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TODAY'S
ISSUE
Maintenance and Care
101 for septic tanks coming soon
By Kelly O'Brien
Clean Water Campaign Coordinator
Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District
Special to GwinnettForum.com
FEB. 17, 2006 -- Septic systems are usually installed
in areas where sanitary sewer is not available and where wastewater
must be disposed of on the property. There are more than an estimated
half a million septic systems, with over 12,000 septic systems
being added per year in the 16-county Metropolitan North Georgia
Water Planning District.
O'Brien |
To help homeowners better maintain their septic systems, the
Clean Water Campaign has partnered with the local County Environmental
Health Services to conduct workshops around the District on system
maintenance. Gwinnett Department of Public Utilities will be conducting
a workshop on February 23 at 7 p.m. at the Gwinnett Justice and
Administration Center.
At one time, septic systems were thought of as a temporary wastewater
treatment solution until sewer lines could be extended; however
that is no longer the case. Some portions of the District will
never be sewered. Because septic systems will be the permanent
wastewater treatment solution for many households, the long-term
management of septic systems requires more consideration.
A poorly functioning septic system is a potentially serious cause
of water pollution. Stormwater can carry harmful bacteria from
failing septic systems into rivers, lakes, streams and groundwater.
Like an automobile, air conditioner, or any other system, a septic
system needs periodic maintenance to extend the life of the system
and to avoid costly emergency repairs.
Septic tanks should generally be pumped at least every five years
at an average cost of $350 per pumping. Emergency repairs may
run $3,500 or more depending on site conditions.
The estimated cost to completely replace a septic system begins
at $5,000 and can run much higher under special conditions such
as proximity to an aquifer, underlying rock or soil composition.
Even the best-designed and well maintained system will eventually
fail. Timely maintenance will extend the life of the system and
ultimately save the owner money.
How do you know if your septic tank is failing?
The most common indicator of septic system failure is a wet area
on your property above the absorption field, often accompanied
by a sewage odor. This may indicate a need for system replacement.
Other indicators are water backing up in the house or slow-flushing
toilets. If you have concerns that your system is having problems,
contact a licensed septic tank contractor. A list of licensed
contractors is available from Gwinnett County Environmental Health
or online at www.gwinnetthealth.com.
Clean Water Campaign Offers "Maintenance and Care 101."
There are four simple ways to care for septic tanks:
- Flush only human waste and toilet paper into septic tanks.
Don't use your toilets as a trash can.
- Avoid flooding your septic tank by fixing leaks. Leaking toilets
are a major cause of septic system failure.
- Have your septic system inspected and pumped at least once
every three to five years.
- Contact your local sewer authority to see if your home can
be connected to the sanitary sewer system.
There is no charge for the February 23 workshop, but registration
is required. Register online at www.cleanwatercampaign.com
or by calling 404-463-3259.
Septic Tank Facts
- There are nearly 100,000 septic tanks in the area and the
number continues to grow.
- There are several different types of septic tanks including
cluster and advanced chamber systems.
- Septic tanks do fail, but if maintained properly they can
have a longer life.
ELLIOTT
BRACK
Controversial from get-go, Ralph Reed raising
GOP eyebrows
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
GwinnettForum.com
FEB. 17, 2006 -- He's been controversial at least since his days
at the University of Georgia, where writing for the college newspaper,
he was accused of plagiarism.
Brack |
He came on the political scene rather strong, mobilizing right-wing
Christians into a potent political force (the Christian Coalition.)
And he saw chances to move into wider areas of influence with
a public affairs company. And then he jumped directly into politics
himself, becoming a candidate for lieutenant governor of Georgia.
You know him as Ralph Reed. While his name was once associated
with Christian virtues, he is now defending himself from attacks
from those who say he profited from such institutions as Indian
gambling casinos. And his name has also been connection with the
Jack Abramoff affair.
It's not exactly the route he would take, if he had a choice
about it, when trying to influence people in his own party to
support him in a statewide political race.
Yet that's where Mr. Reed finds himself today, locked in a race
which culminates in a few months against Gainesville businessman
Casey Cagle, himself a former state senator, who is becoming the
darling of many except the right wing of the Republican Party.
Reed |
The big question seems to be: will Republicans support Mr. Reed
for elective office even when his nomination could eventually
be a liability for the party?
