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Duluth dentist wins certified forest stewardship award
By Stasia Kelly
Georgia Forestry Communications Specialist
Special to GwinnettForum.com

DULUTH, Ga., Sept. 7, 2007 -- A Gwinnett County dentist who owns 360 acres of forestland in rural Hancock County has received the 2007 Certified Forest Stewardship Landowner Award. Slade Lail, of Duluth, was honored with the commendation by the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) at a banquet culminating a GROWS (Georgia Recognizes Our Woodland Stewards) Conference at Callaway Gardens.

Buford Sanders, GFC Stewardship Forester, says: "Slade Lail personifies what it means to be a good steward of the land. He enthusiastically embraces recommendations provided through GFC's Forest Stewardship program, including activities for reforestation, prescribed burning, wildlife habitat and Best Management Practices, to preserve water quality. He is deserving of this award, which is being presented for the very first time."

The Georgia Forestry Commission administers the Forest Stewardship Program, which is sponsored by the USDA Forest Service. The program provides landowners with technical assistance that encourages and enables long-term forest management. The GFC GROWS program provides a way for landowners to network and become more involved in critical forestry issues.

Lail is recognized for his proactive forest advocacy. He testified before Congress this year regarding benefits of cost-share programs provided through the Farm Bill. He also is noted for networking with fellow landowners and opening his PlumbDent Farms near Sparta during Field Day events and special gatherings.

GFC Senior Forester Gregg Jameson, who nominated Lail for the award, says: "Slade is a champion in many ways. He's especially fond of kids and sponsors hunts for challenged youth, the Boy Scouts, and others who have not had the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. He is very generous with his time and with his land."

Lail, in accepting the award, said: "I'm humbled and honored to be recognized for something I enjoy doing so much. Everything I do by being a good forest steward will help benefit my children and the next generation. That's gratifying."

For details about the GROWS program, visit the www.gagrows.com. For more information about the Forest Stewardship program and the Georgia Forestry Commission, visit www.gatrees.org.

County plans massive effort for speedy pouring of concrete
By Heather Sawyer
Special to GwinnettForum.com

SEPT. 7, 2007 -- A concrete truck every two minutes for 14 hours! That is that is what officials are calling "a significant event" scheduled soon as part of the Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources (DWR) Yellow River Water Reclamation Facility modernization project.

Construction on the modernization of the plant is progressing on schedule. The contractor has reached a stage that requires an extremely large concrete pour at the plant property. The magnitude of the effort required is significant, and area residents are being made aware of possible impacts from construction traffic and noise.

The concrete pour is necessary to construct equalization tanks. Pizzagalli Construction Company, the contractor performing work at the site, estimates that 30 concrete trucks per hour will be necessary for about 14 hours. Managing the logistics of such a massive undertaking is complex. Traffic along Tom Smith Road, where the plant is located, must be considered, as well as the impacts of heat on the concrete during the pouring and curing process. For these reasons, the work will be performed overnight, between 11 p.m. Friday, September 7 and 7 p.m. on Saturday, September 8.

Trucks will be staged on the plant site, meaning traffic is not expected to back up onto Tom Smith Road. However, police officers will be stationed at the entrance to the plant on Tom Smith Road and also at the intersection of Tom Smith Road and Five Forks Trickum to ensure public safety during the increased traffic congestion. Signs along Tom Smith Road will notify drivers of the traffic expected over the weekend.

The Yellow River plant modernization project is part of ongoing upgrading and consolidation of the sewage treatment in the Yellow River Basin, as recommended in the County's Master Plan developed with input from area citizens. Increasing capacity of the Yellow River plant will decrease the County's operating and maintenance costs by allowing flow to be diverted from two smaller, aging treatment plants which will eventually be removed from service. Treated flow that is discharged from the Yellow River plant will also meet higher standards than the flow currently coming from the smaller facilities. Pollutant loadings will decrease due to stricter permit requirements.

