By DOUG NURSE / www.ajc.com / Published on: 07/30/08
Yes, it has been raining sporadically, but instead of assuming the drought is over, Alpharetta is encouraging people to make rain barrels.
The city, along with Fulton County Public Works Water Services, is offering classes on making rain barrels Aug. 6 at the Alpharetta Adult Activity Center at North Park. The classes cost $25, which covers the cost of materials. Participants should bring a vehicle big enough to carry the barrel.
National Weather Service meteorologist Stephen Konarik said rainfall lately has been about normal but not enough to lift the area from its severe drought classification. Thus far, metro Atlanta has received 25.5 inches in 2008, compared with the 31.11 average for this time of year.
"It's not getting worse, but we haven't gotten the surplus we need," Konarik said. "The same steps that were in place last summer should be continued."
Most cities, including Alpharetta, have adopted the state watering restrictions. Under the restrictions, outdoor watering for new landscaping, and yards can be watered by hand on certain days.
People living at even and unnumbered addresses may water on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday; folks residing at odd-numbered addresses may water on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday between the midnight to 10 a.m. The hand watering exemption applies to landscapes only. Irrigation systems may not be run under this exemption.Water from rain barrels, however, can be used without restraint.
Registration for the program concludes at noon Thursday. For more information, call Terry Porter at 678-297-6200 or e-mail tporter@alpahretta.ga.us.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
UGA Lineman May Not Miss Games
DUI charges he faced reduced; suspension is discretionary
By CHIP TOWERS / www.ajc.com / Published on: 07/30/08
Georgia offensive lineman Clint Boling might not be suspended after all.
Boling, a sophomore guard from Alpharetta, confirmed to the Journal-Constitution on Wednesday that DUI charges against him were reduced to reckless driving. Boling declined further comment.
Earlier this month, Boling was suspended for the first two games of this season by head coach Mark Richt as a result of those charges. However, no one could say for certain whether Boling would be fully reinstated.
Richt was in Connecticut and Boston on Wednesday and could not be reached for comment. Claude Felton, UGA's director of sports communication, confirmed that the charges against Boling were reduced but could not say how that development might affect Boling's status on the team."That's something I'm sure Coach Richt will address," Felton said.
Alcohol-related convictions are automatic suspensions under the Georgia Athletic Association's conduct code but misdemeanors are left to the coach's discretion, and Richt typically doesn't discipline players for traffic offenses.
Boling, a 6-foot-5, 290-pound graduate of Chattahoochee High, played in all 13 games and started 11 as a true freshman last season. He is slated to start again this season.
According to police reports, Boling, 19, was pulled over for leaving the roadway and changing lanes without using a turning signal at 1:30 a.m. on May 14 in Alpharetta. He refused a breathalyzer test and was arrested for DUI.
Boling's development brightens what was once a bleak-looking offseason in terms of disciplinary issues. Georgia had seven football players arrested various offenses between Jan. 21 and July 3 of this year. However, only three will have to miss games as a result.
Sophomore defensive end Michael Lemon was dismissed from the team earlier this month after being charged with felony aggravated battery. Fullback Fred Munzenmaier (two games) and safety Donavon Baldwin (one game) were suspended for alcohol-related offenses.
Richt decided offensive linemen Justin Anderson and Trinton Sturdivant would not be suspended after charges of simple battery brought against them by a pregnant woman were resolved through UGA via informal resolution. Police dismissed a concealed-weapons charge against another Georgia player.
By CHIP TOWERS / www.ajc.com / Published on: 07/30/08
Georgia offensive lineman Clint Boling might not be suspended after all.
Boling, a sophomore guard from Alpharetta, confirmed to the Journal-Constitution on Wednesday that DUI charges against him were reduced to reckless driving. Boling declined further comment.
Earlier this month, Boling was suspended for the first two games of this season by head coach Mark Richt as a result of those charges. However, no one could say for certain whether Boling would be fully reinstated.
Richt was in Connecticut and Boston on Wednesday and could not be reached for comment. Claude Felton, UGA's director of sports communication, confirmed that the charges against Boling were reduced but could not say how that development might affect Boling's status on the team."That's something I'm sure Coach Richt will address," Felton said.
Alcohol-related convictions are automatic suspensions under the Georgia Athletic Association's conduct code but misdemeanors are left to the coach's discretion, and Richt typically doesn't discipline players for traffic offenses.
Boling, a 6-foot-5, 290-pound graduate of Chattahoochee High, played in all 13 games and started 11 as a true freshman last season. He is slated to start again this season.
According to police reports, Boling, 19, was pulled over for leaving the roadway and changing lanes without using a turning signal at 1:30 a.m. on May 14 in Alpharetta. He refused a breathalyzer test and was arrested for DUI.
Boling's development brightens what was once a bleak-looking offseason in terms of disciplinary issues. Georgia had seven football players arrested various offenses between Jan. 21 and July 3 of this year. However, only three will have to miss games as a result.
Sophomore defensive end Michael Lemon was dismissed from the team earlier this month after being charged with felony aggravated battery. Fullback Fred Munzenmaier (two games) and safety Donavon Baldwin (one game) were suspended for alcohol-related offenses.
