TODAY'S ISSUE
Impact Group opens new senior housing concept in Buford
By Emily Hill
Special to GwinnettForum

BUFORD, Ga., April 28, 2006 -- Among the challenges facing our community is a lack of safe and decent affordable housing that is designed to meet the demands of senior citizens, particularly those with modest financial resources. One of Gwinnett County's responses to this challenge ˜Huntington Court Senior Residence˜ marked its grand opening recently, in the company of the community leaders who championed the project.

Huntington Court Senior Residence is a 152-unit apartment home built on 11 acres of land in Buford. The $14 million development was funded by Gwinnett County HOME funds, Low Income Housing Tax Credit equity and private investments. To date, approximately 50 percent of the units have been leased to active seniors aged 62 and older. The property boasts amenities including a fitness center, wellness room, beauty/barber shop, rocking chair porch, lighted central courtyard, library and media center.

As part of the opening, its library was dedicated to Jack and Emery Gantz of the Gwinnett Council for Seniors, and the media room was dedicated to John McCrory of J. Mack Realty for their vision and commitment to quality housing for all. As members of The IMPACT! Group Board of Directors, the honorees played a vital role in the creation of Huntington Court.

Gwinnett County Commission Chairman Charles Bannister spoke at the event, congratulating The IMPACT! Group for their continued efforts and value to the community. Bannister presented the development team of Huntington Court -- The IMPACT! Group, Progressive Redevelopment, Inc. and NorSouth Companies -- with a Resolution recognizing their efforts to provide fair and affordable housing to elderly residents in Gwinnett County and designating the month of April 2006 as Fair Housing Month.

Commissioner Kevin Kenerly, who represents Gwinnett's 4th Commission District, in which Huntington Court is located, was also present. "I wish a place like this had been available for my parents," stated Kenerly, He also shared that he related to the need for affordable, quality senior housing on a personal level. "I understand how important it is to know your parents are in a safe and comfortable place."

Also making statements at the event were Mary Presley, deputy director of the Atlanta Office of Community Planning and Development of the United States Housing and Urban Development; Craig Goebel, director of the Gwinnett County Community Development Office; Marina Peed, president of The IMPACT! Group; Bruce Gunter, president of Progressive Redevelopment, Inc.; and Shawn Turpin, IronStone Bank and IMPACT! Group Board treasurer.

"We just love it here!" exclaimed Eileen and Robert Giselbach, who described themselves as avid horseshoes players and participants in the Atlanta Senior Olympics. "We train in the fitness center just about every day. We‚re probably going to wear out all the equipment."

Attendees were given maps for a self-guided tour of the property following the ceremony.

For further information, please visit the Huntington Court Senior Residence website at www.huntingtonct.com or call (770) 904-4808. The property is located at 4115 South Lee Street in Buford, Georgia.

ELLIOTT BRACK
Power politics in state means more of the same, but new party
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
GwinnettForum.com

APRIL 28, 2006 -- Georgia is best served, we've always thought, from real competition between the political parties. Unfortunately, we've really had very little effective competition between the parties.

Brack

For at least 100 years, there's been a dominant party, with the party out-of-power having very little to say about the way we are governed. For all but the last four years, it was the Democrats in power, not allowing state Republicans to have much impact or power in the state.

Then four years ago, Republicans soon had a majority of both the House and Senate, in addition to the governor's office. Ipso facto: the Democrats were frozen out of any semblance of being an effective power in the state.

What had happened in the preceding years was that the Republican Party was on the ascendancy, and full of vigor. Democrats were on the wane, fighting what even some of them saw was a losing effort statewide, trying with desperation to hold onto their power. But the impact of the Reagan era, and then the Bush victories, plus many newcomers moving into the state who favored Republicans, caused even the Democrats to have a "hang dog" attitude, anticipating the Republican ascendancy.

Yet recent developments make the possibility of "balance" between the two parties seem distant. What's happening these days is that key Democratic legislators are finding that their efforts at the Legislature, what with Republicans in control, are frustrating, and difficult. So, to achieve more for their home districts, some Democrats are switching to the Republican Party. While loyal Democrats in their home town may howl and scream, most of those switching to the Republican Party will probably get re-elected, and find their job much easier and themselves less stressed working in the framework of the Republican majority.

Yet their act of switching makes it even more difficult for Democrats to have any semblance of parity with Republicans. It also puts off perhaps for even more years any semblance of real competition between the parties that would best serve all the people of the state.

