TODAY'S ISSUE: Power Transmission Becoming An Issue in Georgia
ELLIOTT BRACK: Dacula Mayor Considering Run for Commission
FEEDBACK: Suggests Bridge Building in Charleston Is Worth A Visit
FROM WASHINGTON: Congressman Introduces Effort to Curb Tobacco
CALENDAR: Perimeter College Plans Lawrenceville Open House Soon
TODAY'S QUOTE: What Erma Bombeck Wants To Say When Arriving

"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say: I used everything you gave me."

-- The late Erma Bombeck, via Marsha Bomar, Duluth.

"You might want to advise your subscribers that there is an even greater engineering marvel under way in Charleston, a new modern bridge across the Cooper River that goes OVER the two current bridges. They will eventually be taken down. The diamond towers are nearing completion and should be finished by the end of November or in early December."

-- Doug Donehue, Charleston

TODAY'S ISSUE
Group maintains Georgia asleep at switch for 70 years
By Mike Carter
Chairman
Homeowners Opposing Power-Line Encroachment, Inc. (HOPE)
Special to GwinnettForum.com

CLEVELAND, GA., Oct. 7, 2003---Asleep? You bet we've been, but Georgia is waking up. For the last 70 years Georgia citizens and legislators did little or nothing to counter the vast overwhelming influence its "One of a kind" power industry and their well-greased lobbyists. Georgia is the only state that allows the power industry to be owned, operated and self regulated by its four members. We should all be disappointed that Georgia is one of 12 states that failed to pass ethics legislation to prohibit gifts to legislators, despite being the number one issue on our Governor's legislative agenda.

The result of our complacency has led to case after case of abuse by power companies carelessly using the awesome powers of eminent domain as granted to them by the General Assembly in 1897. This outdated and inadequate law, devoid of oversight, was briefly amended in 1910 and again in 1933. Seventy years of time and technology have passed while Georgians have failed to demand legislation reflecting the citizen's will to restore constitutional due process, while maintaining reliable energy.

Under the current unjust laws, a for-profit power company can take your land against your will with no elected official providing oversight. Georgia is one of six states without any form of oversight over need or siting. Despite that fact, lights still burn bright in 44 other states. The power industry would like you to believe, if January's General Assembly passes new legislation to implement responsible oversight, the lights will go out. I find this interesting, because of the fact that experts have yet to determine the exact cause of the blackout in the northeast. Industry executives in Georgia have already begun to use that unfortunate event to scare citizens, legislators and local governments in an attempt to prevent much needed reform.

The demand for reform has come from all across this state and grows daily in numbers. The abuse has been identified and is being addressed by citizens who have gathered together and formed the statewide organization, (HOPE) Homeowners Opposing Power-Line Encroachment, Inc. HOPE does not try to stop needed transmission lines; we support responsible growth and simply ask that there be due process and oversight of power companies that condemn land for the use of transmission lines. This process does not encumber the ability to construct transmission lines. The enhancements reduce contentious scenarios, diminished land values and litigation.

Gwinnett citizens have seen the lack of oversight, poor planning and outdated technology as displayed by the number of dangerous, unsightly transmission corridors crisscrossing the landscape. Gwinnett's own Senator Renee Unterman is chair of a Senate Study Committee to gather information, take testimony and advise the legislature.

HOPE made a presentation September 29, 2003 before the Senate committee. There will be three more hearings held by Senator Unterman, the next being October 30, 2003. Citizens who have experienced abuse by the power industry must come speak. Georgia State Senators want to hear from you!

For more information, visit www.hopeofgeorgia.com. You may reach me at mike@hopeofgeorgia.com.

ELLIOTT BRACK
Dacula mayor considering race for county commission
By Elliott Brack
editor and publisher
GwinnettForum.com

OCT. 7, 2003 -- In 13 months, Gwinnettians will be heading for the polls to pick our leaders. Among them will be three persons on the county commission for Gwinnett County.

Several people are moving toward entering the races. One mulling a race is Jim Wilbanks, current Dacula mayor, who might run for the county commission seat currently held by John Dunn.

Wilbanks admits: "I'm trying to get talked into running. But I am struggling with it. I just wonder if we are looking at government the way we should."

Wilbanks, who was mayor of Dacula twice back during the 1970s, was returned to the Council in 2002 once he retired from working for the state, where he was with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency. The Council appointed him mayor when Reed Miller resigned to become the full time city marshal.

He feels that the eastern side of Gwinnett, the less developed area historically, has been "Forgotten for a long time, particularly for sewer infrastructure. There is hardly any sewer there not provided by direct developer funds. There is a need for a lift station and arterial lines, to make it easier to get sewer to the area without costing everyone so much." The Dacula area has the highest per capita number of septic systems within Gwinnett.

The City of Dacula is not on sewer, except for one portion of about a mile, and perhaps a dozen customers.

Wilbanks sees as a second problem in the area the traffic. "The biggest problem is the feeder roads, since practically all these roads lead to Dacula, for school, for parks, for shopping, and church attendance. Even in bucolic Dacula, traffic is a problem."

Another problem Wilbanks sees is the cost of such a race. "It won't cost me a lot, for I am not going to put my own money into it. Some say it will cost $100,000 to run, and that's probably a pretty good figure. It costs too much to run for what you are paid, and that looks bad. Perception is everything. But I would take anyone's money who wants to give it to me, though I won't guarantee to do anything different from those who do not give."

He adds: "You question is you want to subject yourself to the pressures in a government which is as active as Gwinnett is, because of all the growth, the zonings, schools, transportation problems. All these infrastructure problems are not going away. How do you plan in all that perspective and do a good job? I am not sure we are going about it the right way."

Wilbanks is a native of Dacula, who graduated from the University of Georgia, then taught physics and chemistry before joining the Center for Continuing Education at the University for 12 years. Later he switched to Civil Defense, and worked there for 22 years before retiring.

A bachelor, Wilbanks focuses much of his life around Hebron Baptist Church, where he has been a member since 1952. For years he led the choir and worked in the music ministry.

These days, Wilbanks looks to a possible political race. "Why I am considering this, I don't know. I really need to have someone talk me into it."

MORE: Contact Gwinnett Forum at: elliott@gwinnettforum.com

© 2003, Gwinnett Forum.com. Gwinnett Forum is an online community commentary for exploring pragmatic and sensible social, political and economic approaches to improve life in Gwinnett County, Ga. USA.