFT Code: GMCBUS3A

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20 | October 1, 2020 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

State lifts summer burn ban for North Georgia NORTH METRO ATLANTA, Ga. — Georgia’s annual ban on outdoor burning will ended Sept. 30 in 54 counties, primarily in the northern half of the state. From May 1 through the end of September, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division mandates the restrictions to protect air quality from emissions that may increase ground level ozone. “Our first concern is always safety,” said Georgia Forestry Commission Protection Chief Frank Sorrells. “Recent rainfall from tropical storms have provided sufficient moisture in some parts of the state to lower the overall fire danger, however there are some pockets of dryness in the northwest part of

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the state and in the greater Savannah area.” The 54 counties whose burn bans were lifted on Oct. 1 include Forsyth, Fulton, Hall, Cobb and Gwinnett. Sorrells said the leading cause of wildfire in Georgia is debris burning that gets out of control. In addition to a permit, burners should take extra precautions by clearing flammable material and vegetation from around the fire area, and have a shovel, water and cell phone on hand. Never leave a fire unattended. For specific information about current fire conditions in your area, permitting and safe burning practices, contact your county’s GFC office or visit GaTrees.org. For specific information about Forsyth County burning restrictions, call 770-387-4900. Fulton County residents can call 404-362-2671.

Poverty: Continued from Page 4 the near future. Ruder said one key to finding those answers will come from looking at safety net programs like SNAP, TANF and Medicaid. He demonstrated that point through the story of a fictional woman named Leia, a 25-year-old single mother raising two young children in Atlanta. In his hypothetical scenario, Leia works as a full-time food-service worker earning a $9 hourly wage and receives public assistance and tax credits to help support her family. Ruder walked through the career path Leia could take to mobilize from her dead-end, low-wage job to a higher paying nursing career, where she’d likely earn more than $45,000. In his scenario, as Leia progresses through her early career and her pay increases, she gradually becomes ineligible for many public assistance benefits. As a result, her overall financial picture actually worsens or remains stagnant for several years at the front end of her climb up the ladder, according to his model. Ruder said support programs need to take those factors into account instead of simply using wage as the litmus test for career planning. He suggested a

more comprehensive “holistic” selfsufficiency model that incorporates the burdens struggling workers could face in the early years as they strive toward upward mobility. “The takeaway from this is that career advancement is a clear payoff,” he said. “But what we like to point out is that this is going to mask some of the challenges of what’s going to happen when Leia loses her public assistance... And at the same time, it doesn’t think about the financial vulnerability that Leia would be in as she climbs up this career path and struggles to pay basic expenses.” Often, he said, overcoming these short-term barriers and thinking about how to mitigate them so workers can advance is the key to long-term gains. Nesha Mason moderated the discussion. Mason is executive director of The Drake House, a Roswell shelter for homeless mothers and their children. She conceded that her organization still looks at the problem through the lens of the old model, but recognized that earning potential is a large part of understanding the full scope of economic instability. “I think in our work that we do at the Drake House, we work with Leia’s every day,” she said. “And I think what you have illustrated in the study that you’ve done are examples of the families that we serve on a regular basis.”

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Schools:

Five physicians added to Northside Hospital network

Continued from Page 3 the district staged a small walkout earlier in the month to protest the return to face-to-face instruction, no disruptions were reported last week. “Overall, the staff is very supportive of our slow and cautious return to face to face,” Jones said. “The district did not experience a high rate of absenteeism on Monday.” If health data continues to show a downward trend in case numbers of COVID, students will return to schools for two full days beginning Oct. 5, with a full return to school on Oct. 14. Students can opt to continue remote instruction through the end of the semester. “We are very pleased with the downward trend across the county.” Jones said. “We continue to plan for a return to face to face…[and] will continue to communicate with parents.” Solution I N S E T

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NORTH METRO ATLANTA, Ga. — Five new physicians have joined the Northside Hospital network in Cumming, Alpharetta and Sandy Springs. Dr. Harpaul “Paul” S. Gill joins Atlanta Cancer Care in Alpharetta and Cumming. A hematologist and medical oncologist, Gill specializes in treating patients with lung cancer, melanoma, genitourinary cancer, lymphoma and benign hematology. Through his fellowship training, he had the opportunity to serve a broad patient population and gain valuable experience in treating both the medical aspects of cancer care as well as the social and psychological aspects. Dr. Beverly Schuler has joined Laureate Medical Group in Alpharetta and Cumming. Schuler is a board-certified physician in internal medicine, and she offers a wide range of services, including preventive healthcare, women’s health, acute care and chronic disease management. She earned her Doctor of Osteopathic

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Medicine Degree from the Georgia Campus of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Her residency was completed at Michigan State University, where she was the hospital chief resident. She also completed a fellowship at the American College of Osteopathic Internists. Dr. Schuler embraces the osteopathic philosophy and emphasizes the importance of how lifestyle contributes to each patient’s health. Dr. Brandon Naylor has joined Arthritis and Total Joint Specialists in Alpharetta and Cumming. An orthopedic surgeon, Naylor trained at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, and he has expertise spanning complex hip and knee reconstruction, orthopedic trauma and sports medicine, including ACL reconstruction. Vascular Surgery has welcomed Dr. Thomas C. Matthews to its Cumming location. A board-certified vascular surgeon with extensive experience in complex aortic reconstruction/open aortic surgery, Matthews is a Connolly Castle Top Doc. He has performed more than 2,000 vascular surgical cases within an academic setting and has been engaged in

private practice for the past four years. He has also been involved in providing post-graduate education to medical students, resident physicians and fellows. Dr. Samuel E. Victoria, Jr. also is joining Northside Vascular Surgery at the practice’s Sandy Springs and East Cobb locations. Victoria is a vascular surgeon who specializes in limb salvage, pedal access, hemodialysis access, venous disease, and minimally invasive cutting-edge procedures.

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