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Northeast Georgia foundation tops $17
million in assets
By
Judy Waters
Executive Director
Community Foundation of Northeast Georgia
Special to GwinnettForum.com
DULUTH, Ga., Feb. 20, 2007 -- This past year has been a record-setting
one for the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia (CFNEG.)
The Gwinnett County based non-profit increased its total asset value
to $17.4 million and was able to give out over $4.1 million in grants
to 155 local non-profit organizations.
Waters |
The grants were given to organizations as diverse as the Boys and
Girls Club and the Children's Shelter here in Gwinnett County, to
the Teen Program based in Winder sponsored by The Piedmont Regional
Library System in Barrow County, and the production of "Smoke
on the Mountain" in Forsyth County performed by the Medallion
Performing Arts Center."
In 2006, CFNEG also took an extra step and hired an independent
investment consultant manager to oversee the Foundation's investments.
As we continue to grow, it becomes more and more essential that
we strengthen our fiduciary responsibility.
In January 2006, the Cobb Community Foundation partnered with CFNEG.
Sue Wootton, executive director of the Cobb Community Foundation,
said: "We're excited about this new relationship. Our two counties
share many characteristics and goals, and by coming together we
can each realize important economies and efficiencies for our individual
operations."
The mission of the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia is
to assist donors with their charitable giving. By attracting and
managing the charitable funds of private, non-profit, and corporate
donors, the organization strives to address the most pressing needs
of the citizens of the 10-county area it serves. The Foundation
houses approximately 217 funds, and added 29 additional funds in
2006. The Gwinnett County Schools Foundation Fund, Inc. is one of
their most recent additions, enabling the two organizations to combine
their strengths and provide supplementary resources for area educators.
Through March 1, 2007 CFNEG is accepting grant applications from
area non-profit organizations. These grants, which will be given
out April 17 at CFNEG's annual Appreciation Evening, are made possible
by donors who have requested that all or a portion of their contributions
be used to meet the most urgent requirements of the community. For
the next several years, CFNEG's grant-making activities will be
focused on programs that help children and youth and the elderly.
For more information about the Community Foundation for Northeast
Georgia contact Beverly Estafen or me at 6500 Sugarloaf Parkway,
Suite 220, Duluth, Ga. 30097, visit their website at www.cfneg.org
or call 770-813-3380.
For information about the Cobb County Community Foundation contact
Sue Wootton, 1985 North Park Place, Atlanta, GA 30339, visit their
website at www.cobbfoundation.com
or call 770-953-6865.
Lake Lanier to get $300 million upgrade, adding
three hotels
By
Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
GwinnettForum.com
FEB. 20, 2007 -- Major change is about to get underway at Lake
Lanier Islands, and it'll be done quickly and we would suggest right,
as Gwinnett businessman Virgil Williams and his family have held
the lease on the property for 18 months.
Brack |
It's going to be a far different place, an upscale destination
developed over 7-10 years and costing up to $300 million. Before
it's over, plans call for three more hotels on the Islands, and
another 18 hole golf course, and more.
Phase 1 includes work centered on Emerald Point Hotel, which will
see 117 more rooms added, including 45 rooms in a new wing, and
72 in new cottages on the grounds. It'll open the new hotel rooms
in April, 2007. Its golf course will be upgraded , existing rooms
will be retrofitted, and both restaurants will be re-built and expanded.
The hotel will get a new front entrance and lobby. Work will be
done while the hotel remains open.
Other change will include a yacht club, major wellness center and
spa and retail shopping. The re-development will be in phases, with
the first phase costing $50 million, to be complete by spring of
2008, except the new hotel wing, set for spring of 2009.
Meanwhile, the 20 previous cottages on the island have had minor
upgrades, and are now ready for occupancy.
However, the first hotel on the Island, PineIsle, has been closed.
In Phase 2, this hotel will be torn down and rebuilt into a four
star hotel. Altogether, some $100 million is the price tag for Phase
2.