Put another way: is clean-cut businessman Casey Cagle a better
nominee than someone at least dancing around the corners of being
heavily tainted with smudges of political problems?
We'll see.
Interestingly, what with it a foregone conclusion that the sitting
governor, Dr. Sonny Perdue, is a shoo-in for re-nomination, the
spotlight on Republican politics will shine on the lieutenant
governor's race. And virtually ever day, or so it seems, more
light being focused on Ralph Reed makes Republicans shudder. It's
like Mr. Reed can't get enough bad press these days, reminding
a person of Vice President Cheney.
Mr. Reed's core support, he must feel, should come from his cohorts
and friends in the organization that he helped create, the Christian
Coalition. Yet even die-hards within this group must be worried
about the image that Mr. Reed casts on the Republican Party. It's
like his reputation precedes him. That is the problem.
It's something Mr. Reed, a Duluth resident, has brought upon
himself. Though Mr. Reed announced his intention to become the
GOP nominee for lieutenant governor prior to Mr. Cagle's announcement,
he knew that Mr. Cagle would jump into the race. In January 2005,
Mr. Reed went to the capitol to meet with Mr. Cagle to see if
Cagle would stay out of the lieutenant governor's race. Mr. Reed
knew Mr. Cagle's intentions, yet still jumped into the race. His
move to run has caused many Republicans consternation, uneasiness
and even a little fear, wondering if Reed's nomination might hurt
the party statewide, when they have just gained power.
Meanwhile, Mr. Cagle continues to campaign across the state,
scoring successes, and even bringing in more campaign funds than
Mr. Reed.
Ralph Reed's candidacy is making waves this year, bringing more
than usual interest to the campaign. The question: will his candidacy
eventually mean it will hurt, rather than help, the Republican
Party? And if so, could it help the Democrats enough…..to
cause the GOP not only to lose the lieutenant governor's race,
but the governorship, too?
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FEEDBACK
2/17: Hunting lawyers
The latest from cartoonist Bill McLemore:
FEEDBACK
2/17: Comes up with
all sorts of ways president is responsible
Editor, the Forum:
Your thoughtful Valentine
column ("First One Thing, Then the Other For President
Last week") was probably well received at the Democratic
National Committee, but I found it disappointing. I was surprised
that you could not connect this weekend's East Coast snow storm
to some shortcoming of the Bush administration.
Surely Bush was responsible for evicting the poor Katrina victims
from their hotels after seven months on the government dole. Also
housing some hurricane evacuees in $400 per night hotels was Bush
paying back his rich buddies for their campaign support.
There should be some way you could connect Bush to the daily traffic
jam on Interstate 85. I'm convinced Bush is responsible for Bode
Miller missing the gate and failing to medal at the Winter Olympics.
You are a creative guy and the bounds of reality certainly don't
seem to present a problem so why not continue down the yellow
brick road?
-- Patrick Malone, Snellville
Dear Patrick: The interesting aspect is that
some people do exactly that---delve into space with their thoughts.
And yes, anyone sprayed with shotgun pellets should be blamed
for getting shot. --eeb
UPCOMING
Donald Ratajczak
speaks Tuesday to Technology Forum
Ratajczak |
Consulting Economist Dr. Donald Ratajczak will be the speaker
at the February 21 Gwinnett Technology Forum at Gwinnett Technical
College, starting at 7:30 a.m. The event will be in the Scientific-Atlanta
Auditorium in the Busbee Center.
Dr. Ratajczak's subject will be: "The Economy of Gwinnett
and Atlanta: What Does the future Hold." The event is free
to Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce members and guests. To register,
contact email Laurie McKenzie at laurie@gwinnettchamber.org.
The breakfast sponsor is ASK Staffing, Inc.
Group marshals for
fight to increase intersection safety
The problems of safety at one of Gwinnett's most dangerous intersections
are being attacked. Representatives of the Gwinnett Neighborhood
Leadership Pedestrian Safety Team will be joined by law enforcement
officials in an awareness program on Saturday , February 18. The
site of the effort will be the intersection of Jimmy Carter Boulevard
where Singleton and Norcross-Tucker Roads meet. (The rain date
is February 25.)
Team members will set up tables at various points near the intersection,
with information in both Spanish and English. Goal of the effort
is to make walking safer for the area.