Republicans, maybe smiling, tell those loyal to the Democratic Party, that perhaps now they understand how difficult it is to stay in a minority party trying to achieve within a majority. "Tit-for-tat," they may also say. "Now you know how I felt as a Republican in a Democratic-controlled atmosphere all these years."

Democrats, to remain a viable party for the voters, must find a way to bring fresh faces and ideas, and capture the attention of the independent middle, which in recent times leaned toward the GOP. It will not be easy to gain this balance. However, should the Democrats achieve this, we feel the state will benefit, since it will give the state two competitive, strong parties.

That's what we've been championing: two healthy parties, with either one having a good chance to win the state's favor. With such a competitive political landscape, with both parties closely watching one another, the people of the state will be better served.

Raleigh newspaper compares Gwinnett, Wake school systems

Those of you interested in education in Gwinnett might want to check out a story that ran April 24 in The Raleigh, N.C., News and Observer. That newspaper story recently compared what was happening in education in Wake County, N.C. to Gwinnett County.

It illustrated that the $132.8 million Gwinnett schools received from SPLOST in 2005 exceeds Wake's total spent from all sources on debt retirement last year ($108 million.) Of that, Wake $108 million debt retirement, only $16.9 million came from sales tax.

Read this story at: http://www.newsobserver.com/1213/story/432187.html

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McLEMORE'S WORLD
4/28: Unfortunately, often politics as usual

Another great cartoon from Bill McLemore:

FEEDBACK
4/28: Suggests making one school especially for ESOL students

Editor, the Forum:

In reviewing the student data of '04-'05 and past years in the Southwest corner of Gwinnett County (District III & V), it is apparent that ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages) enrollment is increasing exponentially at the elementary school level. The average ESOL enrollment for '04-'05 data is 29 percent per elementary school.

With the rising number of ESOL students, it is within reason to assume that a large part of the focus of these schools will be to assimilate these students. The low test scores of the schools in these two districts clearly indicate a strong need for ESOL services.

However, it is disconcerting for parents of children who do not need these services to know that so much of the attention of these schools is given to the ESOL population. It is especially overwhelming for a parent new to the public school system to visit our local elementary schools and see such a large number of ESOL students in kindergarten. They immediately think that the teacher will teach down to accommodate these students and that their child will not get the educational stimulation he/she needs.

The student data numbers show a drop in enrollment of students who do not need ESOL services. Each year a larger number of families are choosing private over public schools because they feel that their child's educational needs are not being met in the public school environment. As the ESOL numbers grow, the perception of our elementary schools is that they are becoming institutions of assimilation, not higher education. We need to find a better balance of services and focus where everyone feels that their child's educational needs are met.

I would like to encourage the Gwinnett School Board to consider creating a charter school that provides these much needed services for the ESOL population in a separate environment where their focus is assimilation. I would assume that most ESOL students would only need a full year or two at the most at this charter school to reach an appropriate academic and English speaking level to re-enter the public school system successfully. This approach will and can increase test scores. These services are greatly needed for the ESOL population in our community. Successful assimilation makes for a strong and viable community.

Let's put the focus of higher education back into our public schools.

-- Pam Hopper, Norcross

4/28: Holds back a little on bragging about UGA accomplishments

Editor, the Forum:

For those who don't follow University of Georgia athletics closely, you might check out this information. For instance, last weekend:

• Men's Golf----SEC Champions;
  
  
• Men's Tennis----SEC Champions;
  
  
• Women's Gymnastics----Gym Dogs, NCAA Champions, seventh time, second in a row, undefeated season for the fourth time. (No other school has even done it once!)

By the way----Georgia Bulldogs football team was the 2005 SEC Champion!

Still working on Men's Basketball!

-- Charles Summerour, Duluth

Dear Charles: Glad to see you are still working on UGA basketball.-eeb

UPCOMING
Last performance for Aurora at Duluth is "Guys and Dolls"

Nathan Detroit is played by Anthony Rodriquez, while Robert Egizio plays Sky Masterson in the Aurora theatre production of Guys and Dolls.

The final production of the Aurora Theatre at its Duluth location will open on April 27---the always popular show from Damon Runyon, "Guys and Dolls." The show will run through May 28.

