TODAY'S ISSUE
Naysaying husbands eat crow as spouses prove successful
By Charles Summerour
Special to GwinnettForum.com

DULUTH, Oct. 19, 2004 -- Have you ever given advice to someone and later regretted it? What if it were your wife and four of her friends who at age 50 were considering beginning a new business ? The truth is in the story so here it is……..

Several years ago, five ladies who had been friends since elementary school were considering whether to open a special events facility in a local ante-bellum home, under the premise that "…it was something we have always wanted to do."

Several of us husbands who had many years of business experience boldly began to give advice, such as, "Do you really want to go in business with your friends." We warned of the dire consequences that could result in such a venture, like the loss of friendship---not to mention the potential financial peril of small businesses. Needless to say, the unsolicited advice was received rather rudely.

The ladies set out to prove that they could be a success in spite. So they incorporated under Dreamkeepers, Inc. and set out determined to succeed. In the process, they vowed to prove their spousal naysayers wrong.

While far from the end of the story, six years later the "Dreamkeepers" are still in business, still friends and moving on to a new era, although admittedly, victims of their own success. After doing about 50 events per year, including weddings, receptions and parties while working mostly on weekends, they have transitioned to hiring a new management team to manage their facility known as "The Payne-Corley House" in Duluth.

They recently engaged a youthful group of four former Ritz-Carlton managers with the idea of expanding the business to a new level. With the original group still intact, they now plan to continue their interest in the business as owners, but allowing the Sage House Group to add new energy and vitality. They plan to focus on more quality special events such as corporate meetings and the like, while still using the charm of the old Southern home setting.

Expectations are high as the Sage House Group brings over 40 years experience, including event planning, a chef and a business manager-with no member of the group over the age of 40!

So in short, the "Dreamkeepers" have declared victory in spite of the warnings of those who now are just the lowly "other half". Truthfully, along the way, on several occasions over the six year period, they have been know to say "I told you so" to their spouses, who have tried to wave the white flag of surrender several times, but were as before, ignored!

As one of the naysayer spouses, I am glad to declare that we guys were dead wrong in this case. Congratulations to Judy Burel, Emma Deavours, Margie Ross, Annette Summerour and Jane Wilson for knowing when to move on. Have fun being grannies, and please don't forget your poor husbands in their old age!

ELLIOTT BRACK
Gwinnett water system pumping with new redundancy
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
GwinnettForum.com

OCT. 19, 2004 -- Most people in Gwinnett never think about where their drinking water comes from. When you open the tap, water is supposed to spurt out.

They never think about it because Gwinnett has a safe, reliable water supply. But recently the water supply became a whole lot safer for the very fact that Gwinnett started operations of its second intake in Lake Lanier, the source of Gwinnett's water.

Dedication of the new Shoal Creek Filter Plant will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, October 22. Then on Saturday, October 23, the Shoal Creek Filter Plant will hold open house from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at its location at 1755 Buford Dam Road. That's about a mile east of the intersection of Suwanee Dam Road with Buford Dam Road.

Plant tours, refreshments, and displays will be the order of the day, as the new raw water intake and pump station and raw water distribution center will be highlighted.

The two water plants work in tandem to supply water to the area. In effect, the second intake is a redundancy, more insurance for continued flow of water to customers.

The other day we were on a pontoon boat on Lake Lanier approaching the raw water intake. "It's right ahead," someone said, but from the lake, it was hard to spot. The plant is behind a screen of trees, on seven acres, adjacent to housing. Though the intake is continually working, you must strain to hear the pumps. No one works full time there, as the unmanned underground pumps continually put the water from the lake into the Gwinnett system, all monitored by personnel across Buford Dam Road at the Filter Plant. Even standing by the pumps, their underground location muffles the sounds of the 750 horsepower motors.

Gwinnett County's Public Utilities Department has sunk a massive slotted capsule onto the lake bottom 40 below the lake's surface. This filters water through hundreds of quarter inch slits to keep fish and other items out of the system. Water is sucked through an underground tunnel to the pumping station.

Altogether, some 75 million gallons of water a day (mgd) comes through Phase I of this new intake. With the original intake pumping 150 mgd, this gives Gwinnett some 225 mpd. A second phase, expected in 2010, will add another 75 mgd without heavy expenditures of new intake facilities. At present, Gwinnett consumes approximately 85 mgd. The highest every pumped out of the water plant was 142 million gallons a day. The peak day this year was 112 mgd.

