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SEPTEMBER 2026 ■ RoughDraft.news

COVERING: BROOKHAVEN BUCKHEAD DUNWOODY NORCROSS SANDY SPRINGS TUCKER

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CONTENTS SEPTEMBER 2026 BROOKHAVEN Windsor Parkway Protest

BUCKHEAD Solar Panels 6

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SEPTEMBER 2026

BROOKHAVEN

For more Brookhaven headlines, subscribe to our daily newsletter at RoughDraftAtlanta.com/newsletters.

Residents protest Windsor Parkway path, roundabout By Cathy Cobbs About 100 people at a community meeting regarding the proposed Windsor Parkway multi-use path and roundabout intersection that will realign the road and result in the removal of 200 trees heard that the fundamental elements of the first phase of the plan will probably not change. But officials left the door open to possibly eliminating or modifying the multi-use path portion of the project. The Aug. 18 meeting, held at the Brookhaven City Centre, opened with a presentation by Jeffrey Littlefield, the director of public works, who explained the timeline of the project, the reasons

behind the decision to realign the road, and the number of trees that would be affected by the construction. According to Brookhaven’s website, the project “will convert the conventional minor-stop intersection at Ashford Dunwoody Road and Windsor Parkway into a single-lane roundabout with a 10-foot shared-use path on the east side of Ashford Dunwoody Road. Windsor Parkway between Ashford Dunwoody Road and Lanier Drive.” The project details A shared-use path will be installed on the south side of the street and a curb and gutter, the website said. It was one of the mid-term projects recommended in the

A group of vocal attendees at an Aug. 18 community meeting about changes to Windsor Parkway expressed their dissatisfaction with the project. (Photo by Cathy Cobbs)

State of the City

Brookhaven City Centre 4001 Peachtree Rd Sept. 24 | 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

Online registration required: www.BrookhavenCommerce.org Wednesday, Sept. 2 Planning Commission 7 PM (5:30 PM work session) Tuesday, Sept. 8 City Council 6:30 PM 5 PM Mayor’s Town Hall Wednesday, Sept. 9 Arts & Culture Commission 5:30 PM Wednesday, Sept. 16 Board of Appeals 7 PM (5:30 PM work session) Monday, Sept. 28 City Council 6:30 PM (4:30 PM work session) Sept. 7 City offices closed for Labor Day Updates & more info at BrookhavenGA.gov

4 SEPTEMBER 2026

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Ashford Dunwoody Road Corridor Study adopted by the council in 2017. This project is included in the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) 2018 Transportation Improvement Project (TIP) funding. Preliminary engineering is authorized with federal funding of $595,680 secured with a local match of $148,920. Littlefield said the focus of the project is safety, citing that between 2016-2020, there were 27 crashes in the area involving injury and property. The changes are projected to reduce injury accidents by 78% and property crashes by 39%. He said taking out the roundabout and instead installing a signalized intersection wouldn’t significantly reduce the number of trees that would need to be removed. Littlefield revealed the results of a detailed tree survey, saying that 206 trees will be impacted. About 63% of the trees are 14” or less in diameter, while 17% are 20” or more. The goal, he said, with replanting trees, would be to restore the canopy within 15 years. “We can make some targeted refinements to this plan and we will look for opportunities to reduce tree impacts,” he said. “But major changes during final design would require revisions of completed milestones.” Citizens vent, offer alternatives Most of the people commenting about the project expressed their frustration with a variety of elements of the plan. Some were against the removal of mature trees, while others said the multi-use path isn’t necessary. Several people who identified themselves as cyclists said they wanted the wider paths and would use them. Still

others advocated for a three-way stop or a traditional signalized intersection, saying that they feel a roundabout is no safer than traditional street signals. Former Brookhaven Mayor J. Max Davis said he saw an array of people attending the meeting representing every political party and said he wanted to “commend [the city] for uniting the citizens of Brookhaven.” He added that he found it insulting that the city “changed the name of the project by inserting the word ‘safety’ in it. It nullifies any public engagement when you change the scope, name, and focus.” Del Ross, who has circulated a petition opposing the Windsor Parkway project that has been signed by hundreds of people, said the city “is sacrificing trees under the illusion of safety.” Others said that while they commended the mayor and council for holding the public hearing, they felt that the city had no intention of making significant changes to the overall plan. “We appreciate that you have said you have heard us, but we want you to listen to us,” Ross said. “You had this meeting, and that’s great, but we want you to listen.” However, Mayor John Park said the door is open to modifications, including possibly eliminating the multi-use path portion of the project. He said the MUP has not yet been funded and would need its own planning, design, funding, and public engagement. After the meeting, Park said he was concerned about several of the issues that were brought up at the meeting, and that the city would continue the evaluation process. The project, which was to begin in 2027 “is in a natural pause,” he said. ROUGHDRAFT.NEWS

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In late September, Cherry Street Energy will begin installing a 227-panel solar array on the roof of the Spanx Global Headquarters building to power operations within Jamestown’s Buckhead Village District. Cherry Street Energy is an Atlantabased company and one of the leading providers of on-site solar power in the Southeast. In late July, the company announced an agreement with Jamestown to install, operate, and maintain the property’s solar power infrastructure at 3035 Peachtree Road. This fall, Atlanta-based Cherry Street Energy will begin installing solar panels on the roof of the Spanx headquarters building at Buckhead Village through a partnership with Jamestown. Essentially, Cherry Street Energy fully finances the project on the roof of the Spanx building and then sells the electricity produced to Jamestown, the development’s long-term property owner.

The Buckhead Village District is described as “a cosmopolitan fashion, dining, and lifestyle neighborhood in Atlanta featuring a wide range of retail, including first-to-market concepts and heritage brands, as well as acclaimed dining and wellness experiences.” It spans six city blocks around Peachtree, East Paces Ferry, and Pharr roads. Cherry Street’s network of more than 225 solar energy systems supports customers across the Southeast, including Delta Air Lines, the Porsche Experience Center, the City of Atlanta, Fulton County, and Atlanta International School. Mixed-use industry leader Jamestown, a global real estate investment and management company, launched its sustainability program in 2008. The company’s announcement says it remains committed to integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices across its operations to “improve accountability and drive longterm impact across its portfolio.”

This fall, Atlanta-based Cherry Street Energy will begin installing solar panels on the roof of the Spanx headquarters building at Buckhead Village through a partnership with Jamestown. (Via Google Maps Street View)

Corporate sustainability partners Michael Chanin, founder and CEO of Cherry Street Energy, explained the mechanics of the green business partnership. “Cherry Street funds, builds, and operates the infrastructure at Buckhead Village, allowing the property to gain on-site generation and a fixed electricity rate without deploying a dollar of capital,” Chanin said. “When one of the most respected names in real estate treats energy as essential infrastructure, it signals where the market is headed.” The proposed system will generate more than 145,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity each year, offsetting about 90 metric tons of carbon emissions annually. It would produce enough energy to power about 14 single-family homes a year. The carbon offset is the equivalent of burning 10,000 gallons of gasoline.

After exceeding its initial ESG goals, the firm says it has refined its targets, which now include achieving net-zero operational carbon by 2050 (from a 2018 baseline), cutting greenhouse gas emissions and energy use intensity in half by 2030, and hitting targets for waste diversion and water use reduction by 2050. Carrie Denning Jackson, director of innovation and sustainability at Jamestown, said the installation is an important step toward the company’s emission-reduction goals across its portfolio. “Projects like this demonstrate how strong partnerships can help us reduce environmental impact while enhancing the performance and resilience of our properties,” Jackson said. “We’re proud to work with Cherry Street Energy to bring this resource to the Buckhead neighborhood.” ROUGHDRAFT.NEWS

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NORCROSS Developers propose 19-acre mixed-use project By Hayden Sumlin The owners of Jefferson Plaza and The Station office park are working with Crooked Creek Development Partners on a 19-acre mixed-use redevelopment at the Norcross-Peachtree Corners border. The team behind the “Canopy at Crooked Creek” project held a second of three community meetings on Aug. 18 on the first floor of the Jefferson Plaza office building at 3169 Holcomb Bridge Road. Bruce Fernald, a metro Atlanta commercial real estate developer, said the plan is to keep the existing seven-story office building at Jefferson Plaza but knock down all nine commercial buildings at The Station.

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New gateway Canopy project Fernald is the founder and principal

Former Henry County official to become city manager By Hayden Sumlin Norcross Mayor Craig Newton announced on Aug. 10 that former Henry County Manager Cheri Hobson-Matthews will replace City Manager Eric Johnson, who is retiring in September. Newton said city officials want to share as much as they can about the recruitment process, which they deliberated on in executive session, away from the public eye. In May, the city began working with its consultant, Arndt Municipal Support, to find, interview, and narrow down candidates. “On Aug. 3 through 4, there were on-site finalist interviews conducted by the mayor and council, who, after two days, scheduled to deliberate and make a final decision,” Newton said. “Mrs. Hobson-Matthews has managed at a scale considerably larger than Norcross.” From Henry to southwest Gwinnett Norcross officials said the city received more than 216 job applications this summer and whittled down the field to six finalists. Input came from a group of highranking city staff, council members, and a few residents. Hobson-Matthews, who began working for Henry County as a planner nearly 25 years ago, was fired by Henry County Chair Carlotta Harrell and a majority of commissioners in April. CBS News Atlanta called it a “big and abrupt change to county leadership.” Matthews had served as county

8 SEPTEMBER 2026

of BD Urban, LLC. He’s worked on Inman Quarter, in Atlanta’s historic park neighborhood, and Lilli Midtown, on Peachtree Street across from Atlanta’s Fox Theatre. The redevelopment team plans to submit the special-use permit application on or before the Sept. 4 deadline, Fernald said. The plan includes a 320-unit apartment building, a 150-unit agerestricted complex, 30 townhomes, and more than 30,000 square feet of retail. The plan is to reduce some of the surface parking and build the four-story age “55-and -up” residential building on the southwest corner of the site. Public trails and paths are planned through the property and along Atlanta Boulevard, Crossing Park, and Holcomb Bridge. Plans call for townhomes and

Cheri Hobson-Matthews (Via LinkedIn)

manager since March 2017, overseeing about 1,600 employees and a $280 million annual budget. Norcross officials cited her years of executive experience in Henry County, while achieving a triple-A bond rating. The vote on the new city manager’s contract was set for a special-called meeting on Aug. 24, he said. “She described herself as someone who leads by example and emphasizes explaining the ‘why’ behind her decisions,” Newton said. Johnson said he’s reserving most of his comments for his September retirement, after nearly six years of service leading city departments. Before working for Norcross, Johnson served as Forsyth County’s top executive. “I look forward to meeting and helping your new city manager with that transition process,” Johnson said. “I congratulate you on getting through the process and having the good sense to once again hire a county manager from a quarter-millionpopulation county.” ROUGHDRAFT.NEWS

multifamily housing on the south side of Crooked Creek, with a retail village and patio dining along Holcomb Bridge Road. A Scandinavian covered bridge will connect to a family gathering spot and quasi-park. Showing plan to council According to the Gwinnett County Assessors’ Office, the 9-acre Jefferson Plaza property is zoned office-institutional (OI). The surrounding parcels, totaling about 10 acres, are in the same zoning district. The 125,000-square-foot building was constructed in 1978. It last traded for $12.5 million in 2017 and is appraised at $7.5 million today. About 45,000 square feet of office space is available. The Station’s collection of one- and

two-story commercial office buildings, constructed in 1984, will be demolished and replaced. There are two new roadway connections planned to Jefferson Plaza, one over Crooked Creek. Fernald said the project team expects to have its Norcross Architectural Review Board meeting on Oct. 20, and he’s hopeful that preserving the mature tree canopy around the creek and “woodland” architecture will help. He said he thinks the proposal fits with the city’s comprehensive plan goals. If the necessary SUP and rezoning applications are submitted and everything goes as planned, Fernald said the Norcross City Council could vote as soon as Dec. 7. It’s not clear which application is required.

