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TODAY'S
ISSUE
Center develops for
Haitian immigrants in Gwinnett
By Trish Joyner
Gwinnett Neighborhood Leadership Institute
Special to GwinnettForum.com
JUNE 18, 2003 - - As Gwinnett grows, so do the many diverse populations.
Data shows that the number of Haitian families residing in the metro
area is 15,000 and the numbers are on the rise.
 Haitian
residents and Haitian newcomers to Gwinnett will now have an opportunity
to tap into a helpful resource thanks to a newly forming non-profit
agency called the Haitian Community Center of Gwinnett (HCCG).
Co-Chair and founder of HCCG is Jean Dupervil of Lawrenceville,
who followed a vision a couple of years ago to create the Center
by providing an array of capacity building resources for the growing
needs of the Haitian population. "My passion to see it grow
is finally coming full circle," Dupervil says, "as more
and more folks are finding out about the Center. Membership continues
to grow on a weekly basis."
Among the services already provided by the Center are weekend childcare,
and classes in basic computer skills, English, resume composition
and job skills/search. The Center's mission is to remove barriers
and provide resources to encourage self-sufficiency and independence
for Haitian Americans and their families. Current Center members
volunteer their services and provide classes free of charge.
The Center's director, Rony Delgarde, is currently seeking donations
of working computers, printers and monitors, etc. Classes are in
progress now. "Folks are eager to learn," says Delgarde,
"And there is already a wait list because of the shortage of
computers."
Tax deductible donations can be made to the Gwinnett Neighborhood
Leadership Institute for HCCG by calling 678-377-4137, contacting
me at tjoyner@mindspring.com
or The Rev. Rusty Shuler at Liberty Church for HCCG - 770-554-2011.
Both nonprofits are assisting with the Center's efforts.
As a graduate of the Gwinnett Neighborhood Leadership Institute
(GNLI), Delgarde mentions that his community leadership training
catapulted the Center's recent efforts to develop a board of directors
and begin to apply for a non-profit status.
I know that I, as a current board member, see a population that
is not going to wait and grow to certain proportions and put a strain
on themselves and resources here. They are currently implementing
their own strategies to avoid that. You must have a lot of respect
for what they are trying to accomplish.
Other board members include Percy Scott, Gwinnett County Human
Relations director and co-chair of HCC; Chris Moder, director of
Economic Development with the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce ('03
GNLI grad); Robert Andoh, director of UGA Small Business Development
Center; Michelle Carew, director with Centerville Community Center
('03 GNLI grad); the Rev. Rusty Shuler with Liberty Church; Frederick
Hendrick, loan officer with Americap Mortgage; Prof. Pierre Dolcine
with Perimeter College; and Daniel Vildor and Pierre Guillaume,
each HCCG members.
"It's been a great working board and we are beginning to see
things get done" Dupervil says.
For more information about the Center, to join or find out how
you can get involved, contact Co-Chairman Jean Dupervil at 404-324-1199,
or at jeanldupervil@yahoo.com.
The Center is currently housed in a mobile home at #7 Russell Road,
Lawrenceville, Ga. 30043 and their doors are open to the public.
ELLIOTT
BRACK
USA
often obsessed with lowest common denominator
By Elliott Brack
editor and publisher
GwinnettForum.com
JUNE 17, 2003 -- In all its greatness, life in the United States
sometimes distresses me. Lately I have been concerned about the
way the people of this nation, as evidenced by the media, seem to
latch onto some item and not want to let it go. It's a virtual sickness,
concentrating all too much attention on what is often not worth
it.
It could be anything from something significant (the
September 11 tragedy), to something almost frivolous (the Georgia
flag), to celebrity bashing (Hillary Clinton, William Bennett),
or even the latest fads (rap music, for instance.)
Sometimes our country seems to get one of these topics and hold
on forever....even in the face of evidence that the subject, in
reality, just isn't worth it.
Why do we as a people act this way? Is there nothing better going
on to gain our attention?
Consider several thoughts:
1. The Herd Instinct: like cattle on a rampage, often our
people don't turn loose of a subject perhaps out of ignorance, out
of fear, out of not wanting to seem out of touch by not mentioning
it. It's certainly true of the media. "Another media has a
story? We want that story, too," so goes the media, off on
another hollow venture. It's truly a case of the lowest common denominator.
2. Nothing Better: a nation no longer classically trained
(how many students take Latin today, or even master English?).....may
not have heard of better subjects than those of gossip sheets. That
would explain the tabloids a bit, right? But how often does our
nation miss the obvious, by not having read the classics?
