TODAY'S ISSUE
Feels commuter rail is needed to solve traffic problems
By Bob Hanson
Special to GwinnettForum.com

(Editor's Note: Bob Hanson has been involved with public transportation for 35 years. He is the author of "Safety-Courtesy-Service -- History of the Georgia Railroad." He is now working on a new book, to be titled" The West Point Route -- The Atlanta & West Point Rail Road and The Western Railway of Alabama", to be released this fall.-eeb)

LOGANVILLE, August 26, 2005---They say that one definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. If that is so, the Georgia Department of Transportation has gone stark raving mad, because it has been trying to pave its way out of a traffic problem in the metro-Atlanta area for about 50 years now. The situation only becomes worse with each passing year.

The primary arguments against commuter rail are that people will not use it, the fare is too high, and it will not pay its way. Let me address them one at a time.

1. People will not use the service because they are not in the habit of doing so. This is the same argument used against Tri-Rail in south Florida and Virginia Railway Express in the Washington, D.C. area. Both these services have been started within the last 20 years or so and now carry significant numbers of passengers daily. I suspect the passenger count on these services will continue to grow as people become more accustomed to their availability, much as MARTA ridership has grown over the years.

2. The fare is too high. The proposed one-way fare from Lovejoy to Atlanta is $5.60. Several years ago the American Automobile Association (AAA) calculated that it cost approximately 35 cents per mile to operate an automobile. This was a number of years ago, before gasoline reached anywhere near $2.50 a gallon. I'm certain that figure is much higher, now. Even at this low figure, a one-way trip from Lovejoy to the Richard Russell Building in downtown Atlanta (the site of the old Terminal Station building), a distance of 27 miles, costs the driver $9.45. A train trip would save the commuter $7.70 each day over the cost of driving $18.90 minus $11.20). And remember, the auto expense figure is about six years old, and is much, much higher today.

3. Commuter rail service will not pay its way. No, it won't. No one, anywhere in the world, makes money hauling passengers alone. No one. Not Delta Air Lines. Not Greyhound. Not Amtrak, no one. Anywhere. Period. But then, neither does Interstates 75 nor 85, or any other highway in the state of Georgia (except for possibly the toll segment of Georgia 400). None of these highways generates a nickel in revenue, so they cannot possibly "pay their own way", but no one seems to care. I guess the logic is, if it's a highway, it's an "investment"; if its anything else, it's a "subsidy".

The metro-Atlanta area can sustain only so much growth before it chokes on its own traffic, both figuratively in lost time spent commuting and literally in continually deteriorating air quality.

I've worked in the transportation industry for over 30 years. I've yet to see a legitimate, unbiased study conducted by transportation professionals that did not come to the conclusion that rail transportation can haul more people (or tonnage) quicker, at less cost, and with less environmental impact than any other mode of transportation.

It is time the State of Georgia woke up, realized this, and based its actions on something more than tradition and the interests of campaign contributors.

ELLIOTT BRACK
Poker games are illegal and popular, and into local arena
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
GwinnettForum.com

AUG. 26, 2005 -- Eileen and Herman celebrated their anniversary recently by stopping on the way home to have a drink. "What are they doing?" asked Eileen. Let us describe the scene.

* * * * *

It was perhaps cable television that has led many across the country into a new craze, the old-fashioned-but-getting-chic game of poker.

From cameras zooming over the shoulder of players to show viewers that particular hand…..to strategy of the game…to high stake poker tournaments…..today's poker is far from old fashioned.

No longer is poker relegated to back-rooms, or even basement trappings. Suddenly it seems to be everywhere, a new craze, even often seen on college campuses.

You might ask: what happened to bridge?

Now after what amounts to a Las Vegas inspired national roll-out of modern poker, we are seeing this spread throughout the United States.

Right here in the Gwinnett area, joints and saloons have jumped into the fray, with their own versions of local poker tournaments. The "Texas Hold 'Em" style of poker invites local participants to come on down and join this game. Meanwhile, no doubt, the bars add significant revenue during these tournaments, a new way to sell alcohol while keeping the customers enthralled with what amounts to nothing less than games of chance.

We talked to one Gwinnett public official about all this, and this person quickly admitted: "It's gambling. It's a misdemeanor as defined by Code Section 16.12.21. And it's a felony to operate games such as that in Georgia."

What the operators of these games say, of course, is "We're not giving away any money or anything of value" in these games.

We bet they aren't. (Pardon me, that's a slip.) Put it another way: "Sure they aren't."

