 |
Insert your email for free automatic delivery
|
|
|
|
|
Issue 11.82 | Friday, Jan. 20, 2012 TODAY'S FOCUS ELLIOTT
BRACK'S PERSPECTIVE FEEDBACK UPCOMING
NOTABLE ALSO INSIDE IN
THE SPOTLIGHT RECOMMENDED GEORGIA
TIDBIT GWINNETT
CALENDAR TODAY'S
QUOTE |
OUR SPONSORS
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 |
|
TODAY'S FOCUS DULUTH, GA., Jan. 20, 2012 -- The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says that Gwinnett County saw a 2.3 percent increase in employment between June 2010 and June 2011. With a preliminary estimate of 300,799 jobs in the county in June 2011, this increase roughly equates to 7,000 net new jobs added.
Gwinnett County Commission Chairman Charlotte Nash says: "Gwinnett is creating jobs, even in the wake of a nationwide employment crisis. Partnership Gwinnett's economic development efforts play an essential role in making that job creation a reality. We look ahead as a community to continued success in the future." This BLS announcement comes on the heels of the Georgia Department of Labor's preliminary numbers showing that Gwinnett had the lowest unemployment rate in the five core metro Atlanta counties, which include Cobb, Clayton, DeKalb, and Fulton, for the 30th consecutive month. Gwinnett County's unemployment rate was 8.2 percent in November 2011, the lowest in the area. Gwinnett
continues to proactively seek jobs and opportunities for wealth creation
in the 805,000-person county, Georgia's second largest local community,
with Partnership Gwinnett, an internationally award-winning community
and economic development initiative. Partnership Gwinnett is Gwinnett's economic and community development initiative. Led by the Gwinnett Chamber and public and private partners, the initiative targets the retention and expansion of existing Gwinnett businesses in addition to the development of new business in five key market segments: Healthcare; Advanced Communications; Information Technology; Trade and Distribution; and Regional/Corporate Headquarters. For more information on Partnership Gwinnett, the internationally award-winning community and economic development initiative, visit www.partnershipgwinnett.com. EEB
PERSPECTIVE JAN. 20, 2012 -- The geographic areas that members of the Gwinnett School Board represent will be shifted considerably in the 2012 school board elections. We've written about this before in the Dec. 2, 2011, edition of the Forum.
You can see by the previous and upcoming district maps that what is nothing more than gerrymandering took place in drawing the maps. Oh, the Republican politicians (mainly Rep. Tom Rice and Sen. Don Balfour) will tell you that they had to balance first one thing, then the other, to get a map that the Justice Department would approve. Balderdash. It was nothing more than gerrymandering. What the two Republicans were afraid would happen is that the area that Louise Radloff had represented for years was turning quite diverse (another words for that would be "more minority") in its make-up. There seemed to be every indication that, if left alone, the district might elect a Democrat.
Pure and simple gerrymandering. But this may turn out to hurt the Republicans in a way that they had not recognized. This is just another reason why there should be consideration of making slots on the School Board, and possibly even the county commission and municipal races, non-partisan positions. Really, what does party affiliation have to do with these matters anyway? Wouldn't we be in better shape if we didn't have to inject party politics into these local elections? After all, who do we want representing us? Strong party partisans, or someone with good qualifications for the office whose loyalty is to the people, not a party? Yes, that's it, those not beholden to any party! This re-drawing of the education districts centers around veteran school board member Louise Radloff. She has been on the board since 1973, and served with much energy, solid thinking and distinction. The way the new district is drawn seems to dilute her previous strength, since she has run and was one of the first Republican office-holders in Gwinnett. The re-drawing seemed aimed directly at Mrs. Radloff. (Let it be recognized that she had not commented publicly on this district re-drawing.)
For it is apparent that while the Grand Old Party has held Gwinnett tight in its fist since 1988, times are changing. After all, more than 50 percent of the county is listed as non-white in the 2010 census. The consensus is that many of the minority populations heavily support Democratic candidates. Some say the tight hold that Republicans have had on Gwinnett is fading. It would be far better, many feel, if party politics were not tops on the agenda for the legislative delegation. The 2012 School Board election may be a forerunner of what is to come in this ever-changing (often quite fast) Gwinnett. Perhaps newcomers to politics will see the problems of partisan election of local boards. Time has come for this to change! ABOUT OUR SPONSORS
FEEDBACK Editor, the Forum: A reply to a comment in your Feedback section last issue, it never ceases to amaze me how quickly the average citizen is to condemn all of the county commissioners when they hear something they don't like. I am continually amazed to discover how little the average citizen knows about how their county functions.
