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Georgia Gwinnett College plans open
house Oct. 25
By
Merri Brantley
Special to GwinnettForum
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga., Oct. 21, 2008 -- Georgia Gwinnett College will
open its campus doors on Saturday, October 25, so that prospective
students may visit the 205 acre campus as they begin to make decisions
about where they want to attend college. Parents and other interested
parties also are invited to attend the Open House to see what Georgia's
newest four-year public college has to offer.
Special sessions will cover topics about the admissions process,
financial aid, the extra academic support GGC offers, transferring
credits to GGC and the services the college offers to the disabled.
There also will be a chance to meet with advisers who can help potential
students choose the right majors. Faculty and deans, representing
each of GGC's academic areas of study, also will be available to
meet with students who are considering attending Georgia's "Campus
of Tomorrow."
GGC first opened its doors in 2005 with less than 120 students and
11 faculty members. It has attracted faculty from universities such
as Harvard, Emory Brenau, Cairo, Florida State, Seattle and the
University of Georgia. Within the next decade, the college expects
to have more than 15,000 students on campus.
Sha-Ron Jones, GGC director of admissions says: "Anyone interested
in attending Georgia Gwinnett College should visit the campus during
one of our Open House events each year. Visitors will tour the state-of-the-art
campus, learn about our majors and hear about the future of GGC
and how our campus will expand over the next several years."
Currently, GGC offers majors in biology, business administration,
information technology and psychology, but over the next two to
four years, major fields of study will include education, nursing,
radiology, English, history, mathematics, criminology, political
science and exercise science. While here, guests also can see what
extra-curricular activities, clubs and organizations are available
to future students.
This fall, more than 1,700 students attend GGC - more than double
the student population this time last year - and GGC expects 3,000
students on campus next year. Earlier this year, the college was
granted "candidacy" by the Southern Association of Colleges
and Schools (SACS), and full accreditation is expected within the
next 18-24 months.
Check-in and refreshments will begin at 8 a.m. and guests will be
treated to lunch. Visitors also will hear from GGC President Daniel
J. Kaufman, who will give them an overview of the college and what
the future holds for those who decide to attend the nation's first
four-year institution in the 21st century.
The college is looking to open its first phase of residential housing
next fall, and a new library and student center are slated to open
sometime during the 2009-10 school year. Within the next five years,
additional housing, classrooms, athletic fields and parking facilities
will become part of the institution's campus.
GGC plans to give potential students five opportunities to visit
the campus before school starts next fall. The next Open House will
be held November 8.
Catching up time: Tidbits on several different
subjects today
By
Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
OCT. 21, 2008 -- Catching up time today!
Brack |
About the most interesting item we read recently came in a column
in the New York Times, when the writer said something like
this: "Who would have thought the United States would adopt
socialism not from Bolsheviks in blue jeans, but from Wall Street
bankers in Gucci loafers?" Lot of truth there.
* * * *
Andy McClung of Lilburn came up with this simply-put analysis
of the banking crisis, which makes lots of sense. Andy wrote in
a recent newsletter: "In 2002, two percent of mortgage loans
were sub-prime. In 2006, 30 percent were sub-prime. Those (sub-prime)
loans were packaged and rated AAA, which caused investment firms
to do no due diligence, and these were sold all over the world.
When they started defaulting, we had no fair value accounting, which
lead to the massive write-offs and the need for new capital. New
capital costs were more than their cost of lending …..an impossible
position."
* * * *
What two ways are Gwinnett and the number "50"
related?
First, Gwinnett was the 50th county to be organized in Georgia,
of the eventual 161 counties. (Yes, we now have 159; but Fulton
was enlarged when two counties, Milton and Campbell, went broke
during the Depression. So now we have 159.)
Second: Gwinnett is 50th in geographic size among Georgia counties.
* * * * *
Those falling gasoline prices this week had me in a quandary.
Amazingly, in the last few weeks, I have driven my automobile very
little. The last time I filled up with gas, I was pleased, in that
I paid only $3.87 a gallon. Wouldn't you know it: a few hours later,
by that same gas station, and the price was $3.79. And each day
during the week, when I rode by, the price was even lower. It made
me want to buy gas at that cheap price, though my tank was still
nearly full. And this week, I saw it at one place at $2.54 a gallon!
