Milton Herald - August 14, 2025

Milton moves forward with tax reduction

By SARAH COYNE sarah@appenmedia.com

MILTON, Ga. — Milton officials were set this week to formally adopt a property tax rate of 4.193 mills, a 4 percent decrease from last year.

At the first two public hearings held Aug. 4, the City Council outlined plans to adopt the lower rate, which is expected to shave about $68 from the local tax bill of a person who owns a $900,000 home.

The savings is based on the lower millage rate, local homestead exemptions and whether the home has gained no significant value over the past year.

A final vote to set the levy was set for Aug. 11.

Deputy City Manager Bernadette Harvill presented details on the tentative property tax rate, as well as tips for residents on how to calculate the rate’s impact.

One mill generates $1 per $1,000 of an assessed property’s value, which is equal to 40 percent of its fair market value.

“Property taxes are calculated by multiplying that millage rate by the assessor taxable value which has been adjusted for any exemptions that you may have,” Harvill said.

See MILTON, Page 25

Fulton

Commissioner

Ivory said she will continue to push for a rate increase.

Fulton County keeps tax rate at current level

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com

ATLANTA — The Fulton County Board of Commissioners voted 6-1 to keep the property tax rate flat at 8.87 mills Aug. 6 after hours of strong debate.

County officials estimate the adopted rate will yield general fund revenue totaling $930 million in 2025. That’s up from an estimate of $915 million at the end of January.

staff handles the budget process.

Residents — both homeowners and renters — sent thousands of emails to commissioners and spent hours explaining their opposition during public comment this summer at Fulton County Assembly Hall.

The actual revenue taken in during 2024 is around $879 million. There was no discussion of adopting a rate lower than last year.

The funding conversation bled into a discussion about Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat, the federal government’s consent decree and how county

During public comments Aug. 6, no one spoke in favor of a proposed tax hike. During hundreds of public comments in July, one former county official advocated for a small increase of around half a mill.

Before the final public hearing and vote, county staff presented a mid-year budget review projecting $15 million more in revenue and $54 million less in expenses than anticipated in the fiscal year 2025 budget.

See TAX, Page 24

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POLICE BLOTTER

All crime reports published by Appen Media Group are compiled from public records. Neither the law enforcement agencies nor Appen Media Group implies any guilt by publishing these names. None of the persons listed has been convicted of the alleged crimes.

Man reports items stolen from house under work

MILTON, Ga. — A Milton man called police July 29 after realizing several items were stolen from his home.

The man told police that he hired a painting company to work at his home between June 1 and July 28. After having several issues with the company, the man decided to stop using their services.

He stated that he was missing his $400 black Oakley sunglasses and $300 Apple AirPods. He told police that he has not contacted the company about the issue but found that his AirPods were located in Roswell.

— Sarah Coyne

Resident finds his license plate stolen

MILTON, Ga. — A Milton resident found his license plate missing from his motorcycle Aug. 1.

The man stated that he parked his motorcycle at his Deerfield Village apartment and left it for the month, since he was moving to a new apartment in Alpharetta. The man said that he believes his license plate was stolen due to screws being removed.

He stated that he did not wish to press charges. The license plate was entered into the Georgia Crime Information Center and National Crime Information Center.

— Sarah Coyne

Woman loses 2 iPhones while grocery shopping

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A 56-year-old Alpharetta woman reported two phones

were stolen while she shopped at a grocery store on Old Milton Parkway July 25.

Alpharetta police said officers were dispatched to the business about 5:30 p.m.

The woman said she noticed her phones were missing after leaving them on a produce stand while looking at some fruit.

Officers spoke with the store manager, who provided security camera footage of the produce section. The video showed a woman wearing a black dress with a small tattoo on her forearm picking up the phones.

The suspect left the store about 10 minutes after the theft, police said.

Both phones are black Apple iPhone 16 Maxes. The Alpharetta woman said one is her personal phone and the other is a work phone.

The phones are valued at $2,000 each.

The store manager said no cameras are located in the parking lot, preventing officers from obtaining information about the suspect’s vehicle.

The incident was classified as a felony theft by taking greater than $1,500.

— Jon Wilcox

Police cite female driver for felony drug possession

ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell Police arrested a 26-year-old Lawrenceville woman July 27 after a traffic stop allegedly turned up more than 4 ounces of marijuana and just under $1,000 in cash.

Officers eventually charged the woman with open container, erratic lane change and felony possession of a Schedule I controlled substance with intent to distribute.

An officer said he spotted the suspect’s vehicle, a black Infiniti Q50, crossing over marked lines in an eastbound lane at Holcomb Bridge and Barnwell roads. After the officer

performed a traffic stop, he melled marijuana coming from the vehicle.

According to the report, the driver eventually admitted to smoking in the vehicle earlier that day and told them “whatever is in the car is on me.”

During a search of the car, officers said they found 135 grams of marijuana in individual packages, 23 THC oil cartridges, vape pens, 940 in cash and a small weight scale.

The passenger of the Infiniti, a 23-year-old Norcross man, said he was unaware of anything illegal inside his friend’s vehicle.

The driver was then transported to the Fulton County Jail. She was released on a $1,500 bond July 27.

— Hayden Sumlin

Women flee from store after attempted theft

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — An attempted shoplifting of almost $1,200 of perfume was reported at a North Point Mall department store July 25.

Alpharetta police said officers were dispatched to the store to investigate the reported theft.

A 28-year-old loss prevention detective working for the store told officers three women concealed perfume gift boxes in different areas of the store, police said.

About 2 p.m., two of the women were spotted picking up the sets, then bringing them to the third woman who concealed them inside a large white bag, police said.

The loss prevention detective and another employee confronted the women, who dropped the merchandise and fled, police said.

The items include various Marc Jacobs, Jimmy Choo and Coach perfumes.

The incident was classified as a felony theft by shoplifting more than $500.

— Jon Wilcox

THE PICTURE FRAMER

MAYOR JAMISON IS DELIVERING RESULTS FOR MILTON’S FUTURE

Preserving Milton’s character

Supported the citizen-drafted Comprehensive Land Use Plan and never extended sewer

Created a Hwy 9 and Deerfield design manual, laying the foundation for proper development in this key corridor

Pushed developers to build larger lots (3 acres or more)

Managing your tax dollars effectively

Reduced the millage rate by over 11%

Taken on no new debt

Prioritizing public safety

Fully staffed police and fire departments

Introduced Milton officers into the school liaison program

Championing parks and greenspace

Delivered our new active park to our most densely populated area

Doubled the size of Providence Park

Protected Birmingham Park forever from future development

Qualifying is Aug. 18-22 for municipal elections

By CARL APPEN carl@appenmedia.com

NORTH METRO ATLANTA — The window for residents wishing to seek public office to file paperwork and pay a fee to officially enter the race opens Aug. 18.

