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Issue 9.46| Tuesday, Sept. 8, 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. NOW ON TWITTER! SEARCH GWINNETT FORUM |
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TODAY'S
FOCUS CLEVELAND, Ga., Sept. 8, 2009 -- Israel Greene, chief operating officer of American Installation Corporation, Inc., in White County, plans to expand manufacturing of energy-efficient exterior doors and add up to three new employees, thanks to Georgia Green Loans. Georgia Green Loans was founded to help businesses green-ovate by creating an eco-friendly product/service or by "greening" their existing business processes. Israel's loan qualifies on both fronts-his doors save energy and he will increase manufacturing efficiency with new equipment. Georgia Green Loans are available in 51 North Georgia counties, including Gwinnett. Israel says: "Every component of our metal and glass doors is American made. No one else is building these doors in the U.S." Israel's company started as a door and window installation business in 2007, serving mainly distributors. Sensing an opportunity last fall when a door manufacturing company folded, he began to fabricate the doors himself. Using American steel to customize his door frames and scrollwork, Israel insulates with eco-friendly foam, installing efficient argon-filled glass into the frames. The doors retail from $7,000 to $9.000 and are available through distributors such as Abby Iron Door and Scardino Doors LLC. "The loan will help me speed up production tremendously," Israel explains. "We are also moving to a larger space. Orders have really picked up over the last couple of weeks." Israel cites his web-based order tracking and communication system as one reason for his company's success. Other factors, he says, are his commitment to quality products and services, along with the American-made promise.
Georgia Green Loans was founded in 2008 by Appalachian Community Enterprises (ACE). It is a 501c3 and U.S. Treasury-certified Community Development Financial Institution based in Cleveland, Ga. Since 1999, ACE has made $4 million in loans and created or retained over 400 jobs in North Georgia. Among funders are the U.S. Small Business Administration, Small Business Assistance corporation and the Georgia Department of Agriculture. Through strategic partnerships, Green Loans will soon be available throughout Georgia. Presently, Albany Community Together, Inc., and Small Business Assistance Corporation (SBAC) of Savannah are offering Green Loans in their regions. Seventy percent of new jobs come from small businesses. Entrepreneurs like Israel Greene are making a difference in their local communities by providing livelihoods for others. Their commitment also benefits our environment and represents real innovation. With a Georgia Green Loan, small businesses can start or expand an eco-friendly product or service or "green" an existing business. Examples include a family farm that grows organic vegetables; a restaurant that serves only locally-grown produce; a distributor of homemade jellies and sauces; an installer of solar panels or home insulation products; and a manufacturer of biofuels for renewable energy. Other applications
for a "green loan" can include recycling or composting projects,
community gardens or the janitorial use of environmentally friendly products.
Georgia Green Loans are available in amounts from $500 to $35,000. For
more information, go to www.georgiagreenloans.org. EEB
PERSPECTIVE SEPT. 8, 2009 -- We remember it from 50 to 60 years ago, but we're sure it took place many times before and afterward . It was the days when soft drinks were almost always in glass bottles. The aluminum can was not omnipresent then.
Each drink producer would ship cases of their product to outlets all over America. After consumption, the bottles were saved and picked up when the next drink truck brought another order of the soft drinks. We can see it now, at a small country store, at gas stations across the land, or even in stores in cities. A group of men, perhaps mid morning or mid afternoon, would each reach into the circulating water cooler, and pull out their bottled drink. We particularly remember one store in Middle Georgia, as the overall-clad men came in, and pulled their selection of a cool drink out of the cooler. (We never remember women doing this.) In Georgia, in particular, the drink-of-choice was usually a Coca Cola, pronounced in the vernacular "Co-Cola." The present-day more standard usage is simply "Coke." We boys didn't always opt for the Co-Cola. After all, we were influenced by that Pepsi jingle often on the radio as Pepsi attempted to break the Coca Cola popularity. It was a catchy and peppy jingle, which went like this:
Growing boys realized what a nickel would bring them: six ounces of Coca-Cola, or 12 ounces of Pepsi (or maybe Royal Crown.) It's hard to stay loyal to the Georgia Co-Cola with each other reminding ourselves of the Pepsi or RC bargain. (As an aside, if we happened to have a dime, a favorite way to drink was to buy a nickel pack of peanuts, and pour that into the bottle. Yes, it was a little salty, but tasty that way.) Back to the adult men who were only buying those six-ounce Cokes. They each pulled their drink from the box, and before they uncapped it, they then immediately turned the bottle upside down. What were they doing?
