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More thoughts on how we can all save
more water
By
Allen Doss
Director
Gwinnett County Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency
Special to GwinnettForum.com
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga., Nov. 6, 2007 -- The drought we're experiencing
is not a Gwinnett County nor metro Atlanta phenomenon. Much of the
southeastern United States, including the northern third of Georgia,
is experiencing the same exceptional drought.
Recent news reports have mentioned a variety of issues concerning
water availability: withdrawals from Lake Lanier by the US Army
Corps of Engineers; concerns of the governors of Alabama and Florida;
an order by Governor Perdue to reduce consumption by 10 percent;
and more. By far, the primary cause of our current situation is
the lack of significant rainfall over an extended period of time,
and no immediate relief is in sight. In the state of Georgia, only
1931 and 1954 were drier than the conditions have been in 2007.
We've been in a dry weather cycle for several years and can only
hope that this cycle changes soon.
As individuals living in Gwinnett County and the region, we have
very little individual control over issues regarding water releases
and absolutely no control over rainfall amounts. We are, however,
in complete control over our consumption of this valuable resource.
We can have a positive effect by paying closer attention to the
ways in which we use water.
Gwinnett County residents use fewer gallons of water per day, 111-118,
than the regional average of 168 gallons per day. We are not in
an emergency or 'panic' situation but we are in a situation of serious
concern. Those in the Emergency Management profession would much
rather mitigate, prevent and avoid an emergency than to respond
to it. Most disasters are relatively short-term in nature but the
loss of water resources would not be. The best way we can approach
the situation as individuals is to improve conservation practices.
If we make it a goal to reduce water consumption each day, we can
help address water availability issues.
There are a variety of drought-and-weather-related websites that
provide a lot of information. Some of them are:
Using these websites and their many links can provide a lot of
valuable information. The following list also shows many ways in
which we can reduce our individual consumption of water. Though
some of them may involve a bit of inconvenience, it's a small price
to pay in an effort to have water in the months and years to come.
Feel free to share all of this information with others.
Water Conservation Tips
- Use faucet aerators to reduce consumption. Don't let the water
run while washing your face, brushing teeth or shaving.
- Install water-saving showerheads; if a tub bath is a must, close
the drain first and fill the tub no more than one-third full.
- Install low-flow toilets.
- Wash only full loads of dishes. Reduce dishwashing.
- Collect the water that is wasted while waiting for the hot water
to reach the faucet or showerhead. Use this to water your houseplants
or outdoor planters. Install faucet aerators to reduce consumption.
- Clean vegetables in a bowl with water or spray water in short
bursts. Use it to water plants.
- Wash only full loads of laundry and wash less frequently. Wear
clothing more than once before washing.
- Use a broom or blower to clean driveways and sidewalks.
Virgil Williams breathes new vigor into Lake
Lanier Islands
By
Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
NOV. 6, 2007 -- Virgil Williams seems to have new life these days
as he has about completely downsized from his previous far-flung
6,000 employee engineering and contracting empire, and started working
with his children to re-develop Lake Lanier Islands into a world-class
resort.
Brack |
Along the way he had a medical set-back, but has rebounded into
his usual energetic and idea-churning self as he seeks to reinvigorate
Lake Lanier Islands into an upgraded facility. Most of all, Williams
is pleased to have the opportunity to work with his family at the
islands, "to create a legacy, and have fun while doing it."
Williams, his four children, and his wife, Sara, are the board
of directors of Lake Lanier Islands Management LLC, which is guiding
the renovation of the attraction. He holds, in effect, a 50 year
lease (since August 2005) on the Islands from Corps of Engineers
and Department of Natural Resources. He spoke recently about his
renewed plans for the facility.
Once he turned his attention to the Islands, he found that he was
"disappointed in what happened at the Islands. It was not being
run well," he feels. He has work already underway to systemically
change the Islands.
"We came to an agreement with the Lake Lanier Islands Authority
to improve the infrastructure on the Islands. We will have a new
sewer treatment plant, new roads, paved trails and 10 foot wide
sidewalks. This replacement will begin after the first of the year.
