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New waste hauling plan for 2008 for
unincorporated Gwinnett
By
Jane Langley
Special to GwinnettForum
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga., Nov. 11, 2008 -- What is cost efficient, effective,
greener, cleaner, holds 95 gallons AND creates jobs?
GCB (Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful) Services says that effective
January 2, all households in unincorporated Gwinnett will begin
participating in the county's new solid waste management plan, called
"A Greener Tomorrow Begins Today."
Residents will pay a standard fee for waste collection and be able
to recycle up to 35 items, a five-fold increase from the current
seven-item limit. Weekly trash and recycling pickup also will be
provided to every home, including the 20,000 homes currently without
waste collection service.
Based on on-going market studies and rates reported by citizens,
the current average price for garbage and recycling service in Gwinnett
is $21per month. The "Greener Tomorrow" program will provide
services at more affordable rates.
During the initial phase in period from January to June 30, 2009,
residents will pay their new hauler a monthly service fee of $20.45.
When the "Greener Tomorrow" program is fully implemented
by July 1, 2009, residents will have the convenience of paying their
new monthly service fees of $17.86 once a year as a part of their
annual tax bills. In addition:
- Yard waste pickup will continue to be an elective service and
offered for an additional monthly fee of $10.
- Senior citizens qualified for homestead exemption will receive
a discounted rate.
Connie Wiggins, president of GCB Services and executive director,
Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful says: "In today's economy, it's
important to be more cost effective. Homeowners will benefit from
greater efficiencies, and get better value and service."
GCB Services will send every resident a letter with information
about their hauler by late November; residents will not be required
to contact their assigned hauler to begin service. In the meantime,
homeowners can visit the new web site at www.gwinnettcbservices.org
or call 770-709-5600, the new Call Center, to learn more.
Currently, each household contracts with various waste companies
for service; there is no common price or standard for service, trash
receptacles or same-day neighborhood pick-up. With only one company
providing same-day trash and recycling pick-up in neighborhoods,
there will be fewer garbage trucks in neighborhoods; less traffic,
air and noise pollution; and less wear-and-tear on neighborhood
streets.
A comprehensive and competitive process was used to select the
new waste haulers. Only companies meeting GCB Services' strict qualifications
- including work plan, pricing, financial stability, and ability
to obtain insurance and bonding - were able to participate in the
process. The two haulers selected, Advanced Disposal Services Atlanta
LLC and Waste Pro of Georgia Inc., were the highest ranked of seven
interested companies and also offered the lowest and best price
for services, significantly lower than all the others.
"The new program will offer Gwinnett residents an excellent
product at an affordable rate while creating hundreds of jobs,"
said Wiggins.
And those 95 gallons? Advanced Disposal and Waste Pro will give
each homeowner two 95-gallon wheeled carts, one for garbage and
one for recycling. All carts must be in place by July 1.
Planning for a "Greener Tomorrow Begins Today" began
four years ago under a state law requiring local governments to
update and improve their garbage and recycling collective services.
Gwinnett County charged Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful and its 50-member
Citizens Solid Waste Advisory Board with developing a new plan.
Over several years, the group gathered input from more than 5,000
Gwinnett residents and included their needs in the new plan.
About GCB Services: A Georgia non-profit entity,
GCB Services was established by Gwinnett County in July 2008 to
manage unincorporated Gwinnett's new waste management plan. For
information, go to www.gwinnettcbservices.org.
A few thoughts while standing in line before
voting
By
Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
NOV. 11, 2008 -- Georgia and some 30 other states gave a new meaning
to an election with its "early voting" prior to the 2008
election. With more people turning out, and interest growing prior
to the election, most people consider the early voting as a good
thing.
Brack |
Now talk comes of improving it. Some even want the idea extended
to all 50 states, so that people in the minority of states that
do not allow early voting can benefit….as well, we might add,
as will democracy.
What many people were wanting to do is to vote early so that they
would not have to stand for hours in lines to vote in the popular
election. However, this often led to long lines for the early voting,
too.
