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Issue 8.85 | Friday, Jan. 30, 2009 | Forward to your friends! |
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ABOUT US GwinnettForum.com is an online community commentary for exploring pragmatic and sensible social, political and economic approaches to improve life in Gwinnett County, Ga. USA. Every Tuesday and Friday we publish commentary on issues designed to stimulate an idea exchange, promote a public debate, and move toward achieving an improved and enlarged quality of life in Gwinnett. Contact us today. |
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TODAY'S
FOCUS (Editor's Note: The following is an abbreviated version of a talk recently given at the Gwinnett Rotary Club by Deep Shah, son of Drs. J.J. and Meena Shah of Duluth. He is currently studying on a Rhodes Scholarship at Oxford University in England. -- eeb) DULUTH, Ga., Jan. 30, 2009 -- An elderly priest escorted four blind men to a field and asked them to describe the figure before them. (It was an elephant.)
The first man wrapped his arms around one of the creature's sturdy hind legs and quickly determined it to be a tree. Another caught the elephant's tail and proclaimed "Ah, a rope!" Grasping one of its tusks, the third follower declared: "It is most certainly a dagger." The last blind man ran his hands across the elephant's massive side and concluded it was only a wall. None of the men sought to learn from their guru or one another. In the end, all four missed the elephant's beauty, significance and power. This ancient Indian fable illustrates the importance of mentors and our responsibility to seek their guidance. Without their support, we fail to see the big picture and our purpose in it. I have been fortunate to have strong mentors throughout my life So when the Rotary Club of Gwinnett recently asked me to share "what it took" to win a Rhodes Scholarship, I needed little time to reflect. My achievement is a result of the time, energy and love invested in me by my family and friends in and around Gwinnett. Three of the greatest contributing factors to my success include the following:
My parents always expected my sisters and me to treat one other with
basic respect and courtesy. Call if you will be late -- even five minutes.
Reply to messages within twenty-four hours. Always have room for one (or
two) extra. Never forget to follow up. We first formed these habits at
home, so carrying them to our academic and professional spheres was only
natural. Many students are blessed with talents and intellect, but I believe
these simple lessons and expectations make a critical difference. They praised students who stood last in line or stayed late to clean up. More significantly, these friends received as much attention as our star athletes and valedictorians. Almost five years later, I finally realize the unique privilege of growing up at a school where these virtues were valued and I could learn from peers exhibiting them. After moving to Athens, I was able to crystallize a vision for my future through the mentorship and support of my professors and advisors. They showed me how to apply my personal values to my goal of serving as a future physician policymaker. My time at Oxford has quickly revealed that most undergraduates never benefit from such personal investment. While I often take for granted the lessons that I have learned from this
collection of individuals, their influences have been the pivotal difference
in my successes. It took 23 years to appreciate all of their efforts,
but I hope that the parents, community members, and leaders of Gwinnett
continue to reach other young people in this way. Hopefully, everyone
will learn to recognize the elephant even sooner! ELLIOTT
BRACK JAN. 30, 2009 -- Consider, if you will, what sort of activity goes on in Gwinnett between the hours of 2 a.m. and 5 a.m.
How about this description: "Not much good!" Some law-abiding citizens may get home from work routinely at 2 or 3 a.m. (We feel for them.) We know some early-birds who arise at 5 a.m. We suppose they are just built that way. Yet there are others among us who are still not in bed by 2 a.m., and in fact, make it their normal routine to be out and about during these morning hours. We find that the way the law is written in Gwinnett, many establishments that serve alcoholic beverages are staying open well past the deadline for halting the sale of alcoholic beverages. One such outlet, pictured here, advertises it as staying open until 5 a.m.
