NEW for 4/16: On atonement; Pulling troops from Afghanistan

GwinnettForum  |  Number 2130  |  April 16, 2021

THIS PHOTOGRAPH highlights the beauty of the Gwinnett area when azaleas are blooming. All around the county the blooms seem to be at their peak this week, along with the dogwood trees. The bench suggests a perfect place to kick back, sit a while, and enjoy the colorful blooms. We are so lucky to be living in such a colorful area.

IN THIS EDITION

TODAY’S FOCUS: Musing on considering of four theories about atonement

EEB PERSPECTIVE: Pulling American troops out of Afghanistan

SPOTLIGHT: Georgia Gwinnett College 

UPCOMING: Four students to represent Gwinnett in statewide STAR program

NOTABLE: Gwinnett seeking to hire lifeguards for the summer season

RECOMMENDED: Turandot (an opera) by Giacomo Puccini

GEORGIA TIDBIT: Savannah Foundation creates Victorian Historic District

MYSTERY PHOTO: You may have seen today’s Mystery Photo and never realized it

TODAY’S FOCUS

Musing on considering of four theories about atonement

(Editor’s Note: the author is an Atlanta native who has numerous Gwinnett relatives. –eeb)

By Ashley Herndon

OCEANSIDE, Calif.  |  In the annual observance of the Christian Holy Week, do you ever wonder if the Fundamentalist-Evangelicals have determined which Atonement Theory they accept? 

As an undergraduate at Mercer we had a required lower level course on New Testament History, there we were exposed to major/dominant theories of the atonement. The three most prominent being:

1. The Ransom theory:  Athanasius of Alexandria’s theory of atonement states, “Sin bears the consequence of death.” God had warned Adam about this, therefore to honor his promise, God is required to let Jesus die or humankind will die mired in sin.
2.  The Anselmian theory: some call it “satisfaction, or debt payment” It proves the point of commitment to justice.  
3. The Abelardian theory: expanded Anselm in that Jesus’ death was proof of God’s love.  

Herndon

However, I like a fourth approach I stumbled across later in life, it is C.S. Lewis’ approach. Lewis, a staunch Christian, based his approach to Atonement in the death of Aslan, as the “subjective” theory of atonement. That being: Jesus died to be a good example, that in my mind, is a good contrast because it does not use the word “for.”

I have had many friends and relatives who were “exemplars” (examples). My grandparents, my parents, my father-in-law, several of my aunts and uncles, some of whom are still with us.  For the sake of privacy I won’t name the friends other than my mentor Bill Robbins.  His is a unique story that I learned later on in life.

Bill was orphaned at age 12 with two younger siblings, a sister and brother.  They were placed in an orphanage in their home state of Kentucky.  They were obviously of Cherokee heritage. The two youngsters were abused in their orphanage, so, Bill, after physically defending them, sneaked them out and the trio made their way to Chicago.

After arriving in Chicago, at age 14, Bill already 6’4” of his to be 6’8” adult height, was able to find a job and support them all, eventually paying for their university educations.  He joined the military.  After the Air Force, he began selling cars in Chicago and became a successful high level manager, then moved into the insurance and training element of the auto industry.

Bill was the vice president of sales and training for a large Insurance company.  One of his employees brought him to our dealership to convert me to their programs.  We later became partners in a multi-state agency for training managers in automobile dealerships and banks all across the country.  He was a brilliant, talented, and gracious gentleman, a good example and mentor.

Back to Atonement, I prefer the C.S. Lewis approach. I appreciate examples over theories.  

• Have a comment?  Send to: elliott@brack.net

EEB PERSPECTIVE

Pulling American troops out of Afghanistan

Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter pilots fly near Jalalabad, Afghanistan, April 5, 2017.   U.S. Army photo via Wikipedia.

By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum

APRIL 16, 2021  |  About our American troops in Afghanistan, President Biden cannot pull our troops out of there fast enough for me. Our country should have never been deployed sending American troops to that part of the world.

