Community

A Peachtree Corners Perspective: Finding Support in Difficult Times

Published

5 years ago

June 10, 2020

Kelsey Asher

Abby Zenon is a Peachtree Corners resident and fiercely loving mother that probably reminds you of many other great young mothers in the community. But Abby sometimes faces challenges that others might not, simply because her family is biracial. With the political unrest and riots across the country related to racial issues, family and friends have wracked their brains about how to show their support for the Zenon Family.

Close friend Amy Sullins of Amy-Cole Photography reached out to Zenon to take a small collection of gorgeous photos of the Zenon family and share it on her business page. On June 3, Amy posted on Abby’s behalf about the fear she has experienced, which we will relay a shortened version of.

Photography provided by **Amy-Cole Photography**

Amy: It’s time to rise. I talked to my friend, Abby, a lot on Sunday. I wanted to have a deeper understanding of how she was feeling. Out of that conversation birthed a post she has written for me to share with you. Tony and Abby are not only dear friends, they are members of our church body. As you can see, they’re a couple who love beyond the color of their skin. We have a lot to learn from their marriage and story.
Abby: Tony and I have been together for ten years, married the last four. We met on campus at Georgia Tech, our freshman year. Tony was raised in New Orleans and I was raised in the suburbs of Atlanta. Our backgrounds are opposite, but we were raised by loving parents who taught us to love like Jesus no matter how the love looked.
As I begin to write, the reality of what is happening sinks in deep. My Dad called my husband, Tony, to make sure we were heading home. He knew we went to the pool that afternoon. His call was one of concern. There was a protest about to occur three miles from our home. In that moment, we felt like we were living a nightmare. This is hell! The two recent deaths of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery have forever changed my family and our country. We are broken! I believe the saddest part for me, is that racism has always been here. It’s just now, where cameras are at our disposal, everyone is seeing it for themselves and it is igniting a fire.
And as of today, I really fear for my husband when he takes a drive or goes for a run alone.
I want to make statements that I am sure you’ve heard, but I want to restate for emphasis in this post. Not all blacks are criminals, not all whites are racist, not all cops are bad, and ignorance comes in all colors. It is a time for education. Talk to people or friends from another race and ask them about their background. Many people are raised in a community where their race is a majority. When this happens, they are never taught about other races and cultures. I believe that no one is born racist, but it’s a taught behavior.
To shed more light on my husband’s story and race, here are just a few of Tony’s experiences. While still living in New Orleans, Tony witnessed his uncle being handcuffed in front of him and the police placed drugs on him, during the arrest. Tony was also a victim to Hurricane Katrina. The hurricane displaced his family and they moved to Albany, GA; a town where the population is known for racism. Tony played high school football there. As he played, several different teams would call the players the “N” word.
And even now, as a married couple, we have gotten several dirty looks (even in church) and have been overlooked because we are a biracial couple. That changes at times when they discover that Tony played college football. It’s strange how they love us then. As a white person, I’ve observed that racist whites love you on the field, but hate you off of the field.
Since the beginning, several friends have reached out to me asking for a better understanding and to teach them how they can better pray and teach their family. It’s time to wake up. Black people are treated differently because of their color. They shouldn’t have to protest to be heard. Nothing will change until those that aren’t affected become effective.
Amy Sullins’ SHORTENED FACEBOOK POST

When asked about her reasons for speaking up, Abby said “The world right now is forcing people to deal with their hearts and where they stand. My husband and I are normally not the type to speak about sensitive social, political things going on in the world but for once I spoke to him and he said Please.”

She went on to say she has received an outpouring of support and concern from friends and neighbors, and no direct backlash, but with two young daughters it is daunting to prepare them for the harsh realities they will eventually face.

It’s hard to know what the right thing to say or do is in such a charged political climate, but it costs us nothing to be kind. Thank you for reminding us of that, Zenon family.

For the Facebook posting in its entirety, visit Amy-Cole Photography on Facebook.

Related Topics:biracial couple faith Featured race relations

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Kelsey Asher

Kelsey Asher is a proud graduate of the University of West Georgia with a Bachelor’s in Communications. She has held a variety of marketing leadership roles for several small, startup companies in a variety of industries including publishing, construction and technology.

City Government

The Future of Law Enforcement in Peachtree Corners: Community Meeting

Published

5 days ago

April 14, 2025

Peachtree Corners Magazine staff

Flyer for a community meeting regarding law enforcement in Peachtree Corners.

The City of Peachtree Corners will hold an important public meeting on May 8 to discuss the future of law enforcement in our community — including the potential creation of a city police department.

This meeting will feature a presentation by City Manager Brian Johnson on the findings of a comprehensive Police Analysis & Staffing Study that evaluated the feasibility and projected costs of forming a city police department based on current workload, crime levels and community demographics.

The presentation will also include budgetary considerations, comparative models and the advantages and disadvantages of a county vs. city police department.

