North Fulton needs set housing blend ► PAGE 11
North Fulton taps into health, senior services
Alpharetta building upgrade brings county aid to residents
By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com
NORTH FULTON, Ga. — Residents in North Fulton County will have access to health services closer to home soon when the county opens its new health and human services operation at 4700 North Point Parkway in Alpharetta. Fulton County has invested $15.4
million since 2019 restoring the facility to offer a range of services under one roof, such as senior services, recovery treatment and behavioral health therapy. The location includes a new neighborhood senior center where residents can take provided transportation to participate in activities, such as art or nutrition classes. Lunch will be provided daily.
Pamela Roshell, Ph.D., chief operating officer for Fulton County, said they know many individuals in the community have adults that they’re caring for at home. That’s why the new building offers adult day services, providing relief for caregivers to rest or prioritize other business for the day.
See SERVICES, Page 7
Sandy Springs sets election for exclusive taxing district
By DYANA BAGBY dyana@appenmedia.com
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Sandy Springs residents will vote in November on whether to give the city power to create special tax districts.
On March 25, the Georgia General Assembly approved legislation to put a referendum on the Nov. 3 general election ballot to that will allow Sandy Springs voters to decide if they want the city to have redevelopment powers to create tax allocation districts.
Voters will vote yes or no on the referendum that will read:
“Shall the Act be approved which authorizes the City of Sandy Springs, Georgia, to exercise all redevelopment powers allowed under the ‘Redevelopment Powers Law,’ as it may be amended from time to time?”
TADs are designated areas where local governments freeze property values at their current level for purposes of maintaining roughly the same tax revenue they’re already paying. However, if property values in the district go up, any additional revenue from that increase is set aside and used to improve infrastructure within its boundaries.
See DISTRICT, Page 7
HANNAH YAHNE/APPEN MEDIA
Fulton County’s new Health & Human Services building located minutes off Ga. 400 in Alpharetta offers a range of services under one roof, such as senior services and therapy programs.
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When will Google Fiber come to Dunwoody?
By DYANA BAGBY dyana@appenmedia.com
After more than a decade of waiting, people living and working in Dunwoody could soon have access to Google Fiber, the high-speed internet service.
Google Fiber, also known as GFiber, is set to begin installation of its fiber optic cable in the city in the next few weeks, according to city officials. A dedicated website for people and businesses who have questions about Google Fiber construction is at dunwoodyga.gov/community/googlefiber.
The Dunwoody City Council approved a franchise agreement with Google Fiber in November that gives the company access to city right-ofway for installation of its fiber optic cable.
City Manager Eric Linton told the City Council at its March 9 meeting that Google Fiber installation “comes with its challenges” as the company’s crews dig up yards and along city roads.
“We are working with them closely to try to minimize the impact,” Linton
said. “They are a utility. We don't have a choice in the matter. They have the right to put their … internet in but we will work with them to make sure they follow all the guidelines.”
Public Works Director Michael Smith told the City Council that installation was expected to begin on Hammond Drive before moving into residential areas.
The city is also working with Google Fiber to make sure the company’s construction and installations are done along roads before the roads are paved as part of the 2026 paving plan, Smith said.
When Google Fiber announced in 2015 it would be expanding its fiber optic network to Atlanta, it included the suburban cities of Avondale
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Estates, Brookhaven, College Park, Decatur, East Point, Hapeville, Sandy Springs and Smyrna. Since then, Google Fiber was added to Alpharetta, Chamblee and East Point.
Dunwoody officials had been in talks with Google Fiber for some time before approving the franchise agreement four months ago.
The Google Fiber rollout in Atlanta and surrounding cities was expected to be completed in a couple years. But building the fiber-optic network was more difficult than anticipated, resulting in a slow-down of getting the service into the Atlanta suburbs.
The average fixed broadband download speed in the U.S. is approximately 172 megabits per second while Google Fiber provides gigabit internet connections of 1,000 megabits per second.
