Milton Herald - February 26, 2026

Digging for future

HANNAH YAHNE/APPEN MEDIA

Milton staff members grab shovels and help plant a witch hazel tree at the Mark Law Aboretum in Bell Memorial Park in celebration of Georgia’s Arbor Day Feb. 20. Attendees went home with their own persimmon seedling, a tree native to the Southeast that produces edible fruit. Georgia’s Arbor Day is two months earlier than the national holiday because the state’s tree planting season peaks in February.

Speaker pro tem Jones announces retirement

By ZOE SEILER zoe@appenmedia.com

MILTON, Ga. — Georgia Rep. Jan Jones (RMilton) announced Feb. 19 that she will not seek reelection to House District 47 this year.

Jones currently serves as the House speaker pro tem. She will retire after more than two decades in office, according to a news release. Jones was first elected in 2002. She said she will miss the work, he ability to help constituents and her colleagues.

“Over these years, I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished on education policy: restoring full funding to public schools, keeping teacher pay the highest in the Southeast, expanding access to Pre-K and bolstering that workforce and strengthening parent choice with more public charters and the Promise Scholarship,” Jones said. “Conservative leadership has given Georgia

Jan Jones (R-Milton), left, is not seeking reelection in 2026 and will retire from the Georgia General Assembly.

the best business climate in the country and these investments in our workforce will keep us at the top for years to come.”

See JONES, Page 26

City approves plats for two subdivisions

By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com

MILTON, Ga. — The Milton City Council approved final plats for two subdivisions at its formal meeting Feb.18.

Brooke Hall and Blakely Manor subdivisions have already secured land disturbance and other permits to begin construction.

The vote was unanimous, with Mayor Peyton Jamison and council members Juliette Johnson and Carol Cookerly absent.

Final preliminary plat plans for the Brooke Hall subdivision on Francis Road show seven single-family homes on a total of 10 acres. Two acres are dedicated to open space.

The front entrance, mail kiosk and detention pond for the gated community are complete, and developers can begin construction on individual lots. The neighborhood will include two-story ranch homes with 4–6-bedroom plans with a maximum buildout of 8,000 square feet.

See COUNCIL, Page 27

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Police charge father in death of 2-year-old

By CARL APPEN carl@appenmedia.com

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Sandy Springs police say a 2-year-old child died Feb. 18 after sustaining a gunshot injury.

Police investigate fraud involving camera purchase

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A 57-year-old Alpharetta woman reported a person fraudulently purchased items with her credit card and then collected them from a UPS driver.

Alpharetta police said the woman reported receiving numerous unsolicited emails Jan. 27. The emails were connected to the purchase of a Sony Alpha 9 III camera, two-year warranty and extra battery pack. The purchase totaled $7,620 and was made with the woman’s credit card with instructions for delivery to her home address on Milford Lane.

On Jan. 28, a UPS driver who was delivering the camera was flagged down by a woman in the gated neighborhood, police said. The woman allegedly collected the items from the delivery driver.

The incident was classified as a felony identity fraud.

— Jon Wilcox

North Point Mall store reports 2 cases of theft

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A North Point Mall lingerie business reported losing thousands in two shoplifting incidents within days of each other.

Alpharetta police officers were dispatched to the business Jan. 29 and Feb. 2.

Employees told officers that the thefts occurred Jan. 28 and Feb. 2.

Seven pairs of pajamas valued at $80 were reported stolen Jan. 28.

Eight pairs of pajamas, underwear and accessories totaling $550 were reported

The incident allegedly took place on Sandalwood Drive around 2 p.m.

Later that day officials said they arrested the child's father in connection with the death.

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"The investigation revealed that the incident resulted from an improperly secured firearm," police told Appen Media. "As a result, Mr. Willis has been charged with second-degree murder and second degree cruelty to children."

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.

stolen Feb. 2.

The incidents were classified as felony shopliftings.

— Jon Wilcox

Jewelry worth thousands reported stolen in burglary

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Deputies investigated the reported theft of $15,000 in jewelry from a Suwanee home Jan. 28.

The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office said a 67-year-old man and 62-year-old woman reported returning to find their Windsor Hill Passage home ransacked.

The woman determined rings and earrings were missing.

The couple said they had left the door to the home unlocked and the alarm unarmed.

A sheriff’s crime scene investigation technician found two sets of footprints leading toward a backyard fence adjacent to a shopping center.

The incident was classified as a felony burglary.

— Jon Wilcox

Alabama man found unconscious at wheel

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A 43-year-old Mobile, Ala., man was arrested on drug and intoxicated driving charges Jan. 20 after deputies reported finding him passed out in his vehicle on Shady Grove Road near Lake Lanier.

This story will be updated as new information arises.

The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were dispatched about 3:30 a.m. to the report of a crash at a roundabout on Shady Grove Road just south of Cagle Drive.

Deputies reported finding the man asleep at the wheel with white foam coming from his nose. Law enforcement officers conducted a driving under the influence investigation and found the man to be intoxicated, the sheriff’s report said.

In the man’s pocket, deputies found a Seroquel pill, an antipsychotic medication that can produce sedation, the sheriff’s report said.

The man was charged with misdemeanor sale, distribution or possession of dangerous drugs, driving under the influence of drugs and prescription not in original container.

— Jon Wilcox

Man says online contact led to sexual extortion

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office investigated a report of online sexual extortion Jan. 23.

A man reported that he had made contact with a girl on Tinder and continued communicating with her on Instagram and Whatsapp at her request.

The man said he sent a video of himself undressed. Soon after, he received a phone call from an unidentified person who threatened to publish the video unless he paid $1,000.

Deputies advised the man the extorters would likely demand additional money if he paid.

The incident was classified as a misdemeanor sexual extortion.

— Jon Wilcox

Summit Hill Elementary puts kindness on display

MILTON, Ga. — Summit Hill Elementary School formed a “kindness tunnel” to welcome City of Milton employees and elected officials with posters and high fives along the hallway Feb. 13 to mark the end of Kindness Week.

City government guests were treated to a breakfast of coffee and donuts after greeting kids through the spirit tunnel.

Students lined the halls highfiving police officers, firefighters, Milton city staff, City Council members and the mayor. Fulton County School Board member Lillie Pozatek also joined in on the fun, and the Summit Hill chorus closed out the walk, singing a Bruno Mars song.

Random Acts of Kindness Week was established in 1995 to strengthen communities, encouraging people to perform simple acts of kindness to strangers and acquaintances. Throughout Kindness Week, young Huskies created uplifting coffee notes and had conversations about how they can better understand and positively impact others’ feelings.

— Hannah Yahne

Rash of new legislation seeks to address affordable housing

By ZOE SEILER zoe@appenmedia.com

ATLANTA — Democratic Georgia House members are working to address various housing issues. State Reps. Mary Margaret Oliver (D-Decatur), Phil Olaleye (D-Atlanta) and others announced a bipartisan package of legislation on Feb. 12 to address affordability.

That package also seeks to expand housing supply, strengthen tenant protections and encourage more affordable housing development.

“There is an issue of housing affordability across Georgia,” Oliver said. “We need more doors. We need more opportunities and a wide variety of ways.”

The House Minority Caucus’s legislation includes proposals related to tax incentives, tenant protections, zoning reform and affordable housing development.

“Whether you’re trying to buy your first home, stay in the home you already have, or just keep up with rent continuing to jump over and over and over again, housing has become the biggest bill facing families,” Olaleye said.

The following House Bills are included in the representatives’ legislative package:

- HB 1145, sponsored by Rep. Miriam Paris (D-Macon), would create a statewide homestead exemption for certain public service employees, like police officers, nurses and teachers.

“I think that it is incumbent upon us to take good care of those that take good care of us, and this bill seeks to do that for them,” Paris said.

- HB 1153, sponsored by Oliver, would allow developers to use the state’s low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) to build affordable single-family homes. These homes would be available to individuals earning up to 80 percent of the area median income.

Currently, LIHTC is only available for multifamily developments, like apartments or fourplexes.

“The LIHTC program of tax credits

Georgia Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver represents House District 84, which includes Decatur and parts of unincorporated DeKalb County.

giving financial support for the purchase of lower-income, moderate-priced apartments can be duplicated in the single-family market,” Oliver said.

She added that it’s an effort to address incentives and produce more for-sale housing options.

- HB 1166, sponsored by Rep. Tangie Herring (D-Macon), would remove zoning regulations for smaller homes.

