TODAY'S ISSUE
Gwinnett adopts policies for active adult communities
By Randal Winfield
President and Broker
Winfield Realty Group, Inc.
Special to GwinnettForum.com

OCT. 17, 2006 -- Are you an "Active Adult"?

Winfield

Of course you are, but you may find yourself asking, what is an "Active Adult?" This is typically an "empty nester" over 55, who may be retired or close to retirement, but certainly not ready to be in an "old folks home" or to be "put out to pasture". They are senior adults who are engaged daily in their work and community, while living a very active and healthy life style.

So what is an "Active Adult Community?" They are designed and built for the active senior adults. The communities typically have a club house and offer activities for the residents. Some communities offer many amenities and may even include lawn care! The homes may be either detached or attached, are typically one story and offer the latest styles and quality upscale features, but are built on a slightly smaller scale. That way, residents can still have a nice home, slightly downsize and not give up quality and important features they have become accustomed to enjoying.

Many active adult communities are only "age-oriented" and do not have any age restrictions and may attract families with children. In fact very few of these new or existing communities are age restricted. True "Active Adult" communities have age restrictions for age 55 and over and must be occupied by at least one resident who is age 55 or older. Those communities are marketed as such according to federal laws.

So you're ready to downsize and move to an active adult community, but you don't want to leave Gwinnett County? Well, thanks to new rules adopted by Gwinnett County government, the county now has provisions in place for creating "Age Restricted Active Adult" communities right here in Gwinnett. We are one of only two metro counties in Georgia with a "Senior Housing/Active Adult" zoning code .

Gwinnett took the steps to ensure that all new developments under this new code will also be age restricted and marketed as an age restricted community according to federal laws. The homes will be required to be low maintenance, built primarily of brick and or stone, with common grounds maintenance, with resident age restrictions and marketed as an age restricted community while being in close proximity to commercial areas and services or amenities such as libraries and parks.

Our seniors play a vital role in the community and have much yet to contribute to Gwinnett. Our seniors are part of the reason "Success lives in Gwinnett."

I would like to thank Mike Williams and the entire planning department, the planning commissioners, Chairmen Charles Bannister, District Commissioner Lorraine Green, and the entire Board of Commissioners for taking a pro-active stance to help keep the county's 55 and over population here in Gwinnett County.

Most especially, I want to thank Paula Hasting for partnering with me to help spearhead this effort long ago. As a result of numerous conversations about the need for senior housing in Gwinnett and much work and effort, we now we have new active adult zoning codes in place and our seniors have a place to call home in Gwinnett County.

ELLIOTT BRACK
School board asks to speed construction of new classrooms
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
GwinnettForum.com

OCT. 17, 2006 -- Since Gwinnett schools continue to need more classrooms each year, the School Board is taking steps to ensure that it has more funds to build schools quicker.

Brack

A question on the November ballot will ask voters to approve a "hurry-up" bonding program that won't cost property owners a dime.

"What's this?" you ask. "You blowing smoke and mirrors at us?"

No, seriously. Here's why: voters on November 7 will be asked in Gwinnett to approve extending the Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST III). If approved, this will bring to the system $1.1 billion dollars for construction of new schools and expand other schools over the next five years. Voters in the past have understood that growth in the county produces a constant need for more schools. Voters have recognized the relatively painless method to pay for these schools through the penny sales tax. It also means that people from outside the county shopping in Gwinnett will help pay for our schools.

We anticipate voters will approve this move, as they have in two previous E-SPLOST votes, both by wide margins, E-SPLOST I by 70.72 percent in 1997, and E-SPLOST II by 78.73 percent in 2001.

However, since the county is needing more classrooms faster than the sales tax collection will come in, the School Board adds a new wrinkle this election. When voting on the E-SPLOST, the Board is asking voters to give the School Board the authority to borrow money through special bonds (Tax Anticipation Bonds) against the anticipated SPLOST money coming in. This will provide the county schools with the money "up front" to build schools sooner. In turn, the bonds are paid off as the sales tax comes in later in that year.

In effect the Tax Anticipation Bonds fill the funding gap each year by providing the money in January. These bonds are paid off in December of each year, but the School Board has use of the money for the year in advance to build schools sooner.

Seriously, it's not "smoke and mirrors." It just a funding management program that reaps benefits for the School Board to provide as much money in as short a time as possible to provide for new schools.

