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Power ranks Jackson EMC highest in
customer satisfaction
JEFFERSON, Ga., Aug. 15, 2008 -- In a study just released by J.D.
Power and Associates, Jackson Electric Membership Corporation (EMC)
ranked highest in customer satisfaction among midsize utilities
in the South, as well as all utilities in the nation. This marked
the first year that Jackson EMC had been included in the study.
Pugh |
Randall Pugh, Jackson EMC president/CEO, says: "We are deeply
honored to receive this recognition. Jackson EMC's employees have
a long-standing dedication to providing service that exceeds our
members' expectations, whether that means quickly restoring power
after a storm, making sure bills are correct, promptly handling
members' requests, or planning infrastructure additions to ensure
adequate power supplies."
He continued: "This award is truly a reflection of not only
the effort they put into their jobs, but also the spirit in which
they carry out those jobs day in and day out. I am proud to be associated
with employees who are as committed to customer service excellence
as those at Jackson EMC."
The study ranked both large and midsize utilities in the East, Midwest,
South and West. Midsize utilities serve 125,000-499,999 residential
customers, while large utilities serve 500,000 or more customers.
Factors examined by the study included power quality and reliability,
price, billing and payment, corporate citizenship, communications
and customer service.
Pugh adds: "Jackson EMC's focus has never shifted from the
day we first powered our lines in 1939, and that focus is providing
our members with high quality service and reliable, affordable power.
Every decision we make is made with our members' best interests
in mind," said Pugh, "and we truly appreciate this response
from our members."
Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates
is a global marketing information services company operating in
key business sectors, including market research, forecasting, performance
improvement, training and customer satisfaction. The firm's quality
and satisfaction measurements are based on responses from millions
of customers annually. J.D. Power and Associates is a business unit
of The McGraw-Hill Companies.
Jackson EMC, a cooperative owned by the members it serves, provides
electricity and related services to nearly 204,500 meters in 10
Northeast Georgia counties, with offices in Jefferson, Lawrenceville,
Gainesville and Neese. To learn more, visit www.jacksonemc.com.
Roger Willis is head of the Lawrenceville office.
Board of Education should push schools to
adopt uniforms
By
Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
AUG. 15, 2008 -- The public schools could be helping parents who
want to watch expenses and be more economical. The public schools
could help each family's financial situation with a step which would
have far-reaching implications on other fronts.
Brack |
Yes, we're approaching again the subject of schools encouraging
the wearing of uniforms in these trying fiscal times.
We're hearing of more and more public schools moving toward the
required uniform policies. Or, in some areas, schools are addressing
the situation in another manner: a voluntary uniform policy. Two
elementary schools in Gwinnett, Norcross and Peachtree, have a voluntary
uniform policy. Many private schools have for years required that
their students wear uniforms.
There are plenty of reasons to wear uniforms. Perhaps for parents
the biggest reason to have uniforms in schools is that it will cost
them far less to dress their children in the same clothes other
students are wearing. Otherwise, they bow to the tyranny of fashion
and allow their children to choose their fashion statement of the
day, which is often inappropriate, and which is also far-more-costly.
Other benefits of uniforms:
- Schools find that having their students in uniforms reduces
disciplinary problems.
- Schools also have an easier time establishing a dress code,
and enforcing it.
- Studies have found that student performance improves with dress
codes.
- Students no longer feel the peer pressure to be a fashion statement.
Schools often adopt attractive color schemes for their uniforms,
which helps identify students from that particular school. This,
too, helps build school spirit, and pride in the school.
The typical school suggesting uniforms often gives students choices
in uniforms. "Doesn't matter which, blue, yellow or white shirt,"
one former uniform-wearing student once said, adding, "I get
to decide." At one school going to uniforms this year, the
requirement was that pants, shorts and skirts must be either khaki
or black, and that tops must be either white or black. The shirts
must be polo-type knit or long sleeve shirts for boys, and Peter
Pan blouses for girls.
School administrators also can dictate how the uniforms must be
worn, that is, determine the manner in which pants are kept up,
and for girls, the length of shorts or skirts. Such rules can reduce
confusion and be a positive influence on discipline.
The cost of such uniforms is relatively modest. One school official
maintains that a parent can, by shopping wisely, buy a complete
outfit for under $20. And in schools where uniforms have been adopted,
most parents appreciate the idea and like the uniforms.
