EDUCATIONAL TRAINERS: Georgia Perimeter College and the Atlanta DeKalb International Training Center have entered into an agreement for the college to provide education resources for athletes from around the world training for national and international competitions, and the Olympic Games. The Center brings international athletes to Atlanta to train for the Olympics. Since 2002, more than 1,800 athletes from 34 nations have trained at the Center. The photo shows members of the Perimeter College soccer team at play on the campus. (Photo by Bill Roa.)

Issue 10.58 | Friday, Oct. 15, 2010

ELLIOTT BRACK'S PERSPECTIVE
:: Forum endorsements, part 1

McLEMORE'S WORLD ARCHIVES
:: Overdraft

FEEDBACK
:: No crematory, road, newsletter

UPCOMING
:: New play, park safety

NOTABLE
:: Wall promoted, award winners

ALSO INSIDE

_:: IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Meet a sponsor

_:: RECOMMENDED: Send us your favorites

_:: GEORGIA TIDBIT: Lieutenant governors

_:: TODAY'S QUOTE: On talking it over

_:: CALENDAR: Coming events

_:: ARCHIVES: Read past commentaries

OCT. 15, 2010 -- Over the next two weeks, GwinnettForum will make known its endorsements for offices in the General Election. The schedule for the endorsements is:

• October 15: Legislative and local races
  
• October 19: U.S. Senate and Congress, plus statewide judicial races
  
• October 22: The balance of statewide races
  
• October 26: Five constitutional amendments.

Brack

Beginning in this issue, answers to a candidate's questionnaire will be posted on GwinnettForum's home page, and remain until the election. Voters can compare the opposing candidate's answers to these questions to help inform their decision on which candidate to support.

Though the Libertarian Party has posted candidates in many races, they are not included in these endorsements. However, the lone Libertarian candidate from Gwinnett, Dan Barber, seeking the lieutenant governor's post, has his answers to the candidate questions on GwinnettForum's home page.

GwinnettForum congratulates and thanks the candidates for seeking office, and for taking the time to respond to the questions the Forum put to them. Unfortunately, a very few candidates did not return answers to the questions, and therefore, were not considered for endorsements, since they did not seem to think the response was important to our readers.

The following are the Forum's local endorsements in the General Election.

Senate District 5: Garry Guan, Republican. A Chinese native, Mr. Guan has lived in Gwinnett since moving here 18 years ago from the University of Pittsburgh, where he obtained his graduate education. From Norcross, he operates a world-wide translation business. In 1966 Mao Ze Dong's Chinese "cultural revolution' began. During this time, Mr. Guan saw his high school education halted, and later was for seven years in Chinese labor camps. After Mao's death, the revolution was reversed. Mr. Guan gained admission to Beijing University, graduated in 1982, and immigrated to the United States in 1987. Now he seeks office for the first time. With Gwinnett's emerging diversity, Garry Guan is in perhaps the most diverse Senate district in Georgia, and can serve Gwinnett and Georgia well in this capacity.

Senate District 9: We recommend the current No. 3 person in the Senate hierarchy, Republican Don Balfour of Snellville. In the Georgia General Assembly, Mr. Balfour has become a respected and powerful senator through the seniority system. It will be good for Gwinnett for him to retain his seat in the Senate. He is an executive with Waffle House at its Norcross headquarters.

Senate District 40, partially in DeKalb County. In this open seat, the nod goes to Democrat Eric Christ, a first-time candidate. He offers a new perspective and will bring something most needed, a moderate approach, to the Georgia Senate. He offers a new perspective and will bring something most needed, a moderate approach, to the Georgia Senate. He is a business executive, most recently president of a privately-held healthcare software firm, and resident of Neely Farms.

Senate District 41: Another district covering Gwinnett and DeKalb, the Forum's choice is Democrat Steve Henson, an 18-year veteran of the Senate and former chair of the DeKalb delegation. He has been called "one of the brightest and most effective" members of the Senate. He is a vocational administrator, and brings a world of experience to this election cycle.

House District 95: An open seat from Gwinnett, Rockdale and Newton Counties, the Forum endorses Democrat Pam Dickerson. A Delta Air Lines employee, she is also a small business owner, and has lived in Georgia for 28 years, coming here from New Orleans. Long bitten by the political bug, this is her first try for public office. She will bring intelligence and insight to this post.