“It removes the arbitrary zoning restrictions that currently ban safe and highquality homes of 400 square feet or less,” Herring said. “You might know these are tiny homes, carriage houses or granny flats.”

Homeowners should be able to build secondary homes and should be part of the solution to create more options, she added.

“We all know the American Dream of homeownership is quickly slipping out of reach for too many Georgians,” Herring

said. “We are facing a dual crisis right now. We have skyrocketing costs that are hurting families and we have a desperate lack of housing inventory. Simply put, we do not have enough homes in Georgia.”

- HB 1177 expands the authority of local development authorities to allow them to finance or develop affordable housing. Rep. Al Williams (D-Midway) sponsored this bill.

“It is imperative that as development authorities, we’re able to get involved, able to help move these projects, but most importantly we’ve got to bring the cost of housing under control,” Williams said. “You can’t be the best place to do business in America and one of the hardest places to live in the South.”

- HB 1252, sponsored by Olaleye, would prohibit investors from acquiring single-family homes before Georgia residents.

“Before a large institutional investor can buy a newly listed single-family home, those families or that owner-occupied buyer would have first dibs within a 30day window to purchase that home first,” Olaleye said.

He also sponsored HB 305 last year, which prohibits large companies from purchasing single-family homes in Georgia.

- HB 1171, sponsored by Rep. Spencer Frye (D-Athens), would establish minimum habitability standards consistent with recognized housing standards.

Some of the requirements include making all repairs necessary, keeping all common areas in a clean and safe condition, maintaining utilities and appliances, providing trash receptacles and supplying running water.

If those conditions are not met, tenants could terminate their lease or withhold rent, recover damages or make repairs and deduct the cost from the rent.

- HB 1221, sponsored by Rep. Saira Draper (D-Atlanta), would require homeowners associations to provide written notices of fines or delinquent fees and give a reasonable opportunity for homeowners to pay before assessing attorney fees and costs.

- HB 1017, sponsored by Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick (D-Lithonia), would require homes owned by corporate investors be assessed – or taxed – at their full value. Under Georgia law, most homes are assessed at 40 percent of their fair market value.

“We know that they are creating a housing shortage in the state of Georgia,” Kendrick said. “As opposed to assessing the value at 40 percent of a home, that many of us have our homes assessed at, large corporate investors would have to pay 100 percent of the assessed value of the home that they are renting out.”

- HB 679, sponsored by Rep. Gabriel Sanchez (D-Smyrna), was known as the end rental price-fixing act, in 2025. The bill is still active this session.

“I am a renter myself, like the majority of my district. In the past eight years, my rent has almost doubled from $850 a month to $1,550 a month, and my story is not unique,” Sanchez said. “It’s the story of families across Georgia who are working hard every single day, doing everything right, and yet they’re still falling behind.”

He said one driver of rent increases is due to companies that sell their software to landlords and use data to calculate the highest rents they can charge in a market. HB 679 would end the practice.

“I think it’s important that we do everything in our power to ensure that we have affordable housing here in the state of Georgia and end these price-fixing and price-gouging practices that are hurting working Georgians,” Sanchez said.

House Bills 1145, 1166, 1177, 1221, and 1252 have gained bipartisan support from Reps. Rob Leverett (R-Elberton), Dale Washburn (R-Macon), Ron Stephens (RSavannah), Buddy DeLoach (R-Townsend), Stan Gunter (R-Blairsville), Leesa Hagan (R-Lyons) and Derrick McCollum (R-Chestnut Mountain).

“There are many different bills, many different actions in the federal government and the state government to address this issue and I’m hoping for progress in 2026,” Oliver said.

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Indie bookstore rises from ashes to host author events

By KATHY DES JARDINS CIOFFI newsroom@appenmedia.com

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — A few local indie booksellers drive most of the author appearances Appen features monthly. And, when it comes to Roswell listings, one of the most active is Bookmiser.

Working alongside two Friends of the Roswell Library programs – Roswell Reads and Atlanta Authors – Bookmiser has helped facilitate some of the city’s most notable author celebrations since 2018. From blockbuster writers like Fredrik Backman, Delia Owens and Ann Patchett to regional authors like Karen White, Mary Kay Andrews and Rick Bragg, Bookmiser co-owner Annell Gerson has helped coordinate them all from a strip-mall storefront 10 minutes from Roswell’s historic downtown at 3822 Roswell Road in Marietta.

That brick-and-mortar location, however, suffered a major setback in September, when a fire at a nearby computer repair store triggered a fivemonth shutdown, gutting and total remodel.

With no in-store holiday sales and facing ever-growing e-commerce competition, Bookmiser maintained off-site support for a host of organizations and events, including two author appearances for Roswell Reads and Atlanta Authors.

Then, despite a tsunami of challenges, Bookmiser reopened the last weekend in February with an in-store author function. Up next for Gerson is a March 2 presentation by New York Times bestselling author Patti Callahan Henry.

“Now more than ever,” Gerson said, “we appreciate the community’s support in spreading the word that we are open and dedicated as ever to putting the right book in the right hands at the right time, our quest for 27 years.

“Come see Patti Callahan Henry on March 2 and help us continue that tradition,” she said.

Here are details, along with other March happenings.

From left, author William Kent Krueger stands with Annell and Jim Gerson, co-owners of Bookmiser, during an October 2025 book event at Sharon Forks Library, Cumming.

Monday March 2, Patti Callahan Henry, two events. In a luncheon conversation with Mary Kay Andrews. 11 a.m. $45, includes lunch and paperback copy of “The Story She Left Behind.” Poe & Company Bookstore, 1890 Heritage Walk, Suite P101, Milton. Poeandcompanybookstore.com. At 6 p.m., Bookmiser will host Henry alongside Colleen Oakley. $28.87, which includes a signed paperback copy of the book, preferential seating and a photo with the author, or $12.18 admission only. North Cobb Library, 3535 Old 41 Highway NW, Kennesaw. bookmiser.net/events.html

Saturday, March 7, the 22nd annual Dahlonega Literary Festival, featuring numerous nationally known fiction and nonfiction authors including headliner Joshilyn Jackson. Free or $35 for Jackson’s session, which includes a signed hardback copy of her latest novel, “Missing Sister.” 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Holly Theater, 69 W. Main St., Dahlonega. literaryfestival.org.

Tuesday, March 10, Liz Moore, 13th annual Forsyth Reads Together headliner. The No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of “The God of the Woods” will speak and sign books at the Forsyth Conference Center, 3410 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Cumming. Sponsored by Forsyth County Public Library, FCPL Friends and Advocates and the Forsyth County Arts Alliance at the Forsyth County Community Foundation, with books sold by Read It Again Books. 7 p.m. Free. Registration required. An Eventbrite waitlist and a standby line is planned. eventbrite. com/e/an-evening-with-liz-moore-tickets1981356153592?aff=oddtdtcreator

Tuesday, March 10, Isla Jewell with her new romantasy, “Books & Bewitchment.” Jewell, who also publishes as Delilah S. Dawson, will answer audience questions. 7 p.m. Free. Johns Creek Books, 6000 Medlock Bridge Road. 770-696-9999. johnscreekbooks.com. Thursday, March 12, and Saturday, March 14, Robert Gwaltney detailing “Sing Down the Moon.” March 12 in conversation with Emily Carpenter. 5:30 p.m. Either $27 with book or $5 admission only. Poe & Company Bookstore, 1890 Heritage Walk, Suite P101, Milton. Poeandcompanybookstore.com.

On March 14, Atlanta Authors presents Gwaltney with author Lo Patrick. 2 p.m. Free. Roswell Library, 115 Norcross St., Roswell. eventbrite.com/e/atlanta-authors-presentsrobert-gwaltney-tickets-1979739706756?aff= oddtdtcreator

Monday, March 19, Laura Elizabeth Murder Mystery Dinner featuring her book “All is Now Lost.” 6 p.m. $60. Poe & Company Bookstore, 1890 Heritage Walk, Suite P101, Milton. Poeandcompanybookstore.com

Thursday, March 24, Kim Costa launching “Live in Your Wheelhouse.” 5:30 p.m. Either $27 with book or $5 admission only. Poe & Company Bookstore, 1890 Heritage Walk, Suite P101, Milton. Poeandcompanybookstore.com

Tuesday, March 24, A Novel Idea spotlights authors Ron Hsu, Robert Gwaltney and Katherine Nichols with “Down South + East," "Sing Down the Moon," and "Imperfect Alignment," respectively. 7 p.m. Free. Roswell Junction, 340 S. Atlanta St., Roswell. anovelidea.us. Friday, Saturday and Monday, March 27, 28 and 30, Friends of the Roswell Library Book Sale. See website for hours and details. Roswell Library, 115 Norcross St., Roswell. 404-612-9700. forl.net.