For those who did not vote early, what was the best time to vote?
We figured about mid-morning would be an ideal time, as it had been
in the past. Wrong! We had to wait nearly two hours in line (at
least the weather was good) before casting our vote. However, when
we drove past our polls at 2:30, and again at 4:30 on Tuesday, we
could have walked in and voted without having to stand in lines.
It made us realize that people were anxious to vote, and wanted
to get there early to do that. But it we had not been so anxious
and waited until later in the afternoon, voting would have been
a zip!
Can't you see what could happen four years from now? We'll go in
the afternoon, and probably have to stand in line with all those
who decide in 2012 not to be so anxious, and vote in the afternoon!
* * * * *
A few thoughts on this year's voting:
- More voting machines would have helped. The delay for us was
primarily in that our precinct had only five machines. With a
long ballot, some people took more than five minutes. Checking
in was fast, but once ticked off the list, it was the waiting
to get to the machines.
- For early voting, next election perhaps Gwinnett should have
10, not five, places for early voting, in order to accommodate
the early voters quicker.
- Our precincts are often at schools. And with school not being
held on the election day, why not train high school seniors on
Saturdays prior and let them assist in checking in voters? They
will become a source to hire poll workers, let them earn some
money, and get a glimpse at the democratic process, too. All win-win
ideas!
- Growing Gwinnett always need more precincts. When splitting
precincts, we suggest the Election Board consider the three shopping
malls in Gwinnett as sites. They would provide indoor waiting
areas, have plenty of parking, and we suspect that the malls would
welcome more visitors on a slow Tuesday. Each of the malls could
accommodate three-or-four precincts at different ends of their
concourses. Those hungry if there were lines would have also the
mall food courts available.
- Enterprising school organizations might provide a service for
those not wanting to stand in line, should lines appear. Volunteer
students would be given HOLDING PLACE signs to hang around their
necks. As they neared the polling place entrance, they could cell
phone the voter to come on and get in line. The student and the
school organization could split the take!
* * * * *
EVER WONDER why we vote on Tuesdays? Surely you know the answer:
because we always have. Saturday voting would be far better these
days, since particularly fewer than half the people now work on
Saturdays!
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New
reader likes what he sees at GwinnettForum
Editor, the Forum:
I just glanced at the GwinnettForum for the first time. I liked
what I saw. I read your article about the Gwinnett election results.
I too noticed that the victory margins were down for the Republican
candidates. I consider that outstanding and hope it continues.
-- David Brown, Snellville
Dear David: Welcome to the Forum. You'll find
material in here "moderated" (It must get by the editor
first), and often not seen in other places. We invite you, and
others, to send us 500 words on a favorite topic to feature in
a coming edition.-eeb)
Collins
Hill library to present college planning workshop
Gwinnett County Public Library will present a college planning
workshop focused on getting students the help they need to successfully
enroll into a college or university. The workshop is being held
at 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 15 at the Collins Hill branch of
the Gwinnett County Public Library.
The college planning workshop will help families understand and
successfully manage the college planning process. The presenter,
Michael Lopato, a certified college planning specialist, will walk
parents and students through a step-by-step process designed to
help parents and future students navigate the college application
process, from enrollment to admissions to financial aid.
This class is free and open to the public. Parents and students
are encouraged to attend.
The Collins Hill branch is located at 455 Camp Perrin Road in Lawrenceville.
For more information, visit www.gwinnettpl.org
or call 770-978-5154.
Gwinnett Technology
Forum to hear nanotech researcher
On Tuesday, November 18th the Gwinnett Technology Forum will be
hosting an exploration of nanotechnology with Dr. Gregory Book,
senior researcher at the Nanotechnology Research Center at Georgia
Tech.
Nanotechnology affects all areas of life, including electronics,
manufacturing, protective coatings on clothing, solar cells, and
sensors. Researchers are also exploring medical implications, like
how to use magnetic nanoparticles in cancer treatment. At the forefront
of this research is Georgia Tech, who recently opened the doors
of a 160,000 square foot nanotechnology facility, the most advanced
nanotechnology facility in the Southeast.
