TODAY'S ISSUE
"Gwinnett Reads" presentation set for Gwinnett courthouse
By Pam South
Judge, State Court of Gwinnett
Special to GwinnettForum.com

LAWRENCEVILLE, Feb. 10, 2006 -- I have been a judge since 1999 in Gwinnett County and am now facing my most difficult case: The State vs. Tom Robinson. The charge is serious: the rape and beating of a young woman. And Tom Robinson, a hard working man who has never been in trouble before, who has a wife and children, is adamant that he is innocent.

Judge South

Unfortunately for Tom Robinson, the bigoted citizens of his community have already prejudged his case, simply because he is a black man and his accuser is a white woman.

You may have heard of this case, but not in the newspapers. It is the fateful trial set out in the legendary novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee. The racial issues of the South in 1935 are interlaced with the story of a young girl, Scout, who sees the world through the eyes of an innocent and who learns that her father, lawyer Atticus Finch, is a man of quiet courage.

(For history devotees, the case has some resemblance to that of the nine young men, all under age 19, who were convicted of rape in Scottsboro, Ala. in 1931. Less than two weeks after the allegations were made, all nine were tried, convicted, and eight were sentenced to death. The case was appealed to the United States Supreme Court.)

The Gwinnett County Public Library has chosen this literary classic, To Kill a Mockingbird, for its reading program, "Gwinnett Reads." The program provides an opportunity for the community to read, to celebrate, and to learn from this 1961 Pulitzer Prize-winning book that has influenced generations of readers and yes, lawyers.

I will soon have the privilege of playing the trial judge in a Phoenix High School drama production of this case. Under the direction of teacher Hill Jordan, the students will present the case to me and perform scenes from the book at an event for "Gwinnett Reads" on March 3 at 7 p.m.

We will convene in the Gwinnett Historic Court House on the Square in Lawrenceville, and the public is invited to attend. (All other events associated with this program, including a personal appearance by actress Mary Badham, who played Scout in the 1962 film adaptation, can be found at www.gwinnettreads.org.)

This program offers the community an opportunity to read or re-read this book and to learn the universal truths that it offers: that childhood provides us with a unique view of the world; that innocent people often suffer; and that racism offends the conscience of mankind.

Tickets are free, but required. Call 770 822 5333 for tickets.

ELLIOTT BRACK
All too often governments take short-sighted directions
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
GwinnettForum.com

FEB. 10, 2006 -- All too often, expediency wins. We can't see the forest for the trees.

Unfortunately, even the forest is gone now. Drive Interstate 85, heading north just before Highway 316. Just before Georgia Highway 316, look to your right. Once about a 100 foot barrier of trees were there before clearing began, now that area is to be part of an expanded 316-I-85 interchange.

What bugs us is that a short-sighted move caused long term problems here. Areas along Breckenridge Boulevard were originally zoned for commercial buildings. It¹s not unreasonable to have business activity, even adjacent to a highway. It might even be a plus for the business.

But when land tract sales began to stagnate, the property owners did what so many others have done: they panicked, and sought a change in the zoning, so they could sell the property quickly. Developers of multi-family housing had no qualms about purchasing the property, and plunking down multi-family housing. After all, there was a barrier of trees between the property and the highways, right?

Well, not any more. Now people living in these units will get the full blast of interstate noise, with the tree barrier not there. It makes the property and housing less desirable, and perhaps, even less safe, especially for small children.

But the re-zoning property owners who won re-zoning? Probably long gone, cash in their pockets, and no cares in the world. They got what they wanted, with never a qualm.

And Gwinnett? Another victim of short-sighted goals.

We often see many people, especially politicians, taking the short and easy route, disregarding the long term consequences. Locally, you may remember:

Highway 316 itself. It was the late 1970s when the four mile portion between Georgia Highway 120 and U.S. Highway 29 was opened. Cut out of that road budget was building four bridges over Highway 316: at Collins Hill, Georgia 20, Hurricane Shoals Road and at the U.S. Route 29, for a savings back then of $20 million. Today it would probably cost ten times that to bridge those four intersections.

The Outer Perimeter: Gov. Roy Barnes cut this project out from consideration, perhaps for political as well as environmental reasons. This move halted relief of Interstate 285, and may have doomed an alternate route between I-75 and I-85 for years and years.

The Ronald Reagan Parkway. As built, it dumps traffic onto inadequate Pleasant Hill Road, miles from the interstate. A far wiser decision would have extended it to I-85.

Luckily, sometimes, we get saved from ourselves. When the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center was built in 1986 with the county's first SPLOST dollars, initial plans were for occupying only two floors, though three were built. But before the county could cut off the sales tax, it had collected $69 million, not the $57 million projected. So, the county finished the upper floor, saving taxpayers no telling how much, compared to finishing it later.

