Gwinnett Forum.com -- Gwinnett County's community forum and idea exchange

TODAY'S ISSUE
Georgia should license general contractors
to safeguard and improve quality of building
By Robert C. Foreman
Foreman Seeley Fountain, Architects
Norcross
Special to GwinnettForum.com

DEC. 10, 2002 - - When an individual, business, church or school system embarks on a building project, they feel secure in the knowledge that their architect, engineers, interior designer, surveyor and other related professionals are licensed by the state, have the necessary educational background and have passed exams confirming their competence to practice their profession.

Even the air conditioning, plumbing and electrical trades are licensed in Georgia. However, owners may get a false sense of security, not realizing that those who manage the overall construction process, the general contractors, are not licensed. Georgia is one of only 20 states nationwide and the only state in the southeast that does not license general contractors.

Anyone with a few tools and a pick-up truck can obtain a business license and add the title "contractor" after their name.

I have seen what can happen when inexperienced, unqualified or dishonest contractors are unable to properly manage or complete a job they had no business taking on in the first place. Of course, most contractors are honest and competent. Some are highly trained with degrees in building construction, engineering or architecture.

It may seem unnecessary to license experienced, educated builders who have good track records in construction. However, we need licensing to help protect the public from inexperienced or dishonest builders who promote themselves as being qualified to build. Licensing should benefit good contractors, in that they will be less likely to have to compete for work with those who are incompetent and it will raise the level of professionalism in the building industry.

Georgia contractors who work in other states must obtain a license and in some cases pass exams in each state where they build. Yet in Georgia these firms that have out-of-state licenses often compete for local work against Georgia firms who are licensed in no state. Georgia's lack of standards for builders has created a climate which has attracted less experienced, less educated, and less competent builders who could not make it in nearby states where licensing is required.

Georgia needs to follow the example of other states and enact a tough contractor licensing law requiring every builder to pass a license exam, maintain continuing education standards and adhere to a strict code of ethics. Licensing should elevate contractors to professional status and make them personally and professionally responsible for their conduct.

Licensing will give the state the tools to identify and remove builders who lack the expertise to do quality work. It will help assure that construction will be conducted in a more professional manner, in a safer environment for workers and improve construction quality. While licensing will not totally solve every problem, it will go a long way toward improving the safety and general welfare of homeowners, building owners, tenants and the public.

If you agree with the need to license contractors in Georgia, please write a letter or send an e-mail to your Georgia Representative or Senator indicating your support. The addresses of representatives can be found at www2.state.ga.us/legis/ or by calling 1-800-282-5800.

ELLIOTT BRACK
Visiting the National Gallery of Art
and just enjoying the illusions there
By Elliott Brack
editor and publisher
GwinnettForum.com

DEC. 10, 2002 - - With a snow storm halting much official business when I was in Washington, D.C. last week, it was a good time to visit the National Gallery of Art on the mall in front of the Capitol.

The day was bitterly cold, about 20 degrees and sunny, but with the wind blowing. Using the Washington Metro, I still had to walk about six blocks in the harsh weather. It was comforting to get inside the Gallery.

My quest was to view the art. During the nearly five hours I was in the museum, I saw many "old friends," you might say. These were originals of paintings that I had read about in art books, or had seen in reproductions.

Seeing them up close was most helpful, in that you could pick up detail that copies of the art missed. One item, "Breezing Up" by Winslow Homer, was particularly vivid in its color. And maybe it was just a suggestion, but you got more of a sense of the wind kicking up in that small sailboat.

Toulouse-Lactrec's work has always fascinated me. What you don't always realize is that he was often using whatever material was available for his canvas. A beautiful creation of a guy in a light brown suit makes more sense now, since the work was done on cardboard, therefore, the color of the suit!

Perhaps the most interesting of all the art we saw at the Gallery was in the East Building, which houses the more modern works. (By the way, the Calder mobile of a spider's web was fascinating, though a small work compared to a giant Calder mobile in the lobby.)

Yet the work that got my attention said it was an illusion within an illusion. It seemed innocent enough, a pastoral scene of a window, looking out into a field, done by Rene Magritte.

The aspect that first got my attention was more explanation adjacent to the painting than most. This pulled me into reading about it, and as I read and looked at the picture, at first nothing seemed unusual.

Then my eye caught what seemed to be a line across one part of the picture, and suddenly, I realized that the scene was two-fold, first of an easel holding a painting that corresponded exactly to the scene behind the window. I remember thinking: "Oh, I get it now."

Then something troubled me, since it was supposed to be not merely one illusion, but two. Where was the other?