Saturday, March 28, The Atlanta Writers Club’s Self-Publishing Conference giving indie writers tips and skills to build their audience and sell more books. Georgia Tech Hotel & Conference Center, 800 Spring St NW, Atlanta. 8 a.m.-4:15 p.m. Pricing and details at atlantaselfpublishingconference.com/

Saturday, March 28, Vanessa Riley celebrating “Fire Sword & Sea,” hosted by Bookmiser and Friends of the Sandy Springs Library. 2 p.m. Free. Sandy Springs Library, 395 Mount Vernon Highway NE, Sandy Springs. bookmiser.net/events.html

Tuesday March 31, Emily Carpenter launching “A Spell for Saints and Sinners,” in conversation with author Kimberly Belle. 5:30 p.m. Free. Poe & Company Bookstore, 1890 Heritage Walk, Suite P101, Milton. Poeandcompanybookstore.com

To submit an author event for the upcoming month, email Kathy Des Jardins Cioffi at kathydesjardins3@gmail.com by the 15th.

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| Milton Herald | February 26, 2026

Press Club membership surges following letter detailing lawsuit

NORTH METRO ATLANTA — Appen

Media has seen a significant surge in new Appen Press Club memberships following a recent letter to readers explaining the status — and cost — of its ongoing public records lawsuit against the City of Sandy Springs.

The message outlined a key development: a Fulton County judge recently ordered Sandy Springs to turn over previously withheld documents tied to police incident reports. It also revealed something readers hadn’t been told before — that the locally owned newsroom has spent nearly $100,000 over almost three years pursuing access to records that are routinely released by other police departments across Georgia.

The response from readers was immediate.

In the days following the email, new membership to the Appen Press Club surged, and supporters contributed both recurring and one-time gifts

to help sustain the legal and reporting effort. The increase marks one of the strongest membership bumps since the Press Club launched in 2022.

“This case has always been about transparency and accountability,” said Appen Media Publisher Hans Appen.

“It’s about whether local governments can delay and deny access to basic public information — and whether local journalism has the resources to challenge that.”

Why the case matters

At issue are police incident reports — documents widely considered standard public records. Appen Media filed suit after repeated efforts to obtain them were denied.

Open records laws are designed to ensure the public can see how government operates. But enforcing those laws often falls to news organizations willing — and financially able — to go to court.

For large national outlets, those costs can be absorbed. For small, community-based newsrooms, they cannot — unless readers step in.

Unlike subscription paywalls, the Appen Press Club model keeps essential civic reporting accessible to the entire community while inviting supporters to voluntarily fund the work.

The recent membership surge shows that readers understand what’s at stake. But newsroom leaders say the need is ongoing. Legal battles are expensive, and transparency fights rarely end with a single ruling. Sandy Springs has already made it clear it plans to appeal the decision – again.

Community journalism, local support

Residents who believe public records should remain public — and that local watchdog reporting matters — are encouraged to join the Appen Press Club with a monthly, yearly or one-time contribution.

The principle behind the lawsuit is simple: Government records belong to the public. Ensuring access to them requires persistence, resources and reader support.

To join the effort, become an Appen Press Club member today at appenmedia.com/join.

—

Hans Appen

MILTON, Ga. — Music Milton celebrated an evening of classical music with Beethoven’s Greatest “Fifths” on Feb. 7, welcoming a crowd of over 220 to enjoy performances by world-class musicians.

The concert, held at Birmingham United Methodist Church, featured the music of Ludwig van Beethoven, focusing on his fifth sonata and fifth symphony. The acclaimed ensemble included David Coucheron, concertmaster of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, on violin; Charae Krueger, principal cellist for both the Atlanta Opera and Atlanta Ballet Orchestras; and the pianists William Ransom and Julie Coucheron.

The evening also served as a launching point for Music Milton’s future. Founder and President Ron Gilbert and Artistic Director William Ransom announced the organization’s highly anticipated second season and officially kicked off its first fundraising campaign. With a goal of $100,000, additional funds will help with an expansion of the concert season and additional educational programs for area youth.

Music Milton’s 2026-27 concert season will offer classical, soulful jazz

COMMUNITY

and high-energy bluegrass performances. The full schedule is below.

• Oct. 10: Mozart in Milton - The Vega Quartet with clarinetist Jesse McCandless and pianist William Ran -

som

• Dec. 11: An Appalachian Christmas - Multi-Grammy Award-winning bluegrass musician Mark O’Connor with Maggie O’Connor

• Jan. 30, 2027: Jazz Meets Classics

– Pianist Matt Herskowitz, violinist Helen Kim and cellist Charae Krueger

• April 10, 2027: Zuill Bailey & Friends - Grammy Award-winning cellist Zuill Bailey performs with violist Yinzi Kong and violinist Helen Kim

• Just Jazzin’ Around with the Gary Motley Jazz Trio – The date is to be determined for this free family concert/matinee.

Consolidated lacrosse program develops young athletes

By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Faced with declining participation numbers, North Fulton parents joined to fill a gap in feeder lacrosse programs for Chattahoochee, Northview, Johns Creek, Alpharetta and Centennial high schools.

North Fulton United (NOFU) was created in 2022 with separate designations for boys and girls programming and teams. Five North Fulton high schools essentially combined their feeder programs to make participation more consistent.

NOFU girls offers teams for grades K-8, and the boys program offers second grade through middle school.

Centennial has a far-reaching lacrosse history but in recent years has become overshadowed by other neighboring powerhouses such as Milton, Cambridge and Roswell.

Centennial launched boys and girls lacrosse in 1999, before it became a sanctioned Georgia High School Association sport in 2002.

It played in the first ever girls lacrosse game in Georgia against Westminster that year. The Knights were one of five teams in the inaugural girls season.

Centennial and Roswell were the first public schools to compete in boys lacrosse, joining Darlington, Westminster, Lovett and Woodward.

Princeton lacrosse alum Che Barbour was instrumental in uniting the community and securing field space for the budding Centennial program.

Terri Davis, a founding board member of NOFU girls lacrosse and parent of a Centennial senior, said combining the feeder programs of the five schools helped keep numbers up.

NOFU accepts players outside Chattahoochee, Northview, Johns Creek, Alpharetta or Centennial attendance zones who attend private schools without existing feeder programs or are homeschooled.

“We serve all schools, all areas, all socioeconomic levels,” Davis said. “We want to make [lacrosse] accessible to all girls and boys in the area. That’s our mission.”

Shannon Hayes, the current president of the NOFU board, discussed the annual camp held at the beginning of the season where a randomly selected new player is gifted a free lacrosse stick.

“We want to foster the love of lacrosse in the community, give the girls a safe space that’s positive, encouraging, energetic and feed our high schools as well,” she said. “Making sure this environment is something that they want to come to every single day and have good quality coaching.”

Julia Thompson, a Norcross High and Life University lacrosse alum, serves as

an assistant coach for Alpharetta High and coaches NOFU’s team of kindergarten, first and second grade.

“It’s so much fun, I go from high school practices, coming over, and then you deal with the little ones and it’s a whole different game,” Thompson said. “It’s really fun to watch their joy when they learn how to catch a ball for the first time and to see their progression every day.”

Lauren Arena coaches NOFU’s team of seventh and eighth graders and is a Chattahoochee graduate.

“It’s probably now even more so inspirational because of the fact that this is the first year that lacrosse is going to be entered into the Olympics,” she said. “Sharing our own experiences from college, that helps to drive the girls to be better and do better, I always tell them ‘you practice how you play.’”

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Johns Creek advances to region title game

By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Johns Creek boys basketball will play for a region title for the first time in 10 years after a 74-66 win over Milton in the region semi-final Feb. 17 at Chattahoochee High School.

The Gladiators aim to secure the program’s first region title. It is the second time in school history that the team has made it to the region championship game.

The Eagles and Gladiators split their regular season series, and the semi-final game decided which team would get home court advantage in the state tournament.

Each team won on the road in the regular season series, so a neutral site of Chattahoochee High gave both teams a fair shake.

The first time the Eagles and Gladiators met this season at Milton Jan. 9, Johns Creek came out on top 56-53. Milton got revenge in the second matchup, defeating Johns Creek 55-51.