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Veteran launches campaign for 7th Congressional District
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Tony Kozycki, a Navy combat veteran and attorney, is running for Georgia's 7th Congressional District, which represents North Fulton County. He will appear on the ballot during the May 19 Democratic primary.
The district also represents Dawson, Forsyth and Lumpkin counties, and portions of Hall and Cherokee counties. The other Democratic candidates are camera technician Case Norton, environmental health scientist Jayson Toweh and Larry Long, who is retired. The primary winner will face incumbent Republican Rep. Rich McCormick in November. McCormick does not have a
Kozycki was raised in LaGrange and spent a decade serving as a naval aviator, flying combat missions on three deployments, before becoming an attorney representing families across Georgia, according to a news release.
“Our country is going through a moment where too many people feel that our government is working against them, instead of for them,” Kozycki said. “In the military, we are trained to
focus on the mission and we need that in Washington - people willing to work across lines, solve problems, and move the country forward.”
Kozycki is focused on lowering the cost of living, restoring trust in government and ensuring immigration enforcement is carried out lawfully and humanely.
“Families across our district are doing everything right and still feel like they’re falling behind,” he said. “The success of our economy should be based on whether working families can actually get ahead.”
Kozycki says he thinks representatives should hear directly from the people.
“That’s why I’m announcing today a series of rolling town halls across the district to meet with voters and listen to their concerns and priorities,” he said.
– Zoe Seiler
KOZYCKI
Each line in the puzzle below 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, 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!
ISLAND HOPPING
1. Oranjestad’s island. Whip. Cheese in a ball.
2. Practical joke. Wading bird of Egypt. Hawaiian island.
3. Ticked off. Viti Levu Island is part of it. British topper.
4. Volcanic Indonesian island. Gold bar. Young pigeon.
5. Trade. French Polynesian island. Annoyance.
6. Engage. Moonfish. Trinidad’s island kin.
7. Verdant. Main Philippines island. Suite spot.
1 Oranjestad’s island Whip. Cheese in a ball.
2. Practical joke. Wading bird of Egypt. Hawaiian island.
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. Ticked off. Viti Levu Island is part of it. British topper.
4. Volvanic Indonesian island. Gold bar. Young pigeon.
5. Trade. French Polynesian island. Annoyance
6. Engage. Moonfish. Trinidad’s island kin
How to Solve: To solve the Sudoku puzzle, each row, column and box must contain the numbers 1 to 9.
Verdant. Main Philippines island. Suite spot.
Services:
Continued from Page 1
Children and adults can get outpatient or group therapy at the center, and families of those with developmental disabilities can receive training or support services on site.
The Fulton County Board of Health will relocate to the new building off Ga. 400, allowing residents to obtain vital records without traveling downtown. The center will continue offering services including children’s dental and specialized healthcare for women, infants and children.
Restaurant and business owners can visit the center’s environmental health and
District:
Continued from Page 1
The base level property tax revenue, set at the outset, still goes to schools and local taxing authorities.
inspections unit on site.
Individuals that have opted to receive treatment through Fulton County’s alternative sentencing program can participate in group treatment sessions, substance use testing and program meetings at the center.
Roshell emphasized that the facility is not a housing facility, crisis or emergency center, and it does not offer inpatient treatment.
A ribbon cutting on the Fulton County Health and Human Services – North is scheduled for Thursday, April 16 at 11 a.m. On Saturday, April 18, residents can attend a community open house from 10 a.m. until noon to tour the facility and learn more about its available services.
A ribbon cutting on the 100,000-square-foot North Fulton County Health &
ing located at 4700 North Point Parkway is scheduled for April 16 at 11 a.m.