Of course, by the time this tank runs toward dry, it'll probably
go back up! The prices advertised do cause you to think.
Remember that line: "Be careful for what you wish?" We
wanted lower gas prices, but never considered we would having falling
financial markets, too!
One thing I have noticed lately: fewer cars on the road. And others
have mentioned that to me. Perhaps the higher prices are making
a dent in the way we drive! I'm thinking right now of going out
and fill up on $2.54 gasoline! That's a bargain.
* * * * *
A word of thanks, to the people who write responses to GwinnettForum,
and to those who take more time and send in 500 words on the varying
subjects.
Sometimes we need new material badly, but at other times, we are
overwhelmed. Right now, for instance, we have six main articles
we need to get into the Forum soon, but can use only one each issue.
We are overflowing with material. Luckily, some of the material
we have lined up to print is of a timeless nature, but other items,
like this weekend's open house at Georgia Gwinnett College, need
running soon.
We appreciate all of you who not only read, but many of you who
send in material. We could not publish this Forum without your help.
You make it varied and informative, giving our readers an excellent
line-up of good material. Thanks for it!
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Steaming
about change in refuse hauling methods
Editor, the Forum:
I am mad as hell, I have just found out from my trash service company
that the Gwinnett County politicians have seen fit to take over
the payment of my service, Starting the first of the year my bill
is going to double for the pleasure of having the government collect
the fees. It's another fascist idea and take-over by government.
Who do I need to talk to and who de we need to vote out of office?
Doubling my fees is not doing me a favor. This is another money
grab for politicians, so they can latter tell me how good they are
to me, It is government taking over private enterprise.
-- Frankie Miller, Lilburn
Dear Frankie: You may not like it, but one of
the problems is that not everyone has a trash hauler, but resort
to dumping in other people's containers. And though government
will decide who picks up where, it's to allow private firms do
it, but not have several firms roving into areas of the country,
pounding our streets and causing other problems. The people behind
these decisions are ultimately your county commissioners. We say
give the new procedure a chance; it's better than the county itself
getting into the garbage hauling business, and all that such a
boondoggle would entail. -- eeb
Cut Saturday delivery
but cut down on auto speed too
Editor, the Forum:
You are so right about your
comments about mail deliveries on Saturdays. We no longer need
to have mail delivered on Saturdays. It seems to be only a matter
of time when deliveries can be less than even five days a week.
Most of the mail is advertising that ends up in the garbage. Why
are companies allowed to use our natural resources to fill up our
landfills?
Another change that would save everyone is the 55 mph speed limit.
Just check your miles per gallon driving 55 miles an hour as compared
to 70-75. (And most drivers are going faster!) We not only could
save money, but could cut back on the high-priced oil imports.
It's time people start looking at their own wasteful habits instead
of "the government made me do it" attitudes! This country
is great and we all need to tighten loose ends and move ahead!
-- Betty Ritcey, Duluth
No Saturday delivery
may be most intuitive of your thoughts
Editor, the Forum:
Congratulations on a great
observation concerning Saturday delivery of mail. This may well
be one of your most intuitive thoughts! I completely agree with
your thoughts and suggestions. I sincerely hope someone is listening.
-- David H. Freeman, Buford
Against amendments,
but says vote "Yes" on SPLOST
Editor, the Forum:
I have nothing but admiration for Chuck Warbington and his effectiveness
as executive director of the Gwinnett Village Community Improvement
District. The county is lucky to have a real professional spearheading
that redevelopment effort.
From time to time we disagree on some things and his recent letter
urging yes votes on the three amendments is one of those times.
His assertion that AJC endorsed all three is erroneous. Their October
1 editorial urged a NO vote on Amendment 3 because it will create
dual taxes - one from government, one from the developer. Not a
good idea for those who live in these "private" cities.