While the state prescribes a general date window for qualification, cities determine days times, costs and eligibility standards.

The requirements differ slightly from city to city. Generally, candidates must be at least 18 years of age, have lived in the commission or council district for at least one year before qualifying, and be a qualified elector. For seats that represent specific districts, candidates must live in the district they seek to represent.

Here are the seats up for election in Fulton County cities we cover and their qualifying details:

• Milton mayor and three Post 1 seats on the City Council.

- Qualifying for these races will be Aug. 18 to 22, from 8:30 a.m. to Noon and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

- The qualifying fee is $894 for mayor, and is $594 for council seats.

- For more information, visit www. miltonga.gov/government/elections/ qualifying-period/

• Dunwoody City Council Post 1 (District 1), Post 2 (District 2) and Post 3 (District 3).

- Qualifying for these races will be Aug. 18 to 20, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

- The qualifying fee is $360.

- For more information, visit www. dunwoodyga.gov/government/voterinformation/general-election-information

• Johns Creek mayor, City Council Posts 1, 2 and 3

- Qualifying for these races will be Aug. 18 to 20, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

- The qualifying fee is $750 for mayor, and is $450 for council seats.

- For more information, visit johnscreekga.gov/departments/city-clerk/ municipal-elections/

• Roswell mayor, City Council Posts 4, 5 and 6

- Qualifying for these races will be Aug. 18 to 22, from 8:30 a.m. to Noon and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

- The qualifying fee is $1,200 for mayor and $540 for council seats.

- The residency requirement is for a year prior to Election Day.

- Candidates must be 21 years old prior to Election Day.

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• Alpharetta City Council Posts 1, 2 and 3

- Qualifying for these races will be Aug. 18 to 20, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

- The qualifying fee is $450.

- For more information, visit www.alpharetta.ga.us/361/Running-for-Office

• Cumming mayor, City Council Posts 1 and 2, which are both at-large

- Qualifying for these races will be Aug. 18 to 20, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

- The qualifying fee is $360 for mayor, and is $180 for council members.

- For more information, visit www. cityofcumming.net/election-information

ELECTIONS

- For more information, visit https:// www.roswellgov.com/government/elections/qualifications

• Sandy Springs mayor and all six City Council seats.

- Qualifying for these races will be Aug. 18 to 21, from 8:30 a.m. to Noon and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.; as well as Aug. 22 from 8:30 a.m. to Noon.

- The qualifying fee is $1,260 for mayor, and is $780 for council seats.

- Those seeking office must have lived in the city for a year prior to Election Day and six months in the district they are seeking to represent.

- For more information, visit www. sandyspringsga.gov/2025-municipalelection-qualifying-information

Appen Media will closely follow the November elections and aims to help readers make educated votes. What’s on your mind as you head to the ballot box? Send questions and ideas to newsroom@appenmedia.com.

Group honors Purple Heart Medal recipients

By SARAH COYNE sarah@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Members of the American Legion Post 201 gathered on National Purple Heart Day, Aug. 7, to remember and honor those who have been awarded the medal.

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c.

Purple Heart Day recognizes one of the oldest military awards, first being given to soldiers in 1782. The Purple Heart Medal is presented to those who have been wounded or killed while serving. More than 1.8 million medals have been presented to service members.

“In my mind, the veterans are honored on Memorial Day and Veterans Day, and other than that, not so much,” Auxiliary President Ellen Terrell-Youngblood. “And I thought my focus as auxiliary president is community outreach and education.”

Terrell-Youngblood contacted Purple Heart recipient Charles Turner to round up veterans who were given the award.

The event honored five recipients, which included Army veteran Turner, Marine Corps veteran Peter Manfre, Air Force veteran Walter Swenson, Marine

Corps veteran John Tolan and Army veteran Charles Pesta.

“The Purple Heart is something people didn’t go out trying to get,” Turner said. “We got it by mistake.”

The medal is also known as the “award that nobody wants.” The members also remembered medal recipients who have passed away.

Pesta, a Woodstock resident, served in the Special Forces as a Green Beret in Vietnam. He said it was nice to be appreciated.

“Coming back from Vietnam we weren’t,” Pesta said. “It is what it is.”

Terrell-Youngblood hopes the ceremony becomes an annual tradition to honor those who have made sacrifices for the country.

Just opened?

Metro Atlanta golf courses make magazine’s ‘Best’ list

ATLANTA — GOLF magazine released its annual state-by-state course rankings in December, with Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta topping the list of Georgia's best golf courses for 2024-25.

Some courses that made the list are in North Metro Atlanta.

The rankings, compiled by more than 100 panelists, evaluated 609 courses nationwide using an 11-tier scoring system, according to GOLF. Electors ranked courses from top three in the U.S. down to those deserving removal from consideration.

Atlanta Athletic Club had two Metro

Atlanta courses named to the list, with Riverside placing 7th and Highlands at the 9 spot.

Johns Creek’s Rivermont Golf Club came in at no. 13.

Augusta National, home of the Masters Tournament and designed by Bobby Jones and Alister MacKenzie, earned recognition as the state’s best course and one of the magazine's Top 100 Courses in the U.S.

Peachtree Golf Club in Atlanta ranked 2nd, followed by Ohoopee Match Club in Cobbtown. Six of the top 20 courses offer public access.

— Carl Appen

GOLF magazine’s top 20 golf courses in Georgia

Business brings Indian artistry to downtown Alpharetta store

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Ginny & Daughters, a local handcrafted luxury home goods brand, opened its first brick-andmortar store Aug. 6 at 225 Market Street within Alpharetta City Center.

The family-run business, inspired by generations of textile artisans in India, offers a curated collection of high-quality, organic, hand block-painted cotton products made with natural dyes and unique design techniques.

Founded by Ginny and Saheb Banga in 2023, Ginny & Daughters began as a passion project to carry on Ginny’s family traditions and honor their two daughters.

The Bangas sold their products at local flea markets around Metro Atlanta before settling on a store location at Alpharetta City Center due to growing demand and interest from their customers.

Ginny & Daughters offers a wide range of home and lifestyle goods, including quilts, shams, bathrobes, cushion covers, table linens, bed sheets and duvet covers.

All products are made with non-toxic inks and hand-stitched, ensuring they are safe for children to use as well.

See BUSINESS, Page 25

PROVIDED

Daughters,

Honored to be Voted: Best Dermatologist and Best Vein Specialist

Insist on the

BEST

Dr. Brent Taylor is a Board-Certified Dermatologist, a Fellowship-Trained Mohs Surgeon, and is certified by the Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine in the field of Vein Care.

He is an expert in skin cancer and melanoma treatment, endovenous laser ablation, minimally invasive vein procedures and cosmetics procedures such as Botox and injectables.

Kathryn is a certified physician assistant with over 22 years experience as a Dermatology PA and cosmetic dermatology.

