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TODAY'S ISSUE
Jackson EMC trains linemen in security watch tactics
By Bonnie Jones
Special to GwinnettForum

JULY 28, 2006 -- Jackson Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) employees are joining other commercial drivers license (CDL) holders across the country in helping keep America's roads, highways and thoroughfares safe through Highway Watch, a new training program created by the Department of Homeland Security.

Tim Sweat, Jackson EMC job training and safety director, says: "In the wake of September 11, we have to ask ourselves what would happen if our roads, bridges, tunnels and facilities were compromised or destroyed by people intending us harm. This training prepares Jackson EMC employees to take notice of suspicious activity and notify the authorities, if the need arises."

According to Department of Homeland Security officials, CDL holders represent three percent of the nation's population. Co-op personnel represent a large part of this group, since many EMC linemen drive and operate commercial trucks.

"Having this group watch and monitor the nation's highways is another strategy to detect the threat of terrorist activity," says Sweat. "Because they're in the community every day, they're perfect 'eyes and ears' to monitor suspicious activities."

The new Georgia law, which went into effect July 1, requires CDL holders to complete Highway Watch training in order to renew or apply for a new CDL. EMCs will complete the Highway Watch training in the next few months, with an emphasis on those commercial licenses set to expire in July and August 2006. "All of our CDL holders are already trained," Sweat notes.

Highway Watch trains transportation professionals like EMC linemen, commercial truck drivers, highway workers, city transit workers, bus drivers, law enforcement personnel and first responders to recognize and respond to potential safety and terrorist activity they may witness in the normal course of doing their jobs.

Once trained, Highway Watch participants can contact emergency personnel through a special telephone hotline - providing emergency responders with precise location and incident information. A trained Highway Watch Call Center operator verifies the participant's identity (each participant has a unique Highway Watch ID number) and location, then routes the call to appropriate authorities. If a call is security-related, a report of the incident is forwarded to the Highway Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ISAC) where it is shared with intelligence officials and other law enforcement agencies.

The Highway Watch program is offered at no cost and available through classroom training and self study modules available in DVD and VHS, by request.

Jackson EMC serves more than 195,000 meters in 10 Northeast Georgia counties.

ELLIOTT BRACK
Federal involvement with local projects means higher cost
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
GwinnettForum.com

Since that's the case, a proposed roadway improvement may end up costing far more than the few million dollars allocated for it already by the City of Duluth.

Duluth is suggesting an innovation in Gwinnett, a traffic circle, or round-about. It's planned near Joan Glancy Hospital. It may take two more years, if not longer, for the improvement to be built, with many of the delays coming from bureaucratic paper shuffling by the Federal Government. This project represents a good example of how the Federal Government getting into a project can offer delay after delay, and end up costing considerably more than originally thought.

The project will create the round-about at West Lawrenceville Street, where it splits into Irvindale Street and McClure Bridge Road, just east of the present day Joan Glancy Hospital. In addition, the City of Duluth is proposing to connect two new streets into the intersection. One would run from Georgia Highway 120 to the northeast, while the second would extend Ridgeway Road in a northerly arc. The project as proposed can be seen here on an map overlay of the area. (Click Here)

Involved is purchasing additional property the city does not own, getting right of way, and the various hoops that the City must jump through to satisfy the Federal Government.

The City of Duluth has allocated $2.5 million for the project, though it will cost far more than that. Estimated overall cost is $3.5 million, plus land acquisition.

But remember this involves the Federal Government. There are several stages where, with the Feds supplying part of the overall construction cost, they get involved. Among these areas:

In effect, it would appear, that the Federal Government must review the list of people who will be invited to the opening ceremonies when finished, as well as approve the text message going with it. All this is true government overkill.

That's just normal for Federal projects of any sort. Of course, some review is good for the taxpaying public. Yet few will tell you today that the Federal Government needs to get deeper into such projects. That would be impossible, since the Feds already stick their nose so deep.

Just talk to other local government officials and you hear the same concern; sometimes a project involving Federal funds is just not worth it.

Bob Baroni, veteran Lawrenceville city clerk, feels working with Federal officials makes a project "just a good deal harder than just to do it without their help." He adds: "And sometimes the regulations are so ambiguous! The other day we had one Federal official who did not know what a regulations meant, telling us 'There were two views of what that section meant.' That's what drive you up the wall."

Baroni also says that sometimes doing work to the federal guidelines "will cost you twice as much. And we don't feel you guaranteed any more quality than we would get if we did it alone. Sometimes they just engineer it to death."

