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Ever wonder what happened to the Norcross
log cabin
By
Catherine Cash
Special to GwinnettForum.com
(Editor's note: The author has been a resident
of Norcross for 25 years. She is a founding member of www.savehistoricnorcoss,
has contributed eight years on the Norcross Planning and Zoning
Board and is a former member of the recent Norcross Historic Preservation
Commission. -eeb)
NORCROSS, Feb. 29, 2008 -- Have you missed the historic 1934 Log
Cabin at the top of the hill, at Lillian Webb Baseball Field, in
downtown Norcross? Many Norcross citizens, too, are wondering "what
happened?"
The demolition order, issued by the city manager in the summer
of 2007, was based on decisions by the Norcross City Council at
its January 2007 retreat in Greenville, S.C. The order was executed
without holding a public hearing, without any measures to salvage
the old window glass, wood and fieldstones, nor allow the public
to purchase items. Many memories were lost.
Better solution: with a local preservation ordinance (using language
of established Georgia State Preservation Law), a local commission
conducts demolition hearings in the designated historic district,
for any historic house/building, privately-owned or city-owned.
A public hearing provides notice of upcoming demolitions, affords
means for salvaging the entire structure or parts, and publicly
documents the new construction plans. According to Georgia State
Preservation Law, there is an adequate lead-time for notification,
with property signs and mailed letters to adjacent property owners.
Norcross political reversals: In December 2007, the City Council
bowed to special interests and failed to establish the local preservation
district, despite outside an consulting survey showing 250+ appropriate
houses in the area. (Consulting survey cost: $25,000). By the next
month, January 2008, the City Council rescinded the 16-month preservation
ordinance, achieving statewide notoriety by becoming the only city
in Georgia, perhaps in the nation, to dissolve preservation twice.
The first rescinding of the Norcross historic ordinance occurred
in the 1980s at the beginning of rapid county growth.
Other historic Georgia towns that adopt a local preservation ordinance
treasure their town's charm and history and do not reverse decisions.
Georgia has 130 cities with preservation ordinances, according to
sources at UGA's College of Preservation and Environmental Design.
These ordinances provide a solution for protection and process in
designated local historic districts. Many state cities (70+) meet
standards for a Certified Local Government (CLG), entitling them
to matching grant programs, according to Jennifer Martin Lewis,
Georgia certified local government coordinator.
Is Norcross's future the fate of the historic Log Cabin? Within
a month (February, 2008) of Norcross City Council's recent rejection
of the preservation ordinance are two new applications to alter
the historic district: proposed demolition of the 1897 Cook's Cabin
at 35 Williams Street and application for a used car lot on the
Lawrenceville Street gateway.
Until December 2007, Norcross had the tools in place to say "no"
with a defensible legal position to unwanted intrusions that threaten
the historic district's character. We have to hope that citizens
can convince the City Council to reconsider its position.
A Fragile Town: being a part of the National Historic Registry
offers no protection from demolitions or inappropriate in-fill or
new construction without a local legal ordinance. Norcross's National
Registry Listing is for the entire area, not house by house. It
is the fabric of the neighborhood that must be protected.
Political ploy could backfire on Clinton and
Democratic Party
By
Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
FEB. 29, 2008 -- Is the Obama campaign a runaway train, heading
for the Democratic nomination with no one able stop it?
Brack |
It may be.
The Barack Obama campaign now seems full of the much-used phrase,
"momentum," steamrolling almost everything in its path.
The much-heralded coronation of Lady Hillary Clinton may be postponed,
if not altogether lost along the way.
However, let's not prematurely elect anyone before the ballots
are cast. We have major primaries taking place in Ohio and Texas
on Tuesday, important enough votes that if Mrs. Clinton cannot win
at least one or both of these states, it might be virtually impossible
to keep Mr. Obama from being not only the front runner, but possible
nominee.
Yet let's suppose that somehow next Tuesday does not positively
decide the Democratic contest. Let's say that somehow, perhaps by
some very thin ropes, Mrs. Clinton remains in the race and neither
candidate wins the outright number of delegates to guarantee victory
before the Democratic convention in Denver from August 25-28.
Going a step further, let's also suppose Mrs. Clinton captures
the bulk of the "super delegates" and wins the nomination.
Right now that appears to be a fat chance, but this is conjecture.
With Mr. Obama growing in popularity, it would have been the super-delegate
professional politicians that gave Mrs. Clinton the nomination.
But what will that do to the energized Obama movement? Could it
cause those people, many of them new to politics, to be so upset
that they might decide to stay home on election day?