House District 102: Voters will appreciate Atlanta native Porter Deal's outright admission: "I am not a politician." Yet friends from his Lilburn home urged him to run for this open seat. He is a Democrat and real estate broker from Lilburn and also says: "I'm new at this, and don't want to make it my career." We like his open, no-nonsense, honest approach and feel he will make a fine representative.

House District 103: Republican David Casas is the choice in this seat. A four-term veteran of the House, he was born in Spain to Cuban parents, and came to this country as a child. He teaches American government and economics in the Cobb County system.

House District 104: Completing his first term in the House, Lee Thompson of Lawrenceville has served with distinction and has quickly become a leader within the Gwinnett Democratic Party. His quick grasp of ideas and his calm personality serve him well. An attorney, he is well placed to help guide Gwinnett and Georgia's future, and we heartily endorse him.

House District 107: In this vacant seat, our choice is former Snellville Mayor and former Evermore CID Executive Republican Brett Harrell. He is now associated with Advanced Disposal waste services. A tenacious leader, he has been in the forefront of activities in the Snellville area for years, and has the depth of background to serve this area well.

County Commission, District 2: For the seat presently held by Bert Nasuti, our choice is Republican Lynette Howard, a former head of the United Peachtree Corners Civic Association. She presently is on the Gwinnett Planning Commission, and has been active in Gwinnett projects for years. Trained as a chemist, she brings her analytical skills to this office and has the energy and knowledge of the district to become an effective commissioner.

County Commission District 4: No endorsement.

School Board District 4: Gwinnett's schools are the envy of the state, not only the biggest system, but many feel the best. For the last 16 years, Republican Dr. Bob McClure has been a member of the Gwinnett School Board, helping to effectively and with aplomb guide the policies for schools. Gwinnett does not need to lose his services. We happily endorse him for another term.

• TUESDAY: More endorsements!

ABOUT OUR SPONSORS
Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce

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

McLEMORE'S WORLD ARCHIVE
Overdrafts

FEEDBACK
Residents plan anti-crematory march near funeral home

Editor, the Forum:

Over 500 Tucker residents who oppose a crematory addition plan to march a half mile strip of U.S. Highway 29 in front of Bill Head Funeral Home on October 23 at 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. The residents come from diverse backgrounds and different cultures, but the issue joins them in a common cause: protecting their homes and families.

While the funeral industry denies that the crematory business pollutes, current data disputes that claim and draws a different conclusion. Until it is proven that these toxins would not impact health, protest groups will continue to take a stand against residential installations of crematoriums. Many also feel that selling a house near a funeral home in this deflated economy will be challenging enough without adding a crematory.

The protest should not be necessary. The law in Georgia forbids any new crematories within 1,000 feet of a residential area. The request for a special variance on zoning to allow this crematory is asking the county to approve what would otherwise be illegal and unacceptable. The Tucker location was granted in 1991 a reduction in the required 75 foot buffer zone for funeral homes. The property has only a 30 foot buffer. If the addition is built according to the plans submitted, the smokestack from the crematory unit would be even closer to nearby homes.

The commission board should deny this request. Any other outcome is unacceptable. Georgia needs to pass legislation to strengthen rules on crematories and require air permits to operate within the state. In the last month other groups in other states began sharing data, resources and contacts. Members from Anderson, S.C. will join the march to support this cooperative effort. The fight has become one of national interest. More info about the Tucker group:www.nocrematory.com, or contact tiaseverino@gmail.com.

-- Tia Severino, Tucker

Maintains HOT lanes stalking horse for privatization

Editor, the Forum:

I have looked at toll road implementation in Texas. In Austin, the advocates of these HOT lanes always begin small. They say it is about congestion, but what it is really about is the eventual privatization of public infrastructure.

If we do not oppose these small projects at the start, we will in the end have to live with large segments of the state's federal and state roads extorting huge fees on highways we once traveled on for free.

The money from tolls itself will not create any solutions. It will be just another revenue stream for state government to use. Why should the government endanger this source of income by creating usable alternatives? In many instances the state will sell off or lease the highway system to a private entity, who will insist on terms that dictate no competing alternative highways should be built.

Toll road conversion or traffic management/HOT lanes also have proven to be sources of corruption in state government. I ask you to visit http://nototollingga.wordpress.com/ to get the full story.

-- David Hofer, Athens, Ga.

Surprised at characterization of Norcross newsletter

Editor, the Forum:

I was quite surprised to read Anne Webb's characterization of an article in the city's October Newsletter (on the referendum for new terms for Norcross' elected officials) as "misleading and deceptive."

