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TODAY'S ISSUE
Bank's program teaches kids about the world of money
By Lauren Anderson
Special to GwinnettForum

LAWRENCEVILLE, May 19, 2006 -- A bank teaching kids about money. What a novel idea - to have a lesson come straight from the horse's mouth, or in this case, the pig's mouth.

Gwinnett's oldest locally-owned bank, The Brand Banking Company, and its mascot, Brand the Pig, is spreading knowledge about money, financing and banking to its future customers.

The bank's teachings help kindergartners through middle-schoolers understand that money really "doesn't grow on trees," a common mantra they so often hear from their parents.

Missy Johnson, business development manager with Brand Bank, says: "It's important for a child to learn at an early age the value of money. We know that by educating these young minds now, it helps them stand a better chance of being financially successful and fiscally responsible down the road. We also know that by making these lessons fun and interactive for the kids, we stand a better chance of getting our message across in a way that the kids will remember."

Participants in the bank's management trainee program create the lessons, customizing the curriculum for different age groups. When the trainees deliver the lessons at each school, it's more than just lecturing students on various aspects of money. The Brand Bank "teachers" involve the students through age-appropriate games, stories, giveaways, activities and photos with the bank's beloved, costumed-mascot, Brand the Pig.

The lessons are invaluable and teach young students, for example, about debit cards and checks, how money is made and when and where it comes from, lending and borrowing, and the importance of saving for personal goals.

"When we began the program about a year ago, we had plans of going into a few community schools in Snellville, Grayson and Lawrenceville," said Johnson. "The teachers were so happy with how it supported their own lesson plan that word traveled. After our initial visits, we started getting requests from teachers at other schools asking us to bring our lessons there, as well. We've even had Cub Scouts come into our facility for training in our board room, and have given onsite bank tours to elementary classes as part of this initiative."

Continual requests coming in from teachers, organizations and other avenues will keep Brand Bank busy educating children about money this year - and will likely uphold mascot Brand the Pig's status as one of the area's most sought-after swine.

For more information on Brand Bank's school involvement initiative program or how your school can participate, contact Ginger Stephens, 770.963.9224 ext. 269 of by email at gstephens@brandbanking.com.

ELLIOTT BRACK
Making C's, helping students out, politics and pink bats
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
GwinnettForum.com

MAY 19, 2006 -- School is nearing the end of another term, and John Howard of Howard Brothers Hardware in Duluth and I were talking about what we remembered about school the other day. John, who moved from Norcross to Cleveland, Ga., was remembering when one young girl said to him and his mother. "….and I made all A's in high school, except for one B."

John, never missing a lick, and with a straight face, surprised his mother when he said: "I never made but one B, too!" And with that, the late Rachel Howard hugged John. You see, John says that his grades usually came in at the C level.

But that was another era. Today John and his brother, Doug, not only run a successful and expanding hardware and lawn equipment business, but John is the chairman of he board of Peachtree Bank. And he's on the board of Truett McConnell College in Cleveland.

He reminds me of the late Scott Hudgens of Duluth, who made millions in many business ventures, but is best remembered for developing malls all over Georgia. And Scott gave millions away. On more than one occasion, he gave money to colleges for C students. His reasoning: "Those who make A's and B's get their scholarships, but those like me who made C's, need encouragement, too." On grades, he also told me: "I thought it was a waste of time to make anything higher than a C."

Among Scott Hudgens dreams before his death was for the establishment of a National Cemetery for veterans. Scott eventually gave land, some 775 acres, for a veterans cemetery. That cemetery is in western Cherokee County, and opened last month for the first burials.

On Sunday, June 4, the dedication of that cemetery will take place at 2 p.m. with the keynote speaker being the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, James Nicholson.

A Georgian who headed the VA, former Senator Max Cleland, was instrumental in helping get the land designated for a national cemetery.

From time to time, people and firms raise this question, which we got in an e-mail this week:

"Does GwinnettForum allow online advertising for political candidates? If so, please let me know the costs for two months of advertising, and the turn-around time."

We're pleased when someone wants to tell their story in GwinnettForum. After all, while the Forum is free to readers, there are costs associated with its production and publication. Funds from supporters help offset these costs.

However, years ago we decided (upon being asked) that we would not accept political advertising in GwinnettForum. While we don't mind differing opinions and sometimes outrageous comment, we'll keep the site free of partisan political support aimed at our readers.

We also want to accept no funds from any arena that might appear to compromise the integrity of the site. By being a moderated forum, that means we review all material, and often edit it for length and clarity, before publication. We are not like a blog, many of which allows one then another to spout off with their partisan views with no restriction. We work hard to ensure the credibility of GwinnettForum.