Richt decided offensive linemen Justin Anderson and Trinton Sturdivant would not be suspended after charges of simple battery brought against them by a pregnant woman were resolved through UGA via informal resolution. Police dismissed a concealed-weapons charge against another Georgia player.
Alpharetta Convention And Visitors Bureau Names Chairman
By DAVID PENDERED / www.ajc.com
The board that oversees Alpharetta's travel industry has named as its chairman the city official who helps manage growth and development.
Diana Wheeler, Alpharetta's director of community development, was named chairman of the board of directors of the Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Wheeler has served as the city's development director for 15 years. During that period the city has sought to balance the growth of residential and commercial land uses. The city now is participating in long-term efforts that aim to reduce traffic congestion by promoting developments that are easier for people to walk around, rather than requiring them to travel by car.
Wheeler has served on the city's hospitality board for nine years. Before Wheeler moved to Alpharetta and became the city's development director, she held similar jobs in two south Florida cities. Wheeler is a member of the American Planning Association, the board that oversees the Georgia Planning Association, and the Georgia Regional Leadership Institute.
Alpharetta and Roswell are devoting considerable attention to fostering the tourism and convention industry in north Fulton.
Roswell is in the midst of evaluating the economic impact of the city's travel business, which is thought to generate about $7 million a year for local shops, restaurants, hotels and other consumer-based businesses
The board that oversees Alpharetta's travel industry has named as its chairman the city official who helps manage growth and development.
Diana Wheeler, Alpharetta's director of community development, was named chairman of the board of directors of the Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Wheeler has served as the city's development director for 15 years. During that period the city has sought to balance the growth of residential and commercial land uses. The city now is participating in long-term efforts that aim to reduce traffic congestion by promoting developments that are easier for people to walk around, rather than requiring them to travel by car.
Wheeler has served on the city's hospitality board for nine years. Before Wheeler moved to Alpharetta and became the city's development director, she held similar jobs in two south Florida cities. Wheeler is a member of the American Planning Association, the board that oversees the Georgia Planning Association, and the Georgia Regional Leadership Institute.
Alpharetta and Roswell are devoting considerable attention to fostering the tourism and convention industry in north Fulton.
Roswell is in the midst of evaluating the economic impact of the city's travel business, which is thought to generate about $7 million a year for local shops, restaurants, hotels and other consumer-based businesses
Friday, July 25, 2008
See and Do - Before it All Vanishes
by By Kirsten Tagami / www.ajc.com
Alpharetta native Holt Webb quit his job at a camera store to take on a project that has special resonance for those of us who live in this constantly changing metropolis. He is traveling across America, photographing vanishing places. And there are plenty: from fields of retired airplanes to entire small towns that have been abandoned.
Webb told the AJC that the project has its roots in his childhood experience of seeing natural places paved over and turned into shopping centers or housing.“Growing up, I saw many of the places where I used to play succumb to development. I saw the same thing when I lived in San Diego, where there were always new strip malls or condos being built, and it broke me up. True, some changes are for the better, but how many kids do you think will ever see a black bear or a ponderosa pine? Seeing these places change so quickly made me think I should go out and see what America has before it’s all different.”
His journey — in a vegetable oil and solar-powered Winnebago — isn’t over. But you can see his photos so far at Ann Jackson Gallery, 932 Canton St. in Roswell. The gallery’s regular hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays; noon-5 p.m. Sundays. More info. at the gallery’s website and at Webb’s site or by calling 770-993-4783.
Alpharetta native Holt Webb quit his job at a camera store to take on a project that has special resonance for those of us who live in this constantly changing metropolis. He is traveling across America, photographing vanishing places. And there are plenty: from fields of retired airplanes to entire small towns that have been abandoned.
Webb told the AJC that the project has its roots in his childhood experience of seeing natural places paved over and turned into shopping centers or housing.“Growing up, I saw many of the places where I used to play succumb to development. I saw the same thing when I lived in San Diego, where there were always new strip malls or condos being built, and it broke me up. True, some changes are for the better, but how many kids do you think will ever see a black bear or a ponderosa pine? Seeing these places change so quickly made me think I should go out and see what America has before it’s all different.”
His journey — in a vegetable oil and solar-powered Winnebago — isn’t over. But you can see his photos so far at Ann Jackson Gallery, 932 Canton St. in Roswell. The gallery’s regular hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays; noon-5 p.m. Sundays. More info. at the gallery’s website and at Webb’s site or by calling 770-993-4783.
Kids II Infant Rattles Recalled
Published: July 25, 2008 at 1:27 PM
WASHINGTON, July 25 (UPI) -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a voluntary recall of Kids II infant rattles because of a choking hazard.
The rattles, imported from China by Kids II Inc. of Alpharetta, Ga., include antenna attached to a bee figure. The tip of the antenna can detach, posing a choking hazard to small children, CPSC said in a statement.
About 19,000 of the recalled rattles were sold between January 2008 and June 2008 for between $2 and $3 each.
The rattles are a soft toy shaped like a bee with a yellow head and a stripped, green body. Recalled items include model No. 8534 with the date code PA8.
Consumers were advised to take the pacifiers away from children and contact Kids II for a free replacement.
Consumers can also call Kids II at at 877-325-7056 for more information.