In the limited space available, the intent of the article was clearly to advise voters only of the official referenda language (which is dictated by the state) and when and where to vote. Ms. Webb is surely aware that there have been numerous attempts to educate the public on the substance of these two issues, including three public meetings and at least four articles in the Norcross Times, in addition to numerous mentions at council meetings.

In sum, there has been a concerted effort to ensure voters were informed on the pros and cons of each issue. And anyone desiring more information on these issues can contact Susan Wuerzner at City Hall. Further, with the exception of Mayor Johnson's articles, the city Newsletter articles are prepared by city staff with no undue influence by any elected official, so readers can be certain there is never any attempt to "mislead" or "deceive" the citizens.

-- Charlie Riehm, Norcross

(Mr. Riehm is a member of the Norcross City Council. -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
New London to present new play beginning Oct. 22

New London Theatre will present The Last 5 Years opening October 22 and continuing through November 7.

A contemporary song-cycle musical that ingeniously chronicles the five year life of a marriage, from meeting to break-up... or from break-up to meeting, depending on how you look at it. Written by Jason Robert Brown (Parade, Songs For A New World), The Last 5 Years is an intensely personal look at the relationship between a writer and an actress told from both points of view.

The Last 5 Years is being directed by Scott Rousseau and produced by John Berlo.

The shows run Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sunday afternoons at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 on the day of the show. Children and students with ID are always $10. Seniors can enjoy tickets for the Sunday performances for only $10.Shows are performed at New London Theatre: 2485 East Main Street Snellville.

For additional information about this and future performances, auditions, ticket purchases, volunteering, or donations, visit www.newlondontheatre.org, e-mail or call 770.559.1484.

With shorter days, be alert for safety in county parks

Fall is the perfect time for Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation (GCPR) to remind citizens to be safe and smart when visiting the many parks throughout the county. With the end of Daylight Savings time on November 7 comes cooler temperatures and shorter days, which means less daylight for your park adventures.

In order to continue providing a safe and enjoyable environment, GCPR will be installing new Park Smart signs at various parks. The installation of these signs is in partnership with Gwinnett County Police Department, in an effort to reduce the risk of park patrons becoming victims of crime.

After attending crime prevention training and consultation with other departments around the state, members of the Gwinnett County Police department came up with the concept and design of these signs. The signs were funded with a crime prevention grant made to the police department. Eric Rooks, with the Gwinnett County Police department says: "In Gwinnett County, the majority of entering autos we investigate are the result of vehicles left unlocked. These Park Smart signs will hopefully serve as a reminder to our citizens to lock their cars and to keep valuables out of sight."

GCPR stresses the importance of planning and paying attention to basic safety guidelines. All passive community and conservation parks, such as Harbins Park, are open from sunrise to sunset. Trails are not lit. However, GCPR does offer lighted walking tracks to meet the exercise needs of its citizens at eight locations across the county. Lighted walking tracks are available at Bay Creek Park, Bethesda Park, Duncan Creek Park, Lenora Park, Peachtree Ridge Park, Shorty Howell Park, West Gwinnett Park and Rock Springs Park.

With the days getting shorter, it is important to avoid being caught by darkness. You should exit the park or return from your walk/hike prior to closing. GCPR encourages the report of any safety concerns or suspicious activity. Park patrons are asked to call 911 in case of emergency, otherwise they can call the Police non-emergency number, 770-513-5100.

NOTABLE
Brenau president names Wall as college chief of staff

Jody York Wall, who for the past decade has been an administrative anchor in the executive offices of Brenau University, has been named chief of staff to Brenau President Ed Schrader. Wall joined the Brenau executive team in 2001 as assistant to then-President John S. Burd.

Wall

Wall, who lives in Clarkesville, with her husband, David, and Wiemaraner named Elton, completed a Master of Education degree in 1996 at North Georgia College and State University, where she also earned an undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree in social science secondary education three years earlier. She worked initially in corporate communications for Georgia Power Co. in Tallulah Falls, with a second job as assistant to the dean of off-campus academic affairs at Truett-McConnell College. When she left Truett-McConnell for Brenau, she was associate dean of academic affairs with both administrative and academic oversight responsibilities.

Outside the office, she also has been involved with Habersham Community Theater as both a member of the acting troupe and a member of the board of directors. She is also Girls in Action leader for 9- to 12-year-old girls at Clarkesville Baptist Church.