But why do so many people flock to these special nights for the poker of one variety or another? For the company? For the strategy of the game? For laughs?

Maybe it's all of the above…..plus the chance of a big payout of some kind, be it a bar bill, or chits, or even money under the table, if not raking in the whole pot into their own pocket.

Let's look at what the law says:

16-12-21.
(a) A person commits the offense of gambling when he:
(1) Makes a bet upon the partial or final result of any game or contest or upon the performance of any participant in such game or contest;
(2) Makes a bet upon the result of any political nomination, appointment, or election or upon the degree of success of any nominee, appointee, or candidate; or
(3) Plays and bets for money or other thing of value at any game played with cards, dice, or balls.
(b) A person who commits the offense of gambling shall be guilty of a misdemeanor

The next code section reads about people who allow games to be conducted on their premises, like bar owners:

16-12-22. (abridged-eeb)
(a) A person commits the offense of commercial gambling when he intentionally does any of the following acts:
(1) Operates or participates in the earnings of a gambling place;
(2) Receives, records, or forwards a bet or offer to bet;
(3) For gain, becomes a custodian of anything of value bet or offered to be bet;…….

……(b) A person who commits the offense of commercial gambling shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one nor more than five years or by a fine not to exceed $20,000.00, or both.

Hmmmm.

* * * * *

Back to Herman and Eileen. Herman says: "Don't look, Eileen. There's gambling going on all around us."

ABOUT OUR SPONSORS

The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. Today's featured sponsor is the Gwinnett Center. Whether a comfortable and convenient venue for your entertainment pleasure, or the perfect location for your next event, the campus of Gwinnett Center offers just the right environment. Events in the Arena this fall offer something for everyone and include Dolly Parton, The Hilton Skating & Gymnastics Spectacular and The Spanish Riding School of Vienna. The Thomas P. "Tommy" Hughes Grand Ballroom is perfect for any special occasion. Preston Williams is General Manager. Visit our web site at www.gwinnettcenter.com.

For a list of other sponsors of this forum, go to: http://www.gwinnettforum.com/about/sponsors.htm

McLEMORE'S WORLD
8/26: What high fuel means

Another great cartoon from Bill McLemore:

FEEDBACK
8/26: Suggests another book to be added to Southern reading list

Editor, the Forum:

I'm surprised your list did not include, Confederates in the Attic: Dispatches from the Unfinished Civil War, by Tony Horwitz.

When I first moved to Atlanta five years ago, my brother, (who currently lived in Florida at the time), suggested that I read this book to get an understanding of what the South is all about. Since that time, I've read it twice and listened to it on CD once.

When Gwinnett County Public Library had Confederates in the Attic as a book-of-the-month along with Mr. Horwitz as a speaker, I was extremely disappointed that I was unable to attend because I was going to be out of town. I seriously contemplated changing my travel plans so that I could hear Mr. Horwitz speak but better judgment (and responsibility) prevailed.

Mr. Horwitz presents a wonderful yet sometimes disturbing view of the south and why the Civil War, (otherwise known as "the act of Northern aggression"), remains unfinished for so many Southerners. As you read through Mr. Horwitz's two year travels through the south, you will nod your head in understanding at the instances many transplants have encountered yet never fully understood. At other times, you will gasp in disbelief and say to yourself, "I can't believe this is true!" But through it all, you will enjoy the perspective Mr. Horwitz presents.

-- Joe Gilkey, Snellville

UPCOMING
Gwinnett library seeking entries in teen writing contest
By Cindy Murphy,
Gwinnett County Public Library

Enjoy reading about real life events? It could be YOU you're reading about in the paper when you GET REAL with us and enter this year's Poetry and Writing Contest.

"Get Real!@your library" is just around the corner and the Gwinnett County Public Library is gearing up for a big celebration. We're kicking things off with the third annual Gwinnett County Public Library Teen Read Week 2005 Poetry & Writing Contest. Once again this year's contest includes not only poetry, but prose as well. But whatever style, whatever subject, you have to follow one simple rule: all entries must be 200 words or less.

Entries must be from those who have their own Gwinnett Public Library card. (Don't have one? Just visit your closest Gwinnett County Public Library for help on getting one.)

Entrants must be in grades 6-12, must submit original work and may submit two entries. Entrants must include your full name, telephone number, grade, the name of your school, the name of the Gwinnett County Public Library branch you visit, and your library card number on the entry form.

They must be in or between grades 6-12 to enter. Entries must be 200 words or less (not including the title) on any subject, in any style.

