Author: Reporter Newspapers

Bank of North Georgia celebrates Sandy Springs opening Sandy Springs Mayor Eva Galambos wielded the giant scissors as joined Bank of North Georgia officials and community and business leaders to cut the ribbon Nov. 9 in celebration of the bank’s first branch in the city. “I have the distinct pleasure to welcome the Bank of North Georgia to Sandy Springs,” the mayor told the group gathered in a new pocket park in front of the bank. “I know you will be a fabulous corporate citizen. Thank you for adding this pocket park for the people of Sandy Springs to enjoy.” “At the Bank of North Georgia, we set out two years ago to find a physical presence in this community,” said the bank’s Executive Vice President Kenneth Davis. “We’re standing where we think it is a great place for us to be to serve this community.” The bank is at the intersection of Sandy Springs Circle and Johnson Ferry Road. Emerson is named managing broker of Harry Norman Office Todd Emerson has been promoted to vice president and managing broker of the Harry Norman Realtors Sandy Springs office. Emerson has been in real estate for nine years and has spent his entire career with Harry Norman Realtors. Most recently, Emerson served as the associate managing broker for the Buckhead office. He also serves as dean of the firm’s leadership...

By Katie Fallon katiefallon@reporternewspapers.net Although the Fulton County School Board voted Nov. 6 for Riverwood High School Principal Eddie Echols to assume dual leadership roles with North Springs High School, that decision may now be in jeopardy. Following the retirement of North Springs Charter School of Arts and Sciences Principal Dr. Vicky Ferguson, the school board announced Echols would assume the principal role at both high schools. Following Ferguson’s last day at North Springs Charter School of Arts and Sciences, on Nov. 16, Echols was to assume her position at a school less than five miles from Riverwood. The School Board was scheduled to vote on rescinding the decision to give Echols’ the dual leadership duties at its Nov. 15 meeting, however the vote came after this paper’s press deadline. Consequently, we are unable to report the results of the vote in this article. Please visit our web site at www.reporternewspapers.net for an update on the final decision. Echols was to be supported in his unusual role by North Springs’ Associate Principal Debra Mosley and by Riverwood’s Associate Principal Kari Schrock. Together, both high schools house all four of the magnet programs offered by Fulton County Schools. Those programs include International Studies, Mathematics, Science and Performing and Visual Arts. Riverwood is also on track to achieve its own charter status and will soon become Riverwood International Charter School. Sandy...

By Katie Fallon katiefallon@reporternewspapers.net While trees have always been a hot button issue in Sandy Springs, they recently received a new organized advocate, Trees Sandy Springs. Spearheaded by its president Nina Cramer, Trees Sandy Springs is an organization that was patterned after Trees Atlanta to help preserve and grow the urban tree environment in the community. Cramer said she decided to form Trees Sandy Springs after becoming a member and loyal volunteer with Trees Atlanta. Her devotion to trees, however, started at a younger age. “I have always had a passion for trees.” Cramer said. “I am a native Atlantan and have been lucky to have always lived among big trees. I cannot imagine living without forests around me.” Cramer said her exposure to the benefits of trees started in her childhood with her immediate and extended family. “My parents and grandparents taught me to love and care for nature,” Cramer said. “Trees are at the center of all nature. Humans cannot survive without trees.” Cramer, a Sandy Springs resident, said she has learned a lot through her involvement with Trees Atlanta, where she is still a member and volunteer. As a member, she said she would go into Atlanta every weekend, water and mulch trees and then drive home to Sandy Springs. That is where the impetus to form Trees Sandy Springs began. “One day two months ago,...

By Katie Fallon katiefallon@reporternewspapers.net Debate has continued on the fate of a large water oak tree that seemingly lies in the path of two major redevelopment projects in Sandy Springs. The tree, which measures approximately 66 inches in diameter, is located on Abernathy Road, just west of the Roswell Road intersection. Members of the City of Sandy Springs staff and concerned citizens and arborists gathered at the tree on Nov. 5 to discuss how best to protect the tree during construction of both the Georgia Department of Transportation’s (GDOT) widening project on Abernathy Road and the Greenway Linear Park. The tree lies just outside the actual boundary of the road widening project and has been slated to be just one of the linear park’s natural attractions. The linear park is being designed by the landscape architecture firm PBS&J. Consultant John Boudreau said the firm always intended to include the tree in the park and will also coordinate with GDOT for protecting it. “We identified it as a tree we wanted to save and would like to save,” Boudreau said. “We’re going to prepare recommendations and alternatives. I don’t think cost is an issue. I think from GDOT’s standpoint, it’s more of a safety issue.” Trees Sandy Springs president Nina Cramer said her main concern is about the hustle and bustle that normally characterize projects like the road widening and...

Rescue personnel receive Lifesaving Award At the Nov. 6 City Council meeting, the city bestowed the first Lifesaving Award to seven members of the Fire and Rescue Department. Those honored included Crew Chiefs Tim Rohner and Cam Huynh as well as Firefighters David Wilbanks, Carl Childree, Kevin Harmes, Abishia Warfield and Ryan Whittiker. The personnel were recognized for their response to a medical emergency that resulted in the saving of a local construction worker’s life. On July 19, the department was dispatched to a construction site at 220 Sandy Springs Place. Just as a storm that afternoon had begun, a construction crew member working on the roof of a townhome was struck by lightening. Bystanders did not attempt CPR, but were able to remove the victim from the roof with a forklift. The rescue personnel performed lifesaving measures to bring the victim back from full cardiac arrest. Each honoree received their own award and a department award will also hang at Fire Station 2. Similar awards will also be given in the future to recognize individuals whose emergency response efforts are proven to have saved a life. City to receive author’s proceeds Children’s author Steve Tiller, through MichaelsMind Books, has begun People Pass It On, a program that will provide books to children and funds to the city’s Friends of Sandy Springs Foundation. The foundation’s mission is to raise...