UPCOMING
Nominated
as "Corporate Arts Citizens" are Primerica Foundation, Chocolate
Perks, Gwinnett Daily Post, Theresa Bullock, board chair, Aurora Theatre;
and Karen Fine Saltiel, executive vice president of Primerica Financial
Services and president, Primerica Foundation. Former Braselton mayor to run for Barrow County chairman Former Braselton Mayor Pat Graham has announced her intentions to run for chairman of the Barrow County Board of Commissioners.
Graham
served two terms as mayor of Braselton; was active in the Georgia Academy
of Economic Development; represented Barrow County on the Upper Oconee
Water Planning Council; and was recently appointed by Governor Nathan
Deal to the Georgia Rural Development Council. She and her husband have
four grown children. Citing voters' approval of a referendum approving a county manager form of government, Graham comments: "Our citizens voted to bring a new form of government to Barrow County. Our citizens signaled their readiness to embrace change, and they expect our county government to operate in a professional, business-like manner," she says. "As we move forward with this voter mandate, we must do so proactively and diligently with a commitment to our taxpayers that we will not increase our overall operating expenses." Watercolor Society exhibit opens Jan. 28 in Johns Creek The first Georgia Watercolor Society (GWS) Signature Members' Exhibition will be held from January 28 to February 24, in Johns Creek at its Art Center. The show will showcase approximately 50 recent works by GWS Signature members, some of today's top watercolor artists.
Signature
members are those artists in the Georgia Watercolor Society, who have
earned this prestigious status through acceptance and awards in a number
of juried shows. The society was founded in 1975 and now boasts approximately
500 members. NOTABLE Gwinnett's
crime rate in nine major categories dropped in 2011 compared to the previous
year, reports the Gwinnett County Police Department. The average response
time to emergencies in the first six months of 2011 also dropped from
almost seven minutes to less than five and a half minutes. Recently tabulated metrics point to 2011 being a banner year for cleaning and safety efforts spearheaded by the Gwinnett Place Community Improvement District (CID).
In the area of trash removal alone, CID staff and crews cleared 16.17 tons (32,340 pounds) of debris from area roadways. The CID conducts routine daily community patrols through the district in addition to private, uniformed security serving the area. CID-contracted landscape crews maintain the appearance of all interior roadways within the district as well as the interstate interchanges of Steve Reynolds Boulevard and Pleasant Hill Road. RECOMMENDED
GEORGIA ENCYCLOPEDIA
Clifford Walker served as Georgia's sixty-first governor, from 1923 to 1927. Holding office during a period of transition in Georgia politics, Walker accomplished little of note legislatively during his administration and is best remembered for his ties to the Ku Klux Klan.
Walker was elected mayor of Monroe in 1902. He served in that post until 1904, and again became a public official in 1909 as the Western Circuit solicitor general, a post he held until 1913. Walker was elected attorney general for Georgia in 1915. In 1920 he resigned as attorney general to run for governor. By 1920 the Ku Klux Klan had become a powerful force in Georgia politics. During the 1920 gubernatorial primary, Walker's opponent, Thomas Hardwick, recognized the importance of the Klan and praised the organization. As a result, Walker was soundly defeated. While governor, however, Hardwick turned against the Klan and fell out of favor with the organization. Walker again ran for governor in 1922 and, after soliciting Klan support during the race, easily defeated Hardwick. In 1924 Georgia voters elected Walker to a second term. Despite his close ties to the organization, Walker did not openly discuss his support for or membership in the Klan. In September 1924 the journalist Julian Harris revealed that Walker belonged to the Klan and had traveled secretly to Kansas City, Mo., for a meeting with organization officials. Walker at first denied the charges, but consistent pressure from Harris and others eventually led the governor to admit that he had joined the Klan and made the trip to the Midwest. The remainder of his second term passed uneventfully, and in 1926 Walker was replaced in the governor's chair by Lamartine Hardman. Although Walker campaigned on a platform calling for the complete overhaul of the tax system, a reduction in the number of government offices, and the provision of free textbooks to public schools, the General Assembly rejected most of his programs. Walker did manage, however, to create the state forestry commission and the auditing and revenue departments. In 1928 Walker moved from Monroe to Atlanta and entered private law practice. Five years later he and Joseph B. Kilbride founded the Woodrow Wilson College of Law, also in Atlanta. He served as general counsel for the Georgia Department of Labor for 15 years, from 1937 to 1952. He died on November 9, 1954. 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
your thoughts, 55-word short stories, pet peeves or comments on any issue
to Gwinnett Forum for future
publication.
