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What if your lifetime was spent chained
to a tree?
By
Leigh Ann Dickey
Executive director and founder
Chihuahua
Rescue of Georgia
S pecial to GwinnettForum
BUFORD, Ga., July 11, 2008 -- I used to own a nail salon in the
downtown section of Buford. After moving in, I noticed a house next
door with a black mixed breed dog tethered to a tree in the back
yard. The dog's filthy existence was visible from my pedicure room
window. Before long, I found myself wondering more about the poor
dog and how long she'd been there.
Dickey and her rescued pet dog |
One day, I decided to ask the neighbors across the street about
the dog. They told me she'd been chained to the same tree for over
seven years, where she had several litters of puppies. The puppies
often wandered into the street and were killed. Finally, the neighbor
paid to have the dog spayed.
Still, the dog was kept tethered to the tree. And there were many
days I stood in the window of my pedicure room imagining life tethered
to a tree: a life filled with despair and loneliness.
I was in awe of the dog's loyalty to the people who imprisoned
her to the tree. As the owners threw her leftover scraps each night,
she would bark, jump, and try to break free from her prison, but
they ignored her desperate attempts.
During my three years at the salon, I called Gwinnett County animal
control when the dog became tangled or matted. Each time, they asked
if there was a dog house, with food and water. I always told them
no which prompted an officer to show up. But each time the dog remained
tethered to the tree.
Soon, I moved from the salon, but I never forgot about the old
girl. One day last year, I called animal control and explained the
situation in hopes that the new anti-chaining law could answer my
prayers. A few months after my call, I visited the salon and noticed
something different about the house next door. I was in disbelief
when I saw a chain link fence around the backyard. My eyes welled
up with tears immediately as I realized my phone call was perhaps
the reason for the fence.
I was both happy and sad for the dog as I blotted my tears. Sad,
because the dog that had lived her whole life tethered to a tree,
was now scared to lose her best friend. She couldn't bring herself
to leave her tree. I justified this by acknowledging she was now
disabled with arthritis and simply could not move away from the
tree as I saw her stand, wobble, and lay back down in the same spot.
So, for this old girl, life essentially remains the same. I am
sure I will drive by again soon to see if she is still in the same
spot by the tree or, perhaps better, she has moved on from this
world finally to rest in peace.
Reflections on TAD proposal on ballot, and
MARTA question
By
Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
JULY 11, 2008 -- How is it that voting in the Georgia primary always
seems to sneak up on us? Yep, next Tuesday, July 15, is the Georgia
General Primary.
Brack |
It's time for you to make up your mind on which of the candidates
for local offices you will support, and also, which primary of the
two parties you will participate in. Somehow, time the November
General Election rolls around, we are virtually tired of politics,
and want to get it over with. But for the primary, it always seems
to come quite sooner than we expected.
In this primary ballot, Gwinnett County will get a chance to make
a move to keep it abreast of other counties (and cities) of Georgia.
Gwinnett must decide if it will allow the extension of Tax Allocation
Districts (TADS) to the county.
Already, 49 states allow this type of financial instrument. Not
only that, but many cities, including Suwanee, Norcross, Lilburn,
Duluth, Buford, Sugar Hill, Braselton, Dacula and Loganville, have
approved Tax Allocation Districts within their borders. TADS are
also allowed in such cities as Macon, Augusta, Gainesville, Savannah
and Atlanta.
Nearby counties allow TAD Districts, including Fulton, Bibb, DeKalb
and Clayton. Clayton? That county that has almost seemed backward
in recent months? Yes, Clayton allows TAD Districts.
Here's why: Tax Allocation Districts make sense. They allow private
investments to clean up either run-down and blighted, or under-developed,
real estate. But note that it is not funds generated by tax dollars.
The money for these improvements comes from private investors, who
realize the potential of a property, and put in their monies.
When a local government approves such a TAD district, it means
that revenue bonds can finance the property at a lower-than-normal
rate, making improvements in the community, and also generating
higher property values as the rundown property is enhanced.
But the good part: Once a TAD area is improved, the increased valuation
it provides can enhance the community and its tax rolls for years.
The overall market is enhanced, and more tax monies come off the
improved project than the county would get if the area remained
blighted.
That's why we urge you to vote for county approval of tax allocation
districts in the Tuesday balloting. But, as one letter notes to
GwinnettForum today, the wording is so convoluted that you may not
realize that you are voting on this subject. We urge you to approve
the measure that reads:
"Shall the Act be approved which authorizes Gwinnett
County to exercise redevelopment powers under the 'Redevelopment
Powers Law,' as it may be amended from time to time, for the purpose
of improving economic and social conditions in depressed areas
within the county?"
You will be voting for a better future for Gwinnett with this measure's
approval.
* * * * *
No matter which primary you vote in Tuesday, there will be a poorly-worded
MARTA straw poll on the ballot. With the high cost of fuel, it makes
sense to vote to OK this measure.
We will admit distaste for one aspect: both MARTA proposals on
both primary ballots are poorly worded, and are virtually meaningless.