Johns Creek has achieved their second straight winning season. With a 15-11 overall record last year, the Gladiators lost to Lanier in the region tournament and missed the state playoffs.

This year, Johns Creek has a 22-5 record with the semi-final win over Milton and is eager to make a run in the 5A bracket.

Johns Creek’s senior class has played together since elementary school and continued to build team chemistry at the varsity level since sophomore year.

The first six players up as well as Christian Cooper, who is out with an injury, are close friends on and off the court.

Head coach Tanner Burnett reflected on the 2024 region tournament where the current senior class was starting as sophomores due to many injuries on the team.

Burnett and leading scorer Tatum Holmes agreed that the hard work the team has put in has carried them through the lows and into the highs.

Holmes said that playing together since second grade has created a team chemistry rivaled by few. He also spoke to what went right for him offensively against Milton.

“I’d say our team chemistry is one of the best in the state,” Holmes said. “Just being able to get to the line and just see my shot go in there, the rest carry from that.”

Holmes tallied 30 points, four rebounds and three steals against Milton. He won co-player of the year in the region with Gainesville’s Kevin White.

White’s Red Elephants have been nationally ranked all season and are currently No. 19 in the country in MaxPreps’ rankings.

Johns Creek has jumped up in state rankings in the past month, sitting at No. 13 in MaxPreps’ most recent poll. However, the semi-final game should prompt a reshuffling as Milton was ranked No. 7.

Burnett said this team was the first to achieve back-toback winning seasons at Johns Creek and shared his pride in his team beating a tough Milton squad.

“Our mental toughness today was really good,” he said. “We were up 10 a couple times, and [Milton] made a comeback. So, I just think our mental toughness throughout the game to just stay with the game plan, execute it for 32 minutes, anytime that happens as a coach you’re really happy with that.”

Milton junior Niko Bratton led the Eagles with 30 points, and senior Jackson Harrison sunk three straight shots from beyond the arc in the third quarter to tie the game.

Milton cut the deficit to come within striking distance but never took the lead after tying the score thrice. The Gladiators responded with a run of their own each time.

Milton head coach Allen Whitehart said Johns Creek showed that they are a veteran team. He said the Eagles’ execution on defense needs to improve looking ahead to the state tournament.

“When you don’t do the small things, the things you work on, and then you get in pressure situations if you don’t do the things that are needed to win, you don’t win,” he said. “Just trying to clean things up, try to compete a little more, try to get our kids to play a little better, execute a little better… Kudos to [Johns Creek].”

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Lawmakers introduce data center bills in General Assembly

By ZOE SEILER zoe@appenmedia.com

ATLANTA — Georgia lawmakers are grappling with how to address data centers during the 2026 legislative session. Several bills have been introduced that would either impose a moratorium or add regulations.

Major tech companies like Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft are investing heavily in Georgia, purchasing land and building massive server facilities to power the digital age, Capital B Atlanta reported.

Approaches to the issue have varied, ranging from repealing a tax incentive to imposing a moratorium and preventing utilities from passing costs on to customers.

State Sen. Jaha Howard (D - Smyrna) introduced Senate Bill 436 on Feb. 9 that would suspend any new sales and use tax exemptions from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. It would also prohibit local governments from entering into nondisclosure agreements related to water and electricity usage for data center projects, according to a news release.

“I’m proud to introduce my first piece of legislation, which places a one-year pause on the expansion of data center tax exemptions so the General Assembly has adequate time to listen and respond to our constituents impacted the most,” Howard said. “We welcome investment from technology companies, but our constituents need peace of mind on the short and long-term impacts of these projects on their communities.”

Howard added that the temporary pause could give legislators time to evaluate the long-term impact of data centers and “responsible policies that protect our resources while keeping Georgia affordable.”

SB 421, sponsored by Sen. RaShaun Kemp (D - Atlanta), is called the Data Center Transparency Act. It would prohibit local governments from entering into nondisclosure agreements regarding the water and power usage of data centers.

Sales and use tax exemption

Georgia doesn't offer tax credits to data centers, but instead provides a tax incentive by exempting sales and use taxes on equipment and construction costs.

The state Senate commissioned a study from the Department of Audits and the Carl Vinson Institute about the high-tech data center equipment exemption for new construction.

“It exempts a portion of construction materials used in the construction of new data centers,” said Tommie Shepherd with the Carl Vinson Institute and the lead researcher on the study. “By a

portion, it doesn’t cover or exempt all of the construction materials, but essentially the things that make the shell able to function as a data center.”

The materials covered include electric and cooling systems, servers, routers, software and other equipment.

The exemption cost the state about $433 million in revenue not collected, and the facilities created 10,146 jobs in 2025.

The study used a but-for analysis to determine if data center activity would occur in Georgia without an incentive. It’s estimated that 30 percent of facilities were attributed to the exemption, and the other 70 percent would have been built anyway.

Shepherd added that the but-for analysis largely depends on the growth of Georgia's data center industry.

“We did an initial study of data centers in 2022. At that time, no data centers had taken advantage of the incentive in Georgia. It had just been introduced in 2018,” Shepherd said. “Since that time, we’ve seen significant growth of data centers in Georgia, particularly large-scale, or what the industry may term hyperscale data centers.”

The majority of the economic impact is tied to construction, Shepherd said.

necessarily think that we should be incentivizing it,” Brass said. “At the same time, I do recognize the fact that we need them.”

Passing on costs

A couple of bills seek to address affordability concerns by prohibiting utility companies from passing on the cost of data centers to customers.

HB 1063, sponsored by Rep. Brad Thomas (R - Holly Springs), would require power companies to protect residential and commercial customers from covering the cost of data center construction and operation. If a data center stops operating or if infrastructure costs more, those costs could not be passed on to residential or commercial customers.

HB 1063 passed the House on Feb. 17.

SB 34, sponsored by Sen. Chuck Hufstetler (R - Rome), would also prohibit electric costs from being passed on to ratepayers. Commercial data centers would be required to cover their costs for items like increased fuel and power costs and transmission system upgrades.

Temporary moratoriums

Property taxes also generate significant revenue for local governments.

SB 476, sponsored by Sen. Blake Tillery (R-Vidalia), and HB 134 are broad, comprehensive tax reform bills that reduce personal and corporate income tax rates, and also repeal the ability to grant new sales and use tax exemptions for data centers. HB 134 passed the Senate on Feb. 12 and heads back to the House.

House Bill 559, sponsored by Rep. John Carson (R - Marietta) would repeal the sales and use tax exemption for high-technology data center equipment on Dec. 31, 2026.

SB 410, sponsored by Sen. Matt Brass (R - Newnan), would also repeal the exemption, and SB 408, sponsored by Sen. Nan Orrock (D - Atlanta), would move up a sunset from 2032 to 2027.

During a Senate Finance Committee meeting on Jan. 28, Brass said the exemption would remain in place for data centers that already receive it.

“I’m in no way against data centers. We need them,” Brass said. “We’ve got to figure out where they’re going to go.”

He added that there’s much that remains unknown about data centers.

“It’s human nature that when we don’t understand something, we fear it. If we’re going to fear something, I don’t

HB 1059, sponsored by Rep. Derrick Jackson (D - Tyrone), would establish a moratorium between July 1, 2026, to Dec. 31, 2028. It would also establish the Data Center Impact Commission, comprising 14 members. The commission would conduct a three-year study of the impacts of data center developments in Georgia and provide a written report by Oct. 1, 2029.

The study would include information about energy consumption, environmental impacts, water usage and supply, health impacts and housing prices. It would also provide recommendations for a statewide zoning ordinance addressing data centers.

HB 1012, sponsored by Rep. Ruwa Romman (D - Duluth) would impose about a one-year moratorium on new data center construction in order to study environmental impacts. The moratorium would end on March 1, 2027, and would not apply to any construction completed before July 1, 2026.

Romman told Georgia Press that her bill seeks to give local and state officials time to evaluate the implications of data centers since the facilities “permanently alter the landscape of our state.”

“This is not meant to be anti-anything,” Romman said. “It is truly meant to provide an opportunity for elected officials to wrap their arms around what these data centers actually do, their impact on our constituents and our districts and make the appropriate policy so we can all move forward together.”

Seniors swing at Alpharetta Rotary Club gala

By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Close to 150 seniors took to the dance floor at the Alpharetta Rotary Club’s second Golden Hearts Gala Feb. 13, jiving to classics like “Sweet Caroline” and entertained by a singing impressionist.

