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Group near Mountain Park seeks neighborhood
improvement
By
Frances Smith
President, Park Place Community Association
Special to GwinnettForum.com
STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga., March 4, 2008 -- In 2007, the Evermore CID
sponsored, in concert with Gwinnett County, a multi-disciplinary
study of the Park Place Area. Centered on the Rockbridge/U.S. Highway
78 intersection and extending from the DeKalb County line on the
west to Stone Drive on the east, the purpose of the study was to
develop and implement a plan that will serve as a blueprint for
addressing transportation, land use, economic development, revitalization,
and community design issues.
Smith |
A completed study was published in August, and per the recommendations
and as a result of the study, the Park Place Community Association
(PPCA) has been formed. Comprised of representatives from the business
sector, homeowner groups, and churches within the local community,
the objectives are to remain focused on the implementation, financing,
and promotion of the Park Place Community, using the recommendations
in the study as how to best accomplish these goals. The Gwinnett
County Board of Commissioners formally adopted the study in November
2007, and as such, PPCA is now recognized as the lead agency for
representing these community initiatives, working with the county,
local agencies, Evermore CID, and the community.
A Town Hall Meeting was held at Mountain Park Aquatic Center in
Stone Mountain, open to all residents, businesses, and members of
the community. Several of those in attendance participated in the
study itself and had a familiarity with the goals and visions that
were realized through the study's completion. Early participation
was encouraging, as we had 75+ members in attendance. As we move
forward with PPCA, we are continuing to generate new community interest
as we communicate our presence and message. We expect participation
and membership in PPCA to be a significant segment of our community
based on initial response.
Currently PPCA is exploring federal funding options through Federal
HOME funds, CDBG funds as well as, seeking grant and foundation
monies. The PPCA is currently in discussions with the Gwinnett Chamber
of Commerce to help identify key pockets of development opportunity.
Attracting new private sector business and revitalization of blighted
retail space are also foremost on the PPCA agenda. A project currently
underway, inspired by the study, is an intersection improvement
at Rockbridge and East Park Place.
The PPCA is attending and will continue to work with the Stone
Mountain Memorial Association to bridge the gap between associations
and develop a more holistic sense of neighboring community organizations.
This relationship could be very productive, as the park could stimulate
interest in businesses within PPCA, and be an additional source
of shopping, entertainment and travel accommodations. In turn, the
PPCA community not only enjoys the activities inside the Park, but
will provide a more engaging surrounding destination for Park visitors.
This coupled with an effort to enhance connections to retailers,
office developments, and neighborhoods would improve mobility, and
with attractive enhanced streetscapes, could reinforce the PPCA's
image as a destination and place of choice.
Lastly, PPCA has a vision and commitment to achieve a "sea
of change" in our community. At present we are merely a pass
through and not a destination, and a strong collaborative involvement
of all in the PPCA community should yield an improved function and
image and reinforce our position that "the whole is greater
than the sum of the parts."
Your old computer can be of immense help to
others
By
Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
MARCH 4, 2008 -- Gwinnett is one of the "most wired"
counties in the state, and probably in the nation. Residents of
the community, as well as the businesses, are computer savvy. According
to the latest Scarborough data, 82 percent of Gwinnett households
have computers, 81 percent have internet connections and 71.2 percent
have high-speed internet.
Brack |
Not only that, but virtually any business of any size today has
a computer. Even grouchy mossbacks are seen pecking away, sometimes
with one finger, on computers. These amazing machines have become
so useful in our everyday lives.
Yet one segment of the county is less "wired" than most
of the county We refer to many smaller non-profit organizations,
those barely eeking by, who often do not have sufficient funds to
join the more modern world with computers. Run on tight budgets
carefully by volunteers, these non-profits would benefit tremendously
if they had just one or two computers, or one or two more, to make
their operations much smoother to run.
In the past few months, we've bumped into many individuals from
non-profits lamenting their need for these computers. It would cause
you pause to see how antiquated some of our non-profits operate,
as they seek to contribute their time and talent often to those
who are less fortunate.
Yet today though computers are the least expensive than they have
ever been, these non-profits feel that they should use what funds
they have to address their main cause, not to buy computers.
Isn't there something we as individuals and companies can do?