Would their lack of enthusiasm for a Clinton candidacy against
John McCain, be powerful enough to give the Republican a better
chance at being elected president? Will those hurt by Obama not
getting the nomination be the problem for the Democrats if Mrs.
Clinton is the nominee?
Six months ago, we thought that Mrs. Clinton would most likely
be the Democratic nominee. We also thought that perhaps any Democrat
would be the voter's choice over the nominal Republican nominee
to win the election.
The crystal ball is not so clear these days. We no longer see a
clear Democratic nominee, though right now it appears that Mr. Obama
is in a good lead. As for electing a Republican to a third straight
term, Mr. McCain may be the best chance the Republicans post for
the people in the middle to consider as a viable candidate.
It could all hinge on Tuesday's voting in Ohio and Texas….which
may signal the Democratic nominee….but doesn't give us a clear
view of what will happen in November. (Remember, too, the key role
that Ohio played in the re-election of George W. Bush.)
The upshot is that political wars are getting more muddled right
now. While many Americans desperately want a solution to the Iraq
(and growing Afghanistan) menaces, while many are tired of the meandering
lack of policies out of the Bush administration, and while we seem
to be moving rapidly toward significant economic problems, no longer
does it seem assured that the Democrats will win the fall election.
It seems much more of a dogfight than we thought it could be, both
for the Democratic nomination, and once that is decided, even for
the presidency. It's going to be a long, hot year for politics until
November's determination.
 The
public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com
to you at no cost to readers. Today's featured sponsor is The
Gwinnett Center, which is home to three distinct facilities
right here in Duluth. The Convention Center offers patrons the opportunity
to host or attend a wide variety of events; from corporate meetings
to trade shows, to social occasions. The Performing Arts Center
has an intimate capacity of 700 guests, which is home to many local
events, family shows and even the occasional comedic performer.
The Arena, coming up on its fifth year, has experienced tremendous
success. The lineup includes American Idol, The Cure, Bob Dylan,
So You Think You Can Dance, Maroon 5, The Blue Man Group, Casting
Crowns, Hannah Montana, and the ECHL American Conference Champions
Gwinnett Gladiators. We welcome the return of the Georgia Force
for their 2008 season, which begins March 1. We are also proud to
announce that the Gwinnett Center is now completely wireless to
meet your technological needs. Visit www.gwinnettcenter.com
for updates on events at the three great facilities.
Feels
commentary "got it" about potential TAD districts
Editor, the Forum:
At last someone "gets" tax allocation districts! (I wish
you would send your
column to Jim Wooten, who totally got it wrong about TADs in
his editorial column in the AJC.)
An area picked for a TAD is not chosen at random. The area will
have blight, underperforming structures, abandoned buildings, closed
factories, and declining home values. Look at Atlantic Station before
development! What developer wished to take that on without the help
of the TAD?
What gets little mention is the "halo" effect of a TAD.
The area around a TAD district also redevelops as the TAD district
does. Atlantic Station is a great example. The properties around
the TAD contribute right away to the tax base without the wait for
the bonds to be serviced.
This makes up for any "loss" to the school districts.
But as you point out in declining areas, the taxes are basically
locked in for the duration of the TAD guaranteeing no further loss
of revenue to the school. TAD bonds are being serviced quicker than
the 20 years of most bonds, and some TADs are financed on a pay-as-you-go
basis with bank loans.
Here in Sugar Hill the area we tentatively selected for a TAD which
contained an abandoned factory, empty lots, city property, school
and church property. Not much on the tax rolls! Our goal is to create
a Sugar Hill Downtown with shopping, restaurants, loft living, pedestrian-friendly
sidewalks, period streetlamps, benches, street trees, and on and
off street parking. Now wouldn't that be a windfall for the school
district when developed?
-- Don Kelemen, City of Sugar Hill
Feels even third graders
can now understand TAD proposal
Editor, the Forum:
Thank you for the "layperson's" explanation of a TAD.
Complex ideas can be distilled into an easy to read format if it
is done the right way with thought and attention to important details.
Your piece was well structured and made it easy for my politically-minded
third grader to comprehend without being condescending. He thinks
it is a great idea. Now let's see how effective it can be in educating
others on real world options.
-- Beth Volpert-Serrero, Grayson
All letters to this
Forum are not necessarily in good taste
Editor, the Forum:
February 25 marked the first day back to school for the students
of Northern Illinois University since the senseless killing spree
took place on that campus two weeks ago, claiming the lives of five
students and wounding 16 people.
Here's what I can't understand: didn't the gunman see the "Gun
Free Zone" signs around campus? Surely he must have known,
being a former student, that guns are absolutely NOT permitted on
campus.
Oh, that's right….. It's because evil people with cruel intensions
KNOW that their victims will be defenseless in a college environment.