Gwinnett ordinances read that if the establishment serves alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises, they can only serve between the hours of 9 a.m. until 1:55 a.m. Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, they may serve from 12:30 p.m. until midnight, but only at places which derive at least 50 percent of their annual gross sales from prepared food or from overnight lodging. * * * * * Now let's go into this further. If these establishments (some may be known in the vernacular as "bars," or even by other terms, such as "joints") have to halt sales at 1:55 a.m. at the latest, what happens from then until 5 a.m.? Of course, we suppose a person could order another drink at 1:50 a.m., or two or three, and sit around and consume those (maybe warm) drinks well past 1:55 a.m. Perhaps some sit there and drink until 5 a.m. (Code Section 6-93.) Far more possible, we suspect, is that the bulk of heated discussion, arguments and perhaps fights and gun shots, take place between 2 and 5 a.m. than at other times. And there is no telling what else those in attendance at such joints will get into after the technical end of serving time. We would be more literal in suggesting that what goes on at these late hours could not, in many ways, be considered "pretty" or "wholesome" or even "nice." You perhaps can imagine some such shenanigans. You could also probably correlate unusual activities during these hours with calls to the police to come to these establishments. All this, you understand, without even mentioning other possibilities, such as activities with drugs, taking place during this time slot. * * * * * Yes, we would like to see change:
Gwinnett is not a good-time convention county. We see no reason for our county, one where most people like to say that they believe in "family values," to routinely allow long, after-midnight activity in places serving alcoholic beverages. Governments have long used the tool of regulation for establishments serving alcoholic beverages. We feel Gwinnett needs to get tougher in this area. The county commission is the authority in these matters. It should investigate just what goes on between 2-5 a.m. at these places. FEEDBACK Editor, the Forum: The Gwinnett Investing in Educational Excellence (IE2) plan really makes sense when you think about, whether we like it or not. Having gained the IE2 contract, Gwinnett may place individual schools on contract while they maintain control, allowing School Supt. Alvin Wilbanks to punish or assist any school. He will be able to do this by allowing or not allowing transfers, which allows for placing lower performing students into alternative schools that will remain under No Child Left Behind requirements. So what happens if the alternative school fails to make Annual Yearly Progress? After failing to make it for three years, the county is required to write a School Improvement Plan and must offer "Choice." Exactly what choices will be offered to a student attending an alternative school that fails to make AYP? Stay, quit, or perhaps be afforded the choice to move to a different classroom? On flip side, every other school under an IE2 contract will be able to dump their under- performers off into the alternative schools and be able to show vast improvements without doing anything but removing the lower performing students. Those vast improvements will then be played to the hilt during the next three-five election cycles, guaranteeing incumbent re-election and continued control for another 10-15 years. Consider too that the 65 percent spending in the classroom policy is a system-wide edict, which will allow for transferring funding to the IE2 contract schools from the alternative schools, thus assuring every IE2 contract is met. I have to admit this is nothing short of genius, on behalf of the Gwinnett County Board of Education and Mr. Wilbanks, when it comes to showing school improvement!
Constitution says nothing about being world policeman Editor, the Forum: Gitmo, where the rights of habeas corpus and due process could be denied, will close. The CIA will be prohibited from maintaining overseas detention centers (rendition). All of President Bush's legal orders and opinions on interrogations since 9/11 have been canceled. And severe interrogation techniques are now limited to no undue discomfort, i. e., discussion about the weather and offers of Kool Aid, etc. The Constitution of the United States, Section I, Article 8. pertaining to the responsibilities of the Congress states that: "The Congress shall have the power . . . . To provide for calling forth the militia . . . . and repel invasions, . . ." Nowhere in the Constitution does it say that the United States shall
be the world's policeman and wage war in foreign countries or destroy
foreign countries for that matter.
McLEMORE'S
WORLD ARCHIVE
The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. The Gwinnett County Public Library provides free access to its electronic and physical collections and information, as well as its services and programs. In addition, the library hosts two community-wide special events, Gwinnett Reads and the Gwinnett Reading Festival. The library system is comprised of fourteen branches in Gwinnett County, all of which offer wireless internet. For more information on programs, services and events, please visit www.gwinnettpl.org or call 770-978-5154.
UPCOMING Jackson Electric Membership Corporation is currently accepting applications for the Youth Citizenship Award (YCA). High school juniors and seniors are encouraged to apply. Randall Pugh, president and CEO of the EMC, says: "As college admissions are becoming more competitive, we realize that more students are looking for community oriented activities to place on their applications and resumes. This program will not only provide a great resume builder, but will also applaud student volunteerism and civic involvement." Applicants should be involved in community or school volunteer organizations where improving the community is the chief objective. Leadership positions and high GPA's are considered but are not a necessity for this award. Rather, students should show why they volunteer and how much time they devote to their activities. The winner of this award will earn the prestigious title, along with:
More than one student from a school may apply, and students do not have to be Jackson EMC customers to participate but must attend a high school in Jackson EMC's service territory. The deadline to apply is February 27, 2009. To obtain an application form, see high school counselors or visit at
www.jacksonemc.com/citizenship. In addition to tours, a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and other festivities,
the grand opening celebration for Suwanee's new City Hall, scheduled for
March 28, will include a human aerial art project/community photo. Using
Town Center Park as a backdrop, participants wearing the same color or
color-coordinated t-shirts will create an icon or image that will be photographed
from above, likely by a photographer in a helicopter. Economic and Community Development Director Denise Brinson says: "We're really excited about creating this community photo as a unique way to commemorate the opening of our new City Hall. The more people who participate in the photo the better it will be and the more fun the experience. We need folks to help us out by registering in advance." Participants who register by March 13 will receive a t-shirt to wear in the community photo. Participants will be asked to arrive at Town Center Park, probably between 1:30-2 p.m. with the photo to be taken around 2:30-3 p.m. The early arrival is necessary in order to coordinate placement assignments. "If we can pull it off," Brinson adds, "we're hoping that folks will be able to locate themselves in the photo after it's taken, and we'll put the names of all the participants in the time capsule that's being installed at the grand opening, too. We really think this is something our community will be able to look back on and say, 'How cool was that?'" College lands General Petraeus as commencement speaker
Georgia Gwinnett College landed a high-level speaker for its commencement in May, as U.S. Army General David Petraeus will deliver the keynote. He is currently the lead officer of the Central Command at McDill AFB, Fla., after serving nearly two years as head of the multi-national force in Iraq. General Petraeus and Georgia Gwinnett College President Daniel J. Kaufman, a retired U.S. Army brigadier general, are well-acquainted and taught together at the U.S. Military Academy NOTABLE The City of Lilburn is seeking to annex approximately eight square miles of predominantly residential property for a new total of 14.5 square miles within the city limits.