Williams, who says he is now feeling fully recovered after having
a bout with lung cancer in the fall of 2005, is not only bringing
new capital, but new energy to the island resort, which was first
opened in 1975, and is operated by the Lake Lanier Islands Authority.
The concept and plans have already been approved by the Authority.
Williams and his children wholly own Lake Lanier Islands Management
Inc., which leases the property. Williams insists that he is a minor
stockholder, though he is chairman of the board.
Daughter Mindy is overseeing decorating and artistic touches; son
Mike is the key management official; and son Brad is over construction.
The third son, Virgil Jr., is on the board, but not active day-to-day,
running his own manufacturing firm, Williams Enterprises of Loganville.
Lake Lanier Islands were privatized in 1996, says Joe Tanner, who
oversaw this for Gov. Zell Miller. The original lessee, KSL Recreation
Corp., sold the lease to C&L REIT out of Orlando, Fla. Tanner
says: "They bought all of KSL, but they never wanted Lake Lanier.
It didn't fit into what they were doing worldwide."
Williams says that he started discussions with KSL in early 2005.
"They wanted out, and it came to my attention. We started negotiations
that lasted about six months, and ended operating it effective July
1, and closed in September of 2005." Williams's lease is for
50 years, with the lease guaranteeing Lake Lanier Authority $3.2
million a year until certain thresholds are met, with a percentage
on top going to the Authority after that time.
On tap eventually for the Islands will be 7.5 miles of new roads,
22 miles of additional walking trails, a new entrance, gates, sewer
and water lines. The Authority will have an income stream from the
lease for these improvements, with a possibility of bonding the
financing to compress the construction period. Williams says that
so far his company has operated the improvements with their own
funds, but could go for financing of certain improvements over the
years if needed.
It's good to see a local entrepreneur back at the helm of developing
Lake Lanier Islands into a major new attraction for this area of
Georgia. Go get 'em, Virgil!
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Questions use of charitable
dollars by Gwinnett hospital
Editor, the Forum:
While I believe our county has to maintain our healthcare facilities
in order to keep our quality of life at a high level, I feel the
need to express concern for the money our non-profit hospital spends
on sponsoring other non-profits in our community---whether through
the Gwinn. Medical Foundation or through the marketing area of the
Gwinnett Heath System.
Seems to me that the Gwinnett Ballet, Aurora Theatre, the Gwinnett
Chamber, the United Way, the American Cancer Society, while all
are worthwhile causes and except for one, are related to healthcare.
They should be supported through individual dollars and not by the
citizens of Gwinnett as one body through our tax dollars.
Someone needs to represent taxpayers in questioning the tens of
thousands of dollars that are spent in sponsoring events for an
image---and maybe scale back until the hospital can generate more
donations to support this type of spending.
Events related to fundraising specifically for our hospital would
be a more worthwhile expense. I would like to understand what they
are trying to achieve by doing this, because I don't.
I am a taxpayer of Gwinnett...and I do appreciate all the good
the medical staff of Gwinnett Medical does for our community and
citizens. Some portion of money for sponsorships I suppose could
be important---but not at the level they are currently spending.
-- Ashley Griffith, Duluth
Dear Ashley: John Riddle, head of the Hospital
Foundation, says that the mission of the hospital is to keep the
community healthy, and part of that responsibility is educating
the community on the excellent health care in the area. But the
medical community is also competitive, and seeks to influence
key people. Part of this is done by sponsorships through Medical
Center marketing. "We feel it is important to support causes
that have influences on the community. We don't sponsor without
negotiating an opportunity to speak to our audiences. Our mission
in education is the most effective and best investment we make."
Riddle also says that all donor monies given
to the hospital foundation are to provide better health care.
This money goes to the cause that the donor requests, such as
new equipment or services at the hospital. Ten years ago, contributions
to the Foundation were $300-400,000 annually, but in recent years,
it has been over $2 million.--eeb
No precedent found,
but look at career of John Quincy Adams
Editor, the Forum:
In the last Gwinnett Forum, Elliott Brack wrote, "...has there
ever been a political figure in this country who was governor, then
president, then senator?"