WASHINGTON, July 25 (UPI) -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a voluntary recall of Kids II infant rattles because of a choking hazard.
The rattles, imported from China by Kids II Inc. of Alpharetta, Ga., include antenna attached to a bee figure. The tip of the antenna can detach, posing a choking hazard to small children, CPSC said in a statement.
About 19,000 of the recalled rattles were sold between January 2008 and June 2008 for between $2 and $3 each.
The rattles are a soft toy shaped like a bee with a yellow head and a stripped, green body. Recalled items include model No. 8534 with the date code PA8.
Consumers were advised to take the pacifiers away from children and contact Kids II for a free replacement.
Consumers can also call Kids II at at 877-325-7056 for more information.
New Rush Concert DVD Filmed At Alpharetta's Amphitheater
According to a posting on the RUSH fan site RushIsABand.com, RUSH filmed its July 22, 2008 concert at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Alpharetta, Georgia. The main purpose for the shoot was to get video footage of the songs "Red Barchetta", "The Trees", "Ghost Of A Chance" and "2112", along with Neil Peart's drum solo, to be included as bonus material on the band's upcoming companion DVD to the "Snakes & Arrows Live" two-CD set (released this past April), which featured the complete set performed in Rotterdam on the 2007 leg of the tour. Apparently the footage was to head immediately back to FogoLabs for processing after the show so it could be ready for the DVD — which now has a tentative release date of November 4. Guitarist Alex Lifeson and bassist/vocalist Geddy Lee will be taking the next several weeks off before putting their attention towards adding their finishing touches to the DVD and Neil is working on the packaging.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Alpharetta Teen Fastest Rubik's Cube Solver In Nation
By KEN SUGIURA http://www.ajc.com/
A trophy and some new games are not the only spoils of Andrew Kang's victory at the national championship for Rubik's Cube. There's a little dose of pop celebrity, and it doesn't hurt with the girls, either.
"Somewhat," said Kang, an Alpharetta 18-year-old, assessing how the win improves his social prospects. "Once you get to know the girl, it's a little sprinkle on top. That's it. Just a sprinkle."
"Somewhat," said Kang, an Alpharetta 18-year-old, assessing how the win improves his social prospects. "Once you get to know the girl, it's a little sprinkle on top. That's it. Just a sprinkle."
Kang claimed the title of the country's fastest Rubik's Cube solver Sunday in Atlanta. At the event in Underground Atlanta, Kang won by solving the old school, six-sided puzzle five times in an average of just 12.97 seconds. That was actually an off day for Kang, who set a North American record in the semifinal round with a five-attempt average of 11.89 seconds.
Winning was a relief for Kang, who graduated from Chattahoochee High School in the spring. He was a marked man at the competition after finishing second at the world championship last October in Budapest, Hungary. Dozens of competitors came to Atlanta from across the country and even Europe to participate.
Winning was a relief for Kang, who graduated from Chattahoochee High School in the spring. He was a marked man at the competition after finishing second at the world championship last October in Budapest, Hungary. Dozens of competitors came to Atlanta from across the country and even Europe to participate.
"It's just nice to show that I'm still up there and can still cube," said Kang, who typically practices about an hour a day but ramped up to five or six hours last week. Kang accommodated some autograph requests from children and even people his own age.
"It's kind of awkward," he said. "I don't know. It's just solving a puzzle."
"It's kind of awkward," he said. "I don't know. It's just solving a puzzle."
He celebrated the triumph with sushi at his father Seok's new restaurant, Sushi Rosen in Suwanee. Kang favors the Johns Creek roll, which has cream cheese, shrimp, crab and avocado.
Kang picked up the puzzle, which gained worldwide popularity in the early '80s, about three years ago. He learned to solve the cube, which has more than 43 quintillion (43 followed by 18 zeros) possible configurations, by memorizing a set of algorithms posted on the Web and modifying them.Kang said he recognizes patterns of colors and twists the cube into other patterns until he solves it.
Kang picked up the puzzle, which gained worldwide popularity in the early '80s, about three years ago. He learned to solve the cube, which has more than 43 quintillion (43 followed by 18 zeros) possible configurations, by memorizing a set of algorithms posted on the Web and modifying them.Kang said he recognizes patterns of colors and twists the cube into other patterns until he solves it.
His modest fame is such that, over time, more than 180 people he has never met have requested to be his friend on his Facebook account. But Rubik's Cube glory only goes so far. For now, it's back to waiting tables at his father's restaurant. He plans to attend Georgia Perimeter College and transfer to Georgia Tech. "I'm still just a normal person," he said. "I just have that title."
Three Get Jail Time For Scam Against Insurance Company
Atlanta Business Chronicle
Three metro Atlantans were sentenced to federal prison late Tuesday for running a $384,000 check fraud scheme against Underwriters Safety & Claims.
Susan Denise Harper, 43, of Lithonia, Ga., was sentenced to four years in federal prison, three years of supervised release. She also was ordered to perform 150 hours of community service and to pay $378,295 in restitution.
Kevian Bateman, 27, of Atlanta was sentenced to three years in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and also ordered to perform 150 hours of community service, and pay $378,295 in restitution.
