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Issue 11.83 | Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012 TODAY'S FOCUS ELLIOTT
BRACK'S PERSPECTIVE FEEDBACK UPCOMING
NOTABLE ALSO INSIDE IN
THE SPOTLIGHT RECOMMENDED GEORGIA
TIDBIT LAGNIAPPE GWINNETT
CALENDAR TODAY'S
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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. ::
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TODAY'S FOCUS LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga., Jan. 24, 2012 -- "Bonnie and Clyde: A Folktale" has attracted an impressive creative team for the premiere of this new musical at Aurora Theatre in March 2012. Broadway veteran and award-winning Lonny Price will direct the play, while Josh Rhodes, having worked on the show through development, will choreograph.
The musical
is the brainchild of Broadway stars Hunter Foster and Rick Crom. Aurora
Theatre Associate Producer Ann-Carol Pence will be musical director. She
discovered the show while attending the New York Musical Theatre Festival. Aurora Theatre has an artistic commitment to new musicals and Producing Artistic Director Anthony Rodriguez is proud to state, "We see the potential for tremendous growth and national recognition through fostering new musicals." Lonny Price,
the director, directed and co-authored the Ed Kleban musical, "A
Class Act," on Broadway (five Tony Award nominations, including Best
Musical). He won an Emmy for his film of "Sweeney Todd" (broadcast
on PBS), directed the original cast reunion performances of "Falsettos"
that inaugurated Playwrights Horizons' new complex on Theatre Row and
staged the Broadway musical "Urban Cowboy." As an actor, he
has appeared on and Off-Broadway in a variety of plays and musicals. EEB
PERSPECTIVE JAN. 24, 2012 -- In Charleston, S.C., over the weekend, we visited two different polling places during their Republican presidential primary.
At one precinct, not many people were present. But at the second, which was really three different polling places, the poll official told me near lunch: "We have 1,100 registered here, and already 400 people have been to vote." A total of 601,215 people voted in the primary. That compares the 2008 General Election turnout of 1,920,969. (McClain beat Obama by a 54-45 percent margin in 2008.) Newt Gingrich on Saturday won a plurality with 247,172 votes (40 percent), but garnered 23 out of 25 convention delegates. Mitt Romney got two delegates with his 167,297 votes, or 28 percent of the vote. (By the way, Herman Cain was still on the ballot, and polled 6,326 votes.) One thing we noticed riding through small Carolina towns, and in neighborhoods, was the lack of political signs. We saw three or four locations, often Ron Paul signs, but saw no big outcropping of signs for any one candidate.
Photo ID requirements for voting have become issues in many states because of the contribution of wealthy Republicans supporting the American Legislative Exchange Council, which works for implementation of such laws and other ultra-conservative causes. By the way, Gov. Nikki Haley found herself on the losing side on Saturday, as she had endorsed Gov. Mitt Romney for president. About Governor
Haley, one South Carolinian told me that "Georgia has two governors
now." (Yes, I told him, Georgia had three governors at one time).
But inquiring, he maintains that Governor Haley's backing of the deepening
of the Savannah River harbor meant that "One of your governors sits
in Atlanta, the other in Columbia, S.C." Many South Carolinians feel
that it is more important for Governor Haley to be more forceful in seeking
funds for deepening the harbor at Charleston. *
* * * *
If you are ever visiting in the Charleston area, drive toward Savannah to the Ravenel area and visit Charleston County's Caw Caw Park, a beautiful, marshy former rice plantation. It's now an interpretive center. It's a great place to see wildlife of all kind, from alligators, turkeys, ospreys, birds of prey, raccoons, etc. The park features 654 acres of intact former rice fields complete with drainage canals and water control structures; eight miles of interpretive trails with more than 1,200 feet of boardwalk that wind through nine different habitats; and an exhibit center and interpretive stops along trails. There is a classroom, wet lab and picnic area. Nature, history and environmental education programs are offered for all ages and groups. Morning bird walks are at 8:30 a.m. each Wednesday and Saturday. My 5-year-old granddaughter, Ellie, spotted something in one of the canals. "What do you think that is, Pop Pop?" she asked me. The long face just above the water, and that one eye we could see back along the skull….made me think it was an alligator or crocodile. We didn't investigate closely…. ABOUT OUR SPONSORS
FEEDBACK Editor,
the Forum: In addition to noting possible attempts at politically-inspired minority dilution in the proposed school board boundaries, I suggest something far more sinister: Creating havoc, sociologically speaking, by splitting up long standing community identities. In so doing, it makes Gwinnett's numerous municipalities to have to find agreement among multiple school board members representing communities' spheres of influence. It is tough enough now for municipal and county leaders to hammer out agreements. The current proposed plan isn't only changing the bathwater. It's creating far-reaching havoc by tossing out all the babies at once.
