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Issue 12.26 | Tuesday, July 10, 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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TODAY'S
FOCUS
LILBURN, Ga., July 10, 2012 --The potential for further development of groundwater resources in both the Piedmont and the Fold Belt has not received the same attention as surface water sources. Under drought conditions, planners in Georgia have considered obtaining more surface water from rivers along the Tennessee or South Carolina borders, ignoring the possibility of developing more groundwater sources within state boundaries that are closer to the Atlanta metro area.
But before we can fully integrate the surface and groundwater resources, two things are needed: 1) a better characterization of the hydrogeology of fractured bedrock aquifers, and 2) the role they play in the regional hydrologic cycle. The mechanisms and rates of recharge, and the total fluxes through the regional bedrock flow systems that discharge to the rivers supplying water to metro Atlanta are not adequately understood. We know that higher-yielding wells can be located in these geologic settings, but we know too little about the hydraulic interconnections within fracture networks across drainage basin boundaries to use that in long-term planning. The interconnection between two well fields in adjoining basins, more than one mile apart in the Piedmont, has recently been demonstrated by a long-term pumping test by the US Geologic Service in Lawrenceville. Research could be directed towards identifying lithologic, structural, geophysical, seismological, geochemical, hydrological, and other relevant characteristics associated with this "interconnectedness condition." If methods of identifying interconnections in the subsurface between adjoining watersheds is established where evidence from pumping tests exists, they can be applied in other parts of the Piedmont or the Fold Belt to identify this condition. That could have significant implications for both future groundwater supply development and for simulating the potential effects on existing surface waters. Non-Aqueous Phase Liquids Topic
For example, the research could involve 1) the development of a conceptual and mathematical model of LNAPL in fractured rock, or 2) the design and performance of laboratory experiments that simulate a NAPL slug-withdrawal test or skimming of LNAPL from above a water-saturated media. The lab recoverability study could focus on understanding the process of upconing of the oil/water interface outside the well during skimming, and on how to measure a capture zone within a mobile LNAPL plume. Previous laboratory studies have been carried out with NAPLs at UGA, so there is some precedence for this work. The computer facilities at UGA would be well suited for modeling multiphase fluid flow. Interfacing with faculty and resources from other departments on the UGA campus for multiphase simulations could create cooperation among multiple disciplines, which the Geology Department would applaud. Such information could help explore the possibility of new water sources from deep within the Georgia landscape. ELLIOTT
BRACK JULY 10, 2012 – Today we turn our attention to the legislative races that affect Gwinnett voters.
While most of the candidates responded to our request for a 30-minute interview with GwinnettForum, several legislative candidates did not respond. Where no one responded in any particular race, we make no comment. Here are our endorsements in the legislative races in the two primaries: Georgia State Senate, District 9, Republicans:
Our choice for this seat is incumbent Don Balfour, 55, of Snellville. This year he drew two opponents, but his years of service give him invaluable experience to represent Gwinnett in the Senate, where he is chairman of the Rules Committee. Senator Balfour has been under the gun for some financial oversights in recent months, and has drawn fire, which he has attempted to explain. However, we feel he is the best choice to continue to represent Gwinnett in the Senate. Georgia State Senate, District 55, Democrats:
By far, the most attractive of candidates is Gloria Butler, 70, of Stone Mountain, who is seeking her eighth term in the Senate. This senior citizen is still vivacious and effective in representing her district. She has a good voting record, and fights hard for her beliefs. She’s the type of person many want representing them, and we heartily endorse her re-election. State Representative, District 81, Republican: No endorsement. Neither candidate made an effort to show up for an interview. State Representative, District 93, Democrats:
It’s good to see three people running for this office. We were particularly drawn to two of the candidates. This includes Dar’shun N. Kendrick, a 29-year-old attorney who is currently a legislator. The other is Glen Williams, 44, a local activist and sports academy operator. This is one of the more difficult races to call, since both Rep. Kendrick and Mr. Williams seem well qualified to represent the district. We endorse Mr. Williams, a Centerville resident, who has been active for years in that area, and since a larger portion of the district is in Gwinnett than in DeKalb. State Representative, District 94, Democrats:
Four people run in this race. This newly-created district will be served well with the election of Tony Lentini, 47, of Centerville, a Yellow Page employee who has lived in the district for 27 years. Mr. Lentini has run twice for a similar post before, gaining 44 percent of the vote in his last race. He is one of four Democrats vying for this seat, is well qualified and up-to-date on the issues facing this community. State
Representative, District 96,
Our choice
for this seat for the primary is Mark Williams, 50, a printing
house owner from Duluth (Cardinal Lake). Mr. Williams has been active
within the Gwinnett community and his industry’s affairs, and is
a former chairman of the Gwinnett Place Community Improvement District,
and active in the Foster Children’s Foundation.