Tickets are going fast for this blockbuster and dazzling show. It features some of Broadway's most indelible melodies and Damon Runyon's Big Apple of the 1940's---which was inhabited by gamblers, nightclub performers, and missionaries trying to cure the sins of the Times Square population. With an acting ensemble of over 20 performers and a seven piece orchestra, Guys & Dolls promises to explode with passion and energy in the intimate 199-seat theatre. The show is a perfect ending to Aurora's 10th Anniversary Celebration.

This production features Anthony Rodriguez (Aurora Theatre Producing Artistic Director) as Nathan Detroit and Aurora Favorite Robert Egizio (Billy Flynn in Aurora's Chicago) as Sky Masterson.

For more information, call 770 476 7926 or visit the web site at www.auroratheatre.com.

Sculptor to talk at May 10 Button Gwinnett Society meeting

McCraney-Brogdon at work

The Button Gwinnett Society meeting on May 10 at the 1818 Club features a local sculptor, Julie McCraney-Brogdon of Snellville.

She will bring samples of her art, and tell about her life as an artist, and how her artistic life has changed over the years. She presents stunning aspects of her models. The meeting begins at 6 p.m.

Ms. McCraney-Brogdon is a Columbus, Ga. native and graduate of Mercer University. Her most recent exhibition was at the 53 Cannon Street Gallery in Charleston, S.C., featuring "The Nude Show." One of her works was named "Best of Show" at the International Art Expo at Carnegie Hall, New York, in 1997. Most recently she was the featured artist (solo show) in March at Sage Moon Gallery in Charlottesville, Va.

A gallery of her art may be found at http://www.juliemccraneybrogdon.com.

The Button Gwinnett Society meets quarterly, on the second Wednesday of February, May, August and November, at 6 p.m. The meetings last about an hour and half. Most attendees drop by on the way home from work.

Andromeda

Expected to be announced at the May meeting are plans for a historical walking tour, to be held in early June. There will be no charge for BGS members for the tour. The Society has plans for having an re-enactor give a glimpse of a moment in local history during the walk. The Society anticipates having other tours of the area in coming months.

Membership is open to anyone interested in culture and the arts. The meetings last for 90 minutes, with snacks and drinks available. Membership is $100 annually.

The group was formed in 2001 and represents a wide spectrum of people from the community. For information, people may call 770 840 1003.

NOTABLE
Snellville needing volunteers for festival coming on May 6-7

Volunteers are still needed for the 33rd Annual Snellville Days Festival, May 6 and 7, at T.W. Briscoe Park. All volunteers will receive a complimentary "Look At Us Now" T-shirt.

This year's festival will feature a new parade route; over 165 vendors; Orphan Car Show; Dog & Disc Spring Championships; Live Entertainment; GCGMA Talent Auditions; "Cheaper By the Dozen;" Kid's Area; Evening Concert with T.Graham Brown & Jessica Urick; and more.

Those wanting to volunteer should contact Gwen Russell at 770-985-3535, or via email at grussell@snellville.org.

National group recognized Edith Harvey, 92, for volunteering

The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) announces the selection of "Miss Edith" Harvey, a 92-year young resident of Lawrenceville, as Georgia's only MetLife Foundation 2006 Older Americans Enrich America Award winner. Administered by n4a, the national program honors 26 outstanding older volunteers and their contributions to their communities, and Miss Edith is a silver honoree in the Team Spirit category.

Edith Harvey came to Gwinnett County Senior Services as a volunteer in 1978 and has had a hand in preparing more than a million meals for seniors over the past 28 years! As a "regular worker" three days a week, Miss Edith has compiled almost 18,000 volunteer hours of valued service for Gwinnett County Senior Services. Dutifully seated, she might be packaging bread products for the hundreds of homebound Meals on Wheels recipients or preparing dessert servings for the center's congregate meals, but "Miss Edith" is ever cheerful and always reliable. Food Services Supervisor Pat Milhous confirms this by stating, "The best part of working with "Miss Edith" is getting a beautiful smile and a great big hug from a beautiful person." When not "on duty" in the kitchen, she "helps out a fourth day" with the Lawrenceville Housing Authority by providing wise counsel, moral support, or comfort to other residents.

Senior Services Manager Linda Bailey says: "Edith Harvey is a legend as a volunteer, but she will never draw attention to herself. We are thankful that she enjoys helping others and has chosen to make volunteering such an important part of her life, because her efforts help so many others." Miss Edith's humility underscores the value of her volunteer service. She is quick to point out her service to help feed more than a million people as a volunteer, "God had to provide the good food for them in the first place. "

RESTAURANT REVIEW
The Loop, Buckhead

"Good pizza at The Loop, Peachtree Road in Buckhead. We stopped there recently. Maybe a little high, $15 or so for a large, but outstanding quality. It fairly well satisfied three of us. I've been there once before and it was good then, also."

