BIG CHECK: The Gwinnett Children's Shelter is the recipient of a $10,000 gift from the Gwinnett Rotary Club. Phil Wolfe, immediate past president of the club, presents the check to Susie Ryan, director of Fund Development at Gwinnett Children's Shelter. The Gwinnett Rotary funds the donation through an annual fundraiser and uses the proceeds to support this, and other meaningful projects, in Gwinnett County. Rotary is a volunteer organization of 1.2 million business and professional leaders united worldwide to provide humanitarian service and help build goodwill and peace.

OUR SPONSORS

SEARCH GWINNETT FORUM

ENDORSEMENTS
Here's list of GwinnettForum's primary runoff endorsements

With the Georgia General Primary Runoff on Tuesday, August 10, you might like to review the list of candidates which GwinnettForum endorsed in this year's runoff primary. In addition, responses of the candidates to questions posed to them by GwinnettForum can be found in the Candidate Forum on the right side of the front of this issue. >>>

TODAY'S FOCUS
First company moves into one of Gwinnett's opportunity zones
By LISA SHERMAN
Special to GwinnettForum.com

DULUTH, Ga., Aug. 6, 2010 -- In partnership with Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development, Gwinnett County announces the first Southeastern location of Prime Distribution Services, Inc. (PDS) , to be in Norcross. It will also be the first facility to locate in one of Gwinnett County's two Opportunity Zones. This warehousing and distribution company is expanding in a previously vacant 200,000 square facility and represents in its Southeast expansion 15-20 new jobs. The firm is locating at 2055 Nancy Hanks Drive in Norcross.

Joey Davidson, PDS Business Development Manager for the Southeast region, says: "We are pleased with our decision to expand our operations to Gwinnett. It offers a diverse business community, a strong workforce, and a great strategic location to provide consolidation services to major regional retailers for our customers. We believe this location will help boost future growth and development within our industry."

PDS is a leading provider of warehousing, multi-vendor pool consolidation and transportation management services. It manages over 800 million pounds of freight per year for its consumers. The new Gwinnett facility restructures the supply chain for customers by offering consolidation alternatives versus Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) shipping.

The PDS consolidation program has a 20-year track record of increasing sales, reducing costs and lowering carbon emissions for suppliers to the retail industry. This new location incorporates the Southeast region to a network that already includes approximately two million square feet located in Plainfield, Indiana; Stockton, Calif., and Mesquite, Texas. The company specializes in warehousing distribution and transportation, working closely with Wal-Mart and Sam's Club stores.

Gwinnett County Commission Chairman Charles Bannister comments: "PDS' decision to expand to Gwinnett demonstrates our community's ability to recruit new business to our redevelopment areas while providing an environment that supports business growth and development. This new addition speaks highly of Gwinnett's Economic Development team and its commitment to job creation and industry growth throughout Gwinnett and the metro Atlanta region."

PDS is locating within the Gwinnett Village Community Improvement District (CID) --- a designated region in the county seeking to improve business development opportunities and enhance property values by developing and promoting coordinated transportation and community character improvements. In addition, the company is also within one of two Gwinnett-based opportunity zones and is currently taking advantage of the attractive Opportunity Zone job tax credit afforded to companies relocating or expanding within the zone and creating two or more new jobs to Georgia.

Chuck Warbington, executive director of the Gwinnett Village CID, says: "Gwinnett Village is actively focused on urban redevelopment and revitalization strategies in the community. This is why we are thrilled to introduce PDS' new Southeast operations to the CID. Being included in the county's recently approved Opportunity Zone allows PDS to realize the tax incentives offered to businesses that relocate or expand operations to designated areas."

Also commenting on the move is Alison Starnes, business development manager of trade and distribution with the Gwinnett Chamber. She says: "PDS will be a valuable addition to our community, and in the Gwinnett County opportunity zone. They will be in a region that offers an abundance of resources and business opportunities."

PBS Development Manager Joey Davidson, a native of Bishopville, S.C., has lived in Peachtree City since 2001. He and his wife have two children, a boy and a girl. He is a graduate of Wofford College and has a M.B.A. from Mercer University in Atlanta.

To learn more about Prime Distribution Services, Inc. visit their website at www.pdsindy.com. Go to Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development at www.gwinnettchamber.org to learn about the regional business recruitment and retention efforts.

