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Here's how one church moves to change
its leadership
By
Rosemary Cantrell
Special to GwinnettForum.com
(Editor's note: With the change in the leadership
of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we thought
our readers would appreciate understanding more of the process
to name a new head of the church. The following is written by
a member of the local congregation. -eeb)
LILBURN, Ga., Feb. 22, 2008 -- Thomas S. Monson is the new president
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He succeeds
Gordon B. Hinckley who passed away on January 27. President Monson
has called to serve with him in the First Presidency Henry B. Eyring
as first counselor and Dieter F. Uchtdorf, to be second counselor.
The process of naming a new president of the church happens in
an orderly way that---remarkably in today's world---avoids internal
lobbying for position or rank. There is a deeply ingrained tradition
in the church that personal aspiration for leadership at any level
is inappropriate. Instead, the emphasis is on personal worthiness
and a humble willingness to serve when invited.
The highest-ranking governing body in The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints is the First Presidency, consisting of the
president and his two counselors, or advisers.
The second-highest presiding body in church government is the Quorum
of the Twelve Apostles. They serve under the direction of the First
Presidency and have heavy administrative responsibilities to oversee
the orderly progress and development of the Church throughout the
world.
When the president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints passes away, the following events take place:
1. The First Presidency is automatically dissolved.
2. The two counselors in the First Presidency revert to their
places of seniority in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Seniority
is determined by the date on which a person was ordained to the
Twelve, not by age.
3. The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, now numbering 14 and headed
by the senior apostle, assumes Church leadership. After discussion,
a formal motion is made to reorganize the First Presidency.
4. The Twelve then unanimously selects the new president of the
Church. The new president chooses two counselors and the three
of them become the new First Presidency. Throughout the history
of the church, the longest-serving apostle has always become president
of the church when the First Presidency has been reorganized.
President Monson, the 16th president of the church, has served
as a general authority since 1963, when he was called to be an apostle.
In addition to church service, he has served for many years in civic
and government assignments, including as a member of the National
Executive of the Board of Boy Scouts of America since 1969. He was
also appointed by President Ronald Reagan to serve on the President's
Task Force for Private Sector Initiatives from 1981-1982.
Robert Weiler serves as president of the Lilburn Georgia Stake
of the church, which oversees 13 congregations covering much of
Gwinnett County, as well as Rockdale, Newton, Morgan and Walton
Counties. He shared the feelings of the local members of the church,
when he said: "We are excited to have President Monson as our
new leader. Without reservation, we sustain him and his counselors,
and look forward to following their leadership, which will bless
our lives and help us draw closer to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
"
The vacancy in the Quorum of Twelve Apostles will be filled at
the General Conference of the church to be held April 5-6, 2008.
About three Gwinnett friends; crime on college
campuses
By
Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
FEB. 22, 2008 -- Funerals are a part of our everyday lives, and
we can only accept that. Yet every time a friend or even an acquaintance
dies, you feel a little diminished. Most of the time you regret
that you had not been in touch with that person recently. Or you
may remember the last time you saw that person, and wish you had
spent more time when that person.
Brack |
Luckily, we had spoken recently, though we had not seen, Wyly Puckett.
The former Lilburn paving contractor, who had moved to Loganville,
was one of those people who was fun to be around. There was no telling
what subject he might bring up, one always interesting, whether
in news events, politics, or everyday life. We will miss him. He
died at age 79 on January 23.
We also miss Charles Franzen, most recently of Duluth, who died
January 30 at age 82. A former coach and teacher, he was remembered
by many for having, when growing a beard, a striking resemblance
to who we know as Abe Lincoln. In fact, Charlie made a hobby of
portraying Lincoln, studying about him, and appearing at different
functions in this Lincoln get-up. We first met him through the Georgia
Press Association "Cracker Crumble," and enjoyed his antics
there. His son, Steve, is a juvenile court judge in Gwinnett.
Then there was Harold "Cotton" Williams, 73, of Snellville,
who died February 14 from complications of a stroke. What we liked
about Cotton was his view of life, somewhat questioning, often looking
at matters with a different viewpoint, often forcing you to smile
at the thought. Harold was a member of the Gwinnett County Fair
board for nearly 20 years, working among other capacities, with
the Miss Gwinnett Pageant. One thing about Cotton: he was always
pleasant in his outlook.
