TODAY'S ISSUE
Local Red Cross finds outpouring of help for Katrina people
By Laurie Kimbrell
Community Relations Specialist
American Red Cross
For GwinnettForum.com

(Editor's Note: We wanted the American Red Cross to tell its local story of its efforts to help Hurricane Katrina victims. Laurie Kimbrell interviewed Gloria Edge, service associate for the Northeastern District, from their offices on Hi-Hope Road.-eeb)

SEPT. 20, 2005 -- The American Red Cross launched the largest emergency relief effort in its history to meet the unprecedented humanitarian needs in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

Locally, in Lawrenceville we got our first indication of Katrina's effect on August 31, when 15 evacuees walked into our small Red Cross District Office to seek assistance. The next day it was over 100, and by Friday there were more than 1,000 evacuees lined up outside. A disaster relief effort of this kind was unprecedented in our area, as well as nationally.

Gloria Edge remembers: "When this started, everyday I stepped out in faith, not knowing how our assigned staff of two would find the resources to assist with our needs for food, supplies, and manpower to meet the immediate needs of hundreds, sometimes thousands of evacuees that lined up outside our office. Everyday my fears were quelled when the people of Gwinnett County came through.

"Although our office was seriously overtaxed, Eva Coffey, our Red Cross Disaster Specialist, moved quickly to organize and implement a local disaster plan. Calling on the support of Frank Daniell, coordinator of Gwinnett County Emergency Management, immediate action was taken to ensure the health and safety of the evacuees. About 14 tents were set up to shelter the sun, hundreds of chairs were provided, signs were posted, police came to direct traffic and to coordinate a new parking lot in an adjacent field. Gwinnett Medical Center even sent doctors and nurses to provide emergency medical needs on site."

Thanks to the generosity of the community and local companies in Gwinnett County, each evacuee received a least one hot meal daily along with snacks and beverages throughout the day while they waited to be seen by a Red Cross case worker who would provide them with financial assistance.

Hundreds of spontaneous volunteers came forward willing to handle even the most menial tasks. They worked along side of volunteer Disaster Action Team members who worked tirelessly to provide financial assistance and provided mental health counseling from 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. to process about 125 families per day. Altogether, more than 600 people volunteered approximately 17,000 hours to this cause. Donations, at the Gwinnett office alone, topped $50,000, and that does not include Gwinnettians who may have donated online, or sent checks to our national or chapter offices.

Gloria says: "The Red Cross volunteer slogan 'Upon our shoulders the nation can rest' has never been more evident as I watched new and seasoned volunteers reach out to offer comfort to evacuees. Nine days later, the Joint Resource Recovery Center opened off on Highway 20 and we were able to process over 1,000 families per day."

She adds: 'One of my most touching memories was when one of our key Disaster Volunteers was missing. A few minutes later she was discovered in a back storage room trying to regain composure after being overcome with emotion from a client's story. A Louisiana mother of three had described her horrifying moments as the floodwaters rose in her home. Knowing there was no way she could hold on to all three of her small children in the deep water, she searched her home frantically for some rope to tie them together. Finding no rope, her only recourse was Saran wrap, which she wrapped around the waists of her children so she could hold on as the water deepened. The quick-thinking mother managed to save her children and was evacuated to Gwinnett County."

Gloria also feels: "The Red Cross responded well. But we could not have done it without the remendous volunteer effort of many Gwinnettians. I am sure that the victims of Hurricane Katrina thank each of them for their assistance."

ELLIOTT BRACK
Regents need to "brand" four-year college with right name
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
GwinnettForum.com

SEPT. 20, 2005 -- Names are being floated for the new state four year college in Gwinnett.

The Board of Regents is "taking names," so to speak. It invites comment, and has scheduled a focus group to hear suggestions, perhaps as early as later this month.

So, what's your choice of name? Here are a few that have been floated:

Gwinnett State College. The name would be similar to other institutions of the Regents, such as Kennesaw State University. (The Gwinnett campus is merely a college now. If it has more than one college within its body, it would quality for "university" status then, should the Regents approve such moves.)

Benefits of this name is that it would geographically locate the name in what is now recognized throughout the nation as a progressive county in the Metro Atlanta area. There is no other "Gwinnett' name in the nation, which pinpoints the location. This is the choice of quite a few people.

