County leaders talk property assessments ► PAGE 3
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Sandy Springs plans multitude of events celebrating 20 years
Beloved turtles recall city drive for its own voice By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — The Sandy Springs Society and Art Sandy Springs are teaming up with the city to display the 20th Anniversary Turtle Walk at City Springs through September. Sandy Springs, the state’s seventh most-populous city, is approaching its 20th anniversary and planning a host of events to celebrate the community and its history. Painted turtles, like Leonardo Terrapini and Memutic the Chieftain, became Sandy Springs staples during its campaign to break away from Fulton County and become its own city. In all, there were 75 turtles, each about 4 feet high, used HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA in fundraising efforts to incorporate. They One of the 20th anniversary Town Turtles, Sandy and the Children, sits in are now proudly displayed at various its new permanent home next to the City Green Splash Pad. Bob Brown, former owner of Red Baron Antiques, donated the bronze statue to the Sandy See TURTLE, Page 11 Springs Society for the Turtle Walk’s July 10 gallery reception at City Hall.
ATLANTA — Residents from all corners of Fulton County cheered one another during a 10 a.m. public hearing July 9, urging the Board of Commissioners to keep the property tax rate flat. At the first of three public hearings to set the millage rate on property this year, county
leaders heard from more than 50 residents, all opposed to an increase. While the rate won’t be adopted until the final public hearing Aug. 6, the Board of Commissioners voted 4-3 June 18 to allow for a 1 mill increase in the levy. If adopted, the 1- mill increase would raise an additional $79 million in property tax revenue and represent more than a 12 percent tax increase over
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Sandy Springs will celebrate its 20th anniversary of cityhood Dec. 1, marking a milestone for a community that fought nearly 40 years to break away from Fulton County. Following a resounding 94 percent vote in favor of incorporation on June 21, 2005, Sandy Springs became the first new city in Georgia in almost 50 years, paving the way for dozens more to follow a quest for self-government. The city says the same tenacity and resident pride that enabled Sandy Springs’ pioneering system of government still exists today through volunteer organizations and citizen engagement. To mark the anniversary, the city and various community groups have partnered to produce events to celebrate together with residents.
the current mill rate of 8.87 mills. One mill represents a tax liability of $1 per $1,000 of assessed value on property. Speaking at the July 9 public hearing, Johns Creek Mayor John Bradberry said it’s time for Fulton County to “tighten up” and asked the board to not raise the millage rate.
Turtle Walk on City Green, now through September: Creatively painted turtles are a staple of Sandy Springs, serving as a means of fundraising in early efforts to incorporate and now proudly displayed around the city. In celebration of the 20th anniversary, Art Sandy Springs and the Sandy Springs Society are partnering to bring several town turtles to the City Green through September. In addition to the sculptures outside, a collection of children’s artwork will be displayed inside City Hall, depicting their vision of what Sandy Springs will look like in 2045. A delightful exhibit bridging the past, present and future, the exhibitions will be highlighted during a gallery reception open to the public on Thursday, July 10 from 6-8 p.m.
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County residents unite to oppose property tax hike By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
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