No, they weren't shaking the Coke up. Nor were they insuring the contents were mixed properly. They were gambling! Yep, gambling right before our young eyes. Coca-Cola glass bottles each had on the bottom of them the city where that bottle was first filled with the product. It might say Macon, or Little Rock, or Birmingham or even Buffalo, New York. Sometimes before the bottles were returned for re-filling, people and that Coke bottle traveled away from the purchase area. So a bottle originally filled in Macon, might end up in Savannah, or St. Louis, to be washed, refilled and shipped to local consumers. That's how Co-Cola bottles got shifted all around the country. And the guys buying the Coke had a system for gambling. We don't remember exactly how it went, but I suspect the man with the bottle from the farthest away probably had to buy the round of drinks for the group. That's why after they upended the bottles, and determined where each bottle was originally from, sometimes they had to go pull out a map, to see if Durham was more distant than Paducah, Ky. Or whether Mobile or Panama City was farther away. You see, the geography was getting in its licks, too. Today most of the one-time-use aluminum cans have the city where the product was bottled. But cans in coolers today are made and bottled in the same city. The modern aluminum cans eliminated social gambling from groups of guys buying a soft drink. ABOUT
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The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. Today's sponsor is Graphic Communications Corporation of Lawrenceville, a WBENC and a NWBOC certified female-owned and managed company. Graphic Communications is a dynamic full-service print, large-format inkjet and photographic output, fulfillment, point-of-purchase and multi-media communications company. The firm has a digital media and graphic design department for both print and Internet use. Graphic Communications has been awarded the Chain of Custody certification by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), the Sustainable Forest Initiative (SFI) and the Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes (PEFC). Only a select group of printers in Georgia can provide eco-conscious customers with paper with the FSC, SFI or PEFC logos, which ensure that the paper is from a well-managed, certified, sustainable forest and that the chain of custody from forest to pulp and to paper manufacturer to merchant---has not been broken. Graphic Communications' biggest strength is its ability to meet tight deadlines along with the ever-present demands for high quality and attention to detail. This ability makes the printing process seamless for its clients. Three of its greatest competitive advantages are: 1) listening, 2) being organized for speed, and 3) being detail fanatics. All of its associates are committed to giving customers exactly what they want, when they want it. Simply, at Graphic Communications, the customer's needs are the driving forces behind everything it does, from investment in technology to the friendly voices that still answer the telephone. For more information, go to http://www.gccprint.com.
FEEDBACK Editor,
the Forum: An e-mail that has circulated recently used these words to ask us to remember "…this eighth anniversary of one of our country's worst tragedies." We do this to honor those who lost their lives on 9/11, their families, friends and loved ones who continue to endure the pain, and those who today are fighting at home and abroad to preserve our cherished freedoms. In the days and months following that tragic day, our country was bathed in American flags as citizens mourned the incredible losses and stood shoulder-to-shoulder. Sadly, those flags have all but disappeared. Our patriotism pulled us through some tough times and it shouldn't have to take another attack to galvanize us in solidarity. Our American flag exemplifies the fabric of our country, Together we can prevail over terrorism of all kinds." My flag flies almost all the time. Historic Norcross citizens will ring the bell at 8:46 a.m. Betty Mauldin Park (corner of Lawrenceville and Jones Streets by the City Hall ) for each life that was taken. Those who want to help ring, can join in the ceremony of remembrance.
