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TODAY'S
ISSUE
Candidates for office
should remember Theo Frisbee's lesson
By
Norman Baggs
Special to GwinnettForum.com
(Editor's note: we thought you would enjoy catching
up with Norman Baggs of Sugar Hill, who formerly was a working
journalist in Gwinnett. He is now general manager for Swartz-Morris
Media, owners of the Forsyth County News, Barrow County News,
and Dawson Community News and operational manager of The Times
in Gainesville. He always writes a good yarn.-eeb)
SUGAR HILL, June 15, 2004 -- The most important lesson I ever learned
about politics was from a politically inexperienced gentleman with
the unassuming name of Theo Frisbee.
 Most
of the residents of Gwinnett and metro Atlanta are relative newcomers
to the area, and have little appreciation for Georgia's political
history. Living in an area where Republican office holders are now
the rule of thumb rather than the exception, some find it hard to
remember that Georgia, like most other Southern states, was Democratically
dominated for decades.
With another election season upon us, those who have nothing better
to do than dwell on the intricacies of the state's political history
cannot fail to note the shift that has gradually removed from the
political landscape what was once the mainstream candidate in Georgia
-- the traditional southern Democrat.
Once there was a linear political "line of philosophy"
in Georgia that went from liberal Democrat to moderate Democrat
to moderate Republican to conservative Republican. Today, that line
has shifted to the right, with moderate Democrats crossing over
to become moderate Republicans, moderate Republicans moving into
the conservative category, and an ultra-conservative group of Republicans
anchoring things to the far right.
But it hasn't always been that way. The state has a history of
powerful and successful statesmen -- Carl Vinson, Richard Russell,
Herman Talmadge, Sam Nunn to name a few -- who would be hard pressed
today to find an appropriate political base in the national Democratic
Party.
Georgia Democrats traditionally have shared little with the Northeast
and West Coast liberals, and the party of the labor unions, so it
is no real surprise that they are migrating to the Republican ranks
at the local and state level in record numbers. Soon, Georgia may
again be a state dominated by a single political party, with Republicans
battling among themselves to decide if the moderates or conservatives
will be in control.
The story of Theo Frisbee is a reminder that it hasn't always been
that way.
In deep south Georgia in 1978, the Republican Party had not yet
become a factor with which local Democrats had to contend. State
law had just been changed to allow popular and progressive Democratic
Gov. George Busbee to run for a second consecutive term, and the
spectre of Republican Rodney Cook as an opponent, was doing nothing
to crack the state's Democratic Party political foundation.
That year, Theo Frisbee qualified to run as a Republican for the
county commission in Pierce County. If not a first, then certainly
a political rarity in the bastion of Democrats.
The idea of a contested local race in the General Election loomed,
as Frisbee awaited the nominee of the Democrats for a seat on the
county commission. Or at least that's what we all thought.
The general primary was held for the parties to nominate their
candidates for the fall's election. Frisbee, unopposed on the GOP
ballot, took advantage of the state's open primary to cast a ballot
in the Democratic primary, presumably selecting the candidate he
thought he had the best chance of beating in November.
Alas, in doing so Frisbee assured himself of an ignoble defeat.
The primary balloting came to an end and the ballots were counted.
With the lone Republican hopeful casting his ballot in the Democratic
race, there had been no ballots cast in the Republican primary.
None.
Mr. Frisbee had failed to win nomination to the general election
ballot, despite having been unchallenged in the primary.
Frances Duncan was the head of the state's election division at
the time. She was at first bemused by the situation, then amused.
Saying she had never encountered such a set of facts before, she
confirmed that without being nominated in the primary, the candidate
could not be a general election candidate.
Unopposed, Mr. Frisbee had lost, though the circumstances seem
impossible to imagine in today's two-party political world.
And the one lesson learned from Mr. Frisbee's suddenly aborted
campaign? Never take anything for granted when it comes to the voting
booth.
ELLIOTT
BRACK
You
can't just park an automobile anywhere you want
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
GwinnettForum.com
JUNE 15, 2004 -- Zoning regulations at times give Gwinnett some
of its most contentious battles. As such, zoning regulations provide
protection for property owners from those intent on doing as they
please when that goes against the grain of what has been duly adopted
by the people.
 Take
the subject of regulating just where you can park an automobile.
