Gwinnett Forum.com -- Gwinnett County's community forum and idea exchange

Voting "Yes" on TADS can help revitalize Gwinnett cities
By Jim Maran
President
Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce
Special to GwinnettForum.com

DULUTH, Ga., Nov. 2, 2007 -- Imagine a day when many of Gwinnett's family of communities rival Buckhead, Midtown, or Atlantic Station as the region's premier live, work and play destination. Now imagine that vision is in your hands.

If you are a resident within the city limits of Buford, Braselton, Suwanee, Dacula, Norcross, Duluth, Loganville, Sugar Hill and Lilburn, I am writing to encourage you to vote YES on November 6 to allow your community the opportunity to create Tax Allocation Districts (TADs) for much needed improvements and amenities that will positively affect our quality of life.

Here's what the ballot language will read:

Confusing language I know, so let's walk through this together.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to revitalize and breathe new life into aging areas of Gwinnett, while also helping to improve our local infrastructure. Simply put, a YES vote will revitalize and develop declining areas, reduce traffic congestion, repair roads, sidewalks, and bridges, and help control "sprawl," all without a tax increase.

TADs would give Gwinnett's cities a great new economic development tool to revitalize older, developed parts of our neighborhoods by creating "revitalization districts" that can leverage private investment. Most of our peers, including Fulton, Cobb and Atlanta, already have used TADs successfully. Of the 14 Georgia TAD projects created, none have failed.

The best known example of this law in use is Atlantic Station in midtown Atlanta. This same structure was used to fund the costs of building much of the infrastructure needed to transform a former steel mill into a vibrant community of shops, restaurants, offices and homes. Another smaller, but just as successful, TAD project has been the revitalization and redevelopment of downtown Marietta in Cobb County.

Imagine being able to clean up distressed areas throughout Gwinnett and build new commercial centers, business parks and mixed-used developments as vibrant as Atlantic Station's. That's what TADs do.

Here's how they work. When property values rise in the designated district because of redevelopment, revenue increases as a result. The new law would simply earmark those additional funds for traffic, infrastructure and safety improvements within that district. Existing tax revenues would remain untouched.

Best of all, the redevelopment law and the tax district are not taxes. They cost the taxpayer nothing. They do not open the door to eminent domain. Also the citizens are not holding any debt because these instruments are private market investments that fund the improvements. They do provide for local government control with no federal strings attached - and trust me, that's good.

As the county's economic development organization tasked with bringing high-wage job opportunities to Gwinnett, the Gwinnett Chamber will continue to strive and ensure Gwinnett remains a national leader in job creation, education, wealth, public safety, and a high quality of life. To achieve success in these areas, TADs are an incredibly important tool we absolutely must have at our disposal.

Vote YES and encourage your friends and family to vote YES for the TAD referendum in your community on November 6 and help us revitalize Gwinnett.

What is membership of church denominations in Gwinnett?
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher

NOV. 2, 2007 -- Certain stereotypes abound. Those of us in the South know that serious or even petty church disagreements can cause one thing: church splits.

Because of my background, perhaps that's the reason I had associated church splits with the Baptist church. But that's not reasonable. We know that other churches, for sure, can have doctrinal disagreements which cause problems.

Look at the many churches concerned today about women as pastors, and the rift that is causing in many denominations. Likewise, the issue of all-inclusiveness, specifically whether gays and lesbians should be within the church, or become ministers, is also causing consternation in many a denomination.

Something I came across this week surprised me. Did you know that a 1999 survey found that there are over 746 Reformed or Presbyterian denominations worldwide? That includes everything from the major disciplines in the USA (Presbyterian Church in the United States of American, Presbyterian Church in America, and Evangelical Presbyterian Church, of which there are churches in Gwinnett), to the Church of Scotland, the Free Church of Scotland, and many more, including the Reformed Church in America, and the United Reformed Churches in North America

Whew! If you look deep in any denomination, we suspect, you'll find a similar splintering.

Hearing about church splits goes back to my early childhood. A story our family tells is of two churches on the opposite side of U.S. Highway 80 south of Macon. Both are substantial churches in a rural setting. The story goes that one Sunday the church on one side of the road was singing "Will There Be Any Stars In My Crown?" while the church on the other side was chiming in with a song of their own, "No Not One." No doubt a story, but it shows the feud between the two churches.

All this is to introduce a topic: what are the church numbers for the Gwinnett denominations? How many people are members of the churches in Gwinnett by denominations?

First, a more extensive investigation of the Association of American Religious Bodies in 2002 found in Gwinnett

We've talked to quite a few people to get these numbers, and no doubt will still be talking to others to add to these numbers in the future. According to our investigation in 2007, in Gwinnett these are the numbers for church membership by denominations:

We did not have time to contact all the many denominations in Gwinnett, and perhaps have left out some important and strong ones. If members within those denominations have good numbers, please get in touch to add to this storehouse of information.

Then there is another growing trend in churches: independent churches not affiliated with larger bodies. This in itself is an important group, but also difficult to count its membership.

