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Issue 9.16 | Wednesday, May 27, 2009 | Forward to your friends!

REMEMBERING: People across Gwinnett observed Memorial Day on Monday, in observance of Americans who lost their lives in military duty. Here is a view of the American Cemetery at Aisne-Marne, France, one of many overseas graveyards where American from wars are buried. A total of 2,289 of American military dead are buried in Aisne-Marne. Meanwhile, read about the Memorial Day celebration in Elliott Brack's report today (below).

TODAY'S FOCUS
:: Judge on innovative Loganville program

ELLIOTT BRACK
:: Remembering our veterans

FEEDBACK
:: Fighting commissioners on taxes

UPCOMING
:: New leadership class, Sale to speak

NOTABLE
:: Library, school honors

ALSO INSIDE

___:: IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Meet a sponsor
___:: RECOMMENDED: Send us a review
___:: GEORGIA TIDBIT: Anglican Church
___:: TODAY'S QUOTE: Mencken on service
___:: ON THE BOOKSHELF: Interesting reading
___:: ARCHIVED COMMENTARY: Read past issues

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TODAY'S FOCUS
Loganville judge provides background for innovative program
By BRAD BROWNLOW
Judge, Loganville Municipal Court
Special to GwinnettForum.com

(Editor's Note: the author has been a judge for 29 years, and also served as the judge of the City Court of Walnut Grove and Monroe. Prior to becoming an attorney, he was a court reporter for 11 years, and also taught school for five years. He writes this in response to a recent letter to GwinnettForum. -- eeb)

LOGANVILLE, Ga., May 27, 2009 -- In April 2005, we in Loganville had three boys killed in a high speed car accident on Youth-Monroe Road. All three were killed instantly.

There was an 18 year old girl killed at Good Hope that same week.

I had been watching reports from North Georgia of the loss of life among teens on the roadways. In April of 2005, we had 19 traffic fatalities in the first four months of the year.

I have a heart for young people, and I wanted to do something to halt these fatalities among our youth. I was not willing to give up these kids to a loss of life from automobile collisions.

The judges of Walton, three of us, talked about this. We had watched more teen deaths in auto accidents in North Georgia. We asked ourselves what we could do, and came up with a plan, the "Twelve-Three" program, twelve months of Pre-Trial diversion, complete in three, dismiss the case.

The program amounts to pre-trial diversion if the person before the court is under age 21. They have a pre-trial supervisor, and must complete the program in 12 months, though most do it in three months.

The course work includes taking a collision avoidance course, taught by certified driving instructors. They teach techniques of responding to problems while driving which can save lives. Among the provisions:

Sgt. Bill Richardson of the Gwinnett solicitor's office wrote a book, It Can't Happen to Me, which contains photos and life stories of those teens who have lost their lives in traffic accidents. There is a pledge for the offender to sign in the back of the book. Those in the program have to buy and read the book, and take the pledge.
Those taking the program must have a random drug screening. It's designed to help those who may be doing drugs, to get away from them. We see this in court a lot, and want to have all in the pre-trial supervision program take this course and be tested. They cannot consume drugs and alcohol when in program.
All must pay a minimum fine, go through victim impact panel through Solicitor's office, which tell stories of people who have had loved ones killed in accidents. In most cases, the cost of the program is less than a fine would be.

Once completing the course, their case is dismissed, and there is no record of the case.

When we started the program in 2005, Walton County had 32 auto fatalities of all ages. It dropped to 14 in 2006, 11 in 2007, 9 in 2008 and so far this year, only two. It appears that this program reduces fatalities.

We have subsequently modified the Twelve-Three program to permit young people, who are first offenders with a clean record, to opt out of participation in the program because of current financial hardship and unemployment. In addition, all new drivers are completing the Risk Reduction Courses under Joshua's Law.

At our most recent court hearings, since the change in the program, we have had more than 80 percent of the defendants request to continue in the program to maintain a clean driving record.

