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Issue 10.04 | Tuesday, April 13, 2010 |
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TODAY'S FOCUS CHARLESTON,
S.C., April 13, 2010 -- One hundred and forty nine years ago on Monday,
Confederate troops bombarded Fort Sumter to open a national gash that
oozed for more than a century. By the time the bloodiest of American wars
ended in 1865, more than 662,000 Americans lay dead. While the total number
of Union troops killed was greater (364,511), the South’s wound cut
deeper because the estimated 258,000 Confederate dead came from a smaller
regional population. One in four white Southern males between the age
of 15 and 40 died in “The Lost Cause.”
Our War
Between the States tested America and its notion of freedom. In the broadest
sense, the war grew out of regional insecurities about slavery that evolved
since the earliest days of the republic. Southerners felt they needed
slaves to work the land in their agrarian-based economy. They long championed
states’ rights and self-government to prop up a social, economic
and political structure based on race. As the North industrialized, it
sought a more centralized system that promoted economic development and
expansion without slavery.
The war
devastated the South. As Mark Twain observed in 1883, “In the South,
the war is what A.D. [anno Domini] is elsewhere; they date from
it.” Reconstruction rubbed salt in the war wounds of the white elite
to the point that they figured out a way – Jim Crow laws – to
constantly pick at scabs from the war and keep the free black man down
for decades. Only after millions of Americans fought overseas during World
War II did GIs returning to a segregated South start questioning America’s
peculiar apartheid. “I fought the Nazis and returned home to find
this?” many wondered. The landmark
Brown v. Board of Education case drove a stake into Old South segregation
in schools. Then black leaders from the South led the civil rights movement
to help America better realize its true dream of freedom and equality
for all. Andy
Brack, publisher of StatehouseReport.com and CharlestonCurrents.com, is
president of the Center
for a Better South. EEB PERSPECTIVE APRIL 13,
2010 – This being an election year, candidates are coming out of
the woodwork to run for Congress. Gwinnett is in the midst of three significant
Congressional races.
One of
the races drawing lots of candidates -- six so far -- is the race to replace
Republican John Linder as Congressman from the Seventh District. In the Seventh District race, there were four candidates running for the Republican nomination, then Jef Fincher of Duluth joined the race last week. There's even talk that others will join the race for the Republican nomination. On the Democratic side, Col. Doug Heckman, who ran against Linder in the last election, returned from military service in Iraq to announce that he would run for the seat again. (For a map of the district, go online here.) In the Fourth District race, Hank Johnson has picked up opposition from two Democrats, former DeKalb County CEO Vernon Jones, and from Connie Stokes. Johnson has served two terms in the Congress, and was unopposed in the General Election two years ago. There are also three Republicans seeking the Fourth District nomination: Liz Carter, Larry Gause and Cory Ruth. A small part of Gwinnett, from downtown Norcross toward Lilburn, is in the Fourth District. (Find map here.) A small portion of northern Gwinnett is in the Ninth Congressional District. Rep. Deal's move to seek the governorship has brought candidates racing for his seat. By the July primary time, however, the big politicking may be all but over, since the governor has called a special election for May 11 to fill the unexpired term. So far eight persons are running for this post. Special elections are non-partisan, though many candidates announce their party affiliation when running. (Oh yes, in north Georgia, don't you know virtually even one is a strict conservative and Constitutionalist!) The two candidates who score the highest votes (assuming no one will win in the first vote), will face each other in a runoff on June 8. Whoever wins the runoff will be sitting in the catbird seat for the party primary and general election. That's what makes the Special Election, where only a handful of registered votes may turn out, an important race. And it also ensures that anyone form any party cold win the special election, though it is thought to be a safe Republican seat. Seven Republicans have announced for this position. They include Cardiologist Chris Cates, former state Rep. Tom Graves, former Sen. Lee Hawkins, Bert Loftman, who was a 1998 Libertarian Senate nominee; former Sen. Bill Stephens, Jeremy Jones of Ringgold, and Chickamauga City Councilman and textile executive Steve Tarvin. Democratic Party activist Mike Freeman, an Episcopal priest, is running for the “short seat,” as is Eugene Moon, a marketing executive, as an Independent. Interestingly, no Gwinnettian has qualified for this election. Only a small portion of Gwinnett, primarily west of Sugar Hill and north of Suwanee, is included in this district. (See map for district.) It's adding up to an interesting Congressional year for Gwinnett. Then what with reapportionment coming in two years, we'll be in for perhaps even more candidates next time around! ABOUT OUR SPONSORS
The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. Today’s sponsor is Sanders Financial Management, a trusted name in the world of investments since 1994. A nationally recognized fee-only investment advisory firm based in Norcross, Sanders Financial Management provides emerging affluent clients with comprehensive financial management services helping net worth grow with an emphasis on multi-generational families and women’s financial literacy. As a trusted partner, customized portfolios and financial plans are created that address every aspect of clients’ financial lives. Personalized attention to financial needs is a hallmark of their service. Visit their Web site at www.sandersfinancial.com.