Put it another way: it saves the county money in the long turn by building classrooms, instead of housing students in mobile classrooms, or trailers. That in itself most parents will agree with.

Since the bonds are paid off with sales tax dollars, it does not affect the property taxes. It's really a way to speed the cash flow of monies to the schools.

Yet legally, to borrow such monies even when the money will be paid back the same year, the School Board must get the approval of the citizens of the county.

The actual wording on the ballot for E-EPLOST will read:

Shall a special one percent sales and use tax be continued in the special district of Gwinnett County for a period of time not to exceed 20 calendar quarters and for the raising of an estimated amount of $1,100,000,000, to be distributed among the Gwinnett County School District and the City of Buford School District for the purpose of funding the following projects

(i) for Gwinnett County School District

(A) acquiring new sites for the construction of new schools, support facilities and athletic facilities and the expansion of existing schools and support facilities;

(B) developing sites and constructing and equipping new schools, support facilities and athletic facilities;

(C) making additions to, acquiring or renovating and equipping existing schools, support facilities and athletic facilities;

(D) making system-wide renovations, additions, and improvements to bus and parent pick-up driveways, facility parking lost and purchasing school buses;

(E) making existing lease/purchase payments with respect to the acquisition of new and existing schools and support facilities; and

(F) modernizing technology and making system-wide technology improvements (collectively, the "Gwinnett Projects"), at a cost of approximately $1,081,300,000;

(ii) for the City of Buford School District, acquiring, constructing, installing and equipping additions or improvements to the facilities and equipment of the City of Buford School District at a cost of approximately $18,700,000? If continuation of the tax is approved by the voters, such vote shall also constitute approval of the issuance of general obligation debt of the Gwinnett County School District in the principal amount of not to exceed $425,000,000 for the purpose of funding all or a portion of the Gwinnett Project.

We urge Gwinnettians to approve E-SPLOST and this funding gap measure.

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FEEDBACK
10/17: Forum hears from someone who is a Christian conservative

Editor, the Forum:

Thanks for posting the two letters supporting the Republicans, because it shows you are not biased, even though I sense you favor Democrats. Me, I'm not either one, but I am a Christian Conservative, and neither of the above mentioned parties fit me.

-- Roy McCreary, Dacula

Dear Roy: Most of the media try to be fair to all concerned, and show an independence from either party. It's hard for some people to understand the difference in presenting information in news areas, and showing opinion on editorial matters. Good newsmen know these boundaries, and try not to cross them. --eeb

Finds no Christians nor Conservatives in either of the parties

Editor, the Forum:

Two different feedback entries in Friday's edition (October 13) confirmed my suspicions that the Republican Party has become desperate in this year's election season. They really don't need to be.

While the President clearly does not call the Mercantile Exchange to set oil and gas prices daily, the fact that the vice president held secret meetings with energy execs in early 2001 to set energy policies may have something to do with the price of gas dropping an entire dollar per gallon within a month, only weeks before the elections. Advantage, Republicans.

Diebold's CEO publicly declared a victory for President Bush's 2004 re-election bid in Ohio. Diebold is a provider of a large percentage of the voting machines used around the country and in Georgia, which have been found to have numerous problems with counts, all in favor of Republican candidates. Advantage, Republicans.

In my Congressional District John Linder is the Republican representative and is running unopposed. He is not alone. Advantage, Republicans.

While I am a registered Democrat, I never have voted party line for the sake of keeping that party in power. I also find no Christian nor conservative behavior in either party's leadership. Some other views:

• Attacking and invading another nation which had absolutely nothing to do with 9-11 is not Christian, conservative nor liberal.
• Failing to take care of the elderly, poor and indigent is also very un-Christian like.
• Spending trillions of dollars you do not have is not conservative either.
• Using fear to justify lining the pockets of your wealthy friends and parents is not Christian or conservative.
• Blaming any single party for these issues is a fool's game.
• ALL are guilty of war crimes and treason and theft against the people of the United States in my estimation.

Vote on the individual and their integrity. Any representative who has voted his or her party line is clearly in the game for themselves and considers their constituents only those who pay for their campaigns. To pretend any political party holds beliefs of any kind in this day and age is to live in a state of denial.