Ojineka Jones Godwin, 51, of Alpharetta, Ga., was sentenced to two years and nine months in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and must pay $299,500 in restitution.
A fourth defendant, Charles Faust Jr. 52, of Atlanta, is expected to be sentenced at a later date.
Harper was employed at Underwriters Safety & Claims (US&C) as a claims adjuster and supervisor of the Property and Casualty Division. She manipulated US&C's computer system to issue checks to fraudulent payees. Her first method was to re-open an insurance claim, changing the name of the claimant to a fraudulent payee, in some instances recording false notes regarding the nature of the claim, and causing a payment to be issued. The second method involved Harper creating a fictitious claimant and corresponding documentation and then issuing a payment. The checks would be cut at US&C's headquarters and then mailed to the fraudulent payees in Georgia. Upon receipt of a check, the payee would negotiate it and Harper would get the proceeds. Harper, who holds a law degree but is not a practicing attorney, was found guilty by a federal jury after trial.
Bateman worked under Harper at US&C, and recruited others to negotiate checks. He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy.
Godwin negotiated 14 checks, and also pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy.
Faust negotiated 3 checks and also pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy.
The fraudulent payees were paid for their services for helping to negotiate the checks. The total loss to US&C was more than $384,000.
"Many fraud cases start with company insiders who are in a position of trust, but, as in this case, instead betray their employer and recruit others to help steal corporate cash," U.S. Attorney David E. Nahmias said. "These cases can be difficult to investigate, with complex money trails, but the Secret Service and Postal Inspection Service again showed their expertise in nailing down the evidence and bringing the defendants to justice."
Three metro Atlantans were sentenced to federal prison late Tuesday for running a $384,000 check fraud scheme against Underwriters Safety & Claims.
Susan Denise Harper, 43, of Lithonia, Ga., was sentenced to four years in federal prison, three years of supervised release. She also was ordered to perform 150 hours of community service and to pay $378,295 in restitution.
Kevian Bateman, 27, of Atlanta was sentenced to three years in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and also ordered to perform 150 hours of community service, and pay $378,295 in restitution.
Ojineka Jones Godwin, 51, of Alpharetta, Ga., was sentenced to two years and nine months in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and must pay $299,500 in restitution.
A fourth defendant, Charles Faust Jr. 52, of Atlanta, is expected to be sentenced at a later date.
Harper was employed at Underwriters Safety & Claims (US&C) as a claims adjuster and supervisor of the Property and Casualty Division. She manipulated US&C's computer system to issue checks to fraudulent payees. Her first method was to re-open an insurance claim, changing the name of the claimant to a fraudulent payee, in some instances recording false notes regarding the nature of the claim, and causing a payment to be issued. The second method involved Harper creating a fictitious claimant and corresponding documentation and then issuing a payment. The checks would be cut at US&C's headquarters and then mailed to the fraudulent payees in Georgia. Upon receipt of a check, the payee would negotiate it and Harper would get the proceeds. Harper, who holds a law degree but is not a practicing attorney, was found guilty by a federal jury after trial.
Bateman worked under Harper at US&C, and recruited others to negotiate checks. He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy.
Godwin negotiated 14 checks, and also pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy.
Faust negotiated 3 checks and also pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy.
The fraudulent payees were paid for their services for helping to negotiate the checks. The total loss to US&C was more than $384,000.
"Many fraud cases start with company insiders who are in a position of trust, but, as in this case, instead betray their employer and recruit others to help steal corporate cash," U.S. Attorney David E. Nahmias said. "These cases can be difficult to investigate, with complex money trails, but the Secret Service and Postal Inspection Service again showed their expertise in nailing down the evidence and bringing the defendants to justice."
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Alpharetta Police & Firefighters Plan Community Cookout
July 16, 2008 ALPHARETTA - The public is invited to come spend the evening outside with neighbors, police officers and firefighters and enjoy a free cookout Tuesday, Aug. 5, when the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety hosts National Night Out at Wills Park.There will be K-9 police dog demonstrations, fire engines, SWAT demonstrations and more. The event will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the snack pavilion on the equestrian side of Wills Park.More than 11,310 communities from all 50 states participated in the national event in 2007."National Night Out is an effort to heighten awareness and strengthen participation in local anti-crime efforts," said Alpharetta police officer Jennifer Howard. "We hope to raise awareness about the type of crime occurring here and generate support and participation in anti-crime efforts."National Night Out was introduced in 1984 by the National Association of Town Watch in an attempt to encourage more participation in crime watch from residents.While the traditional "lights on" and front porch vigils remain a part of National Night Out, activities have expanded over the years to include festivals, neighborhood walks, safety fairs and meetings.
For information, call 678-297-6309. Please RSVP at 678-297-6309, ext. 3.
For information, call 678-297-6309. Please RSVP at 678-297-6309, ext. 3.
Alpharetta Fixing Canton-Mayfield Intersection
by Bob Pepalis / Appen NewspapersALPHARETTA -- Traffic near the Windward Parkway-Ga. 9 intersection might be moving just a bit smoother this week, as an intersection improvement project added a second left turn lane from Windward south to the state highway.
A second project at the Mayfield-Canton intersection is more complex, adding turn lanes in all directions, and will take more time to complete.