Her specialties include general dermatology such as acne, eczema, rashes, hair loss, full body skin exams, abnormal growths etc. Kathryn also specializes in cosmetic dermatology including lasers, injectables, micro-needling, PRP, facial peels, sclerotherapy for spider veins and at home skin care.

How being a bad golfer can be hazardous to your health

I recently had a conversation with a patient about tick-borne illnesses, and our discussion reminded me of an interesting study that I Iearned about in medical school – a tale that ended with the warning “don’t go into the rough.” If you haven’t heard of it, ehrlichiosisis is one of numerous diseases that ticks carry and that humans can catch when ticks bite them, but this disease was not always so well known.

The year is 1993, and four men who lived in a golf-oriented retirement community in Tennessee were hospitalized with fever, headache, vomiting and abdominal pain. Blood tests revealed abnormally low white blood cell counts, low platelets, as well as inflammation of the liver. Two of these men ended up in the intensive care unit. An astute physician ordered a test for ehrlichiosis, and all four men tested positive for this illness.

As the results came in, a picture began to emerge. Most of the patients were golfers. There was a trend towards higher rates of infection in people who golfed more often. But, compellingly, it was only the bad golfers – those who averaged high scores –who seemed to be getting infected.

What could be causing the bad golfers to be infected while the good golfers remained healthy? Were their immune systems, like their golf swings, simply superior to those of the bad golfers? Is charisma a factor?

Accepting new patients.

This outbreak prompted the physician to assign several residents and medical students (aka “underlings”) to tramp through the woods and go door to door in this golf community gathering information about other people who might be infected. People were asked for blood samples and patients admitted to the local hospital with fever of unknown origin also had their blood tested. An “environmental survey” was conducted of local animals to identify ticks and the diseases that they carried.

No, it turned out that the single factor that was most strongly associated with ehrlichiosis infection was retrieving a golf ball that was hit off the golf course instead of using a new ball. And bad golfers hit the golf ball in the rough or in the woods more often than the good golfers. In fact, golfers who retrieved their balls from the woods were 270% more likely to be infected than those who simply used a new ball. The case was cracked, and the lesson was clear – don’t go into the rough. Or, if you do, use a lot of insect repellant.

This tick season, remember to protect yourself. If you know a golfer, warn him or her about ehrlichiosis. And if you or a loved one has a spot worrisome for skin cancer or any other dermatologic complaint, please consider Dr. Brent Taylor and Kathryn Filipek, PA-C of Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta for your skin care needs.

How to choose the right dentist

Choosing a dentist is an important decision that can have a lasting impact on your health, comfort, and confidence. Whether you’re looking for a provider for routine cleanings, cosmetic enhancements, or longterm restorative work, the right dental relationship can make all the difference—not just in your smile, but in your overall experience of care. Here are a few things to consider:

1. Clinical Quality and Attention to Detail

Good dentistry is both a science and an art. Beyond just fixing teeth, great dentists focus on creating natural-looking, durable results that stand the test of time. Ask your dentist about their approach to materials, techniques, and how they ensure lasting outcomes. Look for signs of meticulous work, do their restorations blend in naturally? Do they spend time getting things “just right,” not just “good enough”? Longevity and quality should be a priority, not a luxury.

2. A Relationship-Driven Approach

Many dental offices feel transactional—you’re just another patient in the schedule. But meaningful, long-term care is built on relationships. A dentist who listens, remembers your preferences, understands your history, and takes the time to answer questions is a provider who is invested in your well-being. Look for a practice that values trust, comfort, and communication over volume and speed. When you find a team that

treats you like a person, not a procedure, it makes all the difference.

3. Level of Service

Dentistry isn’t just about what happens in your mouth, it’s about how you feel from the moment you walk through the door. A higher level of service means a clean, welcoming environment, timely communication, clear financial discussions, and a team that respects your time. It also means being able to accommodate individual needs, whether it’s easing anxiety, planning complex treatments, or helping with insurance. True service goes beyond the chair.

4.

Comprehensive and Customized Care

The best dentists take a personalized approach to treatment planning—whether it’s preventive care,

cosmetic improvements, or full-mouth treatment. Find out if the practice offers a broad range of services, takes time to explain your options, and helps you make informed decisions. A dentist who treats the whole person—your goals, preferences, and lifestyle—is one who is committed to your long-term success.

5. Community Reputation and Consistency

Finally, consider the dentist’s standing in the community. Are they trusted by other families? Do they have a consistent track record of satisfied patients? Online reviews and word-of-mouth referrals can give insight into the experience others have had.

Choosing a dentist is about more than finding someone close to home or who takes your insurance. It’s about finding someone you can trust to care for you and your smile for years to come. Look for quality, connection, and a commitment to excellence—and you’ll be in good hands.

“Preventive Dentistry can add 10 years to human life.” -Dr. Charles Mayo of the Mayo Clinic

Dr. Bradley Hepler and the experienced team at the Atlanta Center for Dental Health provide the most modern advances in dentistry. Experience immediate results with procedures to greatly enhance your smile and your health. If you would like a complimentary consultation to discover the best options for you, please call us at 770-992-2236.

THANKS FOR VOTING US BEST OF NORTH ATLANTA

Checking in on your child’s health Back to school care

Brought to you by – Wellstar

As your family begins the new school year, help your child start off strong. Make sure their health is up to date by scheduling a checkup.

Before heading back to the classroom, prioritize your child’s physical and emotional well-being with a visit to your family’s Wellstar pediatrician. Our compassionate pediatricians share your goal of keeping children healthy as they grow.

“I believe in treating the whole child. What I mean by that is their physical health is very important, but I also feel that their emotional health is imperative,” said Wellstar Pediatrician Dr. Brandi Lewis. “My goal is for all my patients to be resilient, happy and healthy. My role is to work with families to help accomplish that goal.”

Preventative check-ups and screenings help children stay ahead of health issues. Our pediatricians will ensure your child is up to date on their vaccines and discuss which immunizations are needed to prevent disease. Your family’s pediatrician can also help you navigate health requirements at your child’s school. Heading back to school healthy Teach your child healthy habits so they can feel their best throughout the school year.

• Practice good hygiene. Show children how to wash their hands properly and remind them to do it

frequently. Do not send your children to school if they are sick.

• Get moving. Children should have about 30 to 60 minutes of moderate activity every day. Staying active can be as simple as a fun family bike ride around the block, a game of tag in the yard or going for a walk in the park.

• Eat healthy. Teach children about good nutrition by encouraging them to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables and by limiting sugary drinks.

• Get plenty of sleep. Children ages 3 to 5 should get about 10 to 13 hours of sleep a day. Children 6 to 12 years old should get nine to 12 hours, and teenagers need about 8 to 10 hours.