Amendment 1 is a taxpayer subsidy for the large paper companies
who are the largest land owners eligible for this tax relief. It
is disguised as an environmental issue with the state paying the
counties and municipalities for the loss of this tax. And the state
intends to get that money from you and me.
On amendment 2, I think it is unconscionable that Georgians who
are in the bottom 10 percent in educational performance in the nation
would even consider diverting future school tax revenues for any
other purpose other than the education of our children let alone
risky real estate developments. We elect school boards because they
are education experts. Amendment 2 requires them to be real estate
experts and able to predict the future 25 to 30 years from now.
With all their real estate dealings done in closed meetings we have
no way of gauging their expertise there and the number of trailers
in use in the system is evidence of their future forecasting expertise.
This is a NO vote for obvious reasons.
On the SPLOST issue we are in absolute agreement. This is an resounding
YES as evidenced by the effectiveness of past SPLOST issues.
I would similarly urge you to share this information with your
spheres of influence throughout the county and around the state
so that everyone can make an accurately informed decision.
-- Patrick Malone, Snellville
Dear Patrick: You disagree with Chuck, while
GwinnettForum disagrees with you on Amendment 2. Let's look at
it this way: say a rundown property is generating $1,000 a year
in taxes for schools. What's wrong with them foregoing that $1,000
for the next 10 years, if in the meantime, that property is upgraded,
and instead of bringing in $1,000, after the rundown property
is re-developed, it then brings to the School Board $100,000 in
taxes? That's a terrific windfall, if perhaps exaggerated. But
it illustrates the potential of the property. From that year on,
it would generate at least $100,000. That's why we also say vote
"Yes" on Amendment No. 2, and SPLOST. -eeb
Stone
Mountain to open Snow Mountain on Dec. 31
With winter just around the corner, Stone Mountain Park prepares
to celebrate the holidays with more than two million lights and
lots of snow. The Atlanta attraction, commemorating its 50th anniversary,
unveils its popular holiday event, Stone Mountain Christmas November
7 to December 30 and opens Atlanta's first snow park, Snow
Mountain December 31. Featuring three football fields of deep
snow including a 400 foot tubing hill and a 30,000 square foot play
area, Snow Mountain opens New Year's Eve and continues weekends
through March 1.
Gerald Rakestraw, vice president and general manager of Stone Mountain
Park, says. "With the addition of Snow Mountain, a first-of-its-kind
snow park in Atlanta and the Southeast, Stone Mountain Park stays
true to its mission of bringing families together in the great outdoors."
Beginning New Year's Eve, Atlantans will be able to play in guaranteed,
real snow. Snow Mountain is Atlanta's first snow park and allows
the young and young at heart to connect with their inner child.
Situated on what is commonly known as the "laser lawn,"
the family snow park includes 11 tubing runs, special places to
make the ultimate snow men and snow angels, a snowball making zone
and a play area for younger kids. In addition, the snow park has
various sites from which to view the activities including an observation
area, a group of warming chalets and bonfires for roasting marshmallows
and making s'mores.
To create the attraction, Stone Mountain Park will use a closed
loop system that borrows water from Stone Mountain Lake in an environmentally-friendly
manner and will not tap into city water.
Rakestraw adds. "Nearly 40 percent of Atlantans have never
experienced snow as a family unit, and nearly 70 percent of Atlanta
kids have never seen significant snow. This is a great way for families
to take a winter vacation without driving far from home."
Lawrenceville-Duluth
road to get advanced highway work
Gwinnett's Advanced Transportation Management System will be extended
almost three miles along Georgia Highway 120 in Lawrenceville, funded
by the 2001 SPLOST program.
Commissioners recently approved an almost $765,000 contract with
low bidder Com Tran Group, Inc., to install the fiber optic cables
and cameras that will provide real-time traffic information to the
county's new traffic control center. Operators there will be able
to adjust signal timing based on real-time conditions to help traffic
flow smoothly.
The system will be installed on Duluth Highway/Georgia Highway 120
from Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road to Langley Drive and on Georgia
Highway 8/West Pike Street from Culver Street to Jackson Street.
