Gwinnett/Walton Community & Family Magazine
Up Close with Loganville Dance Academy, see story on page 5.
Grayson | Dacula | Lawrenceville | Snellville | Loganville
On the Cover: Growing Through Change with Loganville Dance Theater Company
By Kristen Eleveld
“Progress, not perfection.” This phrase is what Kellyn McMichael adopted as a motto when God first led her to open a dance studio back in 2024. Now, not only has the Loganville Dance Academy flourished, but Kellyn and her team have continued to value progress—this time, in bettering the community around them.
The Loganville Dance Academy has thrived since its founding, welcoming dancers of all backgrounds and ages. Instructors and students are currently getting ready for their upcoming Spring Recital, as the studio also is preparing for a fun summer ahead. Ages three to eighteen can attend fun-themed summer camps, while adult and intermediate/advanced student classes continue to be offered throughout the summer as well.
Now, Kellyn continues her mission to celebrate dance and the impact it has on performers and audience alike by opening the Loganville Dance Theater Company—a non-profit organization dedicated to sharing dance with the community. While they are still awaiting their official 501(c)3 status, Kellyn and her team have forged ahead in making their goal a reality. The Loganville Dance Theater Company has already performed at local elementary schools, and Kellyn plans for the Company to continue to reach out to the community through visits to local nursing homes and other community venues.
“We want to go out and share meaningful works with the community,” said Kellyn. “We want to shine the light of Christ in the community and for people to be touched through dance.”
In the past seven months of Lawrenceville Dance Theater’s first season, Kellyn has seen just how impactful the Company has been, even on its own members. Whether her dancers are encouraging each other to try something new, growing in their skill and technique, or comforting each other through the challenges of life, the Loganville Dance Theater Company is well on its way to living out its mission: “Pursing Excellence in Artistry with Purpose in Every Step.”
“We believe dance is a gift and we want to share it with everyone,” said Kellyn. “We want to inspire others in their daily lives through dance.”
For those interested in joining the Company, which performs both classical ballet and contemporary pieces, they will be holding an audition on Friday, May 1st, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Registration is available on the studio website, under the Company tab.
And while the first show, titled Journey of Becoming, is not until May 30th (2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Grayson High School), the Company is already hard at work on their performance. The show will have excerpts of Paquita, a classical work, and a contemporary piece. Choreographer Riley Bryson is setting one of her works, “Metanoia,” on the dancers. This is a contemporary piece that impacted Kellyn a few years back when she first saw Riley’s work.
“Metanoia,” which comes from the Greek word for change, reflects the Company’s mission to dedicate themselves to the journey of becoming who God has created them to be.
“We need to push ourselves to uncomfortable zones so we can grow,” said Kellyn. “Hard times in life are what transforms us, and being able to share that with an audience through dance makes my heart so full.”
If you want to help but aren’t sure about dancing, don’t worry. There are lots of ways you can support the Company’s mission. One current need is sponsors. The resources and funds provided by sponsors go toward acquiring costumes, dance spaces, and other necessary items to ensure that the
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Our Town
Gwinnett/Walton Community & Family Magazine
— An EndResultz Media Company
Our Town Gwinnett is published and direct mailed to select homes in the Gwinnett/Walton area. Opinions expressed by the writers and staff are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Our Town Gwinnett reserves the right to edit and/or reject any editorial or advertising content. Our Town Gwinnett is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the cost of the space or for the validity of claims made by advertisers.
Entire contents copyright 2026 by Our Town Gwinnett Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden in any media without written permission from the publisher.
