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TODAY'S
ISSUE
Georgia Democrats must
reclaim people's platform
By
Sen. Curt Thompson
Special
to GwinnettForum.com
(Editor's note: State Sen. Curt Thompson (D-Norcross)
represents District 5 (Gwinnett and DeKalb counties) in the Georgia
State Senate. He gave these views at a recent meeting in Gwinnett.
For more information, visit his web site at www.becauseyourvoicecounts.com.
-eeb)
MAY 3, 2005 -- As a Democrat in predominately Republican Gwinnett
County, I am being asked a lot these days, "What now?" for
Georgia Democrats. A lot of us in the Georgia Democratic Party are
asking that same question.
Thompson |
For 50 years, you see, we were the party of the average American.
And Americans knew that. The Republicans were the party of big business,
and the country club set but we were the party of the regular American,
working for a living, trying to make things better for themselves
and their families.
At some point, we got away from that. We became beholden to a group
of liberal special interests that were more interested in their
own agenda than and their own personal causes than the cause of
the average American.
In response, people in the party have attempted to address this
issue by "finessing it," by trying to win on tactics,
at the margins, with a thousand plays in a DLC playbook that don't
amount to a cause worth fighting for.
FDR had the New Deal, Kennedy the New Frontier. Even the much-maligned
Johnson had the Great Society. Each was a short, clear, concise
picture of a platform for the average American.
The last two Democratic candidates for President offered none of
that. Gore and Kerry had to write long books detailing plans of
finesse, and tweaking at the margins. They had not a whit of vision
in either book.
So what do we do now? Well we've got to put an end to this and
get back to being the party of regular Americans. We need to do
what Democrats in Gwinnett County have done. We have to work hard
for our votes, every last one of them, door to door. And we have
to offer a simple clear vision of what we stand for.
We have to get back to offering something and labeling ourselves.
We were the majority party for 50 years because we offered stuff
that mattered to average Americans - things like Social Security,
the G.I. Bill for college, job creation and good health care. Until
we get back to being that party, that great Democratic Party that
made America what it is today, we won't be the majority party again.
If we do once again make ourselves this party of average Americans,
of quality jobs, secure healthcare, good education and honest and
open government, then we will be winning elections and enjoy the
privilege of governing again. Then and only then will we be able
to have a discussion about the legislative session that doesn't
begin with a litany of bad bills that passed.
ELLIOTT
BRACK
City
of Duluth shows concern, gains status in eyes of nation
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
GwinnettForum.com
MAY 3, 2005 -- The focus was on Duluth last week, as a would-be
bride may have wanted some time by herself, but ended up inviting
the eyes of the United States to be upon her.
Yet what we took from the spectacle is far different from what
we have heard from others. For we feel that the residents of Duluth
showed just what a loving, close-knit community it is, that they
care deeply for one another, and this was obvious in the efforts
they exhibited when one of their own-to-be was missing.
People all across the country saw the concern that residents of
Duluth have for one another. They saw it in the volunteering for
combing of the community seeking to find this missing person. They
saw it in the way people looked after the volunteers, providing
them food and drink and kindness. They heard it in the words that
members of the community used when talking about those involved.
Most especially, the deep caring of the community for the families
involved came through loud and clear. The outpouring of concern
was obvious. It told people throughout the United States: Duluth
is a good place to live.
Granted, the fiasco not only caused concern, but it cost money,
from the public services, and individual donations of food and services
that the community provided. And some want to see the reluctant
bride-to-be punished for causing all this havoc. Authorities are
now sifting through information to see if a crime has been committed,
and if so, what to do about it.
Yet think, too, that if the City of Duluth were embarking on a
public relations campaign to polish its image, what would be this
cost? In the natural outpouring of affection for those in the community,
the City of Duluth garnered untold thousands of dollars of positive
feedback and good will.
People in Rhode Island, in Oregon, in New York and all across this
country not only know that Duluth is a suburb, northeast of Atlanta,
having some 22,000 people, and has streets lined with nice homes
and dotted with trees. They know the city is composed of caring,
solid people who don't hesitate in going to bat for one of their
own.
