|
TODAY'S
ISSUE
Unrestricted
Internet use causes daughter to flee
By Anonymous Gwinnett parent
Special to GwinnettForum.com
(Editor's Note: the following is being published
anonymously, so the parents of a Gwinnett County graduate of 2006
will not be embarrassed. It's hoped that by reading what happened
in this instance, other mothers and fathers can get an idea of
what could happen to their own offspring. Responses to this article
will be forwarded to the author. ---eeb)
AUG. 22, 2006 -- My daughter turned 18 in the spring of 2006, and
was the picture of a successful high school senior. She had been
driving herself to school for over a year and working after school
in my office. She had no tickets, no accidents, and no evidence
of drug or alcohol use and was not giving us any 'trouble'. Not
only this, her grades and SAT scores had her accepted at Georgia
Tech.
A week before her graduation from high school, she revealed new
plans. She had "fallen in love" with a man she'd been
speaking to over the internet for the last year (someone we never
knew existed), and she had decided it was more important to "follow
her heart" than to follow her original plans to go to college.
She bought a ticket to Lima, Peru (she was good at saving her money)
- and 10 days later she was gone.
We were fortunate enough to have discovered her plans before she
left, and at least able to use law enforcement contacts in Lima
to ensure her general safety. We were also able to validate that
the person she was seeing was clear of a police record. But, at
18, we found there was little we could do to stop her from going.
And she isn't returning for college.
My family may be one of the lucky ones. At least we know where
our daughter is. There is much more to the story - including the
financial impact (over $5,000) as well as the emotional impact on
family members.
But, the point is that your family's security and trust can be
easily breached through the internet. People you don't know can
become a part of your child's life without you knowing they exist.
Kids will trust their "friends" online, sometimes more
easily than those they see every day at school. As parents, it's
easy to be on the lookout for trouble when you are having problems
with your kids. However, even if there are no red flags, you cannot
let your guard down.
I advocate parents telling their kids what is and is not an acceptable
use of the computer, and that the parents should be checking how
they use it. A parent must be willing to follow through. Once the
child has been forewarned parents should, in my opinion, install
monitoring software, enabling them to monitor who their kids are
contacting - and when - and for what purpose.
I am hoping that by initiating this topic and sharing my story
another family may be spared from sorrow or tragedy.
ELLIOTT
BRACK
Some 36 years later four-year college opens
its doors
By
Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
GwinnettForum.com
AUG. 22, 2006 -- Among those in the audience at the opening of
Georgia Gwinnett College on Friday was Tommy Hughes of Buford, who
many say was the driving force behind the county commission's purchase
of 160 acres for the college, back in 1997. (Another ten acres was
added later, to a total of 170 acres now for the campus.)
Brack |
"Yeah, when we had some who questioned us buying that land
for the college," Tommy admitted during the bright sunshine
of last Friday. "And they certainly think we paid too much
for it."
How much?
"It was $30,000 an acre," Tommy laughed, a sum that now
seems paltry for such a tract with its Georgia Highway 316 access.
"You couldn't buy that land for $200,000 an acre today."
The new class that is now enrolled at Georgia Gwinnett College
may not recognize just how much Gwinnett has pushed for this college.
It's been a 33 year effort.
First efforts were in October of 1973, when the Gwinnett Commission
said it would "pledge to do all things needful and necessary"
to help establish a junior college in Gwinnett. Later in December,
1973 former School Supt. B.B. Harris, chairing a Chamber committee
of citizens, appeared before the Board of Regents, and also asked
that they approve a junior college in Gwinnett. The plea fell on
deaf ears.
The first real classes began classes in Gwinnett in 1987, under
the auspices of Georgia Perimeter College and the University of
Georgia. Their studies were in a warehouse-type building on Sugarloaf
Parkway.
Officially snipping the ribbon to open Georgia Gwinnett College
are Sen. Don Balfour, Business School Dean Victoria Johnson,
President Dan Kaufman, Gov. Sonny Perdue, former Regent Glenn
White, Regent Chair Allen Vigil, Dr. Rob Watts of the Chancellor's
office; and Rep. John Linder. |
By 2002, the Regents had combined the several college offerings
into the Gwinnett University Center, and used the 1997 land to erect
a 100,000 "signature" building for classes. By now Southern
Polytechnic College also offered classes, and the next year, 2003,
the Medical College of Georgia also had classes in Gwinnett.
The vote for the four year college by the Regents came in 2004.
And two years later, the first 110 students have arrived, and began
classes on Monday. There are 11 faculty members in this first year,
something of a "shakedown" year. Next fall, however, some
3,000 freshmen are expected to be under the Georgia Gwinnett umbrella,
as Georgia Perimeter College begins to phase out its local class
offerings.