Local governments can also borrow against the TAD’s anticipated future property tax increases to pay for new sidewalks and roads as well as to help fund private development. Redevelopment of the city’s North End along Roswell Road has been a priority for nearly a decade. A 2021 report that created conceptual plans
for large properties in the North End — the Big Lots Center, Northridge Shopping Center, Loehmann’s Plaza and North River Shopping Center — recommended TADs to spur redevelopment in these areas.
Mayor Rusty Paul has voiced his support of a TAD to boost North End redevelopment. During his reelection
campaign last year, he said a TAD could be used to fund infrastructure improvements such as stormwater maintenance, parks and trails in the North End. A TAD could also be used by the city to work with the development industry to encourage projects to add shops, restaurants and other amenities to the North End, he said.
HANNAH YAHNE/APPEN MEDIA
Human Services build-
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GARDEN BUZZ
Things to know before you go to the Garden Faire
By MARY LYN PAOLELLA & CHRISTINE WILLIAMS
If you are a gardening enthusiast, come see us at the 25th anniversary of the North Fulton Master Gardeners’ annual Garden Faire!
This free event will be held at The Grove at Wills Park on Saturday, April 11, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. We are excited to be partnering with Alpharetta Community Agriculture Program/Old Rucker Farm, the Georgia Native Plant Society-North Metro Atlanta Chapter and the City of Alpharetta Recreation, Parks and Cultural Services. Garden Faire 2026 will provide one-stop shopping for garden enthusiasts with a large selection of shade and sun perennials, native plants, indoor plants, tomatoes and other culinary offerings, as well as two horticultural education sessions and a space for children’s gardening activities.
This year, the Master Gardener volunteer team is focused on bringing the community a wide breadth of passalong plants from their gardens or the gardens of friends, family and neighbors. These passalong plants include a variety of ground covers, perennials, hostas, irises and daylilies, along with some select vines, shrubs and trees. Look for interpretive signage over many of the plants that provides tips on caring for them.
The Master Gardeners UGA Extension Volunteers’ primary mission is horticultural education and environmental stewardship. These volunteers will be on hand to help with your gardening questions and needs. This is your opportunity to pick their brains — and the Master Gardeners love that! Look for their booth, volunteer T-shirts, Master Gardener aprons or distinct name tags.
Through the marketplace, you will find garden-related vendors offering hard-tofind plants — including sweet-smelling roses, colorful native azaleas, lush hostas, succulents, daylilies, begonias, camellias, hydrangeas, pollinator plants, trees, shrubs, carnivorous plants and other natives — as well as nature-inspired pottery, gardening gifts, seeds, tools, birdhouses, feeders, educational offerings and more.
Adding to festive atmosphere:
• Two educational talks on gardening topics with expanded Q&A sessions
• Food vendors providing light bites
Garden Faire Plant
• More plants than you can imagine
• The Fleatique, showcasing gently used, secondhand garden and home treasures
• A booth dedicated to garden-related crafts produced by North Fulton Master Gardeners
• Live music from Cedar Hill Bluegrass Band
If you bring young ones, look for the Children’s Gardening Corner in the center of the action from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Children will be engaged in a handson gardening craft, coloring activity or perhaps learning about carnivorous plants.
Garden Faire will feature two Garden Talk sessions hosted by expert speakers:
• 9:30-11 a.m.: Steps for Successful
Garden Design, Selection and Installation
— Keying off Your Vision
• 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.: Vegetable Gardening 2.0 — Good Practices from Soil to Seed to Sustenance
In addition to extended Q&A segments at each talk, attendees can expect a door prize or two and packets of seeds. The Garden Talks are free; registration is recommended at Eventbrite. How do you get there: The Grove at Wills Park is at 175 Roswell St., Alpharetta, Ga. Park at the Alpharetta Community Center or follow signs to overflow parking at Amana Academy, 285 S. Main St., Alpharetta, Ga. 30009. A free shuttle will transport attendees to and from Garden Faire, running continuously
About the authors: This week’s “Garden Buzz” guest columnists are Mary Lyn Paolella and Christine Williams, co-chairs of the 2026 Garden Faire. A Master Gardener since 2021, Mary Lyn has always had a passion for plants and nature. As a child, her dad would take her to his garden in the fields of North Carolina where she first experienced the value of multigenerational “passing along” of plants and knowledge.
