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

TODAY'S ISSUE
Many trek to Honduras and find people willing to improve
By Charles Summerour
Special to GwinnettForum.com

DULUTH, April 20, 2004---While making preparations for a trip to Honduras involving a Rotary project there, my wife asked, " Why do so many people from here go to Honduras?"

My answer was only a guess as I replied, "Probably because they need a lot of help there." Upon returning, the real answer is the same, except now I can say it with great conviction.

Our week long trip to the poorest region of the second poorest country in Central America, confirmed what most of us already surmised: they do need any help we can provide as evidenced by the hundreds of volunteers we observed as we traveled. Many wore shirts advertising their mission to save the children, while others wore work clothes, and told of their numerous previous journeys to provide assistance and a faithful witness to the Honduran people.

Our week in the Agalta Valley region of Olancho, took us into the very poorest villages, where the task is to provide basic housing needs and sanitary assistance in a society content to just provide the means to sustain life. Improvements are slow despite the influence of groups from the states like our host, Honduras Outreach, Inc. (HOI), a Decatur based non-denominational group with a long history in the area.

The aptly phrased motto of HOI, "Helping Hondurans Help Themselves" well states the tact used by this group, which brings almost 1,000 sets of hands to help each year. Our efforts from the Rotary Club of Lawrenceville to provide 700 chimneys to remove harmful smoke from their houses, was as much an effort to involve the local villagers and leaders as it was to accomplish the task itself.

They certainly lack the vision to rise above their third world status, as well as lacking the economic means to do so. However, the impetus provided by a bus load of "gringos" in a village of a few hundred people seemed to provide a spark to encourage them to help themselves and their neighbors.

What a contrast we were able to experience as we made our way from the village to a meeting with the mayor of San Estaban, a city of 10,000 people, to discuss the virtues of Rotary. Even in a city almost a hundred miles from a paved road, it is apparent that some, like Luis Castellon in his role as mayor and principal of a high school of 560 students, have risen above the culture.

All of this takes place in a society in which most children don't go to school beyond sixth grade. Our guide for the week, Ishmael Pozo, a 24 year old native Honduran, who has an associate's degree from a community college in Florida, proves that with family influence and motivation, that it is possible to rise above the norm.

We saw more evidence of the same in our meetings with a dynamic young Honduran couple who are deeply involved in Rotary and its efforts to improve not only their country, but much of Central America. With their U.S. college degrees, Carmen and Julio Villalata are poised, capable and willing of being positive forces in improving the status of the Honduran people whom they obviously love. From this relationship we were surprised to learn that the Honduran lottery, which Julio administers, has revenues of $40 million, of which two-thirds is returned in winnings!

Reflecting on what we saw and experienced, I tried to think of what impressions we could have made on the people we met, particularly on the villagers. I am certainly glad that they saw Americans who came with willing hearts and hands and not guns and bombs.

And it is comforting to know that the image that some have of Americans is positive and uplifting, proving that maybe we can rise above our negative image as shown on CNN to much of the world.

Speaking of television, despite not knowing the details of March Madness, not having television in parts of the world is not all bad!

ELLIOTT BRACK
Fireworks begin on Monday as political qualification begins
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
GwinnettForum.com

APRIL 20, 2004 -- The primary and general election for 2004 should be a little more important than in other years for at least one reason: voters will be picking candidates for the state legislative from maps that the U.S. Federal Courts have drawn.

In effect, the upshot means to us that neither the Democratic or Republican Party has a perceived advantage in the maps, since the legislative districts were decided by the courts without regard to party.

Already we think we are seeing the effects of the court-ordered map: there is emphasis on trying to get current House Democrats to switch parties. To us this says that the Republicans, who once thought they would assume control of both houses after this year's political races, no longer feel confident in their assumption. So they work the party-switching effort, trying to rally support to take over both houses of the Legislature.

It is an uphill struggle. So far, the Democrats hold a 107-72 edge in the House, before two Democrats switched over the weekend. Though not impossible, for the Republicans to take over the house means that they will have to pick up 18 House seats. We'll see.

The election this year is especially important to Gwinnett in that it's generally regarded that South Georgia legislators will lose influence at the Capitol. That means that North Georgia could become more influential. Skilled politicians we send to the Capitol could assume more of a leadership role...which would be good for Gwinnett.

Of course, every four years, the four-year cycle when constitutional officers face the voters adds a layer of gusto to politicking. And this is the year. So facing the electorate will be the sheriff, clerk of court, probate judge, tax commissioner, and district attorney..

Always drawing interest is the office of the chairman of the county commission, as Wayne Hill seeks his fourth term as chairman. Two district commission posts, now held by Marsha Neaton and John Dunn, will be before the voters this year.

Three school board posts, now held by Billy Britt, Mary Kay Murphy and Louise Radloff, also come open this year. And there are several judgeships, including Superior Court judges Dawson Jackson, Fred Bishop, Michael Clark, Richard Weingarten and Melody Snell Conner, that go before the public this year.

In State Court, the seat of Howard Cook, who will not seek re-election, will be open, as will that of current judges Carla Brown and Robert Mock. The chief magistrative judge, Warren Davis, also faces the electorate.

Qualifying for these many posts opens at 9 am on Monday, April 26, and closes at noon on Friday, April 28. All the above, except the legislative posts, take place in Lawrenceville, while legislative candidates qualify at the Capitol.

Through April 10, there were 311,294 people registered to vote in Gwinnett, Elections Director Lynn Ledford tells us. That figure could top 320,000 this year. Last day to register , loto vote before the July 20 primary is June 21.