Commissioners also approved an agreement with the Georgia Department
of Transportation and the Evermore Community Improvement District
(CID) on a project to realign the intersection of Old U.S. Highway
78 and Walton Court. CID and federal grant funds will pay the total
cost of $762,241.
Gwinnett Transportation Director Brian Allen says: "The CID
will design and construct the entire project, and the County will
review plans, approve contractors and inspect the finished work.
This kind of effective cooperation really gets things done in Gwinnett
County."
County teams with
environmental agency on WaterSense
Gwinnett County has taken another step in its water conservation
program by teaming with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's
(EPA) WaterSense program.
Through this program, Gwinnett aims to decrease indoor and outdoor
water use with water-efficient products and simple water-saving
practices. The program promotes water-saving techniques and encourages
customers to look for WaterSense labeled products, which have been
independently certified for efficiency and performance.
Sheila Frace, director of the EPA Office of Water's Municipal Support
Division, says: "The goal of EPA's WaterSense program is to
help Americans save water and money by offering simple ways to reduce
water use though water-efficient product choices. Using water more
efficiently can help delay the need to create more supplies, saving
communities money and resources, as well as ensuring that water
will be available for future generations."
The average home, retrofitted with water-efficient fixtures, can
save thousands of gallons of water per year. If one out of every
10 homes in the United States upgraded to water-efficient fixtures,
it could save billions of gallons and nearly $2 billion annually,
according to EPA.
Water Resources Acting Director Lynn Smarr adds: "This program
aligns well with our conservation efforts such as the low-flush
toilet rebate program and our reclaimed water reuse initiatives."
WaterSense labeled products must meet EPA's criteria for efficiency
and performance. Independently tested and certified products may
bear the WaterSense label, which makes it easy for consumers to
identify and select a variety of quality, water-efficient products
and services for their homes and lawns.
Irish Horsey, Water Conservation manager, feels: "Gwinnett
County is proud to be a WaterSense partner. We look forward to working
with our customers to improve water efficiency awareness and promote
WaterSense labeled products and water-saving practices inside and
outside the home."
- 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
Georgian has key
role in managing disease outbreaks
Joseph
Hill White entered the Marine Hospital Service, later known
as the U.S. Public Health Service, in 1884, and served until his
retirement in 1923. During his distinguished career the Georgia
native was appointed assistant surgeon general and was posted throughout
the United States and abroad to manage outbreaks of communicative
disease. His fieldwork in the use of mosquito eradication measures
to combat yellow fever laid important groundwork for scientific
research in combating the disease.
White was born in 1859 in Milledgeville, where his family was prominent
during the period in which the city served as Georgia's capital
(1807-68). Joseph White received his initial medical training under
his uncle, Samuel Gore White of Milledgeville, and received his
M.D. from the Baltimore College of Physicians and Surgeons in Baltimore,
Md., in 1883. He married Emily Hurt Humber in Putnam County in 1885.
Early in his career he commanded the South Atlantic Quarantine
at Blackbeard Island, supervising the disinfecting of crews and
cargoes en route to southern ports of the United States.
In 1905 a yellow fever epidemic in New Orleans, La., proved to
be the last in the United States. Fearing the interruption of commerce
necessitated by a quarantine, business and civic leaders initially
downplayed the situation, allowing the caseload to reach epidemic
proportions. White was posted to New Orleans, where he skillfully
brought the outbreak under control before the first frost.
In 1914 White was loaned to the Rockefeller Foundation, under whose
auspices he was posted to Central and South America to further the
foundation's work against various communicative diseases. In 1921
the foundation appointed him director of the Worldwide Campaign
against Yellow Fever.
Through the publication of articles in medical journals and appearances
at professional conferences, White devoted his career to convincing
the medical community and the general public of the importance of
preventive medicine and public health measures in the control of
disease. White died in Washington, D.C., in 1953 and is buried in
Milledgeville's Memory Hill Cemetery.
Law of Supply and Demand
in turning guns into plows
"Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those
who do not."
-- Third president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson
(1743-1826), via Dr. Jim Davis, Buford.
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is an online community commentary for exploring pragmatic and sensible
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