We have had calls from all over Georgia about the program. It has been presented at a probate judge's conference, as they try to model a statewide program after what we have done in Walton County. It's no secret. We want others to know about the program.

In my opinion, this program would be worthwhile if it saved only one teenager's life. I'm sure every parent would agree with me if that teen saved was their son or daughter.

ELLIOTT BRACK
Memorial Day ceremony honors 5 who died from Norcross
By ELLIOTT BRACK
Editor and publisher

MAY 27, 2009 -- Plaques honoring five servicemen from Norcross who died from World War II were re-dedicated during Memorial Day activities Monday. Some of the plaques had been lost, and thus, the re-dedication of them, in Thrasher Park, now being renovated.

Brack

It was a nice touch to the Memorial Day. Information on the ceremony had been compiled primarily by Connie Weathers, with help from Edie Riehm. Robert Byars read the information during the ceremony. Besides these three, two others on the committee included Pam Hopper and Meryl Wilkerson. The Historic Norcross Preservation Alliance donated the new plaques.

Two of the five honored were brothers, Joseph Sharp Davidson and Aubrey Eugene Davidson.

Joseph Sharp Davidson (1920-1944) enlisted and was a Machinist's Mate Second Class in the Navy. He was injured during the Battle of the Coral Sea in 1942. Two years later he was one of the 248 sailors who, in an attempt to protect the USS Warrington from an East Coast Category 4 hurricane was lost when the ship went down in that storm. His name is one of the crew inscribed at the national level on the East Coast Memorial in New York City's Battery Park.

Aubrey Eugene Davidson (1923-1945) enlisted in the Navy and achieved the rank of Aviation Machinist's Mate First Class. He and his brother were sons of the Rev. and Mrs. Lewis Marion Davidson. In a move reminiscent of the plot from the movie "Saving Private Ryan," Aubrey's brothers, Lewis, Jack, and Willard, were taken off the front lines after Aubrey's death, which occurred only four months after his brother, Joe, was lost at sea. Today, Joe and Aubrey's family name lives on through Davidson Drive in Norcross.

Wyly Quillian Letson, known as "Quill," (1910-1944) was on a minesweeper when it was sunk in the English Channel. He enlisted in the United States Navy Reserve and was an Electrician's Mate Third Class. He was born to Dr. Farmer Hinton Letson and Eva Leona Johnson Letson and married Sarah Jeffers. His only child, Lyn Letson Hodnett, was born after her father's death. She can recall being taken by her uncle to see the magnolia tree that was planted in memory of her father. Quill was a member of the Norcross baseball team, worked on the Summerour Farm, and helped construct a log cabin here in Norcross. Quill was buried in Normandy, France where family members have traveled to pay their respects.

Joseph Harold Mitchell, (1922-1944) died during the Battle of the Bulge. Harold enlisted in the Army in July 1942. He is a recipient of the Purple Heart, serving with the 359th Infantry Regiment of the 90th Infantry Division previously in Sicily and North Africa. His parents died when he was young, and he, his brother and sister were raised by their grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Mitchell on their farm here in Norcross. The Mitchell family name still lives on today through Mitchell Road.

Ralph Westbrook (1919-1946 enlisted in the Navy and achieved the rank of Chief Electrical Mate. Born to Berry and Apha Westbrook, he was one of seven children who grew up on a 300+ acre farm that covered most of what is currently the Peachtree Station subdivision. Thanks to a letter that Ralph wrote to his sister in January 1940, we know that he started his service on the USS Helena and he was still in service at the time of his death, six years later. Ralph's niece, long-time Norcross resident, Jane Holbrook, attended the original ceremony as a child where Ralph's plaque was placed in Thrasher Park.

Five fallen heroes from Norcross; may they rest in peace.

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FEEDBACK
Suwanee mayor fights budget increase of commissioners

Editor, the Forum:

As mayor of Suwanee, I can attest firsthand that local governments are profoundly impacted by these challenging economic times. I can also promise that the Suwanee City Council is doing everything in our power to hold the line on taxes.