On Monday, a second left turn lane opened for motorists wanting to turn left (south) onto Ga. 9 from Windward Parkway. Milling and resurfacing was followed by re striping to mark the new lanes of travel, according to John Moskaluk, the city's director of Engineering & Public Works.
Motorists in the right most left turn lane have found they need to merge left soon after the turn. Otherwise, they will be forced to turn right just after the Lowes plaza traffic light.
The additional lane was added to reduce the amount of traffic backed up on Windward Parkway.
By having contractors work during the day, the city saved up to 50 percent of the cost it would have taken to have the contractor work on the intersection at night. However, Moskaluk said the real reason was for safety. All corners of the intersection have businesses that are open late at night, with three of the four open 24 hours a day. "From a safety point of view with all the activity, I think daytime is the way to go. And that is not even a money issue -- just pure safety," he said. The project cost $148,000.
The current traffic headache may be the Canton-Mayfield intersection, but motorists will be glad to hear all four directions will have left turn lanes installed, with directional traffic lights. However, a tight fit has been designed to help slow down traffic and save as many specimen trees as possible. Each lane will be only 11 feet wide, about 1 foot narrower than normal.
"We're working closely with the contractor to have the geometry of the intersection accomplished," said Pete Sewczwicz, deputy director of Engineering & Public Works. "Georgia Power has to relocate their poles. That's the critical path."
He said the city and its contractor are working closely with Georgia Power, ATT and Comcast on utility relocations.
That intersection near the Alpharetta Library branch will cost $491,000 by the time it is completed.
Several townhome developments south on Canton cannot receive certificates of occupancy until this intersection is improved, though at least one developer has delayed his project.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
State DOT Board Gets New Member From Alpharetta
By ARIEL HART www.ajc.com
Seeking to resolve another episode of turmoil at the Georgia Department of Transportation, a group of legislators Thursday unanimously elected Brandon Beach to the state Transportation Board.
Beach, of Alpharetta, is president of the Greater North Fulton chamber of commerce and a member of the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority Board.
Recent headlines:
He will resign from the GRTA board to take the DOT board seat.
Beach, 47, has been a restaurant owner and an Alpharetta city council member and was national sales manager for Quaker State Oil Co., which he left seven years ago.
He fills the seat of Garland Pinholster, who was the heir apparent to the board chairmanship until he resigned his vice chairmanship, and later his board seat, amid accusations of workplace sexual harassment. The department last week settled with the two accusers for a total of nearly $150,000.
Beach will serve parts of Cherokee, Cobb and Fulton counties. He represents the 6th Congressional district and was elected by state senators and representatives whose state districts fall within all or part of that district.
Beach said it is too early to say what his position on expanding passenger rail will be.
"There's a movement toward transit," in light of $4 gas, he said, but he added that "rail is expensive."
He spoke in favor of mixed-use developments where people don't have to travel so far between work, home and play."We can't continue to sprawl," he said.
Pinholster's departure followed the April resignation of DOT board chairman Mike Evans after Evans disclosed that he and DOT Commissioner Gena Abraham had become romantically involved.
Seeking to resolve another episode of turmoil at the Georgia Department of Transportation, a group of legislators Thursday unanimously elected Brandon Beach to the state Transportation Board.
Beach, of Alpharetta, is president of the Greater North Fulton chamber of commerce and a member of the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority Board.
Recent headlines:
He will resign from the GRTA board to take the DOT board seat.
Beach, 47, has been a restaurant owner and an Alpharetta city council member and was national sales manager for Quaker State Oil Co., which he left seven years ago.
He fills the seat of Garland Pinholster, who was the heir apparent to the board chairmanship until he resigned his vice chairmanship, and later his board seat, amid accusations of workplace sexual harassment. The department last week settled with the two accusers for a total of nearly $150,000.
Beach will serve parts of Cherokee, Cobb and Fulton counties. He represents the 6th Congressional district and was elected by state senators and representatives whose state districts fall within all or part of that district.
Beach said it is too early to say what his position on expanding passenger rail will be.
"There's a movement toward transit," in light of $4 gas, he said, but he added that "rail is expensive."
He spoke in favor of mixed-use developments where people don't have to travel so far between work, home and play."We can't continue to sprawl," he said.
Pinholster's departure followed the April resignation of DOT board chairman Mike Evans after Evans disclosed that he and DOT Commissioner Gena Abraham had become romantically involved.
Suspect In Dozens Of Car Break-Ins Arrested In Alpharetta
by Jason Wright / Appen Newspapers
July 10, 2008 ALPHARETTA -- Alpharetta police are in the process of charging a 38-year-old disbarred lawyer from Johns Creek with dozens of felonies for allegedly breaking into cars following his arrest July 8.George Gordon, a spokesman with the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety, said Phillip A. Strickland's car and Sandy Lane Drive home held literally hundreds of allegedly stolen items, including dozens of lap tops, at least 40 drivers' licenses and social security cards and more from at least five counties."This is an unbelievable bust," he said. "These crimes were committed over a long period of time."
