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TODAY'S
ISSUE
Mike
Guynn to head United Way Gwinnett campaign in 2006
By Holly Calmes
Special to GwinnettForum.com
AUG. 15, 2006 -- United Way in Gwinnett invites the community to
help jump-start the 2006 Annual Campaign by attending a very special
Kick-Off Breakfast on September 7, at 7 a.m., at the Gwinnett Marriott
at Gwinnett Place. The theme for this year's event is "Exercise
Your Right to Give….Keep the Community Fit and Healthy!"
Guynn |
United Way in Gwinnett spokesperson Tracy Deck says, "We are
very excited about kicking off our 2006 United Way Campaign in Gwinnett
County. The 2005 Campaign raised over $4.3 million. These contributions
will be used for local programs that are proven to make our community
stronger and safer and help people live better lives."
This year's efforts will focus on exceeding the $4.3 million collected
last year. Mike Guynn of McGowan Properties, Inc. will chair the
United Way in Gwinnett 2006 Annual Campaign.
The special kick-off breakfast is being given to the community
by Gwinnett area Rotary Clubs. During the breakfast, attendees will
hear Shirleta Lawrence, director of Sheltering Arms in Norcross,
as the keynote speaker.
The theme for this year's breakfast is a perfect tie-in with the
goals of United Way in Gwinnett. To get everyone into the spirit,
LA Fitness on Sugarloaf Parkway has come on board as a sponsor,
providing each attendee with guest passes and health-oriented giveaways.
The breakfast will reflect the health and exercise theme from the
moment guests arrive until they depart to continue their day, taking
with them a renewed spirit of giving.
United Way plays an ever-increasing role in our community. Ms.
Deck continues, "What makes United Way unique is how we help
our community work together to make a lasting impact on tough community
issues that take all of us to solve. Last year alone, United Way
fielded 18,000 phone calls from Gwinnett residents who were in need
of help.
"We are making lasting improvements in our community by focusing
on the following impact areas: children are ready for school; youth
are successful and learning; people at risk are successfully coping
and living independently; and low income families are stable and
economically self-sufficient. We welcome the community to join us
for breakfast on September 7 to kick off a successful 2006 United
Way Campaign in Gwinnett County."
The United Way in Gwinnett Kick Off Breakfast is free to the public.
Although there is room for 450 individuals, reservations are suggested.
Please call 678-417-6434 to reserve your space or to receive more
information.
ELLIOTT
BRACK
Defense attorney Walt Britt wows audience,
as he has juries
By
Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
GwinnettForum.com
AUG. 15, 2006 -- Just like he does with juries, Walt Britt enlivened
the "Success Is Here" breakfast of he Gwinnett Chamber
of Commerce recently.
Brack |
Britt, a defense attorney from Buford, told those assembled: "I
love criminal law, and as a liberal am a member of everything you
don't want to be in life. But when you are in trouble, I'm your
best friend. I love the law and will do my part to help you.
"After all, it's an adversarial system. The judge, the prosecutor,
the bailiffs, the court reporters, those sitting in the audience….almost
everyone there, are not for you. The only people there who love
you are your mama and me."
Britt has had more than normal success in his practice. "I've
had 13 death cases, and won all but two. I've done them all over
the state. It is a lot of work, is very emotional and very hard,
and that's why I've giving up that part of my practice."
Britt's family goes back six generations in Gwinnett. "The
first Britts came to Gwinnett in the 1830s, as did my mother's family
the Wages, and also the Brambletts and Kings, to whom I am kin.
My family was involved in stealing land from the Indians, and eventually
selling it to Yankees."
Britt credits his parents for influencing him. His father was a
coach, teacher, homebuilder and member of the National Guard. His
mother ran a store. His sister, Denise Pecht, is a physician in
Gwinnett." He adds: "When I was growing up, my parents
even came to see me practice when playing ball. And today I talk
to my children every day (two of his own, two step-children). And
I believe if there are four performances in which your child is
participating, you ought to be there four times. It makes them and
you a better person."