3. The Almighty Dollar: it is often far cheaper for the media
to chase ambulances, run blood-and-guts on TV news, and in general,
produce low-grade news than it is to spend time and money for "serious
journalism." With more people saying they get their news from
TV, and fewer reading newspapers of any kind (much less serious
newspapers), television seems more intent on making money than offering
quality service. (There is one proviso for TV: at least during "sweeps"
weeks, they seem to offer better programming. But a average of offering
four good weeks out of 52 pales as a batting average for good journalism.)
4. Country Size: Europe seems to have less of an attraction
for cheap news than this country. Perhaps all this is a factor of
the enormous size of the American geography, stretching 3,000 miles
from one ocean to the other. Europe, carved up into smaller country-states,
has previously at least stopped at borders for money exchange (no
longer with the Euro.) But their media also generally stop at the
borders. The result is less mass hysteria throughout Europe about
any one topic. In the USA, no matter whether in Seattle or Atlanta,
Portland, Oregon or Maine, this scope of geography is generally
focused on the same stories, creating the virtual mass hysteria
With all the above said, perhaps these are some of the reasons why
our country acts as it does. You can also probably come up with
other reasons.
The focus on the insignificant, the lowest common denominator,
our freedom to do what we want...all wrapped up within the free
enterprise system ....produce their own drawbacks, too.
Yet understand: where is there a better system in this world? Ralph
McGill may have said it best: "The fleas come with the dog."
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UPCOMING
Chamber to host
Small Business Awards on June 25
On June 25, the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce will present the
21st Annual Small Business Person of the Year Awards Luncheon
at 11:30 a.m. at the 1818 Club, at 6500 Sugarloaf Parkway in
Duluth.
 The
event will feature Phil Jacobs, president of Georgia Operations
for BellSouth as the keynote speaker for the event. Each year
the Gwinnett Chamber recognizes Gwinnett's entrepreneurs who
are on the leading edge of innovation and progress.
The Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce recognizes five outstanding
small businesses for their accomplishments and service to Gwinnett's
business community. One of the
five finalists will be designated as the Small Business Person
of the Year.
2003 Finalists for the prestigious award are:
* Randall Pierce of Pierce & Pierce Millwork;
* Mark Tibbetts of The Tibs Group;
* Marsha Anderson Bomar of Street Smarts;
* Jimmy Kennedy of Jim Anderson & Co.;
* Bruce and Dee Arnett of Carnett's Car Washes.
Cost is $35 for members and $45 for non-members.
* * * *
Past Small Business Person of the Year Award Winners:
1983-Grant Hayes / Hayes James & Assoc.
1984-Larry Bailey/ Bailey Cabinet Company.
1985-Betty Smulian/ Trimble-House Corp.
1986-Jim Hinshaw, Sr./ Precision Molding.
1987-Katherine Robinson-Cox/ The Tannery House.
1988-Ed Grove/ Grove Service Industries.
1989-Elvin Price/ Atlanta Attachment Company.
1990-Jimmy Brannan/ Lawrenceville Auto Parts.
1991-Ray Sosebee, Sr./ Sosebee Auto Supply.
1992-Wayne Sikes/ Sikes Schools, Inc.
1993-Payne & Allen Hughes/ Network Publications.
1994-Henry & Barbara Howard/ Suzanna's Kitchen.
1995-J.C. Henry/ Mr.Tubs, Inc.
1996 -Tim Mansour/ Fitness International, Inc.
1997 -James P. Dykes/ Dykes Paving & Construction.
1998- Wayne M. Powell/Mobile Communications.
1999- Donald Dawson/International Safety Instruments.
2000 -Buck Lindsay/Lindsay, Pope & Brayfield.
2001 - Mike Bugg/Architectural Concepts, Inc.
2002 - Sonny Deavours/ Brayson Homes.
Walton EMC to hold annual meeting on June 21
The entire family will enjoy the 67th annual members' meeting
of Walton Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) on Saturday,
June 21. The event takes place at the Walton County Agricultural
Education Center on Criswell Road south of Monroe, Ga.
Registration begins at 8 a.m. as does entertainment by the
Blue Ridge Ramblers, a local bluegrass group. Higher Ground,
this year's headline entertainment, performs Southern gospel
favorites at 9 a.m. The member
business session follows at 10. A highlight of the business
session is the election of two members to serve as directors.
The first 1,000 members to register will receive a deluxe tool
kit. All members who register will be eligible to win door prizes
including the grand prize-a retired Ford pickup. Everyone in
the family can learn about energy efficiency along with the
latest in security and home networking under the exhibitors'
tent.
Members can get a variety of simple health screenings at Health
Check. Walton EMC members who bring used eyeglasses or hearing
aids to the Oconee Lions will receive a gift from Walton EMC.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
What having a dog
can teach a boy
"A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn
around three times before lying down."
---- Author and Pundit Robert Benchley.
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