GwinnettForum | Number 23.32 | April 23, 2024
STATE CHAMPS (again): Buford High School Girls are the 7A state champions in gymnastics, for the third straight time under Coach Tyler Ann Smith. The Buford team went into the last rotation far behind, but four players competing in beam “knocked it out of the park” to win the title, Smith said. The team from left on the bottom row are Amanda Allen (director of operations), Kryslyn Moore (assistant coach), Taylor Aycock, Ellison Gould, Aly Gorman, Tyler Ann Smith (head coach) and Melissa Skelton (athletic trainer); from left on the top row are Vidya Bharadwaj, Johanna Sasser, Abby Hamilton, Bellarae Newby, Kendall Rockwell, Madi Sounthonethip This is the sixth girls gymnastics state title for Buford, the others coming in 2013, 2014 and 2015. The other three teams competing for the title this year were from high schools in Carrollton, West Forsyth and North Forsyth.
EEB PERSPECTIVE: GwinnettForum endorses these primary candidates
SPOTLIGHT: Heaven and Alvarez, LLC
FEEDBACK: Sings praises for Ashley Herndon’s recent comment
UPCOMING: Suwanee ClayWorks plans open house on April 27
NOTABLE: NE Georgia Health Foundation hits $100 million
RECOMMENDED: The Murder of King Tut by James Patterson and Martin Dugard
GEORGIA TIDBIT: Sanders remembered as first New South governor
MYSTERY PHOTO: This impressive gate can unload lots of history
CALENDAR: Tax-efficient charitable giving workshop coming April 24
GwinnettForum endorses these primary candidates
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
APRIL 23, 2024 | On May 21, Gwinnett voters will go to the polls to select nominees for local and legislative races. It is officially election day for non-partisan candidates in judicial races and for Gwinnett school board seats.
In Gwinnett County in 2024, there are 57 offices that will be decided in the election. However, on May 21, for the primary, only 23 races have opposed candidates. Though the ballot looks long when you first see it, remember Gwinnett is represented in the Legislature in 30 districts, in whole or in part, but each voter only has to choose his own representative or senator. And in the three school board races, each voter will have only one seat to decide.
You can view what the actual ballot looks like by clicking to the Sample Ballots:
Now on to the races to be decided on May 21. Candidates with no opposition are not listed.
For County Commission Chairman
Nwaigwe
Hendrickson
Democrats: The current commission is led by Chairman Nicole Love Hendrickson, 44, of Lilburn, who we feel has done a credible job. The county seems to run efficiently, and on a relatively low profile. Her efforts in guiding the county with dispatch makes her a natural nominee for this leadership role.
Republicans: A newcomer to politics, Justice Nwaigwe, 39, is a banking consultant and former helicopter flight engineer who lives in Hamilton Mill. He wants a more transparent government, and seeks grass roots support for his candidacy. He makes a good impression, and is a credible nominee.
Watkins
For County Commission, Post 3
Democrats: Current Commissioner Jasper Watkins, 65, of Grayson, is eminently qualified to continue to serve in this post. A retired Army Medical Corps lieutenant colonel, he looks to build on his first term and continue to move Gwinnett forward. He has the endorsement from all the mayors in the cities he serves, and will make a solid nominee for this position.
For Sheriff
Reinhold
Taylor
Democrats: Five people have qualified to run as Democrats. We feel that the administration of current Sheriff Keybo Taylor, 63, of Hoschton, has been a good one, and endorse his renomination for the position. It’s been gratifying to see him expand the mental health task force to keep more people out of jail. He also seeks to work with the county commission for higher pay for officers to help fill vacant positions.
Republicans: Three people seek this nomination, with our choice being that of Baron Reinhold, 57, of Suwanee for this office. He is a graduate of the Naval Academy, and retired as a captain after a 35 year career in the Navy. He feels matters have not gone in the right direction in this office, and seeks to apply his management skills to address them in a methodical manner.