Mary Lyn is an enthusiastic dahlia grower and gardening explorer.
A lifelong nature lover, Christine Williams relishes getting dirty. From a young age, she loved exploring in any nearby woods, meadows or open fields.
A Master Gardener Extension Volunteer with Fulton County since 2011, she received her Certificate of Native Plants from the UGA/State Botanical Garden of Georgia in 2024.
from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with a short break from noon to 12:30 p.m.
A limited number of carts and wagons will be available for those who forget to bring their own. A secure area is available to hold purchases near the Alpharetta Community Center parking lot while you retrieve your car.
This event is a major fundraiser for all participating partners. Proceeds support educational activities for children and adults, community outreach, and restoration of public gardens and green spaces. The North Fulton Master Gardeners also fund annual scholarships to the University of Georgia School of Horticulture, Gwinnett Technical College Horticulture Program and the Georgia 4-H Foundation Collegiate Scholarship Fund.
We look forward to seeing you at Garden Faire on April 11 at The Grove at Wills Park in Alpharetta!
North Fulton Master Gardeners, Inc. is a Georgia nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization whose purpose is to educate its members and the public in horticulture and ecology to promote and foster community enrichment. Master Gardener Volunteers are trained and certified by the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. Learn more at nfmg.net.
Visit North Fulton Master Gardeners at these events throughout the year:
• Alpharetta Farmers Market (starting April 18)
• Sandy Springs Farmers Market: Diggin’ in the Dirt kids’ activities
• Crabapple Festival in Milton this fall
NORTH FULTON MASTER GARDENERS/PROVIDED
sale (top), Visit Ask a Master Gardener booth for gardening questions and information (middle), Happy gardener with purchases (bottom)
OPINION
Housing flexibility can help sustain North Fulton
By KATHY SWAHN, NANCY DIAMOND, JACK MURPHY North Fulton Improvement Network Executive Team Improvenorthfulton.org
In a 2022 study, the real estate firm Redfin estimated that almost 1 in 3 empty-nest baby boomers live in houses with 3+ unused bedrooms. With limited downsize options and high interest rates, there doesn’t seem to be much incentive to move. Add to that, the fact that many of us have accumulated a lot of “stuff” that our kids don’t want but we can’t part with, and you have a real bottleneck. Here is one reason financially savvy seniors may be motivated to sell. Public schools in North Fulton, the gem that attracted most of us to this area in the first place, are losing enrollment at a significant pace. And the impact that may have on future housing prices is something to consider.
Yes, it is true that a nationwide decline in birth rate is impacting
schools everywhere. But the numbers that Fulton County Schools (FCS) recently released show that the decline is more severe in our area than in most. Given the tactics that DeKalb County is considering – closing 27 schools – FCS may need to take a similar approach.
Overall, FCS showed a decline of 1,579 students countywide. Eightythree percent of that decline was in north county schools. Enrollment at private schools also showed a decline. Where these students went is a different research project. In our view, the most important differentiator impacting enrollment is the number of new housing units available to families. In the fourth quarter of last year, there were 437 homes (single family, townhouses, or condos) available in South Fulton. There were 339 available in North Fulton. North Fulton schools educate 62 percent of the total FCS student population.
We don’t have enough workforce housing options in North Fulton to attract young families and encourage
Affordable housing continues to be a serious issue across North Metro Atlanta. Groups like the North Fulton Improvement Network are trying to help, and Appen Media is dedicated to covering the process. Send ideas, questions and feedback to newsroom@appenmedia.com. Find more information from NFIN at improvenorthfulton.org.
student growth! It is in all our best interests to come together to solve this challenge.