How many of us have purchased new computers in the past year, and
casually set aside the old computer, thinking we might need to use
it again should the new computer crash, or get zapped. But in reality,
how often does that happen? For most of us, seldom.
We as families and companies keep those old computers around. Some
firms are virtually awash in old computers. But the point: most
of these older computers still work well; they are just are slower
or new ones were bought to bring us up-to-date. (When you donate
a computer, remember to remove your personal information from the
hard drive so you do not compromise your personal information.)
What we need, it would appear, is to match some of thee non-profits
needing computers with those who have older computers. Many a non-profit
would be perfectly pleased to have your older computer. After all,
an older computer for word processing or keeping lists would work
well for them, and that is what they need.
OK, tell you what: GwinnettForum will open its own computer to
accept listings of your discarded computers. Don't send us your
computer. Send us the name, model and information that you have
on your computer. We'll keep a listing.
Meanwhile, we urge non-profit organizations to list with us what
they need in computer hardware. We'll try to match the donors and
the non-profits. It'll be a way to place the computer for individuals
and companies, and provide an older but useful piece of hardware
for non-profits.
And those from the non-profit organizations in need of training,
perhaps we can find others who will facilitate this.
A matching computer program can benefit everyone, the donor, the
organization, and the public that the non-profit serves.
Now, who will send the first listing? Send your listing to info@gwinnettforum.com.
 The
public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com
to you at no cost to readers. Today's featured sponsor is Anderson
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or call 770-962-4111.
Comes
to defense of writer who was blasted; an apology
Editor, the Forum,
Your attempt to marginalize Mr. Heighton from Hoschton (GwinnettForum,
Feb. 29) based upon "insensitivity" did nothing
to address his point regarding the fallacy of gun control. Once
you thought that you had discredited Mr. Heighton using "insensitivity"
then you made the errant logic leap to claiming that he lacks understanding.
Shame on you, Mr. Brack! Mr. Heighton has an excellent grasp of
the problem and now has an excellent grasp of the tactics that some
people use to avoid seriously addressing an issue. I think that
you owe him an apology and you owe your readers a thoughtful response
to his comments.
-- Wayne Buchheit, Dacula
Dear Wayne: Yeah, I was both hot, and hard, on
Craig. Thank you for clear thinking and coming to his defense.
I do apologize. Some topics hit my hot button, I'll admit. One
of them is the gun lobby, which never seems to miss a trick, no
matter how much bad taste is involved.---eeb
Andersonville
Cemetery plans "Luminary" for March 8
Many people are aware that nearly 13,000 Union prisoners died at
Camp Sumter near Andersonville during the Civil War. But how can
you visualize that amount of deaths?
On Saturday, March 8, visitors will have the chance to experience
the magnitude of that level of sacrifice. With the help of hundreds
of volunteers, Andersonville National Historic Site will host a
luminary event from 7 to 10 p.m. Small paper bags holding one lit
candle each will be placed for each of the men who died at Andersonville
as a representation of their sacrifice.
Visitors will be able to drive around the historic prison site
and see a blue luminary that represents each Union prisoner of war
who died at Andersonville. There will also be more than 200 gray
luminaries for each of the Confederate guards who lost their life
during the 14 months that the infamous prison camp was in operation.
Fred Boyles, superintendent of the Historic Site, says: "It
is difficult to envision the loss of such a large number of people.
The luminaries are a dramatic depiction of the sacrifice made by
so many who gave their lives for our freedom."
Volunteer opportunities are available to assist park staff with
this project. If you are interested in being a part of this tribute,
call the park at 229-924-0343, extension 203, to register.
Andersonville National Historic Site is located ten miles north
of Americus, on Geoirgia Highway 49. Park grounds open at 8 a.m.,
the National Prisoner of War Museum opens at 8:30 a.m. The park
normally closes at 5 p.m. though will have special visiting hours
on March 8.
Fusion Church plans
helicopter drop of eggs March 15
Using a helicopter and nearly one hundred volunteers, over 25,000
plastic eggs will descend onto a football field at George Pierce
Park in Suwanee on Saturday, March 15. The event, sponsored by Fusion
Church, is for kids 12 and under and will also feature a kids play
zone and prizes. The event and registration begin at 10 a.m. and
the egg drop will happen at 11 a.m.