Come hear about how nanotechnology is and will affect your life
and well being, and how Georgia Tech's new nanotechnology facility
will attract more businesses to the region.
The Gwinnett Technology Forum will start at 7:30 a.m. at the Scientific-Atlanta
Auditorium in the Busbee Center of Gwinnett Technical College in
Lawrenceville.
Pre-registration is requested. To register for this event, visit
www.gwinnettchamber.org/gtfregistration.
Rand Knight will address
Nov. 20 Sierra Club meeting
The Greater Gwinnett Group of the Sierra Club will have former
U.S. Senate candidate Rand Knight at their November 20 meeting.
He was also the keynote speaker at the recent Georgia Chapter of
the Sierra Club's annual conference. The group meets at Berkmar
High School in the media center at 7 p.m. for socializing, and the
program begins at 7:30 pm. If questions, contact Tom Morrissey at
thmorrissey@bellsouth.net
or call (404) 513-4069.
Stone Mountain Chorus
honors vets with music on Nov. 14-15
Veterans Day week is the perfect time to honor those who have served
in our nation's armed forces. It is also a time when the Stone Mountain
Chorus celebrates its 28th year of delivering the best in four-part
harmony to the metropolitan Atlanta area.
This year's program is filled with "barbershop harmony"
songs that will return you to the turn of the previous century with
music of the vaudeville era. All the festivities will take place
at the Gwinnett
Performing Arts Center, at 8:30 p.m. on Friday, November 14,
and at 3 and 8p.m. on Saturday, November 15.
Aurora's annual Christmas
Canteen begins Nov. 26
Aurora Theatre
has once again assembled the region's top musical theatre talent
for its original holiday extravaganza Christmas Canteen 2008.
Our living Christmas card, filled with the music and memories that
make the holidays special, is Gwinnett County's longest running
theatrical holiday tradition. With the sentimentality of television
Christmas Specials combined with the high energy of a USO variety
show, Christmas Canteen 2008 will have even the biggest Scrooge
wishing everyone a "Merry Christmas!" For thousands in
North Georgia, it's not Christmas until they hear their Canteen
favorites like I'll be Home for Christmas, Boogie Woogie Bugle
Boy, Santa Baby, Winter Wonderland, Silent Night and so many
more.
As always, Christmas Canteen 2008 pays tribute to the men
and women of the United States Armed Services both past and present.
This year the production will feature local heroes in a video retrospective
during the performance. For the fifth year, Aurora Theatre will
also be working with the United States Marine Corps and their annual
Toys for Tots drive. This year's toy drive is a part of the second
Annual Festival of Trees. The Aurora Theatre lobby will be home
to more than a dozen trees decorated by local businesses and organizations
ranging from the whimsically clever to the breathtakingly spectacular.
The Best of the Fest award will go to the tree that collects the
most toys. Anyone can cast a vote for their favorite with a new
unwrapped toy to help ensure that everyone has a Merry Christmas.
Aurora Theatre Producing Artistic Director Anthony Rodriguez explains,
"Christmas Canteen is created by the Aurora. Of all the productions
we do, this one is the most personal because it truly is our gift
to the supportive community we are grateful to have."
Christmas Canteen 2008 starts November 28 and continues
through December 21. Performances are Thursday to Saturday at 8
p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. There are additional Wednesday
performances: Tickets are $14 to $30.
A special Preview Performance will be Wednesday November 26, 2008
at 8 p.m. Tickets $10 with Library Card and only $5 with Gwinnett
County Student ID.
Gwinnett Tech vet
program director wins state award
Dr. Bonnie Ballard, program director of Gwinnett Technical College's
Veterinary Technology program, has been named the college's 2008
Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Education honoree.
Ballard |
The Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction
honors technical education's most outstanding instructors. The award
has been an ongoing statewide program since 1991 and is designed
to recognize and honor technical college instructors who make significant
contributions to technical education through innovation and leadership
in their fields.