Volunteers with the Rotary Club transformed the meeting hall at the American Legion Post 201 in Alpharetta into a Valentine’s Day celebration complete with heart balloons, a photo wall and full bar. Seniors dressed in their best pink and red outfits to attend.

The event was a culmination of Rotary Club members using their connections to create a memorable evening.

Rotary member and owner of Classic Convertible Carriages Robert Johns brought a 1941 convertible to greet guests as they approached the American Legion.

Local restaurant Never Enough Thyme, whose owner is a member of the Alpharetta Rotary Club, catered the event. Other local restaurants donated gift cards to be raffled off throughout the event.

“It’s a big community event, and we really love that we get to have it right here at the American Legion,” event organizer and Rotary Club member Sue McCormick said.

McCormick was inspired to host the Golden Hearts Gala after she noticed a lack of service projects focused on the senior community. After joining in 2022, she wanted to grow her passion of caring for seniors through the Rotary Club.

“It’s our goal to get people, particularly our older seniors, up moving and getting out and doing stuff,” McCormick said. “They love socializing and they love being with their peers and meeting new people.”

The club’s next major community service project is a day-long event March 14 to rebuild Wacky World, the playground at Wills Park. To get involved in the Alpharetta Rotary Club or volunteer at upcoming events, visit https://events. alpharettarotary.com/.

Seer World remains on Roswell payroll for contracted work

By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — The Roswell City Council voted Feb. 9 to terminate a single scope of work agreement with Seer World that created the role of chief operational officer, the city remains attached to the consulting firm.

Scope of work No. 2 outsourced the position to Seer employee Don Stephens at an annual rate of $340,000. His role assessed economic opportunities presented to the city.

The council approved the award in June 2024. Councilwoman Sarah Beeson was the lone dissenting vote, with an abstention from Councilman David Johnson, who questioned whether the contract was ethical.

Allen Sells and Christine Hall, who still sit on the City Council, along with former council member Lee Hills, voted in favor at the time.

Sells and Hall joined the unanimous vote Feb. 9 to end that contract.

Canceling the scope of work will cost Roswell a $170,000 breakage fee that is equivalent to six months payment.

The overall master services agreement with Seer World that was approved

in April 2024 remains in place, and it included 25 scopes of work total.

The five-year contract with Seer World tasked the company and CEO Peter Sorckoff with helping the city produce development plans with a maximum annual payment of $2 million.

When the 2024 master services agreement was approved, constituents raised concerns about the cost and method about which the agreement came about.

Sorckoff had been paid more than $43,000 by Roswell for “development planning and project support” from March-June 2023. His company was awarded a $250,000 agreement in August 2023 without going through the city’s bidding process before his company was contracted by the city.

The day before an August 2023 committee meeting, where a budget amendment for $250,000 in professional services was initially proposed, Purchasing Manager Greg Anderson resigned. Within the same week, Finance Director Ryan Luckett resigned, according to records obtained by Appen Media.

To this date, Roswell has paid Seer World an estimated $2.4 million.

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 23 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.

Is Lidocaine a secret weapon against cancer?

Accepting new patients. We accept Medicare. Schedule your appointment with

We always worry about the negative side-effects that a medicine might have. At the end of a pharmaceutical company’s commercials, an auctioneer very quickly states the twenty terrible things that might happen if you take the advertised medicine. Side effects range from your ear falling off when you sneeze to the belief that you are Elvis. Side-effects make almost any medicine sound scary. But occasionally, a positive side effect emerges. Sometimes, we discover something wonderful about a medicine that is wholly unexpected.

Examples of positive side-effects are not hard to find. The medicine finasteride was first being used to help decrease the size of the prostate in men who were having difficulty urinating. An unexpected positive side-effect

was discovered when it was noticed that many of the men were re-growing their scalp hair. With finasteride, male pattern baldness was often partially reversed or stopped in its tracks.

One of the most recent medications discovered to have a possible positive side effect is lidocaine, which has been around since 1943. Lidocaine is an injectable anesthetic. We use lidocaine for skin biopsies, excisions, Mohs surgeries and countless other procedures every day in the dermatology office. Amazingly, lidocaine may be more than an anesthetic. It may also have anti-cancer effects.

A team of surgeons in India operating on breast cancer divided patients into two groups. One group had standard breast cancer surgery. The other group received a lidocaine injection around the tumor 7-10 minutes prior to surgery. During the 5 years

Premier:

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after surgery, the group that received the lidocaine injection had an 8.5% rate of the cancer recurring (popping up again) at a distant site versus an 11.6% rate of distant recurrence in the surgery-only (no lidocaine) group. The study has some limitations including not being a doubleblind trial and being a single-center study, but it is intriguing enough to warrant further investigation. The authors reported that injecting lidocaine around breast cancer before removing it increased survival in their study.

What made the surgeons perform this study in the first place? Why lidocaine? Over the last few years, researchers have discovered that electrical gradients maintained across the membranes of cancer cells are important to their ability to metastasize or spread. Our cells have pumps in them called “ion channels.” They allow certain ions to pass across the cell membrane. The resulting ion concentration gradient creates an electrical charge across a cell. This gradient affects the way other proteins in the cell function. Importantly, some of the proteins affected by the charge

across a cell membrane are important for healthy cells’ growth and development as well as for cancers’ ability to grow and spread.

Lidocaine works by blocking sodium channels in cell membranes. Disrupting the electric charge across a cancer cell membrane was suspected to have the potential to weaken the cancer itself. Pre-clinical studies supported this hypothesis, and the breast cancer surgeons took the next step of performing a trial with breast cancer patients and peritumoral lidocaine injections.

I don’t know if breast cancer surgeons in the United States consider these results valid, are awaiting confirmatory studies or are already injecting lidocaine. However, in dermatology, these results are exciting because, for now, we do not need to change anything that we are already doing. Every day that I perform Mohs surgery, we inject the area around a tumor with lidocaine prior to surgically removing the cancer. If lidocaine is more than an anesthetic, then our patients are likely already benefiting from any anti-cancer properties that lidocaine has.

Mohs surgery is the gold standard for treating most skin cancers and has a cure rate that is usually at or above 99%. Perhaps lidocaine is one of the secrets to this success.

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Alpharetta football team welcomes Danny Carlisle as new head coach

By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Alpharetta High hosted a meet session Feb. 3 where members of the community were invited to hear from and speak with the program’s new football coach, Danny Carlisle.

Carlisle came from Chattahoochee High School where he was the head coach for three seasons.

The Cougars went 10-22 under Carlisle. In his second year the team achieved a 5-5 record which was the best in 10 years.

He tallied as many wins in his first two seasons as the Cougars had in the five previous years.

Carlisle wrote a column for Appen Media last fall in which he discussed his plan for the Cougars’ upcoming season along with a message to the community of “heartfelt thanks” for the support they provide.

Carlisle emphasized athlete mental health and nutrition for peak performance in the column, two aspects he says he will bring with him to his third head coaching job.

He said meditation, yoga and mindful communication help improve a player’s mindset during games.

Carlisle has two sons, ages 3 and newborn, and he said he plans for them to attend Alpharetta.

Living just a few minutes from campus, Carlisle said many families in his neighborhood do not plan to do the same. Carlisle looks to change that through building relationships from the feeder program to the varsity squad.

Principal Mike Scheifflee opened the meeting, stating that he believes Carlisle will bring stability. As the Raiders third football coach in as many years, Carlisle repeatedly emphasized that this job is long term for him.

Athletic Director Alejandro Romero then introduced Carlisle and iterated his ongoing catchphrase for the athletic department, “All in, All Raider.”

Romero said Carlisle is all in on the vision.

“He believes in developing these young men, building trust and creating a program our entire community can be proud of,” Romero said. “We are confident in what coach Carlisle is going to bring for the football program. With you all fully invested, we cannot be more thrilled about the next chapter of Alpharetta football.”

Carlisle brings a well-rounded resume of filling head, assistant, position and strength coach roles both at juggernaut programs, such as

WILLIAM GALLAGHER/PROVIDED

Danny Carlisle comes to Johns Creek from Chattahoochee High School, where he spent three seasons as head coach.

Grayson, and brand new programs such as Discovery.

Carlisle’s first head coaching position was at his alma mater, Cooper City High in Florida. There, in his second year, the team beat nationally ranked perennial powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas. Cooper City had no Division I players on the roster.

With program numbers declining, Carlisle outlined a detailed plan to retain and recruit for the youth feeder program. He has experience increasing engagement at three previous programs, with the numbers to back it up.