Mitchell
For Tax Commissioner
Democrats: After becoming tax commissioner after the death of the former occupant of the office, Denise Mitchell, 59, of Snellville, has served with efficiency and distinction. She previously was the chief deputy and has worked in this department for over 25 years. She handles her office with integrity and transparency and makes an excellent nominee for this position.
For District Attorney
Alabi
Democrats: Three people seek this prosecutor role for Superior Court. There is no doubt that the best candidate for this position is Andrea Alabi, 41, of Snellville, who has had wide experience as a prosecuting attorney. This office has been underserved by the current district attorney, who has a low rate of winning cases, and letting those charged walk away free. This is one of the most important Gwinnett contests in 2024, and we wholeheartedly endorse Andrea Alabi for this position. With no Republican candidates, winning the primary is tantamount to being elected.
Georgia Senate races
Richardson-Ogluin
Senate District 7
Republicans: Four candidates are challenging Democrat Nabilah Islam Parkes for this position. Our choice for this nomination is Clara Richardson-Ogluin, 50, of Norcross, who is an attorney and co-owner of a flooring company. She got her law degree in the Dominican Republic and studied music management at Georgia State. She and her husband have four children. She is interested in legislation for education, small business, cyber security and improving the workforce.
Harrell
Senate District 40
Democrats: Veteran legislator Sally Harrell, 58, who lives in Chamblee, is our choice as this nominee. A graduate of Georgia State with two degrees, she had spent three terms in the Senate, and before that, three terms in the House. She seeks more money for education to eliminate mobile homes as classrooms and have more permanent school buildings, and has a plan for ensuring school building safety. We happily endorse her candidacy.
Jackson
Senate District 41
Democrats: Another current Senator who is our choice for nomination is Kim Jackson, 39, of Stone Mountain, an Episcopal priest. She has been a staunch defender of voting rights for all people, and has authored legislation concerning stalking victims, domestic violence and human trafficking. She is also a steward of a small urban farm.
Senate District 55
Turner
Democrats: Seeking to fill a large hole in the delegation with the retirement of Sen. Gloria Butler, there are five Democratic candidates. Our choice for this slot is Verdaillia Turner, 67, a veteran activist of Stone Mountain. Educated at Spelman College, she is a retired high school social science teacher, and president of the Georgia Federation of Teachers. She will honor Senator Butler’s legacy as the nominee for this seat.
Georgia House races
House District 30
Republicans: Two persons seek this position, and neither spoke with GwinnettForum. We make no endorsement.
Hilton
House District 48
Republicans: Two people seek this position, and our choice is for Scott Hilton, 44, of Peachtree Corners, to be the nominee for this seat. He has served his party with distinction in the legislature. He is a former banker and graduate of Georgetown University, and has served as a deputy whip in the Legislature.
House District 96
Beckles
Democrats: Three candidates vie for this office. Our choice is Arlene Beckles, 60, of Norcross, a former city council member. She is a native of Barbados who emigrated to this country in 1985. She is a cyber security specialist for a hospital chain. Her interests focus around health care, housing and transit. We endorse her candidacy.
House District 98
Lim
Democrats: Now seeking his third term as a legislator, Marvin Lim, 40, of Norcross, a securities attorney, is our choice for this position. He is a Filipino-American who works to secure resources for his district. He is a graduate of Emory University and Yale Law School and a former Fulbright scholar.
House District 100
Republicans: Neither of the two candidates has met with GwinnettForum. No endorsement.
For U.S. Congress
Gwinnett County in 2025 will be divided into four Congressional legislative districts. There are 16 candidates seeking these four seats. Districts 4 and 9 have one candidate from each party, thereby gaining automatic nomination.
Congressional District 10
Democrats: No endorsement.
