Poll shows new thinking on traffic congestion and MARTA
By Paul Snyder
Special to GwinnettForum.com

NORCROSS, Ga, Dec. 14, 2007 -- Results of a new poll commissioned by the Gwinnett Village Community Improvement District (GVCID) and conducted by Landmark Communications show that Gwinnett residents find traffic congestion to be the most significant problem facing the county. Participants were asked to rank choices on a scale of one to 10 with 10 being the strongest response. Traffic received the highest response rate among the 512 active voters polled with an 83 percent response, ahead of water supply (79 percent), crime (70 percent), and illegal immigration (60 percent).

Chuck Warbington, GVCID executive director, says: "We needed a baseline to determine our residents' perceptions of issues we can address and current attitudes toward transit options and revenue sources. The results indicate a major shift from previous perceptions of rail service as an effective solution for traffic congestion and positive economic development in Gwinnett County."

Other results:

• Rail drawing even with roads: Specific solutions to traffic congestion "building a rail service that connects throughout the metro region" and "widening/improving existing roads and bridges"---received nearly even levels of favorable response with 56 and 58 percent support, respectively. Among the 56 percent who believe rail service is a good solution, more than half rated it 10 out of 10.
  
  
• Use of rail service: Nearly two-thirds of participants, 64 percent, said they would be either somewhat likely or very likely to use a rail service were it available.
  
  
• Transit and revitalization: 74 percent of the participants believe that transit is somewhat important or very important in revitalizing the Southern part of the County, 54 percent of whom support the building of new rail, making rail the transportation option the most favorably viewed by that segment of respondents.
  
  
• Funding: 50 percent said they support spending a portion of existing SPLOST funds on a new Gwinnett rail system. Creation of a new sales tax (60 percent opposed), tolls funding construction of new roads (58 percent opposed) and tolls used for widening and improving existing roads (57 percent opposed) are viewed negatively.

Participants in the same poll were also asked to give their overall opinion on MARTA. Results show that 66 percent of respondents have a favorable view of MARTA.

This poll bolsters support for a recently updated study and "discussion paper" for the Northeast I-85 / Gwinnett County Transit Corridor prepared by MARTA earlier this fall. The study, funded by the Gwinnett Village CID, Gwinnett Place CID and MARTA, was designed to identify general engineering considerations, gauge the level of potential ridership and present land use opportunities in the corridor for rail expansion for the corridor between Doraville and the Gwinnett Place Mall.

If implemented, the study forecasts a net increase of 16,600 daily boardings for the Northeast Line based on the 10.9 mile extension, including 20,900 riders boarding at four new rail stations. Transit Oriented Development opportunities in the corridor could bring 13,800 additional boardings per day.

The study, which started with a review of the 1990 Gwinnett Extension Plan, recommends four new rail stations at: Amwiler Road and Buford Highway (Norcross Station), Jimmy Carter Boulevard and Brook Hollow Parkway (Gwinnett Village Station), Indian Trail-Lilburn Road and I-85 (Indian Trail Station) and Pleasant Hill Road and Satellite Boulevard near Gwinnett Place Mall (Gwinnett Place Station). These stations would effectively connect activity centers in the Doraville-Gwinnett Place Mall corridor.

Lawrenceville pioneered peak shaving and cut gas cost
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher

DEC. 14, 2007 -- "Peak shaving?" someone asked. The word came up the other day. You might ask: "What's that?"

Brack

You could say it's utilizing smart methods to save money for a requirement which you can't do without.

Gwinnett's first peak shaving savings may have come back when Bill Fortune was mayor of Lawrenceville. That was in 1968-74, when Fortune defeated Rhodes Jordan, and served as mayor for six years.

In Fortune's first term as mayor, days far different from now, Lawrenceville's utilities had over the years not been upgraded, and were in ancient shape. Fortune remembers: "We had thin, small electrical lines serving the city, and when there were surges along the lines from Georgia Power, those thin pencil-lead-size lines would sometimes burn out. Buzz Kramlich at his supermarket said that the surges also shortened out his frozen food freezers. Adding to the problem was that we had no regulators on the lines to boost or hold back the power surges."

Fortune got the electric lines modernized, bringing in thicker 440 volt lines, and installing regulators and transformers. Up until then, the power lines had little capacity, and were susceptible to burning out when too much voltage was pushed from the system. At one time, the electric lines burned through on the courthouse square, falling on the Brand Bank building.

The city's gas distributions system got its supply from the Georgia Natural Gas pipeline. However, the city had no gas storage facilities, and therefore paid the highest rate throughout the year, based on its peak use on the coldest days. "Our rate was something like $1,000 a day at that time."