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Cover Story
Feature
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IN THIS ISSUE
Feature Writers
Jenna Cooper
Victoria R. Crosby
Tana Poncsak
Traci Sanders
Contributing Writers
Jane Bishop
Bill Crane
Dr. Jenny Reesman
Tanisha Turner
5 On the Cover: Growing Through Change with Loganville Dance Theater Company
7 From the Publisher: Ryan’s Remarks
7 Pet Perch: Spring Has Sprung…a Leak?
9 Learning Lessons: What Parents Need to Know about STEAM
9 Shift…A Word for Your Day
10 Getting to Know: Mid-Century Modern Furniture
10 Gwinnett Technical College: Names Tracey Duck 2026 Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year
11 Snellville Spotlight: FY26 Budget Approval and More
11 Kuumba Storytellers of Georgia, Inc.
13 One Man’s Opinion: Outstanding Georgia Peach Still Finds Olympic Gold in Reach
From the Publisher: Ryan’s Remarks
By Dr. Ryan T. Sauers
@RyanTSauers @RyanTSauers
Welcome to the Spring 2026 edition of Our Town. This time of year always brings a renewed sense of energy and perspective. The days grow a little longer, routines begin to shift, and there’s a quiet reminder that progress is always happening—even when we don’t immediately notice it. Spring encourages all of us to keep moving forward.
Each edition of Our Town exists for one simple reason: to keep our community connected. These publications reflect the people, families, and local businesses that make this area such a special place to live. No matter how you experience Our Town—through our publications, online editions, social media, or digital platforms—you are part of something meaningful. This has never been just about sharing information; it has always been about strengthening relationships and highlighting the people who make a difference every single day.
What inspires me most are the people behind the stories. The business owners who open early and stay late. The families shaping their futures here. The neighbors who step up, support each other, and quietly strengthen this community. These actions may not always be seen, but they matter more than most realize. They are the foundation of what makes Our Town special.
I also want to personally thank our business partners. Their trust and support enable us to keep producing each edition and expand our reach. These local leaders are investing not just in their businesses but in the future of this community. I encourage you to support them whenever you can.
As we move further into this season, I encourage you to stay engaged, stay connected, and keep supporting those around you. Strong communities don’t happen by accident. They grow because people care and decide to be part of something bigger than themselves.
Also, as always, thank you for joining me on the journey of my town, your town, OUR TOWN!
Pet Perch: Spring Has Sprung…a Leak?
By Dr. Jenny Reesman
The flowers are just starting to bloom, the grass is starting to go from brown to green, and the weeds are starting to peek through the piles of leaves decaying from former seasons and colder temps. Ellie lays quietly on the bed, snoring away, enjoying the sun peeking through the window in the late afternoon. Slowly, a wet spot forms under her as she continues snoring—no sign of waking or caring about the leak she seems to have sprung. Finding urine spots on a bed (pet or human) or on the carpet is something everyone hopes never to find! Let’s face it, though. Accidents happen. Someone forgot to let Fido out when he was standing at the door practically crossing his legs because he had been waiting so long. Finding spots on the floor consistently, especially in similar places (the bed, the spot where the dog lays) could indicate incontinence. So, before you run out for the doggy diapers, let’s talk about it. Older dogs, usually females, can experience incontinence due to lack of estrogen over the years. When females are spayed, we remove their ovaries and thus their main source of estrogen. This allows the sphincter (gatekeeper of the bladder) to relax more, allowing urine to flow out. When pets sleep, they are more relaxed, and the sphincter with them. The flow of urine out also means bacteria now has an entryway in. This is one of the reasons it is important to talk to your vet if you think your dog may be experiencing incontinence. Not only does it mean urine to clean up, but also the possibility
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Learning Lessons: What Parents Need to Know about STEAM
By Tanisha Turner
You are undoubtedly familiar with the acronym STEAM and its importance in the classroom. This acronym – which stands for science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics – has become a hot topic in the world of education and the business community. The practice of teaching by incorporating these concepts into multidisciplinary lessons has revolutionized education approaches across the country, even for children in preschool.
While young children may not be able to understand multiplication or how computers work, they can develop a strong foundation for future learning by exploring STEAM skills and concepts through play and discussion and then applying those skills through more play.
For young children:
• Science encourages investigation and answering questions, often involving experimentation.
• Technology refers to using simple tools like crayons and rulers, as well as more complex ones like microscopes and computers.