While the end of summer is often a busy time, planning ahead now will help ensure the entire family has a healthy, successful year.

Find a Wellstar pediatrician near you at wellstar.org/ kidcare.

At Home Helpers, our focus every day is matching the right caregiver with each of our clients. We guarantee a good match. Finding the right caregiver is much more than just seeking a professional with great skills. It’s about finding a caregiver with the heart and spirit to make a difference in someone’s life.

Navigating senior living

to residents.

The need for senior care often presents families with a daunting decision: should their older loved one stay at home with supportive care, or would an assisted living community better serve their needs? The basic activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, fall prevention, nurturing social ties and ensuring good nutrition are critical considerations. It’s also important to look ahead to when these needs become more intensive and difficult, called high acuity.

Home Helpers offers one-on-one dedicated care for your loved ones needs, allowing them to age in place in the comfort and safety of home even as acuity needs progress.

Assisted Living Communities (ALCs) offer a balance of independence and assistance, with social opportunities and scheduled activities, positioned between independent living and nursing homes. They do not provide one-on-one care, with an average assisted living tenure of 22 months. Here are questions to help plan for high acuity needs and what comes next.

How quickly will a call for assistance be answered and how often each day? When your loved one pushes an ALC button and now needs help with incontinence or transferring from a bed to a chair, an hour wait versus a prompt response makes a major difference in their sense of dignity, personal cleanliness and well-being. Georgia requires a minimum of one awake direct-care daytime staff member for every 15 residents and one per 20 residents overnight. Quality communities keep response times under 10 minutes. Ask how much total time a caregiver will spend daily with a resident and the ratio of direct care staff

A dedicated Home Helpers caregiver provides the immediate response only one-on-one care can offer.

If your fall risk increases, what happens? Falls are the leading cause of injury among older adults. At an ALC you may have to advance to a different level of care there, leave for another facility, or have the added cost of hiring your own private caregiver to supplement care. A daytime fall risk could mean 12 hours of added private care, or 24 hours if night time fall care is also needed. There is no set level of care you have to fit in with Home Helpers, only the care plan that’s right for your safety. We can adjust your care level if you’re recuperating from surgery, need more support at night, or include other providers such as in-home nursing support if necessary.

How do you recruit and what kind of training does the care staff receive? Some ALCs no longer do their own recruiting and now use an outside staffing agency, depending on an outside resource to vet their caregivers.

We know the importance of carefully recruiting heart centered caregivers with strong skills, who are key to our earning the Best Home Care for Seniors in North Atlanta Award 8 years running.

How stable is the ownership and management? A change of ALC ownership could mean changes in levels of continued high acuity care. Take a close look at the history and financial health of the facility.

A proud member of our community for 13 years, we know how important it is for the promise of care to be one that is delivered. We’re here to help, from six hours a day, several days a week to 24/7 care. For a free consultation call Home Helpers of Alpharetta and North Atlanta at (770) 681-0323.

Back to school, back to the dentist

As families in Roswell, Georgia prepare for another school year, there’s one important item that should be on every back-to-school checklist: a dental checkup. At Roswell Dental Care, we help students head back to class with clean, healthy smiles and the confidence that comes with them.

August is the ideal time to schedule routine care before calendars get crowded—and it’s also a smart way to catch small problems before they become big distractions during the school year.

Why preventive dental visits matter for kids

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), tooth decay is the most common chronic disease among children aged 6 to 19, affecting nearly 1 in 5 school-aged children. Left untreated, cavities can cause pain, infections, difficulty eating, and missed school days.

Regular cleanings and exams help prevent these problems and ensure your child is set up for a healthy year. At Roswell Dental Care, we check for:

• Cavities and early signs of decay

• Tooth development and eruption

• Gum health

• Enamel wear from grinding or acid exposure

• Proper oral hygiene habits

We also provide fluoride treatments and sealants—proven to reduce the risk of cavities in molars by up to 80%, according to the American Dental Association (ADA).

Make dental health a learning habit

Routine dental visits teach kids that oral health is part of their overall

wellness. We help make those lessons stick by showing kids how to brush and floss effectively, make smart snack choices, and understand the importance of daily care.

Need a little help with motivation? We make checkups fun and rewarding, and we’re happy to explain treatment in kid-friendly language.

What to pack (and what to avoid)

Back-to-school season is also a great time to rethink lunchbox habits. We recommend packing:

✔ Fruits and veggies

✔ Cheese and yogurt ✔ Water instead of juice or soda

Avoid sticky candies, gummy vitamins, and sports drinks that bathe teeth in sugar and acid. These can increase cavity risk, especially if children sip on them throughout the day.

Care for parents, too

While the kids are getting ready for school, don’t forget your own smile! We offer convenient appointments Monday through Thursday and select Fridays for:

• Routine cleanings and exams

• Teeth whitening and cosmetic touch-ups

• Botox® and filler treatments for facial rejuvenation and TMJ relief

Get your family’s dental care back on track now—before fall schedules fill up!

Healthy smiles start here—for students, parents, and everyone in between. Call Roswell Dental Care today to book your back-to-school appointments at 770-998-6736 or visit us at www.roswelldentalcare.com.

DNA-Based wellness: The future of personalized health is here

go far beyond the typical one-size-fits-all supplements.

Imagine walking into a clinic and receiving a health plan created not from averages or general guidelines—but from your own DNA. That’s the promise of DNA nutrigenomics , a rapidly growing field that combines genetic science with nutrition and medicine to create highly personalized wellness strategies.

Unlike traditional health plans that rely on trial and error, DNA nutrigenomics analyzes how your genes influence key processes like metabolism, inflammation, detoxification, and nutrient absorption. The results can inform customized recommendations for diet, exercise, supplementation, and even medical therapies.

One of the most exciting developments in this space is the ability to design custom nutraceutical formulas vitamins, minerals, and plant-based compounds tailored to your genetic needs. With over 400,000 possible ingredient combinations, these formulas

But the personalization doesn’t stop there. Some clinics are now using genetic insights to guide peptide therapy stacks, which can support muscle growth, cognitive performance, cellular repair, and longevity. In addition, DNA data can help optimize medical weight loss programs by identifying how an individual may respond to certain medications, diets, or fitness routines.

While this technology was once reserved for elite athletes and researchers, it's now becoming more accessible to everyday individuals who want to take control of their health with greater precision. Local providers are beginning to integrate these services into their wellness offerings, making it easier than ever to create a plan that's biologically aligned with your body.

As DNA testing becomes more affordable and science advances, the age of personalized wellness is quickly replacing guesswork with data—and changing the way we think about prevention, performance, and longevity.

Introducing Nutrigenomics – precision nutrition powered by you unique genetic code. Say goodbye to guesswork and hello to science-backed wellness tailored just for you.