In residential areas, that would seem simple. You park in a driveway,
or in your garage, right? Most do.
Yet there are situations where several vehicles may belong to people
living in houses or apartments. In general, you are supposed to
park your vehicles on "hard-surfaced" areas. You want
another way to say that? You don't park on the grass, not in front
of your house, or anyone else's house. Auto dealers, in particular,
cannot park on the grassed right-of-way in front of their dealerships,
though some have tried it.
What the Zoning regulations seek is to create throughout the county
areas which are aesthetically pleasing which conform to community
standards. You could also say that by everyone holding to these
standards, it creates a level playing field for everyone.
The 1985 Zoning Resolution, revised March, 2004, says in Article
X, Off Street Automobile Parking and Loading and Unloading Spaces,
Section 1001, No 6:
"Location and Surface of Parking Areas. In any district, the
parking of any vehicle on other than a surface treated and hardened
to accommodate the vehicle is prohibited. In any residential district,
the parking of any vehicle in the front yard or in front of the
principal building line is prohibited except on a hard-surfaced
driveway, or in a carport or garage. In the R-ZT and R-TH districts,
not more than 45 percent of the front yard area may be paved for
parking or contain a hard surfaced area. In all other residential
districts, not more than 35 percent of this front yard area may
be paved for parking or contain a hard surfaced area."
Gwinnett District Commissioner Bert Nasuti, who served previously
for 11 years on the Gwinnett County Municipal Planning Commission,
including being its chairman, has made the enforcement of the regulations
concerning auto parking a concern of his, especially along Buford
Highway.
He says: "Cars parked in the grass in the right of way in
front of dealerships look trashy and go against the image and atmosphere
the County zoning enforcement people have worked so hard to create.
Since it takes county resources to write warning letters, file complaints,
and then pursue the claims, dealerships that violate the rules create
a drain on county resources and could be considered anything but
good neighbors."
Nasuti notes: "In the last year, some car dealerships have
not complied with County law, causing zoning enforcement complaints
to be filed. In one instance, a dealership on U.S. Highway 78 cut
down a landscaped area and the trees that were there, just to park
cars out on the roadside, in violation of the regulations. When
the County brought its complaint against that dealer, part of the
resolution was a replanting of the landscaped areas and many more
trees than were previously destroyed."
Mike Williams, chief of the Gwinnett Planning and Zoning Department,
notes that in residential areas, where this has been the most problem,
parking on soft-surfaced areas such as grass eventually created
a mud hole "and looks bad, and really upsets the neighborhood."
What it amounts to is that planning and zoning goes to great effort
to regulate our way of life, to the benefit of the most people.
How to park cars may seem mundane, but there's a science to it,
which helps us all.
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FEEDBACK
6/15: Shorty Howell
comes to mind watching Nick Green play
Editor, the Forum:
Recently I had the opportunity to enjoy an Atlanta Braves game
with some unusual Gwinnettians, who are true "big league"
parents. They are Mike and Vicki Green, parents of Nick Green, a
now well- documented Duluth native who is making a big splash in
his major league debut with the Braves.
As has been well chronicled by the local media, this is truly a
story of 'hometown boy does well." It begins with a down to
earth family with twin boys, one of whom made his way from the youth
leagues of Duluth to the "big show", to use the player's
jargon.
As we talked about what it feels like to be parents of major league
player, it was not surprising that the Greens' expressed all the
usual emotions, that of excitement, joy, pride, and appreciation
for their son's accomplishment. But as we reflected on years ago,
during our youth league days, Mike could not help but express only
one disappointment, when he said, "I only wish Mr. Shorty (Howell)
could be here". A lump came to my throat as I very much realized
what he meant by that remark.
For the record, J.T. "Shorty" Howell Park on Pleasant
Hill Road was named for a most unique person, who was not only living
at the time, but was the park's caretaker for the first 15 or so
years it was open! Mr. Shorty took enormous pride in mowing the
grass, smoothing the infield and lining the fields where thousands
of boys and girls enjoyed themselves.
It was interesting to remember, as we sat in Turner Field, that
one of his loyal helpers was Mike Green, who always wanted to be
sure that Shorty could get home before midnight after circling the
dusty fields of the park which carries his name. Even though he
died several years ago, some how Mike, Shorty must know that one
of his boys made it to the major leagues and he undoubtedly has
that ear-to-ear grin of his, which says it all!