Forsyth Central jumped from 90 to 135 students, Cooper City increased from 80 to 125, and Chattahoochee grew from 62 to 88 players.

Carlisle addressed concerns from parents in the meeting, such as his sudden departure from Chattahoochee. He said that for many reasons, taking this job was what was best for his family, and he doesn’t see himself moving on to another program afterward.

“This area is very special to me, and I really think [this program] can be like a Milton,” he said. “Where these kids are Alpharetta Raiders from kindergarten. I told [Scheifflee and Romero], my next job is retirement on the beach.”

Roswell High athletes sign commits to college

By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell High School hosted a signing day Feb. 4 to celebrate 11 athletes from the football and boys lacrosse teams moving on to play at the next level.

Three Hornets will suit up for Kentucky Wesleyan College – safety Kaiden Perry, defensive back Tre Harris and wide receiver Chase Shaffer.

Defensive swiss army knife Elijah Istanboulian is off to Missouri Western State University.

Athletic Director Ben Sutter said the four football signees are the unsung heroes of the team that made the 5A semi-final.

He said it’s special to celebrate the team’s accomplishments and to focus on individual achievements.

“You already know how successful the teams were,” he said. “Those are already out there, but getting to hear about the individual kids and seeing them get celebrated, that’s special for me. The guys that did the dirty work, that were down in the trenches.”

Seven players from the boys lacrosse team, who won three back-toback championships in the last three

years, committed to play lacrosse in college.

Head coach Bryan Wallace says there will be more players from the class of 2026 signing to play lacrosse at April’s signing day.

The Hornets’ starting goalie, faceoff, entire attack line and one defender all signed Feb. 4 to continue their athletic careers in college.

Goalie Will Culves committed to Young Harris College. Faceoff Jack Dowdy is off to Anderson University.

Attacker Kaden Parla will suit up for Jacksonville University next year. The senior has 119 career goals and 71 assists. He scored 64 of the goals and 48 of the assists last season alone.

Attackman Jackson Hardwick signed to Embry Riddle University in Florida, where he will study to become a pilot. The third starter on Roswell’s attack line, Wyatt Luce, committed to Wingate University.

Starting defenseman Declan Laverty will play for Lander University in South Carolina.

Attackman/midfielder Carson Jazdzyk, who transferred this year from Cherokee High School, also committed to Lander and will be on the second line of midfielders this season.

giving you the correct number of letters for each answer (the answers in line 1 are 5, 5 and 4 letters). The clues are numbered 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. Got it? Good luck!

FABRICS

1. Collar type. Shiny semi-synthetic fabric. Moxie.

2. Work fabric. Tropical fruit. Rancher's concern.

3. Down-in-the-mouth. Carpet type. Angora goat hair fabric.

4. Scarf fabric. Goofball. African equine.

5. Stand-offish. Latin dance. Fabric made of compressed animal fibers

6. Canyon sound. Fabric of uneven yarn. Shrek, e.g.

7. Wedding item. Downy duck. Twilled woolen fabric.

1 Collar type. Shiny semi-synthetic fabric. Moxie.

2. Work fabric. Tropical fruit. Rancher’s concern.

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. Down-in-the-mouth. Carpet type. Angora goat hair fabric.

4. Scarf fabric. Goofball. African equine

5. Stand-offish. Latin dance. Fabric made of compressed matted animal fibers

6. Canyon sound. Fabric of uneven yarn. Shrek, e.g.

Strong local news means a strong local economy

Proposed legislation could solve home purchase affordability

Every once in a while, a policy idea comes along that doesn’t just nudge the affordability needle — it grabs it by the collar, shakes it violently, and says: “Let’s fix this.”

And believe it or not, Georgia lawmakers may have just introduced one of those rare ideas.

Georgia State House members have introduced a bill that would gradually reduce — and ultimately eliminate — property taxes on owner-occupied homes by 2032, beginning with phased reductions starting in 2026.

Now, I’ve spent plenty of time discussing affordability solutions from the mortgage side — 40-year terms, even 50-year terms, alternative structures, buydowns, you name it.

But let’s be clear:

Eliminating property taxes?

That’s not a tweak.

That’s a game-changer.

Why this matters (in real dollars)

Let’s take a very normal Georgia scenario:

• Home value: $500,000

• Annual property taxes: ~$6,000/year

• Monthly tax burden: ~$500/month

If those property taxes are eliminated, the homeowner’s monthly payment drops by about $500 per month — and that’s not some tiny “feel-good” savings.

That is real affordability.

In fact, on a typical 5 percent down purchase, a $500/month reduction is roughly equivalent to the borrower receiving something like a 1.75 percent reduction in their mortgage interest rate.

Let me translate that into plain English:

That’s like mortgage rates dropping from 6.5 percent to 4.75 percent… without the Fed lifting a finger.

And if you’re wondering why I’m excited, it’s because that’s the kind of shift that can revive the purchase market faster than any lender promo, buydown gimmick or “special spring incentive” email campaign ever could.

The problem (because there’s always one)

Of course, there’s one small detail.

Just a minor issue.

A tiny question.

How do counties and cities replace billions in lost property tax revenue?

Because property taxes don’t just fund “government stuff.” They fund:

• Schools

• Police

• Fire departments

• Infrastructure

• Parks

• Public services

• Basically, everything your local government does besides post motivational quotes on Facebook.

Proposed solution: consumption tax

The idea being floated is to offset the lost revenue through higher sales taxes — effectively shifting the system from a property-based tax model to a consumption-based model.

Meaning:

• The more you buy

• The more you spend

• The more you contribute

In theory, that sounds clean and simple.

In practice… well, this is where economists start sharpening their pencils and muttering things like “regressivity” and “distributional burden.”

Yes, it’s regressive, but so is the status quo.

The main criticism will be predictable:

“Sales taxes hurt lower-income households more than wealthier ones.”

And yes — that’s generally true.

But here’s the part that doesn’t get said loudly enough: Property taxes also hit middle-class homeowners hard, especially first-time buyers and young families.

Property taxes don’t care if you’re cash-flow rich or cash-flow broke. They just show up every month like a subscription service you never signed up for.

And unlike mortgage interest, you can’t refinance them away.

Stronger homeownership base

From an economic standpoint, expanding homeownership isn’t just a feel-good political slogan.

Higher homeownership rates tend to correlate with:

• Stronger community investment

• Higher educational outcomes

• Lower crime rates

• Greater neighborhood stability

• Increased household wealth over time Homeownership, for better or worse, remains one of the most reliable longterm wealth-building mechanisms for American households.

OPINION

Phil Stovall recalls some standout movie moments

A Past Tense article on Atlanta’s early movie history reminded Phil Stovall of his memorable moments at local theatres. Stovall grew up near Wieuca and Roswell Road. He moved to Dunwoody in 1987 along with his wife Rebecca. His earliest movie recollections are Saturday morning trips to Buckhead Theatre in the late 1950s and early 1960s to see a movie for the special price of 10 cents. His parents would drop off Stovall along with his older brother and sister.

After the movie, the three children would stop at the shoe repair shop next door for a 5-cent, 6-ounce Coke. They also enjoyed observing watch repairs at Mr. Stephens’ shop while waiting to be picked up. If the children had enough time, they walked to the bowling alley across the street. The bowling alley had duck pins and children in the rear of the alleys worked as pin setters.

Buckhead Theatre at 3110 Roswell Road opened on June 2, 1930. It was bought out and renamed Capri Theatre on June 29, 1962. After some time as a Cinema & Drafthouse, the theater became The Roxy and returned to the original name of Buckhead Theatre in 2013. (cinematreasures.org)

Phil remembers the drive-ins he visited as a child, including Piedmont, NE 1-85 and sometimes a longer drive to the Bankhead/Bolton Drive-In.

“My favorite was the Piedmont, with a pretty winding driveway in, lit with little lights, all dressed in pj’s ready to enjoy the cartoons intro,” he said. “Then all three of us would settle down to sleep in the back seat of the old Ford four door, and later in the Chevy station wagon.”

Stovall recalls seeing several movies downtown. He saw “The Longest Day” and “Gone with the Wind” re-release at Loew’s Grand Theatre. At the Fox Theater, he saw “In Search of the Castaways.” This film had an intermission, not unusual for 1962. While stepping out to the concession stand during intermission, Stovall remembers seeing the second half of the movie begin while he was still in line.

“The Sound of Music,” “The Longest Day,” “Fantasia” and “Ben Hur” re-release, “Lawrence of Arabia,” and “How the West was Won” were all movies Stovall saw in the 1960s and all had intermissions.