We don’t need to simply build more housing…we need the right kind of housing.
We need housing for seniors to downsize without losing the community they helped build. We need places for nurses, teachers and public safety workers to have the option to live close to their jobs. We need places for young families to put down roots, populate our schools and pay local taxes.
In short, we need more attainable units for middle-income workers. To accomplish that will require average citizens to urge elected officials to
work together to solve the problem. The first step is to adjust zoning rules that restrict housing options.
Housing density seems to scare almost as many people as the term “affordable housing.” However, many communities have developed zoning that allows for “gentle” density – the kind of zoning that allows for duplexes and triplexes that can look much like any other single-family home.
If you want to help maintain the value of your home when you choose to sell, you need to get involved with your elected officials. Tell them that you want zoning that will save our schools.
In a recent op-ed in the Appen papers, Superintendent of Fulton County Schools Mike Looney said, “Strong schools help create stable neighborhoods and a thriving local economy. It is well established that communities with strong public schools attract families and support healthy property values, protecting the investment many residents have made in their homes.”
Thanking anonymous mystery good Samaritans
RAY APPEN Publisher Emeritus ray@appenmedia.com
I wrote a recent column about how bad/strong my coffee is and how I never measure how much coffee I put in the filter to brew it. This week, in my mailbox, I found a very nice Tupperware coffee container complete with a measuring cup that attaches to the top. In the container was a generous portion of obviously exceptionally good / bold coffee –thinking Sumatra - ready to be brewed. The measuring cup attached to the top
DEATH NOTICES
Barbara Bacarella, age 83, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on March 19, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Margie Gonzalez, age 81, of Roswell, GA passed away on March 22, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
of the container even has a mark made by a sharpie that shows one exactly how much coffee to put in the cup to put into the filter to be brewed.
I sense a kind, generous, caring person who wants to help spare my guests from being exposed to my awful strong coffee and who also optimistically thinks that this old dog actually is capable of learning new tricks or, at a minimum, can be cleaned up and presented in a slightly improved way to the public. There is hope for me I think – especially when others volunteer to help manage me – although I am not sure my wife Christina would agree. So, thank you mysterious donor! You made my day and gave me a smile
Scott “Marc” Hunt, age 62, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on March 23, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Doris Ramsay, age 92, of Milton, GA passed away on March 22, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
that lasted all day long!
And speaking of good coffee, I want to give a shout out to the business I order my beans from. It’s called Café Campesino (CafeCampesino.com). Here is a little bit about them:
“Founded in 1998, Cafe Campesino is Georgia's first and only 100% fair trade, organic specialty coffee company. We are a cooperative importer, roaster, wholesaler-distributor, and online retailer located in Americus, Georgiathe birthplace of Koinonia Partners and Habitat for Humanity International and about 9 miles east of Plains, home to former President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn.
HOW WE BUY OUR COFFEE
Susan Rosser, age 86, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on March 21, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Donald Vining, Sr., age 93, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on March 20, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
MATTERS. We import all of our coffee directly from small landholder coffee farmer cooperatives via a unique, principle-driven supply chain called Cooperative Coffees that we co-founded in 1998. Cooperative Coffees is the only fair trade green bean roaster cooperative of its kind in North America, employing common-sense, respectful, mutually beneficial terms of trade for sourcing organic green coffee fairly, directly, and transparently from farming communities who we have known for years.
So, I want to tell you another local story that is another anonymous mystery good Samaritan story!
See SAMARITANS, Page 12
David Westbrook, age 77, of Roswell, GA passed away on March 20, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Samaritans:
Continued from Page 11
My friend Ralph, who many of you know, was in Publix recently buying supplies for the small outreach mission in Kentucky that he has supported for years.
His shopping cart was full of diapers, wipes, formula, bottles, infant food, cereals, canned food, and related stuff – none of it cheap. The cart was full. While Ralph is waiting in line, the man behind him strikes up a conversation and asks him about his purchases.
