|
Be prepared and alert when buying auto
insurance coverage
By
David M. Richardson, D.O.
Special to GwinnettForum.com
SUWANEE, Ga., Jan. 23, 2008 -- As ridiculous as it may sound, when
someone hits your car and is at fault, hospitals, medical doctors,
chiropractors, and physical therapists cannot bill the responsible
party's insurance company for direct payment.
Richardson |
There is no State of Georgia law that requires the responsible
party's insurance company [the liability carrier] to pay your medical
bills. The bills first have to go through an optional automobile
coverage you can buy [and should have] called medical payments coverage
[med pay]. If you don't have this coverage, you can turn to any
other health insurance you have---with its built-in deductibles,
co-payments, exclusions, and restrictions on who you can see, how
often, and for how long.
What the liability carrier will do is tell you to let them know
when you are through with treatment; then they will offer you a
lump sum settlement. Many times, particularly from one company that
advertises a lot, what is offered is less than the sum of your medical
bills, which could exceed the policy limits the responsible driver
had in effect at the time of the accident.
Of course the person who hit you may have no insurance. Then, if
you don't have collision or uninsured motorist coverage [called
UM], you are going to lose the value of the car as well. You can
sue the other driver----if they didn't hit and run, and if they
have any assets. If there is no insurance, the settlement process
is protracted [it can take over a year sometimes], and you have
missed income due to injury.
There are additional scenarios I don't have the space to cover,
such as the case that you or a family member doesn't make a complete
recovery and need ongoing care. Or using your health insurance after
an injury, getting a settlement from the liability carrier, and
finding out your health insurance company has a legal right to be
paid back what they spent in medical bills out of your settlement
[subrogation rights].
All of the information above has been reviewed for accuracy by
three attorneys who specialize in, and have years of experience,
in this field.
The best advice is:
- Buy medical payments coverage [med pay] from your auto insurance
agent.
- Discuss other optional coverage like uninsured motorist coverage
[UM].
- Have high liability limits, particularly if you have a teenage
driver!
Some people tell me that they have "full coverage" on
their automobile, but do not have medical payments coverage, or
have a minimal amount. Emergency room card and
hospitalization with fractures or worse can go through tens of thousands
in coverage!
As the Boy Scouts emphasize, be prepared.
Norton's annual forecast tells trends for
North Georgia area
By
Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
JAN. 23, 2008 -- Residents of North Georgia should give Frank Norton
Jr. a standing ovation. He's the guy who each January produces the
"Norton Native Intelligence" report of economic conditions
in the area.
Brack |
He doesn't have to do this, but Frank enjoys it, figuring it helps
the 48 affiliated Norton companies conduct business better. Last
week there was Frank at the Georgia Mountain Center in Gainesville,
a local predicting dynamo, forecasting what's to come. It wasn't
always good news, but at least Frank let you know where he thinks
we are headed. He outlined 10 trends.
1. The real estate market is getting a dose of reality. He says:
"It's a buyer's market now and a seller market won't return
until mid to late 2009 or early 2010." But he adds: "We're
not out of the woods yet, but we do see light, bright lights ahead."
2. North Georgia, believe it or not, will run out of houses at
certain price points in certain areas "…well before
the next construction cycle even starts its engine."
3. On the area drought, Frank doesn't want it to rain, for it
will take the pressure off officials who now lament the lack of
rain. He maintains lake management by the Corps of Engineers is
a large problem. "Loosen the Corps' fisted grip over flows.
The environment should come first."
4. On the green movement: "Mother Earth has called and North
Georgia's community has started to answer." He adds: "Rarely
has there been a bandwagon like the eco-friendly one upon which
most of America's big name businesses have jumped."
5. Dark forces of local government have been quietly conspiring
against the growth industry. Maximum impact fees, exorbitant water
and sewer permits--will add thousands to new construction, directly
passed on to buyers, building a "bureaucratic nightmare."
He adds: "Watch these night riders for anti-growth,"
as they need to unshackle regulations of government.
6. The Hispanic growth may have slowed, if not stopped. He feels
Hispanics in the North Georgia labor force who have family and
community connections are the most stable segment of the Hispanic
population, and have largely "Americanized," replacing
the previous surges of Hispanics to the area.
7. Foreclosures will create huge rental home opportunities for
24-36 months and push rental rates higher.
8. Announcement by the Corps of Engineers of a maxing of boat
docks on Lake Lanier is the most significant event since the lake
started. It is good news for Lake Hartwell. But this dock limit
is good, in that house prices on the lake will go up.