He remembers seeing the “How the West was Won” at the Martin Cinerama, featuring the new Cinerama format with a curved wide screen. The theatre was previously known as Tower, and after Martin it became Atlanta and finally Columbia Theatre before closing in 1987.

A few more movie memories include “The Sword in the Stone” at Cherokee Plaza in Brookhaven, before the theatre was replaced with a Kroger; “Dr. Zhivago” at the Plaza Theatre on Ponce de Leon; and second run films at North Springs Shopping Center Theatre next to a bowling alley at the corner of Roswell and Dalrymple Roads. Stovall recalls his first car date, a 7 p.m. movie at the Fox with date Linda, followed by the Mighty Mo organ performance. He forgot to turn on his car

PROVIDED

This Jan. 17, 1964, ad for “The Sword in the Stone” at Cherokee Theatre in Brookhaven ran in the Atlanta Journal.

lights after this one.

On his last night before leaving for college, Stovall and his high school sweetheart Jeanette went to the Midnight Sun for dinner, walked around downtown and saw “Paint Your Wagon” at the Georgia Theatre, next to the old downtown Macy’s.

Later, a reminder of that date and young woman ar -

rived for him at college. It was the album soundtrack of “Paint Your Wagon.”

Award-winning author Valerie Biggerstaff is a longtime columnist for Appen Media and the Dunwoody Crier. She lives in Atlanta. You can email Valerie at pasttensega@ gmail.com or visit her website at pasttensega.com.

Jones:

Continued from Page 1

Jones was first elected as speaker pro tem in 2010 and has continually been re-elected by her fellow representatives. She is the longest-serving speaker pro tem and is the first woman to hold the position in Georgia.

House Speaker Jon Burns (R-Newington) said Jones is a trailblazer.

“Jan’s 16-year tenure in House leadership reflects the abiding faith and admiration her colleagues have for her,” Burns said. “She will

Aikenomics:

Continued from Page 24

So, if this bill materially increases the ability for Georgia families to buy homes — especially during a period of elevated rates and high prices — the downstream economic benefits could be substantial.

If Georgia can pull this off responsibly — without gutting local services or turning counties into GoFundMe campaigns — this could be one of the most meaningful housing affordability proposals we’ve seen in years.

close her career in the General Assembly with a long record of accomplishments but also a long list of great friends, including me and Dayle. We appreciate her service and dedication to this chamber, her district and all of Georgia.”

All members of the Georgia House and Senate are up for election this year. Candidate qualifying will take place March 2-6. The primaries will be held on May 19, and Election Day is Nov. 3.

The deadline to register to vote in the primaries is April 20, and for the general election is Oct. 5.

So here’s to you, House Rep. Jon Burns.

Now the question is whether the rest of the Georgia House and Senate can see what’s sitting right in front of them: a policy that doesn’t just talk about affordability — it actually creates it.

DC Aiken is Senior Vice President of Lending for CrossCountry Mortgage, NMLS # 658790. For more insights, you can subscribe to his newsletter at dcaiken.com.

The opinions expressed within this article may not reflect the opinions or views of CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC or its affiliates.

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info@northsidechapel.com www.northsidechapel.com

During these turbulent times, we would like to highlight the continued courage and commitment of everyone who works in the health care, law enforcement, childcare, food service and utility sectors. We are extremely grateful.

12050 Crabapple Road • Roswell, GA 30075

DEATH NOTICES

Linda Dowling, age 84, of Roswell, GA passed away on February 13, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Paul English, age 57, of Milton, GA passed away on February 12, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Dennis Hall, age 80, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on February 13, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Jenell Hungerbuhler, age 79, of Roswell, GA passed away on February 16, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Terri Shaw, age 76, of Milton, GA passed away on February 10, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Hans Walter, age 78, of Roswell, GA passed away on February 7, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

William Wilkin, Jr., age 87, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on February 15, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Members of the Milton Fire Department acknowledge a proclamation from the City Council Feb. 18 in honor of Georgia’s Fire Fighter Recognition Day which takes place on the first Tuesday in February.

Council:

Continued from Page 1

Plans for the 50-acre Blakely Manor subdivision have been underway since 2023 and contain 36 single-family homes on 1–3 acre lots. The neighborhood’s entrance on Freemanville Road is complete, along with the mail kiosk and three stormwater detention ponds.

Also at the council meeting, officials approved the consent agenda, which included revising a property line and two new recreation programs at the Milton Community Center or the Bethwell Community Center. The programs are a youth cheer, dance and hip-hop fitness classes and Jiu-Jitsu-based self-defense classes.

During public comment, Ben Kopacka addressed the City Council asking why Milton does not define “rural” in its most recent version of the 2040 Compre-

Land Development Administrator Sandra Dewitt presents the final preliminary plat plans for Brooke Hall and Blakely Manor to the Milton City Council during its Feb. 18 meeting.

hensive Plan.

Without a definition, he asked how the city can set a strategic plan when the desire to keep Milton rural is guiding conversation around potential changes to Agricultural Residential (AG-1) zoning.

“I think that not being able to define “rural” is a huge fundamental source of daily operational problems within the city, its citizens and the city government,” Kopacka said.

Most land in Milton is zoned AG-1,

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

and the City Council is deciding whether to modify elements within its current requirements to better shape future development to fit Milton’s desired agricultural setting.

There will be a public input forum led by city staff on proposed AG-1 zoning changes Feb. 25 at 11 a.m. at City Hall, 2006 Heritage Walk. Elected officials will not be present in an official capacity.

The City Council’s next meeting is March 2 at 6 p.m. w

The City of Milton City Council will hold a public hearing for the applications for alcohol licenses listed below on Monday, March 2, 2026 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-26-AB-03 – Ephesus Turkish Kitchen LLC 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 5310 Windward Parkway, Suite E, Milton, Georgia 30004.

PH-26-AB-04 – Celtic Rising LLC dba Olde Blind Dog Irish Pub has submitted an application for a license to sell Wine, Malt Beverages and Distilled Spirits for Consumption On-Premises, for Sunday Sales of same, and for Resident Caterer at its place of business located at 12650 Crabapple Road, Suite 100, Milton, Georgia 30004.

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Continued innovation in digital media has changed the ways in which people buy, sell and interact with products and services. It has caused businesses to reassess the ways in which it communicates with potential customers and advertises its products. It has been well documented that these changes have had a destructive impact on local newspapers, which continues to be a primary source for local news, but is no longer a primary source for local advertising dollars – historically the lifeblood for reporters and their coverage. At Appen Media Group we want to address this conflict head on, and build new and innovative approaches to monetizing local news and creating a sustainable future for local journalism in metro Atlanta.

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Sawnee EMC is seeking a Mapping Technician to update, maintain and operate Geographic Information System (GIS), related mapping systems and peripheral equipment to create integrated circuit designs for an electrical distribution system. Provide technical assistance in database maintenance and map production for the GIS. Requires an Associate degree or technical school certificate in GIS or related mapping or associated field, with a minimum of two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Must have advanced computer skills with MS Office products, ESRI GIS mapping and Auto CAD. Must be available for alternate shift assignments and irregular work hours, including evenings and weekends as necessitated by circumstances and on-call functions.

Applicants must complete an application prior to 5 PM, February 27, 2026. Apply online: www. sawnee.coop/careers. If you require a paper application or an alternate format, please contact us at 770-887-2363 extension 7568.

Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled and Protected Veterans. Sawnee EMC is VEVRAA Federal Contractor. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Drug Free Workplace.

Senior Consultant. Job loc: Alpharetta, GA. Duties: Lead end-to-end SAP BRIM implementations w/ the focus on SOM, CI/FICA & integration w/ CC, RAR, FSCM & CM. Respsbl for solution dsgn, blueprinting, configuration, tstng & deployment activities. Define & review biz reqs, functional specs, tech dsgn docs, test plans & user trng material. Guide teams through SAP Activate methodology across Explore, Realize & Deploy phases. Provide spprt for pre-sales efforts incl solutioning, scoping & proposal preparation. Proactively resolve functional & tech issues. Participate in key proj phases incl Unit Tstng, Integration tstng, Cutover, Go-Live Spprt & Hypercare. Reqs: 3 yrs. exp. in job offered or 3 yrs. exp. as a Consultant or Mgr. Concurrent exp. must incl.: 3 yrs. exp. leading end-to-end SAP BRIM implementations; & 3 yrs. exp. w/ SAP Activate methodology. Send resume (no calls) to: Nikia London, Acuiti Labs, Inc., 8000 Avalon Blvd., Ste. 100, Alpharetta, GA 30009.

