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TODAY'S ISSUE
Newly-nominated legislator gives
expectations of service in House
By John Heard
Nominee, Republican Party
Post 3, District 70
House of Representatives
Special to GwinnettForum.com

(Editor's note: we asked two people who have been nominated for the General Assembly to give their views on what they think they will experience come January. Both do not face opposition in the General Election, and are virtually elected. We heard from the Republican candidate first, so that person writes for today. -- eeb)

OCT. 11, 2002 -- In 1991, after having recently moved my architectural firm to Cumming, I had an opportunity to joint venture on a few projects with a large firm from Savannah that was headed by a newly elected state senator, Eric Johnson. He talked with excitement about the skills and abilities we possess as architects and the use of those skills in the political process. I heard these words and filed them away to resurface many years latter.

Around 2000, I noted that the senate district near me. Since I live in Lawrenceville, and work in Forsyth, this district was tailored to me, with two exceptions, an incumbent senator and the district ended a few hundred yards from my home. During that time I got to know a veteran house member, who is has the respect and admiration of everyone at the capitol, Representative Charles Bannister. His mentoring has helped greatly in guiding me thus far.

When Senator Billy Ray became a Judge, I had hoped the district line could be redrawn to include my home, but this was not to be the case. However, at this point my desire to run for state office had been awakened and I looked further for a seat to pursue, notably Post 3 of District 70 in the House.

People have asked what made me run for office. I have no hidden agenda, but only desire to return some of the good that I have received from this area for my life. The agendas I want to pursue are those that are brought to me by the people I represent.

Following in Bannister's foot steps, I plan to be the voice of the people; their needs and goals are mine. From the door to door calls I did during the campaign, some issues are already forming such as the vouchers for private schools, lowing traffic through telecommuting tax credits (which also helps our air quality) and providing safety and security in neighborhoods through anti- gang legislation.

I hope that I can assist this effort by bringing more funds to public education for magnet schools and charter schools. Also, I intend to protect the allocations for education in the budget and in any mid-term adjustments.

Taxes are always a popular campaign issue. The taxing of our senior citizens is not right. I want to promote the elimination of taxes for anyone over 65 who have an income of less than $50,000 per year.

Prior to the session beginning in January, I plan to meet and listen to those who have gone before me to the capitol. My guides will be leaders of our communities, activists on the current issues, and average citizens.

The education gained from training sessions and from citizen observations will then, hopefully, position and allow me an opportunity to be effective in achieving the goals for Gwinnett.

I own thanks to Rep. Charles Bannister for his guiding light and Sen. Eric Johnson kindled in me a desire to serve.
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ELLIOTT BRACK
Retirement still keeps Andy Miller busy
working for the Lord, praying with people
By Elliott Brack
editor and publisher
GwinnettForum.com

OCT. 11, 2002 -- He reminds me of the story about the guy who knew everyone. When a guy at St. Peters in Rome asked who was the guy on the balcony in the white robe (who was obviously the Pope), the reply was that he didn't know the guy in white, but that was Andy Miller standing next to him.

Andy's actually had an audience with the Pope. When you go around with Andy, he seems to know everyone. From reading a recent biography of him, we learn, indeed, that the present Roman Catholic Pope and Andy have met. Like others, Andy was instructed not touch his Eminence. But when they met, the Pope came over and embraced Andy Miller! "I've heard about your work in New York," he said.

Once Andy's son, Andy Jr., was traveling across three states, but not in his own Salvation Army uniform. Signing his restaurant bill on three occasions, he was astonished as three different people asked: "Do you know a Salvation Army officer by the same name?"

Having enjoyed a stint as the southern district commander, he and his wife, Joan, chose to retire in the metro area, and settled in Lawrenceville 10 years ago.

Andy and Joan, are retired Salvation Army officers. But not just another Army couple. You see, Andy was the national commissioner of the Salvation Army, the "first among equals" in their hierarchy in the United States, and Joan led the national women's division.

Andy grew up in a Salvation Army family, and soon became a Salvation Army officer. His career was interrupted by his service in the Navy during World War II. "I was seasick the whole time I was at sea," he remembers.

Even when in the war, Andy was continually witnessing for his Lord. He has made it his goal to pray with people daily, in any situation. His children remember him often praying with just-met subway riders when they were stationed in New York. Andy prays with people he meets on the street, and for sure when meeting with high-ranking business executives, he concludes the meeting with prayer. He's prayed with Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan.

Most are at first taken aback by this. But they often ask him to pray at mighty gatherings, at business meetings, and public events.

Andy does this in a disarmingly simple manner. His energetic self, full of humor and compassion, always with the other person in mind, quickly makes inroads. People trust him, and call on him to help them.

His work has been recognized in many ways, for instance, getting the highest award that Rotary International bestows on any person. He's addressed the United Nations. He easily meets captains of industry. But he isn't above pushing them.

Once, when asking a banker to lead a local campaign, the banker demurred. "I'll give you one of our lieutenants," the banker said. "No, we want you," Andy maintained. But the banker still tried to brush him off..

"Well, will you recommend and go with me to see one of your competitors to get him to do the job?" Andy asked.

"Why do you want me to do that?" the banker wanted to know.

"Well, we always ask," Andy said, "our lead banker to be our chairman."

The banker asked: "How much money do you have in our bank?"

The Salvation Army had just finished an earlier fund drive. "$31 million," Andy answered, knowing he was virtually blackmailing the banker.

"You're the original godfather," the defeated banker said. "You can introduce me as your new chairman."

Andy Miller still continues to work for the Lord in retirement, coaxing people to his church, calling on captains of industry to raise money, traveling across the country to help others, never meeting a stranger. And always, he takes the time to talk to people. Before the conversation ends, Andy usually is praying with and for them.

He's the epitome of someone working every day for his Lord, enjoying life, and making others feel good about themselves. We're lucky in Gwinnett to have Joan and Andy Miller living among us.

THE BOOK is "Andy Miller, A Legend and a Legacy," and can be obtained through the Lawrenceville office of The Salvation Army.
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SPECIAL EVENT :
Oct. 15 is date for kickoff of Unity Place

On Tuesday, October 15, at 5 p.m., a Coalition of Gwinnett Rotarians and the Grayson Athletic Association Special Population Program will celebrate the Kick-Off for Unity Place at Bay Creek Park.

Unity Place is a special ball field and playground that will be built at the new Bay Creek Park, in Grayson. Unity Place will allow special needs kids to participate in sporting events and play with other handicapped and non-handicapped children. This is the first Park of its kind in the U.S. -- where a ball field and playground are built in the same park.

Scott Slade will emcee the event, to be held at the corner of Rosebud Road and Georgia Highway 20 near the Kroger supermarket.
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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Using language in a different way

"Humor is also a way of saying something serious."

-- Poet T. S. Eliot.
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