Archives board articulates 20 Georgia Award winners

The Georgia Historical Records Advisory Board of the Georgia Archives has named 14 Georgians, five agencies or institutes and one county as winners of its awards of excellence.

The Georgia Archives Awards Program was established in 2003 to recognize outstanding efforts in archives and records programs in Georgia. The awards were presented at the Georgia Archives in Morrow on October 6. For a list of the award winners, click here.

RECOMMENDED

• 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
First elected lieutenant governor never served in that office

In 1946 Melvin Thompson was elected the state's first lieutenant governor, but as a result of the "three governors controversy," he never actually served in office. Thompson eventually became the acting governor after the Georgia Supreme Court determined that he should be the chief executive after the death of Governor Eugene Talmadge. The court ruled that Thompson should serve as acting governor until a special election was held in 1948 to fill the remainder of the gubernatorial term as well as the lieutenant governorship.

Thompson

Consequently, the first true lieutenant governor of Georgia was Marvin Griffin, who was elected to the office in 1948. Griffin set the tone and informal powers of the office, which survived for decades. He was re-elected to the position in 1950. In 1954 Griffin was elected governor himself, and his successor as governor, Ernest Vandiver (1958-62), also served first as lieutenant governor. The next lieutenant governor to run successfully for governor was Zell Miller in 1990.

Overall, the best route to becoming lieutenant governor is to have held office in state government. All of the state's ten lieutenant governors, from 1948 until 2003, served in state government, usually holding a seat in the state legislature, before running for office. On one occasion a sitting governor, Lester Maddox, ran for and won election as lieutenant governor when his gubernatorial term was over in 1970. (He did so in order to remain in the public eye until he could run for governor again in 1974.)

Until Miller was re-elected lieutenant governor in 1978, no lieutenant governor had ever served two full terms, even though there are no term limits on the office (Griffin had served a term and a half). Miller held the position two more times, until 1990. Pierre Howard continued that pattern of succeeding himself by serving as lieutenant governor from 1990 to 1998.

Mark Taylor was elected to the office in 1998 and reelected in 2002. In 2006 Casey Cagle became the first Republican ever elected lieutenant governor in Georgia.

Besides the gubernatorial succession, the state constitution says nothing else about the lieutenant governor's duties other than charging him with presiding over the senate. Griffin expanded the role of the lieutenant governor in state politics by starting the tradition of naming chairmen to senate committees (a power that the U.S. vice president does not have in the U.S. Senate) and by taking an active role in the leadership of the senate. Griffin also started the custom, followed by some of his successors, of obtaining the governor's approval of appointments to committee chairs.

This role prevailed until the Republican Party-holding both the governorship and the senate majority for the first time since Reconstruction-in 2003 stripped the Democratic lieutenant governor of most of his power in the senate, instead giving control over committee chairmanships and major legislation to the Republican senate pro tempore. Eric Johnson, formally named the senate leader by the ruling party, in turn became the first Republican to lead the state senate since 1871.

• Click here to access the Georgia Encyclopedia

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© 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.

ENDORSEMENT NOTE

GwinnettForum today offers the beginning of our endorsements for candidates in the Nov. 2 general election. To view candidates' answers to our questions, scroll down in this column.

OUR SPONSORS

TODAY'S QUOTE
Just one more reason people should sit down and talk

"We have to face the fact that either all of us are going to die together or we are going to learn to live together and if we are to live together we have to talk."

-- Former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt (1994-1962).

SEARCH GWINNETT FORUM

CANDIDATE PROFILES

For the 2010 election season, GwinnettForum asked all candidates on the ballot in Gwinnett County questions. You can read their answers below by clicking on the links.

• See a sample ballot for your precinct
  
  
• See the consolidated Gwinnett ballot for the Nov. 2 general election

PROFILE KEY

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

2010 FEDERAL CANDIDATES

U.S. Senate

• Johnny Isakson (R) (DNR)
• Michael (Mike) Thurmond (D) (DNR)

U.S. Congress, District 4

• Lisbeth "Liz" Carter (R)
• Henry C. "Hank" Johnson Jr. (D)
  

U.S. Congress, District 7

• Rob Woodall (R)
• Doug Heckman (D)

2010 STATEWIDE CANDIDATES

Georgia Governor

• Nathan Deal (R)
• Roy Barnes (D)

Georgia Lieutenant Governor

• L.S. Casey Cagle (R) (DNR)
  
• Carol Porter
• Dan Barber (L)

Georgia Secretary of State

• Brian Kemp (R)
• Georganna Sinkfield (D)