July 10, 2008 ALPHARETTA -- Alpharetta police are in the process of charging a 38-year-old disbarred lawyer from Johns Creek with dozens of felonies for allegedly breaking into cars following his arrest July 8.George Gordon, a spokesman with the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety, said Phillip A. Strickland's car and Sandy Lane Drive home held literally hundreds of allegedly stolen items, including dozens of lap tops, at least 40 drivers' licenses and social security cards and more from at least five counties."This is an unbelievable bust," he said. "These crimes were committed over a long period of time."
Strickland was arrested after an Alpharetta police officer spotted his 1998 Ford Contour driving suspiciously on Lake Shore Landing, which is in the Windward development of Windward Parkway, said Gordon. The officer ran Strickland's tag, which didn't come up for any address in Windward.Given eight car break-ins had recently occurred in the neighborhood, the officer pulled over Strickland to ask a few questions. According to a report of the incident, he was "shaking and sweating profusely" during questioning.Gordon said the officer noticed several black bags used to hold GPS devices scattered throughout the car, along with some screwdrivers and other tools commonly used to break into cars. He arrested Strickland after finding some pills later identified as phenobarbital, a barbiturate, in an unmarked pill bottle. Strickland allegedly admitted he had no prescription for the pills.Strickland was taken to Alpharetta jail that day and charged with possession of the pills and not keeping them in their original container.
While inventorying his car, the arresting officer found five GPS devices, a laptop, a Nintendo DS 19 methadone pills, three iPods and dozens of pieces of identification. Those allegedly stolen items were used to gain a search warrant for his home the next day, and that's where Alpharetta police hit the mother load."We're trying now to get in touch with the victims," said Gordon.He said detectives have been matching the items with cases from Johns Creek, Alpharetta and Forsyth, Cherokee and Gwinnett Counties. Gordon stressed that police will contact victims and not to call Alpharetta police.Police are also looking at Strickland for charges of check fraud.According to the State Bar Association of Georgia, Strickland was disbarred by the Georgia Supreme Court in early October, 2006 after being suspended in 2004 and 2005 for allegations of taking clients' money, then never delivering any services. He also reportedly never gave back sensitive case files and failed to respond to the Bar's inquiries.
While inventorying his car, the arresting officer found five GPS devices, a laptop, a Nintendo DS 19 methadone pills, three iPods and dozens of pieces of identification. Those allegedly stolen items were used to gain a search warrant for his home the next day, and that's where Alpharetta police hit the mother load."We're trying now to get in touch with the victims," said Gordon.He said detectives have been matching the items with cases from Johns Creek, Alpharetta and Forsyth, Cherokee and Gwinnett Counties. Gordon stressed that police will contact victims and not to call Alpharetta police.Police are also looking at Strickland for charges of check fraud.According to the State Bar Association of Georgia, Strickland was disbarred by the Georgia Supreme Court in early October, 2006 after being suspended in 2004 and 2005 for allegations of taking clients' money, then never delivering any services. He also reportedly never gave back sensitive case files and failed to respond to the Bar's inquiries.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Five Charged In Atlanta Prostitue Trafficing Ring
July 07, 2008 ATLANTA --
Five men were charged in Federal Court July 7 with more than 30 counts of human trafficking and related offenses for a scheme in which women were allegedly smuggled from Mexico to become prostitutes in Atlanta.According to information revealed in court, the women did business with men from all over North Fulton, Gwinnett and Forsyth counties.
The office of U.S. Attorney David E. Nahmias said Mexican immigrants and Norcross residents the Cortes-Meza family -- Amador "Javier" Cortes-Meza, 34, Juan Cortes-Meza, 31, Francisco "Paco" Cortes-Meza, 25, and Raul "Oscar" Cortes-Meza, 21 -- and Edison "Caruso" W. Rosa Tort, 69, originally of Guatemala but living in Cartersville, were the suspects charged. All five face federal charges of conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking, importing women for the purpose of prostitution, and harboring and shielding aliens for commercial advantage or private financial gain.
"Human trafficking violates basic human rights and will not be tolerated," said Nahmias. "Compelling women by force, fraud or coercion to engage in commercial sex acts is a serious violation of federal law."According to Nahmias and the information presented in court, the object of the conspiracy was to bring young women in from Mexico to engage in prostitution in the metropolitan Atlanta area while housed in Norcross and Cartersville. The 10 victims named in the case include three young women who allegedly were forced into commercial sex acts against their will by through force, fraud and coercion, and four victims who were under the age of 18.
"The victimization of the young women in this case was unfortunately made easier by their illegal status, unfamiliarity with U.S. laws, and fear of law enforcement instilled in them by the traffickers," said Nahmias.According to the indictment, Juan, Amador and Franciso Cortes-Meza would become the young woman's boyfriend or promise her work cleaning houses in the United States or in a restaurant in order to obtain her agreement to be smuggled into the country. They then allegedly helped smuggle her into the US.
But the honeymoon was short lived. Those three, along with Tort, allegedly physically abused the young women.Court documents show some of the victims were beaten, threatened, or faced threats to their Mexican families in order to force them to work as prostitutes against their will. It is alleged that at least one of the codefendants was always present in the home where the victims lived in order to monitor them and direct the prostitution work.Some of the victims were not allowed to leave the house unaccompanied, Nahmias said.
