OPINION
Sheriff Labat offers insight ► PAGE 4 J a n u a r y 1 , 2 0 2 6 | A p p e n M e d i a . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 5 , N o . 1
A LOOK AHEAD
Still going strong after 20 years
PHOTOS BY: HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA
From left, mayoral candidates Dontaye Carter, City Councilman Andy Bauman, Mayor Rusty Paul and City Councilwoman Jody Reichel field a question from a Grogan’s Bluff resident during a meet-and-greet forum in September. Paul won reelection in a Dec. 2 runoff with Carter.
SANDY SPRINGS IN 2025 City prioritizes public safety; Residents back founding vision By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Tons of construction on roadway improvements, undying support for public safety and a celebration of the city’s 20th anniversary define 2025 in Sandy Springs. A day after Sandy Springs celebrated its 20th anniversary, residents
reelected Mayor Rusty Paul to his fourth term, reinforcing the city’s founding conservative principle of local control. A contentious, four-way mayoral race included the 2021 runner-up Dontaye Carter and two longtime council members Andy Bauman and Jody Reichel.
See REVIEW, Page 10
Mayor Rusty Paul and Police Chief Kenneth DeSimone cut the ribbon with council members and staff in at the new, state-of-theart Sandy Springs Police Headquarters and Municipal Court at 620 Morgan Falls Road. The facility opened in April.
2025 was a significant year for the City of Sandy Springs. We turned 20 years old on December 1 and celebrated two decades worth of progress and community momentum. That momentum continues RUSTY PAUL as we enter the new Sandy Springs Mayor year and remain focused on enhancing public safety, infrastructure, trails, City Springs, the North End and more, embracing innovative solutions that continue to make Sandy Springs a vibrant home for residents and businesses. Last fall, we purchased land and issued AAA and Aaa-rated bonds for a new Fire Station No. 4 within city limits, a replacement for Station No. 1, and expansion of Station No. 3. Work has already begun to design the stations to meet the needs of the community and our first responders, and when that is complete, we’ll have modern, state-of-the-art facilities for all of our public safety professionals. Connectivity and infrastructure have remained a priority since incorporation. To address the needs of the community, we have constructed new roads and reconfigured major corridors, including the Mount Vernon Highway improvement project, which is expected to be completed this spring.
See PAUL, Page 10
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