A site plan shows the proposed Canopy at Crooked Creek project with retail, townhomes, multifamily, and an office building at Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Holcomb Bridge Road, and Atlantic Boulevard. (Provided by Cooper Carry)

ROUGHDRAFT.NEWS

SEPTEMBER 2026

TUCKER Council amends transportation plan to emphasize connectivity By Katie Burkholder

OCT. 3 at TUCKER TOWN GREEN

SEPTEMBER MEETINGS & EVENTS Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are held at Tucker City Hall, 1975 Lakeside Pkwy, Ste 350B, Tucker, GA 30084

• SEPTEMBER 4

• SEPTEMBER 13

Tucker Town Green

FIRST FRIDAY CONCERT FOOZER

• SEPTEMBER 7

CITY BUILDINGS CLOSED FOR LABOR DAY

• SEPTEMBER 7

DOGGY POOL PARTY Kelley Cofer Pool

• SEPTEMBER 9 DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

SUNDAY SHOWCASE STRANGER COMPANY

• SEPTEMBER 14

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

• SEPTEMBER 13

UGA GAME-WATCHING PARTY - GA VS OK KICKOFF TBA Tucker Town Green

• SEPTEMBER 28

Members of the Tucker City Council voted on Aug. 10 to amend the Transportation and Trails Plan to emphasize safety and community connectivity. In 2018, the City of Tucker completed a Strategic Transportation Master Plan, after which the city partnered with the PATH foundation to create a city-wide Trail Master Plan. These two studies have been consolidated into a unified Transportation and Trails Master Plan. The plan provides recommended projects, including estimated costs and prioritization, for operational, capacity, trail, and sidewalk improvements. The changes approved by the council included adding a multi-use path along Chamblee Tucker Road, standardizing sidewalk and bike facility standards, and strengthening the Vision Zero goal, which seeks to achieve zero traffic deaths by 2050. “There’s a lot of doors that can open as a result of approving that transportation and trail plan,” Council Member Virginia Reece said. “As Mayor Lerner said last month, it is a 50-year plan. We’re not going to get all this done in 10 years or even in our lifetimes, but it’s a wonderful plan for us to move forward. The community has let us know time and time again that trails and active transportation are a top, top priority for us.” During Monday’s meeting, city council

Hungry AF coming to the city By Katie Burkholder The local Black-owned restaurant chain Hungry AF will be opening up a new location in Tucker later this year. Since 2022, Hungry AF has become beloved across Atlanta for its fusion menu featuring “world famous” pasta, wings, phillies, burgers, and fried rice. The

MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL MEETING

• SEPTEMBER 12

TUCKER CRUISE-IN Main Street

tuckerga.gov 10 SEPTEMBER 2026

members also approved $221,972 to immediately address a sinkhole at 6155 Windsong Way. On July 20, a resident reported a surface depression and small hole along the shoulder of the road. The road is the only way in and out for six residential properties, so the sinkhole was deemed an emergency by city staff. The city council also appointed Khannan Teyf, the co-owner of Expressions in Motion Dance, as the director of the Tucker Downtown Development Authority and approved contracts for pipe repairs and construction at Rosenfeld Park and the intersection of Hugh Howell Road and Mountain Industrial Boulevard. The council members also approved a resolution establishing an intergovernmental agreement with DeKalb County to partner on a project at the new fire station #5 at 4345 Cowan Road, which is adjacent to a portion of the proposed South Fork Peachtree Creek Greenway. The county and city will work together to create a design that includes 15 parking spaces, a six-foot sidewalk, and seating along the front of the property. The project will cost the city $58,000. Tucker City Council will next meet on Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. at city hall. During this meeting, they will discuss and vote on an ordinance to make it unlawful to sell a dog, cat, or domestic rabbit at roadsides, fairs, commercial parking lots, and other outdoor locations.

restaurant also offers a different creative wing flavor and cookie each month. The new Hungry AF Tucker will be located at 4431 Hugh Howell Road. According to a social media post from co-owner Chris Berry, the restaurant will open later in 2026. “We look forward to serving the community and people of Tucker,” Berry said on Instagram. Tucker will be Hungry AF’s tenth location, joining Greenbriar, Buckhead, Camp Creek, Decatur, Kennesaw, Marietta, Panola, Smyrna, South Fulton, and Stockbridge.

(Courtesy Hungry AF) ROUGHDRAFT.NEWS

SANDY SPRINGS Subscribe to our weekly Sandy Springs newsletter at RoughDraftAtlanta.com/newsletters. Leaders debate car-centric vs. walkable city future By Hayden Sumlin Sandy Springs council members have pushed back on traffic alleviation and connectivity plans from their own consultants, staff, and the Georgia Department of Transportation throughout the year. Whether proposed roadway projects interfere with Sandy Springs businesses and homeowners or prioritize motorists driving through the city, a handful of elected officials want new solutions. During the approval of the city’s fiveyear update to its transportation master plan, council member Andrew Chinsky was the only elected official in opposition. He thanked staff and consultants for incorporating some of his feedback, but opposed its “vision, policy, and timing.” “I would like our policy to be less focused on helping people drive through Sandy Springs and more on connecting our residents and neighborhoods,” Chinsky said. “While we live in a state where GDOT is very focused on roads, our policy can still help move away from car-centric investment and focus on mobility without the use of a car.” Plan sets up TSPLOST Sandy Springs officials chimed in throughout the planning process, advocating for a citywide curb management policy for ride-booking and delivery services, an emphasis on

well-maintained infrastructure, and more travel options for residents. The city’s third transportation master plan, and first since 2021, incorporates new projects identified in other consultant-led studies and evaluates all projects on the same criteria. Mayor Rusty Paul said investments in roadways allow the city to win competitive federal grants because of the desire for improved connectivity and the city’s regional significance as a choke point. He said the Hammond Drive widening project will allow buses to use the corridor, connecting City Springs to the Central Perimeter business district. The project also improves pedestrian and cyclist safety and infrastructure. Other council members wanted to see specific initiatives included in the plan, like neighborhood traffic calming, congestion management, and regular updates about the pace of project delivery. Kristen Wescott, the city’s transportation and traffic manager, said the plan helps provide a 10-year road map for city spending on up to $280 million in transportation infrastructure. Most of that funding will come from a transportation sales tax (TSPLOST), up for renewal in November. “Needs change, and issues are identified that need to be addressed,” Wescott said. “Nothing in the 2026 Transportation Master Plan update

limits the city from acting on these concerns. For example, in 2025, my department received over 800 requests for improvements, everything ranging from fixing a broken sign or checking on signal timing to more complex questions about how to improve an intersection for safety and operations.” General community feedback The most common community responses about “getting around Sandy Springs” include a lack of walkability and a desire for more sidewalks, speeding and safety concerns along Roswell Road (SR 9), and traffic congestion. One resident advocated for improving

walkability and reducing neighborhood cut-through traffic in a survey response earlier this year. Roadway safety, declining tree canopy, and sidewalks were other recurring themes. Typically, sidewalk and multi-use path construction reduces tree canopy along existing roadways. City and state roadway projects have decreased the number of single-family residential lots along SR 400 and Hammond Drive. The city’s project list for the countywide 2027-32 0.75-cent sales tax includes tens of millions of dollars for the city’s capital sidewalk program, which fills gaps in neighborhood networks to improve connectivity.

Potential North River Shopping Center overhaul includes a park By Hayden Sumlin The Sandy Springs City Council approved half of a $4.33 million incentive package for Woodfield Development as part of its overhaul of the North River Shopping Center, helping to secure a new park at 8830 Roswell Road. The Aug. 18 resolution waives $1.775 million in impact and permit fees for the soon-to-be property owner — North River Apartments Owner, a subsidiary of Woodfield. City officials have been in discussions with the developer for months about how to deliver the community’s desired project, including a new city park. Council member Melody Kelley represents District 2, which includes most of northwest Sandy Springs. When she first moved to the city almost 10 years ago, she said North End revitalization was already the most dominant topic in civic discussion. “The city began to be very intentional and planned,” Kelley said. “What’s happening today isn’t accidental ... it is the result of years of planning, tons of stakeholder meetings. And it is not the

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only thing happening in the North End ... a lot is going on.” North End revitalization If Woodfield Development closes on the 13-acre site by the end of September, Sandy Springs’ North End could be well on track for a new, “catalytic” $150 million mixed-use project. If all goes smoothly, construction is expected to begin later this year. The proposed development plan includes 336 market-rate apartments and another builder putting up 85 for-sale townhomes and 10,000 square feet of retail space. Woodfield has about eight of the 13-acre North River site under contract and will spearhead construction of the apartments. The city’s economic development department estimates the incentives to be about two-thirds of Woodfield’s investment in the more than $6.5 million park, including land value, park facilities and signage, and 70 parking spaces. The parking lot built by the developer would be available for city residents visiting the park. If all goes smoothly, Economic

Development Director Chris Burnett said the fee waivers will be documented in an agreement at closing, and the tax abatement will close after Woodfield’s land purchase in September. The city would own the 0.71-acre park. “It will give a wonderful place for residents to gather,” Burnett said. “It’ll be a tremendous benefit for the retail and the restaurants that come there. I think we hear from so many of our families that they want restaurants where they can sit with their kids and relax while the kids are playing and they’re waiting on their table to free up. And this project exactly does that; I think what we’ve envisioned for this site.” Years of work Burnett said the recreation and parks department’s design of the park, with a playground, pavilion, and greenspace, is nearly complete. He said the total investment in the project could be $200 million and could encourage other developers in the area. In 2021, Sandy Springs leaders began eyeing revitalization of the city’s North End neighborhoods along Roswell Road

(SR 9) during the pandemic after about a decade of stagnation. It’s lagging behind City Springs and Central Perimeter in real estate development. Burnett said Woodfield’s acquisition of the site and the proposed project only works if all of the existing retail, most of which is vacant, is scrapped. The city’s incentives are contingent on the termination of existing leases. “We’re not ready to talk about who the townhome developer is at this point,” Burnett said. “He has been very involved in this conversation ... that continues to move in the right direction. We’re very close to the goal line on reaching that agreement for for-sale townhomes on the north end.” Mayor Rusty Paul said the city has seen a real estate investment trust buy up all of the developer’s promised owner-occupied townhomes and turn them into rentals along Roswell Road. “That’s why we’re a little apprehensive, if you will, about this, to make sure that we get what is promised,” Paul said. “It’s not a lack of trust, but it is a ‘trust but verify’ kind of situation.” ROUGHDRAFT.NEWS

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DUNWOODY Subscribe to Cathy Cobbs on Dunwoody at RoughDraftAtlanta.com/newsletters. City wins lawsuit, longtime critic ordered to pay $182,000 By Cathy Cobbs The City of Dunwoody has prevailed in a long-running open records lawsuit filed by resident Joe Hirsch, and Hirsch has been ordered to pay $182,000 in attorneys’ fees incurred by the city. Hirsch, who identified himself in the 226-page lawsuit as a journalist on X, named three city employees in his Oct. 31, 2023 suit – Dunwoody City Clerk Sharon Lowery, Clerk Eric Shealy, and Information Technology Department Head Ginger LePage. He also named the city as a defendant, and later added City Manager Eric Linton to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit alleges that the group lied about and/or covered up information related to an open records request Hirsch made regarding an incident that occurred between a police officer and the manager of a Dunwoody tire store. The ruling, handed down on Dec. 2, 2025, by DeKalb County Superior Court Judge David B. Irwin, found the city and its employees “had complied with the Open Records Act.” “Despite the plaintiff’s repeated attacks on social media and in public comments at City Council meetings, the rulings showed the City and its employees acted legally and in good faith,” the ruling said.

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United in Memory 25 years of reflection and resolve

Join us for Quiet Reflection | Commemorative Exhibit | Recorded Memories Dunwoody City Hall | 8 am - 4 pm

September Highlights

Heritage 1 13 Latino-Hispanic Celebration Called Alcohol Review 2 Special Board Meeting 14 City Council Meeting 3 Zoning Board of Appeals 17 Development Authority Meeting in the Park: “Fantastic Four: Broadway at Brook Run with 4 Pics First Steps” Callanwolde Concert Band Art Commission Meeting City Hall | 7:30 a.m.

Ashford Lane | 4 - 7:30 p.m.

City Hall | 8 a.m.

City Hall | 6 p.m.

City Hall | 5 p.m.

Pernoshal Park | 9 p.m.