So, Ralph is in his 80s and I guess all that infant stuff was puzzling to the man. Ralph explained about the ministry he supports and the fact that he makes the ten-hour round-trip drive to deliver the supplies about once a month in his F250. It’s a long drive that I have made once with him.
Anyway, the cashier rings up the supplies and Ralph reaches into his back pocket for his wallet. “No, you’re not paying for that,” said the man behind Ralph, “I am,” as he hands the cashier his credit card. Ralph tries to use his card, but the man insists.
As Ralph walks out of Publix, the man follows him. “Ralph, wait here please, “the man says. Ralph looks puzzled. “Just please wait for me, I’ll be right back,” and he walks back into Publix. A short time later, the man walks back out with his own shopping cart brimming full of groceries - diapers, wipes, formula, bottles, infant food, cereals, canned food. “Please take these too,” he asks Ralph as he follows Ralph back out to his truck.
He asks Ralph for his card and Ralph gives it to him, and then they both drive away.
When Ralph shared the story with me over the phone he sounded somewhat distraught. “What’s wrong Ralph,” I asked. “Well,” he said, “I never got the fellow’s name or phone number so I could thank him.”
“You already thanked him,” I told Ralph. “You thank him every time you make that drive and you were gracious enough to allow him to pitch in and help too.”
And we can all thank Ralph too. Today’s world can feel just awful – full of chaos, and conflict, and darkness. And the way past and out of that darkness is thru individual acts of charity and caring – and love - by individuals like Ralph and his mysterious benefactor.
One small act. One person. Every day. With love.
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Jennifer Phillippi
Robert Popp
Dave Rhinehart
Sergey Savin
Heather Sawyer
Kate Seng
Karen Shih
Bob Stevens
Kimberly Verska
Carol Williams
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Danny Elkins
Su Ellis
Grady Evans
Leslie Ann Everett
Steve Fabian
Carol Fain
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Nell & Doug Fernandez
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Lee Fleck
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Andrew Flynn
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Paul Folger
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Mary Ford
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Carol Fry
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Andrew Garner
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Steve Garrett
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Bailey & Ryan Gladysz
To join go to appenmedia.com/join and follow the prompts to select your membership level and select your t-shirt size! Questions? Email Hans Appen at hans@appenmedia.com or call 770-442-3278.
Michelle Glotzbach
Harvey Goldberg
Christopher Goodrich
Jim Gray
Ralph Griffin
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Elaine Gwynn
Carolyn Hall
Marilee Hamilton
Susan Hanna
Marion Hannah
Roxanne Hazen
Joe Hirsch
Penn Hodge
Dianne & Steffan Holmquist
Joan Hostetter
Julie Hostetter
Krista Howland
Austin Hughes
Jason Hunyar
Jacqueline Hursh
Susan Huss
Paul Huth
Jeffrey Hyde
J. Craig Inman
Sandra Jacobs
Sue Jacques
Lynn Johnson
Tyler Jones
Zach Jones
Amy Kanderis
Arthur Kebanli
Scan QR code to join the Appen Press Club
Laura Keck
Mark Kelly
Nancy Kennell
Randall Kent
Carol Kerr
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Allison Kloster
Dyna Kohler
Brett Koutnik
Larry Krueger
Jess & Chris Kysar
Malinda Lackey
Sarah Lamm
Daniel Lashinsky
Richard Lapin
Christine Law
Brandon Leach
Dennis Lee
Ken Leffingwell
Carol Lehan
Melissa Libby
Bonnie Lind
Francia Lindon
Karen Lippert
Harlan Little
Jarrett Long
Ross Long
Kyser Lough
Rita Loventhal
Jerry Lucas
Brenda Lundy
Harry Lutz
Rita Loventhal
Karen Magill
Freda Manning-Rumph
Kyile Marshall
Julie Martin
Support Local News Join Appen Press Club
MEMBER (CONT.)