I bet if someone had the means of shooting back, innocent lives
could have been saved. Or perhaps even some of those "forced
sex, burglary, aggravated assault and robbery" statistics shared
in GwinnettForum recently could have been lessened. Just a thought.
-- Craig Heighton, Hoschton
Dear Craig: I am glad you are in Georgia, and
just hope that none of the parents and friends of victims in Illinois
of this shooting sees your comment. Your insensitivity to their
plight is what worries me. Trying to make a point from this tragedy
shows your lack of understanding of just what the problems are.
-eeb
Raises questions on
funding redevelopment by TAD bonds
Editor, the Forum:
It may come as no surprise that I have consistently opposed TADs.
However, after reading a recent GwinnettForum column, I could almost
change my position. Unfortunately I have two continuing problems
not addressed.
First if we were just talking about a TAD for the Western Electric-ATT-Lucent-OFS
property I would support the effort. The real problem is the upcoming
July vote is simply to give the Commissioners the power to create
TADs - anywhere in the county and as many as they want. It seems
to me to be tantamount to giving a compulsive shopper a credit card
with no limits. The recent budgeting process reveals little or no
fiscal restraint on the part of any commissioner or the chair.
A larger concern is what happens if the property does not increase
in value or continues to go down. Yes the taxes are frozen but what
about the bonds that were financed by the taxes on the incremental
value. Ultimately those bonds are the responsibility of Gwinnett
County (you and me).
If redevelopment of this property is feasible, the developers should
take on the risk and reap the rewards. TADs transfer too much of
the risk to us.
-- Patrick Malone, Snellville
Dear Pat: Your larger concern is wrong. The bonds
are not General Obligation bonds of the county. Only the private
bondholders are at risk. The debt service cannot legally hit the
general fund of the county. Only future value increases from the
tax increment on the property secure the bonds. Should those increases
fail to materialize, the bondholder assumes all risk of default.
That at least takes out one of your concerns. ---eeb
A
Democratic mirror?
Another great cartoon from Bill McLemore:
Gwinnett
Place CID extends support for TAD corrective
Leaders of the Gwinnett Place CID officially extended the District's
support for legislation ensuring the full viability of tax allocation
districts (TADs) for future local and statewide redevelopment.
The CID Board of Directors approved a resolution urging lawmakers
to provide a legal remedy following a recent State Supreme Court
ruling stating that local boards of education cannot participate
in TADs. The General Assembly needs to take action during this legislative
session in time for the community redevelopment question to appear
on the ballot statewide during the current election cycle, the CID
board said.
Joe Allen, CID executive director, said while the recent court ruling
has no direct impact on existing projects at Gwinnett Place, the
District wants to maintain a full complement of options for future
redevelopment.
"We want to be ready so that when it comes time for their need,
we have the full impact and availability of TADs if they are deemed
appropriate for this area," Allen said.
The CID Board also entered an agreement with Massey and Bowers LLC
to provide governmental consulting and advocacy in the General Assembly
relative to TADs. Certain other CIDs, including those in Gwinnett,
as well as some private property owners are spearheading the effort
Connie Wiggins is
speaker for Success Lives Here breakfast
Speaking at the March 14 Success Lives Here breakfast will be Connie
Wiggins, executive director of Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful. The
breakfast will be at 7:45 a.m. at the Sugarloaf Country Club.
Ms. Wiggins will share her secrets to success of her program over
the years. She has been the key executive of the organization since
1985.
Cost is $45 for Chamber members; $55 for non-Chamber members. To
reserve space, contact RSVP to Scott Burkholder at sburkholder@gwinnettchamber.org.
Three CIDs get grants
for promoting tourism industry
"Sometimes you don't realize that some of your strongest partners
are already in your own backyard." Caryn McGarity, executive
director of the Gwinnett Convention and Visitors Bureau (GCVB),
recently described Gwinnett's three Community Improvement Districts
as partners that will help promote Gwinnett County as a destination
for meetings, sporting events, conventions and leisure travel.
Over 40 percent of Gwinnett hotels are located within a Gwinnett
CID, which is a primary reason why the success of the CIDs is so
important to the hospitality community. The CIDs have made amazing
progress in their missions addressing the individual challenges
of each district including infrastructure, transportation and crime
issues. "All three should be commended for the hard work and
progress they have made," adds McGarity.
The CIDs were recently awarded tourisms grants totaling $20,000
to assist with creating destination maps and brochures which will
highlight the attractions available in each area. The marketing
pieces will highlight restaurants, hotels and retail opportunities
within in each Gwinnett Community with the intent of encouraging
residents and visitors to shop and enjoy the accommodations within
the respective districts.