Another long term savings for Gwinnett are county police cars. Years ago, the county decided that "one officer, one patrol car" was preferable to having the automobiles be driven on a 24/7 basis by three officers. As a result, Gwinnett County police extend the use of the car far more than driving a "hot" car. And, when police park their cars in the neighborhoods where they live, it gives our police a wider presence. Such a policy is a big savings all around, and not "short sighted" in its results.

You may know of other short-sighted savings local governments, and even businesses, are considering. Do your part to help leaders see a bigger picture, and save more money in the long run.

ABOUT OUR SPONSORS

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McLEMORE'S WORLD
2/10:

The latest from cartoonist Bill McLemore:

FEEDBACK
2/10: Is this another freedom that we have lost - wearing T-shirts?

Editor, the Forum:

To what degree have we lost freedom of speech in the United States?

Two women were put out of the House Chamber of the U.S. Congress for wearing T-shirts during the president's State of the Union address. One T-shirt clearly questioned the war in Iraq; the other T-shirt called on U.S. citizens to support the troops. One woman was the guest of a congresswoman. The other woman was the wife of a congressman. One woman was arrested before the event even started; the other one they simply put out of the chamber during the talk.

Are T-shirts becoming seditious? Will we soon be parading them through the courts of the country in order to test the degree to which they are protected by the First Amendment? Is there now a secret dress code for patriotism, which, if we violate it, makes us all liable for prison until we learn to mind our political manners?

If it's T-shirts under this administration, will it be tiny little baby-feet lapel pins in the next? Or even crosses? If a pro-war Republican's wife had not been one of the T-shirt wearers, would the other woman still be in jail?

This situation demonstrates both the ridiculous and the dangerous at the same time. The whole situation may seem funny to some now but are we in danger of losing our right to our freedom of speech and expression?

-- Ralph Greene, Snellville

2/10: A self-publishing house located just down the road

Editor, the Forum:

I read Pat Montgomery's column about self-publishing with great interest, primarily because I'm in the business of helping people do just that -- publish their own books, right here in Gwinnett. I'm just sorry that Pat didn't know that one of those self-publishing companies she described was just down the road.

At our company, United Writers Press, Inc., an aspiring author can gather all the information he or she needs by attending one of our Author School sessions, in which all publishing options are discussed, from the New York publishing houses to doing it all yourself. And we can provide all of the services you need: proofreading, line edits, cover design and layout, printing or printing management (dependent on the quantity), market planning, and soon, distribution. We're the "Not All By Your-Self Publisher."

I got into this business the same way that Pat did -- I self-published a book in 2002. And like most of us, I dreamed of having my books in the front of every Barnes and Noble. I may yet accomplish that‹and I believe that I will -- but it isn't easy to do, frankly, without a lot of dollars, a lot of friends, or a lot of luck if you choose to self-publish. (The bookseller's return program Pat mentioned refers to the fact that the national chains don't buy books; they order them and if they don't sell within a week or two, they go back where they were ordered from.)

We'll put your book on our website and on Amazon, and make it available to bookstores nationwide through our wholesale contract so that people can order it, even if it isn¹t on the shelf. The best part of working with us, though, is that you see us face to face, so you know your "baby" hasn't drifted down a black hole.

I agree with Pat. Closet authors arise! There are many wonderful stories that need to be heard, information that needs to be shared that will never be in the two per cent of submitted manuscripts chosen by the larger royalty publishing houses. Maybe you just want some books for the family reunion, or you're a teacher and you want your students to experience being published. That's why we started United Writers Press -- so that more of those stories lost in the 98 percent will still be heard.

But, please understand that writing a book is not a get-rich-quick scheme. Come and talk to us about what you're getting into before you go and spend that hard-earned money of yours.

-- Vally Sharp, Tucker, Co-owner United Writers Press, Inc

UPCOMING
Gwinnett police plan job fair on Feb. 18 to grow force

The Gwinnett County Police Department is currently seeking to grow its force and will hold a job fair on Saturday, February 18 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Gwinnett County Police Headquarters building located at 770 Hi-Hope Road in Lawrenceville.

The nationally accredited department is recruiting for the following positions: Senior Police Officers ($35,685 plus $2,000 hiring incentive) and Entry Police Officers ($33,197 plus $2,000 hiring incentive).

Applications and background questionnaires are available online at www.gwinnettpolicejobs.com. Job applicants may bring a completed application package to the job fair or fill out an application on-site. Military service, a criminal justice degree, or prior police experience may exempt some applicants from taking the entry-level test.

Applicants for police officer must be 21 years or older by the date of hire and must be Georgia residents with no felony convictions. Questions about the application process or what documents to bring should be directed to the Professional Standards Unit at pdrecruiter@gwinnettcounty.com or (770) 513-5038.