Both partys' leadership are in this for the sake of power and have and will continue to use any means to justify their ends, total power. Total power is called Totalitarianism. Do we really need more of that?

-- Roger Hagen, Lilburn

Dear Roger: Let us correct one thing you wrote: you are not a registered Democrat, for Georgia does not require anyone to register by party. In the primary, you must choose a party for that day and in any runoff that results. In the General Election, you may vote for any candidate you choose. But only one vote per office, please. --eeb

UPCOMING
Georgia Gwinnett hosts Meadowcreek at first open house

Georgia Gwinnett College will welcome 80 high school seniors from Meadowcreek High School on October 18 for the college's first-ever Open House. The students will spend a half day on the college's campus learning more about the college experience and how to apply to GGC.

Students will have a pizza lunch with GGC faculty and current students, try out college classes in biology and psychology, and hear words of encouragement from Georgia Gwinnett President Daniel J. Kaufman and GGC Foundation Board member Jose Perez.

Event organizer Dr. Holly Haynes, a GGC psychology professor and 1993 Meadowcreek graduate, who is responsible for pulling together the visit with Meadowcreek High School. Dr. Haynes holds three degrees from Harvard University and is doing this as an opportunity to give back to her high school alma mater.

Aurora's Children's Playhouse begins this Saturday

Playhouse to present Little Red Riding Hood

Aurora Theatre continues its award-winning line-up in the second segment of the 2006-2007 Aurora Children's Playhouse. Among performers scheduled are Lee Bryan, Sherri Norfolk and Peter Hart.

The performances are scheduled at the Hudgens Arts Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, in Duluth on October 21, 28 and November 4 at 10 a.m. Tickers are $5 for adults and $7 for children. For reservations, call 678.407.6690.

The schedule includes:

• October 21, Big Bad, Little Red, Pig Show with Lee Bryan, That Puppet Guy. Little Red Riding Hood and the Three Little Pigs are cleverly squished together with just one wolf to share in all the hilarious fun. In what equates to a really bad day for a Big Bad Wolf these childhood favorites are given an exciting new twist.
  
  
• October 28, Spine Tinglers & Ticklers, with Sherry Norfolk. A zesty upbeat program designed for a howling Halloween giving kids a taste of haunting stories for a flavor of the season. But, not so scary stories so that children can have a good time without the nightmares.
  
  
• November 4, Animalympics with Peter Hart. What would it be like if animals had their own Olympics? Wacky Puppet Fun! Learn important values, character building and more in this action packed production, originally developed for the Olympic Village of the 1996 Olympics.

Braselton kicks off holiday season in early November

Members of the Braselton Business Association will usher in the holiday season with "An Old Fashioned Christmas" festival in early November.

The traditional festival of trees will be presented November 1-18 inside the Braselton Antique Mall on the corner of Georgia Highways 53 and 124, downtown. The free festival features trees decorated by individuals, civic groups and schools in vibrant period decor. After the competition for grand prizes, the trees will be for sale.

On Saturday, November 4 the festival presents crafts and food vendors at the Antique Mall beginning at 9 a.m. The annual Christmas parade will be held on Georgia Highway 53 at 4:30 followed by the traditional lighting of the town's tree at 5:30 hosted by the Braselton Rotary Club.

"The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" will be presented in the Braselton Park at 6:30 p.m.. The family-themed classic movie in the park is co-hosted by the Braselton Lions Club.

For information about the craft and food vendors, parade entries or other activities associated with Christmas in Braselton, contact Pattie Howard at 678.898-4143.

NOTABLE
Gwinnet Tech quickly expanding language programs

Anticipating and responding to the area's changing workforce needs, Gwinnett Technical College has dramatically expanded its communication and language programs, moving quickly to embrace the changing demographics of the region.

This year, Gwinnett Tech has conducted English as a Second Language (ESL) classes for 80 percent more students than last year. Plans are in the works to increase offerings even more. The growing class offerings are directly related to the college's evaluation of future workforce trends in the county.

In just three classrooms on the campus of Gwinnett Tech last quarter, for instance, there were students from 35 different countries that came together to learn English as a Second Language. In addition to the growing Hispanic community in Gwinnett, Gwinnett Tech has also seen a rise in students from Asia, Europe, Brazil, Germany and Russia, to name a few.