Tony McCollum, senior pastor of Fusion Church, which meets at North
Gwinnett High School, says: "We wanted to do something for
the community this Easter that wouldn't soon be forgotten, and we
think this spin on the traditional Easter egg hunt will accomplish
that." There will be candy in every egg, and some eggs will
be redeemable for special prizes like Nintendo Wii's, Nintendo DS's,
iPod touch's, cash and a 37" LCD TV! Prior to the egg drop
there will be the Eggland play area featuring games and activities
for children under the age of three.
After the helicopter drop, children 3 to 12 years old will be released
on to the field filled with the colorful eggs to collect as many
treasures as they can. The field will be divided into three sections
by age so that every child has a fair chance of collecting eggs.
Tech Forum to hear
employment search engine founder
On March 18, Warren Bare, founder and CEO of Jobkabob, a startup
employment search engine, shares his lessons learned in launching
several Internet companies at the Gwinnett Technology Forum. He
will also have some practical suggestions about how traditional
companies can use the Internet more innovatively.
The event is at 7:30 a.m. at the Scientific-Atlanta auditorium
in the Busbee Center at Gwinnett Technical College in Lawrenceville.
Today, Jobkabob is one of the leading companies focused on better
matching between job seekers and jobs. Jobkabob's proprietary search
is based on skills and experience, not keywords. This lets employers
and job seekers find a better match much more quickly. In the mid-90s,
Bare started an employment site that eventually merged with another
company to become the largest online job search site in the United
States today.
There is no charge to attend, though RSVP's are required. RSVP
to Melissa Britt at mailto: melissa@gwinnettchamber.org.
.
Rail Museum's "Caboose
Days" expands; set for April 5-6
The Southeastern Railway Museum announces that the annual Caboose
Day has been expanded to a two day event celebrating the train and
the folks that lived and worked on them. This year's event will
be April 5-6, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday and from noon
until 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Activities include temporary caboose tattoos, a caboose hunt, special
speakers and food. There will be a craft corner for kids to create
a souvenir to take home as well.
Through March 29, the museum is open for general admission only
on Saturdays. Effective April 3, the museum will expand days of
operation for the summer.
The Southeastern Railway Museum has been in operation since 1970
and is "Georgia's Official Transportation History Museum."
The museum has over 80 other pieces of retired railway rolling stock
including vintage steam and diesel locomotives, passenger coaches,
private business cars, a World War II army troop kitchen, wooden
freight cars, railway post office car and maintenance of way equipment.
Transit history is represented with a cross section of busses and
trolleys from the early 1900's through the mid 1980's. The museum
is also home to MARTA's historic bus fleet which includes busses
from many of the predecessor systems to MARTA. Many other items
from Georgia's transportation history are also presented on the
museum's 35-acre site.
Trains rides aboard restored cabooses are complementary with admission.
Train rides are only available on Saturdays through March. The museum
is located at 3595 Buford Hwy in Duluth.
Children's Rehabilitation
Services moves to Satellite Blvd.
Children's Rehabilitation Services marked the relocation of its
facility at Satellite Boulevard on February 26. The ribbon-cutting
ceremony, which was attended by Children's employees and community
leaders, included a presentation by a patient family and Jim Maran,
president of the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce.
The relocation of Children's Rehabilitation Services, these
people were present. From left are Jim Maran, Gwinnett Chamber
of Commerce; Lornha Markham, manager of Rehabilitation Services
Northern Satellites; Deborah McBee; Meredith McBee; Denise
Swords, vice president of operations; Dr. Maurice Sholas,
medical director of Rehabilitation Services; and Diane Waldner,
director of Rehabilitation Services. |
The new facility, which is located on Satellite Boulevard next
door to the Children's Immediate Care and Sports Medicine facilities,
offers a wide range of services including occupational therapy,
physical therapy, speech therapy as well as orthodontics and prosthetics.
The ceremony's highlight was a testimonial from a Gwinnett area
Children's patient, Meredith McBee, and her mother. Meredith, 11,
was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma last year. She has undergone a limb
salvaging procedure and received her last dose of chemotherapy in
February. During the past few months, she has been enduring the
painful process of re-learning to walk.