People in Texas and Pennsylvania and North Dakota recognize the
hurt that these people felt when they found out that the disappearance
of the young lady was not a crime, but a premeditated effort, something
of a cry for help. And they saw the startled look on the face of
Duluth residents, the hurt they felt, when they learned that all
this was not what they had first thought.
People in Nebraska and Delaware and Nevada saw the consternation
that the people of Duluth felt as they learned that they had been
taken in, but also saw the relief on their faces that one of their
own was safe.
Now people all across the country realize that here was another
potential bride that got the jitters before the ceremony, and that
though she took unusual steps, she is a person who needs more time,
care, love and understanding, to set her life straight.
The life of Jennifer Wilbanks will never be the same after the
events of last week. Neither will the life of John Mason, nor will
the lives of the people of Duluth.
One person's difficult times caused others to show their own concern
for her, while at the same time, the City of Duluth gained tremendously
in the eyes of the nation.
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FEEDBACK
5/3: Contrarian
view of red light cameras is food for thought
Editor, the Forum:
Regarding your note in the April
15 edition about red light cameras, all I can say is it's about
time someone in the media acknowledged the blatantly obvious. Safety
MAY be stimulated, to a very small degree, but these items are not
about saving lives or controlling traffic, this is a revenue generation
plan, pure and simple; and now that have infected Gwinnett County.
They haven't been in operation for a year and already they are being
considered for "speed enforcement" but in reality that
is "increased revenue."
Its very discomforting that anyone would think otherwise, especially,
when in articles on the subject, usually the only voice heard is
that of the company that builds and installs the system and has
a vested interest in its success. Local news teams report the numbers
of "red light runners" as though it was an outstanding
amount, when it never discerns whether the vehicle actually went
through the intersection or stopped safely but some part of the
vehicle crossed the invisible marker.
That the operation of these cameras has not been adequately discussed
with the public, including the timing of the traffic lights and
the point at which the camera considers a red light violation, should
be an immediate trigger to question the true motive of these devices.
Abuses and secret adjustments have been reported everywhere these
cameras have been installed and all with one purpose: to guarantee
tickets and the revenue are produced. It's only a short matter of
time before we find the same problems here in Gwinnett.
As for their deterrent value, I doubt it. If the death penalty,
actually losing your life as punishment, doesn't stop crime…does
anyone really believe a ticket in the mail will have an effect?
-- Tony Rivera, Suwanee
Dear Tony: You are forever the contrarian. In
this case, pardon us, but I hope you are not right……but
then this is at least reasonable food for thought.---eeb
5/3: Recognizes previous
photo as Tanner's Mill near Gainesville
Editor, the Forum:
My boss (Randall Pugh at Jackson EMC) showed me your article in
the Gwinnett Forum about Operation Round-up. I noticed the grist
mill picture beside your article. I wanted to let you know that
I recognized the picture. (See
GwinnettForum, April 26).
The mill is Tanner's Mill, which was located about 8-10 miles south
of Gainesville between Candler and Belmont. The mill and the covered
bridge adjacent to the mill were burned by arsonists several years
ago. As a child I visited the mill with my Dad when he carried corn
to be ground there. I attended Candler Elementary School (now Myers
School) and we had field trips to the mill and played in the river.
There are paintings in circulation of that very mill and I have
photographs of it.
-- Sara Bell, Jefferson
Dear Sara: Thanks for clearing that up. It makes
sense for the mill to be in Gainesville, since many of the old
pictures I have are from Gainesville as well as Gwinnett. --eeb
5/3: Agrees with letter
writer about growth in the area
Editor, the Forum:
I couldn't agree more with Dennis Norton's letter of April 26.
My son lives in Acworth, and consequently, I have to drive through
Atlanta, ugh!, to get there. These past few years I have noticed
all that growth north Cobb County is experiencing; trees being clear-cut,
town houses going up in what was once a beautiful forest, shopping
malls all over the place, and traffic congestion, traffic lights,
etc., etc.
I guess all this is inevitable when we have growth and progress,
but that is why I live way out here on the beautiful Altamaha River.