Carla Masecar
Valerie Matthews
Theresea Mattioli
William Maxwell
Nicole Mayer
Rachel McCord
Austin McCully
Diane McDonald
Evan McElroy
Karen McEnerny
Jack McGinnis
Lynn McIntyre
Mike McLoughlin
Margaret McManus
Jennifer Mendoza
Al Merrill
Chris Miller
Christine Miller
Patricia Miller
Milton Animal Hospital
George Mobley
Joe Modica
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Sarah Moen
Catherine Moore
Ralph Moore
Carol Morgan
Kathy Morgan
Stu Moring
Leslie Mullis
Donna Murphy
Jack Murphy
Aileen Nakamura
George Nathan
Caroline Naughton
Richard Nichols
Cindy Nolan
THE FUTURE OF LOCAL NEWS
North Fulton Master Gardners, Inc.
Tricia Novarro
Bob O’Brien
Diana O’Sullivan
Anne Pappas
Lynn Pennington
Jonathan Peters
Kurt & Leslie Phillips
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Debra Powell
Seth Price
Joyce Provissiero
Chuck Pugh
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Cheryl Rand
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Paula Rattray
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Joseph Reed
Scarlett Reynolds
Righteous PR
Angie Rigney
Sean Riley
Neil Robertson
Kimberly Robinson
Matt Rohs
Kim Romaner
Courtney Rozear
Fran Russell
Janet Sandberg
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.
Kelly Sarmiento
Derek Scheidt
Stephanie Schniederjan
The Schoenblum Family
Robert Scholz
Robert Schreiner
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Susan Searles
Frances Segars
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Steve Short
Tom Simon
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Robert Singleton
Faye Sklar
Mitchel Skyer
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Andy Smith
Lee Smith
Tia Solh
Morris Soriano
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Gena Spears
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Jan Stephens
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Celeste Strohl
Diana Sullivan
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Carol Tall
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Candice Teichert
The Small Business Advisor
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William Tietjen
Lisa Tilt
Michael Townes
Trunnion LLC
Matthew Tyser
Edward Votta
Linda Wabler
Ollie Wagner
Lewis Walker
Elizabeth Waller
Valerie Walters-Gold
Ann Marie Warning
Terry Warnke
Jonathan Washburn
Michael Watson
Deborah Weiss
Michael Weiss
Herbert Wells
Benjamin Wemberly
Beverly Whisenant
Sally White
Thom White
Umpika White
Mae Whiteside
Ashley Whitt
Jennifer Wieland
Christine Williams
Jamie Wimberly
Jonathan Winkie
Nancy & Dave Wistrand
Kalle Wood
Theresa Woolridge
Laura Wysong
Jonathan Young
THE APPEN PRESS CLUB
One solution is the creation of a membership driven organization called the Appen Press Club that is dedicated to recruiting people and companies to join as members. Members pay recurring monthly or annual dues that are 100% dedicated to sustainable journalism. By providing predictable revenue, Appen Press Club members and partners help fund the salaries and expenses of local reporters who will no longer be subject to the whims of marketing budgets and an ever changing advertising world. In turn, those reporters will provide the readers they serve with highly researched and qualified journalism focused on subjects that directly affect their quality of life.
To join go to appenmedia.com/join and follow the prompts to select your membership level and select your t-shirt size! Questions? Email Hans Appen at hans@appenmedia.com or call 770-442-3278.
Dunwoody Crier 3/19/26 Kakuro
$500 Sign on Bonus! Now Seeking Tree Service Ground Men with Driving Experience. Must be able to drive manual transmissions. A,B or C License. Job duties will include carrying tree limbs & debris, raking & blowing. Lite vehicle & equipment maintenance. Up to $220/day, based on license, driving skills & experience. Call 770-231-5819.
To place a classified ad, email classifieds@appenmedia.com.
Deadline is Thursdays by 3pm