A 20-year veteran of the Georgia House, Brooks Coleman, 72, of Duluth, is seeking re-election, and we endorse his candidacy against a 22-year-old college graduate. Mr. Coleman has become chair of the House Education Committee, and in such a position, can help shape improvements in education. We feel inclined to say, however, that Mr. Coleman’s previous support of the statewide charter school bill was not a well-taken position nor a positive element. However, even saying that, we feel Brooks Coleman is the best choice to continue in this office. State Representative, District 103, Republicans: No endorsement.
Neither candidate scheduled a visit.
Two Republicans are seeking this post. Our choice for this primary is Damon Ladd-Thomas, 41, a Grayson businessman, who is seeking his first elective office. Mr. Ladd-Thomas brings energy, a history of activism, and a fresh outlook to this race. He should represent Gwinnett well in the legislature. State Representative, District 105: Democrats: No endorsement. Neither of two candidates showed up. State Representative, District 114, Republican:
No doubt the hardest working candidate for the year 2012 is Tom Kirby, 51, of Walton County. He ran for a vacancy for the House in February, was the victor in a runoff in March, and now faces one opponent in the July primary. He is a human resources consultant. One aspect of Mr. Kirby’s comments to us causes concern: his condemnation of the use jelly fish cells in a scientific procedure. He intends to legislate against this acceptable procedure (see his comment in “Pick one issue” in the adjacent column of answers to questions GwinnettForum put to him.) Reluctantly, we endorse his candidacy.
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FEEDBACK Editor, the Forum: It is quite obvious that you qualify as one of the liberal-bias media. I have several bones to pick with some of the other than the FairTax-supporter Congressman. Such as the idiot Johnson that sits in Congress talking about over populated islands being capsized.
You prove yourself to fit right in the mold of the liberal-bias media. Why should we the people pay any more attention to you than we do to the politicians?
UPCOMING Georgia Gwinnett College has been accepted to participate in the Students and Technology in Academia, Research and Service (STARS) Alliance, a National Science Foundation-supported organization. GGC’s participation will provide $14,000 in funding for the implementation of best practices at the college, including a leadership program for students interested in technology.
Program funding will provide a stipend for up to 10 students and two faculty members for two academic years, beginning August 2012. Selected students will attend the annual STARS leadership conference. Candidates for the program must complete at least one information technology course, obtain a GPA of at least 2.5, commit to working five hours per week for the 2012-13 academic year, and show interest in community service, technology and leadership skills. Women and members of groups under-represented in computing (African-American, Hispanic and Native American) are strongly encouraged to apply.
Gwinnett Tech launches Women in Technology on its campus Gwinnett
Tech is partnering with Atlanta-based Women in Technology to launch Women
in Technology on Campus, providing a support system of events, internships
and scholarships for students in science, technology, engineering and
mathematics programs of study.
Peachtree Corners to hold “Town Hall” meetings for feedback Over the summer, members of the Peachtree Corners City Council will take turns hosting "Town Halls" around the city. The events will give residents an opportunity to talk to their Council members in a question-and-answer format and share their feedback on the city's first months of operations. The first
"Town Hall" was hosted by Alex Wright, Post 3, and Jeanne
Aulbach, Post 4, was scheduled for Monday, July 9. Look for announcements
on future meetings. NOTABLE Georgia Gwinnett College President Daniel J. Kaufman always ends his comments at the institution’s commencement ceremonies by telling new graduates to, “Be great.” Class of 2011 graduate Homero Gonzalez took the directive seriously. At only 22, the Lawrenceville resident has won an Emmy.
