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TODAY'S
ISSUE
Did we elect "voice
mail" to represent us in Washington?
By Bernard van der Lande
Ashford International, Stone Mountain
Special to GwinnettForum.com
JULY 25, 2003 -- There we were in Washington, DC, all dressed up
wearing uncomfortable shoes and "green-as-grass" in the
business of lobbying. As a small businessman from Stone Mountain,
Ga., I quickly found out that lobbying in DC is not an easy job.
 You
find yourself in a completely different environment with new lingo
and completely different procedures to be followed. But after a
couple of days of "lobbying", you slowly get the hang
of it. You not only learn to effectively work yourself through the
numerous security checks, but you must also find a way to get into
an office and actually talk with someone.
The real frustration is the inability to see an elected official.
It is nearly impossible, unless you are a "big dog". Actually,
when you are in the reception area of a Congressman or Senator's
office, those "lucky" ones easily stick out. They appear
to be calm, cool, and collected even though the humidity outside
is unbearable and seem to be slowly taking in the powerful air of
what could become the answer to whatever subject they want to discuss.
Most of the time, the best you can hope for is to meet a staffer.
If you are lucky, you get a seasoned one who knows the ropes. But
most often you start with an energetic "notetaker". In
the meantime, other people have first to talk their way into the
office by explaining the reason for their visit to recent college
graduates. This so-called "getting in the door" discussion
is open for all those waiting in the reception area to hear. It
reminded me of selling copiers many years ago in Atlanta.
After an initial introduction by e-mail or a phone chat, you try
to get an appointment with a Congressman or Senator. Generally,
you are told to go to the local office, which is in our case in
Atlanta.
But once you are finally referred to a staff member, and you have
set up a line of communication, you then start the e-mail and voice
mail "dance". The staffer is usually in a meeting, on
the "floor", or out for the day. That leaves you two options;
either tell your story by e-mail or cramp your story into a 20-second
voice message. Either way it is tough since you are talking with
people you don't know, have no idea what their day-to-day work involves,
and who are basically overloaded with issues to deal with.
The corridors in the House, and to some extent the Senate, are filled
with visitors and would-be lobbyists trying to see their elected
representative. An almost circus-like atmosphere exists with soldiers,
educators, small business people, and lawyers, all trying to get
somebody's ear. On these busy days, the corridors resemble more
a happening than the center of legislative action in the United
States. One feels a sense of belonging come over you when you notice
other lobbyists doing the same thing.
Lobbying in Washington takes time, persistence, and a lot of patience.
Eventually the voice mails and e-mails become real people, the issues
become clear, and slowly you can see progress in what they are trying
to achieve.
ELLIOTT
BRACK
This
and that: Dooley, Adams, lawns and Gwinnett boards
By Elliott Brack
editor and publisher
GwinnettForum.com
JULY 25, 2003 -- A FEW ITEMS from all over.
FINALLY, finally, even Vince Dooley found reason to "call
off the dogs" in the won't-stop flap with Michael Adams.
Most people we've talked to figure that Dooley had a contract to
go one more year, They feel at his age and after all this service,
he should have gracefully gone into retirement, and not have precipitated
the problem.
However, those same people also feel that the way President Adams
handled the situation was about as smooth as dropping a monkey wrench
on your big toe.
Have you noticed in past days how there have been several newspaper
articles about this...not only in Georgia newspapers, but in Tennessee
newspapers, too? One appeared in the Knoxville newspaper, followed
by a Chattanooga article. In the last one, Marietta Publisher Otis
Brumby was defending Adams.
Strange that these publications took on the Adams story.
We stand by our earlier position that by spring Adams will no longer
be president. Soon neither will be on board for UGA.
* * * * *
PET PEEVE: Seen especially this time of year, those
lawn mowers who cut grass with their blower pointed to the road,
sending clippings into the road. They could just as easy go the
other way, and send the clippings inside.
* * * * *
TOP LAWN: Speaking of lawns, where are the best lawns in the USA?