• Engineering refers to recognizing problems and testing solutions to them.
• A rts encourage creativity and allow children to illustrate concepts they are learning.
• Mathematics deals with numbers but also patterns, shapes, organizational skills, and much more.
There are many reasons why STEAM subjects should be addressed in early learning settings. A key component of STEAM is process skills, such as making observations, hypothesizing, and critical thinking. These skills help young children grasp math and science concepts early in life while building a base for more complex concepts for years to come.
Research has shown that even very young children are capable of mathematical reasoning and can understand more advanced math skills than previously thought. Young children are also able to ask questions and make
Shift…A Word for Your Day
By Jane Bishop
I’ve always enjoyed driving, especially learning to drive a manual transmission. When I learned, I had to figure out both old-school gear shifts on the steering column and the classic ones between the seats, each with its own quirks and feel. Getting started was bumpy (literally). Sometimes I’d stall out or switch gears at the wrong moment. But after some trial and error—and a lot of practice—I got the hang of it, and working the clutch and accelerator felt natural. The driving became a lot smoother.
In a car, staying in the wrong gear doesn’t mean you’re a bad driver; it just means the conditions have changed. When you don’t shift, the engine strains, progress slows, and the ride gets rough. Pressing harder on the gas doesn’t fix it. A shift does.
Life works the same way. When we feel stuck, our instinct is often to push harder and apply more effort in what we are already doing. What if the problem isn’t effort? What if it’s alignment? Maybe the terrain has changed. Maybe the pace needs adjusting. Maybe the gear that once worked smoothly no longer fits this season.
I have had many opportunities in life to practice “shift.” Life shifts can be awkward at first. But with each shift, navigating life becomes smoother. Choosing to shift does not indicate failure. It simply acknowledges that growth requires responsiveness. Sometimes the shift is external, such as changing a schedule, trying a new approach, or delegating/outsourcing. Other times, it’s internal such as shifting perspective, expectations, or the
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predictions about the world around them. In short, children are fully capable of learning foundational STEAM concepts, and parents and teachers should help children develop these skills at an early age.
STEAM learning can also take place outside of the classroom. For example, parents can encourage children to channel their inner engineer through a boat race activity. Have children use a variety of recyclables – cork, foil, tape, craft sticks, straw, an old swim noodle, and paper for a sail – to build a boat that can sail across the bathtub, a pan of water, or a puddle. After creating the boat, have children blow “wind” toward the boat to see how fast their creation travels. Parents and children can host races between multiple boats and discuss which boat is faster and why.
Young children grasp concepts through exploration and trial and error, so they should learn STEAM concepts at their own pace and in ways that are natural to them. To ensure that children are learning at their own pace, Primrose offers a balance of play with guidance from teachers, and repeats STEAM lessons so children can master skills as they are ready.
Tanisha Turner is the Owner of Primrose School at Sugarloaf Parkway. More information at www.PrimroseSugarloafParkway.com or call 770513-0066.
Getting to Know: Mid-Century Modern Furniture
By Victoria R. Crosby
In 2019, right before the pandemic, Tucker residents Lindsay Barrett and her husband Javier, decided to start a small business, or as Lindsay put it, “It started as a side hustle.” They purchase and repurpose Mid-Century Modern furniture and sell it on the internet.
Because of the delays in shipping during the pandemic years, it worked out for them as they were able to deliver locally wearing masks. They had a big truck, which made pick-up and deliveries easier. Mid-Century Modern style is from the 1950s, created by architects and designers that include Charles and Ray Eames, Frank Lloyd Wright, Mies van der Rohe, Le Corbusier, and Knoll.
Lindsay worked at a law firm setting up events and meetings for the firm in Atlanta for three years before quitting her job to sell furniture and accessories full time. Her husband worked in event planning, and left his job to work in the furniture business full time before Lindsay did the same. Their son helped to create the website, while their daughter created videos for social media to help promote their business.