Entries may be typed or handwritten (neatly in ink), and may be turned in at any one of the Gwinnett County Public Library's 12 branches, or electronically submitted through the library's website, Virtualville (www.gwinnettpl.org).

Deadline for entries is September 22, 2005. Winners will be announced in early October. No entries may be returned.

There will be 12 winners overall in two divisions, and a grand prize winner.
If selected, you will have the opportunity to attend a special winners' reception, open to the public, on Sunday, October 16, 2005, and read your winning entry. You'll also get the chance to have your work published on the Gwinnett County Public Library's website and win other great prizes!

You may register at any branch library or submit your entry on-line at Virtualville (www.gwinnettpl.org).


Gwinnett Tech offers "responsible alcohol" training course

Gwinnett Technical College is hosting a training course on "Responsible Alcohol Sales and Service" (RASS) for hotel and restaurant managers on Tuesday, August 30,. This is in conjunction with the Gwinnett County License and Revenue and the Gwinnett Educating about Alcohol Responsibility (GEAR) coalition. The training will be held at The Busbee Center on Gwinnett Tech's campus, from 1-4 p.m.

The free seminar is a necessity for all restaurant managers who understand that comprehensive RASS programs help reduce sales to underage youth and intoxicated adults and helps protect them legally, as well.

The three-hour training session will provide managers with a certification with emphasis in:

* creating a written policy for their establishment that includes the components to limit liability;

* customizing the online RASS tool specifically for their restaurant.

* training their employees in RASS and educating them about specific county or city laws.

To register for this manager's training, call or email Mark L. Newton at 678-226-6396 or at mnewton@gwinnetttech.edu.

REVIEW
Books from James Lee Burke,

"Any book by James Lee Burke. In the Electric Mist with the Confederate Dead was his breakout novel, but any of the Dave Robicheaux series of books are fantastic. He creates an incredible sense of place (do you know what a nutria is?) while demonstrating the classic good vs. evil battle. His latest, Crusader's Cross, has a twisty plot that should make for a good movie. It kept me up until 2 a.m. to finish it!

"And I don't think I saw Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil on your list of Southern books. I have family who know most of the characters" and they say their portrayals are quite accurate. I know the additions could go on and on. I plan on reading several from your list that I haven't gotten to yet.

"Thanks for reading."

-- Beth McIntyre, Dacula

• An invitation: What Web sites, books or restaurants have you enjoyed? Send us your best recent visit to a restaurant or most recent book you have read along with a short paragraph as to why you liked it, plus what book you plan to read next. --eeb
  
  
  

GEORGIA TIDBIT
Pottery found near Macon gives indication of Indian life

Swift Creek archaeological culture refers to Woodland prehistoric cultural groups in Georgia who manufactured a distinctive pottery type. This pottery, generally termed Swift Creek Complicated Stamped, is noted for its distinctive decoration. Complex curvilinear patterns were first carved into a wooden paddle, which was used to stamp the design into the soft clay walls of the pottery before it was fired.

The name for this pottery and culture resulted from archaeological work done under the auspices of the Smithsonian Institution and sponsored by the Works Progress Administration at the Swift Creek site in Macon, Ga., from 1933 until the end of the decade. Precisely when and where this pottery type developed, however, is unknown. Its presumed core area is the modern state of Georgia, but it has also been found in neighboring states, particularly northern Florida. Kolomoki State Park, near Blakely, Ga., was a Late Swift Creek site that had cultural ties to northern Florida.

Radiocarbon dates from a number of sites suggest the time range of approximately 20 B.C. to A.D. 805. The pottery style changed over time. Early Swift Creek vessels were deep jars with notched or scalloped rims; Late Swift Creek vessels were bowl forms with folded rims.

Given the geographic range and the 825-year period during which this pottery was popular, it is unlikely that the term Swift Creek culture refers to a single group of people. Probably several cultural groups shared this particular pottery style.

Relatively little is known about aspects of the Swift Creek archaeological culture other than the consummate woodworking skill evident in the pottery. Based on archaeological and anthropological research in other regions, it is presumed that the Swift Creek peoples engaged in the cultivation of such plants as sunflower and squash to supplement their hunting and collecting of wild foods. Some social stratification may have existed; for the most part, however, Swift Creek peoples lived together as equals in small but permanent villages, with kinship playing a major role in their social and civic life.

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

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
Einstein could come up with relativity of life, too

"The problems that exist in the world today cannot be solved by the level of thinking that created them."

-- Physicist Albert Einstein, via Alan Harkness, Snellville

• 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

© 2005, 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.