We miss these and others who have died recently. May they rest
in peace.
* * * * *
Now to an entirely different subject: crime on campus is the concern
of every college student (and parent). Universities are required
to report its crime statistics, and some may alarm you.
A recent listing of crime stats in the New York Times showed some
amazing figures for certain campuses with residence halls. Consider
these selected reportings below for 2006.
These figures don't paint a pretty picture from some of our nation's
larger and most prestigious universities. Perhaps some are the result
of being located near difficult neighborhoods. But it doesn't always
explain some of these schools showing up twice on the Top Five list.
By the way, the two Georgia schools included were the University
of Georgia and Georgia State University. Reading left to right for
Forcible Sex-Robbery- Aggravated Assault-Burglary shows Georgia
at 0-3-4-40, and Georgia State at 1-3-1-13. Compared to some other
schools, that's pretty good. For Georgia Southern (16,000) the figures
are 0-2-0-2. For Kennesaw State (20,000), the figures are 2-1-4-23.
For a detail look at the total national picture of these college
incidents, go to www.ope.ed.gov/security/Search.asp
.
 The
public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com
to you at no cost to readers. Today's sponsor is Brand Banking
Company, headquartered in Lawrenceville. It is the largest privately
held bank in Gwinnett, with assets of $1,010,000,000. The bank's
main office are in Lawrenceville on the Historic Courthouse Square,
plus has another branch on Hurricane Shoals Road. Other locations
are in Grayson, Snellville, Flowery Branch, Duluth, Buford and Atlanta.
Offices are planned in Suwanee and Dacula soon. Member, FDIC and
Federal Reserve System. For more information, go to http://www.thebrandbank.com/
Fidel,
Si!
Another great cartoon by Bill McLemore:
West
Gwinnett Aquatic Center opening set for Feb. 26
A ribbon cutting for the new West Gwinnett Park and Aquatic Center
is set for Tuesday, February 26 at 3 p.m. The pool will open immediately
following the ribbon cutting.
The 23-acre Center, located at 4488 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard
just north of South Berkeley Lake Road, is a 43,100 square foot
facility. It has a 25 yard by 25 meter competition pool; an instructional
pool, seating capacity for 750 spectators and two lighted multi-purpose
fields. An outdoor leisure pool will open in the summer of 2008.
On March 1 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., additional grand opening
activities are planned, including free pool admission, kid's activities,
demonstrations and more events.
The pool is managed by the Gwinnett Recreation Authority. Members
include Lois Allen, chair; Charles Underwood, vice chair; and Jack
Bolton, Dr. David Ficco, Jeff Little, Glenn Maloof, Charlotte Nash,
Chip Randall and Wayne Sutor.
Current and past Duluth
mayors set State of City address
Duluth Mayor Nancy Harris and the city's previous mayor, Shirley
Lasseter, will give the fourth annual "State of the City"
address on March 12 at Duluth's New City Hall. Tours of this new
state of the art facility will be available beginning at 11:30 a.m.
Admission is $25. Because of limited seating, reservations are
required by March 7. Part of the admission ($10) is tax deductible
and will be used for Duluth Civitan Club sponsored charitable activities.
Lunch is being catered by Kurt's Restaurant.
Contact Susan Weber for RSVP or questions at 678-475-3522 or E-Mail
at SOC@duluthga.net.
County OKs rebates
for toilets in homes built before 1993
You can buy new water-saving toilets and get a rebate from Gwinnett
County government. A move by the board of commissioners gives Gwinnett
water customers rebates of either $50 or $100 for replacing the
toilet/toilets in their single family residential home. Your rebate
depends on whether the replacement toilet is 1.6 gallons per flush
($50 savings) or 1.28 gallons per flush ($100 rebate.)
Only single family residential homes built before 1993 are eligible
for the rebate for a maximum of two toilets per household. Also,
only toilets purchased after Sept. 28, 2007, are eligible for the
rebate. The rebate is a lump sum and excludes the Georgia sales
tax, additional installation parts or labor costs.
