About Sandy Springs reporter. (Sandy Springs, GA) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (April 2, 2021)
AROUND TOWN A Dunwoody mural artist’s American Dream pu WORTH KNOWING Canines comfort kids at Children’s Healthcare P18 COMMENTARY Hate crimes show need for equity in education P16 Springs Reporter is mail delivered to homes on selected carrier routes in ZIPs 30327,30328, 30342 and 30350 For information: delivery@reporternewspapers.net SL# liuxied VO ‘eojuo|A| aivd e6eisod sn SSMU03 aislysyd y3i/\ioisno ivisod PHIL MOSIER George Flynn balances baskets on his kayak as he scoops litter out of the Chattahoochee River above Morgan Falls Dam March 27 as part of the annual “Sweep the Hooch” volunteer cleanup. He was among hundreds who joined in the event at many sites along the river and its watershed, organized by the nonprofit Chattahoochee Riverkeeper. This year’s edition had limited attendance and social distancing due to the pandemic. The Morgan Falls site drew eight volunteers on foot and three in kayaks. Diversity task force members seek housing affordability reviews BY BOB PEPALIS A Housing and Transportation subcom mittee of the city’s new Diversity and Inclu sion Task Force wants every development or redevelopment that requires city approv al to undergo a housing affordability impact study. The subcommittee held its first virtual meeting on March 24, with members say ing that they learned that increasing rent costs are causing a big wave of displace ment in Sandy Springs’ minority communi ties, creating an urgency for their work. For that reason and because the city is about to See DIVERSITY on page 15 Voters may see mayoral battle, new North End council member BY BOB PEPAL IS AND JOHN RUCH Voters may see a competitive mayor al race and a new City Council member for the seat representing the redevelopment hot spot of the North End as campaigns for this fall’s municipal elections are taking an early shape. Two-term incumbent Mayor Rusty Paul stepped back from earlier talk of retire ment by announcing a bid to run for reelec tion on March 15, saying he has unfinished business. He has a challenger, Dontaye Cart er, a public relations consultant and former journalist who announced his campaign March 22. District 2 Councilmember Steve Soteres announced in late March he will not run for reelection. That opens the way for a new candidate to take the seat that serves a large portion of the North End. Two candidates - Melody Kelley and Jason Hamilton - had al ready joined the race. District 4 incumbent Jody Reichel and District 5 incumbent Tibby Dejulio, who is the lone remaining member of the original City Council, earlier this year announced they will run for re-election. District 6 in cumbent Andy Bauman joined them March 26, saying he will run again to support first responders, increase community connec tions, and work on issues of diversity, inclu- See VOTERS on page 14