Hey, GwinnettForum, you endorsed gerrymandering Tom Rice Editor,
the Forum:
Succinctly states the case for local non-partisan elections Editor, the Forum: I find the GwinnettForum very informative and germane. The perspective advocating non-partisan elections (NPE) was very interesting because the city that I moved from, Manchester N.H., had just completed its first decade using non-partisan elections. Party affiliations don't hold for local elections. A person who might be a very conservative Republican on the national level is just as likely to want the best public schools, sidewalks, and trash pickup in his immediate community as a liberal Democrat. They might differ on how to pay for health care and benefits of municipal employees, but that is more of a state issue anyway. While I might be a state and local liberal, I am a federal conservative. So which one of these labels goes on my school board ballot? To whom does the county Democratic party send campaign assistance to, the Republican who wants to hire three new policeman, or the Democrat who wants to reign in school spending? Party affiliation has no role at the municipal and county level.
UPCOMING Businesses in Gwinnett County will soon receive occupation tax certificate renewal forms in the mail. However, before certificates can be renewed, applicants must comply with new state requirements that went into effect on January 1.
Hi-Hope fundraising gala to return to Gwinnett on March 17 The Hi-Hope Gala is returning. Once an annual fundraiser, the Hi-Hope Gala returns again in 2012, on Saturday March 17 at 7 p. m. at the 1818 Club in Duluth. The theme of the evening will be Hi-Hope Presents……A Night in Las Vegas. Co-chairs for the event are Angie Garland of Suwanee and Karen Hill of Braselton. Honorary chair is Chuck Smith, former Atlanta Falcon defensive end, who helped lead the team to the 1998 Super Bowl, and who is now CEO of Football 365.
Chuck Smith is partnering with Hi-Hope to bring more attention to the fact that adults with developmental disabilities have the same hopes and dreams that we all do and to highlight how important it is to secure private funding for services as governmental funding continues to be affected by decreased state and federal budgets. The programs and services at Hi-Hope are designed to give the individuals Hi-Hope supports the skills and assistance they need to achieve their goals. Smith is collaborating with Hi-Hope staff and clients to connect individuals with the Falcons organization and other local sports figures through the Community Connections program. The goal of this program is to determine interests that Hi-Hope's day program participants have and then match those interests with programs and individuals in the community. The program has resulted in Hi-Hope individuals volunteering at the Southeastern Railway Museum in Duluth and participating in football team events at South Gwinnett High School. NOTABLE Gwinnett's
wastewater collection system won the Gold Collection System of the Year
award from the Georgia Association of Water Professionals.
The annual
award recognizes outstanding maintenance and operation with minimal overflows.
Criteria for the award also include the number of certified operators,
job training and pump station inspections. UGA presents Osborn Education Award to Sharon Clark University of Georgia College of Education graduate Sharon Clark recently was presented a D. Keith Osborn scholarship award. The award is given to an outstanding graduate student by the department of elementary and social studies education. She received a $500 award, and her name will be inscribed on a plaque of past recipients, which is on display in the department. Clark, of Suwanee, graduated in fall 2011 with a Ph.D. in early childhood education. She was recently selected for the Principal Advisory Team at Lovin Elementary School in Gwinnett County, where she teaches third grade and mentors second- and third-grade female students. In addition, Clark tutors students who need academic support before school. The award
is named in honor the late Keith Osborn, a professor in UGA's department
of elementary education for 26 years. Among his many contributions to
young children was his service on committees that planned the Head Start
program and the Children's Television Workshop, which created the popular
"Sesame Street" program.
African-American senior students who attend a high school in Gwinnett County, except Centerville, Snellville and Loganville, which are not in the sorority's service area, are eligible to apply. Application must be postmarked by February 16. For specific details regarding the Application for Scholarship visit this Web site. RECOMMENDED
GEORGIA ENCYCLOPEDIA
Hinduism is one of the fastest growing religious communities in Georgia. Hindus in Georgia number more than 40,000, and they are concentrated in and around Atlanta. Most of Georgia's Hindus come from western India, primarily Gujarat.