Sierra Club to hear chapter officials at Feb. 16 meeting

February's meeting of the Gwinnett Sierra Club is set for February 16 at 7 p.m. at Willow Run Condos. Mark Woodall, Sierra Club chapter liaison and Neill Herring, club lobbyist, will speak about the Georgia legislative session

Come see and hear what the Gwinnett Sierra Club is all about, and what activities involved in, as we "Explore, Enjoy, and Protect the Planet".and work to improve the health of our neighborhoods and environment". Meetings are held the third Thursday of each month at the Willow Run Condos off Club Drive across I-85 from Gwinnett Place Mall. See map at the following link: http://tinyurl.com/4y9gb

For more information, please visit http://georgia.sierraclub.org/gwinnett/ or phone 770 921 0242.

NOTABLE
Peachtree Industrial Boulevard to get road improvements

Real-time traffic control is coming to Peachtree Industrial Boulevard. Fiber-optic cables and television cameras will be installed under a $1.26 million contract awarded by the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners in December.

The new equipment being installed by World Fiber Technologies, Inc. will run along Peachtree Industrial Boulevard from Holcomb Bridge Road to Rogers Bridge Road. It will connect to the Gwinnett Traffic Control Center allowing County staff to monitor traffic flow and adjust signal timing in response to actual conditions. Construction of the project is expected to take 18 months.

The project only includes the fiber communication cable and CCTV Camera's for Traffic Surveillance. Variable message boards/signs are not included in the construction.

The automated traffic management system is being funded through the Gwinnett SPLOST program.

Several county departments move to former evacuee site

Gwinnett County will use a former Wal-Mart building at 455 Grayson Highway in Lawrenceville, as Records Management, the Health Department, Voter Registration and Elections Departments will share space in the building. It will also be used for general storage for three other county offices. The county bought the building last June for space to assist Hurricane Katrina evacuees.

Voter registration and elections staff will be consolidating facilities currently housed at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center (GJAC) and three other buildings. This move will provide 10,000 square feet of office space plus 20,000 square feet to house voting equipment and elections records under one roof. This location will be open to the public for voter registration and absentee voting.

The new records center will be approximately 32,000 square feet, a much-needed and long-awaited expansion of the current facility at the GJAC building. Public health will move into a new, 40,000 square-foot facility during phase two of the building renovation. The remaining 14,000 square feet will be used for storage by the County's tag office, fixed assets and facilities management

RECOMMENDATION

• 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 TIDBIT
Blues music in Georgia traces origins to slavery times

Ray Charles

Blues music traces its origins back to the time of slavery, when black slaves drew upon their African cultural roots to modify the European musical conventions of their white masters. Characterized by melancholy notes that express suffering and deprivation, the blues evolved from slave work songs into a distinct musical heritage that spread from the plantation fields of Georgia and the South to the urban streets of Chicago and beyond.

During the first half of the 20th century, blues pioneers emerged throughout Georgia and converged in Atlanta. In the Decatur Street taverns, pianist "Georgia Tom" Dorsey from Villa Rica played a robust blues that came to be known as the "barrelhouse" style. He later devoted himself to composing gospel blues. Ma Rainey, one of the great vaudeville singers of the period and probably the first female blues performer, grew up in Columbus and claimed to have sung her first blues concert at age sixteen. Her gravelly voice and simple style attracted Dorsey, and they played together for many years. Rainey and Dorsey eventually collaborated with Smithville native Tampa Red, who was a master of the slide guitar. Another pioneer of the female blues genre, Ida Cox, made her first blues recording in 1923.

Blind Willie McTell from Thomson remained a staple of the Atlanta blues scene despite his frequent departures on one-man performance tours. A singer and twelve-string guitarist, he was known as an eager collaborator among his Atlanta peers, including barrelhouse blues player Willie Lee Perryman, also known as "Piano Red." Blind Willie and Piano Red were two of the few blues musicians of the time who kept Atlanta as their permanent home.

As the blues moved around the country, it also influenced musicians working in other genres, including Ray Charles, the soul pioneer from Albany; Little Richard, the rhythm-and-blues/rock-and-roll crossover artist from Macon; and Joe Williams, the acclaimed Cordele-born jazz singer.

• To access the Georgia Encyclopedia, go to http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
  
  

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
Feel suspended faculties typical of all in military service

"My mental faculties remained in suspended animation while I obeyed the orders of higher-ups. This is typical with everyone in the military service."

-- Marine Major General Smedley Butler (1881-1940), via Marshall Miller, Lilburn.

• Another invitation: What's your favorite saying? Share with others through GwinnettForum. Send to elliott@gwinnettforum.com.
  

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