Community

A Changing of the Guard for Peachtree Corners Veterans’ Monument Association

Published

4 years ago

April 19, 2021

In front Veterans Memorial: Back row: Jennifer Bonacci, TIffany Grave de Peralta, Judy Putnam Middle row: Ray Crum, Brian Johnson, Alex Wright Front row: Bob Ballagh, Mike Mason and Jay Bergstresser. Photos by George Hunter.

They’d just finished working up a vigorous sweat at the Fowler YMCA in late 2015.

Retired Army Colonel Bob Ballagh was wearing an Army t-shirt. Tiffany Grave de Peralta, a former Navy commander, naturally wore a “T” emblazoned with her service branch.

TIffany Grave de Peralta standing by the statue representing her branch of service.

Noticing each other’s garb, they grabbed towels and got a conversation going which eventually touched on a project then in its infancy — a permanent monument to military veterans from Peachtree Corners. Ballagh, who was spearheading the effort, asked Grave de Peralta to jump on board.

“I said I would help out,” she recalled, “but I would not ask people for money.”

She instead busied herself with valuable administrative tasks, such as helping locate local military veterans and line up volunteers.

Building on success

Now, the collaboration that began with a spinning class has moved into a new phase: Grave de Peralta will succeed Ballagh as executive director of the Peachtree Corners Veterans’ Monument Association, a position that he’s held since the effort kicked off in the mid-teens.

Wright, who served in the U.S. Navy, stands by the statue representing his branch of service.

“I got a call from the mayor out of the blue and he told me that Bob wanted to resign and wanted me to take it over,” she related. “I gave it some thought and talked to Bob and thought ‘Why not?’ I believe in the project and am grateful for the opportunity.”

It’s part of a larger changing of the association’s center of gravity, from the fundraising, design and build phase — it was dedicated in the summer of 2019 — to maintenance of the welcoming and stately edifice in a prominent spot on the Town Green. A programming expansion may also be in the works.

As part of the leadership shift, retired US Army Colonel Ray Crum will take over the vice-presidency of the nonprofit from Doug Heckman, also an ex-Army colonel who’s done yeoman work since the organization’s inception. Jennifer Bonacci, a controller for IP Investments, replaces Frank Drewry as founding treasurer and chief financial officer. Topping off the cascade of changes is Jay Bergstresser, a Marine chaplain who saw combat in Iraq, joining the board.

“There was a little bit of burnout,” said Ballagh of his stepping back. “And frankly, my wife and I are considering a move to someplace else. I didn’t want to just say ‘we’re leaving, goodbye.’”

“I also figured that six years was enough time, and it was time to pass the torch on to someone else,” he added.

Heckman, who served as a sounding board for Ballagh and waded into fundraising as well, echoes that sentiment. “I think every organization needs a certain amount of turnover and I think this is our chance to let the next generation of volunteers take charge,” he said. And he gives Ballagh full credit for turning an anticipatory gleam in a few sets of eyes into solid, granite reality.

In fundraising (to the tune of a half-million dollars), arranging, fostering designing and overseeing the construction of the monument, said Heckman, “Over 90% of it was done by Bob and, in this era of people highlighting what they do, he is one of those rare selfless leaders who makes things happen.”

Plans for the future

Ballagh himself said he’ll stay on the group’s as past president while Grave de Peralta onboards and gets details of finance and other nitty-gritty information under her belt. That includes what Ballagh has described as some “modest” additional fundraising for maintenance through the sale of additional bricks and pavers. More than 1,000 have been engraved with veterans’ names and placed so far.

He’d also like to see the website freshened and functionality improved, particularly as regards a feature allowing those interested to look up the location of a commemorative brick and link to tribute videos developed by honorees’ families. More than 100 have been uploaded to date.

And there’s still additional room for engraving on the top of a ‘short wall’ that encloses the oval monument, he added.

Ballagh said other things can be done in scheduling and providing for ongoing programming and ceremonies for Memorial and Veterans Day. And he said the site may play host to other, related events on days other than those official observances.

The City allowed a commemoration of 9/11 last September and will include that annually to honor first responders.

Also, “There’s a Veterans park in Johns Creek and this year, they’ve convinced the Georgia Veterans Hall of Fame to have their awards ceremony there. That sounds pretty good to me,” he said.

Mayor Mike Mason lauds the group of board members and volunteers who shepherded the monument into a reality, in particular singling out Ballagh and Heckman. As he put it, “they did a great job of providing vision, in that they saw the role of veterans and a veterans’ monument in a new city very clearly.”

Officials also think field trips by schoolchildren giving them a better sense of US military history holds potential value. Grave de Peralta said that she’d like to generate publicity for local schools, so that students will know about the military historical resource virtually in their backyards.

Up Next

Who were the brave new settlers? – Book Excerpt

Don't Miss

Gwinnett Parks and Recreation hires lifeguards and offers free training to applicants

Mark Woolsey

City Government

The Future of Law Enforcement in Peachtree Corners: Community Meeting

Published

1 week 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

2 weeks 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

3 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.