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WIKA, Gwinnett Tech team up for third Leadership class
By Lauren Anderson
Special to GwinnettForum.com

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga., July 13, 2007 -- The third group of existing or rising leaders from WIKA Instrument Corporation, the Lawrenceville-based manufacturer of mechanical pressure gauges and bimetal thermometers, has graduated from the company's Leadership Academy.

Developed and delivered by instructors from Gwinnett Technical College specifically for WIKA, 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.

Elizabeth Rivera, continuous improvement leader with WIKA, says: "The academy has really helped me in so many ways." She participated in the first Leadership Academy class last spring and has been with the company for 20 years. "It has defined my role as a leader. It also helped me to understand the different areas in our company. By listening to others' opinions, I have a better picture of how things are happening at the different levels at WIKA. It also gave me an opportunity to recognize my potential, my weakness and how to get the best of it. Through the learning I achieved [at the Leadership Academy] I have built the courage to go further to try new areas at work that I would never have tried before."

The Leadership Academy helps the company to continue to promote from within, drawing upon the skills and talents of the nearly 600 WIKA employees at its Gwinnett facility.

Gwinnett Tech helped develop WIKA's Leadership Academy to provide a formal, challenging training plan to address the skills existing and potential supervisors need to be successful in WIKA's environment. The Leadership Academy is an example of the company's efforts to remain competitive in an industry faced with many challenges.

Thomas Biggs, warehouse parts supervisor, who has been with WIKA since 1997 adds: "I think the [Leadership Academy] is a great opportunity for supervisors and managers. It allows you to see the in-depth side of being a leader. Every person in a lead position should take this program; it only helps us to become a better company in our day to day operation. I have applied a lot of what I learned and it has helped to strengthen my department."

Eric Barnes, quality assurance/quality control leader with WIKA, says that the Leadership Academy has provided essential soft skill training, as well. "Specifically, the review of business writing skills has helped with the clarity of my daily written communications such as emails and reports."

WIKA selects the employees for participation in the Leadership Academy, which includes meeting with Gwinnett Tech instructors for eight hours every other week over a nine-month period on the college's campus. Participants are given numerous reading and other assignments, as well as group and individual projects before completing and graduating from the program.

The Leadership Academy prepares individuals for basic to advanced leadership roles through 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. Future classes of the Leadership Academy are planned for 2007-2008.

Philip Beard second Gwinnettian in GMA Hall of Fame
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
GwinnettForum.com

JULY 10, 2007 -- A significant honor came Philip Beard's way the other day, as the Georgia Municipal Association honored him with a prestigious Hall of Fame award. The award was presented at the GMA convention in Savannah.

Beard, who has been on the Buford City Commission since 1975, including 20 years and the last 10 years as chairman, was praised for his long service with distinction. GMA Executive Director Jim Higdon said: "Chairman Beard's record of accomplishment is long and impressive. He is quick to give credit to others, but those who really know him know that his city would not be what it is today without his leadership, vision and determination."

Beard says of the recognition: "It's quite an honor, one I didn't expect." There's reason he didn't expect it. The awards started in 1992, and for the last 15 years, the association presidents, including Norcross Mayor Lillian Webb, were automatically given the distinction. He is the only other Gwinnettian so honored, while 28 other "ordinaries like me," as Beard says, have been given the award.

The chairman of the GMA nominating committee, Gordon Mayor Ken Turner, notes: "Under (Beard's) leadership, his city has thrived in one of Georgia's fast-growing dynamically changing counties, while still maintaining a special identity. …his vision lead to the early expansion and development of the necessary infrastructure to support the rapidly growing needs of the area."

He also noted that Beard formed "a connection with the arts community…and soon world renowned artists began to locate on Main Street (in Buford.) Old store fronts were modernized, buildings were renovated and enthusiasm soared. Today his downtown is bustling with activity and energy."

Beard is proud of his town. "It was just a 10 block area on the railroad tracks when I came on the Commission Now Buford is up and down Highways 20, 13 and 347 and Friendship Road. The old commercial district is renovated, big nice homes are here, we have samples of what went on in the past which we keep up, and look good, and we have street scaping completed downtown and plan to do more on South Lee Street."

Another aspect to Buford's revitalization is the city adopting strict regulations for building in the city, a throwback to the name "Brickton," which Mobil Land called its development when it started developing in the city. "We've pretty much gone to all-brick facades," Bears points out. "Come look at our Wal-Mart, or the new Steak 'n Shake. They are all faced with brick."

Beard is also proud of his growing tax digest, up $400 million in the last year, with that last year's growth "bigger than some cities." The town's estimated population is now 12,000, though the post offices now serves 70,000 people.