The Gwinnett Convention and Visitors Bureau is Gwinnett County's
official tourism organization and is dedicated to strengthening
Gwinnett County's economy by marketing the county as a destination
for conventions, sporting events, meetings and leisure travel through
sales, marketing and promotion.
Suwanee promotions
win three awards from Southeast group
The City of Suwanee took home an array of awards from the 2008
Southeast Festivals and Events Association (SFEA) annual conference:
four gold or first-place awards as well as a second-place recognition.
The SFEA presented 120 annual Kaleidoscope Awards to 28 organizations
on February 19 in Greenville, N.C.
Lynne DeWilde's prizing winning photo of Atlanta Symphony
in concert at Suwanee. |
Suwanee's 2007 events were recognized in several categories. Primrose
Schools of Suwanee won in the Best Sponsor category for the schools'
interactive sponsorship of Suwanee Day, the community's annual family
festival. Kim Towne, volunteer chairperson on the Suwanee Day planning
committee, was recognized as Best Volunteer for her work in upgrading
the festival's online volunteer registration process.
Another award with a Suwanee Day connection was in the Best Event
within an Event category. Suwanee won for its Sail-A-Bration activities
at Suwanee Day, which marked Suwanee's designation by Money magazine
as one of America's best places to live. Last year's Suwanee Day
t-shirt, the design for which was created by Amanda Savage, a 2007
Oconee County High School graduate, won a silver award in the Best
T-Shirt category.
The other first-place award taken home by Suwanee was in the Best
Event Photo category for a photograph that depicts Jere Flynt conducting
the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra during a June 30 concert at Town
Center Park. The photo was taken by Lynne Bohlman DeWilde, Suwanee's
public information officer.
Mere Christianity, by C.S. Lewis
"I read Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis, a reformed
atheist who became one
of the great Christian thinkers of the 20th Century. The book explains
why Christianity makes sense from an intellectual perspective.
"On a completely different note, I am reading Peachtree
Creek by Dave Kaufman. He explored the entire creek on foot
and by canoe (where possible) and wrote about what he saw and learned.
It's a coffee table book, beautiful photography and very interesting.
"I also have read both The Kite Runner and A Thousand
Splendid Sons by
Khaled Hosseini. Hasn't everyone? They are both great reads."
-- Bo Spalding of Jackson Spalding.
- 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
Country
music recordings in South date back to 1927
The event often referred to as the birth
of country music took place in 1927 in Bristol, Tenn., when
the Victor Records talent scout and recording engineer Ralph Peer
set up a temporary recording studio on the last leg of his tour
of the South. During these sessions, which came to be known as the
"Bristol Sessions," Peer recorded Jimmie Rodgers and the
Carter Family, who would become country music's first major stars.
WSB Barn Dance |
Four years earlier, Polk Brockman, who worked as director of the
phonograph department in his grandfather's Atlanta furniture store,
had urged Peer to record the Georgia cotton mill worker Fiddlin'
John Carson. The success of Carson's recordings of "Old Familiar"
tunes (early country music recordings put out by Columbia Records)
convinced Peer and Victor Records to seek more artists in the musical
style that would become known as country. Carson can arguably be
called country music's first performing star. He certainly had the
first commercially successful country recording.
The growth of commercial country music corresponds with both the
urban migration of rural southerners, prompted to move first by
the promise of city jobs and then by the agricultural setbacks of
the Great Depression, and with the rise of radio as a form of entertainment.
As rural southerners moved to the cities and to the North in search
of employment, they took their musical tastes with them. "Barn
Dance" radio programs emerged in the mid-1920s with Chicago's
"National Barn Dance" in 1924 and Nashville's "Grand
Ole Opry" a year later, and they grew in popularity through
the 1930s with venues in major cities throughout the United States
and Canada. The Atlanta radio station WSB ran the "WSB Barn
Dance" from 1940 to 1950.
The repeal of prohibition in 1933 facilitated the growth of the
honky-tonk era, which brought a more raucous musical style and lyrical
content into country music. Honky-tonks were dance halls where lively
music accompanied dancing and drinking. The popularity of honky-tonk
musician Hank Williams (an Alabama native) was a turning point,
bringing the honky-tonk ethos not only into mainstream country music
in the 1950s, but into pop music.
One civilization moves
through, but nothing left in its place
"The tragedy of American civilization is that it has swept
away WASP morality and put nothing in its place."
-- Author Louis Auchincloss (1917- ) in The Fabbri Tape.
Send your thoughts, 55-word short stories, pet peeves
or comments on any issue to Gwinnett
Forum for future publication.
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