Issue 11.99 | Tuesday, March 20, 2012

TODAY'S FOCUS
:: Grant to innovative data storage firm

ELLIOTT BRACK'S PERSPECTIVE
:: Peachtree Corners borders may change

FEEDBACK
:: About a bill and a movie

UPCOMING
:: Senior leadership, Incredible Race

NOTABLE
:: Braselton Police certified

ALSO INSIDE

IN THE SPOTLIGHT
:: Hayes Family Dealerships

GEORGIA TIDBIT
:: Casimir Pulaski, part 3

GWINNETT CALENDAR
:: Lots of events on tap

TODAY'S QUOTE
:: What Hoffer learned on the docks

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TODAY'S FOCUS
JBOD Storage Solutions wins Innovation Park Founder's Grant
By DEANNA ANDERSON
Special to GwinnettForum

NORCROSS, Ga., March 20, 2012 -- Winner of Gwinnett Innovation Park's quarterly Founder's Grant is JBOD Storage Solutions. Sponsored by the Gwinnett Innovation Park (GIP) and Intelligent Systems, the quarterly award goes to a company that is part of the eHub Nspire Program or is a qualified company in the park. A total of $100,000 is awarded annually.

Gwinnett Innovation Park is an affordable, low risk space alternative for start-ups, entrepreneurs, independent professionals and teleworkers.

Leland Strange, a local serial entrepreneur, investor and supporter of hundreds of technology companies in the Atlanta area over the last 30 years, says: "The Founder's Grant is designed to be a 'propellant' to help an early stage technology company achieve an important near-term milestone and accelerate its business. It's been an interesting process meeting with the entrepreneurs in the Nspire program and hearing the vision for their companies." He adds: "The Gwinnett Innovation Park Trustees were impressed with all of the Nspire companies, but believe that the $25,000 will help JBOD Storage Solutions the most at this point in their company's development and can play a key role in helping them reach the next level."

JBOD Storage Solutions markets the fastest, largest and most dense SSD-based data storage array available today. JBOD's Founder Gary Webb says: "There is an explosive need by data centers and high performance computer deployments to improve the performance of their data storage subsystems. This is because of the huge amount of transactional processing being required by enterprise, financial government and retail users as well as within compute-intensive scientific and video-centric systems.

"I am honored to receive the Founder's Grant. The GIP Trustees have created a platform to help technology start-ups grow and succeed," adds Webb. "I highly recommend any Atlanta-based technology entrepreneur to apply for this program and look forward to continue participating in the Nspire program."

The Founder's Grant is part of the eHub Nspire Program which helps support Atlanta technology entrepreneurs by providing them with resources and benefits to help them succeed, including office space at Gwinnett Innovation Park at no cost for one year. The Gwinnett Innovation Park Trustees, a panel of distinguished entrepreneurs and Atlanta business professionals, select the quarterly honoree based on the merits of the business summary, interview and demonstration of a compelling use of the award funds by an Nspire company that has been a resident for at least one quarter.

Gwinnett Innovation Park offers an affordable environment for new and growing companies. Entrepreneurs can focus on business development and enjoy an "instant home" for their company without having to deal with facility and infrastructure hassles or lock into long-term commitments. They also have access to the business expertise of on-site executives and benefit from peer interaction, shared services and an extensive network of resources. Sponsored by long-time technology pioneer, Intelligent Systems Corporation [NYSE Amex: INS], Gwinnett Innovation Park is a privately funded incubation programs. During its 20 year history, the Gwinnett Innovation Park has been recognized as a top technology incubator and has been home to some 75 start-up companies that are estimated to have created more than 1,500 new jobs in the Gwinnett county area. Information about the Gwinnett Innovation Park is available at www.gwinnettinnovationpark.com.

ELLIOTT BRACK
Watch out: Legislature nears end and HB 956 might slip in!
By ELLIOTT BRACK
Editor and publisher

MARCH 20, 2012 -- Hold on tight. There are six days left in this year's 40-day Georgia Legislature. Now's the time when things get dicey.