Scott
Congressional District 13
Democrats: Seven persons seek this office, currently held by David Scott, 78, of Atlanta, who has represented part of Gwinnett before, and who has served in Congress since 2003. He is a graduate of Florida A&M and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He is our choice as the best nominee for this office.
Judicial Nonpartisan Races
Gallant
Superior Court (Bachelor seat)
Two candidates are running for this position. Our choice for election is Kimberly Gallant, 49, of Sugar Hill, who has been a magistrate judge in Gwinnett since 2015. She is a graduate of the University of Georgia, and obtained her law education at Georgia State. As a magistrate, she often sits as a judge trying cases in Superior Court, and now seeks elevation to that level. We endorse her candidacy.
Superior Court (Beyers seat)
Bratton
Matthews
Three people seek this judgeship. We endorse the candidacy of Regina Matthews, 45, of Lilburn. A graduate of the University of South Carolina in political science, she attended Emory University for her law degree. Born in Nashville, she was raised in Chicago. She and her husband have two sons. She is currently a magistrate judge for Gwinnett County.
State Court (Bratton seat)
Two persons seek this office. We believe that incumbent Shawn Bratton, 52, who lives in Suwanee and who has been a state court judge since 2014, is the best candidate. He is the only military veteran among Gwinnett judges. We endorse his candidacy.
Gwinnett School Board Nonpartisan Races
King
Cortes
Ranel
School Board, District 1: Three people are running for this position. We support the election of newcomer, Leroy Ranel, 47, of Dacula to become a member of this board. His children are in the Dacula schools. He is a cybersecurity manager and former policeman. He feels the School Board has been making news for the wrong reasons. He wants to turn around the attrition rate and resolve the early exodus of teachers and make informed decisions to help the system. We endorse his election.
School Board, District 3: Five candidates seek this position, to replace veteran board member Mary Kay Murphy. We endorse the candidacy of Yanin Cortes, 50, of Peachtree Corners. She works in operations in her family’s four restaurants, and has two adult children, plus an eight year old. She is a native of Cuba, who is a graduate of Georgia State in literature and Spanish. She wants to make sure the schools have the resources they need, have stronger teacher retention, while working together with the board for a consensus in finding common ground.
School Board District 5: Three people seek this office. Our choice for this position is Patrina King, 43, of Peachtree Corners, an entrepreneur who teaches women how to play golf. She got her education in technical management from DeVry University, with a master’s in human resources. She is a native of Milledgeville, who has lived here for seven years. She has seen changes in the School Board, and wants the board to go back to being a leader in education.
- Coming Friday: GwinnettForum will print the answers to four questions it submitted to non-partisan candidates for three judge and three school board positions. Each of the questions was asked to be answered in no more than 100 words, giving readers more information about these candidates
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
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Sings praises for Herndon’s recent comment
Editor, The Forum:
Ashley Herndon’s letter hit the nail on the head in his article titled, “From an Old Road Sign, to Where We Are Today.” It seems many of those who want to make Christianity the national religion in the United States are the very ones who do not love their neighbors as themselves, as is stated in the Bible. It also says to “welcome the stranger, as you once were welcomed.”
Herndon also summed up the need for immigrants in our country to do many jobs, such as harvesting crops, working in chicken processing plants, and working in jobs that require hard physical labor, that very few Americans are willing to do at the salary these jobs pay. I say “yes” to loving our neighbors, welcoming the stranger, and paying everyone working in these kinds of jobs a salary their families can live on.
– Peggy Averyt, Grayson
Urges vote for Barrow for Supreme Court
Editor, the Forum:
John Barrow is running in a non-partisan race for Georgia Supreme Court. This is a statewide race and the only time people can vote for him is in the non-partisan race on Tuesday, May 21.
Barrow is an attorney and politician who served as a United States Congressman for Georgia’s 12th district twice. He was gerrymandered out of his district, which included his home town of Athens.