Sharon Bartels, Gwinnett Tech president, notes that "Dr. Ballard
has been an active champion of technical education and an innovative
leader of Gwinnett Tech's Veterinary Technology Program. Under her
direction, the program has earned accreditation by the American
Association of Veterinary Medicine, and program graduates have earned
and maintained a perfect 100 percent pass rate on the Veterinary
Technician National Examination."
Dr. Ballard joined Gwinnett Tech in 1995 as an adjunct faculty
member and became director of the Veterinary Technology program
in 1997. Gwinnett Tech's program, which combines in-class education
with active clinical site training, was the first of its kind in
the nation that did not house animals on campus. A member of both
the American and Georgia Veterinary Medical Associations, Dr. Ballard
was also honored with the Rick Perkins Award in 2001 and with the
Lighthouse Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2000. She earned
a doctorate of veterinary medicine degree from the University of
Georgia.
John LeCarre's A
Most Wanted Man
 "A
novelist has the benefit of not recording history, but writing of
history in an oblique fashion. John LeCarre, the best author of
the genre of "spy books" has now addressed the War on
Terrorism and in particularly America's blockhead tactics during
the last seven years in A Most Wanted Man. Set in Hamburg,
Germany, you don't realize until toward the end of the book that
indeed, it is a condemnation of the tactics of the underworld of
intelligence, and in particular, what the USA brought to this subject.
Only by addressing the topic at an oblique angle does this come
out. This book is one of the easiest to understand of LeCarre's
works, which often ramble and confuse the story. It's an easy read,
with many questions left conveniently unanswered."
-- eeb
- 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
Lots happens at
Fox Theatre that the public doesn't see
(More on the Fox
Theatre)
Audiences enthusiastically applaud the pièce de résistance
of the Fox
Theater, the Möller Deluxe 42-rank pipe organ console (affectionately
called "Mighty Mo" by longtime Fox-goers) rising out of
the orchestra pit. What they can't see, however, is the organ's
3,622 pipes hidden behind two trefoil arches supported by faux balcony
boxes-all designed to blend with the Moorish theme. In addition
to the organ's pipe collection, the Möller also boasts dozens
of sound effects, including songbirds, sirens, a Ford automobile
horn, chimes, cymbals, and a locomotive whistle.
In addition, the Fox has a large freight elevator, a separate screening
room, a broadcasting studio, a central vacuum system, and showers
in its seven floors of backstage dressing rooms. It also has a clinic
equipped with a hospital bed, an automatic sterilizer, and supplies
to handle everything from a bruise to a broken leg.
Deep beneath the stage, the Fox seems even more massive and mysterious.
A morass of boilers, fans, pipes, and ducts control the climate
within the vast complex. The basement is a winding maze of corridors,
passageways, and rehearsal rooms. Three distinct electric lines
enter the main power room on the lowest level of the theater and
furnish enough electricity to light a medium-sized city. An emergency
generator assures that if all else fails, the emergency lighting
system at the Fox will remain on. Until recently, the backstage
walls were scratched with the names of New York City streets and
avenues-a necessity for the language-diverse Metropolitan Opera
cast who, through this ingenious system of "street signs,"
could quickly find the stage entrance in this underground labyrinth.
(To be continued.)
We enjoy toils, suffering
of those who preceded us
"Let the American youth never forget, that they possess a
noble inheritance, bought by the toils, and sufferings, and blood
of their ancestors; and capacity, if wisely improved, and faithfully
guarded, of transmitting to their latest posterity all the substantial
blessings of life, the peaceful enjoyment of liberty, property,
religion, and independence."
-- Constitutional Scholar Joseph Story (1799-1845), (Commentaries
on the Constitution, 1833), via Roy McCreary, Dacula.
Send your thoughts, 55-word short stories, pet peeves
or comments on any issue to Gwinnett
Forum for future publication.
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is an online community commentary for exploring pragmatic and sensible
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