EEB PERSPECTIVE
Friend in trouble overseas? Well, no; it's a sophisticated scam!
By ELLIOTT BRACK
Editor and publisher

AUG. 6, 2010 -- The email came from a friend, asking for help. It caught my attention immediately, and I felt a jolt as I read it. Here's exactly how it came in:

"I'm writing this with sadness, I came down here to London, United Kingdom for a short vacation unfortunately i was mugged at the park of the hotel where i stayed,all cash,credit card and cell were stolen off me but luckily for me i still have my passports with me.

"I've been to the embassy and the Police here but they're not helping issues at all and I'm currently having problems sorting the bills and my return flight, I'll definitely refund the money immediately I return to home.

"Can you help me out?

"I'm freaked out at the moment."

* * * * *

Brack

Not only he, but I was freaked by my initial reading of this appeal. Something like this, I thought, could happen to anyone.

And did you notice, apparently the only way to "help out" was to respond to the email, which of course, went to the scammer. There was no telephone to call.

Then when reading again, a few questions popped into my mind.

First, this was from a retired Georgia Tech distinguished professor....and the email had several grammatical errors in it. But, then, of course, he was freaked. If I had been writing it, I might have been prone to errors, too.

But something didn't smell right. So I called his home ... and lo and behold ... yep, he answered.

Once I explained why the call, he said: "You're the second person to call, and I appreciate it. I certainly am not in London, but here at home."

He continued: "What worries me is that some people may fall for this, and be out money. And I can't get in touch with them, for my server has closed down my account, so I can't alert people to what went out, apparently to my entire email list."

Had anyone responded to the email, the return email would not have gone to the professor, though from the correspondence it looked like it would. Instead, it no doubt would be funneled to the person setting this scam up, and they would be smart enough to supply a way to quickly get money to the so-called "stranded" guy, which of course, would go to the scammer.

An acquaintance of our friend read the bogus message in Vienna, and called his secretary to transfer $1,500 to our friend. Luckily, as it became known that all was a scam, the money transfer was halted.

My friend later told me that an official-looking email from his national bank, "with the proper logos, etc" arrived in his email box, saying that his account had been compromised, and he needed to verify information (including his password) to rectify it. He bit, and immediately the bogus guys had access to his email account, and sent out the bad message.

Meanwhile, it's been learned that the email was part of a sophisticated "London Western Union Scam," a long-going operation. Seven days later, my email box got another very same message, only this time it appeared to be from someone here in Gwinnett. We called to alert them that their email program had been compromised. Be careful. It can happen to anyone.

* * * * *

Computers have propelled us faster along the modern road. But watch out for the always-present bumps.

ABOUT OUR SPONSORS
E.R. Snell Contractor, Inc.

The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. Today's sponsor is E.R. Snell Contractor, Inc. of Snellville. Founded in the 1920s, ERS was built on Christian beliefs with honesty and integrity leading the way. Specializing in roads, bridges and culverts, its goal is to build a safe and modern highway system while preserving our natural environment. Through quality production and high safety standards, it strives to be the best contractor possible, while continuing to be a positive influence on its employees and the community. Internet access is available at www.ersnell.com.

• For a list of other sponsors of this forum, go to: http://www.gwinnettforum.com/about/sponsors.htm

McLEMORE'S WORLD ARCHIVE
Memories

FEEDBACK
Good that those with Down's Syndrome have productive lives

Editor, the Forum:

I've had two cousins with Down's Syndrome, and they both have had very productive working lives. We are blessed with these individuals. Great article in the Forum.

Also, I too would have spent time in jail for dogs. We still don't understand how animals communicate to one another. My wife and I work very hard at quieting our dog. But she just has a lot to say in such a short life. She is very sad when we implement the dreaded bark collar.

-- Randy Sutt, Duluth

Enjoyed article concerning Steve Howington's 20-year award

Editor, the Forum:

The Forum gets better all the time, and I loved the article about Steven Howington.

-- Alma Bowen, Gainesville

Some opinion polls are so biased that they are laughable

Editor, the Forum:

The article on polling and what to be careful of in evaluating opinion polls was great. I've received political "opinion survey" questionnaires that were so biased they were laughable. Much more dangerous, however, are the ones whose results are presented in the press without qualification.