Williams

People are hurting. Many have lost jobs or taken pay cuts. Businesses are facing unprecedented challenges. Non-profits are trying to survive. Everyone seems to be doing whatever they can keep costs down. Well, not everyone.

Last week, our Gwinnett County Commissioners announced their plan to raise your property taxes by more than 25 percent (30 percent if you live in a city) so that they can expand their '09 budget by about 10 percent over their '08 budget. We don't have the exact figures because they still won't publish the budget they adopted. You see, even though we're nearly halfway into the fiscal year, without their budget document, the public is being kept in the dark. Our commissioners are ballooning county government during the worst economy anyone can remember.

A total of $43 million of this enormous $87 million property tax increase isn't even planned to be spent in 2009---they're socking it away in something called "working capital reserve." Our commissioners have decided it's better to overtax you and hoard those dollars than for you to pay your mortgage, healthcare or for your kids' education.

Under the guise of public safety, our commissioners have hatched a curious plan to hire 170 more officers to start patrolling inside cities that are already policed effectively by the cities. This wasteful and dangerous duplication will require another $17-20 million of your money in new taxes. (We can't know for certain without the budget.) Sheriff Butch Conway calls their scheme a "terrible mistake."

Growing the size of government in these economic times is exactly the wrong thing for any elected body. It's quite obvious that our commissioners are oblivious to the reality that the rest of us face. We're cutting back, yet they're expanding their county largesse and sending us the bill. And it's going to be a whopper.

State law requires our commissioners hold three public hearings at GJAC before they set these new tax rates. Two were scheduled for May 26, the day after Memorial Day. The third is June 2, after which the county will vote on the new tax rate. I plan to attend all of them.

Have we learned anything from the county's recent "trash plan" episode? This time, will we make our voices heard to our elected commissioners BEFORE they take action on this outrageous tax hike? If not, brace yourself for a doozie of a county tax bill.

-- Dave Williams, mayor, City of Suwanee

Wants no part of 25 percent increase in county taxes

Editor, the Forum:

By now most of you know my stand on our politician's willingness to raise our taxes to fund their projects and/or cover their mistakes.

Gwinnett County is close to finalizing their 2009 budget. It's nearly June ... the year is half over, and there are still many questions left unanswered. We are anticipating increase in the County Budget of about $180 million dollars over last year's budget. This could mean, during an economic downturn, our property taxes could increase by $600 per year or more.

We are in a recession. How can our county leaders increase the budget by 25 per cent?

I don't have an additional $600 to give our leaders to cover their past and future mis-management. The best indicator of the future is the past. This I know for a fact and it scares me. Bad government has to stop!

-- Ron Weber, Lawrenceville

Send us your thoughts. We encourage readers to submit feedback or letters to the editor. Send your thoughts to editor at elliott@brack.net. We will edit for length and clarity.. Make sure to include your name and city where you live. Submission of a comment grants permission to us to reprint. Please keep your comment to 200 words or less. However, if you write 500 words, we'll consider it for Today's Focus.

UPCOMING
Neighborhood Leadership accepting applications for new class

Gwinnett Neighborhood Leadership Institute is currently accepting applications and nominations for its 15th annual Community Leadership Training Program, kicking off in August, 2009. Training is provided to Gwinnett County citizens interested in learning effective leadership skills so that they can take a more active role in community affairs.

Workshops are held on one Saturday each month for eight consecutive months. Session topics include government affairs, crime prevention, health, education, economics, community growth and media relations.
Students will select various community projects as part of their training. The purpose of the team project is:

To learn to use resources and skills acquired;
To deepen the sense of community among class participants through a group process; and
To provide a practical, tangible and positive benefit that will have a lasting impact in the community.

Deadline for applications is June 30, 2009. There is a $500 Program Fee with Scholarships available. Applications can be downloaded at www.gnli.org. Persons may nominate themselves or others by contacting Nicole Love 770-995-3339 or e-mail Nicole@gwinnettcoalition.org.

