Cop Fired After 10 years on the Force, Files Appeal

Long time Roswell cop Tom Garcia, very popular on his beat, was terminated last week by RPD Chief Ed Williams. Garcia said his termination, based on his dialogue with a homeless woman at the station, was wrongful. He is filing an appeal.

Editors Note: The Beacon will have the full story next week.

Bard in the Yard at Barrington Hall

Barrington Hall will be hosting Bard in the Yard, an event featuring the North Fulton Drama Club (NFDC) performing “All’s Well That Ends Well,” on April 24 – May 9 on Fridays and Saturdays and Sunday May 3. Performances are free and will begin at 8 p.m. with seating starting at 7 p.m. The Sunday, May 3 performance will begin at 4 p.m., with seating at 3 p.m.

Comprised of 45 volunteer actors, the NFDC is a non profit organization that started in 2006 and has been performing at Barrington Hall each year. The NFDC enjoys performing at Barrington Hall because it naturally lends itself to performances. There are two porches, several entrances, plenty of green area for the audience, access to several streets, lots of privacy and a sense of history.

“Shakespeare plays are performed because most people know the plays and can relate to them, they’re inexpensive to produce and there are no concerns about licensing since it’s public domain,” explains Thomas Strickland, Artistic Director of the NFDC. In the past, the NFDC has brought Shakespeare into different eras, i.e. WWII, 1970’s, etc. This year the play will be set in the early 1900’s.

Roswell Receives Arts Rental Subsidy Grant

The City of Roswell has received a Fulton County Arts Council (FCAC) – Technical Services/Arts Rental Subsidy Grant to provide monetary assistance to Fulton County based arts organizations that rent performance space in the county. An informational meeting to the eight participating organizations will be held on Tuesday, April 14 at 7 p.m. at Roswell City Hall, 38 Hill Street.

FCAC will provide the subsidies to single Fulton County performing arts organizations to help underwrite the cost to provide performance space. The funds received by the City will be “re-granted” to eligible performing arts organizations which rent the Roswell Cultural Arts Center as selected by the Cultural Arts Board and approved by the Mayor and Council.

Unfortunate Death

Kris Nash of Alpharetta, 41, died of injuries sustained when the pickup he was driving left the road and struck a tree in Milton. Cops are investigating.

Council Members Sponsor Scholarship

Alpharetta City Council Council members D.C. Aiken, David Belle Isle, Doug DeRito, and John Monson have come together to sponsor a scholarship contest based on gathering the ideas of Alpharetta’s youth on how to stimulate the local economy. They are leveraging funds from their personal budgets to fund the scholarships.

The Alpharetta Stimulus Idea Scholarship Contest encourages students to bring forward ideas that stimulate the economy, reduce costs, improve efficiencies or provide for the general improvement of the local economy. The ideas can be for public, private or a combination of public and private initiatives.

Three ideas will be selected and awarded prizes. The first prize applicant will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

The City of Alpharetta Stimulus Idea Scholarship Contest is open to 2009 academic year high school juniors and seniors who are residents of the City of Alpharetta and who have maintained a minimum 3.0 GPA during the current academic year.

Students interested in submitting ideas for consideration can obtain an application packet by visiting the City of Alpharetta website, www.alpharetta.ga.us, or by sending an email to jdrinkard@alpharetta.ga.us. The deadline for submitting an application is 12:00 PM on Friday, May 1, 2009.

Milton Musical Chairs

Milton finally got a permanent city manager in Chris Lagerbloom. Now their Public Works Director Dan Drake, who served in the capacity for two years, is gone- courtesy of a CH2M Hill boot. CH2M Hill, the private company hired to provide most day-to-day services for the city announced the dismissal. They did not return calls to clarify the matter.

Drunk As a Skunk – In Court

If you were appearing in court for DUI charge, you probably wouldn’t show up three sheets to the wind. Except if you are Nicole Smith. Back in September Milton cops charged her with a DUI. She registered .34 on the blood alcohol scale – more than four times the legal limit of .08. The police report at the time said she was so drunk that she couldn’t get out of her car. But that was then and this is now. Not exactly displaying reform, she showed up in court – on time – but apparently intoxicated. It was 10:00 a.m. Milton cops then took her for jail for two days – to sober up. Georgia law says you can’t enter a plea when drunk.

Karen Thurman Gearing Up For Re-election Effort

Milton Councilwoman Karen Thurman, running for a second term this fall, is expected to face stiff competition from the Julie Zahner-Bailey wing of the council. A candidate has not yet emerged. “I have no idea whether I will have an opponent or who it might be,” Thurman said. “If I didn’t think I could win I wouldn’t run.”
 

Dave Ramsey’s Town Hall for Hope at Mount Pisgah

Mount Pisgah United Methodist Church will serve as a satellite location for Dave Ramsey’s Town Hall for Hope national broadcast on Thursday, April 23 at 8 p.m. This free event is open to the public and will take place in the beautiful Mount Pisgah North Campus Sanctuary located at 2850 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek, GA 30022. Doors open at 7:15 p.m.

In the one hour meeting, Mr. Ramsey will offer straight talk about the economy, recession, foreclosures and more. He'll explain where we've come from, where we are now, and what we should be doing with our money during this time. Then, Mr. Ramsey will spend an hour answering questions live.

“The solution to America’s economy is to get people to believe again. It’s time to connect with families to instill hope and optimism in our economy and our country. We the people are the healing agents,” comments Ramsey.

Throughout the meeting, Ramsey will be taking questions live from viewers by phone, email, Twitter, Facebook, and more.

Since fall 2008 we have witnessed the largest stock market drop in history, an increasing unemployment rate, and a steady decline in home sales. With many Americans living in fear about the economy, Dave Ramsey will be spreading a message of hope through this meeting.
 
Second Annual Water for the World Run

Mount Pisgah United Methodist Church and the Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce proudly presents the Second Annual Water for the World Run Saturday, April 18 -7:30AM. The race location is the State Farm Insurance building located at 11350 Johns Creek Parkway, Technology Park, Johns Creek, GA 30022.

The Water for the World Road Race helps provide water stressed communities around the world with a continuous source of clean and safe water. Contaminated water is the #1 cause of death in developing countries. This exciting event features a 10K Peachtree Road Race qualifier, a 5K race, 1-mile Fun Run and a Tot Trot. Games, prizes, food and entertainment make for a memorable time for all. Gayle Barron, 5-time winner of the Peachtree Road Race and winner of the Boston Marathon, will be at the finish line providing running tips and Waffle House give-aways.

“The Mount Pisgah Global Missions Ministry will exceed its’ goal of providing safe water to 40,000 people,” according to Race Chairman, Laverne Sample. We have received tremendous support this year from the Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce, our sponsors and participants and look forward to an action packed day for all,” says Sample. Advance registration is suggested, although participants may sign up on race day.

For more information about Water for the World Run, or for a listing of events and directions, visit www.mountpisgah.org, or www.waterfortheworldrun.com or call 678-336-3000.