The new water plant is a massive undertaking, costing $132 million. That's $29 million for the raw water intake and pumping station, and another $103 million for the Shoal Creek Filter Plant. The county is able to continue to build these plants ahead of the consumption because of its foresight in maintaining water rates to allow for growth. But, as more water customers are added to the system, that gives the county even more funds to anticipate future growth, and stay abreast of the demand. Some other communities, notably the City of Atlanta, have not had the foresight to set rates for their future growth in similar fashion.

Public Utilities officials and engineering contractors are justly proud of their safety record over the three year period for the construction of these new facilitie. Altogether the plants were built without a lost time accident. When you consider we're talking about 143,000 man hours to build the intake and pump station, and another 605,239 hours for the filter plant, that's a massive accomplishment! They are justly proud.

General contractor for the Filter Plant was Western Summit/Pizzagalli Construction, while the intake and pump station contractor was W.L. Hailey and Company.

Next time you turn on the water tap at your house, think one word: redundancy. That's what Gwinnett's water system has now, a second intake into Lake Lanier, making sure that your water tap works for you every time.

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FEEDBACK
10/19: With students like these, Gwinnett's future is bright

Editor, the Forum:

Having a vested interest in the HOPE Scholarship and the cost of college tuition, recent actions by Governor Perdue and the Board of Regents have had my undivided attention.

I traveled to Georgia Tech for a firsthand version of the proceedings as the Board of Regents deliberated an unprecedented mid-year tuition increase for Georgia's college students.

Perhaps the most enlightening observation was the presentation by the two youngest people at the meeting. Amy Phuong and Adam Sparks, Student Government Presidents at Georgia Tech and UGA respectively, confirming why Georgia must remain committed to our investment in education.

Having recently spearheaded a campaign to petition the Governor and BOR to prevent a mid-year tuition increase, including a march on the Capitol, there was every reason for an adversarial relationship between the parties involved. I was proud of Ms. Phuong and Mr. Sparks when they addressed the Board in a spirit of cooperation, with effectiveness, efficiency, and most of all respect.

With young people like these destined for the leadership of Georgia, our future is bright!

-- Brian Luders, Duluth

10/19: Concludes that it's best not to have Bush for four years

Editor, the Forum:

President Bush now says he bombed Iraq and toppled Saddam to "establish a democracy in the Middle East." (Read: He wants that to be his legacy.)

He didn't need Iraq. His legacy will be secured as the only person to occupy the Oval Office whose golf score and I.Q. were both in the high 90's. Historians will sum up this presidency as the voters are beginning to ˆ a colossal waste of lives, money, and domestic opportunities.

If you care anything at all about this incredible country of ours, vote him out on November 2.

-- M. Buckman, Lilburn

10/19: Draws conclusion that it's best for four more Bush years

Dear Gwinnett Forum:

There is much talk during this election campaign concerning the female vote and the difference it can make. As a woman, wife, and/or mother, there are several things to ask yourself before you cast your vote on Nov. 2.

Do you believe in the sanctity of the union between a woman and a man and do you believe that union should be protected? If the answer is yes, a vote for John Kerry contradicts your beliefs.

Are you pro-life or pro-choice? Most importantly, do you believe partial birth abortions should be legalized? John Kerry voted against the ban on partial birth
abortions. A vote for him is a vote to legalize this form of life-taking.

I believe that George Bush has proven he has the leadership abilities our country needs to stay on the right track and most importantly to fight terrorism, the most important issue we face today. I believe he deserves four more years. A vote for John Kerry will, I'm afraid put us on the wrong track. I believe our vote can make a difference. Go to the polls on November 2nd and make your vote count.

-- Yvonne Harrell, Milledgeville

Dear Yvonne: Others will draw different conclusions from your facts. That's what makes our country great. --eeb

10/19: Cites reasons, raises quandry about Snellville liquor vote

Editor, the Forum:

Liquor by the drink in Snellville will:

• Let citizens enjoy an occasional mixed drink (5,000 plus per week.)
  
• Provide new revenue, mostly to be spent in controlling the liquor by the drink ordinance.
  
• Increase accidents and deaths on Snellville's streets.
  