As Mani Krishnaswamy wrote in the Oct. 11, 2005 issue of GwinnettForum,
"Uniforms are very powerful. They create an acceptance of regulations.
They change behavior once a student dons them."
He also said: "Uniforms will not solve every school problem.
But it would go a long way in reducing the gap between rich and
poor, enhance the identity of the school itself, promote self confidence
and pride among students, close the gap between different cultures,
solve safety issues, and identify schools with the color of the
uniform."
We heartedly agree, and urge parents to speak to their school officials
about adopting at least a voluntary, if not mandatory, uniform policy
in their schools….to save in their
pocketbooks, and improve education at the same time.
The Gwinnett School Board should be encouraging all its schools
to seriously consider adopting uniforms. It will increase student
performance in the long run, and at the same time be a financial
benefit for families.
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Refreshed
by kindness, assistance shown at Rexall Grill
Editor, the Forum:
Sometimes, not only is being "old school" cool, it can
be downright inspirational.
A recent morning, sitting in my usual table at the Rexall Grill
in Duluth; my faith in humanity was once again restored by the kindness
of people...strangers, if you will.
A fellow diner sitting at the counter started going into shock and
having a seizure. Rachel, one of the Rexall workers, immediately
recognized the symptoms (which she had seen in both her husband
and son) and rushed to his aid. Others on staff also dropped what
they were doing and came to his side.
He had ended up on the floor near the door as he sought supplies
from his auto. Knowing the diabetic's dilemma, Rachel pursued him
with a cup of orange juice and forced him to drink it. Miraculously,
he was back to normal within minutes and our collective hearts could
once again return to normal.
When the man came back to the counter, he tried to apologize for
the disturbance, but was stifled and instead embraced with hugs
and concern by all the staff. They even noticed he had cut his arm
when he fell and insisted that he let them apply a bandage. After
he left, one of the girls was looking up the number for his office,
so they could give a call and make sure he was doing okay.
The next time you find yourself losing faith in humanity, stop by
the Rexall Grill for a bottomless cup of coffee, and possibly the
kindness of...friends. The "special" just might be you...
-- Brian F. Lüders, Duluth
Modern
card game
Another great cartoon from Bill McLemore:
Suwanee
asks for help in identifying older photographs
The City of Suwanee is looking for individuals who remember Suwanee
back when. The City will host a History Open House Monday and Tuesday,
August 18-19 at the Suwanee Crossroads Center, 323 Buford Highway.
City staff members are asking citizens' assistance in identifying
photos and other historic artifacts and in reviewing and adding
to a historical timeline.
Kimberly Larson, graduate intern in the city manager's office,
has spent a significant portion of her summer dusting off old frames
and digging through documents and other artifacts in City storage
areas. Among the treasures she's uncovered are the diploma of one
of Suwanee's first doctors, an old dress, the memoirs of one family
who lived in Suwanee in the late 1800s, and lots of old photos.
Now, Larson is looking for some help in identifying the people,
events, and places in the old photos.
She says: "We've got lots of great photos from the 1950s.
But we have no idea who're in the photos, where they are, or even
if they're in Suwanee. We hope that some of our residents can help
us identify these photos."
The City also is hoping that residents may be willing to share
their own photos and artifacts (documents, programs/flyers from
events, trinkets, etc.) from the Suwanee of yesterday. Photos and
items from before 1950, especially if they can be identified, would
be "gems," says Larson. The City also is particularly
interested in photos and items from the 1960s and 1970s. Ultimately,
the City hopes to create a historic display for the new City Hall.
The display would be a permanent exhibit in a hallway off the grand
foyer tentatively named "Hall of History."
"As forward-thinking as our City Council is," says Jessica
Roth, assistant to the city manager, "Council members also
are interested in our local history and believe that it is important
that it be preserved."
Five Forks Library
to host program on New Orleans Aug. 25
Gwinnett County Public Library will host New Orleans: Journey
of a City with authors Louise McKinney and Ron Gauthier on Monday,
August 25, at the Five Forks Branch Library.
This work explores this unusual and spirited American city and its
colorful history including its European and Creole cultures. The
program addresses the distinctive elements of Creole including language,
cuisine, architecture, history, and most importantly, the fiercely
proud natives of New Orleans.