In our election two years ago, 32.28 per cent voted. Using that figure, that means close to 100,000 may vote this July. In the 2002 primary, 78,125 persons voted at the polls.
Then there is the general election on November 2, which usually has a high turnout in presidential years.

The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. Relationship banking at its best: that's what awaits you at First National Bank of Gwinnett, who we welcome today as a proud sponsor. At First National Bank of Gwinnett, located at 2734 Meadow Church Road in Duluth, you will find tailored accounts, financial services and loans backed by impeccable service and a prompt response...giving you a relationship upon which to rely for a lifetime. From its Pinnacle Money Market Account and Free Checking to full-service mortgage options, First National Bank of Gwinnett helps make a difference. First National Bank of Gwinnett is a Member of the FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender.

In a recent speech broadcast on C-SPAN, former National Republican Committee head Haley Barbour (now governor of Mississippi) tells of an experience he had in Mississippi as a very young director of Census for the state. He says he visited a Northern Mississippi large farm owner that had had questions concerning a question on the census form.

The farmer stated that Question Number 8 on the survey asked "How many employees he had, broken down by sex?' The farmer told Mr. Barbour that he thinks his answer should none, although he states that he is certain that several had been ruined by drinking alcohol!

I take great issue with the fact that now, if we're to do business effectively, we should learn Spanish ("Chamber, Latin Association team to offer Spanish courses"). The Spanish speakers should learn English since this IS an English-speaking country. It is they, not us, who should assimilate to the culture and language of the country they've come to. We do NOT need to become a two-language country. What a mess that would be.

English classes are provided to anyone who wants them -- FREE of charge -- through the Adult Education Dept. of Gwinnett Tech. They're held in the English Language Institute across the street from the main campus of Gwinnett Tech on Sugarloaf Parkway.

Additionally, if anyone wants to learn Spanish, they can do so much cheaper than the five-week course for $335 offered by the Chamber and the Latin Association. The Gwinnett Community School classes in our county high schools offer several levels of Spanish instruction and those classes are always less than $100, usually for eight weeks, and are offered in the evenings.

Anyone with Spanish-speaking employees or neighbors should encourage them to register for the ESL classes at Gwinnett Tech. This is regarded as one of the best ESL programs in the state. Students are tested after they register and are put into one of 12 class levels based on their test. There are four quarters a year, each one being 10 weeks. Gwinnett Tech's phone number is 770-962-7580.

The giant robot at the Children's Arts Museum of the Hudgens Arts Center in Duluth brings a most valuable marketing tool.

The Museum is holding a Robot Ball on Friday, April 23. At that time, a contest held to name the robot will announce the robot's name. For tickets to the Robot Ball, call 770 -623-6002, extension 110.

As for marketing, the robot is 41-foot tall and "good-looking." His visibility makes him a symbol, a beacon, and a marquee for the Museum. He becomes a visual icon conducive to other marketing uses.

"Our entire marketing strategy has changed because of the robot," says Nancy Gullickson. "We have already revamped all of our advertising, fliers, mailers, and other give-aways to include his image. We now encourage visitors to walk between the robot's legs, entering the building from a totally different area. This affects the way they experience the building, and it give us new opportunities to market our gift shop and Promenade Gallery.

"Birthday parties are a large part of our children's activities, and we have also reorganized these events. Now the parties are held in our 'Rockin' Robot Room,' where children enjoy making robot related art projects."

The robot also inspired Hudgens Center Patrons Johnnie Rowe and Art Vedejs to create their own robotic fantasy. "Cambot" is a 10-foot tall robot who greets visitors entering the Museum's Rotunda. He moves his arm and speaks with a programmable voice. "Cambot is a new marketing tool in himself. We're already using him to give special greetings and announcements."

Lawrenceville and Lilburn neighbors and active park users are encouraged to become a Neighborhood Park Watch volunteer at Bethesda Park and the new Five Forks Park, scheduled to open this summer.

Gwinnett County Parks & Recreation and the Gwinnett County Park Police will hold a training class on Thursday, April 22 from 7-9 p.m. at the Five Forks Library in Lawrenceville to educate volunteers interested in participating in the Neighborhood Park Watch program. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age to participate.

ENCYCLOPEDIA TIDBIT
4/20: UGA Libraries to host Georgia Writers Hall of Fame

The University of Georgia Libraries established the Georgia Writers Hall of Fame to recognize Georgia writers, past and present, whose work reflects the character of the state - its land and its people. Although there are a few award programs in the state that recognize specific books, the Georgia Writers Hall of Fame is the first to honor Georgia writers for their overall contribution to our culture.

Nominations will be open to the public. A standard nomination form will be distributed annually to library and secondary schools throughout the state, and will remain permanently available on a World Wide Web site maintained by the Hargrett Rare Book Manuscript Library, the host collection of the Georgia Writers Hall of Fame program.

A writer must have been either a native of Georgia or have produced a significant work during or subsequent to a substantial time of work and resident in Georgia.

To access the Georgia Encyclopedia, go to http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Home.jsp.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
Just what a long reach really amounts to

"Just because your voice reaches halfway around the world doesn't mean you are wiser than when it reached only to the end of the bar. "

-- Broadcaster Edward R. Murrow (1908-1965), via Roy McCreary, Dacula.

SEND YOUR FEEDBACK

Send your thoughts, 55-word short stories, pet peeves or comments on any issue to Gwinnett Forum for future publication.

===========================================