Best promotion of the year so far: pink baseball bats. We like good news ideas, and by major league baseball using pink bats in Sunday games to boost Breast Cancer Research, they did a good job of making their cause better known. Some guys did well enough with pink bats….that they might consider using them more often!

The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. Today's sponsor is Just Emissions, a firm performing State of Georgia emission testing as certified by the Georgia Clean Air Force (GCAF). We eliminate the potential conflict of interest in the test and repair facility by performing only the test, never the needed repairs. For our commercial accounts we offer charge accounts and a single source of record keeping eliminating the need to "scramble" when it is time to purchase vehicle tags. Just Emissions offers certified emission testing in minutes by our courteous, trained technicians. In Gwinnett, we are located at the corner of Scenic. and Grayson Highways in Lawrenceville. There are also locations at 1830 Briarcliff Road, Atlanta, close to Emory University. No appointment is needed.

Before the city council on May 17, a number of Norcross citizens expressed opinions on a proposal to purchase the historic former Methodist Church and its 3.2 acre complex as a community center, using $2 million of the $5.5 million SPLOST funds the city expects to receive. A majority of speakers favored the Church purchase. The City Council will vote on the contract proposal in its June 5 regular meeting.

Several months ago, Mayor Pro Tem Michael Lovelady approached Church owners and negotiated the contract now before the community for public input as part of a new open land procurement policy approved by council this year. The new policy requires council to consider total costs of ownership. Previously, land transactions took place in executive session without public knowledge or input.

Situated on land donated by the City's founder, J.J. Thrasher, the original Church was built in 1875. The church and rectory overlooking city hall on Lawrenceville Street are listed in The National Registry of Historic Places.

Some residents expressed concern that the Church property, if not purchased by the City and utilized for a community center, will be at risk for unsympathetic development. Advantages for purchasing the Church property include:

Council members voted May 1 to hire Urban Collage, Inc. to revisit the earlier LCI study and produce a Master Plan for its implementation. Part of the Master Plan study is a proposed Cultural Arts Center on another site over-looking the historic ball field where the log cabin now sits on College Street. Future plans for an Arts Center and proposed Town Center Plaza/fountain off Skin Alley will to be considered in a later hearing.

Our grass roots group has put material on its website explaining the alternative options. We would like to see the preservation of the 1875 church as a conference/senior citizens/teen center, providing immediate benefits and parking relief to assist downtown revitalization. Our website may viewed at www.SaveHistoricNorcross.com

Joe:

I am sorry to hear that you feel that we are intentionally attempting to be unresponsive to the public. I am not aware of any recent attempt from you to contact us about these projects prior to your e-mail. If we have missed your call or e-mail, I apologize.

Specifically regarding your assertion that Gwinnett DOT is a "Black Hole of Information", I would emphatically assert that we maintain summary sheets for all projects in the 1997, 2001 and 2005 SPLOST Project Lists. We try to keep the information up-to-date as much as possible. (I am sure that you are aware that the 1997, 2001, and 2005 lists together number around 700 total projects.)

These lists are always available at our front desk here in Gwinnett DOT. As stated above, we show no record of your requesting any recent information regarding these project lists. If we have missed any such request, please let us know. We would be happy to sit down with you and go into any detail you wish about the status of projects in any of our SPLOST Lists.

Your e-mail included several specific questions, and an Open Records Request. I have asked our staff to research the specific questions you asked and follow up. We will respond to your Open Records Request in accordance with State law and our current procedure. (By copy of this reply, I am forwarding your e-mail to our Open Records Section for handling.)

If you would like to get with me or any of my staff to discuss specific projects further, please feel free to contact me either by phone or e-mail.

The first Suwanee-Duluth Farmers Market of the season opens in Suwanee Saturday, May 20. The market, which offers just-picked fruits and
vegetables, flowers, herbs, and more, will be open from 8 a.m.-noon every other Saturday through September at Town Center Park. The market will be in downtown Duluth on alternating weekends.

Among the spring crops anticipated to be available at the May and June markets are: applewood chips, arugula, beets, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, English peas, green beans, herbs, hostas, Japanese maple trees, kale, lettuce, mustard, potatoes, radishes, spinach, spring onions, turnips, water lilies, and yellow squash.

In July and August, the summer crops will begin coming in. Expect to find: beans, blueberries, corn, crowder peas, cucumbers, eggplant, fennel, herbs, hostas, kohlrabi, okra, peppers, squashes, tomatoes, watermelon, and zucchini.

Other dates on which the farmers market will be in Suwanee are June 3 and 17; July 1, 15, and 29; August 12 and 26; and September 9 and 23.