Before, there was no place to walk, but we'll soon have many more
miles of trails and have either tunnels under or bridges over roads
so that you won't have to cross traffic when on the trails. That
way, when people come visit, they can feel that their children will
be safe on the Islands. We want this to be a first class resort,
with its 2.6 miles of shoreline on the Islands."
Other improvements the family has planned:
- Rebuilding and improving the Emerald Point golf course. In turn
will come rebuilding the PineIsle course. Williams also has approval
for a possible third golf course in the future, which would be
in the former camping area.
- Moving the Lake Lanier Islands entrance gate further into the
Islands and adding a large retail area accessible without entrance
fee.
- Moving the water park to near the current entrance, and utilizing
the water park's 300 acre protected cove space for a membership
yacht club, including fine dining.
- Completing the renovation of Emerald Point Hotel by spring into
a 3.5 star inn.
- Demolishing the former PineIsle Hotel, and re-building it into
a 4 star facility by 2011.
- Building a world-class spa on the former campground property,
along with five-star boutique hotels and cottages. "This
will have the look and feel of Yellowstone and Grove Park Inn,"
he said, "With lots of stacked stone columns."
- The Williams family is also building 1,000 condo units not on
Lake Lanier Islands themselves, but on property adjoining federal
lands off Holiday Road. These will be for purchase or short-term
rental.
It's all a major undertaking for the Williams family. When completed,
it will give the State of Georgia an entirely new facility at Lake
Lanier Islands. It could be the crown jewel on the privatization
concept that former Zell Miller push so strongly for the state.
Look to many changes at Lake Lanier Islands in the near-time future.
 The
public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com
to you at no cost to readers. Today's featured sponsor is Gwinnett
Community Bank of Duluth, Member, FDIC. Tom Martin is the CEO
of this bank, which has its main office in Duluth on Buford Highway,
near the intersection of Rogers Bridge and Old Peachtree Road. The
Duluth office number is 770-476-2775. There is also a Suwanee location
at 3463 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road in Suwanee. The phone number
for the Suwanee branch is 770-497-5252. Gwinnett Community Bank
also just opened a third branch at 2715 Hamilton Mill Road in Buford
(770 271 2715.) The web site is http://www.gwinnettcommunitybank.com.
Two
differing views on upcoming TAD votes in Gwinnett cities
(Editor's Note: We regret the
article on Friday did not appear earlier, so that these responses
might have been considered well prior to the voting. -eeb)
Editor, the Forum:
Imagine a day where land developers can create a semi governmental
organization, get checks from tax payers, spend the money on whatever
they want (including private property,) and breathe new life into
their sagging properties.
TADS would be a great idea if the money would truly be limited
to public infrastructures and the TAD organization was truly accountable
to the public.
If you want to give developers the keys to your city tax treasury,
vote yes to TADS. If you think that government already has an incestuous
relationship with developers, then vote no. I am voting NO and will
be proud to provide positive proof of my identity at the poll too!
-- Wayne Buchheit, Dacula
Editor, the Forum:
I just read Jim Maran's lead article in Friday's GwinnettForum
regarding the question on the November 6 ballot to allow Tax Allocation
Districts (TADs) as one of the tools in the economic developer's
toolbox. As a former Gwinnett resident for many years, as a practicing
economic developer in North Carolina, and as a professor of economic
development policy at two universities, I feel Jim is absolutely
correct in the need and the advisability of this additional tool.
Revitalization and redevelopment are necessary components for communities
to remain viable. Old or deteriorating infrastructure will severely
hamper a community's ability to attract high-wage business and industry;
distressed areas severely hamper a citizen's and a community's quality
of life. The ability to create districts and then use the increased
revenues as those areas increase in value is an intelligent method
of controlling an increase in other taxes to pay for needed improvements.
I hope the citizens of Gwinnett support this unique opportunity.
-- Dr. Patricia Mitchell, Director of Economic Development,
Ashe County, Jefferson N.C.
Finds new benefit
of living in unincorporated Gwinnett
Editor, the Forum:
There are some very good reasons why the TAD initiative was defeated
in the last county-wide election. First, it is true that none of
the 14 TADs in Georgia have failed ----that is, yet. It is also
true that none of the existing TADs have retired the bonds that
were issued to support those re-development efforts.