Georgia Attorney General

• Sam Olens (R)
• Ken Hodges (D)
  

Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture

• Gary Black (R)
  
• J.B. Powell (D)

Georgia Commissioner of Insurance

• Ralph Hudgens (R)
  
• Mary Squires (D)
  

Georgia State School Superintendent

• John D. Barge (R)
• Joe Martin (D)

Georgia Commissioner of Labor

• Mark Butler (R)
  
• Darryl Hicks (D)

Georgia Public Service Commission

• Tim Echols (R)
  
• Keith Moffett (D)

2010 LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATES

Georgia State Senate, District 5

• Garry Guan (R) (+)
• Curt Thompson (D)

Georgia State Senate, District 9

• Don Balfour (R) (+)
  
• Rashid Malik (D) (DNR)

State Senate, District 40

• Fran Millar (R)
  
• Eric Christ (D) (+)

State Senate, District 41

• Jordan Alex Johnson (R)
  
• Steve Henson (D) (+)

State Representative, District 95

• Rodney Upton (R)
  
• Pam Dickerson (D) (+)

State Representative, District 102

• B.J. Pak (R) (DNR)
  
• Porter D. Deal (D) (+)

State Representative, District 103

• David Casas (R) (+)
  
• Allan Burns (D)

State Representative, District 104

• Valerie Clark (R)
  
• Lee Thompson (D) (+)

State Representative, District 106

• Brett Harrell (R) (+)
• Steffina Bethea (D)

2010 GWINNETT COUNTY CANDIDATES

Gwinnett County Commissioner, District 2

• Lynette Howard (R) (+)
  
• Robert Lee Byers (D)
  

Gwinnett County Commissioner, District 4

• John Heard (R)
  
• John B. Kenney (D)

Gwinnett School Board, District 4

• Bob McClure (R) (+)
• Mark Williams (D)

2010 NONPARTISAN ELECTIONS

We'll post links to candidate answers for nonpartisan judicial elections for Gwinnett County on Tuesday.

GWINNETT CALENDAR

Mystery Dinner Theatre, The Haunting on the Square, Gwinnett Historic Courthouse, Oct. 15, 22 and 29, 7 p.m. Presented by Gwinnett Parks and Recreation and Page 2 Stage Productions and Stacey Sparks Events. $30 for Gwinnett residents and $50 per person for non-residents. Info: 770 822 5450.

Buford Tannery Row Artist Colony: Oct. 16 from 6 p.m. To 9 p.m. Opening of The Music in Me Show. Artists pair original art with a favorite song, highlighting the complex and intricate relationship that art has with music. The Tannery, 554 Main Street, Buford.

Live on Main in Buford! Oct. 21 from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Fun all up and down Main Street. Tannery Row Artist Colony will offer Play 'N Clay, a $20 clay class for adults to make luminaries .Light refreshments provided. Call Judy at 678-428-4877 to reserve a spot for you and your friends.

Octoberfest at the Hudgens Center for the Arts: Oct. 21, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Arts League is sponsoring a party in the sculpture garden, featuring classic German foods and drinks, plus entertainment. Cost is $5 for members of the Hudgens and $10 for non-members, and there will be a cash bar. RSVP to Kathy LaSelva by Tuesday, Oct. 19 at 770-886-8604 or eml1@msn.com.

Congressional Candidate Forum: Oct. 21, 7 p.m., Cisco Auditorium of Georgia Gwinnett College. It is sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Gwinnett in partnership with the Gwinnett Alumnae of Delta Sigma Theta. Candidates for both the 4th and 7th District will be featured. The moderator will be Wes Sarginson.

(NEW) Gwinnett Village Community Alliance Auction, Thursday, Oct. 21, at 1818 club, 6500 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. Beneficiary is Summer JumpStart, a youth enrichment program.

"Art for Good" fundraiser, Oct. 22 to Oct. 24, Christ Episcopal Church, 400 Holcomb Bridge Road, Norcross. Funds benefit a Haitian sister church, St. Joseph's of Arimethea of Jasmin, Haiti. Contact the Church Office at 770-447-1166 for additional information.

Fourth Annual Gwinnett Salvation Army Prayer Breakfast: Oct. 29, 8 a.m., Salvation Army building. 3455 Sugarloaf Parkway. Speaker will be Former Atlanta Brave Tom Glavine. Tickets are $125 per person and benefit the homeless programs of the Army. Call 404 444 1334 or visit online for reservations.

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