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Below you'll find recent comments by Gwinnett Forum readers about issues
of the day: FEEDBACK
9/27: Suwanee takes
care of old political signs
Editor, the Forum:
Suwanee has less and less trouble with left-long political signs.
Landowners and city fathers make it known that "what goes up
must come down" and in due time. It works!
-- Loretta Roberts, Suwanee
9/24: Berea, Ky.,
site of recent Habitat for Humanity house
Editor, the Forum:
Just read your article re Southeastern Kentucky. Sandra and I along
with Tim Farris are in Berea, Ky. as we write. We came up last Friday
to help construct a Habitat for Humanity house the Farris Foundation
sponsored with Madison County HfH. We are staying in Berea, home
of Berea College, and the woodworking capital of the world it seems.
The people are the friendliest and we love it. The weather has been
cooler than home; the food, especially the homemade spoon bread
and bread pudding is to die for!
We will finish the house Saturday morning and dedicate it at 11:30
a. m. At this ceremony the keys will be turned over to Mildred Cane
and her two sons. Her husband passed away last year. Mildred is
one of the cooks in a local restaurant, "Sweet Betty's",
at the Interstate 75 exit.
You should visit Berea sometime. It is about 40 miles south of Lexington.
It has been a good week, we are tired, but feel blessed to help
a family improve their lifestyle and give them hope. (I'm sure there
are some good hiking trails around also)
I even attended the Berea Rotary meeting at noon last Monday. Although
I was sweaty and dirty (work clothes) I felt right at home. Several
of the Berea Rotarians have come out and worked on the house. They
support Habitat Madison County with Rotary assessments collected
at their meeting each week. This club also sings to begin the meeting.
How long has it been since you sung "Home on the Range"??
-- Otis Jones, Lawrenceville
9/13: Do something
meaningful this week
Editor, the Forum:
For each of us, today (Sept. 11) begins with honoring and remembering
those who lost their lives a year ago. We will observe a moment
of silence and participate in other remembrances. But our thoughts
will not end there. For while September 11th, 2001 was a day of
horror, is was also one of heroism, and a day that brought forth
unity, resilience and strength.
As we pay tribute to the people who were tragically lost a year
ago today, we can also look forward to our future with confidence
in the strength of our nation, our leaders and ourselves. Do something
meaningful this week to show your strength and determination to
push forward and make this place a better world.
-- Dave Cross, Suwanee
9/13: Praying for
our nation and its rulers
Editor, the Forum:
Between the twin pillars of the beginning and ending days of the
Jewish New Year, it is even more appropriate to quote the words
in the New Year Prayer Book:
Prayer for Our Nation and Its Rulers:
We pray for all who hold positions of leadership and responsibility
in our national life. Let our blessing rest upon them, and make
them responsive to Your will, so that our nation may be to the world
an example of justice and
compassion.
Deepen our love for our country and our desire to serve it. Strengthen
our power of self-sacrifice for our nation's welfare. Teach us to
uphold its good name by our own right conduct.
Cause us to see clearly that the well-being of our nation is in
the hands of all its citizens; imbue us with zeal for the cause
of liberty in our own land and in all lands; and help us always
to keep our homes safe from
affliction, strife, and war. Amen.
-- Allan Hytowitz, Norcross
9/13: Upset over small
election turnout
Editor, the Forum:
Tuesday we had a "runoff" election, and I am quite frustrated.
I was the poll manager at the Civic Center. We had a total of 16
persons voting in a 12 hour period. Our first voter arrived at 9:35
a.m.
A number of people complained that the election was not publicized.
I can't go along with that, but I do feel that we can do a better
job of bringing them out.
The Civic Center itself can be intimidating because of the parking
and because many people have never been there. It can be a very
cold place for a newcomer and I feel the "responsible"
people of the county have never pushed to the general public to
be aware of its presence.
Perhaps that will change with the new arena, but as with my neighbor,
he was wondering if there was a symphony orchestra in Gwinnett County.
There is an art museum in the complex, but who knows where it is
and what is being shown. In other words the Civic Center is a place
that needs to be publicized and some way of telling the people of
the county and the area that it is theirs and not just the Chamber
of Commerce and the motel tax that built it.
Is this sour grapes? I don't believe so.
-- Howard Fox, Norcross
9/10: Sign him up
as disgusted in Gwinnett
Editor, the Forum:
I want to share my thoughts to feedback:
When I moved to Gwinnett 11 years ago this week, it was a wonderful
place to live. Since then it has gotten trashed and I can't wait
to move out.
Now with all the deforestation it looks more like Arizona than
Georgia. I'm tired of breathing brown air. Yes we have lots of new
businesses...that is if you count check cashing places, pawn shops,
warehouses, and nail salons.
Yes, some people have gotten rich by selling out the county, mainly
the developers. Not to mention all those people in the pockets of
the
developers...the planners, the councilpersons, and the transportation
department.
In Gwinnett, Transportation Planning is a euphemism for more roads.
What's it going to be like in 2025 when 1.25million people put their
cars on I-85 in the morning to go to work. With the shoddy construction
that the zoning people allow, most of our subdivisions will be ghettos
within 10 years. It seems the county planners prefer a transient
population
with all the apartments and extended-stay motels that blanket the
area.
Watch out you folks out in Suwanee, Sugarloaf, and Sugar Hill.
If your area's not trashed already, its just around the corner.
Sign me, "Disgusted in Gwinnett."
-- Phillip Jones, Lilburn, Ga.
Hold on, Philip: One thing to remember: the warehouses beat
most of us to Gwinnett. That's how the growth got started! ---eeb.
9/10: Get a dog and
get on with your life!