Brook Run Amphitheater | 7 p.m.

4-5 18 Park(ing) Day Hall closed 7 City Hazardous Waste Called Sustainability 19 Household Recycling Event 8 Special Committee Meeting Butterfly Experience Dunwoody Nature Center

Williamsburg Shopping Center 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

City Hall | 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

City Hall | 9:30 a.m.

Game Night

Planning Commission Meeting City Hall | 6 p.m.

Committee 10 Sustainability Meeting City Hall | 8 a.m.

11 Day of Reflection Gardener Talk: 12 Master Compost Tea

Dunwoody City Hall | 8 a.m - 4 p.m.

Brook Run Park Greenhouse | 11 a.m.

Groovin’ on the Green

featuring Piano Man vs. Rocket Man Brook Run Park Amphitheater 6 - 9 p.m.

14 SEPTEMBER 2026

Donaldson Bannister Farm | 5 - 10 p.m.

Student and Instructor Art

26 Market

Spruill Center for the Arts | 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Fall Family Campout Dunwoody Nature Center

City Council Meeting City Hall | 6 p.m.

DHA Farmers Market

Every Saturday 9 a.m. - noon | Brook Run Park

After the rulings, Dunwoody filed a motion to collect attorney’s fees, which was granted May 22, in the amount of $182,478.10 – “the full amount requested by defendants.” In the order obtained by Rough Draft Atlanta, Irwin described the plaintiff’s claims as“substantially frivolous and vexatious ... The record shows that plaintiff’s litigation strategy was designed to harass, intimidate, and impose unnecessary costs on the City and its employees.” “An award of attorney’s fees will compensate Defendants for the extraordinary costs incurred and deter future litigants from engaging in similar misconduct,” Irwin wrote in his conclusion. Irwin’s final order and judgment, handed down June 3, reinforced his order that Hirsch must pay the city $182,478. Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch said she was “grateful for Judge Irwin’s diligence and careful consideration.” “This has been very difficult for the City employees named in this civil action,” Deutsch said in a statement. “The Court’s orders grant summary judgment in favor of the City and the individual defendants, and I’m gratified that our employees have been vindicated. It was also important for us to seek attorneys’ fees for the costs associated with our defense.” The lawsuit details Hirsch’s lawsuit surrounded an Oct. 13, 2021 incident involving Dunwoody Police Officer Minh Pham and an unnamed store manager at Mr. Tire on Dunwoody Village Parkway. A call received by 911 claimed that Pham was being belligerent. The lawsuit claims that Pham “essentially held hostage a Mr. Tire store manager against his will by causing the store manager to believe he was being detained for failing to fix the officer’s wife’s personal car.” A communications log that Hirsch included in the lawsuit showed a call from Mr. Tire at 1333 Dunwoody Parkway was reported as a civil dispute between two parties, and the caller advised that “a customer and her husband are refusing to let them leave.” The reference to “them” does not list a person’s name. In the report, the caller was only identified as “John.” The call log identified the husband as a police officer. In the lawsuit, Hirsch said that he became concerned after hearing about the alleged incident and filed an open records request around Oct. 28, asking for all text messages to and from Pham from Oct. 13 to Oct. 14. An email sent from Dunwoody City Clerk Eric Shealy to Hirsch five days later said the city found “no records that

are responsive to your request using the information provided.” However, in July, Hirsch sent a message to Dustin Guwin, a Dunwoody contract employee hired through a staffing agency, asking him about the text messages. According to the suit, Guwin replied that LePage had acknowledged there were four text messages on Pham’s phone during the period Hirsch requested, despite former Dunwoody Police Chief Billy Grogan having told Guwin there were none. Hirsch also included in the lawsuit the minutes of several council meetings wherein, during public comment, he said that LePage and Lowery should be investigated and criminally charged for lying to him regarding Pham’s texts. Judge’s comments on allegations Irwin, in the motion for summary judgment, said Hirsch presented no evidence that any defendant acted with actual malice, and that Lowery and her team “exhausted every other avenue to locate” the messages that Hirsch sought. He further said, in the 23-page order for attorney fees, that Hirsch had stated publicly and privately his intent to drive up attorney’s fees, had filed volumes of discovery “so voluminous and repetitive that it supports an inference of improper purpose,” and had filed “multiple baseless and unnecessary discovery motions.” Irwin said Hirsch, “throughout this litigation ... has repeatedly and publicly harassed defendants about his claims and his lawsuit, often with insulting language, altered photographs posted to “X,” and demonstrably false accusations.” Hirsch’s response “This case remains under appeal,” Hirsch said in an email response to Rough Draft. “I am confident that a full and fair review of the facts will confirm what the record already shows: that Dunwoody continues to violate multiple provisions of Georgia’s Open Records Act. “It is unfortunate that the city characterizes this outcome as a victory. In truth, it is a loss for the residents of Dunwoody, who deserve a transparent local government,” the statement continued. “My attorney, who helped me identify the city’s numerous violations of the Open Records Act, was widely recognized as an expert in this field and had previously been consulted by the state of Georgia in drafting its transparency statutes. He believed, as I do, that transparency is a fundamental safeguard of democratic government. Unfortunately, he became seriously ill during the course of this Continued on page 16 ROUGHDRAFT.NEWS

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my attorney’s death, and suggested, without basis, that his illness had been used to delay the case. “Regardless of the court’s ruling, the underlying facts remain unchanged: Dunwoody continues to operate without adequate transparency, and this outcome reflects a system in which loyalty is rewarded over accountability.”

Panel gives green light for new housing options By Cathy Cobbs During a two-hour Dunwoody Planning Commission meeting on Aug. 11, the panel gave the green light to two rezoning projects that will expand housing options in the city. The commission voted unanimously to approve a rezoning request for a tract of land behind the North Atlanta Church of Christ that would allow for the construction of three homes within the city of Dunwoody and 21 in the area that encompasses Sandy Springs. Currently, the land is zoned R-100, and would require a designation of R-60 to allow for the density that would permit the houses to be built on the Dunwoody side. According to the application, the properties on Spalding Drive, which are in the City of Sandy Springs, were rezoned to allow a 21-lot subdivision on May 19 under the RD-9 designation (Residential Detached – 9,000 square feet minimum lot size). The three homes, ranging in size from 3,500 to 4,500 square feet, will sit on a 10,910-square-foot lot, with one access point from Spalding Drive at the signalized intersection of Spalding Drive and Pitts Road. The starting price point would be around $800,000. After nobody spoke either for or against the application, the panel voted unanimously to recommend the rezoning with two staff conditions – that the development of the site be substantially consistent with the site plan and that a pedestrian-only path be extended from the private drive servicing the subject properties to the adjacent parcel on Roberts Drive. Townhomes on Ashford Dunwoody Road The commission also voted unanimously to recommend approval of an application that would allow the construction of 33 townhomes on a 3.42-acre site at 4891 Ashford Dunwoody Road, the current site of LifeSouth Blood Bank. The property is currently zoned Office-Industrial (O-I), which does not allow residential development. The

application asks for a designation of Perimeter Center (PC-3). The two townhome products are 20by-44 and 14-by-40 feet, each with three bedrooms, a half-bath, and a rear-load two-car garage. In an earlier meeting, developers said a larger, 2,100-squarefoot unit has an estimated price of $650,000. The smaller townhomes are about 1,500 square feet with an estimated $500,000 asking price. Alex Brock with Smith Gambrell & Russell said the site is perfect for an owner-occupied residential product, which has not been available in the area for several years. Nobody spoke either for or against the rezoning, and the council recommended it unanimously. MJCCA indoor pickleball The commission also approved a Special Land Use Permit (SLUP) to allow the addition of a 10,000-squarefoot, four-court indoor facility at the Marcus Jewish Community Center near the existing courts. An outdoor facility containing 12 courts opened in June 2024 as part of an extensive renovation on the 50-acre site that included the construction of an outdoor pool and other amenities. At a community meeting that was held on the property on July 2, most attendees had a favorable response to the application, except for one person who stated her opposition to both the outdoor and indoor courts. At the planning commission meeting, a resident living on Dunwoody Glen said she can hear pickleball noise from inside her house and said that the lights from the courts shine into her sunroom. “All I hear is pickleball noises 14 hours a day on the weekdays and 12 hours a day on weekends,” she said. Representatives from JCC said the addition of the indoor facility will help reduce noise, and that a fence with acoustic wrapping was installed within the last month. Staff recommended several conditions, including that a 40-foot buffer of existing mature tree canopy be maintained.

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Keep your Georgia income tax dollars working in Sandy Springs Every year, Sandy Springs residents and businesses pay Georgia state income taxes that support programs and projects throughout the state. But what if you could choose to keep a portion of your Georgia income tax payment right here in Sandy Springs— supporting the police officers, K-9 teams, youth programs, and public safety initiatives that protect our community every day? Through Georgia’s LESS Crime Act, you can. Your Tax Dollars. Your Community. Your Police. The Georgia LESS Crime Act allows eligible individuals and businesses to redirect a portion of their Georgia state income tax liability to support qualified local law enforcement foundations. That means instead of sending all of those tax dollars to the State of Georgia to be used throughout the state, you can choose to have a portion support public safety in Sandy Springs. Think about it: You are already going to pay Georgia income taxes. Why not keep some of those tax dollars working in the community where you live, work, raise

your family, and operate your business? Through the LESS Crime Act, contributions benefiting the Sandy Springs Police help provide resources beyond the City’s regular operating budget, including: ■

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Why not keep those dollars closer to home? A strong and well-equipped police department benefits everyone. It helps protect our families and neighborhoods, strengthens our business community, supports a high quality of life, and gives our officers additional resources to serve and protect Sandy Springs. This is more than a charitable contribution. It is an opportunity created by Georgia law to use your state income tax liability to make a direct investment in your own community. You have to pay Georgia income tax anyway If you are going to write a check for Georgia income taxes, why not take advantage of the LESS Crime Act

and direct an approved portion of that payment toward the men and women who protect Sandy Springs every day? Keep your tax dollars local Support Our Police. Strengthen Public Safety. Invest in Sandy Springs. To learn more about the Georgia LESS Crime Act and how to participate, visit SSPDFoundation.org. or call Tom Mahaffey (678) 906-7948 for more information

COMMUNITY Dolly Parton was no stranger to Georgia By Scott Flynn| WSB-TV and Collin Kelly While Dolly Parton’s home has always been in Tennessee, she was far from a stranger here in Georgia. The iconic country singer, actress, businesswoman, and philanthropist died on Tuesday at the age of 80 after a battle with cancer. Parton’s Georgia connections stretch back to the beginning of her fame when she married her late husband, Carl Dean, in Ringgold, GA, in 1966 to keep their nuptials private as her star was on the rise in Nashville. Georgia Tech took to social media to honor the music legend, posting photos

from a concert she performed at Tech’s Alexander Memorial Coliseum in 1977. “We remember a legend and celebrate the lasting legacy she leaves behind,” the college said in its post. Parton, an outspoken supporter of LGBTQ+ rights, famously performed at Center Stage in Midtown in 2002, inviting local drag queens on stage to perform her iconic hit, “Jolene.” Above and beyond her musical talents, Parton was also an actress and filmed movies and TV shows here in metro Atlanta. The 2012 film “Joyful Noise” featured scenes shot at the Atlanta Civic Center and in the cities of Smyrna, Fairburn, Newnan

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A 1975 picture of former Georgia Lt. Gov. Zell Miller with Dolly Parton hangs on the wall at Manuel’s Tavern. (Courtesy of Manuel’s Tavern)

and Peachtree City. The film stars Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton as two strong-willed women who clash over the direction of a small-town church choir. Together, they try to lead the struggling group to win a national choir competition. The TV series “Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings” was shot in Doraville, Canton, Marietta, Kennesaw, Stone Mountain, Norcross and other metro locations. The eight-episode series on Netflix brought the stories, memories, and inspirations behind Parton’s classic songs to life, dedicating one song to each episode. Her “Coat of Many Colors” – whose title became one of Parton’s signature hits – was filmed in Conyers and Covington. The made-for-TV show was based on the true story of Parton’s childhood. Throughout the day, Georgia officials have released their condolences over Parton’s passing.