By this time, I realized that the security guard usually standing around quietly throughout the building, seemed to be carrying on a continual conversation with viewers like me. And he was grinning, as were the few viewers around.

So I started looking at the painting closer. Soon it was just two of us, me and another person, a young woman, to my left looking at the painting. I glanced at the lady, and then glanced back, for she was really staring at the painting. Looking closer at her, I even circled around to my left and stood a little in front of her, not wanting to be discourteous or in her view, of course.

Then it hit me. This was no person. This was a blonde mannequin dressed in blue jeans and t-shirt, with a backpack and tennis shoes. She was another part of the illusion herself! She was staring intently at that painting, having caught me up in it. The backpacker was done by Dwuane Hanson, "Portrait of Kim."

Now I realized why the guard was snickering, and conversing so happily with the visitors. I, along with most viewers, was suckered.

By now I was enjoying watching others also take their time "getting it." Some seemed never to get it, and when so, kindly the guard allowed them to "get into the picture," you might say.

It was a great outing to the National Gallery, completely welcoming me into the world of art...and illusion.

FEEDBACK:
12/10: Machine's own coins were rejected!

Editor, the Forum:

Your 'Guv-mint' at work!!!!

A few days ago I purchased stamps from a bill/coin operated machine in a Post Office lobby. The machine gave me change in dollar coins. Needing more stamps, I inserted the dollar coins into the machine. They were not accepted.

-- Elmore Stuart, Norcross

12/10: Another way out for unwanted calls

Editor, the Forum:

One other way to cut down on those pesky unsolicited phone calls is to dial *77. It works with Caller ID to prevent delivery from callers who block their name and number. Most unwanted phone calls usually say "unknown name" and/or "unknown number".

People that tie up your phone like that not only disrupt your day, they disrupt your thoughts, your concentration and your fax and phone lines when you are working at home

-- Barbara Grastat, Lawrenceville

12/10: Commends readers to local "Nutcracker" performance

Editor, the Forum:

The Nutcracker, performed by the Gwinnett Ballet Theater, has been too much of a well kept secret to Gwinnett. I think it's time we let the cat out of the bag!!!

I have been to numerous performances of the Nutcracker and in various places, mostly the Fox. Then I attended my first with the Gwinnett Ballet two years ago and have made it an annual event since.

Consider making a festive night of it. Have fun by dressing up for the occasion, then enjoy an elegant meal prior to the performance. The real dessert of the evening though is knowing you don't have to travel far for the exceptional talent performed by artists of all ages.

Enjoy kicking off your holidays by attending the Gwinnett Ballet Theater's "The Nutcracker" held at the Gwinnett Civic Center now through December 22. For more information, call 770-978-0188. Talent lives here!

-- Trish Joyner, Monroe

HOLIDAY EVENTS
Philharmonic to present classy, brassy program

The Philharmonic Five will present a fun evening of Christmas selections on Tuesday, December 17, at 8 p.m. The Philharmonic Five is a Brass quintet from the Gwinnett Philharmonic, and the Gwinnett Philharmonic is pleased to present them in their own concert.

This Brass Quintet includes five extremely talented musicians: Kevin Lyons, trumpet; Yvonne Toll, trumpet; Julie Spencer, horn; Mark McConnell, trombone; and Donald Strand, tuba.

The concert will be presented at the Performing Arts Center of the Gwinnett Civic and Cultural Center in Duluth.

Tickets are available through Ticketmaster and from the Gwinnett Civic and Cultural Box Office at 770-623-4966 x3 ($10-$29.50)

The Gwinnett Philharmonic's Season Presenting Sponsors are Primerica Financial Services and Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. This concert is presented by the corporate and individual members of the Gwinnett Philharmonic Association. Potential members can join by contacting 770-418-1115.

Hudgens Center has two holiday events

Two very special events will be happening at the Hudgens Center for the Arts this Holiday Season!

"Holiday Camp for Kids" is a four-hour arts experience for ages 5-12 set for Saturday, December 14 from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Children will have four one-hour sessions as they create memorable projects perfect for holiday gift-giving! Classes will offer instruction in Mosaics, 3-D Art, Painting, Tapestry, and Sculpture. Children will be divided into age-appropriate groupings. Campers will need to bring a sack lunch.

The a student pottery sale will be held December 18, 19, 20 and 21. The event is kicked off December 18 from 5-8 p.m., and also held on December 19-20 from 10 am until 4 pm and on December 21 from 10 am until 3 pm. It will be held in the Hudgens Center's Promenade Gallery and Rotunda Room.

Hundreds of beautiful ceramic creations made by our own pottery students will be available for sale. These one-of-a-kind items are perfect gifts!