Challenges letter writer about two votes by senators Editor, the Forum: I'm writing in response to Roger Hagen's letter in the Sept. 1 issue of GwinnettForum. I appreciate Mr. Hagen's thoughts about the duplicity of some of our elected officials, and the blinders that seem to be on the eyes of many of them, particularly in the health care debate and in the current economic challenges of our country. I also agree with some of his suggestions that would help preserve the doctor-patient relationship that we have now yet remove the provision of health care from employers. However, I would point out that Senators Isakson and Chambliss joined a number of other senators this spring in voting NAY on receiving a congressional pay raise (although, sadly, there were enough others voting YEA to cause the raise to be approved). Also, Rep. Linder is among those members of Congress who have chosen not to opt into the congressional health care plan. These three of our public servants often vote against much of the government mandates and expansions in health care that seem to strangle Medicare, Medicaid and VA health care. (For example, why should a Medicare recipient be required to include a premium for coverage for a hair transplant in certain supplementary policies?) I try to follow a lot of the votes in Congress, particularly those that have to do with taxes. Also, I heard Mr. Linder at a town hall meeting say he was one that was never a part of the congressional health plan. And I used to do some consulting in Medicare and retirement issues and watch those votes. I'm sure this and more information about the various votes of these and other representatives are easily available online for us to keep better tabs on whether they are serving our best interest. I'm grateful we live in a country where we can have this freedom of discourse.
Insurance
commissioners are impediment to competition In 1983, I paid $2.60 per minute to place a phone call from Chicago to my brother in San Diego. All local and long-distance lines were owned by AT&T, a.k.a. Ma Bell. They held a monopoly, tolerating no competition. So the Federal Government forced the breakup into regional phone companies, effective January 1, 1984. Soon other companies offered local and long-distance service. I can now call that same, much older brother for six cents per minute! Government does not regulate the phone companies. It established competition on a level playing field and then allowed the free market to work its magic. In the same way, government can encourage fierce competition between insurance companies. As it is now, each state insurance commission maintains control over every company operating in state. This violation of the Interstate Commerce Clause inhibits beneficial competition because every company is subject to the same control over operations and rates. We need Washington to declare that state insurance commissions constitute an impediment to competition. All current insurance companies can then compete nationwide; new companies will enter the fray; and our free market will guarantee better health insurance coverage at much lower rates.
UPCOMING Several new shows are opening September 15 at the Hudgens Center for the Arts. They include Fiber Artistry---Journey of the Imagination, a juried exhibition sponsored by The Chattahoochee Handweaver's Guild; The Portrait Society of Atlanta: Fall Juried Exhibition; Portraits from the Hudgens Center Permanent Collection; How I See Myself, Portraits from Gwinnett County Students; and The Hudgens Center Instructor's Show and Sale. The Opening reception for these exhibitions will be Thursday, September 17 at 7 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. Located at I-85 and Sugarloaf Parkway, The Hudgens Center for the Arts is a non-profit organization supported through private patrons, corporations, foundations and members. The Hudgens offers educational programs for children and adults throughout the year and houses The Fowler Gallery and The Kistner Atrium. The Hudgens Center for the Arts is open to the public from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Admission for adults is $5. For children, students (through college) and seniors (over 62) admission is $3. For more information please call 770-623-6002 or visit our website: www.thehudgens.org. Emergency Preparedness Expo to be Sept. 26 in Lawrenceville A Family Emergency Preparedness Expo is being planned for September 26 at Creative Enterprises in Lawrenceville. The Expo focuses on preparing families and individuals in the event of an emergency, ranging from natural disasters to financial, health, or emotional crises. The Expo will be from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the location of Creative Enterprises at 795 Hi-Hope Road. Among sponsors of the program will be the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Gwinnett County Sheriff's Department, the Gwinnett County Fire Department, Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT), Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA), Georgia Gwinnett College and Liberty Mutual. Boy Scout Troop 563 will be giving instruction on gaining a higher education, developing 72-hour kits, designing family preparedness plans, energy saving tips, Ham Radio usage, canning, gardening, water storage, how to stay healthy, fire safety, developing family protection plans, cooking outdoors, strengthening marriages, resume building, networking, financial planning as well as activities for children. Ballet presents Aladdin at Performing Arts Center Sept. 12 On September 12, hop on your flying carpets to bring your friends and family to Northeast Atlanta Ballet's premiere of the fairy-tale ballet, Aladdin, by award-winning choreographer