Details of the program and applications can be found on the Metropolitan
North Georgia Water Planning District Web site, www.northgeorgiawater.com.
Customers may also request an application by calling (404)463-8645
or e-mail at toiletrebate@northgeorgiawater.org.
The County's intention is to set aside funds for the rebate program
each year. Rebates will be given on a first-come, first-served basis.
Customers who do not receive rebates this year are encouraged to
reapply next year provided funds are available.
Walton EMC announces
scholarship program for customers
Between $25,000 and $50,000 in scholarships are to be awarded in
the inaugural year of the Walton EMC-Operation Round Up scholarship
program. Scholarships will be available to high school seniors whose
primary residence is served by Walton EMC.
Between 10 and 20 scholarships of $2,500 each will be awarded for
the 2008-2009 school year.
Walton EMC CEO Ronnie Lee says: "Walton EMC and Operation
Round Up are proud to be able to assist our customer-owners with
education related expenses. We have always been a community focused
cooperative, and this is just one of many ways we can give back."
Graduating seniors applicants must demonstrate a dedication to
community, a commitment to academics, a strong work ethic and extracurricular
involvement. Applications are available at area high schools and
online at www.waltonemc.com;
they must be received by March 21, 2008.
Recipients will be selected by a committee comprised of Operation
Round Up board members.
Funds for the Walton EMC-Operation Round Up scholarship will be
given by Walton EMC as a result of a law which allows EMCs to donate
unclaimed refunds toward community uses.
Questions regarding applications may be directed to Sarah Malcom
at 770-266-2391. Walton EMC is a customer-owned power company that
serves 117,000 accounts over its ten-county service area between
Atlanta and Athens.
Emory Eastside Hospital
new CEO is from New Orleans
Ryan |
Emory Eastside Medical Center, has announced the selection of Kimberly
Ryan as the hospital's chief executive officer. Ryan, who began
her career as a nurse, brings more than 29 years of experience in
healthcare to the new role according to Larry Kloess, president
of HCA's TriStar Health System. The hospital is a facility of HCA's
TriStar Health System and Emory Healthcare. She replaces Les Beard,
who retired in 2007.
Prior to the move to Emory Eastside, Ryan served as principal chief
operating officer at Tulane Medical Center in New Orleans. Ryan's
experience at Tulane included the evacuation of 178 patients and
1,100 patient family members, physicians, employees and their families
following Hurricane Katrina. With the leadership of Ryan and Tulane's
senior team, the downtown hospital's New Orleans campus was rebuilt,
allowing for the return of tertiary and quaternary patient care
to the community.
Ryan is married to husband, Rich, and they have three children,
Cheryl, Matthew, and Christopher.
Emory Eastside Medical Center is a 200-bed, acute care hospital
located on two campuses in Snellville. For more information, visit
www.emoryeastside.com.
Buford singer wins
local Barbershopper of the Year award
New officers of the Stone Mountain Barbershop Chorus have been
picked for 2008. Serving the chapter in 2008 are Doug Longerbone
of Clarksville, president; Ed Houppert of Lilburn, vice president
(Music and Performance); Doug Black of Jonesboro, vice president
(Membership Recruiting); Earl Volpert of Grayson, vice president
(Program); David Whitehead of Buford, vice president (Marketing);
Charles Robinson, of Lilburn, secretary; and Greg Arthur, treasurer,
of Lilburn. Other board members at large are Matt Dorough of Braselton
and Wayne Van De Ryt of Woodstock.
The installation was at the Jacqueline Casey Hudgens Center for
the Arts in Duluth on February 16. The 65-member group will begin
its 2008 performance calendar under the musical leadership of Chorus
Director Drew McMillan of Kennesaw. Serving as assistant directors
are Tim Brooks of Grayson, Larry Crabb of Tucker and William Poole
of Decatur. Plans are now under way for their Spring show, "Harmony
on the Range", on May 31, at Mountain Park United Methodist
Church.
David Whitehead of Buford received the 2007 Barbershopper of the
Year award. This award reflects the chapter's assessment of the
individual making the most significant contribution to the overall
success enjoyed in 2007.