So Fortune, along with Don Martin, then the superintendent of utilities, came up with the plan to install a "peak shaving storage plant" for the propane gas. With this system, the city could purchase propane gas at times of low rates, and store the gas for later use when it would have cost more. That way, Lawrenceville could "shave" the high cost it was paying during cold times of the year.

"We paid for it in a heartbeat," Fortune says. The Lawrenceville residents benefited through lower natural gas rates.

The peak-shaving plant was built on Hi-Hope Road. Fortune's own company built the concrete pads and lifted the thick-plated tanks into place, at no charge to the city. Giant Cummins generators were used to push the gas through the system. "Then on cold days, the plant would be switched on, and our system had propane to supplement the other gas. That way, we reduced the cost we were paying for our natural gas the whole year round, and saved tremendously."

Not only that, but Fortune found that the propane gas at that time was relatively cheap, compared to gasoline, so he put the police vehicles to run on propane also. "We caught the devil from the policeman, for the cars didn't have to much pick-up that way. But we didn't want the police in high speed chases anyway."

And, since the city was more efficient with both its electrical and natural gas distribution systems, it began to make more money from its proprietary funds. It ended up, during Fortune's years, in cutting the local taxes from 19 to seven mills. "And we could have cut it to zero," Fortune says, "But you have to have some taxes on property."

Today cities and businesses often use sophisticated engineering to cut utility costs by applying peak shaving techniques. But when Bill Fortune introduced that to Lawrenceville over 40 years ago, that was something far different….which quickly benefited its residents---and still does today.

The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers Today we welcome a new underwriting supporter, WIKA Instrument Corp. For over 60 years, WIKA has been advancing the world of pressure and temperature instrumentation. In 2007, WIKA Instrument Corporation celebrates 40 years of business in the United States. Regarded as the global leader, WIKA has pioneered many products for a broad range of diverse industries, end-users and OEM applications. Our success is reflected in our commitment to Lean methodology, product innovation and customer focus. By combining world-class LeanSigma® operations, state-of-the-art proprietary technology, agile manufacturing and resident engineering, WIKA delivers made-to-order products with minimal lead times and tremendous flexibility. Additionally, the WIKA Tronic Line® has a continuously expanding array of electronic pressure sensors to meet the emerging demands of integrated and automated systems. Talk to us to learn more about our Total Performance commitment for your pressure and temperature measurement requirements. To find your nearest authorized WIKA distributor, call toll-free 1-888-WIKA-USA or visit our website at www.wika.com.

• For a list of other sponsors of this forum, go to: http://www.gwinnettforum.com/about/sponsors.htm
  

Gift cards?

Another great cartoon from Bill McLemore:

Upset over thought of household using 50,000 gallons of water

Editor, the Forum:

I am stuck on one sentence of this getting tougher on water use. "Additionally, individual households would be subject to a drought surcharge on all water usage above 50,000 gallons per month."

Am I reading this right? 50,000 gallons? Who is using that much water in a single month and what in the world are they using it for?

We have a swimming pool, flower and vegetable gardens and three dogs that demand outdoor water use. Our highest water use for the year was 4,800 gallons. We started catching more rain water and have cut our water use down to 2,800 gallons and are still looking for other ways to conserve and reuse water. I had a birthday last week and treated myself to a real shower. I let the water run the whole time. While doing so with the water running endlessly on my back I thought to myself "I'm gonna burn in hell for this sinful pleasure."

Then I read there will be a surcharge on water usage above 50,000 gallons for individual households. What part of that is tough? Where is the incentive to conserve? Can you find out what the average water usage is for individual households and post it. I will continue to conserve water.

-- Shirley Holmes, Lawrenceville

Dear Shirley: You may not, after all, burn in hell. For it was your birthday. I presume you could also wallow in a shower on anniversaries, feast days and your dog's birthday. Now to your question: the 50,000 threshold is a lawyer addition, feeling that if the county restricts heavy commercial users, it should also restrict heavy household users. And continue to conserve as you have with rain barrels, and other ways, and encourage others to do also. -- eeb

Has seen where single supplier garbage hauling works

Editor, the Forum:

AJC asked for comments on the garbage plan. But they did not make it user friendly to respond! So I'll respond here.

The new garbage plan is essential. Great plan.

I lived in Seattle Wash. and we only had one company picking up trash, etc. in a given area. Which is what I suggested to the last meeting at the Gwinnett city hall. This would greatly reduce traffic, pollution, etc. The next thing woul

d be to put more of an emphasis on recycling, which could in effect result in reducing the amount for trash pickup. It's a win-win situation.