Brack

There will be three days more for the Legislature this week, and three more next week or longer. After adjournment, you'll see the senators and representatives turn smiling to the voters to rev up what they hope to be their re-election campaign. They will pay you much more attention than they have for the last so-called "40 days."

What will happen in these last six days of the 2012 session of the General Assembly: hot and heavy lobbying, from both the paid lobbyists, and from the legislators themselves, all talking up members of the Legislature in hopes of getting pet bills passed into law.

Truth be told, most Georgians could get along without much new legislation. Most new laws merely shift the burden -- of some kind -- from one set of people, to another set, and meantime, somebody's ox usually gets gored. There is a lot of bloodletting in these times.

Now a prediction: one bill currently before the Senate is House Bill 956, introduced by Rep. Tom Rice and Sen. David Shafer, concerning the boundaries of the cities of Peachtree Corners and Berkeley Lake. The bill passed the house without opposition and allows certain parcels of land to be shifted from one city to another. Some feel this bill is in direct violation of changing the borders of Peachtree Corners even before it is a city. (The bill creating the City of Peachtree Corners had wording saying that the city could not be changed (nor could its outlined borders) without a vote by citizens of the city.) To read the legislation, go to version 3 and click "current version."

Berkeley Lake would annex some property and de-annex others.

Remember that the City of Peachtree Corners is a "light" city, not proposing to have many city services, but only three: code enforcement, planning and zoning, and trash removal. No more. Just these three services.

Yet there is indication that the City of Peachtree Corners may soon be aiming to provide more services for its citizens. In an email we saw recently, Rep. Tom Rice, in responding to why the Aquatic Center and Pinckneyville Park, both on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, should now be conveyed to Peachtree Corners (not remain in Berkeley Lake), wrote:

"By the way, the parks in the annexation that go to Peachtree Corners can, under existing law, be purchased by the new city for $100 per acre. This is available only to cities formed after 2008, so Berkeley Lake cannot take advantage of it. Even though Peachtree Corners does not have charter authority to provide parks, if in the future they see the need, this bill would give them the power to acquire them (assuming the PC voters would give them the power to do so via referendum)."

Therefore, we suspect that HB 956, since it is a local bill without much opposition, will easily pass the Senate, perhaps on the last hectic day of the session, and become law. The boundaries will have changed for Peachtree Corners even before it becomes a city…..which apparently readies the authority to create a fourth service, parks and recreation, for Peachtree Corners citizens.

ABOUT OUR SPONSORS
Hayes Family Dealerships

The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. Today's sponsor is Hayes Family Dealerships with Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac, and GMC. Mike, Tim and Ted Hayes of Lawrenceville and Gainesville with Terry Hayes of Baldwin and Stan Roberts of Toccoa invite you into their showrooms to look over their line-up of automobiles and trucks. Hayes has been in the automotive business for over 40 years, and is North Georgia's oldest family-owned dealerships. The family is the winner of the 2002 Georgia Family Business of the Year Award. Check their web sites at: www.hayeschrysler.com or www.hayeschevrolet.com or www.hayesgmcars.com.

FEEDBACK
Feels legislation annexing parcels accomplishes no public good

(Editor's Note: the following was made available to GwinnettForum after the letter was sent to Sen. David Shafer of Gwinnett County, concerning pending items before the Georgia Legislature.-eeb)

Dear Senator Shafer:

I don't like disagreement, but clearly if you allow House Bill 956 to get through the Senate, you will have raised far more eyebrows than you ever imagined. When the Parsons' family still had land holdings in Berkeley Lake, we discussed having Rep. Brooks Coleman de-annex a sizable tract along Peachtree Industrial Boulevard. We chose against this course, because it was the wrong thing to do. The process of pushing HB 956 through the legislature to annex 17 tracts violates the values we have entrusted our elected officials to uphold, for these reasons:

• Transparency, the owner of the tracts was not given notice of the proposed annexation.
  