Gonzalez
is part of a team at Telemundo Atlanta that was awarded an Emmy for Outstanding
Achievement: Television News Gathering Excellence - News Special. The
award recognized "Special Series HB-87.” It is a four-part news
series covering the controversial House Bill 87 that passed last year
in Georgia. The series informed members of the Hispanic community about
changes this law would bring to the state and how it would affect them. Gonzalez’s
team members included Reporter and Anchor Jorge Buzo and Reporter and
News Producer Nataly Hart. Gonzalez is a news and marketing associate
with Telemundo Atlanta. The team received the honor at the 2012 Southeast
Emmy Awards, held recently at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Buckhead. Gonzalez says: “I didn’t think I could accomplish something like this so early in my career. Without GGC, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve any of this.”A dedicated student leader in multiple student organizations, he served as vice president of the Student Government Association. He attended a summer study abroad program in Europe and participated in service projects. He even developed a reading program for Hispanic children. In 2010, he received the college’s Leadership Award. He now serves as a charter member of the GGC Alumni Association Board. A fortuitous, spur-of-the-moment request for Gonzalez to provide translation assistance for a Telemundo news crew attending a GGC event introduced the student to station employees. Impressed with his professionalism, they invited him to assist with some special projects. During the fall of his senior year at GGC, he was hired part-time as marketing assistant, then later as a full-time news and marketing associate assisting with the station’s launch of the 30-minute newscast, “Noticiero Telemundo Atlanta.” It’s hard to believe that during high school, Gonzalez was advised not to pursue college. He had struggled a bit with English as his second language, and he was told that his best option was to learn a trade. “Homero is a shining example of what Georgia Gwinnett College was designed to do,” says Kaufman. “GGC’s access mission enables us to provide extra instruction to help students succeed. Once Homero became fluent in English, there was no stopping him. He was one of those ‘go-to’ students whose loss is felt by the entire campus community when they graduate. We could not be more proud of Homero’s Emmy, and expect more great things from him in the future.” A first-generation student, Gonzalez’s experiences also inspired his own family. One brother is now a student at GGC and a younger brother plans to attend the college, as well. RECOMMENDED
GEORGIA
ENCYCLOPEDIA In a new state constitution adopted in 1798, Louisville was designated the "seat of government," but the term "permanent," which had been included in the previous document, was omitted. The General Assembly could now change the site of the capital by a legislative act. The press for new Indian lands continued unabated, and Louisville would serve as the Georgia state capital for only ten years. Reportedly, the desire to move the capital also arose out of a concern about malaria in the Louisville area. In 1802 Creek lands west of Louisville were ceded to Georgia. No sooner had this territory been divided into counties than a drive to move the seat of government was again initiated. Only seven years after Louisville became the capital, the May 11, 1803, joint session of the General Assembly appointed a commission to select a site suitable for a permanent capital at the head of navigation of the Oconee River. On December 12, 1804, lawmakers passed an act to build a new capital, which would be named Milledgeville in honor of the current governor, John Milledge. It is not known precisely when state officials left Louisville for the new capital, although it is known that the legislature at Louisville passed an act appointing the commissioners of the town of Milledgeville in December 1806. In 1807
the legislature turned the Louisville statehouse into a public arsenal.
It later served as an Irish lodge and as a county court building. Eventually
the building was condemned as unsafe and torn down. The Jefferson County
Courthouse now stands on the site, where a plaque marks the location of
Georgia's first capitol building. (To be continued)
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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. |
Visit this site to see details of the upcoming funerals of Gwinnett Countians from local funeral homes. On the site, sign up at top right and we'll send you GwinnettObits each day. Click on the names below to see details of their funerals.
TODAY'S QUOTE "Madness is rare in individuals but in groups, parties, nations, and ages it is the rule."
CANDIDATE
PROFILES For the 2012 primary
season, GwinnettForum asked all candidates facing primary opposition
in Gwinnett County to provide answers to a few questions. You can read
their answers below by clicking on the links. Candidates with no
primary opposition are not listed. Those with opposition in the General
Election will be asked questions, which we'll publish before the November
election. Look for endorsement:
PROFILE
KEY
2012 FEDERAL CANDIDATES U.S. Congress, District 4
U.S.
Congress, District 7
U.S.