I don't think so. However, John Quincy Adams was first a career
diplomat, then President, and later served in the House of Representatives.
-- Carrie Mook Bridgman, Lilburn
Dear Miss Carrie: Right you are. And what a preparation
for that career of long service, starting out as his father's
15 year old secretary, as I remember it, when John Adams was negotiating
with the French in Paris!--eeb
Sierra
Club presents two films about global warming
Find out just how real Global Warming is and what you can do about
it. The Greater Gwinnett Group of the Sierra Club invites the public
to free film screenings and discussions on Saturday evenings during
February.
Find out about energy and global warming at the meeting, which
will be at St. James Lutheran Church, 4845 Jimmy Carter Boulevard,
Norcross. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the films will begin at 7
p.m.
On Saturday, February 24, the feature film is Power of Community,
an uplifting film about the Cuban people losing access to Soviet
oil in the early 1990s, and how they survived through cooperation,
conservation and community.
A second film, French Fries to Go, documents the origins
of Telluride, Colorado's biodiesel project, and features cameos
by Daryl Hannah, Dennis Weaver and Dr. Andrew Weil.
For more information, please contact Annette Gelbrich at apgelbrich@yahoo.com
or leave a message at 770-923-0905.
Gwinnett Medical Center
offers workshop on menopause
A workshop on menopause entitled "Let the Change Begin"
will be held at Gwinnett Medical Center on February 24 from 9 a.m.
until 1 p.m. This workshop is presented by Dr. Edmund Kim, author
of Perimenopause, Menopause and Beyond, and Sharon Baker, president
of the Women's Information Network.
Statistics show that 4,000 women enter the menopausal phase of
their life each day. Referred to as 'the change of life,' menopause
is a process that begins around age 35 and ends around age 65. The
workshop will provide the latest research about menopausal health
issues, recommended screenings, and treatment options. Questions
and discussion will be encouraged.
The conference will be held at the Gwinnett Medical Center Education
Center, 1000 Medical Center Boulevard, in Lawrenceville. The registration
fee is $20, which includes a copy of Dr. Kim's book, a boxed lunch,
a workbook and bone density screening.
To register (required), call HealthLine at 678-442-5000, or register
online at www.gwinnettmedicalcenter.org
(click on Classes and Events).
Gwinnett Chamber plans
re-development forum on March 1
A re-development program is being scheduled by the Gwinnett Chamber
of Commerce for Thursday, March 1, at 11:30 a.m.
The special luncheon on "Redevelopment and Gwinnett's Pro-business
Environment" will feature several topics. They include: Partnership
Gwinnett Perspective - Strategies and Framework; Redevelopment Powers
Law; Key Characteristics Needed for "Redevelopment"; Incentives
for Redevelopment; and Doing Business - Special Case Study.
The forum is geared towards business and property owners in major
corridors; investors in Community Improvement Districts; counsels
with environmental specialty; county and municipal planners; and
environmental engineers.
The program will be at the Chamber building's John D. Stephens
room. There is no charge for the program, but RSVP is required,
since seats are limited. For more information or to RSVP, contact
Ashley Risher at ashley@gwinnettchamber.org
or 678-957-4944.
United Way Legacy Awards
set to honor four local women
Women's Legacy of United Way in Gwinnett will host its fourth annual
Women's Legacy Awards Gala, featuring guest speakers Mayor Shirley
Franklin, City of Atlanta and Mark O'Connell CEO & President,
United Way of Metro Atlanta. The annual Gala raises money through
ticket sales, silent auction items, and sponsorships. Gwinnett Medical
Center and Primerica are Legacy and Presenting Sponsors respectively.
Proceeds from the 2007 Gala will be used to support nonprofit agencies
throughout Gwinnett County. Since the Gala's inception in 2004,
event proceeds have yielded $125,000+ in grants benefiting 37 Gwinnett
based nonprofit agencies.
The event will be March 9 at the Gwinnett Place Marriott at 7:30
p.m.
