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Get
out and about, and you learn
all sorts of interesting tidbits
By
Elliott Brack
editor and publisher
GwinnettForum.com
DEC. 11, 2001 - - Keep staying in your office, and you'll never
find out things you can learn when you get out and about. From being
out and about some last week, several tidbits popped up.
* * * * * *
Word is that former Gwinnett Commissioner Tommy Hughes is
going to run for the legislature, perhaps for one of the new Gwinnett
Senate seats. Where Gwinnett only had two residents senators under
the previous Legislature (Don Balfour and Billy Ray), Gwinnett will
now be dominant in four Senate districts, and also have representation
in three other districts shared with other counties.
With Senator Ray a candidate and some say odds-on favorite to be
appointed to a Superior Court judgeship, Hughes could run for Ray's
seat. He admits to thinking seriously about "running for some
legislative office."
Meanwhile, former state GOP big-wig David Shafer says he
will definitely be a candidate for the new 48th District, which
is Senator Ray's present seat. However, if Ray, who lives in Grayson,
seeks re-election, he would reside in the new 45th District, which
includes parts of Barrow and Walton Counties. The new 48th district
would not have within its borders an incumbent senator.
The Senate seats are just the tip of the iceberg. With Gwinnett
have some 16 House seats under the new drawing of lines, oodles
of political junkies are indicating that they are potential candidates.
Be on the lookout! And drive safely around them, as they make up
their mind on whether to run. More later.
* * * * *
This from Charles Summerour of Duluth:
"If you think you saw the superintendent of Gwinnett Schools
ringing the bell at Wal-Mart in Lawrenceville recently, you were
right. Alvin Wilbanks was doing his service as a member of the Rotary
Club of Lawrenceville in helping the Salvation Army help others.
What a guy!"
Rotary clubs throughout Gwinnett are volunteering for bellringing
for the Salvation Army at Christmas, as part of their service to
the community.
* * * *
Gwinnett gasoline purchasers can soon say, "Goodbye Texaco"
and "Hello Shell.
In a far-off transaction and maneuvering by the big oil companies,
they have divided up our country anew. Chevron, who is buying Texaco,
cut a deal and generally took the Western part of the nation when
it got Texaco. But it gave up part of the Eastern United States,
which was previously owned by Texaco, Shell and the Saudi Arabian
government.
In effect, Shell bought out Texaco's one-third interest in the
eastern US, and keep the Saudis as their partner in the east.
So, the upshot for local residents that the familiar red-and-white
Texaco signs will be coming down over the next two years. Up instead
will be the red-and-yellow emblems of Shell Oil.
Now what that will do to gas prices? Why, that's entirely another
matter. And in effect, this transaction may in itself not affect
oil prices. Or it could. You never know.
Makes you wonder, however, what will happen to the sponsorship
of the opera on National Public Radio. Texaco has been a mainstay
sponsoring the opera for years, as it also sponsored major sporting
events on radio and television.
Who knows? Will the Metropolitan Opera on NPR now find itself sponsored
by the Saudi government?
FEEDBACK
12/11: Gwinnett
needs to be more than collection of cities
without a central, breathing core
Editor, the Forum:
Thanks for the valuable and insightful information in Carol Hassell's
comments regarding what is at the heart of a community. In addition,
the contiguous piece about St. Mary's provided a tour of what beats
at the heart of a community.
Gwinnett County is still forming through its various growth stages.
With continued passion, commitment and thoughtful planning of civic
leaders and involved citizenry alike, one of the evolving stages
will hopefully include a central outdoor meeting and activities
location (perhaps near the planned amphitheater/areaa) somewhere
in the county that has the appeal and features to bring together
and attract all Gwinnettians.
What we would not want to happen is to have Gwinnett County become
nothing more than a collection of cities, towns and neighborhoods
and unincorporated areas without a central and life-breathing core.
In my years in government, I have seen counties like Contra Costa
in Northern California develop along the same lines as Gwinnett
with a visionary, Ken Hoffman, very much like Wayne Mason in many
respects.
However, the various government officials and citizenry lost sight
of the true importance of maintaining an identity with the developing
cities, neighborhoods and incorporated areas. To date, Contra Costa
County is spending a significant amount of money attempting to reestablish
a living connection with their people. Just a thought...
- - Tony Arakawa, Berkeley Lake
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Bumper sticker humor:
IT'S GOD'S RESPONSIBILITY TO FORGIVE BIN LADEN;
IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ARRANGE THE MEETING.
-- United States Marine Corps
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issue to Gwinnett Forum
for future publication.
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