Now that Gwinnett has seen the opening of its four year college,
what the community must do in the next decade is provide major and
continuing support for the new institution. While state funds will
go to major projects like a library and classroom buildings, the
college will be able to grow quicker if the community really gets
behind enhancement projects.
To this end, a foundation is being organized, with Glenn White,
one of the key persons pushing for a college, as the chairman. Its
board of trustees include Dan Kaufman, vice chairman; Wayne Shackelford,
secretary-treasurer; Gordon Harrison, president, and David Bowen,
Renee Byrd-Lewis, Tommy Hughes, Wayne Mason, Bartow Morgan, Jose
Perez, Richard Tucker and Connie Wiggins.
Other Trustees include Tom Andersen, Kerry Armstrong, J.W. Benefield,
Marsha Anderson Bomar, Stacey Britt, Carla Carraway, Richard Chandler,
Jock Connell, Doug Cotter, Cathy Ellis, Ron Garrard, Terry Gordon,
Paige Havens, Greg Hayes, Stephen Hill.
Bill Humphries, Barbara King, Mani Krishnaswamy, Jim Maran, Tom
Martin, Mike McGarity, Alan Najjar, Charlotte Nash, Cathy Petty
Nichols, Philip Reed, Sharon Rigsby, Bill Russell, Raymer Sale,
David Seago.
Mike Sobh, John D. Stephens, Leland Strange, Gordon Tanner, Michael
Tennant, Lee Tucker, Judy Waters, Ed Weinlein, Alvin Wilbanks, Philip
Wolfe and Lee Wood.
Now you know what these people will be calling about. It's important
for the local community to support one of the most enriching enterprises
in any community, its own college.
ABOUT
OUR SPONSORS
 The
public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com
to you at no cost to readers. Today's sponsor is Just Emissions,
a firm performing State of Georgia emission testing as certified
by the Georgia Clean Air Force (GCAF). We eliminate the potential
conflict of interest in the test and repair facility by performing
only the test, never the needed repairs. For our commercial accounts
we offer charge accounts and a single source of record keeping eliminating
the need to "scramble" when it is time to purchase vehicle
tags. Just Emissions offers certified emission testing in minutes
by our courteous, trained technicians. In Gwinnett, we are located
at the corner of Scenic. and Grayson Highways in Lawrenceville.
There are also locations at 1830 Briarcliff Road, Atlanta, close
to Emory University. No appointment is needed.
For a list of other sponsors of this forum, go to: http://www.gwinnettforum.com/about/sponsors.htm
RECEPTION PHOTOS
UPCOMING
Third
Duluth town hall meeting set for Aug. 26
Duluth City Council is holding several Town Hall meetings to hear
from citizens and to also let them know of things going on within
the City. The third of this series of meetings is scheduled for
August 26 at the City's Public Works facility. The City is meeting
at a different location each time so the public can become familiar
with the city's facilities.
The City will display renderings of the proposed new City Hall
scheduled to get underway next month. The City will also have plans
displayed showing several new road projects around the downtown.
The partnership running the new Red Clay Theatre will discuss their
opening in October and the list of plays that are lined up.
The latest time schedule on plans for bikeways along Peachtree
Industrial and Rogers Bridge will also be discussed.
Spring Hill offers
graduate courses in ethics and leadership
Spring Hill College answers "Yes!" Its Graduate Certificate
in Leadership and Ethics is designed to help people grow in leadership
roles. The four course certificate will be offered beginning Monday
September 18 at a central location inside the perimeter.
Classes meet weekly from 6-10 p.m. for eight weeks. Each class
provides three graduate credits which can be applied towards an
MBA.
The following courses will be offered by Spring Hill College:
- Business Ethics and Social Responsibility
- Organizational Behavior
- Leadership
- Conflict Management
Class size is limited. To reserve space, call 678-924-1919. For
more information visit www.shc.edu/atlanta
or email atlantainfo@shc.edu.
Aurora Children's
Theatre announces fall schedule of plays
Aurora Theatre
has announced its line-up for 2006-2007 at its Children's Playhouse.
Performances will be on the second, third and fourth Saturdays of
the Mainstage season.
Performances are accessible for even the youngest theatre patron
with the Saturday morning time slot and low ticket prices. Many
returning parents have mentioned that Aurora Children's Playhouse
was their child's first experience with a live performance and they
were surprised that they were able to be so attentive.
In the second full season of Children's Theatre Aurora welcomes
back some of its favorites and look forward to seeing the tricks
the newcomers have up their sleeves. Returning is Lee Bryan, that
"Puppet Guy," who is back bringing new titles and a holiday
tradition to the Aurora children's Playhouse. Other retuning favorites
include Piccadilly Puppets, Wendy Bennett, Rob Cleveland, Andy Offutt
Irwin and magician, poet and puppeteer Sean Driscoll.
