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Issue 9.02 | Tuesday, April 7, 2009 | Forward to your friends! |
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FEEDBACK UPCOMING NOTABLE ALSO INSIDE ___::
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Meet a sponsor |
ABOUT US GwinnettForum.com is a twice-weekly online community commentary for exploring pragmatic and sensible social, political and economic approaches to improve life in Gwinnett County, Ga. USA. Contact us today. SEARCH GWINNETT FORUM |
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TODAY'S
FOCUS LAWRENCEVILLE,
Ga., April 7, 2009 -- Last week the Gwinnett County Board of Tax Assessors
mailed approximately 68,000 real property Notices of Change in Assessment,
the first of three mailings expected to reach a total of 75,000 notices.
Approximately 65,000 of the notices are from value updates while the remaining
10,000 notices are the result of new construction or tax returns filed
by property owners. There are 277,000 parcels of property in the county.
The Board
of Tax Assessors' appraisal staff has worked to review market transactions
in all geographic areas and for every property type. In our 2009 valuation
process we are definitely considering the impact of foreclosures and bank
sales on values. We reviewed all of the county's 1,400 appraisal neighborhoods
and made changes where supported by the data. Most property owners receiving
notices will see a decrease this year. The Assessors looked at what was happening in the county. And if there was evidence of property falling in value, the county reassessed those properties downward. The vast majority of the notices issued for residential property - around 60,000 - will show an average value decrease of 11 percent or $25,000 of market value. The sum of all decreases for residential property totals approximately $1.5 billion of market value. The overall total of the market value of county residential property (digest) is $29 billion. The Board
of Tax Assessors had previously seen a marked increase in the number of
Real Property Tax Returns filed before the March 1 deadline. Almost 45
percent of the Property Tax Returns received were within neighborhoods
already being adjusted downward for 2009. ELLIOTT
BRACK APRIL 7, 2009 -- Ah, spring, it can be so wonderful, with the trees so beautiful in their blooms, and now leaves returning to the trees, and of course, the warmer weather. But to paraphrase, "If spring comes, can pollen be far behind?" Continue to sneeze and enjoy the balmier weather, though of course, today and Wednesday, we'll see Blackberry winter returning. We hope it's the last cold snap of the year.
* * * * * Another
good sign in the springtime: the Georgia Legislature has finished their
40 days at the Capitol, and has gone home. That makes all of us feel a
little more comfortable---at least until we figure out all that they did,
and possibly get us upset once again. Apparently
the big agenda item ended where we figured it would: there was little
movement on the Department of Transportation changes that the governor
had ballyhooed. Though progress may be needed on this front, somehow we
feel better with the Legislature leaving this mostly alone. One thing
Georgians are finding from today's legislative sessions: Republicans can
be as inept at guiding our state as the Democrats have been in the years
when they ran the state. Remember: the Republicans had everything lined
up, majorities in both houses, plus a sitting governor. But at least the
state is limited to having its Legislature meet only 40 days. *
* * * * Hurrah
at last for our national Congress on one score: they socked it to the
cigarette industry recently, raising the taxes on a pack of cigarettes
from 39 cents to $1.01 on April 1 However,
in doing so, the Congress used round-about logic. You see, the whole idea
is to curtail smoking, and it's been shown in state after state that higher
prices reduce smoking, especially among children. But at the same time,
the added taxes are to help fund expansion of the Children's Health Insurance
Program. Reducing smoking….at the same time limits the amount of
monies that will go to the Children's Health Insurance Program. It's a
Catch 22 situation! Even as
the anti-smoking effort has seen success recently, more work is needed.
That should include action by Congress to allow the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration to have authority over the regulation on the manufacturing,
marketing and sale of tobacco products. Fought the entire way by the tobacco
lobby, this is long-overdue. *
* * * * It's a long way off, but put down two days to remember: October 2-3, 2009, for the ninth annual Gwinnett Great Days of Service. These two days can make a huge difference in the life of Gwinnett. Individuals or groups can make lasting impressions on those in need. In the past, people have held canned food drives for homebound seniors, done landscaping and painting projects at schools and non-profits and spending time reading books to children or visiting people in nursing homes. Last year over 200 projects were completed within a two- day period. It is estimated that at least 80,000 volunteers are needed to complete this year's projects To sponsor a project, become a volunteer, or to donate materials, contact Nicole Love, Associate Director, Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services at 770.995.3339 or e-mail her at Nicole@gwinnettcoaltion.org. For more information on Great Days of Service you may also visit the website at www.gwinnettgreatdaysofservice.org. Everyone
can get involved in Gwinnett's Great Days of Service; youth, businesses,
seniors and individuals can collaborate to make a difference where we
all live, work and play.