-- Janice Collins, Dacula

Dear Janice: You are right, and the plan makes good sense. I understand the key opponents are the trash haulers. But they seem to have forgotten that the county, years ago in its wisdom, decided against being in the garbage business, and invited private firms into the county to handle the trash collection. Without the idea of the county not being in the trash hauling business, these firms would not have had this business for these many years. Ironic, isn't it, that they are the major complainers? ---eeb

Lawrenceville Kiwanis to host Yule party for 300 children

The Lawrenceville Kiwanis Club will host its annual Christmas party for approximately 300 children who otherwise would not get to experience the traditional joys of the season. The party will include lunch, a visit and photo with Santa Claus, arts/crafts with local high school Key Club members, and gifts. Each child will go home with gifts from his or her wish list to open on Christmas day, courtesy of corporate and individual sponsors and donors.

The party is Saturday, December 15, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. on the campus of Gwinnett Technical College in the Busbee Center, Building 700, 5150 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville.

Corporate and individual sponsors have signed on to donate popular toys and video games, as well as winter clothing and jackets, school supplies and other items For more information, Jason West, Kiwanis lieutenant at 770-963-0359, ext. 323.

Yule Concert is Tuesday in Gwinnett for Atlanta Sacred Chorale

The Atlanta Sacred Chorale will perform a very special Christmas concert on Tuesday, December 18, at 8 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center of the Gwinnett Center, presented by the Gwinnett Philharmonic Association.

The "Christmas with the Atlanta Sacred Chorale" concert will feature a number of classic Christmas favorites alongside special renditions of choral music arranged by the Chorale's own conductor, Dr. Eric Nelson.

Renowned for their transcendent sound, the Atlanta Sacred Chorale is a non-denominational community chorus whose singers are selected by audition only, bringing together professional musicians and gifted amateurs in an exciting choral ensemble whose mission is, "Lifting the spirit through choral artistry."

Tickets are $28 adults, $24 seniors or $12 students. Special pricing is available for Philharmonic Association members and groups. For more information on the Gwinnett Philharmonic, visit www.gwinnettphilharmonic.org or call 770-418-1115.

Three road projects approved by county commissioners

Three new road construction projects have the green light from the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners.

• Braselton Highway (Georgia Highway 124) will get an additional lane in each direction from Hamilton Mill Road east to Pine Road. The County will get $1.5 million in state funding for the project.
  
  
• The intersection of Cooper and Rosebud Roads south of Grayson will be upgraded with turn lanes and a new traffic signal, eliminating the current four-way stop. The project will reduce congestion at this increasingly busy intersection and also around two new schools in the area. The $2.9 million contract, which includes turn lanes at Trip Elementary School on Cooper Road and Bay Creek Middle School on Rosebud Road, went to the lowest of 11 bidders, Gary's Grading, Inc. Funding comes from the 2005 SPLOST program.
  
  
• A third project on Webb Gin House Road will upgrade its intersection with Scenic Highway (Georgia Highway-124) and will add a center turn lane and sidewalks from there to Ronald Reagan Parkway. The intersection will get additional turn lanes and a second through lane. G.P.'s Enterprises, the lowest of nine bidders, got the almost $4.5 million contract that is also funded by the 2005 SPLOST program.

First Swan-ee Awards recognize 4 ex-Ugly Ducklings

The first-ever Swan-ee Awards recognizes six individuals and four projects that helped make Suwanee a more attractive community by transforming "ugly ducklings" into architectural swans.

The Swan-ee Awards program was established this year to honor aesthetically attractive construction or renovation projects in the City of Suwanee. The award were presented December 11 at a City of Suwanee luncheon.

Denise Brinson, Suwanee's economic development division director, says: "The makeovers orchestrated by our Swan-ee Award winners are truly remarkable. The transformations have made dramatic improvements not only to these individual sites but to Suwanee as a whole."

The 2007 award winners are:

• Jimmy and Caron Burnette for restoration of their residence at 571 Main Street. Jimmy Burnette, Suwanee's mayor pro tem, began working on the 1870s home in October 2003, which had been in his family for generations. Among the many renovations to the home were an addition with a new kitchen, replacing the roof, stripping and finishing woodwork, and replacing and adding wood floors. The Burnettes moved into the refurbished home in December 2004.
  
  
• Bob Bretschneider for creation of a dimensional gold leaf sign that was donated to Pierce's Corner. The sign attractively reflects the distinguished history of the building, constructed in 1910.
  
  
• Andrei Mastrogiovanni, owner, and Earl Mitchell, architect, for design and renovation of the historic Oakley Building at 677 Main Street. A 2,800-square-foot concrete block warehouse, constructed in 1947, the Oakley Building has been transformed into a handsome, functional office building. The building's renovation meets the criteria of Suwanee's Old Town Design Guidelines, serving as a fine example of a design that is sensitive to its surroundings.
  
  
• Sidney Mozayyani for design and renovation of Suwanee Plaza at 3580 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road. Mozayyani refurbished his shopping center by adding brick to the front, installing larger windows and new doors, dressing up sidewalks and lights, and unifying business signs.
  

