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So
far only one name crops up
running for Commission seat
By
Elliott Brack
editor and publisher
GwinnettForum.com
NOV. 2, 2001 - - What will be the make-up of the Gwinnett County
Commission after January 1? That question is up in the air now,
after naming of Commissioner Patti Muise as the new judge of Recorder's
Court. She is to take office January 1.
When that office becomes open, the commission will call for a special
election to fill the balance of the year of the unexpired term of
Ms. Muise. That election is expected to be held March 19, 2002.
The question becomes: who will offer for the seat? With there being
some differences of viewpoint on the Commission, the second question
comes: how will this influence the direction Gwinnett County will
take?
Chairman Wayne Hill, along with Ms. Muise and Commissioner Kevin
Kenerly, have worked together well for seven years, quite a long
tenure, and have generally been in agreement. The other two commissioners,
Marcia Neaton-Griggs and John Dunn, have served on the commission
for less than a year. While they have at times disagreed with the
majority on the commission, all five seem to be working together
more smoothly today.
Who will offer to replace Ms. Muise for the balance of her term?
The one name that comes up in several quarters is that of Norcross
Attorney Bert Nasuti. A resident of Peachtree Corners, he has served
since 1992 on the Planning and Development Commission, and chaired
it since 1995. He told us of his interest in the race.
Several others were considering the commission race. Ed Hubbard
and Paul Coyne considered running three years ago against Ms. Muise,
but withdrew. Both told us that they have no interest in seeking
the office at this time. The mayor pro-tem of Berkeley Lake, Tony
Arakawa, has thought about the race, but tells us he will not now
run.
The next two months are crucial, since the eventual new commissioner
could sway the course for Gwinnett County over the next few years.
You would think that forces not happy with the commission might
recruit a candidate that would match their interests.
For a majority of Gwinnett voters, however, it appears that they
are happy with the direction of county government. After all, they
re-elected Mr. Hill a record two times, something not done in the
modern era. Mr. Hill is now serving in his 11th year in office.
* * * * *
Did it strike you funny that the announcement of Ms. Muise's selection
came from Commissioner Marcia Neaton-Griggs? Maybe we can shed some
light on that.
A five-person panel of Gwinnett State Court Judges picked Ms. Muise
as the new judge. Court Administrator Art O'Neill put out a press
release about the selection at 4:50 p.m. that day. Among those getting
the press release was Ms. Griggs.
At a commission meeting that same night, Ms. Griggs used the meeting
as a point of personal privilege to congratulate Ms. Muise on her
judgeship. That was the first mention of the selection, and newspapers
picked up the announcement as coming from Ms. Griggs.
So instead of Ms. Griggs taking center stage on the announcement,
she was merely being courteous, is the way we hear it.
SPECIAL NOTICE:
Gwinnett libraries to close Thanksgiving and day after
The Gwinnett County Public Library will be closed on Thursday and
Friday, Nov. 22 and 23, 2001, in observance of the Thanksgiving
holiday. All branches will close at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 21.
Book drops will be open at all branches. For renewal information
customers may call 770-822-5351 or access the library homepage on
the Internet at www.gwinnettpl.org.
Branches will re-open on Saturday, Nov. 24, at 9 a.m.
FEEDBACK:
11/2: On quoting Bear
Bryant
Editor, the Forum:
Elliott, not to dispute a quote from the great and respected Bear
Bryant (Forum, Oct. 26), but, I have a question: If we are seen
and not heard, how does anyone know what we stand for and who we
are? Take care.
-- Barbara Grastat, Prudential Atlanta Realty
Barbara: You risk the wrath of all the Alabama
lovers. I rather agree with your first thought, not to dispute the
great and respected.---eeb
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
"The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold
two opposing
ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function."
-- F. Scott Fitzgerald
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