Piedmont Park is Atlanta is one of them. Of course, they may not
have checked it after one of those downtown festivals!
Other top lawns says Briggs and Stratton, and they do have a hoss
in that race:
1. Great Lawn, Central Park, New York.
2. Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City.
3. Piedmont Park, Atlanta.
4. Minneapolis Sculpture Garden.
5. International Peace Garden, Dunseith, N.D.
6. Bicentennial Mall State Park, Nashville, Tenn.
7. Bascom Hill, Madison, Wis.
8. The Esplanade, Boston.
9. Washington Park, Portland, Ore.
10. Pebble Beach Golf Links, California.
* * * * *
LIST LINK: at the urging of one of our readers, we asked from the
county commission office for a list of all members of the 43 various
boards to which the five county commissioners appoint citizens.
To view, go to: List
of Gwinnett Boards
Thanks to the help of Brenda Maddox of that office, we got that
list, and wow! Is it long! In fact, it is far too long to publish
in what we try to make a succinct Forum. However, if you want to
see all the many people serving on the various boards of the county,
click here. Note that several serve on more than one board!
This is the type of list which is easily published in link form
on the web. Routinely, it would take up too much space for newspaper
publication, since that costs newsprint, whereas the Internet is
without paper cost...unless you print it out. In that case, I am
smiling, for you bought the paper.
McLEMORE'S
WORLD
Job protection
Another point of view from cartoonist Bill McLemore:
ABOUT
OUR SPONSORS
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to you at no cost to readers. Today's highlight sponsor is the
Gwinnett Council for the Arts, a non-profit organization which
runs the Jacqueline
Casey Hudgens Center for the Arts. It is supported through
the generosity of many private patrons, corporations and foundations.
Hours for the main galleries are Tuesday through Friday, 10
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and Saturday from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Closed Sundays and Mondays.
FEEDBACK
7/25: Now White
House e-mail system avoids hearing from some
Editor, the Forum:
In a recent attempt to send an e-mail to the White House, I
discovered that the system has recently been changed. It is
now necessary to choose one of the listed topics (none of which
seemed to have any relevance to my e-mail) and to state whether
or not I support or oppose the Bush policy (the site does not
state the policy). The site has multiple web pages and is almost
impossible to navigate.
I can only assume that if I say I am opposed to any Bush policy,
my e-mail will automatically be routed to the trash bin. Mr.
Bush has figured out how to avoid hearing from people who disagree
with him.
It is predictable that future press releases will report that
"no dissenting e-mails on any topic have been received
by the White House; the public supports all of the Administration's
policies." Next time I'll try phoning!
-- Angela Bradshaw,Los Angeles, Calif.
NEWS
ITEM
Animal lovers
can buy special auto license plates now
 Georgia
Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin today urged animal lovers
to buy the 2003 Dog and Cat Sterilization auto license plate
before the end of July to assist the department in the planning
process for the program funded by the tag sales proceeds.
New specialty license plates supporting a dog and cat sterilization
program went on sale recently in local tag offices.
Commissioner Irvin said: "All but one dollar of the specialty
tag fee of $25 will come back to support the program. This new
program will help address the dog and cat overpopulation problem
without increasing taxes"
Purchase of the "Animal Friend" specialty plates
is voluntary. The $25 fee is in addition to taxes and other
fees paid at the time of tag purchases and renewals.
In the November election, Georgia voters approved the sale
of the tag and the use of the proceeds by the Georgia Department
of Agriculture Commissioner to set up the dog and cat sterilization
program and provide educational support for the program.
"You don't have to wait until your renewal time comes.
You can go to your county tag office and buy the dog and cat
sterilization plate, then pay the taxes and other fees when
your renewal is due. Plenty of 2003 tags are available in the
county offices, but if your county is short when you get there,
they can issue you a temporary permit and send the tag later,"
Commissioner Irvin said.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
Some people just
don't get it
"Never explain--your friends do not need it and your enemies
will not believe you anyway."
-- Elbert Hubbard, author and editor, 1856-1915.
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is an online community commentary for exploring pragmatic and sensible
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