Following the presentation, there will be time for a Q&A and open dialogue.

In-person attendance is limited to 300. First come, first served. A livestream option will be available for those who can’t attend in person.

After the meeting, a follow-up survey will be available on the city’s project page.

Meeting details

The Future of Law Enforcement in Peachtree Corners

Date/Time: May 8, 2025 at 7 p.m.

Location: Christ the King Lutheran Church (5775 Peachtree Parkway)

For more information, visit peachtreecornersga.gov.

Community

Registration Now Open for Light Up the Corners 2025

Published

1 week ago

April 9, 2025

Peachtree Corners Magazine staff

The starting line of a community race with green, inflatable start archway and dozens of racers and specators.

It’s time to sign up for the best (and only) Glow Run and Twilight Trot in Peachtree Corners!

Registration is now open to participate in this year’s Light Up the Corners race, scheduled for Saturday, August 16 at The Forum. The 1k Twilight Trot will start at 8 p.m., and the four-mile Glow Run begins at 8:30 p.m. Once the runners have done their thing, a fun post-race party will follow.

This annual event is not only an exciting community tradition, but also a fundraiser for the Why It Matters campaign at the Fowler Family YMCA.

All proceeds from registration goes directly to helping struggling families and children in the community benefit from the life-changing programs and services offered at the YMCA.

Individual registration is $40 through July 31; $45 if you register between August 1–14; and $50 if you wait to sign up on August 15 or 16. Those registering as a team of four or more will save $5–$10 per registration.

Sponsorships available

In addition to individual and team registrations, organizers also rely on the generosity and support of local businesses to make each year’s fundraising event successful. And this year is no different. If you’d like to support their efforts through a sponsorship, information can be found on the Light Up the Corners 2025 website.

T-shirt logo contest

Another way to take part is to enter the t-shirt logo design contest. Artwork and entry forms are due by May 16, and judges will be looking for one dynamic image to represent the Light Up the Corners Glow Run on the race banner, t-shirts and all multi-media.

The winning artist will receive a $1000 check, presented during the event. An entry form and additional details can be found here.

City of Peachtree Corners

Our Growing Deer Population: What to Do?

Published

2 weeks ago

April 2, 2025

Mayor Mike Mason

I want to take a moment to address an issue that has been increasingly affecting our community — the growing deer population.

Over the past few years, we have observed a significant increase in the number of deer within Peachtree Corners, leading to heightened concerns about public safety, property damage and ecological impacts. I want to share what we are doing to address these challenges and how you can be part of the solution.

The surge in the deer population poses several threats to our community:

1. Landscape damage: Deer feeding on ornamental plants, shrubs and trees results in significant property damage and costly repairs for homeowners.

2. Increased risk of deer-vehicle collisions: Frequent road crossings, often under low-visibility conditions, pose serious safety risks to drivers and passengers.

3. Adverse ecological impacts: Excessive browsing by deer diminishes plant diversity, impacting the availability of food for other wildlife.

4. Public health concerns: High deer densities contribute to an increase in ticks, elevating the risk of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.

To address these challenges, the City of Peachtree Corners is collaborating with wildlife officials from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GADNR) Urban Wildlife Program and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services.

These partnerships are vital, as GADNR holds primary authority over wildlife management, and USDA brings extensive experience in urban wildlife management. By working together, we aim to develop a comprehensive approach tailored to our community’s unique needs.

Based on recommendations from our partners, the City is actively developing a comprehensive deer management plan. The plan aims to mitigate the public safety, property damage, ecological and public health impacts caused by the growing deer population.

Here’s what we are doing:

1. Population surveys: Utilizing advanced tools like trail cameras and thermal imaging to accurately assess deer numbers.

2. Habitat assessments: Evaluating the impact of the deer population on local vegetation and biodiversity.

3. Community involvement: Updating the “PTC Report It” app to allow residents to report deer-related concerns and submit photographs.

4. Data analysis: Collaborating with federal and state partners to analyze data and determine a sustainable deer population for our community.

Once the assessment phase is complete, the city will adopt a deer management plan. Since many deer reside on private property, the plan will offer property owners city-supported options for managing deer. This includes educational programs, habitat modification techniques and access to targeted population reduction initiatives.

Our goal is to facilitate relationships between wildlife officials and residents to ensure a balanced approach that protects public safety, preserves property and maintains ecological integrity.

Here are a few ways you can help:

• Complete the Deer Impact Survey: Available online. Your input will help us gather valuable data on deer population densities and their impact.

• Report concerns: Use the “PTC Report It” app or go online to report deer-related issues and share photos.

• Stay informed: Follow our updates and participate in any upcoming GADNR workshops to stay informed about deer management efforts.

I truly appreciate your support and cooperation as we work together to address these challenges and protect the quality of life in Peachtree Corners. Thank you for being engaged and committed to our community.