More information about the Yellow River plant modernization project can be found at www.yellowriverwrf.com.

South Gwinnett Rotarians hear latest college update
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
GwinnettForum.com

SEPT. 7, 2007 -- Next Thursday the South Gwinnett Rotary Club will be marking its 25th birthday. The club meets Thursdays at the Northwood Country Club.

Each week, as in many civic clubs, programs form an important element in the life of this and other civic clubs. For instance, on Sept. 6, Dr. Dan Kaufman, president of Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC), returned to talk to South Gwinnett Rotarians, giving them an update of what has been going on at the college in its infant year. In addition, Dr. Kaufman told of what the college would be facing in the coming year.

Before GGC opened, officials were told to plan for perhaps as many as 3,000 students during its first full year of operation, which began this August. However, that figure has not materialized, which Dr. Kaufman addressed when asked after his remarks.

"We have a total of 852 students," Dr. Kaufman said. "I had thought we might have 1,000 myself. I was surprised at what not being accredited would do." A new college cannot become accredited until it has graduates, and cannot apply for graduation until it is open. GGC has submitted its application for accreditation, and expects to be admitted for the process next year.

When a college is not accredited, course work routinely cannot be transferred to other colleges. However, any credits at GGC can transfer to other units of the University System of Georgia. Kaufman also says that students enrolling at private colleges have also been able to get GGC credits transferred, because of the high quality of the GGC instruction.

Next year, Dr. Kaufman feels, since the college will then be up for accreditation review, there will be far more students---he expects 3,000. "By 2012, we'll have 10,000 students, I fully expect," he says.

Meanwhile, work is already underway on expanding the campus buildings. The largest expansion will be for the $28 million library that the Legislature funded. A parking deck is already underway, funded by student fees, while coming soon will be both a student center and recreation center, both also funded by student fees. The student center will include food service, book store, and overall student activities facilities. A new Health Science building is anticipated by 2010, funded through the strategic plan of the college through the Regents.

Dr. Kaufman also will bring student dormitories to the area, funded through lease of the facilities through a public-private initiative. That will be sited on 28 acres adjacent to the west of the 200 acre campus, with construction starting in January of 2008 and expected to finish by summer of 2009.

All this growth of students takes faculty. A total for 80 new faculty were hired this year, out of 1,800 applicants. At least 80 more are anticipated to come aboard next year.

These days GGC staffers are out in high schools, telling the GGC story, targeting students, and talking about the programs. "We also are bringing students to the campus, showing them about the college. It's part of our job of transforming education and eventually, transforming lives," Dr. Kaufman told the Rotarians.

The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. Today's sponsor is First National Insurance, located at 1689 Duluth Highway, Lawrenceville. The firm, with roots going back to its founding in 1995, offers multi-lines in insurance and financial services, including auto, home, recreational, commercial and group benefits programs. It is the representative of several old-line insurance companies, including Travelers, Hartford, Auto-owners, Allied, Blue Cross-Blue Shield and Zurich firms. Call First National Insurance at 770 513-2264.

I read with interest your article on those Yellow Jacket "bad boys"! Being a retired timber cruiser, I can relate to that. I've been stung many times in the past, but thankfully, I don't have an allergic reaction to the venom as you do.

One good aspect: Yellow Jackets don't leave their stinger in the victim as honey bees do. Yet Yellow Jackets can sting you numerous times. Stay safe, and I hope you have a good recovery!

Gwinnett Ballet Theatre will welcome in the Holiday Season with its 26th annual production of The Nutcracker. Held in the Gwinnett Performing Arts Center in Gwinnett Center in Duluth, GBT's Nutcracker will be performed on weekends from November 30 through December 16.