North Atlanta College. Naw. We reject that one, or any geographic or directional name. Even Louisiana changed their directional colleges to focus on community, as in University of Louisiana at Monroe, instead of Northeast Louisiana.

James Lawrence College. "Who's he?" you might wonder. He's the guy, an 1812 War ship commander, for whom the city of Lawrenceville is named. He's said to have uttered "Don't Give Up the Ship" during the battle between the USS Chesapeake and HMS Shannon, off he coast of Boston. He was mortally wounded, but the words lived in American lore.

(Later in that same war, Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry would re-name his ship in honor of his friend, the USS Lawrence. When on Lake Erie, he would fly a flag with the words on it: "Don't Give Up The Ship" to commemorate his late friend, Lawrence.)

Other early colleges were named for individuals, and are well known today. Harvard was for a young minister, John Harvard, who upon his death, left his library and estate to the young college. Yale is named for Elihu Yale, who made a substantial gift to the school. And Emory is named for an early Methodist minister.

Elisha Winn College. He's a key figure in Gwinnett's founding, having the county formed at his house, and also being an early Inferior Court judge. His wife, Philadelphia Winn, would also lend a distinctive name to a college, but with the location of a Gwinnett campus of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Suwanee, naming for her might confuse matters.

Button Gwinnett College. Almost overlooked, this is a distinctive, natural name for the college, one which speaks to branding, a key component today. How many people do you know named either Button or Gwinnett? And if naming for someone, what's better than naming the college for one of the most distinctive names in our history, forever part of heritage by being a signer of the Declaration of Independence?

Old Button had a short life in Georgia, displaying a tenacious spirit, though he had his problems. But he's our Button, and we can think of no better and more distinctive name that his to carry this new institution forward into the future with dignity and distinctiveness.

Years from now, when the Gwinnett four year college is flourishing, and will be known for its innovative impact on education, we have no doubt. Students across the country will yearn to be admitted to Button Gwinnett College, that respected institution with the unusual and distinctive name.

Let's name it for our enigma and link to the past, Button Gwinnett. That's my thinking. Now it's your turn to suggest a name. Send it to us for feedback!

ABOUT OUR SPONSORS

The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. Today's sponsor is the Gwinnett County Public Library, named Library of the Year 2000. GCPL currently operates 12 branches throughout the county. The 13th branch, to be in Dacula, is under construction and will open in 2006. Library hours area: Monday -Thursday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 6 p.m. GCPL offers traditional books, magazines, CD books, and children's DVDs, plus electronic resources such as Million Dollar Database, Mergent Online, Reference USA and Proquest Newspapers. Many online resources are available remotely by computer. All libraries offer wireless Internet access, serving as a remote office via your computer. Gwinnett County Public Library is "not your mother's library." To see why not, visit any branch, www.gwinnettpl.org or call 770-978-5154

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FEEDBACK
9/20: Raises questions of court nominee concerning "white bread"

Editor, the Forum:

Caller on C-Span on September 15 said that Judge Roberts is the best thing since white bread. Senator Orin Hatch agreed with the caller.

What is white bread? Most nutritionist if not all would say that white bread is not good for us. I see the parallel might be a revelation of what's to come with the confirmation of Judge Roberts.

When white bread came about, as this caller suggests, it was the best thing. Judge Roberts might be like white bread. At first, before the research is done and effects of his decisions are known, he will be a knight in shinning armor.

Will with time, research, and outcomes of his decisions show us that he, like white
bread, is not good for us? It seems it is worthwhile to find out now before he is confirmed as the 17th Chief Justice and not repeat the same mistake that we made with white bread. Share your voice at http://www.freeus.info.

-- Richard Dempster, Suwanee

9/20: Gives location for site concerning Katrina-stranded animals

Editor, the Forum:

Please help get the word to the federal and state governments that the animal victims of Hurricane Katrina need their help. Volunteers in the region are doing all they can to rescue starving and stranded pets and other animals, but they need federal assistance now. Here is a link to the web page with the phone numbers you should call:

https://community.hsus.org/campaign/katrina_governmentresponse?rk=Q1apJoE13RImW

-- Roy McCreary, Dacula

9/20: Misses old characters, and take in grid game in Moultrie

Editor, the Forum:

Remember the colorful football coach Bum Phillips? I miss those characters we used to have. Coaches today often resemble programmed automatons with ready and predictable responses to most any question. Don't look for anything unique out of those types.