Custom formulated nutraceuticals

Targeted peptide stacks

Personalized IV protocols

Optimized GLP-1 weight loss plans based on your DNA

Tips for defiant behavior

If your child is struggling with defiant, aggressive, impulsive, irritable behaviors and can be especially difficult with obeying rules and respecting authority these may be signs of Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) symptoms. Raising kids can be challenging but it can be even more of a challenge when setting structure for your child and they refuse to follow it. Listed below are suggestions to help parents if the behaviors listed above are present or if parents have received a diagnosis of ODD.

1. Try to separate their behavior from their identity. They are likely not engaging in the behavior intentionally, but it may be a response to some internal struggles they are experiencing.

2. Try not to compare your struggles to theirs. Adults have a stronger threshold because they have lived longer. In this case, do not compete against what they may be going through with what you have experienced or may be experiencing now. Listen and understand the challenges they may face so you can hear how things look and feel from their perspective. It is not about anyone being right or wrong. Healthy relationships require us to understand others’ struggles and viewpoints to support them in those areas. For example, if the child thinks no one listens to them, it would be helpful to carve out intentional time to let them speak without offering any comments but just letting them talk. This does not mean they were right or that anyone was wrong, but this is an identified area where we can provide support.

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Shaquanta “Shelley” Danjoint, M.S.

3. Remember the positives and try to speak about them as much as possible. You may say things like “You are so amazing at articulating how you feel, and it helps me when you do that.” Avoid saying aggressive or negative things. You can still be assertive by saying “No” but avoid name-calling. Sometimes they may not want to get in trouble even though they know the behavior can lead to trouble. Impulsivity for negative behaviors is common for a variety of reasons, including control or attention.

4. Pick your battles. It could be helpful to create a discipline system that prevents you from having to engage in arguments. If they did not do the dishes and the consequence is there is no screen time for the night, you can avoid having to argue or go back and forth even if the child tries to disagree. Decide the rules (write them down) and be consistent with them. Try not to add or change anything. You can create a daily routine or checklist to earn rewards when items are completed.

5. Unfortunately, their struggles may be triggered by aggressive or negative talk and negative attention. Responding in these ways will only feed and continue the cycle. The idea is to break the cycle and create a healthier one.

These things are time-consuming. However, these steps are designed to help parents maintain peace and create balance in the household. Rules are healthy for every child. Our goal is to learn how to implement them so the child can grasp and understand. Parents starting individual therapy can be helpful to have a safe space to practice self-care and confront personal emotions that could be arising.

Personal choice may help keep AI genie in the bottle

I have written about this more than a few times. Technological growth continues to outpace our ability to process what that technology provides – personally and as a society. We keep trying to play catch-up, but the gap keeps growing. And AI is only the next big leap in tech, one of many more to come.

“Information” is the foundation. It feels like that amount of information available to us is growing exponentially while our ability to deal with it is growing arithmetically. Thus, information is creating brave new worlds; it is also destroying worlds. It is a paradox that I keep thinking about but

one that is way outside my ability to really understand.

The central paradox to me is the idea that scarcity is the foundation – or part of the core basis – of “value.” Something that is very abundant – like for example, sand – is worth much less than something that is acutely scarce – like diamonds or a cure for cancer.

While AI doesn’t actually create or substantially increase the amount of information in existence, it does increase our access to greater amounts of information – something that feels like close to the same thing. And greater abundance means less value. And since our lives are so information-centric, a greater abundance of information must suggest that our lives have less value – or that the quality of our lives is decreasing. Bear with me.

Herbert Simon, 1978 Nobel Prize winner in economics, described my paradox succinctly. He said that “In an information-rich world, the wealth of information means a dearth of something else: a scarcity of whatever it is that information consumes. What information consumes is rather obvious: it consumes the attention of its recipients. Hence, a wealth of information creates a poverty of attention and a need to allocate that attention efficiently among the overabundance of information resources that might consume it.”

That is, this technology-driven, ever-increasing amount of information that we are trying to process is taking our “pie” – the amount of time and attention that we have at our disposal – compressing it and slicing it into smaller and smaller pieces which, in turn, is making our lives less connected, less meaningful, less engaged and less happy. A wealth of information creates a poverty of attention.

So collectively, I don’t believe that we can go home again. We cannot undo technological advancement; it is already too hard-wired into society – all aspects of it. However, is it possible that we can –individually – roll back the clock, at least a little? Perhaps that is the $64 question. Can we? What do you think?

It is hard for me not to think about the Amish and their way of life. Isn’t that what

they have done – choose to avoid at least some of this modern high-tech world and remain more or less “analogue” – and still function relatively successfully?

What the Amish have done involves making choices, and isn’t it fair to believe that our ability to make choices remains relatively in place despite the avalanche of technology that threatens to swallow “life as we know it” whole? Is it realistic to consider this possibility? I want to think that it may be – within a measured expectation.

Yes, there is more information permeating life as we know it than ever before in the history of the world. Yes, we cannot sweep it out the back door or sequester it somewhere underground like radioactive fuel rods. But can’t we make small, personal, manageable and wise incremental choices that walk back some of the weight of all that information on our lives – and replace it with choices that do enhance and nurture who we are and how we live? Can we not be intentional about this? Surely, we have ability to see what is happening.

The noise of AI is deafening. Technology never sleeps. It is our world today, but surely, we do have the ability to protect some of what we know to be missioncritical for our kind – to muddle forward in a “more/most” sustainable way. Isn’t that choice still out there?

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PRESERVING THE PAST

Young Men’s Service League grows wings – The Ultimate Gift

High school goes by quickly. How do students make the most of those fleeting years? How do they prepare for future challenges of college, the work force and families? There are many ways: academics, athletics, school clubs, school service, such as the school newspaper, part time jobs – the list goes on.

For a select group of high school boys

and their mothers, the four-year Young Men’s Service League (YMSL) provides a unique way to serve their communities and grow in their relationship. The organization was established 25 years ago in Plano, Texas, as a 501(c)(3) non-profit national organization by founder and still President Pam Rosener.

The Young Men’s Service League has experienced dramatic growth in recent years. Rosener told me that, last year, 25 new chapters were established, making a total of 199 chapters in 23 states. Georgia boasts 17 chapters, mostly in Atlanta and northward including

CITY OF MILTON PUBLIC NOTICE

Crabapple, Milton, Dunwoody, Johns Creek, Sandy Springs and North Fulton. Nationwide, members provided 750,000 service hours last year.

“We started with 60 boys based on the principle of service,” Pam Rosener says. “We wanted to teach boys things that they don’t learn in school, church or Scouts while incorporating leadership opportunities in the process. We quickly learned that moms are the secret sauce that made the program successful. After a while I thought the program could grow nationwide.”

When Pam says that moms are the

secret sauce, she means that just as mothers keep their families together, they also do so in the organization.