After all, these are not binding questions about MARTA.
However, they can test the sentiment of the people. By now enough
of us may be fed up by either (l) congested traffic, or (2) high
fuel costs, to make it more reasonable to be in favor of the MARTA
question in Gwinnett. We hope so. But even if such questions were
overwhelmingly approved on both party ballots, seeing MARTA in Gwinnett
might not be a reality until the time our grandchildren are grown.
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planning efforts to address traffic congestion, an area-wide marketing
initiative, daily community patrols keeping the area free from graffiti
and litter, landscaping enhancements, infrastructure improvements
and promoting redevelopment opportunities, the CID Board of Directors
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please visit www.GwinnettPlaceCID.com.
Upset
with wording on proposals on primary voting ballots
Editor, the Forum:
Say what? Would some knowledgeable reader of the Forum be able
to translate and put into usable context the meaning behind the
special election ballot question found on the county website? It'll
appear on your ballot, saying:
"Shall the Act be approved which authorizes Gwinnett
County to exercise redevelopment powers under the 'Redevelopment
Powers Law,' as it may be amended from time to time, for the purpose
of improving economic and social conditions in depressed areas
within the county?"
Based on the Gwinnett County election site offered by Roger Hagen
in the July 7 Forum, I found this "Special Election Ballot"
with a single question on it. The above text is from the Gwinnett
Election site.
Politicians make some interesting "rules" as they play
their games. Here is what appears to be: an option for the citizens
of Gwinnett to allow the county government the option to do anything
so long as they think it will help a depressed area within the county.
So who will be held accountable in the future to decide what is
defined as depressed? Where is the "meat" of this question?
What will we be getting ourselves into if this should pass? Is this
a binding or a non-binding "resolution?"
I also enjoy the difference in wording regarding MARTA found between
the Democratic and Republican ballots. (I believe that issue has
been brought up here before in the Forum.)
Based on the sample ballots online most of the "questions"
beyond the election for offices seem more like an opinion poll.
Shouldn't that be kept more to the political parties and possibly
news media to handle on their own dime and not as ballot questions
in an election process that will probably have very low turnout?
And just looking at the questions it certainly has hints that the
Democratic ballot is wishing to add more government to our county
while the Republican ballot seems to be very vague in what it is
trying to accomplish.
Good luck voting this time around.
Seriously though, I'd really like some sort of real life explanation
to the Special Election text covered above. I don't think enough
people will really understand what it is implying just by reading
it for the first time on the ballot.
-- Scott Phillips, Dacula
Dear Scott: Couple of points: First, don't you
know that when we send normal, everyday people to the Legislature
to word referendum proposals, they try to confuse us? Seriously,
the proposition you refer to is the "Tax Allocation District"
proposal. Though obscure, it's a good message, and you should
vote for it.
As to the other questions such as MARTA being
before us, remember these are not governmental questions, but
measures the individual parties want our opinion on. And yes,
I too think it is useless, since it is non-binding!
--eeb
Concerned about new
three-tier water rate structure
Editor, the Forum:
My husband and I have been conserving water so well, over the past
three years. We take bucket showers, and conserve down to the bare
minimum, in the winter more than ever. We want water for the important
things like preserving the giant oaks in our yard, for the safety
of everyone.
My new water bill has two surcharges amounting to $30 when my water
consumption is $47. What's up?
So why conserve only to be punished by the system? Why not use
more water and not be charged a fee for conserving?
Who came up with this ratio of water usage? It should be a water
ratio per human being not per household! How about all those illegals
in Gwinnett County sucking Georgia dry of water?
It is imperative to come up with another process immediately, for
I still have a low meter reading as always.
-- Belinda Goletski, Lawrenceville
Dear Ms. Goletski: We found from Lynn Smarr of
the Department of Water Resources that tiered water rates are
new, though Gwinnett had had a two-tiered structure for years.
Gwinnett and other water purveyors in North Georgia are now required
to adopt a rate structure with at least three tiers. The goal
of conservation pricing is to reduce excess discretionary water
use, such as outdoor irrigation, by making water use increasingly
more expensive. Conservation pricing encourages smart water use
and helps protect natural resources.
She also says that the average residential usage
is typically 6-7,000 gallons per month. For Gwinnett's conservation
price structure, a user must exceed two boundaries: they must
exceed 10,000 gallons in the billing period and they must have
exceeded the winter average use by 125 percent. Once usage exceeds
200 percent of the winter average, the price structure advances
into the next rate tier.
What this means is that the new rate structure
is forcing all of us to be more aware of water usage. Those with
high water usages will be paying more for that water. -eeb
Pleased with response
of criticism of Gwinnett elections site
Editor, the Forum:
Last week I wrote in complaining about the lack of clear and concise
information on Advance Voting on Gwinnett County's website. I received
an email response that day from Lynn Ledford the Director of Elections
for Gwinnett stating that my observation was correct and thanking
me for it. She also said there would be a link installed in the
interim for the upcoming election until the website gets an update
later this year.