They frequently serviced between 20 and 30 men a night, charging $25, some of which went to the drivers who transported the young women to the "johns." The majority of the money earned was kept by the alleged traffickers.
"These victims were lured from their homes with a promise of a better life; instead, they were forced or coerced into prostitution," said Kenneth A. Smith, Special Agent in Charge of ICE's Office of Investigations in Atlanta.All five defendants face substantive charges of sex trafficking, with Juan, Amador and Raul Cortes-Meza charged specifically with sex trafficking of minors and smuggling aliens into the United States.Rosa Tort and Raul Cortes-Meza are charged with driving the women to various places where men or "johns" were willing to pay for sex with them.
Nahmias said the victims' immigration status has no bearing on the case, and urges any other victims to come forward."Federal laws protect all victims of such heinous crimes, whether or not they are United States citizens," said Nahmias. "No victim should fear coming forward to report illegal activity and criminal abuse."
Five men were charged in Federal Court July 7 with more than 30 counts of human trafficking and related offenses for a scheme in which women were allegedly smuggled from Mexico to become prostitutes in Atlanta.According to information revealed in court, the women did business with men from all over North Fulton, Gwinnett and Forsyth counties.
The office of U.S. Attorney David E. Nahmias said Mexican immigrants and Norcross residents the Cortes-Meza family -- Amador "Javier" Cortes-Meza, 34, Juan Cortes-Meza, 31, Francisco "Paco" Cortes-Meza, 25, and Raul "Oscar" Cortes-Meza, 21 -- and Edison "Caruso" W. Rosa Tort, 69, originally of Guatemala but living in Cartersville, were the suspects charged. All five face federal charges of conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking, importing women for the purpose of prostitution, and harboring and shielding aliens for commercial advantage or private financial gain.
"Human trafficking violates basic human rights and will not be tolerated," said Nahmias. "Compelling women by force, fraud or coercion to engage in commercial sex acts is a serious violation of federal law."According to Nahmias and the information presented in court, the object of the conspiracy was to bring young women in from Mexico to engage in prostitution in the metropolitan Atlanta area while housed in Norcross and Cartersville. The 10 victims named in the case include three young women who allegedly were forced into commercial sex acts against their will by through force, fraud and coercion, and four victims who were under the age of 18.
"The victimization of the young women in this case was unfortunately made easier by their illegal status, unfamiliarity with U.S. laws, and fear of law enforcement instilled in them by the traffickers," said Nahmias.According to the indictment, Juan, Amador and Franciso Cortes-Meza would become the young woman's boyfriend or promise her work cleaning houses in the United States or in a restaurant in order to obtain her agreement to be smuggled into the country. They then allegedly helped smuggle her into the US.
But the honeymoon was short lived. Those three, along with Tort, allegedly physically abused the young women.Court documents show some of the victims were beaten, threatened, or faced threats to their Mexican families in order to force them to work as prostitutes against their will. It is alleged that at least one of the codefendants was always present in the home where the victims lived in order to monitor them and direct the prostitution work.Some of the victims were not allowed to leave the house unaccompanied, Nahmias said.
They frequently serviced between 20 and 30 men a night, charging $25, some of which went to the drivers who transported the young women to the "johns." The majority of the money earned was kept by the alleged traffickers.
"These victims were lured from their homes with a promise of a better life; instead, they were forced or coerced into prostitution," said Kenneth A. Smith, Special Agent in Charge of ICE's Office of Investigations in Atlanta.All five defendants face substantive charges of sex trafficking, with Juan, Amador and Raul Cortes-Meza charged specifically with sex trafficking of minors and smuggling aliens into the United States.Rosa Tort and Raul Cortes-Meza are charged with driving the women to various places where men or "johns" were willing to pay for sex with them.
Nahmias said the victims' immigration status has no bearing on the case, and urges any other victims to come forward."Federal laws protect all victims of such heinous crimes, whether or not they are United States citizens," said Nahmias. "No victim should fear coming forward to report illegal activity and criminal abuse."
Property Deal Stalls, Cutting Alpharetta's Project Scope
by Bob Pepalis / Appen NewspapersAlpharetta -- A deal couldn't be worked out with a downtown Alpharetta property owner, cutting the size of the proposed City Center project by a few acres.Solomon Holdings was unable to reach a deal with Old Milton Square Partnership, which owns almost 62,000 square feet of property at 40 South Main Street. In February, the partnership wanted $2.44 million for the property, which includes two small strip center buildings.Diana Wheeler, Alpharetta's Community Development director and spokesperson for the project, said this property will not be part of the City Center project. The proposed site design was U-shaped, with buildings surrounding a town square open to Main Street.
Any new site design will be roughly U-shaped around Old Milton Square.Wheeler said she heard the development team and Old Milton Square's owners couldn't agree on a price or other details in the negotiations.Wheeler said Solomon Holdings apparently has a tentative agreement with Robert J. Miller Jr., owner of the 39,000 square feet of property at 50 South Main Street, a house used as an office between Old Milton Square and Publix to the south."We're meeting with the architects to see what our design options are," Wheeler said.