Featured authors include Louise McKinney and Ron Gauthier. Ms. McKinney
is a native of Canada and co-published New Orleans: A Cultural
History in Spring 2006, receiving favorable reviews. Mr. Gauthier
is a native of New Orleans and was forced to evacuate after Katrina.
Gauthier's novels, Prey for Me: A New Orleans Mystery and
Hard Time on the Bayou are both a result of his love for
New Orleans and his dedication to preserving the unique culture
of his home city. Books from both authors will be available for
purchase.
Five Forks branch is located at 2780 Five Forks- Trickum Road in
Lawrenceville. For more information, visit www.gwinnettpl.org
or call 770-978-5154.
Reception for three
artists August 28 at Hudgens Arts Center
A reception for Buford artists being displayed at the Children's
Museum at the Hudgens Arts Center in Duluth will be held on Thursday,
August 28 from 6-8 p.m.
Artists who will be on display include Dale Ferguson, clay; Jessie
Mackay, oil; Anita Stewart, mixed media; and several Gwinnett County
art students. The display will continue through December 31.
Also on view will be items from the Susan and William Rochfort
collection of African treasures, including fine bronze castings,
elaborate masks, and richly woven textiles.
Dr. Jim Puckett takes
role at School Boards' association
Dr. Jim Puckett of Buford has been named the Georgia School Boards
Association's professional development specialist. He comes to GSBA
from the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders, where he served
12 years as executive director.
Puckett |
In his new role, Dr. Puckett will plan GSBA's conferences and regional
workshops. In addition, he will provide training and retreat services
to local boards. He will also serve as the liaison with the Georgia
Board of Education.
A 1967 graduate of Emory University, Dr. Puckett began his career
as a teacher at Buford High School. He served 17 years with the
Buford City Schools as a teacher, assistant principal and principal.
He also served as superintendent for the last seven years he was
in Buford.
Vandals cause $1,500
in damage to Vines model railroad
Vandals destroyed part of the Vines model railroad layout
over the weekend. |
Vandals caused some $1,500 in damages to the large scale model
railroad at Vines Botanical Gardens last weekend. Judging from this
photo, it appears that a tornado struck the model town, though it
was vandal work. Smashed buildings and uprooting of some track took
place. The model railroad, which gets no public money, is funded
by visitors and civic sponsors, with maintenance work done by Vines
Railroad volunteers. Several years ago thieves stole two engines
from a nearby building, now protected by an alarm.
- 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
Fort Frederica
built to defent British against the Spanish
Destined to defend the southern frontier from the continued presence
of Spanish colonials in the American Southeast, Fort
Frederica on St. Simons Island served as the British military
headquarters in colonial America. During its heyday, from 1736 to
1758, General James Oglethorpe's town and fort played a pivotal
role in the struggle for empire between the competing interests
of England and Spain.
Fort
Frederica |
This clash of cultures pitted British redcoats, the Highland Independent
Company of Foot, and coastal rangers and sympathetic Southeastern
Indians against the Spanish forces. They were concentrated beyond
"the debatable land" southward to St. Augustine, Florida.
To honor Frederick Louis, prince of Wales, Georgia's Board of Trustees
determined upon a name for the new town in the fledgling province
on September 26, 1735. Because there was already a Fort Frederick
on Port Royal, S.C., the name was feminized. The old town at Frederica
was laid out in an orderly fashion. It featured two wards divided
by a 75-foot-wide main corridor ("Broad Street") and eighty-four
regularly spaced lots. A cross street, called Barracks Street, leading
to the regimental quarters in the North Ward bisected Broad, creating
the two wards. Each was considered a political subdivision or tithing
ward.
The military support town, which covered 40 acres, complemented
the impressive star-shaped design of the fortress and spur battery
of cannon. Attributed to the fortification plans of French military
strategist Sebastien Le Prestre de Vauban, the citadel was built
of tabby, a type of "coastal concrete." In today's archaeological
ruins at Frederica-the King's magazine, house foundations and walls,
and the soldiers' barracks-this limey mortar lends a sense of beauty
and great antiquity to the site. (To Be Continued)
Comparing Washington
Post and a country priest?
"Saying the Washington Post is just a newspaper is
like saying Rasputin was just a country priest."
-- Political Activist Pat Buchanan (1938 - ).
Send your thoughts, 55-word short stories, pet peeves
or comments on any issue to Gwinnett
Forum for future publication.
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