We thought you would be interested in these church membership figures. Help us add to this body of knowledge.

Today's sponsor is the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce. From answering your questions and providing a host of useful information, to promoting growth in our county, there are people working every day to help make Gwinnett a place where businesses thrive and success lives. For more detail, go to www.gwinnettchamber.org.

The centerpiece of the 20th annual Lighting of the Tree celebration, a 35-foot Douglas Fir, arrived at the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse on November 1 and is in place for the annual service.

The tree will be wrapped in thousands of lights that will light up during the Thanksgiving evening, November 22 celebration to welcome the holiday season. Festivities will begin at 5 p.m. with carriage rides and self-guided tours of the decorated courthouse. The tree lighting ceremony begins at 6 p.m., with Santa arriving at 6:45 p.m. Carriage rides, photos with Santa, kids' crafts, and self-guided tours will run through 8:30 p.m.

Adhering to current water restrictions, the tree will be drinking only recycled water that will be taken from a dehumidifier at the courthouse.

The Gwinnett Historic Courthouse is located at 185 West Crogan Street in downtown Lawrenceville. For more information, call 770-822-5450 or visit.www.gwinnettparks.com.

Veteran's Day weekend is the perfect time to honor those who have sacrificed to serve our country in the armed forces. It is also a time when the Stone Mountain Chorus celebrates its 27th year of delivering four-part harmony to the metropolitan Atlanta area.

This year's program is filled with "barbershop harmony" songs that will take you back to the romantic old West. The festivities will take place at the Gwinnett Performing Arts Center in Duluth at 8:30 p.m. on Friday, November 9, and at 3 and 8 p.m. on Saturday, November 10.

The 65-man Stone Mountain Chorus (www.stonemountainchorus.org) will treat the audience to a wide variety of close, four-part harmony singing. This uniquely American musical art form delighted audiences for three performances in 2006. The audience will also be entertained by chapter quartets, including our own 2007 International 4th place Bronze Medalist Quartet State Line Grocery. The featured guest quartet is Storm Front, 2007 International Quartet third place bronze medalists from Denver, Colo. Storm Front is one of the most popular show quartets in the barbershop harmony world.

Advanced purchase, reserved seat tickets are $18 while tickets purchased at the door are $20. Groups of 12 or more, senior adults 60+ and full time student tickets are $15 for advanced purchase ticket price for the Friday and Saturday afternoon performances only. Tickets may be purchased from any Stone Mountain Chorus member or may be requested by calling the chorus information line at 770-978-8053 or 678-534-8204.

In 2006, Gwinnett County residents and the national media closely followed the criminal trial of Dr. Barton Corbin, the Buford dentist accused of murdering his wife in 2004, and a former girlfriend in 1990. Corbin eventually confessed to the crime of murder.

On Sunday, November 11, beginning at 2 p.m., the Gwinnett County Public Library will have national bestselling author Ann Rule on the campus of Georgia Gwinnett College for a discussion and author signing for her new book, Too Late to Say Goodbye, which chronicles the Corbin case. In conducting research for her new book, Rule interviewed nearly all of the principal participants in the case.

Ann Rule will be joined by mystery author Donna Andrews. The event will take place in the Atrium of Building B on the campus of Georgia Gwinnett College. This is a free event. Books will be available for sale.

Georgia Gwinnett College is located at 1000 University Center Lane, at the corner of Collins Hill Road and Highway 316 in Lawrenceville. For driving directions and parking information, please visit www.ggc.usg.edu.

For additional information please call the Library Help Line at 770-978-5154, or visit the Gwinnett County Public Library on-line at www.gwinnettpl.org.

Systel-Atlanta is celebrating the grand re-opening of its newly renovated office on Tuesday, November 13. Systel is located at 2100 Norcross Parkway, Suite 100 in Norcross. The celebration which will begin at 10:30 a.m. and continue with an Open House, and a ribbon cutting Systel, the South's largest independent dealer of Ricoh and Panasonic office equipment, moved into the Atlanta metro area in 2005. Ben Wilson is the Systel Atlanta Regional Vice President.

Systel's current President and CEO, Mr. Keith Allison, started Systel in 1981. Systel is privately owned and operated and covers the Southeast with eight offices in North Carolina and one office in Metro Atlanta. Systel is not only an authorized Ricoh, Panasonic, HP and Oce' office equipment dealer, but also provides print management services, cost per copy programs and has recently broken the color barrier by announcing color copies for the same price as black and white.

For additional information, call 770-246-0334 or email Ben Wilson at bwilson@systeloa.com.

The City of Sugar Hill has taken steps to ensure stability in supplying its citizens with natural gas.

For several years, the City of Sugar Hill has been wanting to gain access to an emergency backup for its natural gas system. The City has announced that this week they will start to begin construction of a backup system for the City's natural gas system.