I have to thank Lynn for implementing what could possibly be the
fastest government change I have ever seen. The county website had
a distinct link for information on advance voting this year in Gwinnett
the next day! Thank you Lynn and the rest of your staff for your
efforts!
-- Roger Hagen, Lilburn
Passing
the blame
Another great cartoon from Bill McLemore:
Gwinnett
Web site has sample ballots for both parties
Gwinnett voters can now go online to locate their polling places
for the July 15 primary election and see both Republican and Democratic
sample ballots customized for that voter's district.
Gwinnett's Communications Director Joe Sorenson says: "This
new interactive feature of the county website lets voters see what
districts they are in, which races they will vote on and where to
go to cast their ballot."
Elections Director Lynn Ledford says: "Voters can also use
the web site to request an absentee ballot and get information on
advance voting if they will be unable to vote on election day."
The purpose of the July 15 primary election is to select the Republican
and Democratic candidates who will face off in the November general
election. Voters may participate in the primary of either party
but not both.
The county's Web site, www.gwinnettcounty.com,
will also provide election results as soon as they become available
after the polls close on July 15. Results will also be posted on
the county's government-access cable channel known as TVgwinnett,
channel 23 on most cable television systems in Gwinnett.
Four from Gwinnett
win undergraduate summer fellowships
Four Gwinnett students in the University of Georgia undergraduate
class are among 33 students who received 2008 summer research fellowships
from the Honors Program's Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities
(CURO). They are Jung Woong Kim and Neil Pfister, both of Suwanee,
and Julie Patel of Lilburn and Katie Pyne of Duluth,
CURO Summer Fellows have the opportunity to develop their critical
thinking skills outside of the classroom by working side-by-side
with faculty members during the summer months.
Kim |
Kim, a rising sophomore mathematics and genetics major, is testing
how recently discovered endogenous and seizure-induced calcium waves
in the zebrafish brain change over time. He is studying under the
guidance of mathematics professor Andrew Sornborger and cellular
biology professor James Lauderdale.
Pfister |
Pfister, a rising senior biochemistry and molecular biology and
genetics double major, is studying the molecular mechanisms underlying
prokaryotic RNA interference under the guidance of biochemistry
and molecular biology professors Michael and Rebecca Terns.
Patel |
Patel, a rising junior international affairs and international
business double major, is studying how military factors such as
troop count and force type play a role in how states achieve their
objectives in armed conflicts. Her faculty mentor is international
affairs professor Patricia Sullivan.
Pyne |
Pyne, a rising senior international affairs and telecommunication
arts double major, is investigating whether the actions of various
international organizations such as the United Nations have been
effective in addressing the issue of refugees and internally displaced
people caused by war and disaster. She is studying with international
affairs professor Jerome Legge.
For more information about UGA's CURO summer research fellows program,
visit www.uga.edu/honors/curo.
- 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
Augustus
Baldwin Longstreet is dean of Georgia humorists
Longstreet |
Born in Augusta in 1790, Augustus
Baldwin Longstreet was the dean of the Georgia humorists. Admitted
to the Georgia bar in 1815, he settled into a successful life as
a lawyer-farmer. After he was elected to the state legislature and
named judge of the Superior Court of the Ocmulgee District, he stood
for Congress in 1824, but the deaths of his eldest son and mother-in-law
led him to abandon further efforts to win political office.
After a long period of melancholy that culminated in a religious
conversion, he returned to Augusta in 1827 and joined a prosperous
legal practice. Drawing on his experiences of riding the circuit,
he published several humor sketches in the Milledgeville Southern
Recorder. He then purchased the Augusta newspaper, the North
American Gazette, changed its name to the State Rights Sentinel,
and began publishing additional sketches in 1834. The next year
he published his collected sketches under the title of Georgia
Scenes (1835); the book made his literary reputation.
Underlying all of the sketches of Georgia Scenes is the
tension between town and country and the gradual emergence of social
and moral controls over the violence and unrestrained behavior of
the frontier. Law and order prevail, but it is a tenuous victory
at best. Longstreet's comedic talents are most evident in his often-anthologized
sketches "The Gander Pulling," "The Fight,"
and "The Horse-Swap." His patrician narrators are scandalized
by such country recreations as pulling the head off a greased gander
while riding by at a canter; settling differences of honor with
a no-holds-barred, nose-biting, dirt-grinding fist fight; and hiding
a horse's huge saddle sore so he can be offered up for trade.
But the moralizing of the narrators does little to undermine the
humor of the sketches, in which a character like Ransy Sniffle,
a poor white dirt-eater who loves fights, listens in "breathless
delight" as a local champion calls the wife of another a "sassy
heifer," or a horse trader boasts that he can "outswap
any live man, woman, or child that ever walked these hills"
and gets a horse that is both "blind and deef " for his
trouble.
(To be continued)
Hardest is often what
is just in front of yourself
"To see what is in front of one's nose needs a constant struggle."
-- English Novelist George Orwell (1903-1950), via Roy McCreary,
Dacula
Send your thoughts, 55-word short stories, pet peeves
or comments on any issue to Gwinnett
Forum for future publication.
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© 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.
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