His current platform is based on the right to privacy as laid out in the Georgia Constitution; therefore, he is a supporter of women’s reproductive rights and a woman’s right to self-determination. His position is that the government should not intrude into an individual’s highly personal decision making.
This is a hugely important race and many people don’t realize it’s the only chance to vote for a new state supreme court justice.
As the position is non-partisan, John Barrow’s name will be at the bottom of the election ticket on May 21 on both the Republican and Democratic ballot. Voters should be encouraged to vote the entire ballot, no matter what party they are associated with.
Please encourage people you know to vote!
– Lili Outzs, Athens
- Send us 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. The views of letters are the opinion of the contributor. We reserve the right to edit for clarity and length. Send feedback and letters to: elliott@brack.net.
Suwanee ClayWorks plans open house on April 27
Suwanee ClayWorks announces its inaugural Open House event on Saturday, April 27 from noon to 6 p.m. It is located at 4154 Silver Peak Parkway in Suwanee.
Guests can step inside Suwanee ClayWorks’ newly opened studio and see creativity that drives this innovative venture. Attendees will have the chance to meet the dedicated instructors, explore the studio space and even secure spots in the upcoming classes.
Marissa Hudson Loose, program director of Suwanee ClayWorks, says: “We are beyond thrilled to introduce Suwanee ClayWorks to our community. Our goal is not just to provide pottery classes, but to build a supportive and inclusive family where everyone, regardless of skill level, can come together to explore their creativity.”
Suwanee ClayWorks aims to be more than just a pottery studio; it seeks to create a nurturing environment where individuals can discover the joy of working with clay and unleash their artistic potential. It offers a diverse range of classes, from introductory hand-building to advanced wheel techniques.
Loose adds: “We believe in the transformative power of art and the importance of fostering a sense of belonging within our community. Our studio is a place where people can connect, learn and grow together.”
- For more information about Suwanee ClayWorks and to view their studio hours, visit the website at suwaneeclayworks.com or contact directly at 470-238-3277.
Marin to address GGC commencement
Marin
Before more than 900 students cross the stage and become graduates of Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) on May 9, they will hear words of wisdom and inspiration from guest speaker, Rep. Pedro “Pete” Marin of the Georgia Legislature.
As a state representative for 22 years, Marin’s connection to GGC began with supporting legislation that created the college when it went through the general assembly. He also co-sponsored a bill on March 23, 2023, which recognized GGC for “educating and preparing its students for success in their future careers.” It was introduced, passed and adopted the same day.
Marin is the dean of Gwinnett legislators. As the former chair of the Gwinnett House delegation, he led a diverse and dynamic group of legislators in representing the interests of Gwinnett County. He announced his retirement recently from his elected post.
NE Georgia Health Foundation hits $100 million
Through the generosity of countless donors over the last several decades, Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) has grown to meet the expanding needs of the region without sacrificing quality of care. Over the years, these donors have helped the NGHS Foundation raise $100 million — a major milestone for the health system since its first fundraising campaign in 1997.
Carol Burrell, president and CEO of NGHS, says: “We couldn’t care for our community like we do without the support of these donors. Over the last two decades, we’ve been able to expand our facilities, invest in new medical technology and offer vital programs and services – all the while recruiting and retaining the best providers. We are grateful for those visionary leaders who were driving forces behind this fundraising success – Nell Wiegand, Woody Stewart and Nancy Colston, to name a few – and who saw a need and a deeply passionate community.”
The NGHS Foundation has now launched a new fundraising campaign with a goal of raising $50 million more by 2026.
Dr. Pepper Brown, NGHS Foundation board chair, says: “As we celebrate the remarkable achievement of raising $100 million, we look to the future with a renewed sense of purpose and determination. The next two years will be pivotal for NGHS and the people we serve as we embark on this new campaign of growing the greater good.”