The team hopes to increase the community's awareness of pedestrian
safety by targeting both pedestrians and drivers. Laura Hill,
a team member, says "We seek to educate the community about
devices like crosswalks and pedestrian traffic signals that help
to keep pedestrians safe and healthy. In addition, we hope to
raise awareness among drivers and remind them to always look for
pedestrians. Experts say many of these crashes are due to unsafe
behaviors by both pedestrians and drivers."
County plans open
house concerning stormwater drainage
Gwinnett County will give residents a chance to meet the staff
of its newly formed stormwater utility and ask questions about
the drainage and pollution control services they will provide.
The new utility will support activities such as replacing stormwater
pipes, reducing flooding, fulfilling regulatory requirements,
and reducing pollution carried by stormwater to our waterways.
It will be funded by an annual user fee that property owners will
be charged beginning this summer. In order to be most equitable,
the fee will be based on the amount of impervious surface (such
as driveways, rooftops, etc.) of each developed property. In 2006,
the average residential bill will be $27.08 with two-thirds of
single-family dwellings receiving a bill that is less than this
average.
The Open House will take place on Wednesday, February 22 at 7
p.m. in the auditorium breezeway at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration
Center, 75 Langley Drive, in Lawrenceville.
NOTABLE
Braselton seeks citizen
input for new flag and seal design
The Town of Braselton is hosting a contest to solicit concepts
and designs for a new Town flag and seal. The existing flag, featuring
a sole stately column, needs upgrading and improving, says Councilman
Paul Spivey, who adds: "This will be a citizen-driven effort.
We hope for wide participation -- from seniors to students."
Entry forms are available on the Town's web site at www.braselton.net
or at the Town Hall. Entries need not be professionally drawn
as the town will utilize the essential elements of the winning
entry and contract with a design professional for the final version.
Judging will be based upon originality, sense of history, creativity
and the general depiction of life in Braselton.
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
Georgia's coastline protected by series
of barrier islands
The Georgia coast is bordered by a series of relatively short,
wide barrier islands separated by relatively deep tidal inlets,
or sounds. Extensive sand shoal systems are present seaward of
the inlets and central portions of the island.
Eight major islands and island groups comprise the 100 miles
of coast between the Savannah and St. Marys rivers. These are
Cumberland /Little Cumberland, Jekyll , St. Simons/ Sea Island
/Little St. Simons, Sapelo /Blackbeard, St. Catherines, Ossabaw
, Wassaw, and Tybee /Little Tybee. Only Tybee, St. Simons/Sea
Island, and Jekyll are accessible by roadway and are the only
developed barrier islands.
Popularly known as the Golden Isles, the barrier islands are
composed of dune and beach ridge sands formed by the interaction
of wind, waves, currents, sand supply, and a slowly rising or
stable sea level. The availability of sand largely determines
whether the shoreline will erode or build. In addition to providing
natural habitat for numerous plant and animal communities, as
well as recreational destinations for nearby human populations,
the barrier islands protect the mainland from the brunt of major
storms and hurricanes. The developed barrier islands have no such
outer defense.
Six of the eight largest islands are composite barriers consisting
of a core of beach and dune deposits formed during the previous,
and slightly higher, worldwide sea level of the Pleistocene Silver
Bluff, approximately 40,000 to 50,000 years ago. Most of the islands
are closely fronted by similar deposits formed during the present,
or Holocene, sea-level rise that began 15,000 years ago. At that
time, the shoreline was located along the edge of the continental
shelf some 75 miles east of Brunswick, and the exposed sea bottom
became an extension of the Coastal Plain with forests, plants,
and animals. As the sea level began to slowly rise, animal communities
were able to retreat from the rising sea, but forestlands were
inundated.
About 5,000 years ago, the rate of sea-level rise decreased from
three feet per century to a little less than a foot per century.
The Holocene barrier islands began to form at, or near, their
present locations and, in most cases, welded onto the Pleistocene
barriers. Only vestiges of the Holocene barriers remain on Cumberland,
Jekyll, and St. Catherines islands, the major portions having
been eroded away by the slow but inexorable rise of the sea.
THOUGHT
OF THE DAY
Ever wonder what
were the two ways to get enough?
"There are two ways to get enough: one is to continue to
accumulate more and more. The other is to desire less."
----English author & mystery novelist G. K. Chesterton
(1874 - 1936), via Cindy Evans, Duluth.
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