All the while, taxes are low, less than 25 mills, as commercial activities make-up 76 per cent of the tax digest. "Our commercial district is filling up as fast as they build them. We zoned all property years ago, and have few challenges. You don't see fights on zoning in Buford. It allows the politicians to stay in office."

The city also operates its own gas, water, electrical and garbage service, and has a $101 million budget, the largest of any city in the county. (Lawrenceville is next largest with $92 million. These two town budgets are higher than, for instance, than the $45 million Duluth budget, since both town operate their own utilities.)

We're pleased to see Philip Beard so honored, on being recognized for his major contributions to the City of Buford over his 32 years in office. Here's a great big

The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. Today's sponsor is Hayes Family Dealerships with Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Chevrolet, Buick, Pontiac, GMC and Cadillac. Mike, Terry, Tim and Ted Hayes with Robin Haynes of Baldwin and Stan Roberts of Toccoa invite you into their showrooms to look over their line-up of automobiles and trucks. Hayes has been in the automotive business for over 35 years, and is North Georgia's oldest family-owned dealerships. The family is the winner of the 2002 Georgia Family Business of the Year Award. Check their web sites at: www.hayeschrysler.com or www.hayeschevrolet.com or www.hayesgmcars.com.

Did you notice the front page of the AJC Monday (July 9.)? It looked more like the front page of a small town weekly than that of a major metropolitan newspaper.

One story ("Long Commutes") belonged in the metro section, another ("Coke Scores Nascar Coup") belonged in either the business or the sports section, probably the former. Another story ("Large Decatur Church Calls Woman as Pastor") belonged in the Faith and Values section on Saturday, and a final story ("Old South Iron Built on Slaves' Sweat") belonged as a feature item in the Sunday Travel section. (By the way - this is news? Happened over 140 years ago!)

By the way, my denomination, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has had female ministers for over 30 years. Oh, well.

Must have been a slooooooow news day.

Where's the Gwinnett Daily News when you need it?

Want an opportunity to meet the movers and the shakers of your community? Do you have a question or concern about Snellville that you would like to discuss with the mayor or council members, but you've never been introduced to them?

Snellville residents will have a chance to talk with the mayor, city council and department directors. Join Mayor Oberholtzer for a "Mayor's Night In" on Wednesday, July 18, from 6-8 p.m. at Snellville City Hall, 2342 Oak Road, in Conference Room 145 on the first floor. Refreshments will be served in the Community Room. No prior reservations are necessary.

Lionheart Theatre Company will present Tom Sawyer, a musical adaptation of the Mark Twain classic on July 19-21 at the Norcross Community and Cultural Arts Center in downtown Norcross. Tickets are $10 of adults and $5 for kids under 10 and include dessert served after the performance.

The play was written by Mary Donnelly and George L.O. Strid, and will be directed by Tanya Carroll, and is idea for the entire family. The play is ideal for the whole family. Actors of all ages tell the tale in song an dance.

Performances are on July 19-20-21 at 2 p.m. with an additional performance July 21 at 7:30 p.m. For reservations, go to www.lionheartheatre.org or call 770-806-0935.

In anticipation of the June 13 theatrical release of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, and the much anticipated release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the Gwinnett County Public Library will be hosting a number of special events.

Theatre Gael presents The Most Magical Writings of J.K. Rowling at 2 p.m. at libraries in Buford on July 16; Five Forks on July 17; and Duluth on July 18.

The library will also screen all four Harry Potter movies at the Five Forks and Suwanee branches on July 19 and 20. These magical afternoons will also feature exciting Harry Potter trivia and prize drawings. The movie at Five Forks will be at 1 and 4 p.m., while at Suwanee it is at 12 noon and 3 p.m.

In a recent survey conducted by Amazon.com that sought to identify the Most Harry Potter towns and cities in America, 13 towns and cities in Georgia appeared on the list). Of these thirteen cities in Georgia, five were in Gwinnett County: Suwanee, Loganville, Lawrenceville, Norcross, and Lilburn. For more information, go to www.amazon.com/gp/feature.

For additional information call the Library Help Line at 770-978-5154, or visit www.gwinnettpl.org.

The Mustangs will offer the best of yesterday's and today's music as part of Suwanee's Music Main Street concert series, presented by Quantum Bank. The Mustangs will perform at 7 p.m. Friday, July 20, at the Burnette-Rogers Pavilion on Main Street in historic Old Town. The concert is free and open to the public.

Redpepper, an advertising, marketing and branding firm, invites non-profit organizations to submit applications for CreateAthon®, scheduled for September 13-14, 2007.

CreateAthon is a 24-hour blitz during which Redpepper provides marketing and creative services to local non-profit organizations on a pro-bono basis.