The oldest and best-known temple in Georgia is the Hindu Temple of Atlanta, located in Riverdale, just off Interstate 75. Devotees come from all over the Southeast to worship in this temple; its main deity is Lord Venkateswara, who represents Vishnu. Construction began in 1987, and the first services were held in 1990. The temple, with its elaborate towers, is modeled on a famous 5,000-year-old temple in Tirumala-Tirupathi, South India. Hinduism
is an ancient religion, with roots in India that can be traced back 5,000
years. The religion teaches that one's actions generate karma, or spiritual
consequences. Karma follows each individual from one life to the next
through reincarnation. The spiritual aim in Hinduism is to be released
from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth and to be united with the
supreme deity. Hindus believe that there is one supreme deity but that
this deity is manifest in a variety of forms. Worship of the manifestations
of different deities allows believers to focus on distinct qualities of
the supreme deity.
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© 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 Unusual toast: "Why not drink to failure? The champagne tastes just as good!"
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 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. 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. 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. 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. NEXT WEEK AND ONGOING 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. 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. 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. 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. 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
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© 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 |
Different
from Georgia, people in South Carolina don't have to show a picture-ID
to get to vote. However, this has been a controversy in South Carolina
recently, since their Legislature passed such a requirement, but the Justice
Department made a ruling before Christmas that blocked the implementation
of voter ID. The Department said that there was "no real threat or
instances of voter fraud." They also said such a rule had the affect
of discouraging people to vote, and causing a barrier to voting. 
The
public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com
to you at no cost to readers. Gainesville State College has been educating
the citizens of Northeast Georgia since 1966 and has an enrollment approaching
9,000. With 1,296 students during the fall of 2011, Gwinnett County is
second only to Hall County in the number of students who attend GSC. The
College awarded 892 degrees during 2010-2011; students from Gwinnett County
earned 202 of the degrees (22.6 percent). At GSC, students engage in a
challenging learning experience in a supportive and nurturing environment.
GSC offers associate of arts, associate of science and associate of applied
science certificates, and a limited number of bachelor degrees. Gainesville
State College integrates academic and extra-curricular activities in order
to emphasize development of the "whole person." GSC is a "student-focused,
learning centered" commuter college where students can enjoy the
"total college experience" by participating in student activities
such as: intramurals, clubs and organizations, bands, chorus, publications,
cultural affairs programs, fine arts offerings including theatre, extended
orientation, and international-intercultural studies programs. The Gainesville
Campus is located just off of Interstate-985 in Oakwood, and the Oconee
Campus is located in Watkinsville. To learn more about GSC, visit 
The
proposed boundary changes, though, are troubling to me. Did you notice
how the proposed plan seems to divide Snellville area residents between
two seats? How the plan splits Lawrenceville area residents between two
seats, how Sugar Hill area residents would have two seats, and how Lilburn
residents would be grouped with Norcross and Duluth communities from the
other side of I-85? 
During
the 2011 legislative session, the Georgia General Assembly passed the
Illegal Immigration Reform and Enforcement Act (House Bill 87), that places
new requirements on local governments and businesses to ensure they comply
with federal and state immigration laws.
The
evening will feature Las Vegas activities, heavy hors d`oeuvres, a silent
auction and cash bar. Proceeds will support programs and services for
developmentally disabled adults. For more information on sponsorships
and to purchase tickets call 770-963-8694 or visit 
The
Gwinnett County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is
again seeking applicants for its college scholarship program. The applications
are now available in area high schools. 
"I
just finished "Injustice" by J. Christian Adams. It should be
required reading for anyone who is concerned about how the current Justice
Department is enforcing discrimination laws and how it is not. Mr. Adams
is a retired attorney, formerly in the civil rights division of the Justice
Department, and was involved with the New Black Panther Party lawsuit.
They were intimidating white voters during the last election (2008). A
case was brought against them by the Justice Department, which won in
the courts. After the election, the new leader, Eric Holder, decided to
drop the case and not enforce discrimination cases involving whites being
discriminated against. The book covers several other instances of a similar
nature as well as the general nature and thought process used by this
administration. Well worth the time by anyone."