  
• There is no public good accomplished by the annexation.
  
  
• The legislative process proposed to accomplish the annexation violates the property rights and subjects the owners to increased taxation.
  
  
• The City of Berkeley Lake, while having been granted a City Charter, does not provide services sufficient to warrant the millage rate assessed.

I have known Barbara Howard for years. She is the epitome of integrity and fairness. Suzanna's Kitchen is the source of 300 Gwinnett jobs. Henry and Barbara's leadership, philanthropy and service to Gwinnett is unmatched. I know Barbara will balk at being given special treatment and relief by bowing before political power brokers.

You have in your hands the ability to stop House Bill 956. The question we all will be asking at the close of the legislative session is: did David Shafer do the right thing?

-- Jef Fincher, Duluth

Somewhat negative review of the movie, "Joyful Noise"

Editor, the Forum:

It's sad to say, but the movie, "Joyful Noise," does not even come close to representing what the scriptures say about HOW the Christian is to behave in a relationship before the marriage bed becomes activated, what clothing one chooses to wear/barely wear(!) or what has become the 'norm' in 'jiving' personal body parts in far too many of God's Houses of Worship!

The key words being "marriage bed" that God judges/watches over!! God is not a prude, which is why He ordained 'healthy sex'! I have found it interesting that we never see T-Shirts that say: "Guess how many sexually transmitted diseases I'm carrying"? Other than that, there were some really good and meaningful songs and terrific 'joyful voices' in the movie.

-- Deborah Seay Willis, Lawrenceville

• Send us your letters. We welcome your letters and thoughts. Our policy: We encourage readers to submit feedback (or letters to the editor). Send your thoughts to the editor at elliott@brack.net. We will edit for length and clarity. Make sure to include your name and the city where you live. Submission of a comment grants permission for us to reprint. Please keep your comments to 300 words or less. However, we will consider longer articles (no more than 500 words) for featuring in Today's Focus as space allows.
  

UPCOMING
Gwinnett Senior Leadership accepting applicants for 2012 class

Gwinnett Senior Leadership is now accepting nominations and applications for its 2012-2013 leadership class. The nomination deadline is June 15, the application deadline is July 1, with confirmation by August 15. The class meets for programs days the third Wednesday of each month, from September through May.

Gwinnett Senior Leadership (GSL) is now entering its fourth year partnering with Gwinnett Technical College. Both Gwinnett Tech and the Gwinnett Tech Foundation continue to assist and support Gwinnett seniors.

With its tremendous growth in the past, the county changes so rapidly that sometimes it's difficult to keep abreast of what's happening, GSL offers people age 55 and older an opportunity to interact with others across the county, realize the many aspects happening in this county, and apply what they learn in finding ways to make the county a better place to live. Classes are limited to 30 members each year. The program meets for one day-long session once a month from September through May. Topics for each day present an overall view of key elements of the community.

The goal of Senior Leadership Gwinnett is to make seniors aware of what's going on around them, so that they can help contribute to the county success with their unique backgrounds and experiences. One of the benefits of the program is that it allows people from all corners of the county to get to know
leaders in other areas.

The current GSL Chair, Anna Shackelford and Bill Atkinson vice chair, along with Pat Swan general chair, will welcome the 2012-2013 class at a reception on Sunday afternoon, August 19.

Here is a sampling of thoughts from people who have been through the classes.

"One finishes a year of exploration and information exchange which results in a sound foundation for adding depth and breadth to a continuing relationship with our county and its citizens."

-- Wally Kelleman (2011).

"I now have a better understanding of why Gwinnett is a great place to live, work, raise a family and retire."

-- Betty Warbington (2011).