The public spiritedness of our underwriters allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. Today's sponsor is the Aurora Theatre, Gwinnett County's first choice for professional theatrical entertainment. Celebrating their 13th year as Gwinnett's crown jewel for the performing arts located on the square in Downtown Lawrenceville, Aurora Theatre is committed to producing quality, professional theatre for all of North Georgia. The 2008-2009 Season concludes with Once On This Island a Tony-Award Winner whose island rhythms will get you ready for summer. Additionally, you might have interest in their club comedy series Funny Fridays or the new Swing Nights at Aurora Theatre with the Metro Jazz Club. For young children ask about the Saturday Children's Playhouse on select Saturday mornings at 10 a.m. Registration for summer camps is currently taking place, Aurora Academy offers school age children the chance to learn from working professionals. To purchase individual tickets, season tickets or for more information, visit their revamped new website at www.auroratheatre.com or call 678-226-6222.
FEEDBACK Editor, the Forum: Thank you for providing some perspective on issues between Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful (GCB) and county government. From my experience as a public affairs and environmental consultant, and nearly 10 years working for one of the largest waste and recycling companies in the country, I have an objective understanding and independent perspective on these issues. I'm not in the business now, but here's my take on Gwinnett's situation: GCB is probably the best all around organization of its type in Georgia and among the best in the country. "Franchising" waste services is probably the only way to provide efficient and comprehensive service; it isn't perfect but it is well ahead of most publicly operated systems and far better than the market "free for all" that occurs with no barriers to entry and no meaningful regulation of haulers. Politicians don't do this well; no one wants landfills or transfer stations near them; trash, garbage and even recycling are always highly charged and emotional but at the end of the day this is a public health responsibility. Public service sometimes carries hard choices. Community education of the type that GCB does is an essential service. This goes well beyond garbage and recycling. Don't shoot the messenger for making you face difficult or unpleasant decisions. Don't allow the perfect to become the enemy of the good and don't expect everyone to be happy. Some folks just don't get it and never will.
Recalls days when auto wipers were vacuum operated Editor, the Forum: I noticed a write-up on the 1970 AMC Gremlin. It had vacuum-operated windshield wipers, just as I thought that wonderful invention was gone forever. Of course those vacuum wipers were better than no wipers at all, better than nothing, you could say, but I still remember my '51 Chevrolet which had vacuum wipers, and me having to let up on the accelerator to let the wipers do their thing. That was quite a trick when you were going uphill in an underpowered vehicle. Find yourself a used Gremlin somewhere and you can experience it again. It's rather funny to recall. Sometimes I think about those things when I turn the wipers to the interval setting on a misty day. There's a good movie out about the fellow who invented the interval wiper, only to have his idea stolen by the big automakers, after he submitted his drawings to them and was rejected. After years of litigation against long odds, he prevailed. I was glad for him.
Here is the link for the article about Tom Tebow Editor, the Forum: The below web site is the right one to click on for Tim Tebow, mentioned earlier. The one given previously (Moral Collapse of America), says that the page does not exist, and then if you click again, it goes to their main page. So, use this one: (click here) .
UPCOMING Deadline is approaching to register to play in the Rainbow Village 19th annual golf classic. The Village will host its 14th Annual Golf Classic on Monday, May 4, at Windermere Golf Club in Cumming. The entry fee per player is $175. A four player team scramble format will be used.
Teams will be accepted by entry form or will be made up from individual entries based on handicaps. To register and/or get sponsorship information visit www.rainbowvillage.org or call Amy Anderson or Vally Sharpe at 770-446-3800 by April 27. The Windermere Golf Club, a Davis Love III-designed masterpiece in the foothills of north Georgia, is the site for the 19th year of this event. The tournament raises money for Rainbow Village, a place many call home. It is an environment of healing, and the promise of a hopeful future to homeless families with children. Since 1991, more than 200 families and 500 children have worked their ways through the Rainbow Village, a transitional housing program, and "graduated" to lives of self-sufficiency. Over 90 percent of people who come to Rainbow Village break the cycles of homelessness, poverty and domestic violence that brought them to the agency. The cost ($175 per player) not only guarantees those playing a great day, but ensures that even more families will have the opportunity for a more promising future. Peachtree Christian Hospice plans annual gala April 16 Peachtree Christian Hospital is planning its seventh annual gala and awards dinner for April 16, 2009, at the Atlanta Athletic Club. The reception will be at 6:30 p.m. and dinner at 7:30 p.m. at the club, at 123 Bobby Jones Drive in Johns Creek. Attracting more than 300 guests annually, this gala is a key event for community-minded individuals who wish to make a difference in the lives of the terminally ill throughout Gwinnett and Greater Atlanta. For reservations or more information, call Linda Scott at 770-232-7727. Peachtree Christian Hospice is a 16-bed inpatient facility located on 8.7 acres in the Duluth area of Gwinnett County, just off Peachtree Industrial Boulevard. The facility was planned to meet the physical, psychosocial, emotional and spiritual needs of patients facing a life-limiting illness. Snellville Historical Society to hear storyteller April 19 Tim Hall, 'Storyteller Extraordinaire,' will be the speaker at the meeting of the Snellville Historical Society on Sunday, April 19 at 2:30 p.m. His topic will be "A Scotsman Comes to Georgia." The meeting will be in the community room of the Snellville City Hall. The Society
also announces that membership dues for 2009 were due on March 31. Those
who have been members in the past and have not renewed their dues are
asked to send in their annual dues of $15 or individuals and $25 annually
for families. The check should be mailed to Snellville Historical Society,
2100 Woodberry Run Dr., Snellville, Ga. 30078. NOTABLE The new Gwinnett Braves stadium on Georgia Highway 20 north of Lawrenceville will officially be open on Sunday, April 12, with a ribbon-cutting, followed by a self-guided "behind-the-scene" tour of the stadium, all open to the public. The ribbon cutting will be at 2 p.m. Among those speaking will be members of the Gwinnett Convention and Visitors Bureau, Braves' officials and county commissioners. * * * * The Gwinnett County Department of Planning and Development issued a certificate of occupancy to the new Gwinnett Braves Stadium on April 1. The facility has met all applicable building and life safety codes, which means it is ready to be occupied by the Gwinnett Braves. Opening night for the stadium is April 17 when Gwinnett's newest hometown team will play the Norfolk Tides. County names Bovos As new financial services director Aaron J. Bovos has been appointed financial services director and chief financial officer for Gwinnett County Government. Bovos served as the county's budget director in 2007.