At first, Lindsay and her husband were only looking at estate sales to purchase furniture for themselves, until they met a man at a sale who was restoring furniture for other businesses who would then resell. He told them that Mid-Century Modern furnishings are very popular. After he restored a dining room set for them, they started to look at buying, refinishing, and selling online.
Lindsay said, “The quality of the furniture built in the 1950s and 60s is really good, but sometimes we find something that is 1970s or 1980s that is vintage and also well made. We just give them a little love so they can have a second chance.”
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Gwinnett Technical College: Names Tracey Duck 2026 Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year
By Our Town Gwinnett Staff
Gwinnett Technical College has announced that Tracey Duck, Psychology Program Director, has been named the 2026 Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year, one of the highest honors awarded by the Technical College System of Georgia.
Duck, whose career has been shaped by a passion for teaching and the science of human behavior, views instruction as integral to her field. She noted that the American Psychological Association has a division dedicated to promoting excellence in the teaching of psychology, which reinforces that teaching is considered part of the psychology industry. She explained that by helping students strengthen their learning skills, sharpen critical thinking, understand human behavior, and recognize social influences, she applies psychological science in her teaching every day.
Duck’s instructional approach encourages students to embrace personal growth and challenge themselves. One ongoing project asks students to try a completely new experience, such as attending a cultural festival, participating in an outdoor activity, or visiting a place of faith different from their own. Her goal is for students to discover how valuable learning can be when they step outside their comfort zones.
“Of course, I want them to love psychology, but that is not going to happen for everyone,” Duck said. “I do hope they see the value that an understanding of human behavior brings to their training, regardless of what career field they are preparing to enter. Getting out of their comfort zone is where they learn and grow, and it is that kind of insight that I hope they take with them for years ahead.”
Duck emphasized that receiving the award reflects the excellence of the
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Snellville Spotlight: FY26 Budget Approval and More
By Our Town Gwinnett Staff
The mayor and council of Snellville announced the unanimous approval of the city’s Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) balanced budget. While keeping property taxes stable, the $40,740,970 budget maintains current services, prioritizes staff retention, and fosters community development. The budget’s approval comes after months of planning and discussion and two public hearings.
“We are proud to approve a budget that maintains and improves services for citizens and spurs the future growth of Snellville without raising the millage rate,” Mayor Barbara Bender said. “This is the fourth consecutive year the millage rate has remained at four mills. However, in order to hold the line on the overall millage rate, the decision was made to reinstate a residential sanitation fee of $240 that will be reflected on tax bills in September.”
The FY26 budget reflects current global economic conditions, which have affected the cost of living, health coverage, construction supplies, and utilities. City leaders have balanced these rising expenses with a focus on maintaining quality service and advancing community goals.
Community Development: The city, with input from citizens, revised the T.W. Briscoe Park Master Plan. The updated plan included building a new community center with features such as an indoor walking track, basketball, pickleball, and volleyball courts, meeting rooms, and an aerobics studio. The Grove at Towne Center keeps growing with the upcoming openings of
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Kuumba Storytellers of Georgia, Inc.
By Victoria R. Crosby
The Kuumba Storytellers of Georgia was founded in 1995 and are now celebrating their thirtieth anniversary. Kuumba is a Swahili word meaning creativity.
Kuumba Storytellers of Georgia’s Mission Statement is “To preserve the African oral tradition, provide awareness on the cultural history of African and African American people, and to serve as an educational resource for the community.”
They are an affiliate of the National Association of Black Storytellers. I met Marsha Holden, who is a member of the group at a networking meeting. I wanted to learn more about Kuumba Storytellers as I write short stories myself. Many stories of the storytellers are from an African-American expe-
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entire Gwinnett Tech faculty.
“I am honored to earn this award, but I truly do not see this as just about me,” she said. “One of the things I love about Gwinnett Tech is that we have an absolutely top-notch team of faculty, and I am privileged to represent that group in 2026. The people I work with are extremely knowledgeable in their respective fields, hard-working and dedicated, and resilient. But most of all, our faculty truly cares about our students and helping them succeed. I have worked at other higher education institutions, and I know we have something really incredible here.”