With time equaling money, and the delays that the Feds may cost Duluth in this project, no telling what this intersection could cost.

The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. Today's sponsor is Norcross Station, located on Peachtree Street in downtown Norcross. Come enjoy meals cooked as you remember them from your mother's table, tasty items, with generous portions. There's a family atmosphere, with a railroad motif in this converted former rail station. We're in the middle of Norcross, easy to get to, and open Monday-Saturday for lunch and dinner. No reservations required. Check out our web site at www.NorcrossStation.com.

I read with great interest your column on traffic flow in Gwinnett and have two comments:

As anyone who has driven in Washington, D.C., will tell you, traffic circles, or "roundabouts" as they are known in the UK, do little, if anything, to improve traffic. Washington is not known for its free-flowing traffic.

Secondly, the Snellville merchants and the U.S. Highway 78 Community Improvement District are opposing bridging the 78/124 intersection in Snellville? That would be the greatest improvement the district could possibly see!

This must be the same crowd that opposed a Snellville bypass several years ago saying it would hurt their businesses. Don't they realize that most people moving through Snellville want only to get through there as quickly as possible and are NOT about to stop for anything that isn't absolutely necessary?

Even before I left Snellville, I had many years earlier ceased patronizing any of the businesses at the U.S. 78/Georgia 124 intersection simply because of the huge hassle involved in getting in and out of those businesses.

Reading your recent item about roundabouts, as most Americans, I first experience the roundabouts in England about 20 years ago. I thought that they had some promise for use here. However, I have found that traffic engineers differ as to their effectiveness.

The City of Duluth has plans for a roundabout near the current Joan Glancy Hospital at the intersection of McClure Bridge Road, West Lawrenceville Street, Irvindale Road and a new street. As one who lives in the neighborhood and is continually affected by the cut through traffic on West Lawrencevill Street, it will be interesting to see if it will work.

But given the length of the discussion and planning, just hope to live to see it! Let me suggest that you contact Phil McClemore at the City of Duluth for details on when the roundabout may actually be a reality.

Also, I think that I experienced one of the continuous flow intersections in Michigan a few years ago. It was a bit confusing and perplexing since I had never driven in this configuration, but it was fine, once I realized that turning before the intersections was the way to negotiate it. Given our traffic congestion, what do we have to lose!

Another idea which has seen limited use here, but seems to be catching on, is the use of frontage roads along side major freeways. It is common practice in Texas and makes navigating much simplier, since you can travel from one exit road to another without entering the freeway. We seem to be seeing such construction along in the Interstate-85/Highway 316 project, which should be a welcomed site.

You'll get two for the price of one--and it's all free--when the next Suwanee Smooth Jazz 107.5 Concert Series features two local jazz favorites. Electric violinist Ken Ford and Brian Clay and Kompani, who kicked off the summer concert series at Suwanee's Town Center Park with an April performance, will both take the Town Center stage for free performances beginning at 7 p.m. Friday, August 4.

Ford, who has performed widely at metro-area jazz festivals and special events, is well-known for his soulful and funky sound and unique,sensual, and electrifying stage presence. He is a founding member of the DeKalb Youth Pop Orchestra and a former member of the DeKalb Symphony Orchestra and African American Philharmonic Orchestra, where he was promoted to concert master before leaving.

Brian Clay and Kompani have captivated audiences throughout the Atlanta area with incredible live performances and a blend of smooth grooves and urban rhythms with inspirational vocal arrangements. This ensemble band features keyboardist-composer-singer-songwriter Brian Clay and lyricist-/singer-songwriter Pamela Best. Kompani takes its audiences on a varied musical journey that includes cover as well as original songs that range from the laid back to sultry to urban contemporary.

Food, beer, and wine will be available for purchase, with vendors set to open at 5:30 p.m. Bring blankets, chairs, picnics, and friends, but alcohol may not be brought into Town Center Park. Off-site parking and free shuttle transportation to and from Town Center Park will be available from 6:30-10:30 p.m. at the Shawnee North Business Center, 305 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road, across from Smithtown Road.

Georgia Senator Johnny Isakson kicks off the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce Expo and Job Fair with an address on Thursday, August 17, at ll:30 at the Gwinnett Center. His address wills speak to the future of entrepreneurship in America, as well as his thoughts on the hottest current events facing the nation today. Cost for Chamber members is $35; and for non-chamber members, the cost is $45; Registration deadline is August 14. Participants in the Expo and Job Fair must also register in advance and pay for the luncheon.