Editor, the Forum:
About losing weight and getting a dog: Losing weight requires a
lifetime change of eating habits. Unless you are prepared to do
so, don't
bother. I speak from experience!! Or that's the way I feel.
Having a dog will make you feel good about yourself whether you
lose or gain! I'm a 100 percent dog person so you're barking up
the wrong tree! Get the dog and get on with life; it's too short
as it is!!!!
As I remember, you and your wife would not qualify for the overweight
poster children!
Gosh, just thought of something. I think I'd be more worried about
eye sight than pounds!! Can you read this?
I enjoy the Gwinnett Forum!
-- Kathy Gestar, Snellville
9/10: Gigantic clearance
set Saturday at Library sale
Visit the biggest half-priced clearance and moving sale ever at
the Gwinnett county public Library Used Book Store in Snellville
at 2180 Fountain Square, Snellville on Saturday, September 14 from
9 a.m. until noon.
All items are priced at 50 percent off or more previously discounted
prices. Customers should bring their own bags or boxes to take home
gigantic savings!
The Fountain Square Book Store will be closing after the sale.
For information about our new store at Discover Mills visit the
Web site at www.gwinnettpl.org,
visit a library branch or call 770-978-5154.
9/6: Young man suggests
ice cream is good for soul
Editor, the Forum:
Last week I took my children to a restaurant. My six-year-old son
asked if he could say grace. As we bowed our heads he said, "God
is good. God is great. Thank you for the food, and I would even
thank you more if Mom gets us ice cream for dessert. And liberty
and justice for all. Amen!"
Along with the laughter from the other customers nearby I heard
a woman remark, "That's what's wrong with this country. Kids
today don't even know how to pray. Asking God for ice-cream! Why,
I never!"
Hearing this, my son burst into tears and asked me, "Did I
do it wrong? Is God mad at me?" As I held him and assured him
that he had done a terrific job and God was certainly not mad at
him, an elderly gentleman approached the table. He winked at my
son and said, "I happen to know that God thought that was a
great prayer.
"Really?" my son asked.
"Cross my heart," the man replied. Then in a theatrical
whisper he added (indicating the woman whose remark had started
this whole thing), "Too bad she never asks God for ice cream.
A little ice cream is good for the soul sometimes.
Naturally, I bought my kids ice cream at the end of the meal. My
son stared at his for a moment and then did something I will remember
the rest of my life. He picked up his sundae and without a word,
walked over and placed it in front of the woman;
With a big smile he told her, "Here, this is for you. Ice
cream is good for the soul sometimes; and my soul is good already."
Please keep it moving. Sometimes we all need some ice cream.
-- Brian Luders, Duluth
9/6: Mudslinging turns
off this voter
Editor, the Forum:
I always enjoy your publication. I wish that other newsmen, activists,
etc. would follow more closely the guidelines that Buzz B(rockway)
suggested. I followed closely the campaign for State Senate District
45. It is unfortunate that the two candidates that did not make
the run-off were the two candidates that did not participate in
mud-slinging, etc. and actually campaigned according to the pledge
they signed.
It seems that we keep saying we don't like negative campaigning
but we keep voting for those who engage in it. Perhaps at heart
we, the voting public, are not as nice as we pretend to be.
-- Janet Gibson, Lawrenceville
9/6: Walking: Relax,
get the dog and enjoy
Editor, the Forum:
No dog but weight. I've "been there, done that, and can't
be bothered now."
My best suggestion is to neither drink nor eat nothing but clear
water after 6 p.m. Cokes? I once did as many as 17 in 24 hours and
now I don't care much for them. I probably drink 17 a year now.
And I weigh what I did when I finished Junior College in 1933.
Relax, get your dog and enjoy. Life's too great to be ignored.
-- Loretta Roberts, Suwanee
9/3: Says GwinnettForum
allows readers to make discoveries through information
Editor, the Forum:
I admit to being a bit conservative in my estimates regarding the
anticipated
margin of victory for John (Linder). However, I never imagined the
voting differential to be so great. I suspect few did.
Regarding your thoughts about the incumbents returning to office
as a clear signal from the people that they are satisfied with the
current government and educational infrastructure, I would like
to offer another perspective.
The new candidates running for the two district seats on the Gwinnett
County School Board apparently had already polarized many of their
constituents. Personal crusades often drive individuals to attempt
displacing officials who do not recognize nor validate their concerns.
Which is fine!
However, one must be careful how issues are both presented and/or
communicated to the public at-large. There is no room for emotion...only
controlled passion.
The seat for Commissioner was orchestrated in a similar fashion.
You had an incumbent who represented his district with a clear and
honest message: growth is good for Gwinnett County.
On the other hand, you had a highly emotional and overzealous homeowner
activist who viewed the current and future needs of Gwinnett (without
true vision) from 10,000 feet. Although balance is always preferred
to single-mindedness, in this case, the Gwinnett BOC retained an
individual who understands what makes Gwinnett County a great place
to live.
Thanks again for allowing the readers to make discoveries through
qualified information.
-- Tony Arakawa, Berkeley Lake
9/3: Finds site against
president's saber-rattling
Editor, the Forum:
I make reference again to Bush's saber-rattling, and projected
war with Iraq. A retired Presbyterian minister, whom I highly regard,
has put me in touch with the "Moveon" organization, which
takes a strong stand against Bush's proposed unilateral action.
You may already be familiar with these efforts, but in case not,
suggest you visit their web site at http://www.moveon.org/nowar/
I have signed the petition. I would be interested in your response.
-- Bill Crosland, Sugar Hill
WHAT'S YOUR PET PEEVE? Send your peeve Gwinnett
Forum for future publication.
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