The British fought there first, and realized their mistake, and left in 1842. Russians came next fighting what is probably the same people we were trying to destroy. This war for Russia  began in December 1979, and lasted until February 1989. About 15,000 Soviet soldiers were killed, and about 35,000 were wounded.

After nine years of the battle, Russia recognized such a victory was impossible. And that was from a country that is bumped up right against Afghanistan, and had relatively short supply lines. 

Contrast the Russian position with the American position: we had to provide our nation’s finest with supplies and equipment they needed from half a world distant. Such an endeavor was doomed from the start, and it’s taken 20 years and finally the fourth president (after Bush, Obama and Trump), Joe Biden is willing to risk his political and our nation’s future on bringing home our troops.

Hurrah for the so-called Sleepy Joe Biden.   Some have even called him “Biden the divider,” but no telling how many moms and pops, especially of our troops actually deployed there now, or before, may think of him as “Joe the hero.” 

The timeline:

Oct. 7, 2001: President George W. Bush said that U.S. and British troops began striking Afghanistan for “harboring the al-Qaeda terrorists” blamed for the 9/11 attacks.

December 2003: American troops now number 13,100 in the country.

December 2007: Americans in Afghanistan now number 25,000. By 2009, it is 67,000. President Obama plans to send in another 33,000 Americans.

May 2011: Osama Bin Laden is found hiding in neighboring Pakistan and is killed. There are still 100,000 U.S. troops in the country.

September 2012: Troop withdrawals means the number is down to 77,000 U.S. men in a slow withdrawal.

March 2014: American troops down to 34,000, and by December Obama cuts the forces to 16,100.

July 2016: Instead of dropping the American troops level to 5,500, Obama says it will be 8,400 by the end of his term in January, 2017.

August 2017: President Trump says more forces will be deployed, to about the 14,000 level.

September 2019: A total of 5,500 U.S. troops will be withdrawn within 135 days. Later that month, President Trump says a planned high-level meeting with the enemy camp has been cancelled.

All totaled, the Pentagon shows that more than 775,000 U.S. service members were deployed to Afghanistan at least once. 

Killed in Afghanistan were 2,400 Americans, with 20,660 injured, and no telling how many with mind-wobbling nightmares. Add that the cost so far of fighting in Afghanistan is over $2 trillion. (Source: Department of Defense.) Those who did not come home are from all states, with California the home state of 755 troops killed. Georgia lost 220 of its people to death in Afghanistan.

The announcement this week from Joe Biden will be greeted with relief by most Americans, who just didn’t feel comfortable fighting a war for others. 

As a proud military veteran myself (seven years, 3.5 in Germany) during the Cold War, I am relieved that the loved ones of Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines personnel will come home from being deployed in this unwinnable fight in Afghanistan. 

Thank you, Mr. President.

• Have a comment?  Send to: elliott@brack.net

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Georgia Gwinnett College 

The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to readers at no cost. Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) is a public, four-year and accredited liberal arts college that provides access to baccalaureate level degrees that meet the economic development needs of the growing and diverse population of Gwinnett County and the northeast Atlanta metropolitan region. GGC’s mission is to produce future leaders for Georgia and the nation whose graduates are inspired to contribute to their local, state, national and international communities and are prepared to engage in an ever-changing global environment. GGC currently serves nearly 12,000 students pursuing degrees in 19 majors and more than 45 concentrations. Visit Georgia Gwinnett College’s website at www.ggc.edu.

• For a list of other sponsors of this forum, click here.

FEEDBACK

Share your thoughts

We encourage you to send us your letters and thoughts on issues raised in GwinnettForum.  Please limit comments to 300 words, and include your hometown.  We reserve the right to edit for clarity and length.  Send feedback and letters to:  elliott@brack.net

UPCOMING

Four to represent Gwinnett in statewide STAR program

The STAR (Student Teacher Achievement Recognition) students have been announced at each Gwinnett high school. The Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) Foundation and Partnership Gwinnett together announced the winners, recognizing the achievements of STAR students and teachers from each Gwinnett County high school, both public and private.