This is Redpepper's first year as a CreateAthon participant, and this is the first year an agency in Georgia has participated in the annual event. Over the last eight years, agencies participating in the CreateAthon have provided marketing services to 102 non-profit organizations, producing 243 projects with an estimated market value of $1.5 million.

The round-the-clock creative and design work will begin at 8 a.m. on September 13. During this 24-hour period, the entire Redpepper team will devote their time and talents to a creative marathon to benefit its CreateAthon non-profit clients. Work will be presented to the non-profits on September 15 at 8 a.m.

The deadline for CreateAthon 2007 applications is July 31, 2007. Organizations selected by Redpepper to receive services will be announced on August 10. For an application, visit www.redpepperinc.com/createathon or contact Abby Wilkerson at abby@redpepperinc.com.

The Braselton Business Association elected new officers at its annual meeting with Carlos Llorens, right, a Cotton States Insurance agent, as its new president. Founded in 2002 to promote businesses located in Braselton and maximize business networking opportunities, the association has grown as large and small businesses opened or relocated to the town. Other officers are Pattie Howard of Peoples Mortgage Services, Attorney Rakhi Dalal of the Fitzgerald and Burruss, LLC and Carol Smith of Keller Williams Realty. Mary Stover of the Braselton-Stover House is the immediate past president. The association meets the second Tuesday of each month at 8 a.m.

Dramatically revising the Pleasant Hill Road bridge over Interstate 85 is now closer to commencement following recent action from the Gwinnett Place Community Improvement District (CID).

CID Board members approved $150,000 to fund an Interstate Modification Report (IMR) for the District's highest-priority project - reconstruction of the Pleasant Hill Road from a traditional crossing into a versatile single-point urban interchange.

The Federal Highway Administration requires an IMR to justify to Federal officials the need for replacing bridges over Interstates. It is a complex analysis requiring 12 to 18 months to complete. Receiving IMR approval from county, state and federal authorities is a critical step to eventually create engineering documents and begin construction for the Pleasant Hill Road project.

County Commissioners are expected to vote on an agreement to initiate the IMR process during their July 17 meeting.

Gwinnett Medical Center has again been awarded the Certificate of Distinction as a Primary Stroke Center. The recognition came from The Joint Commission, an independent, not-for-profit organization and the nation's largest healthcare standards-setting and accrediting body.

The award was first granted to GMC in 2005. The Joint Commission's Certificate of Distinction for Primary Stroke Centers recognizes centers that make exceptional efforts to foster improved patient outcomes for stroke care.

"We just came across Tony Barnhart's book, What It Means To Be A Bulldog, issued in 2004. Any University of Georgia football fan will devour this book, as Barnhart simply talks to key figures in UGA football history, allows them to tell their stories, giving the reader new insight into the storied tradition of Georgia football. We dipped into it finding especially meaningful the stories of Bill Hartman Sr., Lindsay Scott, Billy Payne, Lewis Grizzard (not a football player, but a fan), and many others. It's a fun book, one UGA fans will cherish."

G eorgiaites, found in the soil of Georgia's Coastal Plain, are rare natural glasses produced by asteroid or comet impact. These rounded, translucent olive green masses average one to two inches in diameter and commonly have pitted surfaces. Georgiaites, like arrowheads, are often found in areas where the soil has been disturbed, such as in freshly plowed fields and gravel pits. Of the approximately 1,700-2,000 georgiaites found to date, most are from Dodge and Bleckley counties, although a few have been found in surrounding counties. Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of georgiaites is their age; scientists have dated several of them at 35 million years old.

Superficially, georgiaites look like volcanic glass, or obsidian; however, there was no volcanic activity in or near Georgia 35 million years ago, and georgiaites lack the mineral crystals that characterize volcanic glass. Natural glasses of the same age from Texas, called bediasites, and smaller spherules of glass dating from the same era have been found in deep-sea sediments off the eastern coast of North America and in the Gulf of Mexico All of these glasses, including the georgiaites, are known as tektites.

All tektites are thought to be impact glasses; that is, they represent material that was melted as a result of heat generated by the impact of an asteroid or comet on the earth. The energy produced by one of these impacts is tremendous-some meteorites travel at velocities of more than forty miles per second before they hit the earth, and the largest of these meteorites produce craters. The energy released by a large impact can result in the melting of a thin layer of the earth's uppermost crust. The chemical composition of tektites is consistent with this idea; tektites have the same chemical makeup as the rocks of the earth's crust. Some scientists had suggested at one time that tektites came from the moon, but lunar rock samples have been found to be chemically distinct from most tektites.

Georgiaites and the other tektites are natural curiosities, but they also have a modest commercial value as collectibles. Some tektites, especially the moldavites, are quite pleasing in appearance and are made into jewelry.

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