Web site: How recessions work

"In this 'HowStuffWorks' article, you will find out what recessions are, see why they occur, and examine the criteria economists use to identify them. Site also looks at the effects of recession as well as explores some of the ways a country can turn the economy around again."

-- Roy McCreary, Dacula

• 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
  

Writer with Georgia roots first non-Frenchman elected to Academy

Julien Green, novelist, autobiographer, dramatist, critic, and first non-French national elected to the Académie Française (1971), and was greatly attached to his American nationality and to his roots in Georgia. A large section of his writing constitutes a quest for identity by an American living abroad in France.

Green was born in Paris of American parents; his mother from Savannah, his father from Virginia. His maternal grandfather was Georgia Congressman Julian Hartridge. His paternal grandfather, Charles Green, from Halesowen, England, attained great wealth in the cotton industry in Savannah, where his magnificent Tudor-style mansion, the Green-Meldrim House, was completed in 1861.

His mother died when he was 14, and he was converted to Catholicism at 16. In 1919 he thought of becoming a Benedictine monk but later abandoned the idea. During World War I, Green enlisted in the American Field Service in 1917 and later transferred to the French Foreign Legion and then to the regular French army. After the war, in 1919, he left for America to enroll at the University of Virginia, where he studied Latin, Greek, English literature, history, German, and elementary Spanish.

Green's first novel was Mont-Cinère (1926; published in English as Avarice House), occurs in Virginia on the property of Kinloch, owned by one of Green's relatives. His novels of the 1930s and 1940s deal with family relationships, violence, the quest for identity, and escape into the fantastic and the world of dreams.

Green's masterpiece is undoubtedly Moïra (1950; published in English under the same title), an autobiographical novel set at the University of Virginia and dominated by the conflict between flesh and spirit, sin and grace. The culmination of Green's quest for his Georgian roots is his series of novels on the Civil War, "the Dixie trilogy," written in the 1980s and 1990s. Here Green gives full vent to his passion for the South in a vivid and sometimes sentimental evocation of life in Savannah before and during the Civil War.

In 1983 he published a biography of St. Francis of Assisi entitled Frère François (God's Fool: The Life and Times of Francis of Assisi). Julien Green died on August 13, 1998, and is buried in Klagenfurt, Austria, where he frequently spent his holidays.

• To access the Georgia Encyclopedia, go to http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
  

Most people stay away from the job of painful thinking

"The conventional view serves to protect us from the painful job of thinking."

-- US (Canadian-born) Economist John Kenneth Galbraith (1908 - 2006.)

• Another invitation: What's your favorite saying? Share with others through GwinnettForum. Send to elliott@gwinnettforum.com.
  

MORE: Contact Gwinnett Forum at: elliott@gwinnettforum.com

© 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 County, Ga. USA.

Our sponsors

GwinnettForum.com
Number 7.70, Dec. 14, 2007

TODAY'S FOCUS: Poll Indicates Gwinnett's Feelings on Public Transit Have Changed
ELLIOTT BRACK: Bill Fortune Introduced Idea of Peak Shaving for Lawrenceville
FEEDBACK: On Residential Water Use Maximums and New Garbage Hauling Plan
McLEMORE'S WORLD: Since When Are Gift Cards for Children?
UPCOMING: Kiwanis Youth Party; Yule Concert; Three Roads Get Improvement
NOTABLE: Six People Recognized as Winners of First Swan-ee Awards
RECOMMENDED: How A Recession Works
GEORGIA TIDBIT: Writer with Georgia Roots First Non-Frenchman into Academy
TODAY'S QUOTE: What Happens When People Stay Away from Painful Thinking


UNOFFICIAL OPENING. Tuesday, December 18, at 5:30 will be a significant time in the history of Duluth, as it unofficially opens its new City Hall. But the building is not yet ready for occupancy. Town officials will gather on the steps in front of the courthouse in an informal ceremony. The building was originally to be completed on December 18, which a plaque will note. However, the building is now scheduled to be occupied January 14, 2008, when the City Council will meet there and a ribbon cutting will take place. An official Open House is set for March 15, 2008.

FOR CHARITY. You can give "A Gift of Laughter," a new book of cartoons by Bill McLemore, to help raise money for Rainbow Village. At just $20, it's a fun way to help. To order, call 770 840 1003, or 770 446 3800, or email to info@gwinnettforum.com.

Click above image to find
lowest gas prices in Atlanta

© 2001-2007, Gwinnett Forum.com is Gwinnett County's online community forum for commentary that explores pragmatic and sensible social, political and economic approaches to improve life in Gwinnett County, Ga. USA.

PHONE: 770.840.1003
EMAIL: elliott@gwinnettforum.com

Site designed and maintained by
The Brack Group.