"For me, the Senior Leadership Gwinnett program gave me the opportunity to see how to use what I learned. Add in the new friendships and partners to help build a better community with tools we were given and it was a wonderful experience… well worth the time invested…"

-- Thor Johnson, (2007) President, Lilburn Business Association.

"The Senior Leadership Program was a highlight for me I have lived in Gwinnett since the mid-70s and watched it change and grow. This program gave me a better understanding the changes made in Gwinnett. We learned about the county from well-known citizens who were involved in the county's evolution. The camaraderie and friendships made have stayed with me. I will stay involved with the program and with my new friends!"

-- Barbara Grastat-Karnitz (2007).

"Gwinnett Senior Leadership Program is the most informative experience I have had in years. I met people behind the names in the news; gained insight into the challenges and opportunities facing our elected officials. If there is a Gwinnett Senior Leadership Program part II, I will be the first to sign up."

-- Jim Kwater (2011).

Lorri Christopher is the college coordinator for the Gwinnett Senior Leadership program. For more information or for an application, email lchristopher@gwinnetttech.edu or call 678-226-6316.

Suwanee's Super Incredible Race sounds like a lot of fun

Think the Amazing Race meets small-town America and you've got a pretty good idea of what Suwanee's Super Incredible Race is all about. A fast-paced scavenger hunt that requires contestants to wear their thinking caps, Suwanee's Super Incredible Race, to be held Saturday, April 21, is designed to encourage teamwork, test how well residents know Suwanee, and promote some good old-fashioned fun.

In teams of two or in family teams, participants race through a variety of high-energy mental and physical challenges. For example, teams might have to fly a paper airplane that they construct, find and eat a particular food, participate in relay-style games, and solve mind-benders. All activities will take place in downtown Suwanee, including Town Center, historic Main Street, and along the Suwanee Creek Greenway. No motorized vehicles will be permitted, but feet, bikes, strollers, and skates are OK.

Participants will need a camera, smartphone or other means of Internet access (which may include phoning a friend), and one canned good per team member. Creative team names and costumes are encouraged.

T-shirts will be guaranteed to all team members who sign up by March 30; applications are available at www.suwanee.com. Registration is $25 per two-member team; the fee for family teams is $25 for the first two team members plus $10 for each additional teammate.

The race will begin at noon April 21 at Town Center Park with distribution of clues. The race course will close at 5 p.m., with awards/prizes to be presented afterward at Town Center Park.

NOTABLE
Braselton Police Department earns state certification status

The Braselton Police Department has earned official state certification status, joining 96 law enforcement agencies in Georgia with that distinction.

Frank V. Rotondo, executive director of the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police, made the presentation to Braselton Police Chief Terry Esco and the Town Council recently. Rotondo described the essential goals, prestige and development of 118 professional standards. "This is a competent, professional agency," he told the Town Council.

Rotondo also presented certification manager Ernie Graham with a certificate of appreciation, confirming his guiding the three-year process on behalf of the department. The certification program began in 1990 in Georgia. Braselton's designation runs through 2015.

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
Count Pulaski falls to grapeshot in Battle of Savannah

(Continued from previous edition)

In October, 1779, the French-American force began a devastating bombardment of Savannah that lasted five days. But Count Charles Henri d'Estaing's fears for the supporting French fleet of remaining too long in Georgia during the hurricane season forced the Allies to make a frontal attack against the British defenses on the ninth. The approved plan called for a diversionary assault on the British left followed by the main attack of French and American troops upon the British right at the Spring Hill redoubt. The American infantry served as a follow-up force, while Count Pulaski's men were to launch a cavalry charge whenever a breach occurred in the defenses to create havoc among the enemy troops.

The attack failed to unfold as planned. Allied troops started late, as fog and a lack of clear directions delayed the French columns. Once the assault began, the Allies quickly realized that the British knew of their plans. Eyewitness accounts of Casimir Pulaski's charge vary. Captain Paul Bentalou, a member of the legion, wrote that the general rode into battle when he heard news that d'Estaing was wounded. Another legionnaire, Maciej Rogowski, claimed that Pulaski and his men found themselves caught in a crossfire between two batteries. D'Estaing recalled that Pulaski charged too quickly and cut himself off from support. All accounts conveyed the grim news that grapeshot from a British cannon cut into the general when he attempted to crash though the enemy lines. Pulaski died within two days of his wounding.