A collection of travel photographs, "Traveling with Elliott," is slated to be exhibited at the Hudgens Art Center in Duluth beginning August 17. Later the photographed will be auctioned off to benefit the Art Center.

The exhibit is from the photographic collection of veteran Gwinnett newspaperman Elliott Brack. More than 40 full-color photographs will be on display. Some of the photographs, from many parts of the world, are nearly 50 years old.

A reception will open the show on August 17 from 6:30 p.m. The photographs will be hung in the Main Gallery. They will remain on display through September 15.

At that time, during the "Vintage Wine…Vintage Cars" annual Patron's Gala, the photographs, along with other at items, will be sold at auction.

Gwinnett Council for the Arts is a non-profit organization which owns and operates the Jacqueline Casey Hudgens Center for the Arts through the generosity of many private patrons, corporations and foundations.

Hours: The main galleries are open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Children's Arts Museum is open Tuesday - Friday, 1-5 p.m. and on Saturday, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. It is closed Sundays and Mondays.

The Hudgens Arts Center is located at 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Building 300, in Duluth.

Congressman David Scott has announced that legislation to designate Arabia Mountain in nearby DeKalb, Rockdale and Henry Counties as a National Heritage Area, has passed the House of Representatives. Senate Bill 203, introduced by Georgia Senators Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson, passed the Senate earlier this year.

Congressman Scott said: "The Arabia Mountain Heritage Area has just moved one step closer to reality. Arabia Mountain is recognized as a natural wonder and I am pleased to work with my colleagues from Georgia to help protect and preserve this special place for future generations to enjoy."

According to the National Park Service, a National Heritage Area is a place "designated by the United States Congress, where natural, cultural, historic and recreational resources combine to form a cohesive, nationally distinctive landscape arising from patterns of human activity shaped by geography."

The designation would include a large portion of eastern DeKalb, western Rockdale and northern Henry counties. More information about Arabia Mountain can be found online at www.arabiaalliance.org.

The House and Senate versions of the legislation must now be reconciled before receiving final approval by Congress.

During the Revolutionary War, late in 1778, Lt. Col. Archibald Campbell (1739-1791) was dispatched by the British commander in chief in North America, Sir Henry Clinton, to proceed against Savannah. Through his Georgia campaign, particularly his capture of Savannah and Augusta, Campbell achieved one of the few unqualified British successes in the American Revolution.

Campbell, born in Scotland, entered the British army as an engineer, and with the outbreak of the Seven Years War (1756-63), participated in 1757 in raids on the French coast, where he "proved himself an able and gallant officer." He also served in the expeditions to capture the Carribbean islands of Guadeloupe, Dominique, Martinique, St. Lucia, and Grenada. As the war escalated, Campbell was posted to North America where he served as a captain in Fraser's Highlanders, until he was seriously wounded during the capture of Quebec, Canada, in 1759. At the end of the Seven Years War, Campbell joined the British East India Company.

With the outbreak of revolution in America, Campbell recruited for and received a commission of lieutenant colonel in the 71st (Fraser's) Highlanders. Captured by patriot forces in Boston Harbor on June 16, 1776, he was exchanged for Ethan Allen on May 6, 1778.

On November 8, 1778, Campbell received unexpected orders to take command of 3,000 men sailing the next day from New York to invade Georgia. The expedition captured Savannah in late December. He next led a column into the interior and captured Augusta on January 31, 1779. When Georgia Loyalists failed to appear there, Campbell began a withdrawal on February 14. While awaiting transportation from Savannah to England to marry Amelia, daughter of the artist Allan Ramsey, Archibald Campbell restored the colonial government under his commission as civil governor. Thus Georgia became the only part of the United States ever reduced back to the status of a colony.

Campbell continued his distinguished career. He ended the American Revolution as lieutenant governor and major general in Jamaica (1779-81). In 1782 he was appointed governor of Jamaica. He became a Knight of the Bath in 1785 and served as governor of Madras from 1786 to 1789. Campbell died March 31, 1791, in London and is buried in Westminster Abbey.

An additional special underwriter today is the Seersucker Suit Society. You can be cool and crisp during the summer when you sport a seersucker suit. It works for both men and women during the warmer weather, and epecially during Dog Days. You will find that those who are attired in other hotter suits and outfits will admire your style when you wear seersucker suits. They are classics! These great suits don't get out of fashion, and can last for years. Do your part by striking a blow for fashion (and coolness) by proudly wearing your seersucker in good taste. Visit our web site to learn more.

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