Downtown business owner Kathi An Kessler said she thinks it is great that the project is moving ahead despite the failure to make one land deal. The project might be smaller initially, she said, but Old Milton Square's owners might want to develop after City Center develop.Kessler, owner of The Galérie at the corner of South Main and Milton Avenue, said business owners have been asking all along "what can we as downtown merchants do to help this along."Hearing that City Council will hear the new site proposal at a workship in August or September, Kessler responded "that's not soon enough for me."
What happens to a new city hall also will be determined by the new site configuration being prepared by the architects."It all comes back down to the design. City hall will be designed into the whole project," Wheeler said.
The new configuration will include multi-story buildings three and four stories high."We'll have to accommodate parking in some kind of structured facility," she said.Wheeler said several different options have to be explored to determine costs and practicality.Kessler said she has nurtured her customers for 20 years"Thank God I have a loyal following," she said.She has been doing her part to boost downtown business, holding promotions every other month to attract patrons not only to her boutique, but also to other downtown businesses. But she said she can't keep doing this, as it is too costly in time and money."That's what you do in a community, you help each other out. I'd like to see the city doing things that are focusing on downtown, not necessarily the outskirts. Downtown is the nucleus."
The difference between Barry Real Estate, the first developer in charge of the City Center project, and Solomon Holdings, the current team leader, is that they live in the community and care about it, Kessler said.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Market Growing For Alpharetta Firm's "chicken litter" Fertilizer
By DOUG NURSE http://www.ajc.com/It's a fertile world for Organic Growing Systems in Alpharetta.
The newly formed company is cashing in on the rising price of synthetic fertilizer by specializing in reconstituted "chicken litter," as it's delicately put.
As the price of traditional, petroleum-based fertilizer skyrocketed 200 percent to 300 percent since 2005, more and more farmers and sod-growers are turning to natural alternatives, said Chris Nichols, the company CEO. "Everyone is looking at us like we're the hot chick at the prom," said Marc Nichols, Chris' nephew and national sales manager. "Today we sold a third of what we did last year." And the future looks even better.
In September, the company had 11 steady customers; now it has close to 200, including turf companies, farmers, cities and golf courses, as well as Piedmont Park. "We placed an order with them last year, and we're placing a second order this year," said Chris Nelson, chief operating officer for Piedmont Park Conservancy. "That should send a message that we're happy with the product."
Chris Nichols said that in January 2007, diammonium phosphate cost $252 a ton. Now it's $1,050 a ton. He can sell chicken manure fertilizer for $350 to $450 a ton.
Organic Growing Systems, a subsidiary of Advance Growing Systems, has one plant, a 30,000-square-foot facility in Monticello, Miss., that produces up to 30 tons of nitrogen-rich chicken fertilizer a day. But Chris Nichols is expanding the Mississippi plant to generate up to 200 tons of chicken litter fertilizer a day by this fall. He also is planning to build another, larger facility near Gainesville within two years and others in Texas and California within five years.
"We're trying to be first at the top," Marc Nichols said. "We're trying to be the national brand."
It was a curious trail that brought Chris Nichols, a financier, to the chicken manure industry. His brother (and Marc's father), Mark Nichols, a landscape and sod expert, was brought in to look at the dead lawn of an expansive home in west Cobb County in 2003. He consulted with another expert from Texas, who brought a load of fertilizer, told them to spread it before and after the replacement sod was laid, and water it like a regular lawn. Mark Nichols was skeptical. Usually, that much fertilizer and that little water will burn sod to a crisp. Mark Nichols came back in a month and found a thriving lawn. He promptly called his finance guru brother and told him they had to get in on this. Chris Nichols did research and decided it was doable. In 2007, they secured financing and bought a plant in Mississippi from an 81-year-old man who knew the product but not the financing and marketing.
After about a year, Organic Growing Systems overhauled its sales force and business took off.
The beauty of chicken manure as a fertilizer is that it becomes soil, feeding beneficial microbes in the dirt, which continues to nourish the plant, said Chris Nichols. Over time, farmers need less and less of the fertilizer. Synthetic fertilizer feeds the plant but doesn't add anything to the soil, he said.
Virtually all of the chicken fertilizer is consumed by plants or rebuilding soil, said John Chapman, general manager of a 2,500-acre turf farm in Foley, Ala., and an Organic Growing Systems customer. "There's nothing negative about the product," Chapman said. "This stuff flat works."
For poultry farmers, manure is a massive headache, something to get rid of, and they're happy to sell it for the cost of shipping. It's hauled in dump trucks to the plant, where it's semi-dried, sterilized, mixed with other stuff like ground feathers for protein, a little yucca for the odor, shells from shrimp and whatnot for binder, and then made into pellets by squeezing it like Play-doh through little holes.
The fact the product is environmentally friendly is a plus, but for most customers, cost and effectiveness are the driving factors, Marc Nichols said. "It's not that they're green," he said. "They want it to be good for the plant, but it has to be good for the pocketbook."
Chapman said that using natural fertilizer pays for itself over the long haul. "Used to, it wasn't cost effective for the first few years, but since synthetic fertilizer is going up, it's now an easier decision to make," Chapman said. "The more you do it, the less you use. That's not the case with most product. It's a long-term thing. Once you look at the big picture, it becomes even more cost-effective."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)