FEEDBACK Editor, the Forum: Reading the e-mails regarding respect for the flag brings up more thoughts about respect. Today all the networks present people who will probably be running for president in 2012. Each one of these people come to the podium trying to outdo the last speaker with criticism, threats, personal insults and nonsense aimed at the President and Congress of the United Sates. Why is there no respect left for others? Are we a nation of rabble rousers and hate mongers who want our democracy to fail? Is there not a real statesman left to stand up for the rights of people AND for the office of the president? If things could be done better, where are the better ideas? Are they keeping secret solutions from the US citizens? Why weren't such ideas on the planning table? The only idea I saw was "Wait, wait, maybe next year..." Or "Ok, now dig in your heels and don't let ANYONE vote YES" Are these the people we call leaders???
Thrilled on Washington to see President Obama ride by Editor, the Forum: My family
has recently been visiting in Washington, D.C. This was an extremely hard
trip, because of all the walking. The Metro stations for the subway are
not very close to the major attractions we visited, so there was much
walking involved. But the weather was perfect and the cherry blossoms
peaked down by the Tidal Basin by the Jefferson Memorial. Suddenly, the police started to block off the streets. I thought that there might be a parade, but in a few minutes, while the huge crowds waited, President Obama rode back with all the motorcycles and support cars. He had thrown out the first baseball on Opening Day for the Washington Nationals. We saw him as he passed. What a thrill to see a president in person. The last time I saw a sitting president was LBJ when he visited Knoxville. Later it was a very long walk to the Jefferson Memorial. We missed many Washington highlights due to a lack of time. But we saw most of what we came to see.
UPCOMING The development partner of Liberty Village and co-owner of ACE Hardware, Scott Snedecor, envisions the region’s first LifePath corridor for pedestrians, bicycles, Segways and golf carts. Using legislation
passed in 2007 authorizing the creation of a Community Improvement District
(CID) in Braselton, he and business colleagues seek that designation for
a section of Georgia Highway 211 and Thompson Mill Road. The goal
is to link these business areas and residential areas with multi-use pathways
which will enable full access. Snedecor and Herring are seeking full approval of property owners and plan to bring the vision to the Town Council for official approval soon. Norcross and firm form alliance for marketing natural gas The City
of Norcross and Gas South have recently formed a strategic marketing alliance
that allows Norcross residents and businesses to receive discounted natural
gas rates from Gas South. The Surface Mount Technology Association (SMTA) says that Bob Klenke will present the keynote address at its 14th annual SMTA Atlanta Expo on Thursday, April 15 at the Gwinnett Civic Center in Duluth. The SMTA Atlanta Expo is a free, one-day event for the electronics industry featuring a trade show, technical presentations, free lunch on the show floor, and a charity raffle. An industry expert with more than 30 years' experience in the electronics industry, Klenke's address will provide an overview of domestic and international electronics industry trends, competitive practices, and emerging technologies with an emphasis on growth opportunities for America's electronics assembly industry. Klenke is a consultant for the printed circuit board assembly industry and a staff member of ITM Consulting. His area of responsibility includes working with OEMs and CEMs to solve assembly problems and optimize facility operations. He also holds the position of managing director with ITM Marketing, a full-service technical marketing and market research firm. For more information on exhibiting or attending, visit this Web site. Sierra Club to address alternate energy solutions April 15 Is more drilling for oil the answer? Learn about alternative energy solutions in Georgia such as wind, as Steve Willis, alternative energy expert from the Sierra Savannah Chapter, will meet with Gwinnett Sierra Club on Thursday, April 15 at 7 p.m. The group meets at Berkmar High School. If you have any questions about the meeting or suggestions on how your Greater Gwinnett Group can be a better organization for you and the environment, contact Tom Morrissey at thmorrissey@bellsouth.net or call 404-513-4069. * * * * * Who monitors and protects the water quality of local streams? The county does not conduct chemical and biological monitoring. Thanks to volunteers of the adopt-a-stream program, such streams as Suwanee Creek are regularly monitored for chemical and fecal matter. During Earth month, in addition to the Sierra Club's monthly Suwanee Creek monitoring event, join us in our Earth Day celebration. Bring a dish to share and enjoy the Suwanee creek park area. For more information and to attend, contact Michael Hallen at 678-200-0455 or michael_hallen@hotmail.com, or Lynn or Michael Beach at 770-985-5135 or lynnmichaelbeach@gmail.com. Applications due soon for Suwanee “Art of Making Art” Art in all its wonderful, various forms – 2D, 3D, and performance art – will be celebrated during Suwanee’s Arts in the Park event Saturday, May 22. With a theme of “The Art of Making Art,” the event offers artists an opportunity to educate the public about various art forms. Artists are encouraged to demonstrate and/or educate festival attendees about their art. Best of Show cash prizes will be offered based on originality, presentation, and display of goods as well as interaction with attendees, craftsmanship, and skill. Applications are available online at www.suwanee.com and are due by April 15. The festival
also will include live entertainment and a chalk-walk art competition.
