By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
JAN. 3, 2020 | The start of a new year is a good time to review what progress has been made in the past year for GwinnettForum’s List of Continuing Objectives. Unfortunately, there has been virtually no progress on this list during the last year.
During December, GwinnettForum emphasized the need for Gwinnett legislators to move quickly once the General Assembly convenes to increase the salary for the chairman of the Gwinnett County Commission. This is our most pressing need at this time.
Here’s why. The election of 2020 will see a new chairman in office, since the current chair, Charlotte Nash, has announced that she will not seek a new term. Therefore, the new chairman, whoever that might be, needs to be paid a reasonable salary instead of the paltry and outdated $58,342 that Mrs. Nash now gets. However, unless legislators act in the 2020 session of the Legislature to increase the chair’s salary, the newly-elected chair will not be eligible for a higher salary for the next four years, and will draw only $58,342 for the full-time position.
So, the onus is on the members of the Gwinnett House and Senate to come together, regardless of party, and agree on a higher salary, and get this passed as a local legislature act before April. That way whoever is elected chairman of the commission will be able to get paid a reasonable salary for the position.
Let’s look at other objectives:
High-quality candidates for elective office in Gwinnett. With this an election year, we are seeing many new names proposed for office. The objective here is to have good candidates in both the Democratic and Republican party. That way, we’ll have good officials, no matter which party prevails. So far in 2020, there have been few Republicans who have announced their intent to run. We wish to see more names put forward by both parties.
Move statewide non-partisan judge election runoffs to the General Election: no action here. It’ll take a forward-thinking legislator to propose this. We urge this action.
MARTA rail for Gwinnett from Doraville station to Gwinnett Arena: the county took a step backward about transit last year. We’re hoping for another proposal for some sort of mass transit in the fall election that will help this important problem.
Banning of tobacco and vaping products in all Gwinnett parks: some cities have moved a little on this. Science is telling us these products may be unsafe. Let’s act locally on this key problem, especially aimed at teens.
More diverse candidates for appointment to local boards: this may become more of a reality as a result from the 2020 election, as more diverse candidates are expected to win office.
Creative efforts to support the arts in Gwinnett: the minds of people supporting the arts must act with bold initiative to get profound change. May these minds be resourceful in the coming year.
Advancement and expansion of city and Gwinnett historical societies: remembering the past can improve our future. May local historians be challenged in this way.
Require establishments that serve alcoholic beverages to halt sales of such products at 2 a.m., and close by 3 a.m. We all know that nothing much good happens in the wee hours. Reducing the hours of operation of bars can improve our community in multiple ways.
Rewrite the rules to require the Georgia Legislature to meet once every two years: it will take a bold legislator to propose such a change. But a better Georgia would be the result, seen in fewer partisan infights.
We encourage those in office and citizens alike to consider these and other ways that Gwinnett County can be improved in 2020.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
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