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TODAY'S
ISSUE
Listening skills can
improve your overall impact on people
By Patrick Malone
The PAR Group
Special to GwinnettForum
"Listening is as powerful a means of communication and
influence as to talk well." -- John Marshall
MAY 2, 2006 -- There must be a lot of frustrated people out there,
a lot of people who feel like they aren't listened to, a lot of
people throwing up their arms and saying, "You just don't get
it, do you?" I say this because some of the most popular pages
on The PAR Group's web site are on listening skills.
We have become a nation of talkers and occasionally "shouters"
in an attempt to influence others. Unfortunately, most of us don't
realize that the secret to influencing others starts with the ability
to listen well.
"I like to listen. I have learned a great deal from listening
carefully. Most people never listen."
-- Ernest Hemingway.
The next time you find yourself trying to influence another person's
point of view, try using these keys to good listening before making
your point.
1. Give the other person your 100 percent attention. Put your cell
phone on silent and focus on the other person. 100 percent attention
also requires that you suspend your own point of view for the moment.
Not abandon it---just suspend it for the moment.
2. Respond appropriately. Your response must convey that the message
was received and it had an impact on you. Appropriate responses
can be verbal or non-verbal (such as a nod, or smile.)
3. Prove that you understand. Most of us say "I understand"
which is then followed by "but" and our point of view.
The next time, try proving you understand by summarizing the other
point of view or asking them a relevant question before presenting
your point of view.
4. Prove you respect the other person's right to have a different
point of view at that moment in time. This doesn't mean you have
to agree, just respect their right to a differing point of view.
5. Triangulate differences. Focus on the issues not the person.
When there are differences, remove the word "you" from
your response and substitute "it". Impersonalising points
of disagreement allow you to "agree to disagree" and still
maintain a civil relationship.
"I think one lesson I have learned is that there is no
substitute for paying attention." - - Diane Sawyer.
Listening to and acknowledging other people may seem deceptively
simple, but doing it well, particularly when disagreements arise,
takes true talent. As with any skill, listening well takes plenty
of practice.
If you want your point of view taken seriously, then you must prove
to others you are taking their point of view seriously first. Try
these five tips the next time you find yourself at odds with another
person. You may find your disagreements will be fewer and those
that remain may become more agreeable. You will most certainly find
yourself talking with others more and at others less.
Patrick Malone, CSE, is a senior partner at
The PAR Group, an international training firm based in Tucker; he
may be reached at ptm4936@aol.com.
ELLIOTT
BRACK
Four-year cycles are best for SPLOST votes
in Gwinnett
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
GwinnettForum.com
MAY 2, 2006 -- Ever since Gwinnett has first flirted with a penny
sales tax, back in 1986, Gwinnett voters have had much of a storybook
romance with the idea, except for one unfortunate year.
Brack |
The penny collected in Gwinnett to help fund infrastructure improvements
for both the county operations and for school purposes is a mighty
important penny. It produces, these days, $11-12 million each month
for both county government and for schools. That's a minimum of
$132 million annually each!
Just realize: where would that money come from for these vital
improvements if there were no special purpose sales tax? What it
would mean is that Gwinnett's property tax would be sky-high. And
you thought you paid high property taxes now?
In prior years, it's been estimated that, with the major retail
shopping centers in Gwinnett, and especially with the massive number
of automobile dealers we have in Gwinnett, some 40 per cent of sales
tax collection comes from people who live outside Gwinnett. In effect,
these outsiders help pay for new classrooms, roadwork, buildings,
etc. With Gwinnett becoming more of a favorite place for North Georgians
to shop, especially for big-ticket items like automobiles, we may
even be collecting 50 per cent of the sales tax revenue from outside
the county!
One time since 1986, Gwinnett voters got crossways with county
officials, and failed to approve a sales tax. And when that happened,
Gwinnett county commissioners, who schedule the time of the sales
tax vote, got an immediate lesson in voter power and the key issue
of when to schedule a SPLOST vote.