9. Local retail sales in most of North Georgia are shrinking,
going to places like Gwinnett, whose SPLOST revenues will grow.
However, current and projected new shopping areas of North Georgia
will see opportunities for a retail return.
10. The "land frenzy fueled by the housing market is over…for
a while." Low priced homes will continue to move, but high-priced
homes in locations too remote to justify a commute will suffer.
He cites a 50 month supply of lots in eight counties above Gwinnett.
About Gwinnett County, "Georgia's greatest economic engine,"
Norton is bullish. As it works off its excess homes, he notes that
its greatest strength "…is its diversity….We see
Gwinnett's continued versatility, draw of multi-cultural, international
buyers and continued growth."
He adds: "Gwinnett's underlying economic strength, commitment
and vision"…will mean it will "recover first and
fastest." He adds of its previous planning and development:
"The decisions of the 1980s are only now bearing ripe fruit."
So a big thanks to Frank Norton from all of us in North Georgia.
Your avocation in producing the Norton Native Intelligence Report
serves us all well.
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.
Is
sexism seeing a change in current Democratic race?
Editor, the Forum:
A fascinating aspect of the current presidential campaign is that
we may need to question if sexism is prevalent in our society. Men
of all races have been raised in the mythology of male superiority.
Sexism has been theologized. Many religious zealots suggest that
sexism is built into the human race by God. It is 'God's will' for
women.
The long held fantasy is: that women are physically smaller making
them secondary human beings, that they are more emotional; therefore,
less rational, capable, and adequate than men. Physical size is
constantly confused with intellectual competence and spiritual development
while insensitivity is more important than compassion in governance.
Exceptions are used to prove the male norm rule: a woman queen,
athlete, or scholar; are women who can, "think like a man,"
throw a ball "like a man," or lead a government "like
a man". Example analyses of campaign politics to date have
been the comparison of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton before the
Iowa/New Hampshire primaries.
The criticism of Clinton was that she was hard and cold. She appealed
to strategy and reason. She didn't laugh right, smile right or talk
in the right tone. She wanted to discuss particular programs and
experience instead of being more "likable." She wanted
to talk about the problems we're having and what she thought would
fix them.
Obama, on the other hand appealed to the heart. He wanted to talk
about the need for change. He appealed to good old-fashioned Americanism,
the melting pot, can-do world of national unity and compassionate
vision.
There was no appreciation for Clinton's rationality, no criticism
of Obama's sensitive and stirring appeals, no acknowledgment of
her concern for people problems, no ridicule of his vocal register.
Obama was what every woman is afraid to be, emotional. Not a word
of criticism came from it.
When Clinton lost in Iowa, she was asked why she stayed in the
race when she seemed to be losing so much ground so quickly. With
tears in her eyes, she said, "(What happens to this country)
is personal to me ..." Apparently, the old categories of hard
vs. soft, rational vs. emotional and who is allowed to exhibit them
is shifting.
Now an argument is emerging that some women leaders haven't been
so good. Why haven't we heard the argument that we shouldn't elect
a man because most of the male leaders we've had around the world,
over the ages, haven't been so good either? With our current Presidents'
love for playing dress up and the changing attitudes suggesting
who can exhibit emotion or rational thought, the old reasons for
why we do or don't elect someone aren't as persuasive as they used
to be.
-- Ralph Greene, Snellville
Wonders if Braves
using Gwinnett as ploy for Richmond
Editor, the Forum:
Now that I've heard about the possibility of AAA baseball coming
to Gwinnett, no one is more excited than I am. I've been a minor
league baseball fan for years and I can't believe that MLB teams
haven't thought of this sooner, e.g. having their minor leagues
closer to home.
I hope Gwinnett officials do this the "right" way! I can
envision a suburban stadium similar to the Braves facility in Orlando,
seating approximately 15-20,000 people, with lots of grassy areas
and picnic tables close by for tail gating. I love the thought of
being able to take the kids to a night game without worrying about
getting home after midnight. I hope this isn't just a ploy to get
Richmond to build a new stadium.
I think the Braves might reconsider when they find out how much
this team will hurt attendance downtown. I've always thought the
Braves and or Falcons should have moved out here long ago.
-- Frank Farkas, Dacula
Dear Frank: From what we have heard, it'll be
a 7,500 seat stadium. And no, the Braves aren't playing tricks
with us. They've signed on the dotted line -- for a 30 years lease!
--eeb
Lionheart to present
new play about Harper Lee book
The Lionheart Theatre Company's next offering is Thus Spoke
the Mockingbird, an original play written by and performed by
Joanie McElroy. The one woman play is about Harper Lee, author of
To Kill a Mockingbird. Scott King is the director of this
show.