Britt also credits his current law partner, Rick Chandler, with
"calming me down. I am amazed he put up with me. Not too long
after we became partners in 1993, I had a misunderstanding with
a judge on what I was trying to get done for my client, and ended
up spending five days in jail." He adds: "I've had problems
with judges, though I've served my time."
As for his law practice, "What has made me a success is the
passion I have for the law. What has made Gwinnett great is the
passion people have for the county. I love this county. It's not
just a great place, but the best place you can be."
Overall, Britt maintains that success comes as a consequence, more
than a goal: "Do what you do well and success comes about,"
he feels.
He's a graduate of Mercer University (in Atlanta) and worked while
in college for Congressman Phil Landrum in Washington. "In
those days they were trying to impeach Nixon, and we worked at the
Capitol during the day, and demonstrated with others at night to
impeach Nixon. We were in Senator Stuart Symington's office the
night that Nixon resigned. I think Gerald Ford's pardon of Nixon
was the right thing to do, for it helped the country move forward."
After college, Buford defense Attorney Glyndon Pruitt suggested
Britt continue to work for him and go to Atlanta to law school at
night. He graduated in 1981. Britt was associated with Pruitt in
practice until 1993. "We represented the City of Buford and
their school system, and they were prolific clients, for if Buford
doesn't get what they want, they will fight you in court."
ABOUT
OUR SPONSORS
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public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com
to you at no cost to readers. Today's featured sponsor is The
Gwinnett Center, which is home to three distinct facilities
in Duluth. The Convention Center offers our patrons the opportunity
to host or attend a wide variety of events; from corporate meetings
to trade shows, to social occasions. The Performing Arts Center
has an intimate capacity of 700 guests, which is home to many local
events, family shows and even the occasional comedic performer.
The Arena is our newest addition and has already seen great success
with a nomination for The 2005 Pollstar Arena of The Year Award.
We have another fantastic fall line up including American Idols,
Toby Keith, Eric Clapton, Blue Man Group and the ECHL American Conference
Champions - Gwinnett Gladiators. Please visit www.gwinnettcenter.com
for updates on events at our three great facilities.
For a list of other sponsors of this forum, go to: http://www.gwinnettforum.com/about/sponsors.htm
FEEDBACK
8/15: Hitting nail on the head when school
calendar is topic
Editor, the Forum:
You hit the school calendar topic right on the head. Summer vacation
is just that, and I mean it should be all of summer. School starting
in mid-August is just dumb.
Yes, years ago when kids were needed for farm labor, and needed
to be out earlier to pick crops, or get a break to pick later in
fall, this was understandable. I hope our school boards see merit
in reducing both costs and tragic health issues.
-- Jim Savadelis, Duluth
8/15: Feels educational
field is rife with many, many fads
Editor, the Forum:
Your comments on school starting dates brought out some great points.
Here are some observations I have being the husband of a teacher
and the father of two students:
- There are many wasted teacher workdays that could be eliminated
so school could start later. Nowadays, teacher workday is a misnomer.
My wife is never able to do any of her real work because teacher
workdays are filled with meetings to satisfy some mandate or enlighten
the staff on the latest educational fad.
- Education seems to be prone to fads, jumping from one to the
next. There are new acronyms and new methods and new textbooks
(have you checked the cost of a textbook lately?). But the basics
are still the same as they've always been.
- Maybe if we stayed away from the latest educational fad, we
could reduce the size of textbooks and save our children's backs.
-- Greg Brooks, Watkinsville
Dear Greg: thanks for your comments. Just so
public school parents will known, one senior at a private school
found books this year were $700. And they were used books!.--eeb
8/15: Wonders what
she missed when ESOL students left out
Editor, the Forum:
I am struggling with the fact that the Gwinnett County School Board
pooh-poohs the suggestion of an ESOL (English as second language)
academy in Norcross, but somehow finds support for the new charter
school New Life Academy at 4350 Peachtree Industrial Blvd.
Here is a year round charter school that will focus on 'those at
risk academically,' and will teach Chinese to all students. Why
are the needs of these students more important than the needs of
the ESOL population in Norcross?
I would think that since the sheer numbers of the ESOL student
population in Norcross far exceeds the numbers of this group of
at risk academically' students would be a motivating factor that
would alone get the attention of the school board. Am I missing
something?