Duck holds a Master of Science in Psychology from Florida State University and resides in Bethlehem, Georgia.
The Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction was established in 1991 and recognizes outstanding technical college instructors across Georgia. The award honors educators who make significant contributions to technical education through innovation, leadership, and commitment to student success.
Loganville Dance Theater Company
Company can perform for their community. If you’re interested, reach out through the link below to learn how you can be a part of this transformative journey.
“We are excited to see what God is going to do,” said Kellyn. “It’s been an amazing journey to see these girls go through metanoia as dancers.”
More information at https://www.loganvilledanceacademy.com/, 470-5044367
Pet Perch Continued from page 7
of infections for your pet. There are medications that can help pets control their urine. And yes, sometimes those cute little doggy diapers are needed as well.
Dr. Jenny Reesman is the owner of Brookwood Animal Hospital. More information at www.brookwoodanimal.com
One Man’s Opinion: Outstanding Georgia Peach Still Finds Olympic Gold in Reach
By Bill Crane
The first Olympics I clearly remember was the 1972 Summer Games in Munich, Germany. The swimming medals and records of American Mark Spitz (7 Gold Medals), along with the seemingly contortionist vaults, moves, and floor exercises of Russia’s Olga Korbut, were set against the tragic kidnapping and murder of eleven Israeli athletes and coaches by a Palestinian group called Black September, nearly ending the modern Olympiad. During the 1976 games, the world was captivated by Romanian gymnast Nadia Comăneci and her series of perfect 10 scores, an Olympic first at just fourteen years old.
The 1976 Montreal Games introduced me to the sport of decathlon through the story and victory of then Gold Medal winner, U.S. athlete Bruce Jenner. Never much of an athlete myself, I found more interest in the biographies and back stories of the athletes, their perseverance, and years of pushing themselves, often from childhood, to thrive, survive, and become champions in their specific sport. In those days, through the lens of ABC’s Wide World of Sports, the biographer, narrator, and storyteller was sports journalist Jim McKay, with the backing and full support of ABC sports maestro, Roone Arledge. At least for me, these biopics and near mini-documentaries became more interesting than the Games themselves.
ABC maintained the franchise for decades, building its preeminence in sports broadcasting, still evidenced by its creation of ESPN and its offspring. In much the same way an Olympic athlete would be aware and wary of their greatest competitors, NBC Sports saw the benefit of owning global and U.S. domestic broadcast rights to this rating juggernaut. Also, by the early ‘90s, the International Olympic Committee had bifurcated the Summer
and Winter games to every two years, alternating, and no host city was any longer expected to host both Olympiads. As the Olympics moved to NBC, the storytelling shifted to Bob Costas’s more humorous and introspective style of telling backstories.
During the Summer 2008 Games, U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps would surpass Mark Spitz’s earlier record, winning 8 swimming competition Golds. And more recently, I was inspired by the backstory of UGA Gym Dawg Simone Biles and her seemingly endless string of 11 Olympic Golds and 30 world titles. But a pattern had begun to emerge for me as well. Most of these athletes would see their careers end by 30, and the years of training and sacrifice came at a price. The luster of the medals seemed to become, at least to me, more than an occasional price too high to pay.
And now, another fellow Georgian instead reminds me that no matter the obstacle, anything is still possible. Elana Meyers Taylor, of Douglasville, Georgia—a 41-year-old mother of three children, two with special needs—is an expert in the demanding sport of mono (single) bobsledding. Her husband, Nic, is also a Men’s Olympic monobob athlete. The 2026 Winter Games in Milan was her fifth Olympiad. Meyers Taylor had won five prior medals: three silver and two bronze. With the Gold in 2026, Meyers Taylor became the oldest woman in U.S. history to score a winter Gold. Yet her teammate and close competitor, Kaillie Humphries, is only one year her junior and was also the defending Gold Medal champion from 2022. This time, Humphries would take the Bronze.