Lilburn has requested that legislation be introduced in the current session
of the Georgia General Assembly. The decision to annex stems from requests
from residents in the area, the need for consistent boundaries, broadening
of the City's tax base to reduce the need for future tax increases and
Lilburn's desire to protect property values in the community beyond the
current city limits. 1071 Coalition seeks improvements
for Lake Lanier basin After the recent rainfall, Lake Lanier is up two feet, but has more than 15 feet to go before it reaches full pool. As history has shown, uncontrollable droughts will come and go, but what can be controlled is the management of the lake levels by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps' approval of the Georgia EPD's request in November to temporarily reduce releases from Lake Lanier, for instance, was a change in management that could yield more than 11 billion gallons of water in storage in the lake. Since the Coalition formed in October 2008, more than 100 individuals and organizations have joined its efforts to impact the Corps' operations policy. The short-term priority of the 1071 Coalition is to commission an economic impact study, which will cost approximately $200,000. This data will be used to counter information disseminated by adjacent states and to bolster Georgia's position in water management discussions. For more information, or to join, go to http://1071coalition.org. Gwinnett reduces water use by 9 million gallons annually Gwinnett residents will have reduced water use by almost nine million
gallons annually by replacing more than 1,500 old, inefficient toilets
through last November under a rebate incentive program once the new fixtures
have been in use for a year. Commissioners recently voted to extend the
rebate program and provided up to $300,000 to cover its cost. Lake Lanier is still about 14 feet below normal and rainfall continues to be less than average. A toilet rebate program could become mandatory in all metro counties under a draft water conservation and water supply plan for the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District (Atlanta metro area). Draft plans are available for public review and comment on the MNGWPD's website at www.northgeorgiawater.com or questions can be answered at (404) 463-8645. Details and the rebate application form are also available on the site. * * * * * Meanwhile, in response to the drought and continuing water restrictions
imposed by the state, Gwinnett residents and businesses cut their water
use by 17.2 percent last year, a drop of more than five billion gallons,
compared with 2007. But revenues for Gwinnett's Department of Water Resources
were down only 5.4 percent. The Lilburn Historical Society is now accepting nominations for the Arbor Day 2009 honoree. Each year, an individual that has contributed to the Lilburn community is honored as part of the Arbor Day celebration. Involvement in Lilburn is the only criteria for nomination. This year's celebration will be held on Saturday, March 7 at 10 a.m. If you would like to nominate an individual, contact Hugh Wilkerson of the Lilburn Historical Society at antiques@bellsouth.net. Deadline for nominations is February 16, 2009. RECOMMENDED
GEORGIA
ENCYCLOPEDIA The Historic Preservation Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources is the state agency responsible for implementing the national preservation program in Georgia. The division works in partnership with federal and state agencies, local governments, preservation organizations, community groups, and individuals to achieve a greater appreciation and use of historic buildings, districts, and archaeological sites in the context of everyday life. Working at the state level, the division is able to bring together national,
regional, and local preservation interests to support community and economic
development goals throughout Georgia. The division particularly encourages
regional and local planning, neighborhood conservation, downtown revitalization,
economic development, African American preservation, heritage tourism,
and archaeological site protection. The National Park Service establishes broad policies, programs, and standards for state and local participation in the national program. Such preservation incentives as the National Register of Historic Places, tax credits, and grants, as well as compliance requirements, established through the Historic Preservation Act and other federal legislation, encourage preservation activity. States enact programs and services that complement the national program and address the special character and needs of their state. In Georgia the state legislature mandates a number of specific preservation programs, such as a state property-tax freeze, rehabilitation grants, archaeology protection, and stewardship of state-owned buildings that provide additional services and incentives for the preservation of historic properties throughout Georgia. CREDITS GwinnettForum is provided to you at no charge every Tuesday and Friday. If you would like to serve as an underwriter, click here to learn more. Send your thoughts, 55-word short stories, pet peeves or comments on any issue to Gwinnett Forum for future publication.
© 2009, 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. |
TODAY'S
QUOTE "Lead us not into temptation. Just tell us where it is; we'll find it."
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