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Raffensperger returns to Johns Creek roots in gubernatorial bid By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger stopped by the Rotary Club of Johns Creek-North Fulton Sept. 24 to speak with the community that first elected him to public office. Raffensperger has announced his run for governor, setting up a competition next fall between high-ranking Republicans Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and Attorney General Chris Carr. Other candidates have announced but that’s the Big Three. Raffensperger touted his efforts to make Georgia’s election process more secure, reforms to professional licensing services and initiatives to attract advanced manufacturing. The secretary of state registers voters, tracks annual corporate filings, grants professional licenses, and oversees the state’s securities’ market. He cited his efforts to build bipartisan trust in Georgia elections, reduce backlogs in professional licensing and hold bad actors accountable for financial misconduct.
See CAMPAIGN, Page 29
HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger displays his grandson’s artwork, titled “A person of integrity is …,” during a Sept. 24 campaign stop at the Rotary Club of Johns Creek-North Fulton. Raffensperger spoke to a group of some 50 people at Johns Creek Methodist Church about his priorities in his bid for governor.
Residents rally against zoning for coffee shop By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Residents rallied behind a locally owned emissions testing center after plans were announced to replace it with a chain coffee shop. At a Sept. 22 Johns Creek City Council meeting, numerous residents spoke out
against a proposal to build a Dutch Bros location. The drive-thru shop was proposed for the Rivermont Station shopping mall at Holcomb Bridge Road and Nesbit Ferry Road in the Newtown area. Residents said they opposed bringing the Dutch Bros to the area because it would threaten Buffalo Emissions, which opened in 2009. Council members unani-
mously denied a zoning request brought forward by property owner Rivermont Station. The 950-square-foot Dutch Bros was proposed to feature a covered outdoor patio, pickup window and two drive-thru lanes. Rivermont Station planned to demolish the emissions station and an ATM to make way for the coffee shop.
Residents who spoke during the meeting said they had no desire to see the longtime, locally owned business replaced by a national chain. Others said they had concerns about how the shop might increase traffic and affect the community’s character.
See ZONING, Page 26