Chalk artists in four different age divisions, from Pre-K to adults, are
invited to put their creative genius to work in designated sidewalk areas
for their chance to win cash prizes. Applications for the inaugural chalk-walk
art competition are due before May 15. NOTABLE Laura James
has been selected as associate vice president for Academic and Student
Affairs Operations at Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) in Lawrenceville.
One of her tasks is facilitating the college’s historic transformation
from a four-year commuter college to a residential institution. James
coordinates a campus-wide effort to prepare for the arrival of the college’s
first resident students.
A native of DeKalb County, James earned a master’s degree in speech communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Since returning to Atlanta in 2001, she has held leadership positions at Emory University, the Morehouse School of Medicine, Georgia Perimeter College, Atlanta Metropolitan College and the University System of Georgia Board of Regents. James says: “When our residence halls open in August of this year, Georgia Gwinnett College will join the ranks of colleges and universities throughout the nation in our commitment to provide our students with an exceptional living/learning, on-campus experience. To accomplish this, existing institutional support services like campus security, food services, student services, and library hours will be expanded to accommodate the unique needs of students living on campus.“ Since it opened in 2006, GGC’s enrollment has grown rapidly to 3,400. Projected enrollment for fall 2010 is 5,000, of which 1,000 can elect to live on campus. Still under construction, the residence halls feature suites of private student rooms connected to common living spaces. Set to open this summer are a new student center and library and learning center. Braselton gets $16,308 Gateway beautification grant The Town
of Braselton has received a $16,308.66 Georgia Department of Transportation
grant for plant and shrub/tree landscaping to enhance a prominent entry
roadway to the community. The Town of Braselton competed with other
communities throughout the state for a 2009 Georgia Transportation Enhancement
(GATEway) Grant. RECOMMENDED
GEORGIA ENCYCLOPEDIA
Of all Georgia's coastal barrier islands, Wassaw Island is the least disturbed by human intervention. Only Fort Morgan, constructed during the Spanish-American War (1898), and a small housing compound have been built there since colonial times.
Unlike Georgia's other barrier islands, Wassaw Island's forests were never cleared for timber, cotton, or cattle. The island today is said to be the best representation of what Georgia's barrier islands looked like before Europeans arrived. Since 1969 Wassaw has been a national wildlife refuge and recognized as a prime sanctuary for migratory birds and nesting loggerhead sea turtles. Wassaw
lies southeast of the geologically older Skidaway Island in Chatham County.
About five and a half miles long and up to two miles wide, Wassaw has
about six miles of deserted ocean beach. Wassaw's total of 10,050 acres includes surrounding tidal marshes, two smaller islands (collectively known as Little Wassaw Island), and several small hammocks. Together, they make up the Wassaw Island National Wildlife Refuge. More than 70 percent of the entire complex is composed of tidal salt marsh. The rest consists of maritime forest, dunes, mudflats, and sandy beach. Wassaw's main topographic feature is a centrally located dune ridge, which runs the length of the island and reaches elevations of forty-five feet above sea level at the south end. During the Civil War (1861-65) the island was occupied first by Confederate and then by Union troops. In 1866 George Parsons, a wealthy businessman from Kennebunk, Maine, purchased Wassaw, Little Wassaw, and the surrounding salt marshes. Parsons constructed about 20 miles of interior roads on the island, as well as a housing compound for his family and friends. During the Spanish-American War (1898), a group of civilians under the supervision of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built a fort on Wassaw's north end to protect the southern approach to Savannah, by way of the Wilmington River, from Spanish attack. Fort Morgan, built with concrete, tabby, and north Georgia granite, was equipped with two 4.7-inch rapid-fire guns. It was the largest single fortification built in Georgia specifically for the Spanish-American War. The Parsons family and others in 1930 formed the Wassaw Island Trust to preserve the island in its natural state. In the 1960s the trustees, fearing that the state of Georgia might condemn the island and open it to public use or development, negotiated with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to convey Wassaw to the United States for permanent preservation as a natural area. In the 1969 transaction, the Wassaw Island Trust sold Wassaw to the Nature Conservancy of Georgia for the bargain price of $1 million. A 180-acre portion in the center of the island, including the Parsons' housing compound, was retained by the family and the trustees for their personal use. Shortly after the transaction, the Nature Conservancy sold the island for the same amount to the federal government. Today, the island is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a national wildlife refuge. The service maintains a dock and small headquarters on Wassaw Creek. The refuge is open only to daylight visitors; no development is allowed. 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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