Going on to represent Gwinnett in the statewide STAR competition will be student Matthew Kededa and his teacher, Robert Krask for the Gwinnett County system, plus three winners (who all tied) from the Buford system, students Monroe Harless, James Morgan and Vachan Patel, along with their teachers, Gail Harris, Justin Johnson and Lisa Cole.

 Since its creation, the STAR program has honored nearly 28,000 students and the teachers they have selected as the most influential to their academic achievement. High school seniors must have the highest score on a single test date on the SAT and be in the top 10 percent or top 10 students of their class based on grade point average to qualify for STAR nomination.

STAR 2021 WINNERS REPRESENTING ALL GWINNETT COUNTY HIGH SCHOOLS

* These students compete in the state competition.

New countertop firm opening in Gwinnett from China

Gwinnett County is getting a new countertop fabrication and installation company that is expected to bring 50 new jobs and a $3 million capital investment. The company is Quartz Depot Inc., which is located at 1720 Wilwat Drive in Norcross. It is a company that has ties to Mainland China. The move was announced by Partnership Gwinnett.

Quartz Depot Inc. will have 32,000 square feet of warehouse space on two sites. One property will be used for fabrication and manufacturing, and the second facility will serve as the company’s distribution center and showroom. 

Chao Gao, CEO at Quartz Depot Inc., says:  “We are thrilled to be operational and serve the community by providing quality countertops.” 

 Jassy Ji, Project Manager represented Partnership Gwinnett in conjunction with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Metro Atlanta Chamber and Ming Zhou Real Estate Services on the project. To learn more about Quartz Depot Inc., please visit www.quartzdepotus.com.

Snellville picks Place Maker Design for Mercantile building 

Atlanta-based Place Maker Design has been tapped by Snellville to design the Mercantile building, a unique city market planned for The Grove at Towne Center.

The Mayor and Council agreed to pay the firm $118,500 to create a signature, 25,000-square-foot, two-floor building which will be a centerpiece of The Grove. Place Maker Design has designed prominent buildings in Woodstock, Alpharetta and Atlanta, among other locations.

Mayor Pro Tem Dave Emanuel says: “The group that we settled on got it. They seemed mostly open and seemed concerned about what we wanted. So I think we all came to the conclusion that they were the best suited for what we needed and really understood our goal.”

The contract covers schematic design, design development and construction document services of the $6 million project. Also included are architectural, civil engineering, structural engineering, mechanical, plumbing and electrical engineering services as well as administration services.

The design will be completed by late summer in time to start construction this fall. It is scheduled to open in September of 2022.

A city market concept will be offered on the first floor, while event space will be offered on the second level.

The Grove at Towne Center’s first phase will include over 50,000 square feet of retail, restaurant, office and entertainment space, and approximately 262 multi-family luxury apartments. In addition, the new Elizabeth Williams Library will be constructed and include a second-floor business development/accelerator space.

NOTABLE

Gwinnett seeking to hire lifeguards for the summer season

A Gwinnett Parks and Recreation certified lifeguard supervises aquatic activities and ensures patrons follow water safety rules. Gwinnett Parks and Recreation has won the Georgia Recreation and Park Association State Lifeguard Championship seven times within the past nine years.

Gwinnett Parks and Recreation is hiring part-time and seasonal lifeguards and waiving training fees for applicants ages 16 and older.

The lifeguard training available to ages 15 and older requires passing a prerequisite swim test. Trainees then must complete and pass the 27-hour blended online and in-person training and written exam to receive their two-year American Red Cross certification. A fee of $101 Gwinnett resident or $121 non-Gwinnett resident applies to those who do not become lifeguards with Gwinnett Parks and Recreation after their training.

The part-time and seasonal lifeguard position starts at $9.27 per hour and includes benefits such as flexible hours and growth opportunities at four seasonal pools and five year-round aquatic centers located throughout the county.

• To apply to become a lifeguard, visit GwinnettCountyJobs.com.