Meredith's mother read a poem at the ceremony she wrote entitled
"Twas the Night Before Walking." Through tears that she
says always embarrasses Meredith, she relayed the story of pain,
fear and anxiety that comes with having your child diagnosed with
cancer, worrying if she will ever get out of a wheelchair and facing
the challenge of chemotherapy.
Getting Things Done, by David Allen
"Right now, I'm in the middle of Getting Things Done
by David Allen.
It's an insightful "how-to" on "the art of stress-free
productivity." For instance, he is really big on the practice
of identifying the "next action" needed on every project.
The "next step" may actually be quite simple or easy,
but progress stops if we don't identify it and record it in a place
that we are sure to see it. The author maintains that much of our
stress is due to our minds trying to keep up with things that should
be recorded in a place that is sure to arrest our attention at the
right time. In addition to a complete system of project management,
he shares many simple tricks that will work for people, even if
they don't decide to implement his entire program. So far, every
idea I've implemented from the book has been very effective for
me."
-- From Monte Nichols, Gwinnett Philharmonic
- 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
Herschel
Johnson once Stephen Douglas' vice presidential mate
Perhaps most famous as Stephen Douglas's 1860 vice presidential
candidate, Herschel
Johnson played an anomalous but central role in the heated sectional
politics of the 1850s and 1860s. Taken as a whole, his contradictions
encapsulate the intense ambivalence Georgians felt toward disunion,
especially in the years before the Civil War.
Johnson |
Herschel Vespasian Johnson was born on September 18, 1812, in Burke
County. Johnson passed through the University of Georgia, graduating
in 1834. He took up the law and established prosperous practices
in Augusta, Louisville, and finally Milledgeville, the state capital.
In 1847 he tried in vain to secure the party's gubernatorial nomination.
In 1848 Johnson was appointed to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated
by Walter Colquitt, which he occupied for just over a year before
returning home to serve as a superior court judge.
After the Nashville Convention of 1850, Georgia governor George
W. Towns called for a state convention that would meet in December
to consider secession. Johnson, with Towns, led the Southern Rights
Democrats, who were opposed by a powerful Constitutional Unionist
coalition headed by Howell Cobb, Alexander Stephens, and Robert
Toombs. However, sectionalist sentiment was not yet strong enough
in historically moderate Georgia, and the Constitutional Unionists
buried the states' rights men at the polls.
Nevertheless, the 1850s turned out to be an extraordinarily active
political decade for Johnson, one in which the man who had once
plumped vigorously for Georgia's states' rights would undergo an
astonishing conversion. In 1852 he served once again as a presidential
elector, and in 1853 he was elected governor. He was reelected in
1855. By mid-decade, the possibility of Southern secession was again
being openly rumored. But this time Governor Johnson--disabused
of his former belief in the vitality of separatism by the events
of 1850--dismissed the idea that any sizeable number of southerners
harbored ambitions to sever their region's ties to the Union.
This stance won Johnson a reputation for moderation, which led
in turn to his nomination for vice president by the Douglas Democrats
in 1860. Although he certainly embodied the Southern ambivalence
toward the North, his path from secessionist in 1850 to unionist
in 1860 inverted the trajectory of the South as a whole over the
same period. Johnson changed his mind not out of any great fondness
for the North but because he had become convinced that slavery was
much more secure within the Union than outside of it.
Johnson served the rest of his career with quiet distinction. Once
the decision for disunion was made, he reluctantly went along with
his state, even serving as a Confederate senator from 1862 to 1865.
After the war, he was elected, along with Alexander Stephens, to
the U.S. Senate under Andrew Johnson's Reconstruction scheme, but
like all of those elected to Congress from Georgia in early 1866,
he was not seated. He then returned to Louisville and resumed his
career as an attorney. After 1873 he served as a judge until his
death on August 16, 1880.
Politicians create
problems, then campaign against them
"Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems
and then campaign against them."
-- Syndicated columnist Charley Reese (born Washington, Ga.
1937), via Marshall Miller, Lilburn.
Send your thoughts, 55-word short stories, pet peeves
or comments on any issue to Gwinnett
Forum for future publication.
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is an online community commentary for exploring pragmatic and sensible
social, political and economic approaches to improve life in Gwinnett
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