“Her exceptional talent and voice, and the kindness she demonstrated throughout her life and career are American treasures. As a daughter of a neighboring state, her loss is felt all the more in the South where she was so deeply loved,” Gov. Brian Kemp said. “Her impact on this Earth reached far beyond the music industry, and her life and legacy will continue to be celebrated for generations to come. She will be greatly missed, and the prayers of our family are with her loved ones and the entire State of Tennessee that proudly calls her their own. Pat Houston, sister-in-law of Whitney Houston, said she was “so sad” to hear of Dolly’s passing, and thanked her for allowing Whitney to sing her song, “I Will Always Love You.” “I am grateful that Whitney’s voice helped carry one of Dolly’s timeless songs into the hearts of millions,” Houston wrote. “May she rest in Peace knowing her music and her heart will live on forever.”

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Atlanta’s legacy is still being written By: Brittany Church, 2026 CVC President

Beyond the Spotlight: The Work That Builds a Legacy Thirty years ago, I came to Atlanta with my mom for the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games. We watched baseball at the Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium, but my personal favorite was seeing the “Magnificent Brittany Church Seven” practice— before gymnast Kerri Strug captured all of our hearts by sticking that landing. Like millions of people around the world, I watched Atlanta step into the global spotlight, and I felt the energy and excitement. I could not have known then that, decades later, I would call this city home and have the honor of serving as President of the Corporate Volunteer Council of Atlanta (CVC). It feels a little full circle: I first experienced Atlanta during one of its biggest moments, and today I get to work alongside people creating meaningful moments here every day. Atlanta has always known how to rise to an ambitious occasion—and ambitious goals have always looked good on this city. The Olympic Games changed Atlanta in ways that are still visible. But the most important legacies are not always the ones we can point to on a map. Three decades after the Games, Atlanta’s real legacy is not simply what was built for 1996. It is what we have continued to build since the crowds went home and the cameras turned elsewhere. A legacy is not simply what we

CVC Board Members support and guide the organization throughout the year.

remember. It is what we continue to build. Atlanta’s legacy is being written every day by people who invest their time, talents, and resources in our community. It lives in partnerships that address local needs, volunteer programs that bring employees together, and nonprofit organizations that keep showing up to do the work—often without a spotlight, cheering section, or commemorative pin. For more than 30 years, the CVC has brought together companies, nonprofits, and community leaders who share a commitment to meaningful civic engagement and social impact. Our members know that strong communities are not built through one big volunteer day and a great group photo. Those moments matter. They can introduce employees to an important cause, create connections, and generate momentum. But lasting impact requires what happens after the photo is taken: trust, consistency, collaboration, and the willingness to listen before jumping in with a solution.

GOING THE DISTANCE FOR PEOPLE CLOSE TO HOME Our tracks connect communities to possibilities. See how we lead the way to a greater future at NorfolkSouthern.com.

The needs facing our community continue to change, which means our approach must change too. Meaningful service starts with understanding what our nonprofit partners and neighbors actually need—not merely what is convenient for us to give. The best partnerships are not built around arriving with all the answers. They begin by asking better questions. Sometimes that means creating a long-term partnership instead of planning a one-time project. Sometimes it means sharing professional skills to help a nonprofit strengthen its operations. It can look like mentorship, advocacy, funding, access, or simply making the right introduction at the right time. There is no single formula for impact, but we know this: none of us can do it alone. Thankfully, collaboration has always been one of Atlanta’s greatest strengths. This city has a long history of bringing people together across industries and communities to imagine something better—and then rolling up our sleeves to make it happen. That spirit is at the heart

of the CVC of Atlanta. As President, I am proud to serve alongside board members, corporate partners, nonprofit leaders, and volunteers who understand that community engagement is not separate from good business. It helps build stronger teams, more trusted companies, and a city where more people have the opportunity to thrive. Employees want to know that their work and their workplaces have purpose. Doing good and doing good business are not opposing ideas. In Atlanta, we know they work better together. This year’s CVC IMPACT Awards theme, “From Global Spotlight to Local Impact,” gives us the opportunity to celebrate Atlanta’s history while keeping our eyes firmly on its future. We are honoring the people and organizations doing meaningful work throughout our community—even when no one is handing them a medal for it. The people and programs we celebrate show us what impact looks like in practice. Their efforts may begin with one organization, one neighborhood, or one idea, but their influence reaches much further. Together, they tell a larger story about who Atlanta is and who we are still becoming. The world’s spotlight may have been on Atlanta in 1996, but the work that truly defines our city has never depended on an audience. It continues in our workplaces, neighborhoods, schools, and nonprofit organizations. It continues because people keep showing up, building relationships, sharing ideas, and believing we can accomplish more together than we ever could alone. Atlanta’s legacy is still being written. The good news is that none of us has to sit on the sidelines—we all get a hand in writing the next chapter. Here’s to the next 30 years—and the legacy we’ll continue building together!

Bright futures ahead. GNG’s impact on Atlanta’s youth We understand that Atlanta faces unique challenges when it comes to breaking the cycle of poverty — especially for its youth. That’s why we have dedicated a significant portion of our community resources toward supporting children and education. Go to gng.com to learn more.

S2 SEPTEMBER 2026

Your company is invited to help shape a stronger Atlanta The Corporate Volunteer Council (CVC) of Atlanta supports member companies to deliver business results through their strategic Cheryl Kortemeir, Executive Director commitment CVC Atlanta to social impact and civic engagement. We offer monthly professional development and educational programming supporting corporate social responsibility (CSR) professionals from Atlanta’s most civically minded businesses. Companies embrace CSR for a number of different reasons. Some of the most common include: ■ Promoting employee engagement and retention ■ Uniting employees through a shared identity or vision ■ Recruiting top talent ■ Supporting employee well-being ■ Building a brand that people believe in

■ Strengthening employee leadership skills ■ Expanding community impact and fostering meaningful change The CVC provides a forum where business professionals learn together, share leading practices, and fine-tune community investment strategies no matter what your company’s priority. Whether your business is just getting started on its social impact journey or your employees have been engaging in meaningful service for decades, the CVC stands ready to support you. Together, we are better equipped to learn, grow and evolve. I hope that you enjoy reading about what CVC member companies of all sizes are doing to build meaningful partnerships in support of Metro Atlanta’s unique and dynamic communities. If your company is not a member of the CVC, we invite you to join us today to connect, inspire, and impact. Together in service, Cheryl Kortemeier Executive Director CVC of Atlanta LinkedIn: @corporate-volunteer-council-of-atlanta Instagram: @cvcatlanta

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Every Tomorrow Begins Somewhere At Ryan, we believe in creating opportunity—for our clients, our people, and the communities where we live and work. Through volunteerism, giving, and partnerships, we put that belief into action and help make a diﬀerence in the places we call home. Because the future is shaped by what we do today.

AD_GSS_Atlanta Community Outreach 2026 4.94x4.08.indd 1

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Here’s to the difference makers

Kaiser Permanente is humbled and proud to be part of a community of game changers. Congratulations to this year’s IMPACT award winners!

For all that is you 1477188558 08/24 kp.org

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Spotlight on Impact: Meet the 29th Annual IMPACT Award Finalists While the CSR landscape is shifting, Atlanta’s corporate community is finding new ways to turn business resources, employee expertise and community partnerships into meaningful local impact. This year, 31 companies were nominated for the purposeful work they’re doing across Atlanta, and winners will be announced at the IMPACT Awards ceremony on September 10. From addressing housing instability and workforce shortages to expanding educational opportunities, supporting vulnerable youth and protecting the environment, this year’s finalists show how companies can leverage their people, expertise and platforms to tackle some of the region’s most pressing challenges.

participants pledged to carry more sustainable habits forward. With homelessness on the rise in Atlanta, Gas South is helping unhoused young people turn creativity into opportunity through a partnership with Covenant House of Georgia and Notes for Notes. Together, they transformed an underused space into a professional music studio where youth can record, produce and explore music while building confidence and developing new skills. Gas South provided funding, volunteers and community connections, with employees helping design and prepare the space. The initiative also includes ongoing programming, mentorship and connections with artists and music professionals to give participants access to tools, experiences and relationships that can support their personal and professional growth.

IMPACT Corporate Program of the Year The Atlanta Braves are one of the most recognizable sports franchises in the country, but their impact extends well beyond the ballpark. As part of their commitment to supporting vulnerable populations and improving equity and access, the Atlanta Braves Foundation invests in under-resourced communities in their own backyard through funding, volunteerism and drawing attention to Food Well Farm, a first-of-its-kind food-housing development model in the Southeast. Developed by Food Well Alliance and Atlanta Housing, the site will include a garden, farm, and orchard education hub alongside 100 future affordable housing units. In 2025, the Atlanta Braves and Major League Baseball (MLB) executed their All-Star Legacy volunteer day at the Farm, hosting 96 volunteers from the Braves, MLB, Food Well Alliance, Atlanta Housing, and local community members who contributed an estimated 144 hours, building raised beds, a growing tunnel, bird boxes, fencing, and pathways. In April of this year, 20 Braves volunteers returned to the

IMPACT Corporate Skills-Based Award Gas South Covenant House Studio

Farm for Pitch In for the Planet, where they removed invasive species, cleaned planter boxes, and prepped the space for summer crops. Looking ahead, the Farm will empower the community to build greater food sovereignty, self-sufficiency, and long-term financial stability for generations to come. Cox Enterprises’ Beyond School Walls program brings high school students into the workplace to help them envision their futures. Building on a 35-year partnership with a local high school, the program evolved seven years ago to bring students to Cox’s campus each month for mentoring, career exposure and hands-on professional experiences. Employees at every level help students build confidence, explore career paths and prepare for what comes next. In

Cox is proud to work alongside the Corporate Volunteer Council, supporting greater Atlanta and its communities. Learn how we’re building a better future for the next generation at coxenterprises.com.

Candas Medina, Cox Enterprises

S4 SEPTEMBER 2026

May 2025, 100% of participating seniors graduated on time, 99% avoided the juvenile justice system and 94% had plans for post-secondary education. This program is also a cornerstone of internal culture at Cox, aligning business operations directly with its commitment to education and workforce development. IMPACT Innovative Corporate Project of the Year As Atlanta continues to face rising rents and a lack of affordable housing, J.M. Huber Corporation knows that everyone deserves a safe place to call home. To help address these housing challenges the company spearheaded an initiative in partnership with Atlanta Habitat for Humanity to support 29 new homeowners. Over the course of three months, employees built homes, participated in skills-based training and donated goods to the new homeowners. The project expanded a longstanding nonprofit partnership beyond traditional giving by connecting employees around the world to a local Atlanta housing effort. At Cox Enterprises, Earth Month is an opportunity for employees to learn, volunteer and take action. In 2026, the Chairman’s Challenge expanded its focus to habitat and species, building on Cox’s sustainability goals around carbon, water and waste. Employees participated in everything from expert-led sessions and campus tours to tree planting, floating wetlands restoration, sustainability trivia and a book swap. The effort generated 10,000 volunteer hours, support for over 25 environmental nonprofits through 80-plus events, 753 trees distributed or planted in employees’ honor and more than 400 books donated. Employees also helped direct $45,000 in grants to environmental nonprofits, while 1,549

Norfolk Southern is turning workforce challenges into pathways to economic mobility through skilled-trades training for underserved Atlantans. In partnership with City of Refuge, the company helped create a state-of-theart welding training center designed to prepare participants for living-wage careers while addressing demand for skilled welders. Norfolk Southern invested $350,000, contributed technical expertise to its design and curriculum and expanded access to free American Welding Society certification testing. Employees also provide mentorship, facility tours, mock interviews and career coaching. The first two cohorts achieved graduation and certification rates above 91%, while all 22 graduates in 2025 earned AWS and OSHA credentials and more than half secured employment in the skilled trades. The initiative also creates a sustainable workforce development model that can expand economic opportunity and strengthen Atlanta’s skilled-trades pipeline well into the future. Troutman eMerge leveraged its employees’ professional expertise to help Georgia Innocence Project spend less time managing systems and more time helping the community. During a 16-week project facilitated by technology nonprofit, Apparo, volunteers contributed 173 hours, valued at $25,000, to identify inefficient processes and operational risks. Drawing on expertise in legal operations, data governance and technology, the team mapped workflows, documented processes and developed a strategic roadmap for more efficient systems. Following the project, the Georgia Innocence Project expects the improvements to free roughly 25% of a full-time role and dramatically reduce the time spent locating case files, allowing staff to devote more capacity to investigations, client support and advancing justice. ROUGHDRAFT.NEWS

Uniting teams through service in polarizing times activities that they are passionate about, that’s all that matters.” To better streamline and encourage corporate volunteerism, Ryan Companies offers employees 20 hours of paid volunteer time off for either group or individual philanthropy efforts. Activities have included silent auctions, cornhole or kickball tournaments, as well as the RyanGivesBack initiative that partners various home offices to community initiatives. Last year, the company logged 7,500 volunteer hours spent at more than 195 charities, with nearly $900,000 raised for charities during its 2025 RyanGivesBack campaign. This year, the company partnered with Kaboom to build an inclusive playground in Covington’s City Pond Park. A group of 30 employees supplied the manpower

over three hot days to build the structures, and returned later for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. “Just seeing the team come together to volunteer to do something good in their communities is amazing,” he said. “Our team members want to make a difference and that’s part of our company culture.” Green said at Hands On Atlanta volunteer events she regularly sees a meeting of the minds, even when diverse groups come together for a common purpose. “We see companies that would otherwise be competitors show up and solve problems together,” she said. ”We see folks from different area codes, different ZIP codes, and walks of life show up to accomplish tasks together on a regular basis. This is what makes volunteerism so, so beautiful.”