-- Bob Wilkinson, Norcross

Dear Bob: Interesting reflection. Polling is a skilled art. The tough economic stance that newspapers are in will no doubt result in less depth and thoughtful comment in general. --eeb

• 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
Chamber schedules Penley for Aug. 19 membership meeting

A renowned portraitist will be the featured speaker at the August 19 general membership meeting of the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce. Celebrated artist and author Steve Penley will speak at the luncheon at the Gwinnett Center at 11:30 a.m.

Best known for his portraits of popular icons, from George Washington, Albert Einstein and Winston Churchill to Coca-Cola, Penley's signature style employs bold color, strong brush strokes and vivid imagery. His work has been shown in multiple exhibitions and galleries in Atlanta, New York City and Washington D.C. and commissioned by prominent corporate and private collectors around the world. He was also the official artist of the G-8 Summit on Georgia's Sea Island in 2004.

Penley has published two books of his work, Penley (Longstreet Press) and The Reconstruction of America (Mercer Press) and was named "Georgia Author of the Year" in 2002. He also illustrated Vince Dooley's Playbook and Dooley's Garden. Penley lives in Carrollton with his wife and three children.

Cost for the luncheon is $45 for members and $55 for non-members. Advanced registration is required, with RSVP by August 16.

Attic vents can help maintain more comfortable home

The insulation in your home's attic (and hopefully there's enough) keeps blistering summer heat out of the living space. Proper attic ventilation helps insulation work even better.

On a typical summer day, attic temperatures may easily reach 130 degrees or higher. That's while you're trying to maintain a comfortable 78 degrees below. The trapped air inside insulation materials provides a barrier against heat movement. But some of the heat still makes its way inside.

One way to help the insulation is to decrease the temperature difference between the hot attic and cool living space. Attic vents do just that.

You don't need fancy vents that twirl in the wind or expensive electric-powered models to do the job. Plain, economical aluminum vents, if properly placed and installed, will do a good job of reducing attic temperatures. Although most homes have eave vents, additional vents are needed the entire length of the roof for proper ventilation.

Electric-powered vents may actually consume more electricity than they save, especially if the thermostat that regulates them is set too low.

To get proper airflow, attic vents should be placed at the highest and lowest parts of the attic - typically the soffits and the roof ridge. Soffits are the area under the roof overhang perpendicular to the outside walls.

Since warmer air rises, the combination of high and low vents accommodates natural convection. As hot air rises and exits through the ridge vents, cooler air through the low soffit vents will replace it.

Both ridge and soffit vents come in a continuous strip that provides the best results. But, installing them on existing homes may be difficult. Using a sufficient number of individual vents may be a better solution.

Once summer is over, attic vents still have a job to do. In the winter, they keep excess moisture from accumulating when water vapor from the living space contacts cooler surfaces in the unconditioned attic. That means don't cover them with plastic when the weather gets cooler!

NOTABLE
New group seeks to enhance schools of Norcross area cluster

A group in the Norcross area is forming a non-profit, the Norcross Community Schools Partnership (NCSP), to enhance students' experience in the Norcross Cluster.

Bringing together stakeholders from the Norcross and Peachtree Corners communities, the group will develop and implement a long-term strategic plan to resolve the schools' respective needs and challenges. As NCSP President, Carolyn Collins, explains, "We plan to mobilize the community with an outreach to provide the services and funding needed to help the schools achieve their goals. To define those goals, we'll be working with school administrators and officials, as well as working closely with the Gwinnett County Board of Education and other school agencies."

Schools to be included are Beaver Ridge, Norcross, Peachtree, Simpson, and Stripling Elementary plus Pinckneyville and Summerour Middle. The Partnership also expects to work with the Norcross High School Foundation on projects benefiting that school. Initially, the NCSP will focus on spearheading academic initiatives, funding strategic projects, and establishing community mentors.

One of the first fundraising efforts is a "Fall Frolic," scheduled for October 23. To be held in Downtown Historic Norcross, the festival will include live music, kids' crafts and games, history tours and trolley rides throughout the city and the local cemetery, and a variety of other festive autumnal activities. Topping it off will be the black-tie optional "Harvest Ball" that evening, with silent auction and dancing.