The performance will be February 14-17 at the Community and Cultural
Arts Center in Norcross. For the February 14 performance, tickets
are $10, with other performances at $15 for adults and $12 for seniors
and students. Prices include admission and dessert and beverages.
For additional information, go to www.lionhearttheatre.org
or call at 770-885-0425.
Dahlonega's Bear-on-the-Square
Festival coming in April
Organizers of Dahlonega's Bear
on the Square Mountain Festival are excited that their upcoming
12th annual event, a weekend of music and art April 18-20.
The festival is a three-day event. Visiting and local musicians
will gather in groups to jam on the lawn of the historic Gold Museum
and at other points around the Public Square, providing music throughout
the festival area. An ambitious schedule of music workshops featuring
many of the festival's talented performers, is being conducted,
and a street dance is also planned.
There's more to the Bear on the Square than the music. Also taking
place around the Public Square is the festival's juried Mountain
Marketplace, offering handcrafted art based on Appalachian culture.
The artists and their work will be available at booths around the
Public Square which will be filled with pottery, handmade baskets,
jewelry, candles, instruments, jams and jellies, artwork, and much
more.
Featured musicians for this year's festival, who will be performing
in the large white tent in Hancock Park just north of the Public
Square, include the Carolina Chocolate Drops, an exciting group
of young African-American string band musicians who many observers
say "are taking the music world by storm"; and legendary
old-time country musicians Norman and Nancy Blake, who will be joined
on stage by famed fiddler James Bryan and his guitarist/singer daughter
Rachel.
Dahlonega's business community is also participating in the festivities,
with special showings at the art galleries on and near the Public
Square. Plus, a number of local musical venues have scheduled performances
that weekend. Co-sponsor of the festival is the Convention &
Visitors Bureau of the Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce.
Gwinnett
Tech winter enrollment up 16 percent over 2007
Winter quarter 2008 enrollment at Gwinnett Technical College is
up 16 percent over the same quarter last year, continuing the trend
of double-digit enrollment growth at the college recorded throughout
2007. Total credit enrollment at the college is now 4,748 students.
Sharon J. Bartels, Gwinnett Tech president, says: "We're continuing
to see strong growth in the programs that train and educate workers
for Gwinnett's hottest job sectors - including education, computers
and IT, business and the hospitality industry."
For Fall Quarter 2007, Gwinnett Tech saw the largest gain in credit
student enrollment among the state's 34 technical colleges, making
GTC the state's third largest technical college in that category.
Gwinnett Tech is the state's largest technical college when credit
enrollment, continuing education enrollment and adult education
enrollment are combined. The state Department of Technical and Adult
Education, which oversees Georgia's technical college system, reports
that Gwinnett Tech's Fall Quarter 2007 enrollment increased 12.4
percent.
For more information about enrollment at Gwinnett Tech or about
any of the college's more than 45 program options, contact 770-962-7580.
Gwinnett Medical Chest
Pain Center cops accreditation again
Gwinnett Medical Center's Chest Pain Center recently earned accreditation
from the Society of Chest Pain Centers. The Society promotes Chest
Pain Center models to address protocols, diagnosis and process improvement
related to the treatment of cardiac disease.
The Chest Pain Center at GMC was first accredited in 2005; this
is their second accreditation. The Center, located in Gwinnett Medical
Center's Emergency Department, provides:
- Rapid diagnosis and treatment of chest pain.
- Advanced diagnostic techniques and equipment.
- Evaluations performed by a team of Emergency Medicine physicians,
cardiologists, nurses and technicians who specialize in cardiac
care.
Gwinnett Medical Center recently filed an application for a Certificate
of Need from Georgia for permission to expand cardiac services to
include open heart surgery.
The Center was one of the first in the state and is the only accredited
chest pain center on the eastern side of the metro-Atlanta area.
Other metro-area centers are located in Austell, Riverdale, Douglasville
and Marietta.
Buford Highway, Pleasant
Hill Road tunnel work going well
Work on the Buford Highway at Pleasant Hill Road underpass is progressing
on schedule.
The project will tunnel under the Norfolk Southern Railroad that
runs parallel to Buford Highway and rebuild the intersection as
an interchange, utilizing ramps to get from one roadway to the other.