-- Pam Hopper, Norcross
8/15: Wants improvements
in military retirement methods
Editor, the Forum:
As your voting constituent and a retired career military veteran,
I urge your co-sponsorship and support of HR 5881, the Disabled
Veterans Tax Termination Act, introduced by Congressman Jim Marshall
on 25 July, 2006. I also urge your active support to have this legislation
included in the 2007 National Defense Authorization Act to be negotiated
this September.
Among other things HR 5881 would do:
1. Repeal the 11 year phase in of CRDP (Concurrent Retirement
Disability Pay) such that everybody receives full benefit. This
would benefit some 85,000 retirees with rated disabilities between
50 and 90 percent.
2. Extend CRDP to those with less than 50 percent disability.
This would benefit some 375,000 retirees now receiving no benefit
from CRDP.
3. Extend CRDP to Chapter 61 retirees. This would benefit some
188,000 Chapter 61 medical disability retirees. Chapter 61 ranks
are now being filled with many young retirees from Afghanistan
and Iraq.
4. Extend CRSC (Combat Related Special Compensation 10 USC Section
1413a) to TERA retirees.
5. Repeal the four year phase in of CRDP for IU (Individually
Unemployable) such that everybody receives full benefit. This
would benefit some 28,000 retirees with disabilities between 50
and 90 percent who are compensated by the VA at the 100 percent
level.
-- Robert Vincil, Lawrenceville.
Dear Robert: You are a first time writer, and
I should go easy, but I have to make comment for our other readers.
I guess it is part of the language when you are in government
work, but all those acronyms and abbreviations worry me. We need
you, don't get me wrong, but it wears openly on you. What is a
TERA retiree? We found Toxicology Excellence for Risk Assessment,
and Topfree Equal Rights Association. Either one? Keep us posted,
but help us understand, too. --eeb
UPCOMING
Rare
Earth group performs at Duluth Festival Center August 19
Rare Earth |
The City of Duluth will welcome "Rare Earth" to the Duluth
Festival Center and Amphitheater on August 19 at 7 p.m.
Rare Earth has an amazing track record of over 3,000 concerts
with such performances as the Ed Sullivan Show, The David Frost
Show, Dick Clark's American Bandstand and Don Kirshner's Rock Concert.
Admission to this show is free for general seating. Premium Tables
are available. Call 678-475-3512 or visit www.duluthga.net
for more information.
Glancy Outpatient
Center offers Fit Female Expo August 26
Gwinnett Hospital System presents the Fit Female Expo on Saturday,
August 26, from 8 a.m. until noon at Glancy Outpatient Center, located
at 3805 Pleasant Hill Road in Duluth.
The Fit Female Expo is a free event for women of all ages to learn
about fitness resources in our community. Exhibits, presentations,
door prizes and refreshments will be featured at the Expo.
Yoga, Pilates, a Tennis Elbow clinic and ACL (anterior cruciate
ligament) Prevention and Return to Play presentations will also
be offered.
For more information about the Fit Female Expo, go to gwinnettmedicalcenter.org
and click on Classes & Events. To become an exhibitor, contact
Dolores Ware at 678-584-6707.
NOTABLE
Richardson
named Builder Member of Year by statewide group
Allen Richardson, president and founder of Richardson Housing Group,
has been named "Builder Member of the Year" by the Georgia
Home Builders Association. He was honored for his service to the
industry and the association at the group's recent annual convention.
Richardson |
Richardson was the first chairman and is now vice chairman of the
newly founded Georgia state licensing board for residential and
general contractors. Tapped by Governor Sonny Perdue, Richardson
is one of 14 board members charged with establishing the state's
first licensing requirements for the building and contracting industry.
Richardson also serves on the Lawrenceville Downtown Development
Authority and is the Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce's 2004
Small Business Person of the Year. In 1988, Richardson was inducted
into the Georgia Home Builders Association Hall of Fame and has
served the association as president at the city, county and state
levels. He is a life director of the National Home Builders Association.