Mike Walsh Sr. of Loganville won the chapter's 2007 "Auggie¨
Award, named for deceased member Auggie Mamrack, as the person who
contributes the most unselfishly during 2007. He served as Public
Relations Officer and show ticket chairman during 2007.
The Stone Mountain Chorus rehearses Mondays at 7:30 p.m. in the
Hudgens Center in Duluth. Call the chorus information line at 770-978-8053
or visit www.stonemountainchorus.org
for more information.
Several books recommended
"I have recently read Mayflower, about the first several
years of the Pilgrims in America. It is a truly remarkable story
of perseverance and struggle.
"I've also just read Gates of Fire, a novel about Thermopylae
and the Spartan 300 who held off the Persians against insurmountable
odds and died to the last man. And Johnny U, a biography
about the great quarterback of the Baltimore Colts. For someone
like me growing up in the 50s and 60s, I remember the name of every
player mentioned!
Then there's Letters from a Modern Mystic, from a missionary
to the Philippines in the 20s and 30s who developed "the game
with minutes" which tries to make awareness of God ubiquitous
to one's life."
-- Zack Young, Wesleyan School
- 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
Georgia
had for short period only state censorship board
Georgia launched its first major campaign against obscene literature
in 1953, when the General Assembly unanimously voted to establish
the Georgia
Literature Commission, the first such censorship board in the
country. The onset of the paperback book revolution in the years
after World War II (1941-45), the rising popularity of adult magazines,
and the introduction of Playboy magazine in the United States
led the legislature to create the commission, consisting of three
members who would meet monthly to investigate literature that they
suspected to be "detrimental to the morals of the citizens
of Georgia." If the commission determined something to be obscene,
it had the power to inhibit distribution by notifying the distributor
and then, thirty days later, recommending prosecution by the proper
prosecuting attorney. Governor Herman Talmadge appointed Atlanta
minister James P. Wesberry, Royston newspaper publisher Hubert L.
Dyar, and Greensboro theater owner William R. Boswell to serve four-year
terms.
Most of the commission's early work was through a program of mutual
cooperation with publishers, distributors, and retailers, although
the commission became increasingly ineffective in its dealing with
magazines, as it could prohibit distribution of a particular issue
it found to be obscene but not any future issue. In late 1956 four
out-of-state publishing companies sued the commission in federal
district court on the grounds that the statute establishing the
commission was unconstitutional. A special three-judge appellate
panel ruled that the statute as correctly construed did not raise
a constitutional question. Because the court concluded that the
commission did not have any powers of censorship-the commission
could only recommend to distributors that a publication not be sold
or to prosecuting attorneys that a distributor be prosecuted-the
suit was subsequently dismissed.
Through 1967 the commission was required to take legal action in
only six instances. The beginning of the end of the commission's
efforts came on August 19, 1966, when the commission sought and
received a declaratory judgment in Muscogee County Superior Court
that Alan Marshall's Sin Whisper (1965) was obscene. The
Georgia Supreme Court also sided with the commission, concluding
that the book was "filthy and disgusting." The unanimous
opinion continued, "Further description is not necessary, and
we do not wish to sully the pages of the reported opinions of this
court with it." The U.S. Supreme Court, however, reversed the
judgment without comment in a memorandum decision without any explanation
of why the book was not obscene, without any comment about the standards
applied by Georgia courts determining it to be obscene, and without
any ruling on the constitutionality of the commission itself.
Other books chosen for review by the commission were Erskine Caldwell's
God's Little Acre (1933), J. D. Salinger's Catcher in
the Rye (1951), Norman Mailer's The Naked and the Dead (1948),
George H. Smith's Strip Artist (1964), and John Dexter's
Lust Avenger (1965).
The commission ceased operations sometime after 1973, a victim
of Governor Jimmy Carter's zero-based budgeting system, which required
state agencies to justify their existence each fiscal year. Coupled
with his and successive governors' failure to appoint replacements
for the two commission members who died that year, the agency was
thereafter unable to conduct business.
What would be happening
if life were fair
"If life were fair, Elvis would be alive and all the impersonators
would be dead."
-- Johnny Carson (1925-2005), via Boyd Duncan, 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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