The lesson came on November 7, 1995, when voters were asked to
extend the special purpose local optional sales tax for another
five years. The vote came not in a large turnout, but in a special
election,. And the few voters (17.78 per cent) who turned out defeated
the measure by a 329 vote margin, 18,371 to 18,042. Suddenly, the
pipeline of sales tax revenue was shut off.
County commissioners, needing those sales tax dollars to fund major
county projects in a growing county, came back the following fall
in the General Election and asked the voters to approve another
SPLOST tax, this time for four years. And with 159,509 people voting,
the sales tax re-establishment was approved, by 10,351 votes, or
53 percent. The actual vote was 84,928 for the proposal, and 74,577
against.
It showed that when you ask a large turnout of people to approve
a reasonable measure, they'll give their approval. But a year earlier,
with a small turnout, a few people defeated a similar measure. It
mostly depends on voter turnout.
This fall, in the 2006 General Election, voters again vote on SPLOST,
this time for education. They will be asked if they approve the
continuation of a penny sales tax for educational infrastructure
in Gwinnett. Voters have voted for every educational SPLOST since
it was first offered in 1997. This means Gwinnett schools can pay
cash, instead of having to pay bond interest, on its new schools.
Gwinnett's School Board will decide in June or July on the scope
of he 2006 SCOPE proposal. We urge that they adopt a four-year duration,
so as to improve their chances of passage of the measure for educational
infrastructure. By adopting the four year cycle, they will ensure
another vote in 2010, during times when the most voters will turn
out, at a General Election.
In the fall of 2008, county government is expected to be asking
voter approval for continuation of the penny tax for county operations.
For the benefit of the county, we hope the voter romance with SPLOST
continues.
ABOUT
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day. Visit their web site at www.ajc.com/gwinnett.
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For a list of other sponsors of this forum, go to: http://www.gwinnettforum.com/about/sponsors.htm
FEEDBACK
5/2: Feels Democrats need own program and
less Bush-bashing
Editor, The Forum:
Your analysis of what's going on within the state's political parties
(Ref: "Power politics in state means more of the same, but
new party", April
28) was right on the mark. You struck a chord while opining
"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…"
You could use your argument to describe our national political
scene as well. Until the Democrats get off their "Blame Bush
for everything" mantra and communicate new ideas and share
an optimistic plan for the future, I'm afraid they'll continue to
be looked at as an "unhinged" party and will continue
to suffer at the polls.
-- Craig Heighton, Buford
UPCOMING
Norcross co-op plans open house, mortgage burning Sunday
The Norcross Cooperative Ministry will celebrate its 18th anniversary
with an open house and mortgage burning on Sunday, May 7 from 2
until 5 p.m. At 3:15 p.m. will be the mortgage burning.
Also at the event, the ministry will honor some of its legacy donors.
During the open house, there will be tours of the building. Volunteers
and clients will share the impact that the Norcross Co-op has made
in their lives.
Alfredo Garcia, board president, says: "We are excited to
have been able to serve the community for nearly two decades and
know what a difference our organization has made in the community.
We welcome other local business and faith based organizations to
join us in celebrating and making a difference in our community
one family at a time by letting our actions lead the way for better
living in Norcross."
The Norcross Cooperative Ministry is located at 2275 Mitchell Road
in Norcross. For more information or directions, please call Shirley
Cabe, Director, at 770.263.0013.
Excavation at Winn
House set for coming weekend
On May 6-7, 2006, from starting at 9 a.m., the Gwinnett Historical
Society and Gwinnett Archaeology and Research Society will host
an "Excavation at the Winn House" at the birthplace of
Gwinnett County, the Elisa Winn House near Dacula.
GARS and GHS members will be digging at the site of the old cook
house on the Winn property to uncover artifacts. Bring the family
and a picnic lunch for this historic occasion. Those interested
in helping with set up, clean up, publicity, or entertainment should
call GHS President Steve Starling at 678-639-0879. Rain date will
be the following weekend, May 13-14.
