Johns Creek Appoints Interim City Attorneys The Johns Creek City Council has appointed Richard Carothers and E. Ronald Bennett Jr., with Carothers & Mitchell law firm, as interim city attorneys. "We are very pleased to have these skilled legal professionals representing us," said Mayor Mike Bodker. "Their long and outstanding experience in working with Georgia cities and counties precedes them, and we're fortunate to have them on board." Founded in 1996 by Carothers and Thomas Mitchell, Carothers & Mitchell law firm has handled legal matters for a number of Georgia governments, including Gwinnett County and the Cities of Lilburn, Berkeley Lake, Hoschton, Statham and Flowery Branch. "Ron and I are looking forward to working with the mayor, city council and professional staff, and assisting the City of Johns Creek in achieving its goals for its citizens and businesses," Carothers said. Carothers and Bennett will function as the city attorney and assistant city attorney, respectively.
Smith Plantation Receives Historic Preservation Award The City of Roswell's Archibald Smith Plantation has received the 2014 Award for Excellence in Restoration from The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation for the restoration of the historic home's 164-year-old corn crib. The recently restored corn crib, which was built around 1850, is one of the 10 original outbuildings on Smith Plantation's grounds. Oral tradition identifies this structure as having been constructed from materials salvaged from the oldest store in Roswell, which was located across present-day Alpharetta Street. In a photo from the early 1900s, corn is seen growing right up next to this building. The corn crib was filled with corn that fed livestock, thereby playing an important role on the farm. In June 2013, the corn crib was severely damaged by a fallen tree during a storm. It was rebuilt in August and September of 2013 by American Labor Construction LLC; Steve McMichen, senior project manager; and Jeff Harper, master carpenter. With valuable input from Jack Pyburn, FAIA, principal, Historic Preservation Studio of Lord Aeck, and Sargent Architecture, the components of the corn crib were painstakingly inventoried and repaired. Some irreparably damaged components were replaced with historically accurate fabrications. The restoration also included custom-milled wood and a cedar shake wooden roof. The end result is a structure that looks exactly as it did before the tree hit it. A vital part of the project was Master Carpenter Jeff Harper, who passed away recently. Chuck Douglas, site coordinator for Smith Plantation, hopes this restoration project will stand as a testament to Harper's skills and dedication to his art. "Jeff Harper was truly one of the best I have ever worked with a true craftsman," said Douglas. "This award means even more as we are able to honor him with receiving it."
Alpharetta Softball Team Wins ASA U16 Tournament The Georgia Mustangs 99 14U fast-pitch A-level softball team, based in Alpharetta, won the ASA U16 Breast Cancer Invitational travel tournament championship, held recently at Veterans Memorial Park in Chatsworth, Ga. En route to the title, the Mustangs won five of seven games, including a no-hitter by Kelly Bostwick in a 12-0 contest and a two-hitter by Ashley Shore in the 9-0 championship game. The Lady Mustangs outscored their opponents 42-19. The Georgia Mustangs are coached by father-daughter duo Tim and Holly Todd. Tim oversees the Georgia Mustangs A-ball organization, which features teams at the 12U, 14U and 16U levels. Holly is a former player and graduate of Berry College. The organization also plans to add a second 12U and a new 10U team in the fall. Instead of trophies, proceeds from the championship games were donated back to the Georgia Breast Cancer Coalition Fund.
Florio to Lead Milton Conservation Project In its ongoing effort to pursue smart growth strategies and conservation of the city's unique rural character, Milton's City Council has approved an agreement securing a long-time conservation professional to help create the city's first "green print" land use plan. Laurel Florio, a Milton resident, brings to the city decades of experience as consultant, legal counsel, land specialist and educator for a host of environmental protection organizations. Among that wealth of experience was six years as an attorney and land specialist for Ducks Unlimited Inc., the world's leader in wetlands and waterfowl conservation. "At the City of Milton, we are dedicated to finding the right balance of environmental conservation and the preservation of land owners' rights in an environment welcoming smart, measured business and residential development," said Mayor Joe Lockwood. "Laurel Florio, who we are truly blessed to have right in our backyard, is perfect to help us realize this tremendous opportunity." Florio said she's excited to help her hometown craft its first green print land use plan, which will help Milton conserve the unique and precious rural character of the city. In the role, Florio will lead all initiatives, including finding a firm to craft the green print. "I'm here because city council and staff agree that Milton's residents deserve a town unlike any other one that features a heart of good business, great schools, and growing economic opportunity with the soul of unparalleled access to nature," she said. "This is simply too important to leave to chance."
