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TODAY'S ISSUE
Raising questions about air quality in neighborhoods
By Annette Gelbrich
Norcross
Special to GwinnettForum.com

We could rant and rave (and too often do only that) about things such as the percentage of metro Atlanta's trees that have been decimated over the past 20 years, the number of highways that have been built and/or expanded, the seemingly uncontrolled growth of subdivisions, apartments, business "parks", etc.

What about the seemingly small things? Can we carpool or use public transportation? Unfortunately for most of us, work, shopping, etc. does not lend itself readily to such obvious solutions.

Just a thought, but could we, perhaps, get involved in our community, support our local and state governments and make sure they have the budget, the authority, and the necessary "bite" to enforce rules, regulations, etc? For example, I see many vehicles on the road in my area of Gwinnett County that should obviously not be on the road because of their really bad emissions. Other than making sure that a car has its emissions certificate at the time of registration, is there no way to get the "stinkers" off the road?

Another pet-peeve is the wide-open marketing of a historically public service - trash pickup. I know, it's not a very glitzy topic, but it has increased costs to consumers way above the general rate of inflation; tripled or quadrupled the number of heavy, extremely high-emissions vehicles that travel our neighborhood streets; and, increased the danger to our children on those neighborhood streets.

Now, since each of the garbage services don't stop at every house, they seem to race through the neighborhoods. After all, the employees are on a time-clock, so to speak, and every minute counts, right? And, instead of one company offering garbage-only pickup twice a week, as back in the late '80s, all the solid waste companies now seem only to offer once-a-week pickup.

From my phone inquiries, at least four companies all pick up in our neighborhood on the same day, Tuesday. However, from the trash containers out in the mornings, it looks as if one or two other companies pick up in the same neighborhood on Wednesdays. With regular garbage and recycling, this means that there are 10 or 12 heavy trucks running through the neighborhood every week, even with weekly only pickups.

Tell me, is this an improvement in the quality of life (not to mention air) in the suburbs? Another increased cost that we don't see on our trash pickup invoice is that for the repair of our streets. With the increase of heavy-truck traffic, the streets need patched or repaved more frequently.

So where does the strain on the county budget put us? Look for higher property taxes.

Not to knock private trash pickup businesses, but is it perhaps possible to go back to having these businesses bid to the county for the rights to specific areas of the county? It would not put the companies out of business; they would just have a more concentrated geographic customer base. This would result in cost-savings to them that they would not have to try to pass on to the customer. For those of us who live in the neighborhoods, it would reduce traffic, reduce emissions, increase safety, and improve the "ambiance"

Thanks for listening. Hope this provokes a few thoughts. I look forward to hearing some feedback on this in the GwinnettForum.

ELLIOTT BRACK
Ironic that Jackson and Maddox die the same week
By Elliott Brack
editor and publisher
GwinnettForum.com

JUNE 27, 2003 -- How ironic that two opposite political figures in Georgia, former Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson, and former Governor Lester Maddox, die the same week! Hours after Mayor Jackson's body arrived back from his place of death in Washington, Lester Maddox succumbed in a local hospice.

The two strong political figures were both very similar though their stances and views were so different.

Maynard Jackson gave black voters new hope. Lester Maddox appealed to a more conservative and less privileged person. Both were highly popular in their constituencies.

Jackson entered politics in a dead-certain-to-lose challenge to the legendary Sen. Herman Talmadge. He showed some surprising strength in rural Georgia. He came back to become vice mayor of Atlanta, then coasted to his first victory as mayor over a popular mayor seeking re-election, Sam Massell. Jackson scored mightily with his own black community, but also got votes from a then white-majority city of Atlanta.

In becoming the first black mayor of Atlanta, Jackson brought a new vision for Atlanta, wanting members of his race to have not just a fair stake in voting, but to share in the power of the city. Soon the City was populated with more high-level black entrepreneurs, who were given a stake in city contracts, something denied them previously. With blacks participating in financial affairs of the city, it opened up a new window of possibility for Atlanta, and greatly strengthened the numbers of affluent blacks within the city.