This year the Gwinnett Ballet Theatre Orchestra, under the baton of Predrag Gosta, also music director of Atlanta's acclaimed New Trinity Baroque Ensemble, will provide live accompaniment to the dancers for at least six performances. The Gwinnett Ballet Theatre Orchestra is composed of professional musicians from around the southeast, many of them nationally acclaimed professionals on their specific instruments. Mr. Gosta is himself a conductor of international renown, having conducted the St. Petersburg and Moscow Symphony Orchestras in Russia this past year.

GBT will give 12 performances on Fridays, November 30 and December 7 and 14 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays, December 1, 8 and 15 at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.; and Sundays December 2, 9 and 16 at 2:30 p.m. The live orchestra accompaniment begins the second weekend.

The GBT version of this well-loved Holiday Classic will include 150 performers and the magic of its Herr Drosselmeyer, magician Bill Kress, who is celebrating his tenth year in GBT's Nutcracker. The audience will see all of its favorite scenes and gorgeous music that is part of a traditional Nutcracker production.

Tickets are the same price as last year. Live music performances are $25 for adults and $20 for students and seniors. Recorded music performances are $20 and $15. Groups of ten or more are $12 per ticket for all performances. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Gwinnett Center Box Office or through TicketMaster at 404-249-6400. For more information about GBT's The Nutcracker, call 770-978-0188 or visit www.gwinnettballet.org.

Come out to Dacula Park Activity Building on Saturday, Sept. 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., for the second annual Snake Day! Staff from McDaniel Farm Park and representatives from the Georgia Herpetological Society will host this event that is sure to answer any snake questions you may have and help you to learn about these sometimes misunderstood reptiles.

Snake Day will feature live reptiles and amphibians including the snakes of Gwinnett, and information on venomous snakes found in Georgia. Visitors will see some of the state's endangered reptiles as well as learn about other exotic and fascinating species. The day will include lectures on venomous snake identification and the reptiles and amphibians of Gwinnett County.

Admission to Snake Day is $3 per person. Those under the age of three are free. Dacula Park Activity Building is located at 2735 Auburn Ave. in Dacula. For more information call 770-814-4920.

The Gwinnett Village Community Improvement District will hold a town hall meeting for CID property owners, businesses and residents Wednesday, September 19, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at Global Mall, 5675 Jimmy Carter Boulevard, Norcross.

The focus of the meeting will be a town hall meeting to update/discuss the "Targeted Enforcement Zone" program. Speakers will include Charles Walters, chief of police, Gwinnett County; Major Brett West, commander, Westside Police Precinct; and Chuck Warbington, executive director, Gwinnett Village CID.

The Gwinnett Village CID is a special benefit district supported by area property owners which aims to improve southwest Gwinnett County's aging infrastructure, security issues and property values. The mission of the Gwinnett Village CID is to increase property values, promote business development and improve the quality of life for all those who live, work and play in the village.

Gwinnett school superintendent to address Chamber Sept. 19

A critical factor in creating a competitive workforce is maintaining a first-class education system. At the September 19 General Membership Luncheon of the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, members will have the opportunity to hear Gwinnett School Superintendent Alvin Wilbanks talk on preparing students for the workforce.

Wilbanks' presentation, "Globalization Imperatives for Education, and How Business and Government Must Help," will speak to the future challenges facing education in a 'globally integrated economy" as well as give a status on K-12 education in Gwinnett for 2007-08.

The meeting is Wednesday, September 19, at 11:30 a.m. at the 1818 Club, located in the Chamber building, 6500 Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth. Cost is $35 for Chamber/Council members. Registration deadline is September 14. To RSVP, contact Laurie McKenzie by phoning 77-0 232-3000 or by email at: laurie@gwinnettchamber.org.

Downtown Duluth is getting a new uptown anchor, as two Duluth firms have announced a 60,000 square foot office building across from the new city hall expected to open in the fall of 2008, providing employment for approximately 100 persons

Street Smarts and Mathias Construction will be moving their facilities into the new center, it was announced this week. Both firms will re-locate from locations in the Duluth area to the downtown site. Street Smarts is a transportation engineering firm, while Mathias is a privately held design-build construction firm currently building the new Duluth City Hall.