-- David Earl Tyre, Jesup
UPCOMING
Norcross/Meadowcreek
area plan community cleanup May 7
Residents and businesses in the Norcross/Meadowcreek community
are planning a "Pride In Our Community" Clean-Up on May
7. The clean up will focus on several locations in the area between
Jimmy Carter Boulevard, Singleton Road and Beaver Ruin Road.
Volunteers are encouraged with a strong recommendation that all
they wear/bring long sleeved shirts, long pants, sturdy shoes and
socks, leather gloves, steel rakes, and possibly insect repellant.
Children under 14 should be accompanied by an adult.
The agenda includes:
- 8 a.m. - Arrive at St. James Lutheran Church, 4845 Jimmy Carter
Blvd in Norcross: continental breakfast and welcome from local
officials.
- 8:30 - Disperse to assigned locations with Team Leaders: pick
up trash and cover graffiti.
- 11:30 - Return to St. James for lunch (barbecue, chips &
drink), with music by the Meadowcreek High students.
"Five Guys Named
Moe" debuts on Alliance stage May 11
Nomax has problems. And now he has Five Guys Named Moe to help
straighten him out. Take part in a fun-filled musical journey to
persuade, joke, coax and insist that Nomax change his ways. Join
Atlanta's nationally acclaimed Alliance Theatre as it travels through
time and the radio to stage the Broadway Hit musical Five Guys
Named Moe, an energetic and playful musical written by Clarke
Peters. This explosive revue will keep your toes tapping to the
music of bandleader, songwriter and showman Louis Jordan.
Opening Night is Wednesday, May 11, 2005 at 8 p.m. Tickets are
available at the Woodruff Arts Center Box Office by calling 404.733.5000
or online at www.alliancetheatre.org.
Every square inch of the Alliance Theatre is transformed into a
rollicking musical concert complete with an audience conga line
and confetti cannons. Bring the entire family to hear more than
24 songs by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame star Louis Jordan, one of
the most beloved songwriting talents of the 20th Century. Songs
like "Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby" and "Ain't
Nobody here But Us Chickens" will entertain and delight as
this good-time musical teaches Nomax and the audience how to "…get
it together and learn how to treat women."
Performances are Tuesday through Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at
2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., May
4 - June 5, 2005 on the Alliance Stage.
NOTABLE
County backs
revitalization with $1 million in funding
The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners has voted to approve
an additional $1,040,130 of U.S. Housing and Urban Development funding
for numerous revitalization projects.
A total of $754,369 of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
Program funding for the Liberty Heights community was included in
the vote. Liberty Heights is located south of the City of Norcross
adjacent to Buford Highway and is part of the Beaver Ruin Revitalization
Pilot Study area. Gwinnett County is revitalizing this area of 750
homes by reconstructing the streets, drainage structures, water/sewer
systems and sidewalks.
Also approved in the vote was additional HOME Program funds of
$171,976. The funds were awarded to the largest non-profit housing
organization in Gwinnett County, The Impact! Group (formerly known
as Gwinnett Housing Resource Partnership), which has been purchasing
rental housing needing rehabilitation, improving those units, and
leasing them to working families at affordable rates.
The Board of Commissioners also approved a change in use of CDBG
funds awarded to the City of Norcross. The City will use the funding
for the construction of a new Senior Citizens' Center within the
currently planned Multi-Cultural Community Center adjacent to the
Beaver Ruin Revitalization Area.
An additional $233,419 of HOME Program funds will also be used
to help qualifying homeowners throughout the county rehabilitate
their homes. The funds are provided to qualifying homeowners as
zero percent loans to bring their homes to current code standards..
Frank Stephens is
new public utilities director for Gwinnett
Stephens |
Frank Stephens has been named director of the Gwinnett County Department
of Public Utilities. Stephens previously served as a deputy director
for the department. Stephens brings 24 years of experience to his
new position, and has worked the past nine years with Gwinnett County.
His educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities,
a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering and a Master of
Public Administration. Stephens is a licensed professional engineer,
and is currently pursuing a doctorate in administration. Georgia
Trend Magazine recognized Stephens' service to the public in 2003
by naming him a Distinguished Public Servant.