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:
© 2012, 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 "Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy."
MORE COPIES AVAILABLE NOW
The book includes 143 demographic and historic tables, with more than 4,000 names in the index, and 10,000 names in the appendix. Two versions of the book are available. The hardback edition is priced at $75, while a softback edition is $40. Books are available at:
You can also order
books through the Internet. To do that, go to www.elliottbrack.com
to place your order. For mail orders, there is a $5 shipping and handling
fee. Purchases are also subject to the 6 percent Georgia sales tax. SEARCH GWINNETT FORUM Loading
IN THE COMING WEEK (NEW) Port of Call in Savannah by the Schooner, Tara: Today through Jan. 25. This research vessel provides samples and data for the scientific community about climate change and ecosystems. More. Energy Expo: 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Jan. 24, Walton EMC Auditorium, 3645 Lenora Church Road, Snellville. Energy experts will be on hand to answer your questions, from solar electricity generation to surge protections. Sponsored by Walton EMC. Town Hall Meeting of Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services: Jan. 24. Two sessions -- 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., at Norcross Community Center, 10 College Street. The meeting will help develop the Coalition's next Strategic Plan. Duluth State of the City address, by Mayor Nancy Harris: 11:30 a.m., Jan. 24, Gwinnett Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. Sponsored by the Duluth Civitan Club. Reservations must be made by January 20 by visiting online or by phoning 678 957-7299. Annual Meeting and Business After Hours of Snellville Tourism and Trade: 5:30 p.m. Jan. 26, Summit Chase Country Club. There is no charge to attend. (NEW) Book chat and signing with Carolyn McKinstry: 6 p.m., Jan. 26, Gwinnett County Public Library: Suwanee Branch. Meet and hear this survivor of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham, Ala. She's a life-long champion of the Civil Rights Movement. This event is free and open to the public. Books will be available for purchase and signing. NEXT WEEK AND ONGOING Second Samuel, a play, will be presented by New London Theatre in Snellville through Jan. 29 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Set in a sleepy South Georgia town in the late 1940s, it's the year Miss Gertrude passed away, and dark secrets are about to be revealed. More. Capturing the Light: Open daily through Feb. 22. This new artists' show, a project of the Buford Artists' Group, will be held at George Pierce Park Community Recreation Center, 55 Highway 23, Suwanee. Exhibit Continued: The Living in Space exhibit at the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center will continue now through March 3. Extremely popular with visitors and school groups, the exhibit now is open for an additional two months. More. Redevelopment Forum: 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Jan. 27, Atlanta Marriott at Gwinnett Place in Duluth. Keynote speaker is Chris Leinberger, a Brookings Institute fellow. Presented by the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce and the Council for Quality Growth. Tickets are $55. More info online. (NEW) Clown around: 10:30 a.m., Jan. 27. The "Ambassadors of Laughter" from the Ringling Brothers Circus at the Hamilton Mill Branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library. Enjoy and hear a special story too. Ask questions at the end of the program and find out what it's like to be a Clown! This program replaces the regular story time. The library is located at 3690 Braselton Highway. Grand Opening of The Norcross Arts Center, known as The Nest: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Jan. 28, 17 College Street, Norcross. There will be a groundbreaking, live music, free beer and wine and an interactive sculpture-building project. For more info, visit www.NorcrossArtsAlliance.org. Candidate forums for the Peachtree Corners election. Three forums will be held on 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 30, Jan. 31 and Feb. 6, sponsored by the United Peachtree Corners Community Association. All forums will be at the Christ the King Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, 5575 Peachtree Parkway, Norcross. The election is to be March 6, the day of the Georgia presidential primary. Song in My Heart, a new art exhibition: Opens Feb. 3, Kudzu Art Zone, 116 Carlyle St., Norcross. The opening reception is 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Feb. 10. More. (NEW) Aquatics Job