The honorees include Carole Boyce, a member of the Gwinnett School
Board; Judy Waters, president of the Northeast Georgia Foundation;
Phylecia Wilson, a volunteer with the American Cancer Society, and
Judy Fowler Ottley, community philanthropist.
Past recipients of Women's Legacy Awards include Anna Shackelford,
Paige Havens, Jackie Beasley, Kathryn Willis, Edith Harvey, Mary
Root, Marion Allison Webb, Carolyn Hill, Gloria Berry, Barbara Howard,
Kathy Malone and Louise Radloff.
Norcross
has top finance officer in entire state of Georgia
Smith |
Rudolph Smith, finance director for the City of Norcross, has been
chosen as Finance Officer of the Year by the finance officer's association.
The award was given at a luncheon at the Carl Vinson Institute of
Government recently during the City Clerk and Finance Officers school
at the University of Georgia. In attendance were Mayor Lillian Webb,
City Administrator Warren Hutmacher, Human Resources Director Ann
Ray and Clerk Susan Brooks. Mr. Smith has been finance director
of the City since 1998. He has 26 years in city government, and
was previously in Alapaha, where he was city manager.
Three Snellville police
officers at national conference
Perry |
Snellville Police Cpl. Greg Perry has been named the National Criminal
Enforcement Association's Street Level Interdiction Officer of the
Year. More than 400 officers attended the recent eighth annual winter
conference at the Gwinnett Place Marriott Hotel. Perry has been
with the Snellville Police Department since 2002 and is a member
of its first motorcycle patrol unit. He has been the street level
interdiction officer of the year because of his exemplary service.
Also, recognized at the 2007 conference were Snellville Officer
Andre' Sullivan for the largest street level seizure of ecstasy
and Officer Jeff Manley for the largest street level seizure of
U.S. currency in 2006.
- 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
Early Georgia
found pockets of French immigrants as settlers
In the 18th and early 19th centuries, distinct populations of French
immigrants arrived in Georgia-Huguenots, Acadians, refugees
from the French Revolution, and colonists in flight from slave rebellion
in Haiti.
The Huguenots were French Calvinists who fled religious persecution
under Louis XIV; they came to Georgia via South Carolina. John Wesley,
the founder of the Methodist Church, reported visiting a French-speaking
village near Savannah in 1737. By 1745 an Anglican priest in Savannah
offered to hold services in French for their benefit.
The Acadians arrived in Savannah as unwilling emigrants. The 400
Catholic Acadians sent to Georgia found themselves in a colony that
forbade the practice of their faith. The destitution they experienced
encouraged many to accept passports to leave Georgia in the spring
of 1756 and travel to colonies farther north. The 100 to 200 Acadians
who remained behind built huts outside Savannah. At the war's conclusion
in 1763, the Acadians left Georgia, and resettled in the French
colony of Haiti.
With the outbreak of revolution in France, a stream of French immigrants
came to America, mainly between 1790 and 1793. In Georgia the largest
communities of refugees were located in Savannah and Augusta, but
pockets of French settlers found their way to Wilkes County, as
well as to the barrier islands of Sapelo, Jekyll, and Cumberland.
The increasing number of French Catholic refugees in Georgia at
the end of the 18th century led to a stronger presence of the Catholic
Church in the state. A French-speaking congregation received a trust
lot in Savannah in 1799 to build a Catholic church. The small wooden
chapel on Liberty Square, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, opened
its doors in March 1801. By 1810 a largely French parish was also
organized in Augusta, and the Church of the Most Holy Trinity was
completed in 1814.
The French identity was still intact in 1825 when Lafayette received
delegations of French descendants in Savannah and Augusta during
his tour of Georgia. By mid-century this identity had largely disappeared
through assimilation.
What it takes for you
to change for what you want
"Become the change you want to see - those are words I live
by."
-- Oprah Winfrey, via Cindy Evans, Duluth, Ga.
Send your thoughts, 55-word short stories, pet peeves
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Forum for future publication.
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is an online community commentary for exploring pragmatic and sensible
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