Second, Atlantic Station is an excellent example of why the state
lawmakers created the legislation authorizing local government to
create TADs. It was not created for neighborhood redevelopment of
the limited size and scope needed here in Gwinnett. We have already
experienced the cannibalization of Gwinnett Place Mall with the
building of Mall of Georgia and Discover Mills. Does anyone think
we need more retail in Gwinnett?
Third, and the one that no one wants to discuss, is those redevelopment
bonds are backed by the issuing governments and if they default,
that burden falls to the taxpayers of those cities. Those cities'
revenues are primarily generated through taxes. So you can expect
an increase in your city taxes, if the redevelopment efforts default.
We need redevelopment in our neighborhoods but let's have the re-developers
bear the risks and earn their rewards.
In closing, I would hope the citizens from the cities in question
will read this before they go to the polls today. Secondly, this
is another example of why I am happy to live in unincorporated Gwinnett
County.
-- Patrick Malone, Snellville
Suggests DVDs which
helped make USA even better
Editor, the Forum:
Below is a list of important, true 'Happenings' that have helped
our country in becoming a better United States of America! Far too
many Americans are not aware of these events. These are available
in DVD.
- PROUD -- World War II event in which African-American
Sailors played a major role in helping to win the war.
- Glory Road -- 1966 National Basketball Championship which
was won by Texas Western University and how Coach Don Haskins
played a major role in helping our country "come together
and move forward" as never before.
- Something The Lord Made -- How a Vanderbilt University
surgeon, Dr. Alfred Blalock, was able to pioneer heart related
surgeries, esp. 'Blue Babies' at John Hopkins University Hospital,
with the help of Vivian Thomas, an African-American, who was,
in time, truly rewarded for his contributions.
- PRIDE -- How a swimmer, who became a teacher/instructor,
helped to save a recreation center and defeat crime in that district.
With win after win, hope was brought to these youths, especially
in academics.
- Tuskegee Airmen -- How they became the most sought after
pilots for accompanying bombers, especially in helping to win
the war.
- Men of Honor -- How dedication overcame many obstacles,
especially in our military, just one reason why our country needs
all of us to 'pull together' so that we can bring out the best
in each one of us.
- Remember The Titans -- 1971 'coming' together of two
high schools and how their football teams played a major role
in helping the community to accept one another--still timely and
applicable.
-- Deborah Seay Willis, Peachtree Corners
General to speak at Snellville's Westminister
church Nov. 10
Beauchamp |
In celebration of Veterans Day, Westminster Presbyterian Church
in Snellville will have as its speaker on Saturday, November 10
Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Roy E. Beauchamp. The talk will be at 10:30 a.m.
General Beauchamp served in the U.S. Army for 37 years, starting
as a private. He completed his service as Deputy Commanding General
of one of the largest commands in the Army. This event is an open
invitation to all who are interested to hear Gen. Beauchamp's presentation
on "National Service in Support of a National Ideal."
Westminster Presbyterian is located at 2208 East Main Street (U.S.
Highway 78) in Snellville. For more information, please call 770-979-9676
or visit www.wpcsnellville.org.
Clean and Beautiful
plans America Recycles Day Nov. 17
Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful will celebrate America Recycles Day
on November 17 by rewarding the top individual and group aluminum
recycler and newspaper recycler at the Recycling Bank of Gwinnett
with $100 cash prizes. America Recycles Day is an annual event celebrated
by communities throughout the nation to educate and encourage individuals
to recycle and buy recycled products.
From recycling drives at schools and neighborhoods to individuals
gathering their own recyclable materials at home, participants are
encouraged to bring their aluminum and newspapers to the Recycling
Bank of Gwinnett at 4300 Satellite Boulevard in Duluth on a continual
basis.
The Recycling Bank accepts other items in addition to aluminum
and newspaper, such as glass, plastic bottles, old telephone books
and cardboard. During normal operating hours, you can receive cash
for several types of recyclables. Visit www.gwinnettcb.org
for more information about recycling and the Recycling Bank of Gwinnett.