Although her teammate was also one of her closest competitors worldwide, the training biopics and their medal ceremony—where they now share 10 Olympic medals—showed that their bond and friendship are even stronger.
Well, Elana, you earned it. After emerging from the monobob and wrapping herself in a U.S. flag for warmth, she watched the clock chronicle her record time, fractions of a second better than her field of competitors. In that moment of elation, it was hard to tell which provided her more warmth: that flag or her rising spirits. I hope that iconic moment, followed by millions of moms worldwide high-fiving one another, demonstrated once again, where there is a will...there is a way.
I also hope that the endorsement deals that follow this victory and that iconic moment are as lucrative for Meyers Taylor as they were for Spitz, Jenner, Lewis, Biles, and others. Her backstory is just as inspiring, but her
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Mid-Century Modern Furniture
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Most of their furniture comes from estate sales and Facebook Marketplace.
“Sometimes people reach out when they’re ready to let go of a family piece, and we do our best to honor that,” Lindsay said. “A lot of our favorite finds come with stories, and it’s meaningful to help those pieces live on in a new home.”
Lindsay and Javier say that there’s something about Mid-Century pieces—the clean lines, the craftsmanship, the way form and function come together—that just feels right to them. The style is timeless, but still livable. They’ve always been drawn to pieces that are well made and have a story behind them.
They try to keep things original whenever possible. Some pieces just need a good cleaning and a little love, and others are too far gone and need full restoration. Their goal is never to make things perfect. It’s to make them functional, beautiful, and ready for another chapter.
They say that one of the best parts of what they do is getting to connect with people. Whether it’s someone picking up their first vintage piece or a couple furnishing a new space, it’s always special to see something they’ve worked on find the right home.
“We love that this work brings together creativity, sustainability, and com-
Kuumba Storytellers of Georgia, Inc.
Continued from page 11
rience. However, all are welcome to join these groups; it’s not exclusively for African Americans.
About seven years ago at a Toastmasters meeting, of which Marsha was a member, she was introduced to Kuumba Storytellers by other members of this group. Marsha attended a meeting and was intrigued.
“I found so much talent there,” she said, “and was nervous at first about telling stories, but found I have a flair for humorous stories.”
Marsha has been membership co-chair and vice president over the years. She tells stories about her father who lived well into his nineties and who sounds like an interesting character. She uses a mix of history and personal stories about her family members, many of whom were entrepreneurs.
Most tell stories from the African oral tradition or about their own lives.
There is a time limit that varies, depending on the number of people attending; but it is usually a five-to-seven-minute range. The group meets on the second Saturday of the month.
Al Wiseman, a professional speaker and public speaking trainer who joined as a member of Kuumba Storytellers two years ago said, “I was greatly influential by professional Kuumba story tellers.”
Al mentioned a program of historic interpretations about people who are buried at Oakland Cemetery during the last two weekends of October. Participants are assigned to a resident buried there and are given a script to learn and portray the individual.
This is a program by Oakland Cemetery called Capturing the Spirit of Oakland and it is NOT a Kuumba program. However, some Kuumba Members do participate in this yearly.
Kuumba has its own program called Historical Black Portraits which happens every February during Black History Month.
Al Wiseman will tell the story of Victor Hugo Green, author of The Negro Motorist Green Book, although Victor Hugo Green is not buried at Oakland Cemetery.
The Academy Award-winning movie, The Green Book, was released in 2018 and was inspired by a true story about an African-American concert pianist, Don Shirley, and his Italian-American driver and bodyguard Frank Vallelongo, who used the Green Book, which was first published in 1936, to know which restaurants and hotels would welcome them and which to avoid while touring the South in 1962.
