About Sandy Springs reporter. (Sandy Springs, GA) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (June 2, 2019)
JUNE 2019 • VOL. 13 — NO. 6 reporternewspapers.net Section Two ►It’s a living: local actor fights Batman, ninjas in the movies ►Head for the Hills EDUCATION Presenting our local high school valedictorians and salutatorians P6 COMMENTARY Summertime, and the reading is easy P10 RODIN’S NEST Thanks for the many ways we connect with our dads pii Reporter Extra Check out our podcasts at ReporterNewspapers.net Springs Reporter is mail delivered to homes on selected carrier routes in ZIPs 3032 7,30328, 30342 and 30350 For information: delivery@reporternewspapers.net SI# uuxied VO ‘eojuoiAi aivd e6eisod sn SSMU03 aislysyd y3i/\ioisno ivisod PHIL MOSIER From left, Tom Vanvenhoudt, Omar Maslamani and Abbey Kampel talk at the sculpture “Optimistical” by Nathan Pierce at the May 24 unveiling held at City Springs. Photos on Page 21 ► Questions remain about the future of city services BY EVELYN ANDREWS evelyn@reporternewspapers.net Sandy Springs City Council quickly voted May 14 to bring city services in-house rather than continue its landmark use of a public- private partnership. The city says that rever sal will be revisited in one year, but ques tions remain about how city staff members would return to private companies. “It just didn’t work out this year,” Mayor Rusty Paul said. “We'll come back to this. I think there’s a lot of benefit in using the pri vate sector.” The city launched in 2005 using the pub lic-private partnership model, with leaders saying it allowed them to quickly begin city operations and, due to its competitive na ture, would be more efficient and econom ical and prevent corruption. Sandy Springs See QUESTIONS on page 23 City tweaks alarm ordinance as verification requirement approaches BY EVELYN ANDREWS evelyn@reporternewspapers.net The City Council approved a last-min ute change to its controversial security alarm verification requirement as confu sion continues in the community about the proposal. Alarm companies or residents will be required to provide verification to 911 starting June 19. But instead of provid ing evidence before officers will be dis patched, it will only be required within 24 hours. The city changed its alarm ordinance in 2017 to shift fines to alarm companies. Requiring alarm verification was added in June 2018 and requires alarm companies provide direct confirmation that a burglar alarm call is a real crime - with audio or video devices or in person. Verification is only required when the building is unoccupied and is not need ed for 911 calls, medical, panic and fire alarms. But the requirement is still caus ing confusion and concern among the community. “I think it really is an overreach,” resi dent Marilyn Arlcin said. “It was so unnec essary.” The ordinance amendment was passed unanimously with little discussion at the City Council’s May 21 meeting. But Joe See CITY on page 22