They're a lot like politicians, formerly an interesting bunch, but usually not so today. Bum, Frank Howard (remember him?) and those guys could give you a good laugh with some spontaneous one-liners. A reporter asked Bum a few years back what he was doing these days. Bum replied : " I ain't doing a dang thing and I don't start 'till noon."

* * * * *

Speaking of football, I attended the Parkview-Colquitt County game in Moultrie recently. It seemed odd to me that the black Colquitt County football fans self-segregated themselves at the Parkview-Colquitt County game. The black Colquitt fans occupied about one-third of the visitor's side of the stadium, next to the Parkview fans, while the white fans filled most of the home side of the stadium.

The visitor's side was split into three sections with two barriers forming the three areas. Parkview turned out a good crowd, filling most of the one-third, and their band and students filling another third.

The black Colquitt fans started noisily cheering their team and grew almost silent as the game slipped away early. The white fans across the way seemed to stay fairly involved as the game progressed.

One thing about that stadium in Moultrie: they have the same size seating on both sides, just as much for the visitors as the home side. In most places, including Parkview and Brookwood fields, visitors get a few rows of low-slung seats, almost at ground level, making it difficult to have a decent view of the game on the far side of the field. When you visit Colquitt County you get a nice seat on either side of the stadium. To me, all football stadiums should be built in this way.

Riding a bus down there definitely beats driving there. One minor drawback at Colquitt: the public address speakers are all mounted on the home side and it will drive you nuts trying to figure out what the announcer is saying on the other side. It sounds like a lot of squawking across the way. The best solution is to tune him out if you can.

I'll give Colquitt folks good grades for courtesy. On leaving the area, one of the police officers even told us "Have a safe trip home!" Not only that, he actually sounded as though he meant it!

And I'll take high school ball over college and pro anytime. It's more fun and the tickets are cheaper. It's as close to amateur competition as it gets. Concessions are better and less expensive , too. I gave up my season tickets at Georgia years ago and don't miss it at all. I watch on big-screen tv instead, bouncing around several games with a remote control and a short attention span, without being in traffic --- and no contribution to the alumni association required!

-- Marshall Miller, Lilburn

NOTABLE
Gwinnett Place CID approves comprehensive traffic study

A new effort launched recently will find ways of easing traffic congestion in Gwinnett County's central business district.

The Gwinnett Place Community Improvement District (CID) board of directors have hired a local consulting firm, Street Smarts, to develop a comprehensive traffic and transportation study. The firm will work between now and January to produce a plan addressing congestion relief, aesthetic changes, mobility improvements
and pedestrian access throughout the district.

Gwinnett Place CID Executive Director Dave Rosselle says: "This study will help us identify specific projects needed to improve the community."

Street Smarts consultants are also working with the Gwinnett Place CID to complete a grant application for Transportation Enhancement funds offered by the state. The special funds, which will be awarded in January, would provide for streetscapes to be installed along with new sidewalks planned for Pleasant Hill Road from Breckinridge Boulevard to Satellite Boulevard.

Commission Clerk Brenda Maddox retires at end of year

Gwinnett County Clerk Brenda Maddox plans to retire at the end of the year after more than 15 years of service to Gwinnett County. The county clerk manages the agendas for commission meetings, a multi-step process that requires coordination with all levels of government officials and staff.

Maddox

Maddox has worked for Gwinnett County since 1990. She served as deputy county clerk before her appointment as county clerk in 1998. A certified county clerk, Maddox later completed the Advanced Education Municipal and County Clerks Program through the University of Georgia.

Maddox's retirement has prompted administrators to streamline the staff in the county administrator's office. Diane Kemp and Marie Dickey, who currently work as executive assistants in the county administrator's office, will both become trained, certified clerks and will rotate serving as county clerk on a quarterly basis. This move will put into place two qualified employees to handle the important function of county clerk.

GHS Foundation announces two new staff members

Patti Williamson will join the Gwinnett Hospital System Foundation this month as Director of Development, says John Riddle, executive director of the Foundation. Prior to this, she has been in the banking industry in Gwinnett since 1991. More recently she was Vice President and Mortgage Loan Officer with First National Bank of Gwinnett in Duluth.