The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) of Suwanee has issued a request for proposals for development of the 0.37-acre Pierce's Corner property in historic Old Town.

The DDA purchased the property on Main and Scales streets last April. It now is seeking developers who are interested in leasing or purchasing the property, rehabilitating the 6,000-square-foot Pierce's Corner building, and constructing a new mixed-use building as outlined in a conceptual plan created by Atlanta-based design firm Urban Collage.

Jane Keegan, Suwanee's DDA manager, says: "This offering represents the first development project to be undertaken by Suwanee's DDA. We hope to generate a lot of interest in this unique opportunity in a growing, upscale market."

The conceptual plan for the property at 597 Main Street proposes two possible options for a new building to be constructed along Scales Road, a one-story or two-story building with 4,500-10,000 square feet. This two-story mixed-use building and the rehabilitated Pierce's Corner would have retail space on the ground floor and office and/or residential space above.

Ideally, Keegan says, the development would offer a mix of unique, locally owned, sophisticated retail, restaurant, and entertainment businesses that would generate traffic throughout the day and evening.

Among the possible businesses that would be feasible are a studio cinema, upscale restaurant, wine shop and bar, chocolate shop, unique book or toy store, Italian market, artisan gifts, or Ticketmaster outlet, to name just a few.possibilities, Keegan says.

The DDA envisions that the project will emphasize pedestrian design and other elements noted in the Old Town Overlay District, which provide for a traditional relationship between buildings and public spaces.

The deadline for proposals is June 30. For additional information, contact Jane Keegan at 770/945-8996 or jkeegan@suwanee.com.

The Gwinnett Place Community Improvement District (CID) has selected new officers.

Mark Williams was elected to serve a one-year term as chairman, and Scott Rolston was named vice chairman for a year. The two are taking over for Tom Wheeler and J. Bruce Williams, respectively, who remain board members.

Mark Williams has had leadership positions with the Gwinnett Parks and Recreation Authority and the Cardinal Lake residential community,. He operates Printing Trade Company, which his family has owned for 35 years.

Scott Rolston is the general manager of Gwinnett Place. His professional experience includes almost 20 years in shopping center management. Prior to transferring to Gwinnett in 2002, he was the general manager of a location owned by Simon Property Group in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Also on Wednesday, CID property owners voted to re-elect Wheeler and Glenn Wisdom to additional three-year terms as Board members. Wheeler is the president of Wheeler/Kolb Management Company; Wisdom is the store manager of the JC Penney at Gwinnett Place Mall. Wisdom will serve as the Board's secretary/treasurer.

More information about the Gwinnett Place CID and its ongoing projects is
available online at GwinnettPlaceCID.com.

Cemeteries from past eras have long been a significant part of Georgia's history. The need for their preservation has never been greater. Increased urbanization across the state, along with a dilution of respect and reverence for cemeteries, has resulted in their destruction by development, neglect, abandonment, and vandalism.

Laws are in place that prohibit disturbing human remains and associated burial objects. Violators may face fines and even felony charges. Once a grave is damaged or destroyed, however, there is little hope of properly restoring it to its former condition.

Often the best protection for a cemetery comes from the local community. That protection should start with maintenance. Concern for restoring and maintaining historic cemeteries is mounting across Georgia as more previously unknown graves come to light because of increasing development in rural areas. In cemetery restoration both money and manpower become critical issues. The principal, most viable force for cemetery care is the effort of descendants or concerned community members themselves. They are the most effective caregivers and protectors of any private cemetery. It is a role long played in the South-those who have loved ones or ancestors in a cemetery carry on the responsibility of taking care of those cemeteries.

In addition to providing maintenance, families and others often are interested in recording the information a cemetery holds. Publication of the tombstone inscriptions in many Georgia counties has been one way to record and preserve the information in a cemetery and provide proof of its existence. Making photographs, and if possible a video recording, will enhance the record of the cemetery and be a good reference for future repair projects. Recording a cemetery should also include seeing that its existence and location are marked on current county land-deed records and tax maps. Marking the cemetery on public records, including the statewide cemetery location database, will help ensure that it is known and protected by future landowners, developers, zoning boards, and planning commissions.

A number of Georgia counties have benefited from the efforts of organizations or individuals who have worked to identify, record, and publish information on their county's cemeteries. For example, the Gwinnett Historical Society has been one of the most active groups in its continued efforts to identify and record all cemeteries within the county's boundaries. The society published a book documenting marked burials and known cemeteries, and placed a map at the county courthouse marking these locations. Other counties, such as Cobb, have cemetery commissions that work closely with county planning, zoning, and permitting boards to ensure that the cemeteries are protected when land-use decisions are made.

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