Ryan Companies, in partnership with Kaboom!, the Miracle League, and Amazon, built a new inclusive playspace in Georgia.(Via Ryan Companies Instagram)

By Cathy Cobbs

animal shelter to foster and take care of cats,” Green said. Green’s mother worked alongside a high school student who was fulfilling mandated volunteer hours as part of graduation requirements. “So now you have this high schooler alongside this retired senior who was put into this same space, because they both care about animals,” Green said. “One’s mandated to be there by their high school, their Georgia requirement that they graduate with community service hours. One was put there by chance of a pandemic.” Volunteerism is non-political, nonreligious, and non-geographical,” Green continued. “No matter what someone believes, I assure you that there is a nonprofit partner that can benefit from their time and their talent for service.” Kahlil Bostick, the community and workforce experience manager for the Ryan Companies, a design and construction firm with 1,500 employees nationwide, said he feels that employees becoming involved “in something bigger than themselves” is impactful in many ways. “When everyone wants to give back, there are so many ways to do it without being polarizing,” Bostick said. “When you allow team members to participate in

During times of political, religious, and economic upheaval, it may seem that there is no bridge capable of crossing the divide. For members of the Corporate Volunteer Council, which supports member companies and their commitments to corporate social impact, the answer is “giving back.” Naomi Green, president/CEO of Hands On Atlanta, said she has found that when a shared passion for a cause unites people, race, political or religious affiliation, or economic status doesn’t matter. “When you’re there in that room sorting food, cleaning a park, building a bike, or building a home, it really doesn’t matter who you work for or how much money you make, who you voted for, where you live, what faith you follow,” Green said. “We’re all the same. We can all accomplish the same in that hour of service, in that day of service together. And that’s what makes volunteerism such a powerful uniter for the community.’ Hands On Atlanta, which partners with more than 200 non-profit organizations and the general public to offer volunteer opportunities for individuals and groups, was started 30 years ago by 12 people who dreamed of a more organized and flexible business model for volunteering. It now has expanded beyond Atlanta with an international reach, thanks to a partnership with Points of Light. Green cited a real-life example about the power of volunteerism very close to her. “My mom, who, during COVID, when More than 500 volunteers gathered on June 1 for she couldn’t see her the “Together for Downtown” Community Day friends as often as she to clean and beautify South Downtown Atlanta wanted to, started in partnership with the Arthur M. Blank Family volunteering for the local Foundation. (Courtesy Hands On Atlanta) ROUGHDRAFT.NEWS

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Skills-based volunteerism is trending up By Cathy Cobbs While packing boxes of food, assembling lunches for underserved children, or donating to a local animal shelter are all valuable uses of one’s philanthropic efforts, skill-based volunteering adds an extra punch to the success of an initiative. According to a report by 2026 YourCause Global CSR Industry Report, skills-based employee resource groups are becoming powerful engagement channels wherein volunteers use their specific expertise to assist non-profit organizations. The report concluded that the largest donation growth has been seen in finance and insurance, followed by wholesale trade and manufacturing industries, with the numbers of participants rising steadily over the years. Roy Neill, the lead corporate and community affairs leader at Dematic, a company that works to combine experience and intelligent software to deliver supply chain automation, said skills-based volunteerism has been around for years, but its role is evolving. “It allows our professionals to really pay it forward,” Neill said. “It’s a great opportunity to take their skills and apply them to helping a non-profit who may not be able to afford their expertise.” Neill said the company offers employees eight hours of paid time off to volunteer, which allows professionals to use their expertise “to lift up a non-profit.” One of the newest initiatives involves non-profit warehouse space, with Dematic employees conducting walk-throughs of existing space and creating a score card that provides steps to “a safe and secure environment.” The process is more than just an hour or two of on-site consultation, Neill said. Questionnaires are created prior to the visit to familiarize the volunteer team with the potential needs of the nonprofit, so that the on-site team is aware of potential issues on the front end. In

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TK Elevator believes people are their greatest asset and encourages employees to give back trhough skills-based volunteering. (Courtesy TK Elevator)

addition, Dematic often awards a grant to the non-profit to be used to ensure a safe environment. And it goes even further in many cases. “We think of how we can leverage our existing suppliers to see if they can provide materials at cost, deeply discounted, or in-kind,” he said. The company’s next project will be in Atlanta for the Westside Future Fund, consulting in a warehouse space that houses several non-profit organizations. “It’s a great opportunity for us to support multiple non-profits that work in a shared space,” he said. “These efforts are so special to our employees because it gives them a chance to take a step further and share their knowledge and expertise.”

The effort dovetails nicely with Dematic’s focus on safety, which is the goal for all of its employees both personally and professionally. Dematic also partners with For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST), an organization that works to motivate the upcoming generation of science and technology leaders and innovators by cultivating skills in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). In addition to annual team grants and a youth scholarship, Dematic’s network of engineers collectively volunteer more than 1,000 hours of service with FIRST, serving as mentors, competition judges, and team coaches each year. Jenny Jang, the senior manager of engagement and inclusion at TK Elevator, said skills-based volunteerism is one of the focuses of its company, comprising 50,000 employees world-wide, 10,000 in the United States, and 900 in the Atlanta area. “Our people are our greatest asset, and one of the most meaningful ways we make an impact in our communities is through skill-based volunteering,” Jang said. “A core focus of our Corporate Social Responsibility strategy is advancing the industry. “We know that the future success of our business and our industry depends on developing a diverse pipeline of talented individuals who are aware of the opportunities available to them and have the skills to pursue those careers,” she said. Another initiative is the company’s STEM Tour program at the Innovation and Qualification Center (IQC), located in the Battery in Cobb County. The IQC, which is home to the tallest elevator test tower in North America, has hosted more than 3,500 students, educators, and community partners to create engagement opportunities that

connect classroom learning to industry careers. “These partnerships help students, educators, parents, and guardians understand that there are many pathways into our field, whether through engineering, skilled trades, technology, operations, or business functions,” Jang said. Other programs like TOPS 2.0, the company’s Training for Operations Supervisors program, provide a structured six-month development experience combining classroom learning, hands-on training, mentoring, and field experience to prepare future leaders. In addition, its STEP program, Sales Training for Elevator Professionals, “builds the next generation of sales talent by strengthening product knowledge, improving customer engagement, and giving real-world business experience.” “We’re intentionally building a talent pipeline that strengthens both TK Elevator and the entire vertical transportation industry,” Jang said. “Skill-based volunteering is the foundation of that effort because it allows our employees to share their expertise, upskill our current talent pool, inspire future professionals, and create opportunities for the next generation.” Jang said it also gives existing employees an opportunity to see the next generation of elevator professionals, as well as to learn from them. “We learn a lot from our students, and it has become a truly collaborative partnership between the two parties,” she said. The effort to establish a culture of volunteerism in the company is ongoing. “We are running a marathon, not a sprint,” she said. “At the end of the day, we are trying to build a culture that benefits everyone.” ROUGHDRAFT.NEWS

What is the CVC and why should companies join? By Hannah Jenkins For more than three decades, the Corporate Volunteer Council of Atlanta (CVC) has been more than just an organization that supports member companies in their strategic commitment to civic engagement and social impact (we do that too). It’s a membership of community-facing business professionals who come together to share insights, best practices, uplift one another, and strengthen strategies all while making a difference in our communities. The CVC is more than a membership. It’s a community. Founded in 1992, the CVC exists to connect corporate and nonprofit professionals who are passionate about serving and making a difference in the city we so deeply love - Atlanta. Today, the CVC is made up of more than 100 member organizations, including more than 80 corporate partners and 16 nonprofit partners. Together, we represent a diverse network of leaders, practitioners, and changemakers who share a common goal: building a brighter, better, and stronger community through collaboration. At its core, the CVC creates space for organizations to learn from one another, exchange ideas, and lock arms to tackle challenges together. We recognize that no single company, nonprofit, or individual has all the answers and can change the world. The most effective community impact efforts happen when people come together, share what they’ve learned, and collectively work toward solutions.

“Being surrounded by some of the best minds in corporate social impact keeps us informed, inspired, and connected to emerging trends and leading practices. The CVC is more than a professional network, it’s a community

that lifts one another up and helps us all do our best work.” — Michele Blondheim, VP of Corporate Social Responsibility, Aprio & CVC Board Member

In a field where the work we do is constantly evolving, that kind of connection matters. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) and community engagement professionals are often responsible for driving meaningful strategic impact while navigating changing community needs, limited CVC members and guests gathered at Inspire Brands for an Emerging CSR resources, and ambitious Professionals Mixer this summer. goals. Many work on small teams or independently within has to be the relationships. Serving on their organizations. The CVC provides committees is my favorite part of our something invaluable: a trusted network membership. CVC members know how of peers who understand the work and are to roll up their sleeves, get to work, and willing to help. have fun doing it! Whether you’re new to the field or a seasoned leader, membership investment Another major benefit is the offers access to knowledge, resources, and educational sessions and the ability to relationships that can strengthen your keep up with the world of corporate organization’s impact strategy. Members engagement so that we, as nonprofit gain opportunities to network with peers, members, can better construct our learn from nonprofit partners, participate volunteer opportunities to fit current in specialized interest groups, and engage trends.” in programming designed specifically for - Kim Beasley, Chief Community community impact professionals. Affairs Officer, AG Rhodes The landscape is ever evolving, and so are we. We’ve hosted sessions with topics What makes the CVC unique is its ranging from AI for good to personal commitment to ensuring every voice at the influence, leadership, and purposetable is valued. While corporate partners driven storytelling. Every meeting is make up the majority of our membership, intentionally designed to equip members nonprofit partners play an equally with practical tools, fresh perspectives, and important role. They provide expertise relevant insights they can bring back to that helps members better understand their organizations. We aim to meet the community needs and where volunteers, moment that best fits our member’s needs. resources, and investments can have the greatest impact. “The biggest benefit of membership

This spirit of partnership creates an environment that’s refreshing and collaborative. Members share ideas freely, celebrate one another’s successes, and openly discuss challenges. Rather than competing, organizations work together to elevate the impact we have on the entire community. Our focus on collaboration benefits nonprofits as much as it benefits corporate members. Nonprofit organizations gain direct access to CSR leaders, opportunities to build meaningful partnerships, and have insight into evolving trends in the corporate landscape. Together, corporate and nonprofit members help each other become more effective stewards of community investment.