Sugar Hill's gas superintendent Johnny Upchurch plans to install a valve that will tap into Atlanta Gas Light's main gas line that runs through Sugar Hill. Up to now, Sugar Hill had a single take point along the TRANSCO gas line. This backup system with Atlanta Gas Light will provide Sugar Hill citizens with an uninterrupted flow of gas in the event of an emergency or natural disaster. Construction will take a week to complete. Cost of the change to ensure back up supply will be approximately $35,000.

Sugar Hill, Georgia, has gained recognition from a national magazine. Forbes Magazine has listed Sugar Hill as the 80th fastest growing city in the United States. Forbes cited the city's high standard of living, and excellent amenities with its city golf course, city parks, recreation, public areas, exceptional schools and easy access to Atlanta.

The Forbes list was compiled using U.S. Census growth data from 2000 to 2006. The City of Sugar Hill is the fourth largest city in Gwinnett County and the fastest growing in the county since 2000.

Gwinnett Tech enrollment up 12 Percent for fall to 4,815

Gwinnett Technical College's fall enrollment rose just over 12 percent as compared to last year, making Gwinnett Tech now the third largest of the state's 34 technical colleges. Total enrollment at the college is now 4,815 students.

Gwinnett is behind Chattahoochee Tech of Cobb County, which had a fall enrollment of 5,606; and Central Georgia Tech in Macon, which saw its fall enrollment at 5,171.

Gwinnett Tech's increase in actual students enrolled was the second largest increase in the state. Gwinnett Tech also had the second largest increase in the number of credit hours taken by students and reported a 25 percent increase in students under 21. Earlier this year, the DTAE reported that Gwinnett Tech students have the highest level of post-secondary education in the state. Forty-five (45) percent of GTC students have one to three years of post-secondary education prior to enrolling, while seven percent have already earned a bachelor's degree.

The enrollment increase was led by continued growth in several of Gwinnett Tech's most popular programs - business and finance, computer sciences, early childhood education and construction. The college's health science offerings, including nursing, surgical technology, radiologic technology, healthcare and dental assisting, and others, continue to operate at capacity.

Two Gwinnettians have been recognized as "Volunteer of the Year" for 2007 by the two YMCAs in the county.

Amy Massey of Norcross wins the honor for the Robert D. Fowler Family YMCA, while Lisa Cauthen of Lilburn is the J.M Tull-Gwinnett Family YMCA Volunteer of the Year. The two will be honored at the Annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner November 5 at the Cobb Galleria Centre.

Massey says she joined the Y to work out and considered herself a casual user. She volunteered for the Special Olympics and then got involved in the Partner With Youth annual campaign, the YMCA's fundraising initiative that provides YMCA financial assistance.

Once she saw the Y's mission in action and the results of getting families involved by offering them financial assistance, Massey was transformed into a board member and YMCA advocate. In addition to her contributions to the Fowler YMCA, she also volunteers her time to HERO for Children, an HIV/Aids support group, and works as a Realtor for JWB Realty. Massey and her husband, Lewis, have three children.

As an enthusiast of the Metro Atlanta YMCAs summer day camps, Cauthen commits herself to her position as chair of the Tull-Gwinnett YMCA Partner With Youth Campaign, a fundraising initiative which raises money for youth-oriented programs.

"One of my favorite Y moments is watching the summer camp counselors in action," Cauthen says. "They are gifted, young people who give their all to the kids. Seeing them inspires me to raise money for Partner With Youth and know that our children are in the excellent care of nurturing, young adults." Cauthen is the director of community health and wellness for the Gwinnett Hospital System.

John Wereat served Georgia in a variety of official capacities during and after the American Revolution. He is perhaps best known for his attempt to thwart the Yazoo land fraud. Wereat was born in Road, Somerset, England, around 1733. Shortly before immigrating to America in 1759, he married Hannah Wilkinson. After his arrival in Georgia, Wereat established himself as a merchant-planter and, subsequently, as a dedicated public servant in his adopted state.

In the early years of the American Revolution, Wereat was a member of the Provincial Congress and the Council of Safety. From 1776 through the end of the war he served as Georgia's Continental agent, representing the state in dealings with Congress. Wereat also served briefly as de facto governor of Georgia in 1779, when Savannah was in British hands and the constitutionally elected government was in disarray. Taken prisoner in Augusta in 1780, he was sent to Charleston, S.C., by the British and remained there until his release a year later.

Wereat's final service to Georgia came in 1795, when he fought unsuccessfully to prevent the Yazoo land fraud. When the legislature rejected his attempt to purchase part of the state's western territory on behalf of three Pennsylvania acquaintances, Wereat and several Georgia allies organized the Georgia Union Company to frustrate the corrupt Yazoo purchasers. The company attempted to acquire all of the western lands, but to no avail. As a member of the 1795 state constitutional convention, Wereat helped ensure that anti-Yazoo petitions would be sent to the next session of the legislature. Using these petitions and other evidence of corruption, the legislators rescinded the sale. John Wereat died at his Bryan County plantation on January 25, 1799, at the age of 65.

Send your thoughts, 55-word short stories, pet peeves or comments on any issue to Gwinnett Forum for future publication.

===========================================