Bovos earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from Frederick Taylor University in Moraga, Calif., and is a certified treasury professional and certified government finance manager. He is leaving his current post as deputy city manager of the City of Roswell to take this position. Bovos was born and raised in Washington state and relocated to Georgia in 1999 to take a job as finance director with the City of Alpharetta. He currently resides in Atlanta. New London Theatre opens auditions for coming drama New London Theatre in Snellville is opening auditions for 12 Angry Jurors on April 8 from 6:30 p. m. until 8 p.m. Auditions will include a monologue which can be found on its website (www.newlondontheatre.org). 12 Angry Jurors is a modern version of the classic 12 Angry Men movie and stage play It is set in a jury deliberation room where the fate of a young man hangs in the balance of what appears to be an open and shut murder case. Yet there is one juror who believes there might be reasonable doubt. The play will be produced by Kathleen Mardis and directed by Laura Patterson. It will be performed as part of the Second Annual Gwinnett County Community Theatre Festival, which will be hosted by the Aurora Theatre in June of this year. Suwanee recognizes outstanding performance by police The City of Suwanee Police Department recognized outstanding performances by several of its officers when it presented its annual awards last week.
Officer Fred Schumacher was voted by his peers as Suwanee's 2009 Officer of the Year. Schumacher was instrumental in setting up the department's new CAD (computer-aided design) system and, according to Chief Mike Jones, works "very hard" at addressing traffic and community policing issues.
Communications Officer Michelle Shepard also was selected by her peers as Civilian of the Year. Shepard, says Jones, is professional, clear, and articulate as she operates the radio system. The Chief's Award is presented to officers who are distinguished by their professionalism and strong work ethic. This year Sgt. Jeff Dickens and Officer Shannon Hitchcock were recognized. Officer Jody Spivey scored the highest rating on the firing range and was named the department's Top Gun.
GEORGIA
ENCYCLOPEDIA Guy Woodroof, a pioneer in food science and technology and often called the "father of food science," made outstanding scientific and technical contributions to the food industry over the course of his professional career. These ranged from the development of processes and methods for the preservation of fruits and vegetables by freezing and canning to revolutionary techniques for the long-term storage of U.S. military rations.
Woodroof's contributions to this field were made primarily while he was associated with the University of Georgia's Georgia Experiment Station from 1938 until his retirement in 1967, a period when tremendous worldwide changes in the processing of foods occurred. Much of the technology of fruit, vegetable, and nut handling and processing in use today was developed and improved by Woodroof and his colleagues. Jasper Guy Woodroof was born on May 23, 1900, on a farm near Mountville, in Meriwether County. He had planned a career in farming and went to the University of Georgia to take a one-year course in agriculture. Woodroof and all other able-bodied students were inducted into the army. Discharged at the end of World War I, Woodroof graduated with a B.S.A. degree in horticulture in 1922, he was employed as a horticulturist at the Georgia Experiment Station near Griffin. He earned an M.S.A. in horticulture in 1926, and his Ph.D. from Michigan State in 1932. (To
Be Continued) 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 "I stopped believing in Santa Claus when my mother took me to see him in a department store and he asked for my autograph."
MORE RECENT COMMENTARY
MODERN HISTORY OF GWINNETT
NOW IN STORES! You can purchase the book now at several locations:
Or order directly from elliottbrack.com and get a signed copy. The book consists
of 850 pages, including more than 143 demographic and historic tables,
with more than 4,000 names in the index, and 10,000 names in the appendix. Here are some other good reads that you might want to consider reading:
FOR CHARITY. You can give "A Gift of Laughter," a great book of cartoons by Bill McLemore, to help raise money for Rainbow Village. At just $20, it's a fun way to help. To order, call 770 840 1003, or 770 446 3800, or email to info@gwinnettforum.com. SISTER PUBLICATIONS We encourage you to check out our sister publications:
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