“The biggest benefit has been the opportunity to learn amongst peers of the industry, specifically coming from the non-profit side it’s helped me understand how it all “works” beyond the surface level.” - Malcolm Anderson, Director, Corporate Partnerships, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta Simply put, the value of CVC membership extends far beyond any single event, program, or connection. It is about belonging to a network of people who care deeply about their communities and believe that lasting impact happens when we learn from one another. For current members, the CVC is a source of pride, partnership, and professional growth. For organizations considering membership, this is an invitation to join a community that is committed to helping you strengthen your impact while strengthening Atlanta. Because it takes a community to serve a community, and that’s exactly what the Corporate Volunteer Council of Atlanta has been building since 1992.

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FOCUS ON EDUCATION School cafeterias are the busiest restaurants in metro Atlanta 2017 & 2024 NATIONAL BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL

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By Sarra Sedghi With classes back in session, school cafeterias have become some of metro Atlanta’s busiest restaurants. School systems throughout the metro feed thousands of kids five days a week. Lunchtime does not merely sate hunger and social needs; for many metro Atlanta children, a school lunch and snacks may be their primary source of nutrients for the day. It takes a lot of effort, coordination, and people to feed that many kids on a weekly basis. To better understand how school lunch programs operate, Rough Draft spoke with nutrition professionals for Fulton County Schools and the DeKalb County School District. Feeding thousands

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Alyssia Wright, Ed. S., executive director for school nutrition at Fulton County Schools, estimates that the district serves lunch to approximately 41,000 students each school day. Fulton County comprises sbout 100 schools, with 93 selfoperating kitchens across the district. All Fulton County schools serve breakfast and lunch, with after-school programs providing snacks to students, such as yogurt and fruit, or a cheese stick and Cheez-Its, paired with a carton of juice. “If there is an after-school program that is offered in Fulton County, then school nutrition provides the snacks for those meals,” Wright said. Select à-la-carte items are also available for purchase. Wright added that although elementary students consume the most meals during the week, middle and high school students have more food options. “Elementary students have the least amount of time in the cafeteria, so we want to make sure that they [aren’t overwhelmed by] multiple choices,” she said. Condus Shuman, the director of school nutrition at the DeKalb County School District, said its 125 public schools serve around 12.9 million meals to 90,000 students annually. This equates to roughly a 68% participation rate in the district’s

meal programs, covering breakfast, lunch, and after-school snacks. Meeting needs Public schools must create dishes that both satisfy the nutritional requirements of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and children’s palates, while staying within a district’s allotted annual budget for meal programs. During the 2025-2026 school year, it cost Fulton County Schools $5.20 to create one lunch plate, including labor and equipment; the most a Fulton student will pay for that lunch is $3.35. Similarly, it costs the DeKalb County School District a little more than $4 to create one lunch plate. The most a DeKalb student will pay for lunch is $3.10. The Fulton and DeKalb school districts charge most students for meals, but offer free meals for children who qualify for government food assistance. Reduced meal plans with lower prices are available for students with household incomes just above the economic threshold to qualify for free meals. “Reduced is for those families that are over the threshold of qualifying for a free meal, but they’re under the threshold for what would be considered a full-pay student or family,” Wright said. In 2024, the Georgia Department of Education announced it will fund reduced meal costs for public schools statewide. The USDA reimburses school districts for meals across all income brackets. One of the biggest challenges faced by school districts like DeKalb, Shuman said, is preparing foods children will actually eat. “[Kids] have to be involved in it,” Shuman said of developing menus for the school district. “They’re actually my customers.” Pizza remains a favorite across the board. However, Shuman noted she’s seen more students reach for fresh fruit in the breakfast and lunch lines at DeKalb County schools. Wright said Fulton County students are particularly fond of the district’s chicken ramen. Continued on page 36

Continued from page 34

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Avoiding allergens Shuman and Wright have worked in education for more than 20 years and have seen dynamic changes to school meal programs over the last two decades. This includes serving students more fresh produce, thanks to the Healthy, HungerFree Kids Act of 2010. Better allergen safety protocols are now in place at schools across the country. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 5.3% of children have food allergies. While the district can’t control what children bring to eat from home, Fulton County Schools clearly list allergens for every dish served in its cafeterias. DeKalb County schools take safety protocols around food allergies a step further, ensuring that a group of professionals knows every student’s allergens, rather than making each child solely responsible for the information. The district also doesn’t serve pork, reflecting demographic diets, and will substitute in chicken or turkey. Navigating budget cuts

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Federal budget cuts put school meal programs like those within the Fulton and DeKalb districts at risk. Last month, a report from the Center for American Progress (CAP) indicated that Georgia children may lose subsidized school meals and other safety net programs, like SNAP, due to budget cuts included in the Trump administration’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” The new legislation tightens eligibility for safety net programs like free and reduced lunch at public schools, according to CAP. With budgets tightening, Wright said Fulton County Schools could have faced dissolving partnerships with farmers providing students with local produce and meat. Instead, the district elected to take on the costs through different budget allocations. Shuman said similar budget decisions were made at DeKalb County schools.“We’ve lost some grant funding under the current presidential administration to where we were receiving a grant for local fresh fruits and vegetables under the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program [a USDA program], which allowed us to subsidize the cost,” Shuman explained. Budget cuts aren’t exactly new to public schools. But despite these financial setbacks, Shuman and Wright said they’re committed to finding ways to prioritize serving nutritious meals to every child entering their cafeterias. “I really believe in focusing on the plate for the student. Although there are a lot of challenges financially, I have not compromised the quality that I serve to my students,” Wright said. “Sometimes I sacrifice costs to provide them something that they want because if they eat it, then, of course, the ultimate goal is that they will be nourished and ready for school.”

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Cari Newman – a certified parent coach, certified life coach, and former classroom teacher in metro Atlanta – says it’s never too late to make a change when it comes to limiting technology. Newman works with parents and caregivers of children from toddlers to young adults. Together, they identify challenges, create a strategy, and address issues head on. And that’s for all kinds of sticking points – from motivation to grades to technology. “The work is focused on how parents navigate, stages, expectations, and shifts in the family dynamic while maintaining relationships,” Newman said. When it comes to technology exposure or “screen time,” Newman said parents are fighting the very thing they’ve introduced to their kids. Parents question how to pull their child back from the fun content that they’ve become enamored with, she said. “A lot of parents come to me with the assumption that it’s too late. They think, ‘You can’t put the toothpaste back in the tube,’” Newman said. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no screens before 18 months and one hour of high‑quality content daily for ages two to five. Screens shouldn’t replace sleep, physical activity, family time or free play, AAP suggests. Device‑free bedrooms and mealtimes help to maintain healthy routines – which applies to all ages. To address and change screen time exposure, it will take a parenting plan and the understanding that kids will resist. But Newman suggests parents think of social media like a newly discovered allergy, then adjust their approach. “If you went to the doctor and said, ‘Hey, my child is having a reaction to tree nuts. This is new.’ Would the doctor say, ‘Oh well, you already ate almonds. Too late.’ No, you get new information and then you change what you’re doing,” Newman said. Access to social networking

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“Sometimes parents use technology as a babysitter. It makes total sense. We’ve all been there. But once you realize the babysitter is a vampire, you might want to look more closely,” Newman said. There are some surprising places where unmonitored social networking can pop up with disastrous results. In elementary and middle school classrooms, Canva is used for book reports, comics, digital posters, photo collages and group projects. A Jacksonville, Fla., teacher was arrested in April for misusing Canva’s chat function to groom a student. For an elementary schooler, the conversation looks like boundaries with room to mess up. Parents may agree to let their child use technology with a stated

and agreed understanding of the rules. “If they goof, which they will, because that’s part of what childhood is – finding the cracks, and where the child can push the limits – the parents’ job is to recognize a boundary has been crossed and reset. Tighten it up and try again in a couple of weeks, she advised.

“Sometimes parents use technology as a babysitter. It makes total sense. We’ve all been there. But once you realize the babysitter is a vampire, you might want to look more closely.” ― Cari Newman Chat features are accessible in online games and systems including Roblox, Minecraft, Animal Crossing, Toca Boca, XBox, and Play Station. Newman also advises parents to monitor YouTube. “Anyone with a drawing pad can put up an animated show, and if a kid has YouTube, who knows what they’re seeing,” she said. Parents who play games with their kids are more present, which is an effective monitoring tool, Newman said, but there’s not always time. It’s more convenient to make dinner or throw in a load of laundry while kids are occupied with a game or show. Parents are exhausted. “I completely understand when parents come to me and say, ‘This feels way too far gone because I let it go.’ I get it, and I have been there,” she said. “You can pull it back. That’s your prerogative and your responsibility as a parent.” Resources Newman wants parents to know they’re not alone. In addition to working with Newman to make a family plan, she recommends a few ways to reevaluate technology use. First up is Savvy Cyber Kids. Owner Ben Halpert teaches online safety education for families, education for kids. Halpern has partnered with Chatperone, an AI chat platform that’s safe for kids. Second is Ben Gillenwater at Family IT Guy. A cybersecurity expert, he runs an online course that walks people through iPhone settings. Newman’s weekly newsletter is a helpful tool. She speaks at schools and organizations around metro Atlanta, and she’s writing a book. “My role is to help parents figure out what they have the capacity for and what will work for their family,” Newman said. “They don’t have to start from scratch.” ROUGHDRAFT.NEWS

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When COVID-19 struck, schools closed, students “attended” from home, and too many got out of the habit of going to school when the doors reopened. In 2022, nearly a quarter of Georgia’s students had absenteeism rates high enough to be considered “chronic” — nearly double the rate before the pandemic. But new data show that the state is gradually recovering. More students are still missing school than before COVID-19, but the rate has been steadily falling, dropping to 17.7% during the 2025-26 school year. That is nearly 2 percentage points lower than the prior year, which in turn was nearly 2 points lower than in 202324, the state data show. The rate remains more than 5 percentage points above the rates in the two years before the pandemic, but observers find Georgia’s trajectory to be promising, especially when many other states have found their absenteeism problems to be more stubborn. The Georgia Department of Education released the new rates last week, well ahead of most other states, noted Nat Malkus, with the American Enterprise Institute. “Perhaps even more impressively,” he wrote in an analysis published Thursday, “Georgia’s chronic absenteeism rate is declining steadily, bucking the national trend.” During the 2024-25 school year, Georgia’s chronic absenteeism rate was 19.5%, beating the estimated national average by more than 2 percentage points, according to the group FutureEd, whose numbers had Georgia among the third of the states with the lowest rates. “We applaud the Georgia Department of Education’s early release of end-of-the-year attendance data, which shows an impressive fifth consecutive year of decreased chronic absence,” Hedy Chang, president and CEO of the group Attendance Works, said in a statement. “Georgia’s commitment to timely end-of-the-year data is a model for how states can make a difference.” Some of that success came after lawmakers passed a law last year that required more coordinated and sustained efforts against absenteeism. Senate Bill 123 required that school districts with high rates create attendance review teams that engage parents. Senate bill faces challenges State lawmakers tried to build on that this year with Senate Bill 513.