Pilot Travel Centers, LLC dba Pilot Flying J seeks Engineer II, Data and Platform Integrations in Roswell, GA to create REST APIs’ using RAML and build flows using APIKIT Router based on SOA Architecture. Apply at www.jobpostingtoday.com (REF #43045) for consideration.

Sawnee EMC is seeking a Bookkeeper to verify, allocate, and post details of business transactions; summarize and transfer data to general ledgers; compile financial reports; review, reconcile, and balance accounts. Requires: a bachelor’s degree in accounting, or a related field, and a minimum of one (1) year related experience in an accounting/ bookkeeping environment or equivalent combination of education and experience solely determined by the Corporation.

Applicants must complete an application prior to 5 PM, February 27, 2026. Apply online: www. sawnee.coop/careers. If you require a paper application or an alternate format, please contact us at 770-887-2363 extension 7568.

Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled and Protected Veterans. Sawnee EMC is VEVRAA Federal Contractor. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Drug Free Workplace.

Senior Software Engineering needed by AT&T SERVICES, INC. in Alpharetta, GA to collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including software engineers, system architects, product owners, and clients to gather, analyze, and refine detailed software requirements, ensuring alignment with business objectives and regulatory compliance. Apply at http://att.jobs/, select JOB SEARCH and APPLY and select Search by Requisition Number at the left bottom of the page and enter Job Number: R-97364.

Mechatronic Engineer (Norcross, GA) Responsible for dsgng & improving mechanical production lines; interpreting blueprints & schematics; conferring w/ other engineers & other personnel to implmt operating procedures, resolving system (electrical & mechanical) malfunctions, & providing tech’l info; prep’g reports & analysis feasibility, cost & maintenance reqmts of dsgns &/or applications; specifying system components to ensure conformance w/ engineering dsgn & performance specs; & conducting research that tests & analyzes the feasibility, dsgn, operation & performance of eqpmt, components & systems. Bach’s deg in Mechatronic Engg; 40 hrs/wk; $69,056.00 /yr. Send resume to Ole Mexican Foods, 6585 Crescent Dr, Norcross, GA 30071.

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Lead Solution Engineer (position in Alpharetta, GA 30022):

Lead the design, development, and implementation of business critical automation solutions, including architecture analysis and definition, SAAS/On-perm cloud Migration, and integration solutions; engage in the preparation of proof concepts, pilot projects and product installation; engage in the development of robust, scalable, modular and API-centric infrastructures.

Must have a Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Computer Applications, Computer Science, Applied Computer Science, or related field (or foreign degree equivalent) and five years of experience in: SAP to Cloud migration planning and execution; and the development of integration solutions for business applications and architecture design. Domestic travel required 20% of working time.

Please submit in duplicate your resume and cover letter referencing position #1059 to: Stonebranch, Inc., Attn. Anabelle Aybar, Human Resources Manager, 4550 North Point Parkway, Suite 400, Alpharetta, GA 30022; or anabelle.aybar@stonebranch.com. Stonebranch, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Guest House Project Inc dba The Guest House Project (Canton, GA): Director of Client Care and Donor Development. Req 24 mos exp in Social/Human Services role (counseling, mentoring, or related). Bimonthly trvl w/in CONUS to coordinate client care. 25% hybrid remote. Res to Attn: Christy Jackson, 3687 Creekmore St, Canton, GA 30115

Plant Engineer (Norcross, GA) Responsible for the integration of the mechanical, s/ware & tech’l components for an automated food production facility; dsgn, dvlp & manage engg control systems & dvlp procedures to ensure plant optimization, safety & QC; dsgn, monitor & improve cost, conservation & preventive inspection procedures to ensure the continued operation of production facility. Master deg in Mechatronic or Industrial Engg; 40 hrs/wk, $94,931.00. Send resume to Ole Mexican Foods, 6585 Crescent Dr, Norcross, GA 30071.

IT Professionals:

Ent. Lvl to Sen. Lvl (Mltpl pos’s) of Sftwr Dvlprs, Sftwr Engnrs, Data Anlysts & .Net Dvlprs & Scrum Masters are needed for our Suwanee, GA office. Must be willing to trvl to set up sys to var. clients at unanticipated locations across the nation. Pls send resume, Cvr Ltr., & Sal. Req. to Byteware Cloud Inc at 1325 Satellite Blvd., Suite 1405, Suwanee, GA 30024.

Risk Developer (Alpharetta, GA) Collecting, processing, & analyzing underlying portfolio data generated externally or by var internal divisions of the cmpny & enhancing Analytics/Risk rprting by automating manual processes & improving the accuracy of analyses. Requirements: Master’s deg in Quantitative Finance, Fin Engg, Mathematics, or closely rltd field. Graduate lvl crswk req in: OPT Mdels in Finance; Fin Time Series; & Machine Learning. Mail resume: Tracy Ryan, Balbec Capital, LP, 10000 Avalon Blvd., Ste. 550, Alpharetta, GA 30009

Regional Sales Manager (Suwanee, GA) - F/T. Plan, direct, or coord the actual distribution or movement of our products/services to customers. Coord sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, & goals & establish training prgms for sales representatives. $132,205.00/yr. Bachelor’s deg in Sales, or Advertising or closely rltd. Also accepted: HS Diploma or GED + 24 mos of exp in job offd or as Sales Mgr, Area Mgr, Sales Director of closely rltd managerial sales position. Approximately 30% of int’l & national travel reqd. Email resume to: Rossini North America LLC, Attn: Sherry Rhodes, Acctg Mgr/HR/Safety at: s.rhodes@ rossini-na.com.

Accountant (Alpharetta, GA). Accurately & promptly maintain investment lvl activity in the firm’s investment & acctng s/w (VPM). Activity incls purchases & sales, monthly collections, leverage draws & repayments, & interest accrual calculations. Prep of weekly, monthly, & quarterly cash reconciliations. Reqs: Master’s deg in Finance, Pro Accountancy or closely rltd deg. Graduate lvl crswk req in: Financial/Business Anlss; ManagingGlobal Economy; & Internal Auditing. Mail resume: Tracy Ryan, Balbec Capital, LP, 10000 Avalon Blvd., Ste. 550, Alpharetta, GA 30009

Senior Software Engineer (Alpharetta, GA) to dvlp, test, support, maintain, & validate energy s/ware applics & systms; recommend systm modifications & upgrades; research emerging technologies; mentor junior s/ware engineers. Req: Master’s deg (or foreign equiv.) in Comp Sci/Engg, or a rltd field of study + 3 yrs of job-rltd exp (any title). Exp must incl working w/ C#, .NET, Git, Visual Studio, Web Svcs, Powershell & Azure Cloud Svcs. Travel/ relocation to various unanticipated locs w/in U.S. possible; must pass a drug screening & criminal background clearance. Resume: Burton Energy Group, LLC, 11175 Cicero Dr, Ste 600, Alpharetta, GA 30022. Refer: GADG25

Computer Professionals for GA based IT Firm : “Sr. Database Administrator to Install, administer, dvlp, test, implement & maintain computer databases in multi-server environment using DB2, Oracle etc. Perform all database related functions like database & instance setup, performance tuning, capacity planning, backups/disaster recovery, security/permissions management & replication management. Travel to various unanticipated worksite loc’ns with frequency dependent on Project and/or Client requirement throughout the U.S. may be required.” Apply w/2 copies of resume to HR, Powermind Solutions, Inc. 11539 Park Woods Cir, Ste # 703, Alpharetta, GA 30005.

Principal System Engineering needed by AT&T Services, Inc. in Alpharetta, GA to lead the design and architecture of supply chain planning applications leveraging Blue Yonder modules and/ or o9 platform capabilities. Apply at http://att. jobs/, select JOB SEARCH and APPLY and select Search by Requisition Number at the left bottom of the page and enter Job Number: R-100217

Lead Software Engineering needed by AT&T Services, Inc. in Alpharetta, GA to collaborate to gather and review software requirements/user stories, provide estimates, create software design specifications and collaborate with engineers/architects to assess and test hardware and interactions. Apply at http://att. jobs/, select JOB SEARCH and APPLY and select Search by Requisition Number at the left bottom of the page and enter Job Number: R-100532

Remote/part-time/flexible/contract work for seasoned accountants/bookkeepers. NonProfit/ For-Profit Clients. QBO and payroll expertise required. Sue@playbook-cloud.com

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