”They believe that they are helping their sons, but they become inspired and also grow, strengthening the organization,” she says. “They are our secret to success. It is hard to be a teen these days, and our program develops leadership skills which, in turn, foster a sense of responsibility.”

The November 5, 2025, City of Milton Municipal General Election—and any associated runoff election—will be conducted by Fulton County, through its Department of Registration and Elections. The 2023 City of Milton Municipal General Election was conducted by the City. At that time, the Mayor and City Council, as the governing authority for the City of Milton, established the municipal precincts and polling places for that election. For the 2025 elections, the municipal precincts and polling places will be the same as the Fulton County precincts and polling places within the City of Milton and are depicted in the table below:

The municipal precinct boundary map with polling places will be on display at Milton City Hall, 2006 Heritage Walk, Milton, GA 30004, and online at miltonga.gov/elections. Citizens are encouraged and invited to view the map in person or online. Following two consecutive weeks of notice in the legal organ, a final resolution establishing the above Fulton County precincts and polling places as the City of Milton precincts and polling places for the 2025 municipal election will be considered for adoption at the September 3, 2025, public meeting of the City Council. Any person with questions or comments regarding the municipal election precincts and polling places may contact miltonelections@miltonga.gov or (678) 242-2500.

Each year, one chapter is awarded the “Ultimate Gift,” to recognize an outstanding project. The impetus for the award was a novel of the same name by Jim Stovall. In the book, a self-centered young man expects to inherit a fortune when his wealthy grandfather dies. Instead, his grandfather leaves him 12 “gifts,” which are really assignments he must complete over a period of months to claim his inheritance. The grandson enters on a journey of self-discovery and learns the rewards of serving others.

The book became an award-winning movie in 2006 starring James Garner (his last movie), Lee Meriwether, Drew Fuller and Bill Cobbs. In 2024, Jim Stoval and Pam Rosener collaborated on a sequel book, “Giving the Ultimate Gift.”

On July 26 a group of students and moms from Milton’s YMSL and the Milton Historical Society teamed up to clean gravestones at the Boiling Springs Primitive Baptist Church which dates back to 1837. Pat Miller, president of the Alpharetta and Old Milton County Historical Society and an expert in cleaning cemetery tombstones, instructed the volunteers how to effectively go about the task. Using brushes, D2 cleaner and water, many illegible tombstones, some well over 100 years old, were gradually made legible again.

James Farris, cemetery chairman of the Milton Historical Society says “the event was rewarding for all who participated at one of the oldest churches in Milton. It is a virtue to touch something from the past that honors the generations that went before us.”

On Dec. 13, Wreaths Across America, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, will place wreaths on veterans’ graves in 10 cemeteries in Milton, Alpharetta and Johns Creek to honor fallen American service members. The cemetery at Boiling Springs Primitive Baptist Church is one of the local cemeteries participating and has approximately 30 veterans buried there. Volunteers will be provided by the Patriots of Liberty chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Karen Stewart and her son Wyatt were among the volunteers at the church cemetery. Wyatt is a senior at

MEYERS, Page 26

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.

luck!

1 Pigeon’s hangout. Watersking venue. Kick out

2. Beginner. Water deliverer. Smell

WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE

1. Pigeon’s hangout. Watersking venue. Kick out.

2. Beginner. Water deliverer. Smell.

3. Food. Love god. Store bought water.

4. Indian bread. Salt water. Point of lowest despair.

5. Playground item. Hold tight. Ducks found here.

6. Water holder. One-pot meal. Fireman’s need.

7. Chess piece. Where to find rapids. Hate.

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. Food. Love god. Store bought water

4. Indian bread. Salt water. Point of lowest despair

5. Playground item. Hold tight. Ducks

OPINION

Montana report: tan-and-yellow hoppers…and no redbugs!

Last time, you’ll recall, the topic was redbugs. Also known as chiggers, they are those nefarious little creatures that live in the grass and like to eat things like you and me. The sneaky little devils creep up on you and then enjoy dinner, leaving you with red bite spots and an itch of Biblical proportions.

When I get to Heaven, I would like to ask why redbugs were part of the plan. Might we have been just as well off without them? Inquiring minds want to know.

But I digress. The burning (itching) question that I left you with was this: Would I find redbugs in Montana, too?

I asked our host and guide, Craig DeMark of On DeMark Lodge (an incredible place, if I may say so) if redbugs were a thing in Montana. He said no. That was good to hear, because I wanted to spend the last hour of daylight fishing from the bank. I’d be walking through the tall grass along the river’s edge. At home, it would be Redbug City.

And so, once we finished another extraordinary dinner prepared by Craig’s wife Becky, I set off down the gravel road to the water to look for trout.

“Take your time,” my wife said, and so off I went.

My plan was to cast a grasshopper imitation into the current close to the bank in hopes that a big brown or rainbow trout might be lurking there waiting for a nice, juicy hopper to come floating by. I’d be casting the same hopper imitation I’d used earlier in the day, and it had brought me several nice fish already. That fly had the power, it seemed! The thick grass along the river was perfect hopper habitat (now there’s a phrase that rolls smoothly off the tongue), and I hoped that the evening breeze might blow enough of the real bugs into the river to make the fish interested in my optimistic imitation.

But tall grass, I thought to myself…

Craig had said redbugs were not an issue. And so, relieved and reassured, I set off down the hill.

We had floated through this section of the river earlier in the day, and I tried to remember what I’d seen from the perspective of the boat. There was deep water there, and a good edge where fish might hold there, and we

had seen fish working there. There was plenty of water to explore, and I could reach a lot of it from the bank without even getting my feet wet.

I worked my way down to within a few feet of the water’s edge. At that moment, there was a gust of wind. But it eased up quickly, allowing me to cast in the relative calm.

I did, and the cast was not a bad one. The fly line rolled out and settled to the river’s surface. I lifted the rod

tall, tall grass that I had been worried about.

Of course, the grass was in a place where I could not retrieve the fly. I fiddled with it from a distance, for a bit, but finally gave up and broke it off.

If you happen to find a tan and yellow grasshopper fly stuck in the grass on the Missouri River near Cascade, Montana, it’s mine. But you can keep it. It’s a lucky one.

Anyway, grasshopper gone, I switched to a minnow imitation called a “Sparkle Minnow.” It’s a spectacularly flashy fly, sure to grab the attention of any nearby fish. That’s my kind of fly!

I cast the streamer out-and-across, let it sink a few seconds, and then began to retrieve it in regular foot-long strips. Strip…strip…strip…

The strike was strong, hard, and definite. I lifted the rod and felt the pull as the rod bent into the fish. Wow! Upriver it ran, then it turned and headed out toward the middle and then dashed downstream. I lifted the rod to keep the line away from snags. Through the line, I felt the unseen fish shake its head and then felt another surging run as it once more took off across the flow.