The city of Savannah erected a 55-foot obelisk in Monterey Square to honor Pulaski during the 1850s. On October 9, 2005, the 226th anniversary of the Siege of Savannah, the city organized special funeral services and a final re-interment ceremony at Monterey Square to honor the fallen soldier.

Fort Pulaski, built at the mouth of the Savannah River to protect Savannah from Union attack during the Civil War (1861-65), and Pulaski County were named for the Revolutionary War officer.

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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
One more element Eric Hoffer
learned on the docks

"Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength."

-- Longshoreman and philosopher Eric Hoffer (1902-1983).

MORE COPIES AVAILABLE
Gwinnett history book in second printing

Previously out of print, Elliott Brack's 850-page history, "Gwinnett: A Little Above Atlanta," is now available again. Since its original publication, the book was declared the winner of the 2010 Award of Excellence for documenting Georgia history by the Georgia Historical Records Advisory Board. It is also the winner of the Gwinnett Historical Society's Whitworth-Flanigan Award for 2011 for preserving the history of Gwinnett County.

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:

• Atlanta History Center, Atlanta
• Books for Less, Buford
  
• Gwinnett Historical Society, Lawrenceville
  
• Parsons Gifts and Cards, Duluth
  
• Vargas and Harbin Gallery, Norcross

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

GWINNETT CALENDAR

IN THE COMING WEEK

Run-off election forum: 7:30 p.m., March 19, at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 5575 Peachtree Parkway. The eight candidates for the four run-off city council posts are anticipated to be on hand.

Grand reopening of Rhodes Jordan Park: 11 a.m., March 20, in Lawrenceville. This marks the completion of the $7.3 million SPLOST funded renovation, including a new paved multi-purpose trail and boardwalk around the perimeter of the existing lake, three soccer fields, three large pavilions, horseshoe courts, basketball courts, a new restroom building, and new parking.

(NEW) Author speaking: 11:30 a.m., and 7:30 p.m., March 21, Cole Auditorium, Georgia Perimeter College. William Kamkwamba, the African author of The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, will speak twice as part of the campus-wide GPC Reads program.

Success Lives Here Breakfast: 7:30 a.m., March 23, Sugarloaf Country Club. Speaking will be Clyde and Sandra Strickland, Lawrenceville philanthropists, who are the 2012 Gwinnett Chamber Citizens of the Year. For more information, call 770 232-3000.

Open House at Georgia Gwinnett College, Lawrenceville: 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., March 24. Included is an overview of the college plus sessions providing information about financial aid, student success programs, student clubs and majors. A special session is provided for parents. To learn more, go to www.ggc.edu.

NEXT WEEK AND ONGOING

(NEW) Second Annual Village Trade and Auction: 7 p.m., March 29, Sugarloaf Country Club, to benefit Gwinnett Village Community Alliance. Tickets are $25. For more info, call 770-449-6515 or send an email.

Spring Break kick-off at Rhodes Jordan Park: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., March 31. To be held rain or shine, it will feature games, a yard sale, concessions and other activities. This is free to all, and is an element in the grand re-opening and improvement of the Lawrenceville park.

Safe driving course: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., April 12, provided by Suwanee Police Department, at 373 Buford Highway. Registration is required. Visit www.suwanee.com to enroll.

Plein air painting event in Buford, April 13-14. A reception highlighting the two days of artists' work will be April 14 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Tannery Row Artist's Gallery. Paintings will be for sale, including a Live Auction on April 15 at 7:30 p.m.

MORE EEB PERSPECTIVE

MORE RECENT COMMENTARY

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