• Increase alcoholics in Snellville.
  
• Bring prostitution to Snellville.
  
• Deny young persons between 18-21 their full citizen rights as earned in war by the grandparents, parents and peers.

As a World War II draftee combat veteran, discharged before his 21st birth, I have strong convictions that it is wrong to pass any law or ordinance which denies those between 18 and 21 the same rights as those 21 and over is wrong. I am not an advocate for liquor by the drink for the 18 year old. To me, it is another reason not to pass the ordinance. I have several grandchildren in the 18-21 age group and would hate to see liquor by the drink available to them. But if it is to be available to those over 21, they should not be excluded.

-- Bob Allen, Snellville

NEWS
Acoustic duo Montana Skies makes Asian debut in Korea

Montana Skies, a Gwinnett husband and wife musical duo, have reached number one on the world/new age music charts. Their concert careers have taken them all across the US and now to Asia.

The duo consists of Jonathan and Jennifer Adams. This summer, they made their Asian concert debut at the Seoul Arts Center in Korea, a 2,500-seat venue. The concert was taped for a future television special. Montana Skies was joined on stage by the pianist Robin Spielberg. Later in the week, the three musicians performed several concerts before live audiences for the Educational Broadcasting System, Korea's version of PBS.

Montana Skies' new CD, "Chasing the Sun" is an homage to the road trip, which was inspired by their most recent cross-country tour. Many of the songs were composed while traveling across the United States and seeing its national treasures.

Montana Skies debuted pieces from the album in Korea this summer and will be celebrating its US release November 6th at 7:30pm with a CD Release Concert at the 14th Street playhouse. Tickets are $25. Admission will include a special signed and numbered copy of "Chasing the Sun" with the concert ticket. Tickets can be purchased online at www.lupoentertainment.com or by calling (678) 957-8756.


Suwanee sets "Trek or Treat" Saturday at Creek Park

The City of Suwanee is to hold a community cookout and fun "trek or treat" in celebration of the grand opening of Suwanee Creek Park from noon-2 p.m. Saturday, October 23.

Among the activities will be bobbing for apples, munching on dangling doughnuts and a "trek or treat" trail! There will be free hot dogs, and those who participate in the activities have a chance to win a trail bike. More information about the event is available at the City of Suwanee website, http://www.suwanee.com.

BOOK RECOMMENDATION

• 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
10/19: Fort Benning, home of infantry, became Army post in 1918

Fort Benning, home of the U.S. Army Infantry, is adjacent to the city of Columbus in southwest Georgia. Its mission is to "produce the world's finest combat infantrymen." The U.S. Army Infantry School at Fort Benning is the premier school of arms, developing such military leaders as five-star generals Omar Bradley, George Marshall, George Patton and Dwight D. Eisenhower..

About 35,000 military and civilian personnel work on the installation, and it contributes more than $750 million to the area's economy. Built on the area originally occupied by the Dawson Artillery during the Civil War, the post encompasses 287 square miles of Chattahoochee and Muscogee counties.

Congress authorized the establishment of the camp in the fall of 1918. At the request of the Columbus Rotary Club, Camp Benning was named in honor of Confederate Brigadier General Henry L. Benning, who had commanded a Georgia brigade in General John Hood's division of the Army of Northern Virginia. Benning, who fought with General Robert E. Lee, earned the nickname "Old Rock" because of his coolness in battle. As a young man Benning moved from Harris County to Columbus, and after the Civil War he practiced law there until his death in 1875 at the age of sixty-one.

The new camp originally encompassed roughly 115,000 acres, and the cost of construction was about $5,315,000. Troops began arriving at the new post in October 1918. The post was made permanent in 1922, and the name was changed to Fort Benning.

Fort Benning is also the home of the National Infantry Museum. Open to the public, the museum houses thousands of unique artifacts relating to the U.S. Infantry's role in shaping the nation's history.

• To access the Georgia Encyclopedia, go to http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
  

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
Wanted Americans to act for selves, not others

"In a word, I want an American character, that the powers of Europe may be convinced we act for ourselves and not for others; this, in my judgment, is the only way to be respected abroad and happy at home."

- - George Washington.

• Another invitation: What's your favorite saying? Share with others through GwinnettForum. Send to elliott@gwinnettforum.com.
  

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

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