Raymer Sale to address June 12 "Success" breakfast

The June 12 "Success Lives Here" will feature Raymer Sale of E2E Resources, Inc. The meeting will be held at the Sugarloaf Country Club, beginning at 7:30 a.m. on June 12.

In 1993, Sale, a newcomer to Gwinnett left the corporate world after 19 years to open a business offering his services to corporations as an employment benefits agency.

Realizing he needed to get to know Gwinnett, Sale joined the Chamber. He has given back to the business community by serving on the Chamber's board of directors, and on the executive board as vice chair of Public Policy and Governmental Affairs.

Sale and his company, E2E Resources, has rapidly grown his company. His firm won, in 2008, a Gwinnett Chamber's Pinnacle Small Business Award.

He has also served the Georgia business community as past president of both the Atlanta and the Georgia Association of Health Underwriters and has served as the Governor's appointee to the Health Strategies Board of the Department of Community Health. He won the National Association of Health Underwriters Distinguished Service Award in 2008.

NOTABLE
Gwinnett library honors the late Pat Rydell and others

Gwinnett County Public Library announces the first 2009 Library Champion Award recipients.

This award recognizes individuals for their support and involvement with the Gwinnett County Public Library. These individuals are committed to volunteerism and have given their time, talents and resources to the enhancement of the Library.

Library officials created the award to honor the support and contributions from individuals in the community to the library system. Nominations were made by library staff members. The award is to be given annually in April.

The 2009 Library Champion Award recipients are:

Library Champion---Pat Rydell: Lawrenceville Branch volunteer and long-term champion of the Library who committed every Thursday morning for years to the library. Pat shelved books, straightened displays, and had an excellent eye for cataloging discrepancies. Pat often delighted staff by bringing in home grown pears and berries. Hers was a generous heart beneath her no-nonsense-New Yorker exterior. Pat recently died, and left behind loving friends, family, and library pals.

Honorable Mentions:

Eleanor 'Ellie' Stone dedicated over 410 volunteer hours in both 2007 and 2008 to the Interlibrary Loan Department at the Library.
Glenn Henson: Lawrenceville Branch volunteer, accrued over 1,325 volunteer hours since 2003.
Nona Patterson: life-long supporter of libraries and current president of the Friends of Gwinnett County Public Library who initiated the start-up of the new Friends organization.
Donna Blanton: avid user and staunch supporter of the Norcross Branch.
Nolly Dyste: leader in the Hispanic community who has been instrumental in introducing many Latino families to the library.
Hoonsil and Kyungmin Kim: Hoonsil and her son, Kyungmin, have been volunteers for nearly five years now and dedicate their time every Sunday to the Collins Hill Branch.
Merwin Chambers: Currently serves as the treasurer for the Friends of Gwinnett County Public Library and long-term supporter of the library.

Upper Yellow River Basin gets environmental improvements

A severely eroded stream adjacent to Collins Hill High School has been restored to protect water quality in the Upper Yellow River Watershed, improve aquatic habitat and keep erosion from washing out a nearby trail. The project location is also near Collins Hill Aquatic Center and Collins Hill Park

In a joint project, Gwinnett County's Water Resources Department worked with Parks and Recreation and the Board of Education to restore the stream buffers. Pete Wright, of the County's Stormwater Management Utility, says: "This work has resulted in an ideal area for public access, nature study, and bird watching in addition to reducing turbidity and sediment in the stream."

Appalachian Environmental Services completed the work that supports several different permit requirements. Gwinnett commissioners approved a change order Tuesday that reduced the project cost by $71,511. The $1.2 million project was paid from stormwater utility and water/sewer fees.

Two Gwinnett schools win GPPF "No Excuses" designation

Forty-four schools, including two in Gwinnett, from across Georgia were announced as "No Excuses" schools recently at a news conference by the Georgia Public Policy Foundation.

The two in Gwinnett honored are Beaver Ridge and Susan Stripling Elementary Schools.