But the fish was tiring. I could tell. Time to think about landing it. Redbugs forgotten, I moved up the bank into a better position to bring it to the net. “Please hold, knot!” I said half out loud. Admonition? Prayer? Both?

Maybe my knot was good, or maybe the same God that made redbugs heard my plea and smiled on my line. For everything stayed together, and four minutes later a beautiful Montana brown trout of about 19 inches was resting in my net.

I admired the fish, measuring it against my rod so I’d know for sure, and then eased it gently back into the water.

What a wonderful way to end a Montana day. And there was not a single redbug bite. God really does work in mysterious ways.

and pulled in line to keep things tight, and then – as I reached to retrieve a little more line – there came what I’ve come to call a “Missouri River strike” and a monster of a fish nailed the fly, and I tried to set the hook. Adrenaline surged! But adrenaline does bad things to one’s cast, especially if one is not used to such things, and I yanked the fly right out of the fish’s mouth and sent it zooming at supersonic speed into some of that same

Later, I told her about the fish. I told her about the cast, and the lost hopper, and the switch to the streamer, and the other cast and the strike and the battle.

“And,” I told her, “there were no redbugs!”

She looked at me in that way that she does.

Later, I dreamt of big rivers and big trout and the goodness of it all. Everything comes together, doesn’t it?

But I still don’t know why we have redbugs.

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Tax:

Continued from Page 1

Commission Chairman Robb Pitts, who remained silent throughout most of the discussion, said he’s pleased the county can provide first-class services without having to raise taxes.

“Along with our AAA bond rating, today’s vote is a testament to the strong financial leadership of our county manager and finance team,” Pitts said after the meeting. “After four commissioners voted in June to advertise an increase … I worked to convince them to reconsider their support for the tax hike.”

Fulton County announced its HIV Elimination Department received more than $37 million in federal grants July 31, representing a year-over-year increase and alleviating concerns about potential cuts.

Earlier this year, Pitts confirmed with staff that it would take a 1-mill increase to cover all federal money flowing to the county, of which a majority is related to HIV elimination and the Ryan White program.

Commissioners responded differently to the nearly $70 million windfall.

Couty Commissioner Bob Ellis, a Republican representing the western half of North Fulton, told Appen Media in late July that he was “vehemently opposed” to a tax increase because additional revenue is not needed this year.

“This county is not in a state of crisis. We’ve gone through situations where just like any other government, business … you’re going to have pressures, they’re different each year,” Ellis said. “The attempt to sort of gaslight it into a tax increase is disingenuous and irresponsible … we didn’t need to have this discussion.”

Ellis said commissioners did not need to see the mid-year budget review to know that the county’s general fund is projected to fall well within its budget.

“We will probably have this come back up later on … people have talked about this crisis at our jail and the need for more money and so forth,” Ellis said. “We have something like 100 open positions [in the Sheriff’s Office], and we have a sheriff making an ask for overtime expenditures

you will pay for it later on,” Ivory said. “This is not a normal or a sound budget process. To say in January that we have zero surplus, and then to say in August we have $69 million is not sound or normal.”

… over two months later, we can’t even get that basic [payroll] information.”

The Board of Commissioners approved the $6.4 million for employee retention and overtime pay in May, in addition to $151.5 million coming from the county’s general fund.

Sheriff Pat Labat sued the Board of Commissioners in June, alleging an overstep into his control of the office’s budget as a duly elected official and constitutional officer.

District 4 County Commissioner Mo Ivory, representing Midtown and downtown Atlanta, cast the lone vote for raising the rate by 12.5 percent. She said she received emails in support of a tax increase.

“It will definitely come up later on, and

Ivory criticized county staff’s projections and the results of the mid-year budget review.

“What we do need to examine is how we do our budget. We need a long-term look at our expenses and our revenues,” Ivory said, mentioning the Rice Street jail’s prior consent decree 2006-15 due to similarly inhumane conditions.

Ivory said the county’s finance team, not the Sheriff’s Office, estimates it will cost around $35 million to address the unconstitutional conditions at Rice Street. She also said county residents should vote the sheriff out of office before redirecting the conversation to budgetary pressures.

“We didn’t even get it right in 2016, which is why we are here again, people dying in the jail and not getting the medical care they need,” Ivory said. “That’s what I know I got elected for, to make hard decisions so that we all could bear the cost of making our county better. So, the south side is as good as the north side.”

Commissioner Bridget Thorne echoed Ellis’ comments about the estimated 100 unfilled positions at the Sheriff’s Office. She said the scrapped $2 billion jail replacement would have sent the tax rate up more than 30 percent.

The county’s property tax rate has remained flat since 2022, declining steadily from 10.5 mills in 2015. That represents a net decrease of 16 percent in a decade.

Property taxes are the primary source of revenue for Fulton County’s general fund and pay for constituent services, including senior and behavioral health services, the

Grady Health System, the Sheriff’s Office and all jail facilities, election management, libraries and animal services.

In an Aug. 6 press release, the county said it will continue closely monitoring federal budgets for possible direct and indirect impacts on programs and partners.

Commissioner Dana Barrett, who switched her vote and rejected the 1-mill increase, encouraged homeowners to review the property tax relief measures for residents, including two floating homestead exemptions and some for seniors.

Commissioners Marvin Arrington Jr. and Khadijah Abdur-Rahman also voted to keep the property tax rate flat.

County Manager Dick Anderson said the budget process and finances are in good shape.

“First of all, just a reality check on the notion that we’re starving departments,” Anderson said. “We spent $867 million last year and budgeted $990 million this year, that’s a $123 million increase [or 14 percent].”

He said the county’s budget process during his decade as county manager has produced Fulton’s existing triple A bond rating, a nearly 70 percent increase in resident services and a doubling of fund balance or reserves.

Anderson also said he’s monitoring four upcoming expenses on the horizon: the renovation of Rice Street, consent decree items related to jail operations and staffing, a new Grady Memorial Healthcare hospital in South Fulton and whether to exit expiring tax allocation districts.

“Underrunning by 5 percent would generally be considered healthy,” Anderson said. “The thing I’m very much in agreement on is the necessity for long-term planning.”

Business:

Ginny Banga said her goal is to create products that feel good, look beautiful and honor the people and process behind them.

“We’re grateful to our loyal customer base here in Metro Atlanta, whose continued support has created the need for a physical store location,” Banga said. “We are thrilled to open our doors at ACC and give shoppers the opportunity to see our full range of elegant, first-class products in person, seven days a week.”

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Drawing on her familial textile heritage in India, Ginny designs each product herself, partnering with skilled artisans to bring her vision to life. The pieces are made in a factory in India that has been in operation for over 100 years, and every product is handprinted using traditional block printing methods, high-quality breathable cotton and eco-friendly materials.