Fair: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Feb. 3, Bethesda Park Aquatic Center, Lawrenceville. Learn about lifeguarding and instructor opportunities. Attendees must bring their own swim suit. Parents are welcome to attend. (NEW) Gwinnett Symphony Orchestra and Chorus Masterworks II program: 5:30 p.m., Feb. 12, Gwinnett Performing Arts Center. The program, "A Romantic Valentine's Datenight," includes Tchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings in C Major, Op. 48; Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake Suite, Op. 20; and Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 in D minor: Choral, Op.125, Mov. 4. More. State of the County Address: 11:30 a.m., Feb. 15, Gwinnett Center, Duluth. Gwinnett Commission Chairman Charlotte Nash will give her views on the present state of the county. For reservations, visit this site online. Run the Reagan mini-marathon: Feb. 18, regardless of weather. You can register late and pick up information at Academy Sports and Outdoors, 1585 Scenic Highway, Snellville. Proceeds benefit the Gwinnett Community Clinic and Young Life Ministries. For more information, go online here. Ronald Reagan Parkway will be closed from 2 a.m. until 2 p.m. the day of the race. MORE EEB PERSPECTIVE
MORE
RECENT COMMENTARY
© 2001-2012, 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 |
The
percent change ranked 33rd nationally among the 322 largest counties in
the United States, just outside the top 10 percent. The increase was by
far the largest among major Georgia counties, and outperformed major large
counties of comparable size and location.
Partnership
Gwinnett has led these job creation efforts locally for the last five
years, and this month, embarks on its second strategic plan implementation.
The initiative will bring more jobs to Metro Atlanta and Gwinnett over
the next five years with the continued collaboration of local leaders,
dedicated to sustain future growth through comprehensive economic development
efforts, developing world-class talent, and nurturing community leadership.
The
public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com
to you at no cost to readers. The Myers Group conducts comprehensive
survey research and call center support services to give healthcare organizations
the knowledge they need to continually improve and compete in today's
market. As a leader in healthcare research, we offer a full line of survey
products and call center services. Healthcare organizations throughout
the United States rely on The Myers Group for dependable survey administration,
inbound and outbound call center support services, data collection, and
insightful analysis. The Myers Group, based in Duluth, works with some
of the largest and best MCO performers in the nation. Our team approach
and ongoing consultation provides clients with a personal level of service.
We deliver valid and reliable results in an easy-to-understand format,
helping companies identify areas of focus for quality improvement and
customer/member satisfaction. More: 
To
these folks I say "Get involved!" Quit sitting at home complaining
about "the powers-to-be make decisions which the majority of people
that they supposedly represent disagree with." And please stop assuming
that anybody that chooses to run for office is a crook. Most all of our
officials are hard working honest people who give a great deal of their
time in public service.
The
Lifetime Achievement Award nominees have contrasting experiences within
the arts. They are:
The
opening reception on January 28, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Johns Creek Arts
Center, located at 6290 Abbotts Bridge Road, Building 700. Admission is
free and the center is open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Highlights
include four percent fewer arson incidents; 20 percent fewer vehicle thefts;
17 percent fewer rapes; and 20 percent fewer cases of theft from a motor
vehicle. There were also decreases in robberies, residential burglaries
and aggravated battery. Aggravated assaults fell almost nine percent while
business burglaries were down about four percent. The total number of
gang-related incidents fell almost five percent.
Among
the CID-maintained efforts for 2011:
"I
just finished 'Killing Lincoln: The Shocking Assassination that Changed
America Forever' by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard. It is a fantastic
read, dealing with the last days of the Civil War, Lee's surrender and
the wild celebration that triggered in Washington. The detail around John
Wilkes Booth and the others in the plot kill the President, his death
and the manhunt, capture, court proceedings and execution, make this book
'a must read' for American history fans."