The “Growing the Greater Good” campaign is strategically aligned with the system’s vision for growth and will focus on six key areas: emergency services enhancement, heart and vascular care, neurosciences advancements, creating a Hospice House, workforce development and Graduate Medical Education. Learn more and make a gift at nghs.com/give
The Murder of King Tut, by James Patterson and Martin Dugard
From Susan McBrayer of Sugar Hill: This book is an easy way to learn more about King Tut and the archaeologists who spent most of their lives searching for the Egyptian boy king. Jumping back and forth in three time periods, the book takes us to the 1300s BCE when King Tut lived, the mid 20th century when people were searching for him, and the present day when Patterson explains his fascination with the subject. The description of the constant disappointments experienced by the archaeologists made the eventual discovery very meaningful. The historical fiction sections where Patterson imagines the thoughts, feelings and conversations of Tut and his family were pretty interesting, as well. However, I take issue with Patterson saying this book is a non-fiction thriller. First of all, it’s not a thriller and, secondly, it is not non-fiction. But an easy read about the whole King Tut phenomenon, it is.
- 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
Sanders remembered as first New South governor
Carl Sanders is best remembered as Georgia’s first New South governor, a Democrat who provided progressive leadership for the state from 1963 to 1967. By implementing an array of reforms during a turbulent period, Sanders greatly enhanced Georgia’s national image. In addition to his political achievements, he had successful careers in both business and law.
Born in Augusta on May 15, 1925, Carl Edward Sanders was the eldest of Roberta Alley and Carl T. Sanders’s two sons. He excelled in athletics in high school and attended the University of Georgia on a football scholarship. World War II (1941-45) disrupted his education, and he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1943. At age 19 Sanders was commissioned to pilot B-17 heavy bombers. After the war he returned to Athens, where he completed his bachelor’s degree and earned a law degree. While in law school, he met Betty Bird Foy of Statesboro. They were married in 1947 and had two children, Betty Foy and Carl Edward Jr.
Settling in his hometown of Augusta, Sanders practiced law and began his political career in 1954, easily winning a seat in the Georgia house. Two years later he advanced to the state senate, where he quickly emerged as a leader. After a stint as Governor Ernest Vandiver’s floor leader, he served two years as president pro tempore of the senate.
The ambitious and urbane Sanders defeated the folksy former governor and arch-segregationist Marvin Griffin in the 1962 Democratic primary to become, at age 37, the nation’s youngest governor. Sanders’s election marked a turning point in Georgia’s political history. With the demise of the county unit system, he became the first modern Georgia governor elected by popular vote and the first urbanite elected since the 1920s.
Ideally suited by training and temperament to direct the affairs of a state in transition—shifting from a traditional agrarian economy to a more complex urban and industrial economy—Sanders was committed to a major reform agenda and had the political skills to carry it out. A strong governor, he selected the Speaker of the House and the committee chairmen, wrote the budget, initiated most legislation, and totally dominated the legislature, which enacted his entire program.
Governor Sanders put education and governmental reform at the top of his agenda. Under his leadership, the state saw a vast increase in the number of public schools built and teachers hired. Minimum standards were implemented at all levels of the school curricula, and the Governor’s Honors Program was established. Funding for higher education in the state dramatically increased as well. College and university faculty received substantial raises, and more funds were appropriated for campus construction projects than the university system had received in more than thirty years.
Sanders pushed equally hard to modernize state government through streamlining its operation and structure, and to end the corruption that had tainted several areas of government in previous administrations. He appointed a commission to study ways of making state agencies and departments more efficient and followed through on their recommendations with significant reorganization and reform of the departments of highway, welfare, health, and revenue, as well as the state Board of Education and the prison system.
(To be continued)
- To view the Georgia Encyclopedia article online, go to https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
This impressive gate has seen lots of history
Here is an impressive city entrance gate, no doubt loaded down with history. See if you can identify this photo, and tell what it signifies. Send your ideas to elliott@brack.net, and include the town where you live.