Pinckneyville center
hosts two different art programs soon
Painting
by Tanya Kent |
Gwinnett County Parks & Recreation and Pinckneyville Community
Center are hosting two new art exhibits, "Straight from the
Heart," and "The Lost Art of Tea," at Pinckneyville
Community Center in Norcross. The artist receptions and exhibits
are free and open to the public.
"Straight from the Heart," featuring the two-dimensional
paintings by Tanya Kent, will be on display from May 3-July 27.
"The Lost Art of Tea" is a three-dimensional pottery exhibit
by Tammy Josephson, which will be on display from May 3-May 31.
Kent paints in oils, pastels, watercolor and multi-media. One of
her favorite subjects is animals, and she is frequently asked to
do pet portraits. Josephson has been a potter since 1997 and currently
has a studio in her home.
Teapot
by Tammy Josephson |
An opening reception for Kent and Josephson with light refreshments
will be held at the Pinckneyville Community Center on Thursday,
May 11, from 7-9 p.m. with an opportunity to meet the artists.
The Pinckneyville Community Center, located at 4650 Peachtree Industrial
Boulevard in Norcross, is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.
to 9 p.m.; Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday Noon to 5
p.m. For more information call 770-417-2200.
NOTABLE
Library now offers downloadable classical music albums
Gwinnett County Public Library now offers downloadable music, in
addition to its downloadable audio book collection!
The new eMusic collection consists of over 250 classical music
titles including definitive works from a variety of classic composers.
Additional music and genres will be added as they become available.
Each title is the equivalent of an album, and many (denoted as "enhanced")
also include extensive liner notes.
Virtualville's "help pages" now include video clip tutorials
for both interfaces (OverDrive, and Recorded Books via NetLibrary).
Gwinnett County Public Library's Digital Media collection includes
downloadable audio books "e-Audio," downloadable music
files "e-Music," and e-books, which are books that are
downloadable or can be read online.
From the convenience of home or office, digital media formats can
typically be accessed in at least one of the following ways: downloaded
to your PC, burned to a CD, or transferred to a portable audio device
(such as an MP3 player.)
The newest digital collection, e-Music, is available through OverDrive
and accessible from www.digitalbooks.gwinnettpl.org . The music
selections will include definitive works from classic composers
including Bach, Beethoven, Vivaldi, Chopin, Dvorak, Grieg, Mozart,
Schubert, Haydn, Prokofiev, and Barber.
Visit www.gwinnettpl.org.
Select Digital Media and click on the following links to search
for:
1) e-audio,
2) e-books (via NetLibrary), or
3) e-music (via OverDrive).
Note: Digital formats are only accessible remotely, from a computer
outside the library, or from wireless laptop within branches. Library
customers must create a NetLibrary account to access to Recorded
Books and E-Books remotely. If needed, call the Library Hotline
during open hours for assistance, or access NetLibrary through GALILEO
to establish an account directly.
Cousins to open Web
Ginn facility soon off Highway 124
As Gwinnett County gears up for the new open-air specialty retail
center, The Avenue Webb Gin, Cousins Properties continues to secure
national and local retailers as well as office clients for this
Snellville shopping haven. It will have 366,000 square feet of retail
space and 19,000 square feet of office space. The first phase is
to open in mid-summer.
It is a similar concept that Cousins developed south of Atlanta
at The Avenue Peachtree City in 2001. Cousins Properties Regional
Vice President of Leasing, Steven Silverstein says: "In an
area without many business complexes or office options, The Avenue
Webb Gin will provide a unique working environment for proprietors
of all sizes. It will be the perfect community office space and
will enhance any company in their efforts to secure new clientele
or just dine and entertain existing customers."
Located on Georgia Highway 124 between Snellville and Lawrenceville,
The Avenue Webb Gin will feature more than 70 retailers, office
clientele and restaurants on 56 acres.