-- Marshall Miller, Lilburn

• 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 singer Brinda Lee was success from early childhood

"STRONGEST WOMAN IN USA" IS WEIGHTLIFTER FROM SAVANNAH

Often called "the strongest woman in the United States," Cheryl Haworth (1983 - ) is a competitive weight lifter who emerged in the late 1990s as a popular icon for women in sports. While still a teenager, she became national champion, junior world champion, and an Olympic medalist.

Haworth

Cheryl Ann Haworth was born in Savannah. Her father, a businessman, and her mother, a nurse, were both athletes and encouraged their daughters to play sports. After having her tonsils and adenoids removed at age six, she gained weight, and family members and playmates began to notice her unusual strength. She became interested in weight lifting as a way to improve in softball. Haworth was only thirteen when her father took her to the Anderson/Cohen Weightlifting Center. The coaches were astonished when she power-cleaned 110 pounds with ease-never had they seen such potential in a female lifter.

Haworth was soon training two and a half hours a day, five times a week, and competing regularly. By 1998 she was a national champion, the nation's leading female weight lifter, and the youngest lifter (at 15) ever to hold senior American records.

For Haworth 1999 was a banner year, with another national title, a gold medal in the Pan American Games, a silver medal in the junior world championships, and a fourth place finish at the world championships in Athens, Greece, with a 253-pound snatch and a 303-pound clean-and-jerk lift. At the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, where women competed in weight lifting for the first time, Haworth had a perfect day with a 275-pound snatch and a 319-pound clean-and-jerk lift at a body weight of 300 pounds, setting five American records and capturing the bronze medal.

Haworth has continued her winning ways, collecting six national titles, a bronze medal at the 2001 Goodwill Games, and two junior world championships. She holds all national records in her class and, after finishing fourth at the 2002 world championships in Warsaw, Poland, was the highest-ranking American weight lifter, male or female. Haworth competed in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, and finished in sixth place.

Haworth's appeal, however, extends beyond the sport of weight lifting. A versatile athlete, she can run 40 yards in 5.5 seconds, jump 30-inch vertical leaps, and perform front, back, and sideway splits. She is also a talented artist. She graduated from the Savannah Arts Academy in 2001 and studies historic preservation at the Savannah College of Art and Design.

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

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
There are some elements that you don't find too often

"Taste. You cannot buy such a rare and wonderful thing. You cannot send away for it in a catalog. And I am afraid it is becoming obsolete."

-- Classy (and tasteful) actress Rosalind Russell, (1911-1976), via David Earl Tyre, Jesup.

• 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

© 2006, 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.

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GwinnettForum.com
Number 6.08, April 28, 2006

TODAY'S ISSUE: Huntington Court Senior Residence Have Opening in Buford
ELLIOTT BRACK: Party Parity in Georgia Increasingly Frustrating for Democrats
McLEMORE'S WORLD: Unfortunately, Often Politics as Usual
FEEDBACK: Suggest School for ESOL Students Only; Bragging Rights on UGA
UPCOMING: Aurora Opens "Guys and Dolls;' Button Gwinnett Hosts Sculptor
NOTABLE: Snellville Day Needs Volunteers; Gwinnettian Honored Nationally
RESTAURANT REVIEW: The Loop in Buckhead, from Marshall Miller
GEORGIA TIDBIT: Savannah Weightlifter Considered Strongest US Woman
TODAY'S QUOTE: Actress Rosalind Russell on Quality Not Often Found



TUNNELING. Construction of a Pleasant Hill Road tunnel under both Buford Highway and the Norfolk Southern Railroad is underway by the Georgia Department of Transportation. Though cluttered, this plan (click here to see a larger image) gives an idea of what the area will look like when the work is done. Travelers on Pleasant Hill will access Buford Highway via two of the four ramps. Where these ramps meet Buford Highway, the department is adding traffic signals. For example, if you are traveling on Pleasant Hill toward Interstate 85 you would use Ramp A to access Buford Highway. Those on Buford Highway wanting to get on Pleasant Hill Road East would use Ramp B. Construction will take approximately two years and is being done at a cost of $25.3 million.

Click above image to find
lowest gas prices in Atlanta

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