New for this season is storyteller Sherry Norfolk with a special
spooky but not too spooky performance for Halloween Weekend. Barry
Stewart Mann will present Shakespeare Funhouse, a perfect introduction
to the stories of William Shakespeare devised for young children.
Kids will get to show off their talent with the interactive improv
of Laughing Matters, the Atlanta area's original improv troupe,
and Peter Hart with Atlanta Puppet.
Children's Playhouse Schedule shows:
- August 26: Once Upon a Tune, with Wendy Bennett.
- September 2: Traditional folk tales with a twist with Rob Cleveland.
- September 9: The Tie-Dye Guy, by Ron Anglin.
- October 21: Red Riding Hood and The Three Pigs, with Lee Bryan.
- October 28: Spine Tinglers and Ticklers with Sherry Norfolk.
- November 4: Animalympics with Peter Hart.
- December 2: Wendy's Winter Wonderland, Wendy Bennett.
- December 9: The North Pole Fa-la-la Follies, with Lee Bryan.
- December 16: 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, with Piccadilly
Puppet.
More shows will be announced later for 2007.
NOTABLE
Duluth
Fall Festival among top 20 events in Southeast
The Duluth Fall Festival was recently named one of the "Top
Twenty" events in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society.
This society markets and promotes travel to and within the southeastern
states and recognizes the importance of festivals and special events
in the southeast.
The festival is held the last weekend of September. This year's
dates are September 30 and October 1. For more information on the
Festival visit www.duluthfallfestival.com.
The Duluth Fall Festival has been an annual event for the past
23 years, with proceeds going towards improving and beautifying
downtown Duluth. The Fall Festival Committee consists of over 300
volunteers. There are over 350 arts, crafts and food booths, two
separate children's areas featuring rides, games, entertainment
and crafts, and entertainment takes place on the Festival Center
stage throughout the day during the festival.
Norcross area gets
aquatic center; new park comes to Bethesda
A construction contract for a new aquatic center at West Gwinnett
Park at 4488 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard near South Berkeley
Lake Road was approved last week by the Board of Commissioners.
Low bidder Juneau Construction Company will build the roughly $16
million facility over the next 16 months.
The facility features two indoor pools and an outdoor aquatic playground,
similar to the popular Mountain Park Family Aquatics Center. The
County bought the 22.5-acre site in 2003 and will build the park
and facilities with funds from the 2001 and 2005 SPLOST programs
for parks and recreation. The park will also include two multi-purpose
athletic fields, one with a lighted walking track, and parking for
423 vehicles.
Another new park, named Sweet Water Park, will be built at 800
Bethesda School Road near Sugarloaf Parkway and U.S. Highway 29
west of Lawrenceville by Astra Group, Inc. under a $3.5-million
contract.
Phase one of Sweet Water Park will include a pavilion/plaza area,
playground, two tennis courts, two half-court basketball courts,
volleyball and horseshoe courts, restrooms, a 12-foot wide asphalt
multi-use trail, and 114 parking spaces. Construction is expected
to take about seven months. Funding is from the 2001 SPLOST program.
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
Gold mining
dies out in Georgia as firms can't make profit
Gold mining in Georgia saw a brief resurgence in the 1850s, when
miners brought the hydraulic mining technique back from California.
However, the mining industry again fell into a slump during the
Civil War, and the Dahlonega Mint closed.
Mining continued on a limited scale until the turn of the 20th
century, when the advent of new mining technologies gave rise to
a flurry of new activity. Several companies set up gold-processing
plants, one of which, erected by the Dahlonega Consolidated Gold
Mining Company on Yahoola Creek, was the largest ever built east
of the Mississippi River. None of the operations were able to turn
a profit, though, and they soon went out of business
There was sporadic interest in mining Georgia gold on a commercial
scale throughout the 20th century, and the spirit of gold fever
is still strong in the region. Expressions of that spirit are visible
all across north Georgia: the old Lumpkin County Courthouse, built
in 1836, today houses the Dahlonega Gold Museum; thirteen ounces
of gold covers the steeple of North Georgia College's Price Memorial
Hall; forty-three ounces of gold covers the dome of Georgia's state
capitol. And that spirit is recaptured every October during the
Gold Rush Days Festival, when would-be prospectors reliving the
old gold-mining days throng Dahlonega.
THOUGHT
OF THE DAY
What price indifference
costs any community
"The penalty good men pay for indifference to public affairs
is to be ruled by evil men."
-- Plato, via Roy McCreary, Dacula.
SEND
YOUR FEEDBACK
Send your thoughts, 55-word short stories, pet peeves
or comments on any issue to Gwinnett
Forum for future publication.
===========================================
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.
|