For more information on the foundation, and to get involved, call 678-615-0593 or visit their website at www.NorcrossCSP.org.

Alpharetta firm to direct HOT lane work along I-85

The Georgia Department of Transportation has awarded a $11.7 million contract for the conversion of 16 miles of high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes to high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes in Gwinnett and DeKalb counties.

The HOV to HOT project was awarded to World Fiber Technologies, Inc., of Alpharetta. The I-85 Express Lanes project will install 18 miles of fiber and signage along Interstate Highway 85 between Chamblee Tucker Road and Old Peachtree Road and along State Route 316 between its intersection with I-85 and Riverside Parkway.

When completed a year from now, the HOT lanes will offer more choices to all motorists, including single occupant vehicles and more reliable trip times in the corridor. Transit buses, motorcycles, alternative fueled vehicles and vehicles with three or more passengers will be allowed to use the inside (left) HOT lane for free, while single- and double-occupant vehicles will be allowed to use the lane if they choose to pay a variably priced toll.

RECOMMENDED
Read any good books lately?

• 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
Detroit-born artist lends assistance to Telfair art museum

Gari Melchers was a distinguished late-19th- and early-20th-century artist whose work was well known in Europe and the United States. He spent the major portion of his career as an expatriate, exhibited throughout the art capitals of Europe to great acclaim, and accepted important commissions that brought him to the United States for prolonged periods. His marriage to Corinne Lawton Mackall of Savannah led to a connection with that city's Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences (later the Telfair Museum of Art).

Melchers

Julius Garibaldi Melchers was named for his father and Giuseppe Garibaldi, the Italian patriot, but he was known throughout his life as Gari. Born in Detroit, Mich., on August 11, 1860, he was the oldest of four children. Trained at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris, France, the elder Melchers was a sculptor and woodcarver who executed several statues for City Hall in Detroit but was better known for crafting cigar-store Indians. At the age of 17, Gari left for Europe, where he resided until 1915.

Melchers' work was widely exhibited throughout Europe, and he earned many medals and prizes. In an 1888 Munich exhibition, Melchers' entry was awarded a first prize, and one by another American expatriate artist, James Abbott McNeill Whistler, won second prize.

During the closing years of the 19th century, Melchers was among the best known American artists residing in Europe. He maintained several studios in addition to his home in the Netherlands, and he exhibited regularly on both sides of the Atlantic.

During a transatlantic voyage to Italy in 1902, Melchers met Corinne Lawton Mackall. The couple married on April 14, 1903, on the Isle of Jersey. Corinne Melchers's maternal uncle, A. R. Lawton, was at this time president of the Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences in Savannah. In 1906 he contacted Melchers regarding an unpaid appointment to serve as a fine arts adviser to the museum. Over a period of several years, the artist acquired more than 70 works of art for the Telfair. These works not only exemplify his high academic standards, but also include many of the museum's most important American impressionist paintings of the period.

For the last 16 years of his life, Melchers worked from several studios on the grounds of Belmont, a 27 acre farm he bought in Virginia, and in a studio on 40th Street in New York City.

Corinne Melchers survived her husband by 23 years. In 1942 she bequeathed Belmont, now known as the Gari Melchers Home and Studio, to the state of Virginia as a memorial gallery. Administered by the University of Mary Washington in Fredricksburg, Virginia, the museum, which is devoted to Melchers's work, opened to the public in 1975.

With changes in aesthetic tastes, Melchers's reputation faded after his death. In an era of modernist abstraction and a new, vital realism, his stylistically conservative paintings were viewed by many as old-fashioned. Today his paintings are found in numerous private and public collections and museums throughout the country.

• Click here to access the Georgia Encyclopedia

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.

• MORE: Contact Editor and Publisher Elliott Brack at: elliott@gwinnettforum.com

UNSUBSCRIBE

We hope you'll keep receiving the great news and information from GwinnettForum, but if you need to unsubscribe, click here.

SISTER PUBLICATIONS

We encourage you to check out our sister publications:

© 2010, 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
Here's another way a person can simply waste time

"To be upset over what you don't have is to waste what you do have."