Lilburn’s new website seeks to bring a sense of place to area

As part of an ongoing branding project to bring a sense of place and increase traffic to the city’s historic downtown district, the City of Lilburn has launched a new website (www.OldTownLilburnGa.com) devoted to helping residents and visitors alike discover all there is to see and do in “Old Town.”

The site will serve as a go-to hub where people can quickly and easily access information on upcoming events, local shopping and dining establishments, and things to do like parks/trails and area attractions. Designed mobile-first, the site is built to cater to site visitors looking for quick, in-the-moment answers to basic questions: what’s going on “right now” or “this weekend,” where to grab dinner, what places are pet-friendly, etc. Ultimately, the site will help serve the purpose of showing “there’s always something happening in Old Town” and further the budding image of Lilburn as a hip, vibrant, walkable locale where people want to be.

To help this vision along, the new site also offers a “development” page inviting those looking to invest and do business to “be a part of the progress,” with resources and information specific to developer interests. Already a mixed-use residential and retail development is in the works along Main Street, between Railroad and First Avenues.

Sorkin wins scholarship from Realtors’ foundation

Sorkin

The Gwinnett County Board of Realtors Foundation has awarded a $4,000 college scholarship to George Sorkin of Buford. He is the son of Dirk and Diew Sorkin. Dirk Sorkin is a realtor with Americas Realty and a member of Northeast Atlanta Metro Association of Realtors (NAMAR). The winner is a student at Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology, where he is Chess Club President. He plans to continue his education at Georgia Tech, majoring in computer science. He also develops websites and databases and is currently working on creating an alumni website for his high school.  In addition, he is an avid reader. This is the 28th year that the Foundation, through the Northeast Atlanta Metro Association of REALTORS®, has presented a Scholarship to an outstanding high school senior. 

RECOMMENDED

Turandot (an opera) by Giacomo Puccini

From Susan McBrayer, Sugar Hill: The setting is ancient Peking and Princess Turandot is the only person left to carry on the imperial dynasty. But this cruel, icy heir has vowed never to wed. This means the dynasty will die. To deter suitors, the princess asks each princely contender three riddles. Failure to provide the correct answers means execution. Dozens have died. Then one day a “stranger” appears. He is instantly entranced by Turandot’s “divine beauty” and vows to win her heart. Will he succeed or is this just another opera with a high body count? Turandot has everything: over-the-top costumes, splendid scenery, exotic orchestra music and a bizarre story. Plus, a suspenseful plot twist guarantees that “Nessun Dorma” will take on a whole new meaning for you. The N.Y. Metropolitan Opera is streaming Turandot for free on Saturday night and Sunday. I’ve not seen this 1987 production, but it stars Placido Domingo. Enough said. (To watch, go to www.metopera.org after 6 p.m. Saturday and click on “Watch Now,” and get English subtitles.)

An invitation: what books, restaurants, movies or web sites have you enjoyed recently? Send us your recent selection, along with a short paragraph (150 words) as to why you liked this, plus what you plan to visit or read next.  Send to: elliott@brack.net 

GEORGIA TIDBIT

Savannah foundation creates Victorian historic district

(Continued from previous edition)

Recognizing that Savannah had potential as a convention and tourist destination, the Historic Savannah Foundation successfully promoted the establishment of a convention and visitors bureau within the Chamber of Commerce. A speaker’s bureau was created within the foundation to tout the economic benefits of tourism. 

The Historic Savannah Foundation has emphasized heritage education through its work with the Massie Heritage Center and the Savannah-Chatham County School System. This partnership initiated the Georgia Heritage Celebration, centered on “Georgia Day,” February 12. During this event thousands of schoolchildren learn about the significance of the city’s cultural heritage through costumed colonial characters, town meetings, and parades. The Georgia Heritage Celebration continues as an annual event, coordinated since 1997 by the Georgia Historical Society.

In 1966 the area containing General James Oglethorpe’s original city plan in Savannah was designated a National Historic Landmark District. In 1968 the city of Savannah and the foundation succeeded in convincing the state legislature to pass an amendment to the Georgia constitution authorizing historic zoning in Savannah. The Historic Review Board was established in 1973, ushering in a new era of regulated development within the historic district.