Terra Winter of Lawrenceville was among those who recognized the last Mystery Photo: “I believe this is the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, N.Y. We visited there in 2017 & 2018 when our son, Luke, played baseball at the nearby Cooperstown Dreams Park. For any baseball fan, The Hall of Fame is a must-see destination.” The photo came from Ross Lenhart of Stone Mountain.
Stew Ogilvie, Lawrenceville, added: “Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. Been there many times. In the 1980’s, my buddy and I would go up there for long weekends during the World Series and watch the games at nearby pubs and go to the museum during the day(s). In the late 1980’s my brother in law became the music director for Cooperstown public schools. So, we had a few family trips up there. Cooperstown has changed through the years from a quiet upstate New York town to a place loaded with baseball camps for kids and other tourist attractions.”
Among others recognizing the photo were Jay Altman, Columbia, S.C.; Susan McBrayer of Sugar Hill; George Graf, Palmyra, Va.; and Allan Peel of San Antonio, Tex., who found that “The Hall of Fame was established in 1939 by Stephen Carlton Clark (1882–1960), an American art collector, businessman, newspaper publisher and philanthropist. Clark sought to bring tourists to the city hurt by the Great Depression, which reduced the local tourist trade, and Prohibition, which devastated the local hops industry.”
- SHARE A MYSTERY PHOTO: If you have a photo that you believe will stump readers, send it along (but make sure to tell us what it is because it may stump us too!) Send to: elliott@brack.net and mark it as a photo submission. Thanks.
Tax-efficient charitable giving workshop coming April 24
Georgia Entertainment 100 Gala will be Tuesday, April 23 from 6-9 p.m. at Eagle Rock Studios in Norcross, sponsored by Gateway85 CID and Explore Gwinnett. Legislators, entrepreneurs, and leaders in film and television industries across Georgia will come together to celebrate the “Hollywood of the East.”
“Get Smart, Save Big” is the title of a workshop on tax-efficient charitable giving. It will be on April 24 at 8:30 a.m. at Annandale Village in Suwanee. Panelists will include Jason Norton, founder of Ability Wealth Group; Sarah Randal Watchko, an attorney in elder law; and Adam Pomeranz, president and CEO of Annandale Village.
Author Piper Huguley will speak on April 25 at 7 p.m.at the Norcross Branch of Gwinnett County Public Library. She writes historical fiction, and will discuss her new book, American Daughters, about the friendship of Portia Washington and Alice Roosevelt, the daughters of educator Booker T. Washington and President Teddy Roosevelt.
Drug Take Back: Gwinnett Police will partner with the Drug Enforcement Agency for the National Prescription Drug Take Back Initiative on Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Residents are invited to drop off tablets, capsules, patches, and other forms of prescription medications at eight locations around the county, including West Precinct in Norcross and Central Precinct in Duluth. Find a location or email PDCommunityAffairs@GwinnettCounty.com for more information.
District Attorney Candidate Debate will be April 29 at 6:30 p.m. at South Gwinnett High School’s Theatre. All three candidates have been invited. The debate is sponsored by Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. The public is invited.
The Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra will present the finale of the 2023-24 season on May 4 at the Jones Creek United Methodist Church. The concert will honor Maestro J. Wayne Baugham’s legacy while celebrating the future of the Orchestra. Featured will be solo performances from Katie Edelman and Adelaide Federici, Baugham’s daughters.
Downtown Braselton will have a clean-up on Saturday, May 4, from 8:30 until 11 a.m. Volunteers wanting to participate should check in at the Gazebo at the Town Green, 9924 Davis Street. Teams will be assigned areas of the historic district to pick up trash. Come help make a difference and keep downtown Braselton looking great.
Breaking Barriers Creating Your Best Self, an interactive workshop, will be presented on May 4 at 11 a.m. at the Norcross Branch of Gwinnett County Public Library. It will include a quiz and coaching session, to determine what barriers carry the most weight for them and how breaking barriers leads to healing and transformation.
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