Jackson served with distinction for the limit of eight years, sat out eight years while Andy Young was mayor, then came back and won office as mayor again for a four year term. Afterward, he was a highly-successful bond attorney, representing clients all over the country.

Lester Maddox first gained fame as a restaurateur, who had outspoken views on government, and who he wanted to serve in his eatery. He engineered his fame with a series of Saturday advertisements in the AJC, two columns by 10 inches, which extolled his often racist and outlandish views, finding wide acceptance by a virtually all-white audience.

Entering politics, he ran unsuccessfully twice for mayor and then lieutenant governor, though gaining new fame. He tacked up many a "This Is Maddox Country" signs all over Georgia. He then ran for governor, and lost the popular vote. But because of a strong write-in vote in the general election for governor, no candidate won a majority of votes, though Republican Bo Callaway scored the most votes. Thrown to the Legislature to decide the outcome, the Democrats picked their nominee, Maddox as governor.

Maddox was popular with the people as governor, from such tactics as having a "Little People's Day", where anyone could have a moment with the governor and air his views. Many struggling Georgians came, and Maddox found ways to help most, black or white.

Barred from seeking a second term, Maddox successfully ran and won the lieutenant governor's post in the next election, but never held office again, though remaining popular. His views on race softened in his later years.

Of the two politicians, Jackson was of an aristocratic family, while Maddox was from the poor, white South. Both found popularity, Jackson the jewel of the black community, while Maddox was the champion of little people, and many underprivileged, black or white. They both stamped an impression of towering impact on Georgia during a time when Atlanta and the South were making a transition to a more accepting society of all people.

All of Georgia has learned and benefitted from these two men. Now may they rest in peace.

A new view from cartoonist Bill McLemore:

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FEEDBACK
6/27: Soil conditions determine color of hydrangeas

Editor, the Forum:

You recently had a question about Hydrangeas. Adding lime to the soil rises the pH of the soil. Some refer to this is less acid. Some refer to this as more alkaline. Adding sulfur (in many forms) lowers the pH--making it more acid.

Lime can leach from the foundation of house, sidewalk, driveway, etc.--anywhere there is concrete.

Acid soils tend to make blue flowers for hydrangeas while alkaline soils cause pink blooms. A pH under 6 (acid ) makes blue blooms, over 6, pink flowers. You will have to take several separate soil samples from around you plant to see where the pH changes enough to causes two colored blooms (on the same plant).

Old time gardeners used to bury old tin (not aluminum) cans around hydrangeas to alter bloom color but I can't remember which color this changes to. I know if the soil is acid to begin with the metal (from the cans ) reacts with the moisture in the soil and the plant is able to take up different elements. You may have a can or two (or some other metals) buried around the plant.

-- Jerry Queen, LaFayette, La.

NEWS
Gwinnett-Walton Music Society gives Loganville concert

The new Walton-Gwinnett Music Society led by James Scott Berry will present an Extravaganza Concert July 4 at 6 p.m. at the American Legion Hall in Loganville.

The setting will resemble an "indoor Chastain Park,"where patrons set their own table, bring picnic food and enjoy an entertaining show. Performing are
Singer John Berry of Athens; pianist Gary Menzies; 12 year old Justin Webb, who sings with the world famous Vienna Boys Choir; Gospel singer Paulette Washington; 14 year old singing sensation Natalie Reeder; and Rebecca Dabney, first place scholarship winner of this years Walton County Music Guild's student competition;

Kyle Kordares, 18, of Gwinnett County, will perform with the New London Choral Society singing "God Bless The U.S.A'". Rising singer Lauren Larson from Grayson High School, will perform as well with the New London Choral Society singing "Battle Hymn of the Republic."

Call 770-267-7375 to buy you tickets for $15 each. Tables of eight and six are also available.

The Gwinnett-Walton Music Society was in 1995 founded by, and has been led since by James Scott Berry. It seeks to provide a greater base of talent and support for the musical arts in both Gwinnett and Walton Counties.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
Comment after being in battle in World War II

"I feel like a fugitive from the law of averages."

-- Cartoonist William H. Mauldin, after being in warfare.

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