Children's
Healthcare picks COO as its next president
Hyland |
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta has selected Donna Hyland to become
its next chief executive officer. She previously was chief operating
officer. She begins her new role in 2008 and replaces 23-year veteran
CEO James E. Tally, Ph.D., who announced his retirement earlier
this year
Joe Rogers Jr., chair of the Children's Board of Trustees and CEO
of Waffle House Inc., said he has worked with Donna for 10 years
and has the deepest respect for her leadership skills. "As
COO she has led the development of Children's 2018 Strategy which
defines the organization's journey in the next 10 years," said
Rogers.
Hyland attended the University of Kentucky and graduated from Western
Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and
is a Certified Public Accountant. She currently serves on the Blue
Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia Hospital Relations Council, and
is a Board member of the Metro Atlanta YMCA, the Georgia Partnership
for Excellence in Education, the Emory-Egleston Children's Heart
Center, the Emory-Children's Center, Inc. and Children's Healthcare
of Atlanta Surgery Center at Meridian Mark Plaza, L.L.C. In recognition
of her professional contributions, Hyland was recently named one
of the 2007 Women of Excellence by Business to Business Magazine.
Suwanee City Hall groundbreaking
honors contest winners
Six student essay contest winners will take center stage during
the groundbreaking ceremony for Suwanee's new City Hall November
13. The students, third through fifth graders at Level Creek, Riverside,
and Suwanee elementary schools, will represent the Suwanee City
Council of the future and read their essays during the 11 a.m. ceremony
near the future City Hall site at Town Center.
The groundbreaking is open to the public. Suwanee's future 23,600
square foot City Hall will have a large, arched glass wall at the
front of the building, a clock tower, and second-floor City Council
chamber that overlooks Town Center Park. Construction cost will
be approximately $7.15 million. Student essay winners were selected
from 113 entries received through a City-sponsored contest.
- 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
Pitts Foundation
underwrites many Methodist activities
The William I. H. and Lula E. Pitts Foundation is an independent
private foundation that underwrites educational and social service
activities through institutions that are affiliated with the United
Methodist Church in Georgia. In 2003, its assets totaled approximately
$77 million, and it awarded nearly $4 million in grants.
Pitts |
The foundation was established in 1941 by William
Irby Hudson Pitts, who resided in Waverly Hall, Georgia. His
wife, Lula Cook Ellison, was from nearby Ellerslie. The couple had
accumulated wealth through working in Pitts's father's mercantile
business, which they built into a community general store. Pitts
also invested early in Coca-Cola stock and carried out other business
activities.
By the time Pitts died in 1964, at the age of 102, he had already
given away more than $1 million. His daughter, Margaret Adger Pitts,
who had become a lifetime trustee at the initiation of the foundation,
continued her father's work and supported such institutions and
organizations as Andrew College, Candler School of Theology, Epworth
by the Sea, LaGrange College, Magnolia Manor (a retirement home
in Americus), and Young Harris College.
In 1973 and 1974, the Pitts Foundation made significant gifts to
the Candler School of Theology to endow its library, which was named
the Pitts Theology Library. The foundation also underwrote Candler's
purchase of the 220,000-volume Hartford Seminary Foundation library,
which made the Candler Library the second-largest theology library
in the United States.
Margaret Pitts, who never married, died at the age of 104 in 1998.
Her estate, which totaled $192 million, included the bequests of
trusts for the Candler School of Theology at Emory University, South
Georgia Methodist Home for Children, and Young Harris College as
well as a fund for retired pastors in the South Georgia Conference
of the United Methodist Church.
Though the death of Margaret Pitts meant the end of direct family
involvement with the foundation, its trustees continue to follow
the original foundation establishment guidelines, as well as what
is known about the Pitts family's philosophy, as they make granting
decisions.
When you think about
it, what else can you be?
"Be yourself, everyone else is already taken."
-- Irish poet and dramatist Oscar Wilde, via Cindy Evans,
Duluth
Send your thoughts, 55-word short stories, pet peeves
or comments on any issue to Gwinnett
Forum for future publication.
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© 2007, 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
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