The two firms will occupy 24,000 square feet of the new building, between the railroad and Main Street, and across from the new City Hall. Another 20,000 square feet will be in underground parking.

Marsha Anderson Bomar, owner of Street Smarts, who is also a Duluth council member, says: "The environment in downtown Duluth supports our corporate philosophy by engaging our employees to create a balance between work and family. A benefit to our staff is the quality of the work life community surrounding the offices that are within walking distance." Street Smarts has sustained consistent growth with offices located in Dallas, Texas and Altamonte Springs, FL. Street Smarts' growth plan forecasts a 50 percent increase in jobs over the next five years.

Dave Heydinger, of Mathias Construction, says: "Our dream for this project is to continue the visual and economic transformation of our town as well as finding a home for our business."

Street Smarts will occupy 60 percent of the building (24,000 out of 40,000 square feet of space for work) and Mathias will occupy 6,000 square feet. The other 10,000 square feet of marketable space will be for office, retail and professional facilities.

Justin Webb, 16, of Snellville, has won a scholarship to attend the Interlochen (Mich.) Center for the Arts on a full-time basis, beginning this week. He was a participant in the Interlochen summer program this year. Interlochen is a premier arts program for aspiring artists.

Justin, the son of Mary and Tony Webb, will study voice and music at the Academy, which in 2007 celebrated its 80th summer at the forefront of arts education. Interlochen Arts Academy attracts students, faculty and staff from all 50 U.S. states and more than 40 countries. The world's talented and motivated students train intensively with world-class instructors in dance, theatre, creative writing, visual arts, music and film.

While at the academy, the young artists study alongside and learn from other artists and performers. In 2007, visiting artists include Joshua Bell, Olga Kern, Branford Marsalis and Anthony Rapp.

The last governor to be both a veteran of the Civil War (1861-65) and a Georgia native, Allen Candler may have made his greatest contribution to the state after his retirement from politics, when he became the first compiler of Georgia records. Candler edited nearly 30 volumes of Georgia's colonial, revolutionary, and Confederate historical documents.

Allen Daniel Candler was born in 1834, in Auraria, in Lumpkin County. The eldest of 12 children, he was educated in country schools. In 1859 he graduated from Mercer University, and began to teach in Banks County before enlisting as a private in the Confederate army. Five days after his enlistment, he was elevated to the rank of first lieutenant. By the time the Civil War ended, Candler was a colonel under General Joseph E. Johnston.

In 1864, Candler wed a former student, Eugenia Thomas Williams; they had 11children during their 46 year marriage. After the war he returned to Jonesboro and worked in agriculture, manufacturing, and the railroad industry.

In 1872 Candler was elected mayor of Gainesville, and the following year he became a state legislator. He served in the Georgia House of Representatives until 1877, when he became a state senator. In 1883 Candler attained a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. He remained in the House until 1891, and three years later he became Georgia's secretary of state.

In 1898 Candler won the governor's office, defeating Populist candidate J. R. Hogan with 70 percent of the vote. Most notably, Candler promoted the establishment of the all-white Democratic primary, claiming the Democratic Party to be a private organization and, thus, able to adopt white-only membership. In addition, he did little to discourage corrupt elections, lynchings, or the mob violence that finished the job of disenfranchising African Americans.

After leaving office in 1902, Candler made a crucial contribution to the state's history after being named the first compiler of Georgia records. He spent the last ten years of his life preserving some of the state's most important historical documents, including 21 volumes of colonial, three volumes of revolutionary, and five volumes of Confederate records. In 1906 he co-authored with Clement Evans a three-volume encyclopedia of Georgia history.

On October 26, 1910, Candler died in Atlanta. He is buried in the Alta Vista Cemetery in Gainesville. In 1914 Candler County was named in his honor.

"Grief can take care of itself, but to get the full value of a joy you must have somebody to divide it with."

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