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

TODAY'S ISSUE
Georgia Ports Authority attains new national rankings
By Doug Marchand
Executive Director
Georgia Ports Authority
Special to GwinnettForum.com

APRIL 18, 2003 -- At the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA), our long-term goal has been to become the largest container port in the South Atlantic. New statistics recently released by P.I.E.R.S. (Port Import Export Reporting System) Trade Information Services confirms that we are well on our way to achieving that goal.

P.I.E.R.S., the internationally accepted comparative port ranking system, reported that for the months of January 2003 and December 2002 the Port of Savannah handled more TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) than any other port in the South Atlantic. Additionally, the GPA was ranked fourth largest container port in the nation, following after only the ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach and New York.

Just in the month of January 2003, the Port of Savannah handled 99,173 TEUs, as compared to 68,884 during the month of January 2002. This increase represents a 44 percent jump in total TEUs. For the month of December 2002, P.I.E.R.S. reported that Savannah handled 114,159 TEUs, as compared to 69,038 TEUs handled during December 2001, representing a 65 percent increase in total TEUs.

Several factors have contributed to our new national ranking. During FY02, we welcomed five new ocean carrier services to an already extensive list of liner services. The additional services give our shippers more choices, better frequency and assurance of competitive rates.

Another factor is our growing reputation as a regional cargo hub. Our ability to move intermodal freight has greatly improved with our Mason Intermodal Container Transfer Facility (ICTF). This helps the Port of Savannah serve as a major distribution point to and from a 26-state region in the eastern United States.

As a matter of fact, for the first eight months of FY03, the GPA has moved 40,330 units through our ICTF, a 67 percent increase over the previous year. As a result, today the Port of Savannah services 12 major distribution centers, moving more than 300,000 containers annually through more than nine million square feet of warehousing.

At the Georgia Ports Authority, we embody our mission statement, and our phenomenal growth confirms that we do indeed "foster international trade and new industry for state and local communities."

(Editor's note: the Mason Intermodal Container Transfer Facility which the author refers to is named for the late Jimmy Mason, longtime Gwinnett politico and land developer. -eeb)

ELLIOTT BRACK
First time for jury duty in nearly 20 years
By Elliott Brack
editor and publisher
GwinnettForum.com

APRIL 18, 2003 -- Jury duty is an obligation. And yes, it is something of a chore, can be somewhat inconvenient, and might even cost you some money if you don't work for an understanding boss.

It was about 18 years ago when I served last on a jury. It was a murder case, and we were sequestered (to my surprise) for four days on that jury.

Back then, jury service was a far cry from the way the county goes about it now. My last jury duty found us gathered in what was once a theater and a church on Perry Street in Lawrenceville. This was before the present Justice and Administration Building was built.

Back then, there were perhaps 100 of us called for jury duty that day. Each name was orally called out, to see if they were present. Today often more than 500 will be on call for jury duty any single day! When jurors arrive, their summons is scanned, marking their attendance.

Talking with jury officials this week, we learned that in 1988, there were only 3,200 names in the jury box to be called for service. Those in the box were to find themselves on the jury every few years.

Today, after adjusting to a new way to select potential jurors of peers, there are some 78,000 names in the jury pool. This means, of course, with random selection of jurors, service for those in the pool becomes less frequent. Normal jury service is for one week, though if you are on a case not settled on a Friday, you could serve into the next week.

Depending on how many trial judges are available, from 250 to 500 jurors are normally issued subpoenas to come to court each week as a juror. Dorothy Ash, who is the jury manager, said that the week I was serving, 675 jurors had been summoned. Normally, about half that many actually appear. Many of the summonses are undeliverable, as people often move.

With the large potential jury pool, you must have a large gathering space for them. The jury room just behind the security checkpoint on the second floor of the Courthouse has 350 chairs, generally comfortable. Many times the room is near capacity.

Gwinnettians serving get $30 per day. By the time you call jurors throughout the year, it adds up to a jury operations budget of $1.1 million for Gwinnett.

The day I was called, I checked in before 8:30, and brought along a book to read. We could not bring newspapers.

After a short time, we saw a video explaining the process. Soon afterward we were herded into jury panels. They had jurors for only three panels that day.

Meanwhile, others who had already been empaneled earlier in the week, were coming into the room. Later as their courtrooms were readied, they marched out as a group for their service.

About 10:30, we were told that the case we were on would not need a jury, and were dismissed. This was a Wednesday, so we were to call back on Thursday and Friday to see if we were to serve later in the week.

That morning I finished over 75 pages into a new book before departing. Jury service: a duty and an obligation!

FEEDBACK
4/18: Questions "hollow threat" in article about Iraq

Editor, the Forum:

In regards to your article on Iraq...How can you state "what appears to be a hollow threat"? How do you KNOW that at this time? Our soldiers are just now in a position to study, search, find anything -- the severity of Saddam's madness is still to be determined.

The "number of needless deaths in Iraq was staggering" BEFORE we got there. No one here cared enough to look... at the daily torture and murder by Saddam, his sons and his murderous soldiers. How many 100,000's of 1000's did HE kill over 12 years?

You might find it surprising but many of us don't care if other nations question us, have disputes with us, or even like us. That will always be between nations, especially. for nations wealthy and free such as ours. What we have is respect, gained from everyone watching our professional soldiers take over a dictatorship of a WHOLE country in just three weeks. They are someone to look up to. And that's what matters.

Because we cared enough to go there and risk our own lives, we are peacemakers. That will be the ultimate result in Iraq- happy, free and a peaceful nation. What a glory for us that we were the ones to provide that new start for each family there!

The United Nations weakened ITSELF by not supporting the agreed upon Referendum 1441, 12 years ago and acting on it. (A bunch of pansies, not even real men in my book.) Those who lose their resolve just because time passes are useless. You make a commitment, you should stand to the letter of it, no matter how much time goes by. Why don't more people have that ability?

I'm proud of the fact we went all that way, put our lives on the line and now will see over the next weeks to come, smiling Iraq families. I for one, will have tears in my eyes as I watch them reestablish themselves and begin to get food, water, and see them ALL reap the benefits of their resources in Iraq- for EVERYONE, not just Saddam and his evil men.

-- Jennifer F. Robinson, Norcross

4/18: Monroe store has signs galore

Editor, the Forum:

Sign spotted in the window at The Store (that's the name of the place) in Monroe, Ga.: "Shirt and Shoes Not Required But You Must Have On Clean Underwear."

Another sign (this place has all kinds of signs) in the other window: "We'll Match or Double Any Advertised Price."

-- Marshall Miller, Lilburn