In 1979 the foundation created the Victorian Historic District after receiving a community development block grant from the city of Savannah. Additional neighborhoods, including Ardsley Park/Chatham Crescent, were soon designated as National Register Historic Districts through the research efforts of the foundation. The emphasis on raising awareness of the benefits of historic preservation in twentieth-century neighborhoods has continued with the formation of a neighborhood council, and in 2001 the foundation’s revolving fund purchased and resold several buildings in the Thomas Square Historic District.

At the same time that the foundation was expanding its revolving fund to the Victorian District, a decision was made to restore the Regency-style Scarbrough House, which was designed by the English architect William Jay in 1818. The structure, located on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, became the foundation’s headquarters in 1976 (since supplanted by another historic home at 321 East York Street) and drew attention to the western portion of the historic district. It now holds the Ships of the Sea Museum. Upon completion of the Scarbrough House restoration, the foundation shifted its attention to Broughton Street, the downtown commercial corridor. Subsequently, the city formed a development authority that makes facade renovation loans along the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Broughton Street corridors.

In 1998 the National Trust for Historic Preservation held its annual conference in Savannah to showcase the preservation accomplishments of the 30 years since its previous meeting in Savannah in 1968. New initiatives in the 21st century have focused on streetscapes and other urban livability issues.

• To view the Georgia Encyclopedia article online, go to http://georgiaencyclopedia.org

MYSTERY PHOTO

You may have seen today’s Mystery Photo and never realized it

Sometimes you pass a location and never see what is right in front of your eyes.That may be the case in today’s Mystery Photo for many Gwinnettians. Now see if you can identify this photograph, telling us where it is and why. Send your answer to elliott@brack.net to include your hometown. 

There seemed to be no easy clues to the recent Mystery Photo, but our two great sleuths, George Graf of Palmyra, Va. and Allen Peel of San Antonio, Tex., both recognized the location. The photo came from Chuck Paul of Norcross.

Peel tells us more: “This mystery photo is a perfectly aligned photo of two bridges that cross the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal near St. Georges in the northern reaches of Delaware, approximately 16 miles from Greenville, the upscale suburb of Wilmington which President Joe Biden used to call home before his move into his current residence in Washington.

“The foreground bridge in the photo is the Senator William V. Roth Jr. Bridge, a  six lane, concrete and steel cable-stayed bridge that is 4,650-feet long and 127-feet wide that carries the traffic from Delaware Route 1. Planning for the Roth Bridge began in the 1980s and was intended to replace the older St. Georges Bridge. Construction started in 1991 and was completed in 1994, with the bridge opening for traffic on Dec. 23, 1995. The St. Georges Bridge is one-third of a mile from the Roth Bridge and was first opened on Jan. 31, 1942. It was the first, four-lane, high-level bridge to span the canal. At 4,209-feet long and 28-feet wide, this steel-tied arch bridge carries U.S. Highway 13 traffic across the canal. It was originally built to replace the previous St. Georges Bridge, a vertical lift bridge which was damaged when the S.S. Waukegan, a German merchant ship, collided with it on Jan. 10, 1939.”

OUR TEAM

GwinnettForum is provided to you at no charge every Tuesday and Friday.   

Meet our team

• Editor and publisher:  Elliott Brack, 770-840-1003
• Managing editor: Betsy Brack
• Roving photographer:  Frank Sharp
• Contributing columnist: Jack Bernard
• Contributing columnist: Debra Houston 
• Contributing columnist: George Wilson 

More

• Location:  We are located in Suite 225, 40 Technology Park, Peachtree Corners, Ga. 30092.  
• Work with us:  If you would like to serve as an underwriter, click here to learn more.

SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE

Subscriptions to GwinnettForum are free.  

• Click to subscribe.
• Unsubscribe.  We hope you’ll keep receiving the great news and information from GwinnettForum, but if you need to unsubscribe, go to this page and unsubscribe in the appropriate box.

© 2021, 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.