She brings to the position a wealth of experience of the Gwinnett community. Her involvement includes:

• Leadership Gwinnett
• President's Advisory Council of the Gwinnett Chamber
• Duluth Rotary Club member
• Past Ambassador of the Year Award winner of the Gwinnett Chamber
• Annual Support Committee member of our own GHS Foundation!

The Foundation also announces that Cindy Reasor will join the staff in a new position as coordinator of Special Events. She previously was with BellSouth as an executive assistant and manager, and involved in planning the BellSouth Classic. More recently she
served as a legal assistant at Andersen, Tate, Mahaffey & McGarity in Lawrenceville.

She will be taking on many of the event planning tasks of Ginger Powell, who has a new role as Foundation Manager.

Recycling bank offers drop-off point for hurricane relief

Beginning September 15 and running through November 15 proceeds from recyclable goods brought to the Recycling Bank of Gwinnett can be donated to the American Red Cross for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

Local citizens, businesses, government agencies, churches, community groups and schools are encouraged to bring all newspapers, office paper, aluminum cans and plastic drink bottles to the Recycle Bank at 4300 Satellite Boulevard in Duluth, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. for the benefit of the American Red Cross.

For any newspapers, office paper, aluminum cans and plastic drink bottles brought in for the American Red Cross relief efforts, the Bank will provide a receipt for these tax-deductible donations.

"Too often individuals feel like the only way to help is through donating money," said Connie Wiggins, Executive Director of Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful. "With this opportunity to donate through simple recycling, our entire community can support individuals that need our help and have a substantial impact."

For more information on ways to get involved locally, visit www.gwinnettcb.org.

RECOMMENDATION

• 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
Jackson returns to Georgia to frustrate Yazoo land dealers

James Jackson (1757-1806) was born in Devonshire, England, on September 21, 1757. He made his most important contributions to his adopted state in the political arena, overturning the Yazoo land fraud of 1795 and building the state's first true political party.

Jackson

Sent to Savannah in 1772 to live with a family friend while reading law, the young Jackson's studies were interrupted by the outbreak of the American Revolution. A member of the Georgia legislature in the 1780s, Jackson was elected to the First Congress, where he became an early, articulate opponent of Federalist Alexander Hamilton's financial plan and, thus, one of the first Jeffersonians.

In 1795 the Georgia legislature sold the state's western (or "Yazoo") lands to several companies of speculators. Rumors abounded that the purchasers had used bribery to secure passage of the Yazoo Act. Jackson, a member of the U.S. Senate since 1793, resigned his seat, returned to Georgia, and won a seat in the state legislature in order to personally organize an anti-Yazoo campaign. Once more manipulating grand jury presentments and the press, Jackson and his supporters rescinded the Yazoo Act and arranged the public destruction of records associated with the sale. After being elected governor in 1798 Jackson saw to it that the substance of the Rescinding Act of 1796 was engrafted onto a revised state constitution.

By the mid-1790s party lines had begun to solidify in Congress between Federalists and Jeffersonians. Jackson took advantage of the fact that the most prominent "corrupters" of the Yazoo legislature were Federalists and led Georgia into the ranks of the Jeffersonian Republican Party. During his governorship (1798-1801) and his last term in the U.S. Senate (1801-6), Jackson and his allies established Jeffersonian papers in the state capital, Louisville, and in Augusta and Savannah. Jackson adroitly wielded patronage to extend what had been a coastal political faction statewide. He also frustrated efforts by purchasers under the discredited Yazoo Act to transfer their claims to Congress until 1802, by which time the Jeffersonians controlled the federal government.

Jackson's fiery temperament made him a political lightning rod. Never one to back away from a fight, his political career was studded with duels and bloody street brawls. Jackson's appreciation of the land hunger endemic to Georgians and his willingness to put his life and reputation on the line to control it made him the "colossus" of Georgia politics. He died in Washington, D.C., on March 19, 1806, at the age of 48, and is buried in the Congressional Cemetery. Jackson County is named for him.

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

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
Certain times might produce even more certain virtues

"Honesty is the best policy - when there is money in it."

-- Mark Twain.

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

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