A Gwinnett-based home builder for more than 30 years, Richardson
learned the basics of the business from his father, Melvin. Father
and son teamed to start Richardson Housing Group, building ten houses
in the company's first year. More than three decades later, Richardson
Housing Group has built more than 2,900 homes in Gwinnett County
and has grown to over 30 employees.
Snellville Police
cop award in highway safety challenge
The Snellville Police Department won an award at a recent Highway
Safety Challenge. Snellville won third place in Class Three, which
are police agencies with 25 to 50 officers.
In addition to the trophy awarded for this accomplishment, the
Governor's Office of Highway Safety also awarded Snellville Police
Department a $3,000 credit for equipment to be purchased from the
Governor's Office of Highway Safety on-line store.
Snellville Chief Roy Whitehead says: "This recognition is
richly deserved by the men and women of the Snellville Police Department
who have worked diligently as demonstrated by their participation
in the events sponsored by the Governor's Office of Highway Safety.
The enforcement efforts: such as 'Click it or Ticket', 'Operation
Zero Tolerance' and the '100 days of Summer Heat', which are designed
to reduced fatalities, injuries, impaired driving and also to improve
passenger safety ,are important to each Snellville officer. All
our officers are to be commended for their efforts. I am proud of
their accomplishment."
Bilingual Baby Academy
(preschool) opens doors in Buford
Anna Durrence couldn't find the perfect preschool for her children.
So, she made one - Bilingual Baby Academy.
The idea was to grow a child's mind by teaching them a second language
and develop their spirit in a Christian-based environment.
"Our business is the cutting edge of education," Anna
said. "Old town: new concept. Our preschool immerses children
in a second language, Spanish. All of our teachers are native Spanish
speakers. Lead teachers possess a degree. Our preschool offers classes
to 18 months, two, three and four year olds."
The list of benefits of learning a second language early goes on
and on including brain development, earlier reading, positive self
image, higher level thinking, higher test scores, cultural awareness
and appreciation, future resumes, career andtravel, Anna said.
Anna has been a resident of Buford all of her life. Her parents,
the late Tom and Florence Glaze, owned Glaze Tire Company in Buford.
Anna graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in early
childhood education and received a masters degree in education from
Brenau College. She taught fourth grade in the Buford City School
System for seven years.
The school is located at 410 S. Hill St., Buford, and Anna may
be reached at 678-665-0835.
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
Early arrivals
in Georgia gold fields were "placer" miners
The great majority of people seeking gold in the Georgia mountains
was directly involved in the search for gold. With pan and shovel,
they roamed up and down the valleys and hollows, looking for a promising
spot.
Placer mining |
These early miners were engaged in what they called "deposit"
mining, generally known as placer
mining. The term refers to gold that has washed down from the
hillsides and collected along mountain streams. When miners found
a location that showed "good color," they set up camp
and began working the area in earnest. A variety of tools were used
to wash these deposits and extract the fine gold particles. The
river bottoms were very attractive places to search for gold; miners
frequently drifted flatboats into the Chestatee and Etowah rivers
and dredged up rich sand and gravel.
Placer mining was the most popular type among the early gold diggers
because it required very little capital. But as more people moved
into the gold region and towns began to grow, money became available
for investment in vein, or hard-rock, mining. The equipment required
for vein mining was considerably more expensive than that necessary
for washing placers. Once tunnels had been dug underground, rafters
had to be put in place to avert cave-ins. After the ore was brought
up from the mines, it was crushed in a stamp mill. These mills ranged
in size and complexity from a single stamp suspended from a bent-over
sapling to as many as ten stamps driven by a water wheel.
THOUGHT
OF THE DAY
When the world is relieved
when a person has not spoken
"Blessed is the man who, having nothing to say, abstains from
giving us wordy evidence of the fact."
-- Author George Eliot, via Roy McCreary, Dacula.
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© 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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Especially
during these hot, sweaty days of summer, they re-invigorate your
energy by adding much-needed salt intake for your body. And while
you're tasting the delicious goober, be sure to drink plenty of
fluids during the summer. Enjoy life and be a little bit healthier
by busting those shells and gobbling down boiled peanuts. After
all, even your doctor can't say anything bad about them! To learn
more about the health impact of boiled peanuts, contact the 