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“If we do not have kids’ butts in seats, they are not going to learn,” Sen. RaShaun Kemp, D-Atlanta, said before the measure passed with just one vote against it in the Senate. But the measure faced overwhelming opposition in the House due to some provisions seen as draconian, including loss of driving privileges. Many students who skip a lot of school need their licenses so they can get to jobs — not to mention to school, critics said. Studies have shown that treating the problem with punishment does not work well, said Matt Smith, the policy and research director for the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education. Indeed, using punishment to address misbehavior in general can aggravate the absenteeism problem by turning school into an unwelcoming environment, he said. Out-of-school suspension, one such “legacy” strategy, directly increases absenteeism. Instead, Georgia schools are more often trying to address the underlying problems, he said. That started with more behavioral and mental health counseling. But poor physical health can also rob students of their ability to focus, which can in turn lead them to misbehave, he said, so more schools are looking at that too. “It could be something as simple as getting them hearing aids or glasses, getting them dental care,” he said. Smith said the data the state education department has been releasing allows more people, including businesses and organizations in each community, to help school districts identify commonalities among students who are missing a lot of school. That enables the districts to focus their resources on those students, and it allows the community to help. They have a reason to help. Research shows that absenteeism affects the whole classroom by bogging down teachers who must divide their students into different groups as they try to catch up with the kids who have fallen behind, Smith said. Georgia and other states still have a lot of work to do to get their absenteeism rates back to a manageable level, Malkus wrote in his analysis. But he added that Georgia is showing how progress is possible when it is seen as an urgent priority. Many states take far longer than Georgia did to release their data from the prior school year, he wrote. “Indeed, there are some states — Minnesota and Texas among them — that still have not released data for the 2024–25 school year.” ROUGHDRAFT.NEWS

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Members of the American Legion Post 140 in Chastain Park have committed to advancing high school students’ knowledge of the U.S. Constitution by supporting the Department of Georgia Oratorical Contest, an event held every spring. The oratorical contest brings together teenagers from metro Atlanta in a one-day study and debate over the Constitution of the United States, an “idealistic and encouraging” event organized by local veteran Navy officer David Llewellyn. Llewellyn, an Atlanta trial lawyer, has managed the Post’s annual oratorical contest for the last 15 years. He’s encouraged by the passion young competitors show for the Constitution and rule of law. The American Legion has hosted its national Oratorical Contest since 1938, reflecting the organization’s commitment to engaging youth. “If you want to feel good about the next generation, come watch these contests,” Llewellyn said. The contest sponsored by Post 140 is held at North Atlanta High School. Llewellyn has for years worked closely with James Jones, a former Army officer and AP Government teacher at North Atlanta High School. Llewellyn described Jones as “a very devoted teacher who is very devoted to this contest.” Fun fact: North Atlanta Vice Principal Jill Stewart competed in the oratorical contest years ago. Applicants must be U.S. citizens in ninth to 12th grade, enrolled in any area high school or homeschooling program. If the contest is full at North Atlanta, Llewellyn will help students find an opening nearby. A great deal of research and preparation goes into speaking on legal topics, Llewellyn said. For 15 years, high school students have participated in the contest by preparing two orations; one is eight to 10 minutes on citizens’ obligations to the US government, and the second is three to five minutes on an assigned topic drawn from the Constitution. The winner from District 5, where Post 140 is located, goes on to the area contest and onto the state contest in Macon or Forsyth. The state winner then goes on to the National Contest at Hillsdale College in Michigan. In 2025, Allison Yang, one of the Post’s contestants, won the state competition and went on to place in the top 20 nationally. Post 140 also supports students who attend The American Legion Boys State and Girls State leadership programs held at Valdosta State University each summer. Army veteran Dale Hajost, who manages Post 140’s Boys and Girls State programs, said “most Legion posts are satisfied with

one qualified boy and girl to go to this honored program.” This year, Post 140 sponsored 19 students. “We’re very proud. These future leaders are some of the best and brightest in the north Atlanta metro area,” Hajost said. On Monday, Aug. 10, six metro Atlanta students were recognized for their participation at Boys and Girls State, a one-week course in state and local government. ■

Rohan Anand, Westminster Schools

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London Salter, Pace Academy

“These young people really do care, and are very idealistic. It’s very encouraging because the students care about the constitution and the rule of law...” ― David Llewellyn Charles Dunn, senior at St. Francis School in Roswell, wrote in a letter to Llewellyn that “running a government is more complicated than [he] thought.” Over the course of the week at Boys State, Dunn was elected to be chairman for the Federalist party, won a seat on city council, and was appointed by the governor to a position in the House of Representatives – which then impeached the governor. Dunn also served as a defense attorney for three individuals who were involved in a mock murder conspiracy against government officials. As a veteran, Llewellyn has deep patriotism and love of the constitution, which he says has evolved over time. He chuckled about a recent student who delivered a speech that the Constitution should be rewritten. Llewellyn gets excited to see students dig into the law’s complexities. “These young people really do care, and are very idealistic. It’s very encouraging because the students care about the constitution and the rule of law – which is what the Legion cares about.” The 2027 topics have just been announced. For more information, contact David Llewellyn at david@ llewellynlawfirm.com. ROUGHDRAFT.NEWS

APS ranks No. 1 among metro area school systems By Sam Sachs | WSB-TV Atlanta Public Schools ranked first among metro Atlanta school districts in year-over-year academic gains for the last school year. The district achieved its strongest academic growth since the Georgia Milestones Assessment System was introduced in 2015. The district’s gains in math, science and social studies were more than double the statewide average. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and district leaders said the Back to the Basics 2030 strategic plan has influenced student achievement, attendance and teacher stability. APS Superintendent Dr. Bryan Johnson discussed the results at Fickett Elementary School on Aug. 9. He said the upward trend was the result of efforts from students and educators across Atlanta. “Today is an exciting day for Atlanta Public Schools, because we have the opportunity to share something our students, educators and families have earned through years of hard work,” Johnson said. “For the past several years, we have remained focused on what matters most: Excellent teaching, strong leadership, safe schools and ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed.” Data shows math proficiency at APS increased 8.2% since Georgia introduced new math standards for the 2023-24 school year. Enrollment in Atlanta schools for eighth-grade Algebra I grew by 2%, which officials said expanded access to advanced coursework. Math proficiency levels in 2026 exceeded pre-pandemic levels from 2019 across every grade. Attendance figures also showed improvement, with 72.4% of students avoiding chronic absenteeism this year. This represents a 3.6% increase from 2025. The district has narrowed the chronic absenteeism gap with the state from 14.2 percentage points in 2022 to 8% in 2026. The district reported a 90% teacher retention rate at the start of the current school year. Teachers in the district have an average of 13.8 years of experience. Atlanta Public Schools also reported having zero teacher vacancies on the first day of school. “The Atlanta Board of Education couldn’t be more proud of this accomplishment,” Atlanta Board of Education Chair Jessica Johnson said.

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Student Assignment Project to focus on overcrowded schools By Cathy Cobbs On Aug. 21, the DeKalb County School District announced the continuation of its Student Assignment Project, inviting families, students, staff, and community members from six school clusters to help shape how new and expanded schools will serve students beginning in 2027. This fall, the district is focused on overcrowded schools in the Lakeside, Cross Keys, Chamblee, Tucker, Dunwoody and Druid Hills clusters, which will be affected by new and expanded schools opening from 2027 to 2029, according to a release from the school district. Those projects include Dresden Elementary School, Cross Keys High

School, Sequoyah Middle School, Sequoyah High School and Idlewood Elementary School, along with the addition of a new high school cluster. Following that work, the district will turn its focus to under-enrolled schools in the Towers, McNair, Cedar Grove, Miller Grove, Columbia and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. clusters in early 2027. Community members interested in serving on a Community Advisory Team for the overcrowded schools should submit an interest form up until Aug. 25. Project pivot After months of feedback, protests, and angst about DeKalb County’s Student Assignment Project, which proposed closing dozens of schools and repurposing others, the school district announced on

Interim Superintendent Norman C. Sauce visits with students during the first week of school. (Courtesy DeKalb County School District)

May 5 that it is shifting to a new direction. According to an emailed announcement and an online video, DCDS officials said they heard that the information-gathering process “felt too top-down, scenarios appeared predetermined, conversations separated buildings, boundaries, and programs in ways that did not reflect how communities experience schools.” “We take this feedback seriously, and it is shaping how this work moves forward,” the statement said. “Simply put, the process is evolving.” SAP, launched in 2024, has as its goal to maximize resources, ensure long-term academic sustainability for students, families, and DCSD staff with the closure or consolidation of dozens of schools over the next six to eight years. Parents around the district, especially in the northern end of the county, have decried the changes, saying that high-

achieving schools should be a factor in the closure decisions. Ways to participate Stakeholders are also invited to take part in an online survey, an online survey paired with a focus group, or public comment sessions from now through October. “The Student Assignment Project has always been about one thing: shaping what’s next for student opportunity,” said Dr. Norman C. Sauce III, interim superintendent of the DeKalb County School District. “We’re continuing that work in new, more collaborative ways. This fall, we focus on communities experiencing overcrowding, and early next year, we will turn to communities experiencing underenrollment. Our north star hasn’t changed: strengthening opportunity for every DeKalb student.”

(Courtesy DeKalb County School District)

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Waffle House testing out tacos at some Georgia restaurants By Sarra Sedghi The Avondale Estates-based, allday breakfast chain is adding tacos to the menu at 45 locations across North Georgia, including more than two dozen of its restaurants around metro Atlanta, WSB Radio reported. The test run features seven tacos: bacon, egg, and cheese; sausage, egg, and cheese; chicken sausage, egg, and cheese; and ham, egg, and cheese for breakfast; and patty melt, chicken melt, and cheesesteak melt for lunch and dinner. You can order these tacos when dining in at Waffle House, or online for pickup or delivery. However, the tacos are subject to availability, while supplies last. Waffle House does not add new items often to its permanent lineup. Earlier this year, Waffle House introduced the Chicken Fiesta Protein

Bowl, featuring chicken from Springer Mountain Farms, in select locations across the country. Last year, the company tested out canned cold brew, only available in Atlanta, and added a temporary 50-cent egg surcharge to the bill. The surcharge was later reversed once egg prices came down. In 2024, Waffle House began offering chicken sausage at certain locations nationwide. The breakfast chain typically launches seasonal dishes throughout the year– namely themed waffles, like last fall’s cinnamon nougat crunch waffle. Waffle House tacos in the metro area: Atlanta 4532 Chamblee Dunwoody Road Doraville 4375 Tilly Mill Road

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Recipe: New England-style lobster roll from The Hampton Social By Sarra Sedghi We’re sharing a New England-style lobster roll recipe from The Hampton Social in Dunwoody. But don’t fret if you’ve never cooked lobster at home before because this recipe uses pre-cooked lobster meat, which you can obtain from your local fishmonger. While the lobster roll’s history is debated, the sandwich was most likely created in the 19th century by a lobsterman looking to use up leftover meat and bread. The first recipe resembling a cold lobster roll appeared in Lydia Maria Child’s “The American Frugal Housewife” cookbook in 1829. According to Food Republic, Perry’s Restaurant in Milford, CT, is credited with being the first to serve lobster rolls in warm, buttered buns, starting in the late 1920s. New England tourism and seafood shacks helped the sandwich gain further popularity later in the 20th century, with Manhattan’s Pearl Oyster Bar bringing the lobster roll back to the culinary forefront in the 1990s. When making lobster rolls at home, opt for a brioche bun for optimal buttery flavor. Pepperidge Farm’s brioche buns are available in most supermarkets. And if you have any leftover lobster salad, it will keep in the fridge for up to two days.

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Ingredients 1 lb chilled lobster meat, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces 1/3 cup mayonnaise 1/4 cup celery, finely diced 1 Tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped 1/4 tsp kosher salt 1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper 4 New England-style, split-top hot dog buns 3 tbsp unsalted butter, softened 4 butter lettuce leaves Directions Make the lobster salad: Gently combine lobster meat, celery, chives, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Fold ingredients together lightly with a spatula. (You want the lobster chunks to stay intact, not get mashed into the dressing.) Cover and refrigerate lobster salad for at least 20 minutes. Prep the buns: Generously spread softened butter on both outer sides of each bun. Heat a skillet over medium. Place the buttered buns flat-side down and toast until golden and crisp, about 2 minutes

The Hampton Social serves both New England and Manhattan-style lobster rolls. (Provided by The Hampton Social)

per side. Assemble: Remove lobster salad from refrigerator. Line each toasted bun with a leaf of butter lettuce, then fill generously with chilled lobster salad, mounding it slightly over the top. Serve immediately while the bun is

warm and lobster salad is cold. Note: For a Connecticut-style lobster roll (aka Manhattan-style), forgo the lobster salad and toss the warm lobster meat in melted butter with a pinch of salt.