DOT District Engineer Russell McMurry says: "This construction
project is going well. Next weekend is a major milestone in the
progress of construction; the railroad will be shifted back to its
permanent line. A temporary track for the rail line was built and
used for about a year. Crews had to build a new, longer bridge for
the railroad to use. By shifting to the new railroad bridge; crews
can start to remove the temporary detour bridge and then work on
the retaining walls between the railroad and Buford Highway. We
are about two-thirds finished with the project and slightly ahead
of schedule for our completion date next January."
Crews will work all weekend starting Saturday, January 26 through
Monday, January 28 to switch the tracks to their permanent configuration.
The overall projected completion date for this 1.49 mile long project
is January 5, 2009 and its construction cost is over $34.6 million
Blue
Willow Inn, Social Circle
"My husband and I had a special splurge for a birthday dinner
at the highly recommended Blue Willow Inn restaurant in Social Circle,
about an hour away. It was worth the drive. The service was excellent
and we had the Seafood Buffet (every Friday and Saturday), including
a salad and soup bar, hot foods, breads and delicious desserts.
The Blue Willow Squares were yummy and drinks are included. The
place was very homey and had a lot of character with live music
that night and a cute gift shop next door. Check out prices, menu
and hours at www.bluewillowinn.com.
-- Cindy Evans, Duluth
- 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
Jack tales,
tall tales, often drawn from Southern tradition
(Continued
from January 18)
More on North American myths: in the United States an oral tradition
of English-language fairytales (or Märchen, as the Grimm brothers
called this kind of story) is weak except in the upland South. A
cycle featuring the clever young hero Jack is concentrated among
the Ward, Harmon, and Hicks families of Beech Mountain, N.C., but
also exists elsewhere in Appalachia, including north Georgia.
Jack tales, with their centuries-old European roots, have been
Americanized with features of mountain life. In one example told
by Jimmy Blaylock of Dalton, Jack is a moonshiner who uses his wits
to escape two revenue officers, convincing one to go to hell to
find the world's most beautiful girl.
With their humor deriving from characters, situation, or punch
line, jests (or jokes) are intended to provoke laughter. They are
the most prevalent type of folktale in Western society today. Older
jests popular in Georgia include those dealing with marital strife
(e.g., the "Taming of the Shrew" that was known to Shakespeare),
preacher tales in which the respected minister is taken down a notch,
and numskull tales featuring the misadventures of Irish immigrants
Pat and Mike. Modern jests, often inspired by current events, include
so-called dirty jokes that depend on their shock value.
Relying on absurd exaggeration, tall tales, like jests, are humorous
but are best told with a straight face. Many arose from the challenges
of the American frontier and the physical conditions of each region.
Lem Griffis (1896-1968), Georgia's most famous traditional storyteller,
specialized in this kind of narrative. His tales often were set
in the Okefenokee Swamp, where he was a hunting and fishing guide.
One such story features his uncle Paul, whose walking stick was
struck by a swamp snake. The poison caused the stick to swell into
a giant log, but instead of abandoning it, the enterprising old
man had a sawmill moved to the site and cut the log into ten miles
of railroad crossties. Still undaunted when a rainstorm washed the
poison out of the ties and they shrank, he gathered them up and
sold them for toothpicks.
Common subjects of Georgia legends include traumatic episodes in
the state's history such as the Civil War, encounters with ghosts
and other supernatural phenomena, and modern anxieties such as homicidal
maniacs on the loose and contaminated consumer products.
Perhaps the state's best-known local legend is set in the White
County hills and features Cherokee princess Nacoochee and her lover
from a rival tribe, Sautee. Pursued by her father's braves, the
eloping couple jump off Mount Yonah and are buried in the mound
that is a prominent feature of the valley below. Though not an authentic
Native American narrative, this typical lovers' leap legend has
achieved oral currency as an emblem of local identity. Nacoochee
Valley resident George W. Williams was the greatest contributor
to the Romeo and Juliet inspired fabrication; his version was first
published in 1871.
Georgia has played a major role in shaping the South's reputation
as a prime storytelling region. Older folk narratives are still
being told alongside a crop of modern tales. Meanwhile, a revival
of interest in live-audience narration has emerged, with Atlanta
the home of an organization called the Southern Order of Storytellers.
In their performances these professionals often use the older tales
as a resource, giving them new life.
Relationship between
growing older and laughing
"You don't stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old
because you stop laughing."
-- Keynote Humorist Michael Pritchard (1969 -), via Roy McCreary,
Dacula.
Send your thoughts, 55-word short stories, pet peeves
or comments on any issue to Gwinnett
Forum for future publication.
===========================================
MORE: Contact Gwinnett Forum at: elliott@gwinnettforum.com
© 2008, 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.
|