Congress, District 10
2012
STATEWIDE CANDIDATES Georgia
Public Service Commission, District 3
Georgia
Public Service Commission, District 5
2012
STATE CANDIDATES Georgia
State Senate, District 9
Georgia State Senate, District 55
State
Representative, District 81
State
Representative, District 93
State
Representative, District 94
State
Representative, District 96
State
Representative, District 97
State
Representative, District 103
State
Representative, District 105
State Representative, District 114
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IN THE COMING WEEK (NEW) Judicial Candidate Forum: 6:30 p.m., July 10, Berkmar High School, Lilburn. Hosted by the League of Women Voters of Gwinnett, in partnership with the Organization of Chinese Americans-Georgia and the United Ebony Society of Gwinnett. Tips and Tools for the Teenage Job Search, for Grades 6 to 12: 1 p.m to 3:30 p.m., July 11 to 13 at Centerville Community Center, 3025 Bethany Church Road, Snellville. Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta will sponsor this workshop for teenagers seeking a job. Cost is $3 for registered Girl Scouts; $15 for non-registered Scouts. For curriculum information, contact zkyles@gsgatl.org or 770-702-9119. (NEW)
Daybreak
Dash Fun Run: 7:30 a.m. on July 14 for registration; run at
8 a.m., Settles Bridge Park, 380 Johnson Road, Suwanee. A registration
fee is charged. The course is nearly 5K long, with three different trails,
for beginners, intermediate and advanced runners. Those completing the
race will get a T-Shirt. For more details, www.gwinnettparks.com. Beyond Rosie, Women in World War II: Through July 31. This traveling museum is now on display at the Norcross Welcome and History Center. The museum is located at 169 Lawrenceville Street. Video Creation
Camp for ages 8 to 12: 10 a.m. to noon on July 16 to July 20,
Centerville Community Center, 3025 Bethany Church Road, Snellville. Cost
is $20 per child ($5 sibling discount). For camp information, call The
Little Red Math and Grammar School, 404-826-6818. For pre-registration
and payment information, call 770-985-4713. Children with learning disabilities
are welcome. (NEW) Business After Hours: 5:30 p.m., July 17, Red Sky, 2033 Buford Highway, Buford (across from Buford Post Office). Hosted by Buford Business Alliance. Guests are welcomed. (NEW) “Bark for Life” Dog Day at Pinckneyville Park: 9 a.m., July 21 (National Hot Dog Day), Medlock Pavilion,. The park is located at 4758 South Old Peachtree Road in Norcross. Pre-registration is $10; day of event: $15. (NEW) Mathematics Workshop for Grades 5 to 8: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., July 23, Norcross Human Services, 5030 Georgia Belle Court. Cost is $50 which includes supplies. Pre-register and make payment at Norcross Human Services Center, 770-638-5661. MORE EEB PERSPECTIVE
© 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 |
While
our understanding of non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) migration and recovery
has progressed in recent years, more research is needed to advance the
tools available to practitioners in the field, and to help educate regulators
about the physical limitations of NAPL recovery from geological media.
I have worked on numerous sites impacted by NAPLs and currently I am preparing
a proposal to the American Petroleum Institute (API) to fund research
related to LNAPL mobility and recoverability. There is growing interest
in this type of research to support risk-based remediation of LNAPL and
DNAPL sites. If research money were offered by API, what I have proposed
could be performed in the research laboratories at the University of Georgia
and simulated with multiphase flow models developed at UGA.
The
public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com
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You
may have mentioned that stupid is not a great qualification to be running
this country. I also have read nothing in your commentary about the Gwinnett
commissioner that pleaded guilty to taking bribes, And how if any that
could effect the fascist waste pro deal done by that same commissioner.
I thought you liberals were against fascism. But now I understand
that fascism is quite expectable by you liberals as long as it is enacted
by the Democrat side.
The
mission of the STARS Alliance is to increase the participation of women,
under-represented minorities, and persons with disabilities in computing
disciplines through recruiting, retention and leadership development initiatives.
It focuses on students from middle school through graduate school. 
“John
Kralik, 56, is about to go bankrupt. He’s struggling through a painful
divorce; he’s 40 pounds overweight; and he's very depressed. Inspired
by a simple thank you note he received, Kralik vows to find something
to be grateful for every day and decides to send 365 handwritten thank
you notes during the next year. Short and elementary, his notes are not
works of art but are effective in getting positive feedback. This isn't
a miracle story and writing notes doesn't solve all Kralik’s problems.
But focusing on what is good in his life changes his outlook and sometimes
changes the lives of others as well. I think the book is a bit overlong
for the subject matter, but I found it inspiring. I even bought a box
of thank you notes! The full title is 365 Thank Yous: The Year a Simple
Act of Daily Gratitude Changed My Life.” 