The store also partners with select artisans and makers, including Le Jacquard Français, a French textile manufacturer known for its high-end table linens and home goods, and Terrafirma Ceramics, a studio based in New York City offering a collection of handmade, hand-painted ceramics.

Islanna McNeally, property man -

The City of Milton City Council will hold a public hearing for the applications for alcohol licenses listed below on Monday, August 18, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers on the First Floor of City Hall located at 2006 Heritage Walk, Milton, Georgia 30004. All interested persons are encouraged to attend the public hearing.

PH-25-AB-07 – Evergreen Alliance Golf Limited LP dba Manor Country Club has submitted an application for a license to sell Wine, Malt Beverages and Distilled Spirits for Consumption On-Premises, and for Sunday Sales of same, at its place of business located at 15952 Manor Club Drive, Milton, Georgia 30004.

PH-25-AB-08 – Evergreen Alliance Golf Limited LP dba White Columns Country Club has submitted an application for a license to sell Wine, Malt Beverages and Distilled Spirits for Consumption On-Premises, and for Sunday Sales of same, at its place of business located at 300 Clubhouse Drive, Milton, Georgia 30004.

PH-25-AB-09 – YLS GTG LLC dba Ichiban Steak & Sushi Alpharetta has submitted an application for a license to sell Wine, Malt Beverages and Distilled Spirits for Consumption On-Premises, and for Sunday Sales of same, at its place of business located at 5306 Windward Parkway, Suite A, Milton, Georgia 30004.

Milton:

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Revenue from the 2025 tax bill will fund the 2026 budget. The proposed general fund budget expenditures for fiscal year 2026 stand at $49.4 million.

City staff are also forecasting a separately calculated greenspace bond millage rate of .310.

“As the digest values fluctuate, so will that millage rate to cover the debt service due,” Harvill said.

State law requires the city to advertise the year’s proposed tax rate as an increase, because it exceeds the rollback rate of 3.823 mills, which would generate the same amount of revenue as last year.

Between fiscal years 2018 and 2024, Milton drew the lowest property tax revenue from its residents compared to the other four major cities in North Fulton.

ager at Alpharetta City Center, said the shop’s thoughtfully made products will be a great addition to the community, reflecting the quality and character visitors value.

Alpharetta City Center is a 26-acre mixed-use development in downtown Alpharetta, including the new City Hall, luxury living community Amorance and more than 30 shops and restaurants. Also new downtown is Sunset

Invitation to Bid

Crabapple Multi Use Trail Project ITB NUMBER

25-PW08

Bid Due Date:

“When looking at a per capita basis, Milton has the second lowest spending,” Harvill said. “But when you look at actual spending, Milton is the lowest out of the five cities. We have the smallest population.”

The last public hearing is set for Aug. 11 at 6 p.m., immediately followed by a vote on the mill rate’s adoption.

In other matters, the City Council approved an agreement with Fulton County to conduct the Nov. 4 General Municipal Election.

The general election will incur no costs for the city; however, if a runoff election is needed the city will be responsible for covering approximately $83,795 of the costs.

The seats for mayor, City Council District 1/Post 1, City Council District 2/Post 1 and City Council District 3/Post 1 will be on the ballot this November.

To learn more about the upcoming election, visit miltonga. gov/government/elections.

Alpharetta, a restaurant blending chef-crafted cuisines and an immersive cocktail and wine program.

Ginny & Daughters will be open Monday through Wednesday from 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m.

For more information, visit ginnyanddaughters.com.

— Hayden Sumlin

September 10, 2025, by 2:00PM Local Time

Electronic submission via: https://www.miltonga.gov/government/finance/bidsrfps

Bid submissions will be publicly announced via a virtual bid opening at approximately 2:30 PM at the City of Milton City Hall located at 2006 Heritage Walk, Milton, GA 30004. The City reserves the right to reject any and all bids. If the contract is awarded, it will be awarded to the lowest responsible and responsive bidder whose bid meets the requirements and criteria set forth in the invitation for bids.

The City of Milton is requesting bids from qualified parties to provide services for the construction of a concrete multi-use trail along Crabapple Road and Green Road in Milton, Georgia. This work includes Fulton County Water Main installation as well as new stormwater installation. All qualified bids will receive consideration without regard to age, handicap, religion, creed or belief, political affiliation, race, color, sex, or national origin. The time and terms of payment, along with the conditions, cost of plans and specifications can be found in the solicitation of bids posted on the websites below. A bid bond of 5% is required when submitting bid response.

The request for electronic bids for ITB 25-PW08, Crabapple Multi Use Trail Project will be posted on the following websites the week of August 14, 2025: https://www.miltonga.gov/government/finance/bids-rfps and https://ssl.doas.state.ga.us/gpr/

Meyers

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Milton High School and is starting center for the Milton Eagles football team. He is spending his summer working in the Horst Shewmaker law firm in Alpharetta. This is the fourth year that Wyatt and his mom have worked together on a wide range of projects for the benefit of the community. Wyatt’s brother Will, a student at Georgia Tech, was previously a member of the Milton YMSL.

Projects have included Meals on Wheels, letters to troops, foster care support, playing baseball and tennis with the mentally disabled and Blessings in a Backpack food program for underprivileged children.

The Milton YMSL chapter was established 15 years ago and has close to 100

moms and sons, which is the maximum number of participants allowed in any chapter. Once the limit is reached a new chapter is formed.

Karen says,“Giving back to the community not only enriches the lives of others, but it has strengthened the bond with my boys by allowing us to do something meaningful for others. It's led to some great conversations around compassion and opened our eyes to the needs of those in our community."

For more information about Young Men’s Service League their website is ymsl.org.

Bob is director emeritus of the Milton Historical Society and a Member of the City of Alpharetta Historic Preservation Commission. You can email him at bobmey@bellsouth.net. Bob welcomes suggestions for future columns about local history.

Cover of the book “Giving the Ultimate Gift,” by Jim Stoval and Pam Rosner. The book is a sequel to Stoval’s celebrated novel, “The Ultimate Gift,” which was made into a successful movie.

PROVIDED

The mother-son team of Karen and Wyatt Stewart of Milton take part in a Young Men’s Service League project cleaning tombstones, some well over 100 years old, in the Boiling Springs Primitive Baptist Church cemetery. The Young Men’s Service League is a national non-profit organization whose members take part in community service projects throughout a student’s high school years. Mothers and sons work together on the projects. There are 1999 chapters in 23 states.

NFCC is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the full-time Administrative Assistant position. The responsibilities of this critical role are to provide a wide variety of administrative tasks primarily to the President and other department leaders as needed. Duties include board meeting preparation, report preparation, general correspondence.

The Administrative Assistant takes initiative, can multitask and remain very organized. They play a vital role in helping keep the NFCC leadership team organized and productive.

If you have a bachelor’s degree in business administration, communications or another relevant field, at least two years of administrative experience and enjoy project management and coordination, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org

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