Gwinnett author can
be heard on radio stations soon
Gwinnett author Kelly L. Stone will be the featured guest on two
upcoming radio programs: Artist First World Radio Network on May
9 at 7 p.m. (Click to listen at www.empowerhourlive.com)
and on Sandy Springs Radio on May 31 at noon (www.radiosandysprings.com.)
Stone will be discussing her body of literary works to date, including
her first novel, Grave Secret, which will be published July
2007. She will also be discussing how new writers can break into
the world of publishing.
Stone has published stories in numerous Chicken Soup for the Soul
and Cup of Comfort anthologies. Her first publication, Footsteps,
published in 2003 in Chicken Soup for the Sister's Soul, relates
how she re-established a relationship with her half-sister after
two decades of estrangement. Essays along similar themes followed.
A story about her father's childhood home that is still standing
off Candler Road in Flowery Branch is the subject of The House
in the Picture, published last year by Adams Media in Rocking
Chair Reader: Memories from the Attic.
Stone's novel, Grave Secret, is a coming-of-age story about
a young woman with a terrible secret who struggles to overcome her
past by solving a murder.
Stone is also a magazine journalist. She writes a monthly parenting
column for Gwinnett Life magazine. Stone is a licensed professional
counselor who has worked as a mental health professional in Gwinnett
County for 16 years. To learn more, visit www.kellylstone.com.
RECOMMENDED
- 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
Kenneth Coleman authors best-selling history
of Georgia
Kenneth
Coleman, professor of history at the University of Georgia,
was the preeminent authority of his generation on colonial and revolutionary
Georgia. He wrote what is probably the most widely read history
of the state, Georgia History in Outline (1955), which has been
revised many times and remains in print. It has proven to be the
all-time best-seller of the University of Georgia Press.
Coleman |
Coleman was born in Devereux in 1916. As a young boy, he enjoyed
rural life in Hancock County, where his father ran a general store.
His mother, however, wanted her two sons to have a better education
than Hancock County could offer, so the family moved to Atlanta
in the 1920s and he graduated from Boys High School.
Kenneth Coleman earned his A.B. and M.A. degrees from the University
of Georgia. His work with E. Merton Coulter, Georgia's most prolific
historian of the first half of the 20th century, led him to pursue
a career in Georgia history. During World War II, Coleman served
as an army officer in Europe. He completed his doctorate in 1953
at the University of Wisconsin.
Coleman in 1949 began his teaching career in earnest at Georgia
State University. In 1955, he was appointed to the history faculty
at the University of Georgia.
Coleman was a prolific writer. His major work, The American Revolution
in Georgia (1958), which was the outgrowth of his Ph.D. dissertation,
remains the standard general academic view of that period in Georgia
history. Coleman's other works include Georgia Journeys (with Sarah
Temple, 1961), Confederate Athens (1967), and Colonial Georgia (1976).
An extraordinary editor, he spearheaded the most comprehensive state
history to date, A History of Georgia (1977). One of his last major
projects was co-editing, with Charles Stephen Gurr, the two-volume
Dictionary of Georgia Biography (1983).
Coleman served on the Board of Curators of the Georgia Historical
Society and was a member of the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation,
a member of the Georgia Commission for the National Bicentennial,
and the recipient of the Governor's Award in the Humanities.
Coleman died in Athens on November 27, 1999, from injuries sustained
in an automobile accident. He bequeathed one-third of his estate
to the University of Georgia Press for publications in the field
of Georgia studies and one-third to Young Harris College. In death
as in life, he supported and honored what he valued and loved.
THOUGHT
OF THE DAY
My, my, my, how things
have changed in Snellville!
"I know now that 'Everybody is someone in Snellville.' However,
when I was growing up, everyone knew everybody else in Snellville."
-- Elaine C. Roberts in Spring, 2006 edition of The Heritage
of Gwinnett Historical Society.
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