Seniors may be exempted
from auto vehicle emissions test
Gwinnett County Tax Commissioner Katherine Sherrington wants to
remind senior citizens who are renewing their motor vehicle registrations
that they may be exempted from vehicle emissions testing requirements,
if the following conditions are met:
- The applicant is at least 65 years old.
- The vehicle is at least 10 model years old.
- The vehicle is driven less than 5,000 miles per year (exact
odometer readings are required).
- The applicant is a registered owner of the vehicle (with their
name listed on the vehicle's title/registration).
Seniors can apply for vehicle emissions waivers by completing an
application obtained from one of the Tax Commissioner's Tag Offices
or a Georgia Clean Air Force Emissions Waiver Center. Applications
can also be obtained from the Georgia Clear Air Force by calling
(800) 449-2471 or e-mailing ga-caf@mci.com.
RECOMMENDED
READ
The
Princes of Ireland, by Edward Rutherford
 "I
just finished The Princes of Ireland by Edward Rutherford,
a historical fiction of Ireland from the 5th Century AD to around
1100. Edward Rutherford writes in the style of Michener and wrote
one of my favorite books, Sarum, which is about Salisbury, England
over many centuries and includes the construction of the beautiful
Salisbury Catherdal we saw when we visited there.
"I've just begun How the Irish Saved Civilization as
a follow up to Irish history and the Rutherford book. Both are excellent
books on Irish, as well as European and world history. Paige Power's
husband, Jim gave this one to me after I told him about Princes.
I guess I should want to take a trip to Ireland after this, but
my heart is still in Italy's Umbria and the Almalfi Coast."
-- Phylecia Wilson
- An invitation: What Web sites or books have you enjoyed?
Send us your best recent read along with a short paragraph as
to why you liked it, plus what book you plan to read next. --eeb
ENCYCLOPEDIA
TIDBIT
5/3: Atlanta becomes
more thriving during Civil War
At the time of the Civil War, Atlanta boasted a population of almost
10,000 (one-fifth of whom were slaves), a substantial manufacturing
and mercantile base, and four major railroads connecting the city
with all points of the South. It was neither Georgia's capital nor
the largest city in the state, but it was energetic and thriving.
Battle
of Atlanta |
With the Confederate loss of middle Tennessee in early 1862, Atlanta
became the military medical center. The city cemetery, then 25 acres
(today known as Oakland Cemetery and much larger), also had to be
expanded; some 632 soldiers were buried during 1862 alone.
Advances of Union forces in Tennessee and Mississippi made Atlanta
a city of refugees. Its population was estimated at 17,000 in mid-1862
and 20,000 a year later.
As a key railroad hub, Atlanta became an important military supply
center. More important were Atlanta's manufacturing facilities.
Scofield and Markham's Atlanta Rolling Mill was one of only two
in the South that could produce rails. The government also set up
its own establishments, such as the arsenal outside the city's western
limits. In 1863-64 the Atlanta Arsenal employed nearly 5,500 men
and women. In spring 1863 the Confederacy's Quartermaster Department
had some 3,000 women in the city working as seamstresses and shoes.
Bakeries and meatpacking plants made Atlanta a major army commissary
as well.
The approach of Sherman's armies threw Atlantans into alarm. Newspaper
editors urged calmness and chastised gloomy "croakers"
who began to predict the city's fall.
Atlantans heard their first distant thud of cannon fire on May
25, 1864, when General Joseph E. Johnston's Confederate army held
Sherman's forces near Dallas. After the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain
on June 27, a panic gripped many townspeople, who packed their families
and belongings and fled. Even Mayor Calhoun sent off his wife and
two children.
From a population of about 22,000 in the spring of 1864, probably
3,000 civilians remained in the city when the Confederate army was
forced out of Atlanta on September 1. Days later, Sherman ordered
almost all noncombatants to leave town. With their exodus, Atlanta
as a Confederate "home front" dissolved.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
One of the main reasons
democracies can fail
"Democracies are most commonly corrupted by the insolence
of demagogues."
-- Aristotle, via Roy McCreary, Dacula.
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