The selection of No Excuses schools is based on the Foundation's 2009 Report Card for Parents, available at www.gppf.org. A No Excuses school has a poverty rate above the state average of 51 percent, meets Adequate Yearly Progress as defined by the No Child Left Behind law, and has a Poverty Indicator of 2 or above on the Foundation's Report Card for Parents. These schools are highlighted for demonstrating the impact of highly motivated, highly qualified, dedicated teachers, dynamic school leadership and high expectations for all students.

RECOMMENDED
Bambinelli's in Lilburn

"Occasionally we eat at Bambinelli's in Lilburn prior to a school event. The prices are reasonable, the location is easy to find. The food is authentic Italian. They have the best garlic rolls ever. I recommend this restaurant and would like to send them more business because the food is made in-house from the hand cut ravioli to the salad dressing. The portions are large and the pricing is reasonable. I enjoy homemade food and Bambinelli's is a little taste of Italy in every bite."

-- Cayce Buchanan, Suwanee

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 ENCYCLOPEDIA
Early Anglican Church in Georgia had great impact on state

(Continued from previous edition)

The charter establishing Georgia as a colony was formalized in 1732, with a Board of Trustees appointed to guide the new enterprise. One-fourth of the 21 Trustees were clergy. Although there was some discussion of the establishment of the Church of England as the official church of Georgia, groups of various religious persuasions were permitted to worship in the new colony. (Catholicism was banned in Georgia, however, until 1777.)

The Trustees did appoint Anglican clergymen to serve the new colonists, however, and saw to it that 300 acres were provided for the support of an Anglican church in Savannah, including a parsonage and cemetery.

The first priest selected by the Trustees was a volunteer, Henry Herbert, who sailed with the original colonists, reaching Georgia in 1733. Herbert founded Christ Church of Savannah, the first Anglican parish, or self-supporting congregation, in Georgia; but he died during his return voyage to England before the year ended. The Trustees appointed a series of nine Anglican priests in the first 12 years of the colony. Although the Trustees interviewed and appointed the priests, the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel paid the priests' salaries.

J. Wesley

The Trustees also established charity schools to ensure that children understood the Anglican catechism. Teachers were supervised by Anglican clergymen, but children of all faiths were invited to attend. (Indians; Sephardic, or Spanish-speaking, Jews; Huguenots; and Moravians were among those living in the environs.) One of the prime results of these charity schools was the ready acceptance of English as the official language of Georgia.

Perhaps the best-known Anglican priest in Georgia's history is John Wesley, appointed by the Trustees to serve as rector, or the priest in charge of a parish, of Savannah's Christ Church in 1735.

Wesley alienated some of the prominent colonists, however, with his rigid interpretation of church rules and teaching. After only two years he returned to England, where not long afterward he developed Methodism. Twenty-three-year-old George Whitefield, another early Anglican missionary priest in Georgia, gained fame for his eloquent sermons and departure from staid liturgical Church of England rites.

John Wesley's brother, Charles Wesley, served as resident minister of Frederica for a brief time in the 1730s, and by 1751 Augusta and Savannah each had an Anglican clergyman in residence. Traveling missionaries served other colonial Georgia communities, including those at Abercorn and Ebenezer, until the American Revolution. By the 1770s more than half of Savannah's residents were members of the Church of England, and a good number of others were spread throughout the colony.

Unwilling to leave the faith when the colonies revolted, Anglicans in America formally reconstituted themselves in 1789 as the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America. Other than political affiliations, the tenets of the faith were not changed, and Anglicans in America are generally known as Episcopalians.

Click here to access the Georgia Encyclopedia

CREDITS

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TODAY'S QUOTE
Why H.L. Mencken never ran
for public office

"It is inaccurate to say that I hate everything. I am strongly in favor of common sense, common honesty and common decency. This makes me forever ineligible for public office."

-- Newspaperman and commentator H. L. Mencken (1880 - 1956).