Chetter Galloway, the president of Kuumba Storytellers of Georgia, said, “I have been involved with Kuumba Storytellers of Georgia since I moved to Atlanta in 1997. I remember meeting in a colleague’s living room with only four people. Well now, we have over fifty active members including several out of state and one in another country. Now that I’m serving my second term as president of Kuumba President, I am amazed at the growth of the organization. I love sharing stories because they connect cultures and bridge communities and I live by the African proverb that says, ‘Not to know is bad; but to not want to know is even worse.’”
Tattle Tales is the name of the organization’s award-winning youth storytelling group. Tattle Tales was founded in 2010 as a component of Kuumba storytellers to assist youth in learning the art of storytelling to support their literary growth through training and performance opportunities.
More information at kuumbastorytellers.org
munity,” Lindsay added, stressing that they don’t do custom refinishing for others, only for themselves or for resale.
The accessories section of their website features paintings, lamps, shades, and many other collectible items, priced from under twenty dollars to over five hundred. The furniture includes teak, walnut, chrome, and glass pieces, priced from several hundred to several thousand dollars.
Finding and restoring iconic pieces from the 1950s and 1960s is their passion, turning forgotten treasures into beautiful functional furniture. They ship nationwide, with regional deliveries and local pick up.
You can browse their available pieces or get in touch through their website.
More information at https://www.classicmcmfinds.com/ or call 404 9857255.
Shift…A Word for Your Day
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story we’re telling ourselves about where we “should” be by now.
Shifts happen in moments. If you are driving an automatic car, shifting happens quietly and almost without notice, i.e. moments. When driving a manual transmission car, the “moments” require intention: clutch in, ease off, move the gear, re-engage.
If you’re feeling stuck, try a different question: What shift might be needed at this moment? Up a gear for momentum. Down a gear for control. Neutral for rest. Reverse to reflect.
Shift is about choosing movement that matches the moment and strengthens your self-leadership. Simon T. Bailey frames it this way: “Shift your brilliance and harness the power of you.”
What small shift will you make to move your forward?
More information at janebishoplive.com.
FY26 Budget Approval
and More Continued from page 11
Crooked Can Brewery and food hall, Dumpling Master, The Grove Taqueria, and Parkside District. In the entertainment district, the city will continue its concert series and events.
Capital Improvements: Funding is provided for a major intersection improvement at North Road and Wisteria Drive, addressing congestion and improving safety near The Grove at Towne Center. The project will also include new sidewalks, lighting, and landscaping as well as upgraded traffic signals to improve safety for pedestrians in the area.
To continue to provide quality services, the budget has funds for new equipment, including a truck for the stormwater department, six police vehicles, and a mower for right-of-way maintenance. Other capital investments include a total of $1 million for the city’s annual paving project and $1.4 million in stormwater infrastructure improvements.
Revenue Adjustments and Restructuring: The city has funded residential garbage collection out of general fund property taxes for the last twenty years. Since this policy was implemented, the cost of sanitation services has increased substantially, and city staff have recommended charging separately for services.
“We’ve known for the past five years that this train was coming to an end,” Mayor Barbara Bender said. “We will have to rebid the contract next year, and seeing the current rates other cities are facing, we know our costs will have yet another substantial increase. We simply cannot continue to fund the shortfall without either a serious increase to the millage rate or adding a flat user fee. This is not something any of us wanted to do.”
Staff Retention and Recruitment: A 3 percent increase in salary is designed to retain and attract new employees to the city. Parks and Recreation will hire two new full-time and thirteen part-time employees to staff the new Community Center at T.W. Briscoe Park.
“Presenting a budget without a millage increase while keeping services and quality of life at the level expected by city residents is a priority,” said City Manager Matthew Pepper. “It is a testament to the dedication of mayor and council and city staff to be able to present a balanced budget that keeps the city on a path toward excellence.”
Olympic
Gold Continued from page 13
mid-life day-to-day obstacles to staying on top of her game are even more worthy of smiles and remembrance. Welcome home, Elana Meyers Taylor. I’m looking forward to that parade in your honor in Douglasville.
Bill Crane owns the full-service communications firm CSI Crane. More information at www.CSICrane.com