Local Rotary Clubs Win District Honors The Alpharetta and Roswell Rotary clubs were recognized as District 6900 Club of the Year at the annual conference held in San Destin, Fla. Each club was acknowledged for its achievement and service to the local and international communities. Roswell Rotary Club President Dave Schmit, along with 70 other Rotarians from Roswell, were present to accept the Club of the Year award. In addition, Roswell Rotary Club was named Best Community Service Project, Best International Service Project, Best Vocational Service Project, Most New Members, and Best Overall Public Relations. Alpharetta Rotary Club President Dan Merkel and other club members also attended the conference. In addition to winning the Club of the Year, the Alpharetta Club was awarded Best Community Service Project, Best International Service Project, Best Club Administration, Best Overall Public Relations, and Best Vocational Service Project, to name a few. Both clubs have a long and storied place in the North Fulton communities. The Rotary clubs of Alpharetta and Roswell have been involved with assisting the homeless, helping children learn to read, caring for the sick and injured, providing food and shelter to the needy, serving our soldiers, and being a resource to those in need of work. Both clubs have truly lived the Rotary motto, Service Above Self.
Trilogy of Homes Scavenger Hunts Earn Girls Scouts Silver Award Roswell Girl Scout Troop 11485 hosted three History Hunts recently to educate local Girl Scouts and area residents about Roswells historic Trilogy of Homes, The Smith Plantation, Barrington Hall and Bulloch Hall. The History Hunts tours were coordinated as the Girls Scouts Silver Award project, the highest award a Girl Scout Cadette (Girl Scouts in sixth, seventh and eighth grades) can earn. Through the project, the Girl Scouts learned how to manage projects, how to speak in public, and how to work with community leaders.
New Program Invites Community to Discover Downtown Alpharetta Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Alpharetta First Committee, and the Alpharetta Business Association have joined together in sponsoring a new program to encourage attendees at Food Truck Alley on Thursdays to visit Downtown Alpharetta merchants. The Discover Downtown Alpharetta program began in May and continues until October 23. At the beginning of each month, participants can pick up a Discover Downtown Alpharetta card at any of the 38 participating businesses and at the Alpharetta Tours booth during Food Truck Alley. Participants simply get the card stamped by a minimum of 20 participating merchants (no purchase necessary) and turn the card in at 8 p.m. at the Alpharetta Tours booth at the last Food Truck Alley of each month. Everyone who submits a stamped card each month will be entered to win a $250 VISA gift card. A new Discover Downtown Alpharetta card will be issued each month. Participants can visit participating businesses 5:00-9:00 p.m. during Food Truck Alley and during regular business hours to get their cards stamped. For official rules, visit AlpharettaBusinessAssociation.com/DDA.
Roswell CVB Presents Annual Community Awards More than 250 Roswell businesses, residents, and nonprofit organizations attended the 23rd Annual Meeting and Community Awards for the Roswell Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) Board of Directors, held May 6 at Andretti's banquet facility. The CVB board of directors is the governing organization for the tourism and economic development programs for the City of Roswell. The Roswell CVB board of directors is comprised of 37 members, representing all aspects of the community. The highlight of the event was the much-anticipated community awards. Robert 'Bob' Hagan received the "History Maker Award," recognizing more than 25 years of continuous service to the Roswell community. "This year's recipient has been devoted to building a better Roswell community for 30 years, through charitable giving, thousands of volunteer hours, countless meetings and numerous sponsorships of nonprofit events and activities," said Roswell CVB President Ken Davis. Hagan has served on the board of directors for many Roswell charities and organizations, including: Roswell Historical Society, Chattahoochee Nature Center, Star House Foundation, Child Development Association, Georgia Ensemble Theatre, Bulloch Hall, The Cottage School, and Homestretch.
Warren Hutmacher is New Johns Creek City Manager The City of Johns Creek has hired Warren Hutmacher as its new city manager. Hutmacher began his new position with the City of Johns Creek on April 28. Hutmacher had served as city manager for the City of Dunwoody since 2008, as well as city manager for Norcross, 2006-2008, and Avondale Estates, 2003-2006. Originally from New Jersey, he is a member of the International City Managers Association and the Georgia City/County Managers Association. Hutmacher has a broad understanding of our culture and unique insight into our citys foundation and the goals we have for our city, said Mayor Mike Bodker. He was clearly the best candidate and we are thrilled to have him on board.
Eagle Scout Project Reveals Hidden Gravesites Robbie Osborne and other scouts from Boy Scout Troop 356 uncovered three potential gravesites of the original Corinth Church and Cemetery, established in 1886, during a recent cleanup day organized as part of an Eagle Scout project. With only a historical marker and overgrown brush to mark the area where the original Corinth Church and Cemetery were located on the corner of North Coleman Road and Pine Grove Road, Robbie and his fellow scouts cleared out the overgrown brush to reveal what could be three gravesites. Robbie also was instrumental in replacing seven historical markers in Roswell, while he and fellow scouts cleaned and refurbished the remaining 30 historical markers throughout Roswell. In other community news, Roswell Roots Festival won the Gold award for Best Cultural Event at the 2014 Kaleidoscope Awards, presented by the Southeast Festival and Events Association.