Last year, Gwinnett Tech served more than 1,300 students through its continuing education ESL classes. And those numbers are expected to increase throughout this year. Fall quarter enrollment figures alone are already exceeding more than 450 registered students for these classes.

New to the program is the ESL intensive four-day course. Students attend class four days a week (either mornings or nights) to learn grammar, writing, pronunciation and conversational skills. Previously students attended classes only two days a week. The four-day-a-week option provides the speediest route to mastering the language.
Gwinnett Tech's ESL courses, from the most fundamental - meaning the student knows no English - to the college level, are always at full capacity. Gwinnett Tech also offers specialty courses for those interested in bettering their English conversational or speech skills.

English-speaking students are also flocking to Gwinnett Tech to learn a new language - Spanish. The college's Spanish I, II and III classes are constantly full. For more about one of these or other language and bilingual skills courses at Gwinnett Tech, call 770.995.9697 or visit www.GwinnettTech.edu/ce.

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 TIDBIT
Russell Library at UGA depository for political research

The Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies is a center for documenting and promoting the study of Georgia's modern political history, policy, and culture. When the Richard B. Russell Foundation was established at the University of Georgia in 1970, its mission was to collect and preserve materials that document the life and career of Richard B. Russell Jr., U.S. senator from Georgia from 1933 to 1971. In the space of three decades, what began as a memorial to one of the most influential senators in modern times has evolved into a premier repository for papers of individuals and organizations. The library's holdings document the American political system and support research in politics and policy in Georgia and the nation.

Entrance to library

The Russell Library has been compared in importance to the presidential libraries, but it covers a broader range of subjects and a much longer period of time than most presidential collections. Its holdings demonstrate the breadth and diversity of Georgia's political life for more than a century.

During the 1960s representatives of the University of Georgia Libraries corresponded with Senator Russell on several occasions about donating his papers. In 1969 a group of Russell's friends persuaded him that a foundation should be established to document his life and career. The Library was incorporated in June 1970.

Unlike the collections of some of Russell's contemporaries, such as Hubert Humphrey, Everett Dirksen, and Carl Albert, the Russell Library never received federal appropriations. After the senator's death in 1971, the Russell Foundation and its first chair, U.S. senator Herman E. Talmadge, raised a significant endowment to establish the library and to fund a Russell chair in history at the university. Working with the University System Board of Regents and University of Georgia officials, the foundation trustees agreed to locate the Russell Library on the ground floor of the university's main library, with its own entrance. In 1974 the executors of the Russell estate turned over the Russell collection to the foundation, which then transferred it to the university. In June 1974 the Russell Library was dedicated.

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

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
Ever wonder what is the fastest thing in the world?

"Nothing travels faster than the speed of light with the possible exception of bad news, which obeys its own special laws."

-- Douglas Adams (1952 - 2001), "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy"

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

MORE: Contact Gwinnett Forum at: elliott@gwinnettforum.com

© 2006, 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.

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GwinnettForum.com
Number 6.55, Oct. 17, 2006

TODAY'S ISSUE: Gwinnett One of Two Metro Areas With Active Adult Communities
ELLIOTT BRACK: School Board Seeks New Funding Method For Faster Classrooms
FEEDBACK:Two Letters Concerning Two Previous Letters
UPCOMING: GGC Hosts Meadowcreek; Children's Program; Braselton Yule Plans
NOTABLE: Gwinnett Tech Expands Language Program To Meet Demographics
GEORGIA TIDBIT: UGA's Russell Library Depository for Political Research
TODAY'S QUOTE: : There's One Concept That Travels Faster Than Light



NEW LEADERS: WIKA Instrument Corporation, a Lawrenceville manufacturer of temperature and pressure instrumentation, graduated its second class of employees from the company's Leadership Academy last week. Graduates include from left, Janja Tadic, Priscila Forde, Nicole Lomax, Ronald Sperling, Neal Boynton, Thomas Biggs and Kuldeep Patel. Developed and delivered by instructors from Gwinnett Technical College, the Leadership Academy is customized for existing or up-and-coming supervisors to equip them with the tools to be successful leaders within the company. The Academy has 144 hours of training in 18 areas, including fundamental leadership, communication, business writing, conflict resolution, ethics, diversity in the workplace, finance for managers, quality management systems and enforcing safety procedures.

Click above image to find
lowest gas prices in Atlanta

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