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McKendrick’s announces new chef; Park Place still evolving longevity rests on its food and on relationships built with generations of McKendrick’s Steak House, located guests and staff. in the Park Place Shopping Center in The owners say the steakhouse format Dunwoody, announced that Branden that has defined the restaurant since it Holte has joined the restaurant as opened in 1995 will remain, but new executive chef. additions will now include in-house Holte, an Atlanta native, has more butchery, house-made bread, and closer than 20 years of experience leading ties to local farmers and producers under kitchens in the city, according to a Holte. release from McKendrick’s. Restaurant leaders said Holte stood He trained under Chef Pano out during an extensive search because Karatassos at Kyma, before developing a of his steakhouse background, hands-on whole-animal butchery and charcuterie approach and hospitality focus. program at Bull & Beggar in Asheville, “What draws me to this opportunity NC. Holte later returned to Atlanta, is the chance to be part of a wellwhere he served as executive chef at established steakhouse with a rich Under the Cork Tree, helped open Prime history,” Holte said in the release. “I’m 120 in Woodstock, and rose to culinary excited to bring my knowledge and director, and then director of operations creativity to help this classic steakhouse for Succulent Hospitality. reconnect with a new generation. My Most recently, Holte held leadership goal is to honor the traditions that have roles at Local Three Kitchen & Bar always made it special while introducing and Warhorse Atlanta, a private, new elements to broaden its appeal to a members-only dining concept. There, new generation of diners. he co-opened Seahorse, a 28-seat sushi Holte’s appointment reunites him with Casiello, with whom he previously opened Seahorse. “Chef Holte and I have always made a strong team because we see food, beverage and service the same way,” Casiello said. “He has the rare combination of classic steakhouse discipline and genuine creative instinct. I couldn’t be more excited for what he’s going to bring to our menu and guests.” Holte said he wants the transition to honor the restaurant’s history, while moving it forward. “At the end Chef Branden Holte and Kyma Chef/owner Pano of the day, this is Karatassos,(Provided by McKendrick’s Steak House) about honoring something special,” he said. “McKendrick’s has omakase restaurant, with McKendrick’s been a cornerstone of Atlanta dining for operating partner Anthony Casiello. three decades, built on the relationships between our team and the guests who A 30-year history/looking return year after year. to the future Park Place in transition (again) The appointment comes as McKendrick’s marks more than 30 McKendrick’s is one of the shining years in business. Founders Claudia and stars in the somewhat empty Park Place Doug McKendrick said the restaurant’s Shopping Center, which, while adding By Cathy Cobbs

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tenants, has also lost several. After the popular Alon’s Bakery shuttered in 2023, it was followed by the closures of nearby Sage Wood Fire Tavern in 2024, and Cowboy’s and Caviar in early 2025. The center, now under the ownership of EDENS, announced in 2024 an overhaul of the center to turn it into “a vibrant modern village,” which began with a renovation of its courtyard. Le Faucheur Tearoom, offering a European-inspired tea service, opened April 3, and Irving, TX-based Simply South Pure Indian Vegetarian is slated to open in October, in 7,000 square feet in the former Alon’s space at the front of the center.

In addition, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream opened a location in Park Place in early August. Last December, Pepper Boxing, a 3,000-square-foot training facility, moved into part of the former Alon’s Bakery space, but recently closed with little notice, as reported first by Tomorrow’s News Today. Pepper Boxing is listed in the shopping center’s online directory, and the phone number is still active, although nobody answered when a Rough Draft reporter called. The website indicates that there are no classes available on its schedule for the foreseeable future.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Indie Spotlight: Cinematographer Alexxiss Jackson’s journey through the ebbs and flows of Georgia’s film industry By Sammie Purcell When Alexxiss Jackson was little, she loved playing with Polly Pockets. But God help you if you touched those dolls. “It was a soap opera, and nobody else could touch it. It was this whole elaborate set-up on my two dressers in my room, with a little paper bridge connecting the two parts of the town,” she remembered. “Nobody could touch it, because they had to be in their places for the next episode of the soap opera.” And so, at a young age, this future cinematographer (or director of photography) was already thinking about the importance of continuity. But since then, Jackson’s work has grown in scale from those tiny dolls. Born and raised in Detroit, her resume runs the gamut from documentaries, to independent films, to work with acclaimed filmmakers like Julie Dash. But, over the course of the past few years as Georgia’s film and television production has slowed down, Jackson – like so many others – has seen less and less work coming in. Throughout this Indie Spotlight series, we’ve spoken with filmmakers and producers working hard to keep film in Georgia alive. But Jackson knows firsthand that the slowdown has hit Georgia’s crew workers particularly hard. “So many of my colleagues and peers that are super talented and super good at what they do, and they’ve put in years and years of work – I’ve watched a lot of them leave the industry and go to other industries or positions just to survive,” Jackson said. Working in the industry Jackson first ended up in Atlanta during the summer of 2011, sleeping on a friend’s couch and working in the production office for a show at Tyler Perry Studios. The job threw a bit of a wrench in her plans. She knew she wanted to be a director of photography – the person who leads the camera and lighting crew on set, working closely with the director to bring the visuals of the film to life. She went to film school at the University of Michigan, and in 2006 completed the intensive summer film program at the University of Southern California. The plan was to eventually go to Hollywood, but she never felt like she quite vibed with Los Angeles, and so she kept putting off the move. Turns out Atlanta was more her speed. She’s been in the city officially since January of 2012. “Atlanta feels a lot more like home,” Jackson said. “It feels more like Detroit to me, than Los Angeles does, in terms of the people, in terms of the personalities and the vibe.”

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There was a brief moment in time where Jackson might have been able to live out her film industry dreams in Detroit. Michigan introduced a film tax credit in 2008, bringing in Hollywood productions like “Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice.” But lawmakers ended the incentive program in 2015, and production dried up (state lawmakers are now in the process of trying to bring those incentives back). Georgia’s film tax incentives are still firmly in place, but production has declined over the years. Film production in Georgia peaked in 2022, with spending on film and television production hitting $4.4 billion, while the number of total productions listed at 412. Last fiscal year saw $2.3 billion in spending and 245 productions. According to a report released by the Georgia Film Office, this fiscal year’s revenue (July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026) dropped to $2 billion – the lowest amount in about a decade, according to the AJC – but the number of productions rose slightly to 280. There are a few factors that contribute to the slowdown. Studios and streamers are greenlighting fewer productions than they used to, and – particularly post the 2023 actors and writers strikes – productions have opted to move to places like the United Kingdom, where labor and production costs are cheaper – for example, Marvel Studios made the decision to do just that in 2025. Large productions – like filmmaker James Gunn’s “Superman” sequel, which shot here this year – still come to Georgia. But the exodus that has occurred is emblematic of an issue that critics of film tax incentives often point out – these incentives might yield big productions in the short term, but studios could just as quickly leave once a cheaper option arises. And workers often bear the brunt of that movement. “Profit-hungry companies don’t care about workers, so when it’s cheaper to ship jobs overseas, that’s what they do - in the film industry and beyond,” Jackson said. Jackson, much like the state of Georgia, had her busiest year in 2022. But, after the writers and actors strikes the following year, she said her workload dropped off precipitously. That drop off has hit below the line film workers – members of the crew like cinematographers, sound technicians, set designers, etc. – particularly hard. In June earlier this year, film industry workers gathered at a town hall dedicated to discussing the possible merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery. Those workers talked about the adverse effects of previous consolidation on their livelihoods and their lack of work

Director of photography Alexxiss Jackson moved to Atlanta officially in 2012 (photo courtesy of Alexxiss Jackson).

compared to just a few years ago. “I can say that work dropped precipitously after 2022, for me, for all of us,” Jackson said. “It’s been a constant thread, constant lament for me and 99% (if not 100%) of my peers.” It’s not abnormal for production to slow down after a major industry strike. But from Jackson’s perspective, the extenuating circumstances – from numerous layoffs at major media companies, to productions moving overseas, to the shuttering and slow down in operations for production services companies and rental houses – has exacerbated the issue. According to a report released by the rental company Giggster, as of 2025 Georgia ranks third out of the top 10 states with the largest losses of film industry jobs, losing nine percent (or 1,370) from 2024-2025. Nationwide in that same time period, film industry employment rose slightly, by 0.7 percent. But, despite all the hardship, Georgia still ranked fourth in the nation (behind California, New York,and Texas) for states with the largest film industry job market, with about 13.8 thousand jobs in 2025. Georgia still has an industry, and, according to the Georgia Film Office, independent productions in the state were up 83 percent this year over the prior year. There is still a creative workforce here that’s hungry for work, and the infrastructure – the lots, the equipment – to support them. “We have all of that stuff here,” Jackson said. “We just need the funded projects that are coming through, and ideally, we need people that are in charge that care about workers and not just trying to figure out how cheaply they can make something somewhere else.”

A lifeline and the next generation Luckily, Jackson has had a lifeline during the production slowdown – working as an adjunct cinematography professor at Spelman College. “Being at Spelman has been a huge lifesaver for me,” she said. “One, it just means a lot to me to be there in general. But also when the strike hit and when that slowdown came, having that additional source of income that was still in my field was a lifesaver for me in a lot of ways.” One of the most meaningful aspects of the job has been being around young women who also want to become filmmakers. Gender disparity in roles like director of photography is still rampant. According to a study from San Diego State University’s Center for the Study of Women in Film and Television, only seven percent of the cinematographers of the 250 top domestic grossing films of 2025 were women. That’s up just three percentage points from 1998. Jackson said that as a woman of color working as a director of photography, she often hasn’t felt as supported as her male counterparts. In recent years things have gotten better, but for a large chunk of career, she was met with a sort of skepticism, she said. Often, people on set would assume she was a makeup artist. “There can be certain assumptions or biases, which may seem harmless, but when you look at the aggregate numbers of how few women there are, you have to examine where it can become a selffulfilling prophecy or a chicken and egg conundrum,” she said. “Where women can be excluded, discouraged, or overlooked; whether overtly or further under the surface.” ROUGHDRAFT.NEWS

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AROUND ATLANTA MARTA taps interim GM for top post By Cathy Cobbs The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) board of directors named Jonathan Hunt, the interim general manager, as the permanent CEO at its regular board meeting on Aug. 13. A search committee had narrowed the search to three candidates – all involved in the mass transit industry. Hunt, one of the finalists, has served as interim general manager and CEO since August 2025. “Choosing MARTA’s next GM/CEO is one of the most consequential decisions this board will make, and the region deserves a rigorous process,” said Jennifer Ide, chair of the MARTA board, in a release from the organization. “I’m proud of the national search we ran and of the caliber of the three finalists it produced.” At the Aug. 13 meeting, Ide complimented the three finalists, saying that the organization “ran a truly national search.” “We heard from a number of well-qualified candidates,” she said. “The decision the board has made is a monumental one.” The finalists, along with Hunt, were Cleveland Ferguson III, an executive

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vice president and chief administrative officer of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority, and Leroy Jones, the executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, a role he took on in 2025. Hunt has been MARTA’s interim general manager and CEO since August 2025. He joined MARTA in 2014 and spent more than a decade in its legal department, holding the titles of chief of corporate law and real estate, deputy chief counsel, and chief legal counsel before being named interim GM/CEO. He was previously a senior assistant city attorney for Atlanta, handling aviation matters for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport; practiced law at Dentons and Baker & Hostetler; and worked as a project engineer for Gilbane Building Co. Ide, after the vote to appoint Hunt to the permanent position, cited his leadership when Atlanta hosted the FIFA World Cup, as one of the reasons for the

Jonathan Hunt (Via MARTA)

decision. “He will say it is the result of a lot of people, but it was the Jonathan show,” she said. “We believe that he has MARTA headed in the right direction.” Hunt said he is committed to “building back trust in MARTA, something we have made progress toward.” MARTA challenges MARTA has faced significant challenges in the past few years, with incidents of violence reported on and

around the stations. So far in 2026, there have been six violent attacks at MARTA stations or aboard trains, two of them resulting in fatalities. In early June, a 66-year-old woman was randomly stabbed to death by a man on a train headed to Oakland City station. The violence prompted U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy to order an investigation by the Federal Transit Administration in early June. In addition, a new fleet of MARTA rail cars, expected to be operational by the time Atlanta held eight FIFA World Cup matches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium from June 15 to July 15, has yet to be installed. However, after the World Cup, MARTA officials announced that the system moved 4.7 million riders during the 35 days of events in metro Atlanta, with no major crimes reported. Six hundred MARTA ambassadors and 100 multilingual FIFA volunteers also pitched in, as the agency gave directions, water, sunscreen and first aid to fans.

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Estate Jewelry Specialist

Monday–Friday: 10:30 am – 5:30 pm Saturday: 10:30 am – 3:00 pm

Call or Text

770-451-2717 www.GlobalGems.com

3652 North Peachtree Road.

Chamblee, GA 30341