Kristy Nilsson. With brilliant dancing, lush costumes, and a flying carpet right out of The Arabian Nights, this all-new ballet production will delight adults and children alike. It will be presented by the Northeast Atlanta Ballet at the Gwinnett Performing Arts Center. Experience the music, the dancing, the wonder and the unforgettable enchantment on Saturday, September 12 at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. NOTABLE After a record-breaking August of helping those in need in Gwinnett County with food and other emergency services, September has started with a request for help from the Lawrenceville Food Co-Op and heavy demand that shows no signs of declining. Linda Freund, director of Lawrenceville Cooperative Ministry, explains why this week she made a rare request to area churches and other supporters for funds. "August was a record month for the Co-Op," she wrote supporters. "We helped 1,141 different households with 49,063 cans of food and $42,988.99 in financial assistance. In addition, we had to purchase over $8,000 worth of food from Co-Op funds because donations are down and demand is up. This surpassed the previous record in January of this year by almost $4,000." Since October 2008, the co-op at 176 Church St. in Lawrenceville has assisted about 1,000 families a month. The Co-Op gives enough canned goods to feed a family for one week every 30 days. They also assist with the last $100 of utility bills once in 12 months For more information, visit www.lawrencevilleco-op.org or phone 770-339-7887. Engage Gwinnett seeks residents to study overall county Engage Gwinnett, a citizen's committee studying the future of Gwinnett County, is looking for 10 residents willing to spend time over the next six months listening to information, demographic and economic trends, sharing ideas and helping guide the Gwinnett Commissioner's actions as they make decisions about service levels and funding sources. An initial meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 9 will explain the Engage Gwinnett committee process, gain public input and provide for the public self-selection of 10 committee representatives. The meeting is 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center auditorium, 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville. The commissioners have partnered with the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce to launch an initiative to involve citizens in the County budget decision-making process. They are asking for 30 stakeholder groups to each appoint a citizen representative in addition to these 10 self-selected citizen leaders. More information is available on the County website, www.gwinnettcounty.com.
GEORGIA
ENCYCLOPEDIA (Continued from previous edition) Born in LaGrange, Fuller Earle Callaway Jr. (1907-92) graduated from LaGrange High, Georgia School of Technology, and the Eastman School of Business in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. He started working in the mills at age 14 and became president of Callaway Mills in 1935. He was a community leader and a benefactor of the town of LaGrange, LaGrange College, and the Georgia Institute of Technology. Fuller Jr. operated Callaway Mills for many years and established foundations that gave away millions during his lifetime. In 1948 Fuller Jr. took a ten-year leave from mill management. During those years, he painted, worked with electronics, and assembled a herd of Hereford cattle. He then returned to the helm of Callaway Mills and guided operations until April 1968, when he shocked many by selling Callaway Mills for cash to Roger Milliken and Deering-Milliken Company of Spartanburg, S.C. In 1930 Fuller Jr. married Alice Hinman Hand of Pelham. Fuller and Alice had met years earlier when their siblings, Cason and Virginia, married. Fuller and Alice had two children, Ida and Fuller III. Alice worked for decades to preserve the home and gardens of his parent¹s home. Since Alice's death, the gardens have been renamed Ferrell Gardens at Hills and Dales and are open to the public on a limited basis. Fuller Jr. helped to found the Institute of Textile Technology in Charlottesville, Va., and along with two other alumni, the Georgia Tech Research Institute, which supports research in all areas of the sciences. In 1943 he organized the Callaway Community Foundation (later the Callaway Foundation). The foundation carried on the work of the Textile Benefit Association organized by his father in 1919. The Callaway Foundation owned all assets of Callaway Mills and has made contributions from income to religious, charitable, and educational organizations. More than $275 million from the foundation have been given to local, state, and national groups since 1943. 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
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>> SPECIAL NOTICE TO GWINNETT Those interested in the history of Gwinnett need to know that the recently published book: Gwinnett: A Little Above Atlanta, has sold fast, with the first editions about sold out. There are less than 50 books remaining unsold. If you want the book for yourself, or to buy for a present for someone this year, you need to take action. Go to www.elliottbrack.com to order, or buy the book at a local bookstore shown on the site. (In full disclosure, the book is authored by the publisher of this Forum, and this notice is intended not so much to hawk, but to inform, those who have delayed purchase. -eeb) The books are available at these sites:
TODAY'S
QUOTE "Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking."
MORE RECENT COMMENTARY
ON THE BOOKSHELF Here are some other good reads that you might want to consider reading:
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