-- American writer Ken S. Keyes Jr. (1921-1995), via Roy McCreary, Dacula

CANDIDATE PROFILES (runoff)

Here are the simplified profiles for the August 10 runoff primary in Georgia. This information first appeared here prior to the July 20 election.

For the 2010 primary season, GwinnettForum asked all candidates facing primary opposition in Gwinnett County to provide answers to a few questions. You can read their answers below by clicking on the links.

PROFILE KEY

• (DNR) indicates a candidate did not respond to our survey
• (+) indicates a candidate has received GwinnettForum's endorsement.

SAMPLE BALLOT FOR YOUR PRECINCT

You should eventually be able to see a sample ballot for your particular precinct online at this site:

http://www.sos.georgia.gov/MVP/Login.aspx

However as of July 26, the Secretary of State's office had not posted the runoff ballot online. Only the ballot for the General Primary was on line on that date. Check back later to see if the Secretary of State's office has posted the ballot prior to the election.

2010 FEDERAL CANDIDATES

U.S. Congress, District 7

Republicans

• Jody Hice
  
• Rob Woodall (+)

2010 STATEWIDE CANDIDATES

Georgia Governor

Republicans

• Nathan Deal (+)
  
• Karen Handel
  

Georgia Attorney General

Republicans

• Sam Olens (+)
  
• Preston W. Smith
  

Georgia Commissioner of Insurance

Republicans

• Ralph Hudgens (+)
  
• Maria Sheffield

Georgia Secretary of State

Democrats

• Gail Buckner
  
• Georganna Sinkfield (+)\

Georgia Public Service Commission

Republicans

• Joey Brush (DNR)
  
• John Douglas
  
• Tim Echols (+)

2010 LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATES

State Representative, District 95

Democrats

• Toney Collins (DNR)
  
• Pam Dickerson (+)

State Representative, District 102

Republicans

• Linda Carsten (+)
  
• B.J. Pak (DNR)
  

2010 GWINNETT COUNTY CANDIDATES

Gwinnett County Commissioner, District 2

Republicans

• Lynette Howard (+)
  
• Keith Shewbert

Gwinnett County Commissioner, District 4

Republicans

• John Heard
  
• Tim Sullivan (+)
  

MORE EEB PERSPECTIVE

	10/8: Listen carefully to Monds
	10/5: Another side of airport
	10/1: Who will follow Bobby?
	9/28: Ga. GOP may be yearning
	9/24: Berkeley Lake's benefits
	9/21: Libertarians and run-offs
	9/17: Mistrusting government
	9/14: Two Briscoe Field views
	9/10: Taxes may go up
	9/7: Gwinnett schools save
	9/3: Governments, ancestry
	8/31: Grand jury findings
	8/27: Coveting artifical turf
	8/24: N. Ga. to control House
	8/20: Salvation Army ties
	8/17: Civility and society
	8/13: Good ole boys got pick
	8/10: GGC opens new facilities
	8/6: Sophisticated scam
	8/3: Howington celebrates
	EEB index of columns

MORE RECENT COMMENTARY

	10/8: Baughman: Remembering Sonny
	10/5: Kent: Seed project
	10/1: Holtzclaw: Winn Fair
	9/28: Barber: On running for LG
	9/24: OTC comedy reaches many
	9/21: Five Hudgens prize finalists
	9/17: Bartling: Dacula fun day
	9/14: Ebner: Ezzard Charles
	9/10: Rakoczy: Ga. Perimeter's iPads
	9/7: Jenkins: On identity
	9/3: Thomas: Great Days of Service
	8/31: Severino: Tucker crematory
	8/27: Regan: Anti-privatization
	8/24: Pope: HOT lanes info
	8/20: Stilo: Aurora kids' theater
	8/17: Morrison: Artistic collaboration
	8/13: Pirello: Culinary center
	8/10: Mock: Sharing worthwhile
	8/6: Sherman: Opp zone
	8/3: Morrison: Brenau's plans
	COMMENTARY INDEX

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.

CONTACT US TODAY

© 2001-2010, Gwinnett Forum.com is Gwinnett County's online community forum for commentary that explores pragmatic and sensible social, political and economic approaches to improve life in Gwinnett County, Ga. USA.

PHONE: 770.840.1003
EMAIL: elliott@gwinnettforum.com

Site designed and maintained by
The Brack Group.