Unlike many bridges and highways, the naming of a county park for
Shorty Howell has real meaning for Gwinnett's big league family.
-- Charles Summerour, Duluth
6/15: Church Sunshine
Club brings respite for caregivers
Editor, the Forum:
The Sunshine Club sponsored by the Norcross First United Methodist
Church celebrated it fifth anniversary last week with a luncheon
honoring its founder, and volunteer director, Dr. Bill Hamner. He,
along with his wife, Mary Alice, had started a similar organization
in Nashville, prior to retiring to Norcross.
The purpose of the Sunshine Club is to give a respite to families
and caregivers with a loved one who suffer with dementia/Alzheimer's
disease. The most frequently made comment by family caregivers is,
"I just couldn't make through the week without the Sunshine
Club and the four hours of rest and relief that it gives us."
The Sunshine Club meets each Friday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. in
the church Fellowship Hall. Meetings are open to all persons in
the county. The cost is $8 per day and club members bring a bag
lunch.
For more information on the club contact its volunteer director,
Peggy Irons at 770-446-8327 or the church's parish nurse, Mary Lauder,
at 770-448-4142 ext 116. A pamphlet is also available by calling
the church.
-- Howard Fox, Norcross
6/15: Feels that election of any president is lesser of the evils
Editor, the Forum:
The election of any President has always required a selection between
the lesser of two evils. Any third party, better candidate never
stands a chance and only splits the vote. The upcoming presidential
election will be no different.
-- Roy McCreary, Dacula
6/15: Find "On Eagle's Wings" photos at this Irish Web
site
Editor, the Forum:
I did not see you in the audience in Belfast at the Odyssey Arena,
but I appreciate reading your kind words. It was a real privilege
to be included in the group of choristers from Georgia who sang
on the stage. You might enjoy seeing some great action photos at
Peter Corry's web site -- http://www.petercorry.com/eagleswing01.html
. Enjoy!
-- Rosie O'Neill, Lilburn
BOOK
RECOMMENDATION
6/15: From L.C. Johnson
President of Jeel Renovations Inc., of Atlanta,
who lives near Berkeley Lake
"I have enjoyed reading Rudy Giuliani book titled Rudy: An
Investigative Biography of Rudolph Giuliani. I liked it because
lots of the content; I lived through it, and especially chapter18,
related to the other Rudy Crew, with whom I was special assistant.
"Next I will probably read Bill Clinton's book that will come
out later this month."
- An invitation: What books have you enjoyed? Send us
your best recent book along with a short paragraph as to why you
liked it, plus what you plan to read next. --eeb
ENCYCLOPEDIA
TIDBIT
6/15: Swamp Gravy
depicts folk life of south Georgia
Swamp Gravy, Georgia's official state folklife play, is performed
annually from July to October in Colquitt, the seat of Miller County
in south Georgia. The play had its origins in a chance meeting at
a New York conference in 1990 between Joy Jinks of Colquitt and
Richard Owen Geer, at that time a Northwestern University doctoral
student in performance studies.
 Jinks
expressed her concern about Miller County's economic decline and
the growing number of southwest Georgia youths who left the region
after graduation. When she mentioned that her community wanted to
do a play celebrating its history, Geer told her of his dissertation
research on performance as a community-building tool and suggested
that they work together to develop a play for Colquitt based on
stories from the lives of Miller County residents.
Beginning in 1994 Swamp Gravy has been performed in an old cotton
warehouse in Colquitt. Recently renovated, air conditioning replacing
electric fans and theater seats replacing bleachers, the warehouse
theater retains the production's several stages and pit. The impact
of Swamp Gravy has been felt around the nation as cast members trained
as Swamp Gravy Institute consultants share their art-based community
revitalization experiences in communities in Louisiana, Texas, Colorado,
Illinois, Ohio, South Carolina, and Florida and in other Georgia
counties as well.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
Considerations of the
person you should marry
"Don't marry someone you can live with; marry someone you
can't live without."
-- Ed Grisamore, Macon, Ga. Telegraph, via Cindy Evans, Duluth.
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is an online community commentary for exploring pragmatic and sensible
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