GwinnettForum | Number 25.34 | April 29, 2025
GROWING PLANTS HYDROPONICALLY is alive and well in Tucker. Here is lettuce two weeks after seedlings were planted, which is harvested at week five. For more on this distinctive food pantry, go to Today’s Focus below.
TODAY’S FOCUS: There’s a unique food pantry in Tucker
EEB PERSPECTIVE: What will a Peachtree Corners police force cost?
SPOTLIGHT: Comet National Shipping
FEEDBACK:Trump is a danger to our democracy
UPCOMING: Peach State Credit Union announces scholarship winners
NOTABLE: Peachtree Corners gains Czech Republic consulate
RECOMMENDED: Movie, Conclave
GEORGIA TIDBIT: Jones focused farmers on scientific methods
MYSTERY PHOTO: Perhaps this statue can lead you to the right answer
CALENDAR: Tree ordinance revision is April 30 at OneStop Centerville
There’s a unique food pantry nearby in Tucker
From left are Neil Duggan, volunteer coordinator; David Fisher, NETWorks director; and volunteers Robert Fairey, Dell Lecoe, Jeanne Marie Marcil and Charlotte Huhtanen. Duggan is from Lilburn; the others live in Tucker.
By Neil Duggan
TUCKER, Ga. | Imagine walking into a grocery store where instead of price tags, the aisles are lined with dignity and hope. That’s the everyday reality at the NETWorks Cooperative Ministry in Tucker, Georgia — a Christian-based organization that provides food and financial resources to help neighbors find long-term solutions to poverty.
Duggan
Their grocery store style food pantry empowers neighbors in need by letting them choose the groceries their families want, not just what’s available. But even the best intentions can face real-world challenges. One recurring issue? Vegetables often arrive over-ripe and past their prime.
Now picture this: within the very same walls of this unique pantry, something extraordinary and unique has taken root. Meet Growings!—a cutting-edge, indoor hydroponic farm that’s redefining what it means to provide fresh food to our neighbors in and around Tucker.
This isn’t your typical garden. Growings! is a high-tech, fully contained ecosystem where vegetables and herbs thrive in nutrient-rich water, under full-spectrum LED lights that mimic the sun. No dirt. No pesticides. No weather worries. Just fresh, nutritious food growing efficiently indoors — 365 days a year.
And the impact? It’s huge! This hydroponic system produces hundreds of pounds of fresh produce monthly, ensuring families served by the pantry receive consistently high-quality fresh and healthy fruits and vegetables in their prime. Plus, hydroponics is a sustainable solution—it uses up to 90 percent less water, accelerates plant growth by about 30 percent, and significantly reduces waste.
But what makes Growings! even more special is the community behind it. Every Tuesday and Thursday, local volunteers gather for “work days,” tending to seedlings, harvesting and doing hands-on work to make sure the bounty of fresh vegetables and herbs keeps flowing. It’s more than volunteering—it’s neighbors helping neighbors, planting seeds of care and making a connection.
And soon, classes will be available to teach neighbors how to grow hydroponic fresh vegetables and herbs at their home or apartment using reclaimed materials at almost no cost.
Thanks to local benefactors and vital grant support from organizations across Georgia, Growings! is flourishing. But the vision doesn’t stop there. Looking ahead, there are plans to share surplus produce with local restaurants, creating a revenue stream to help sustain the project—and, in turn, the food pantry itself. What started as a solution to a common challenge is becoming a full-circle model of food generosity, justice and sustainability.
Growings! isn’t just a farm—it’s a movement. It’s what happens when innovation meets compassion, when a community comes together not just to meet needs, but to exceed them with compassion, grace and ingenuity. In Tucker, amidst shelves filled with canned goods, something far fresher is taking root.
Want to get your hands dirty, roll up your sleeves and be part of the change? Volunteers are always needed and welcome. Come visit this unique farm, join the movement, lend a hand, and help cultivate a healthier, more hopeful community—one head of lettuce at a time.
- For tours and information, contact me at neil@networkscoop.org.
- Have a comment? Click here to send an email.
What will a Peachtree Corners police force cost?
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
APRIL 29, 2025 | Next week (May 8), Peachtree Corners will host a key discussion on law enforcement in that city. The meeting will be at 7 p.m. at Christ the King Lutheran Church. If this interests you, be there early, since the church will seat only 300 for this meeting.
However, the program will be live-streamed. To see it as it happens, go to this link to watch the stream.
Anticipated to come out of this gathering is the big question: should Peachtree Corners pursue having its own police department? For this to happen, the city can simply change the way it currently provides law enforcement. By its charter, the City of Peachtree Corners provides three essential services: waste management, police and fire protection, and public works. The city currently relies on the Gwinnett County Police Department and the Gwinnett County Fire Department for law enforcement and emergency response, with the Gwinnett County West Precinct serving Peachtree Corners. Out of its $62 million overall budget, it allocates $1.2 million for police protection.
City Manager Brian Johnson will present findings of a police staffing study by the Center for Public Safety Management, a Washington, D.C. firm, which is evaluating the feasibility and projected costs of forming a city police department
What would it cost Peachtree Corners’ citizens to have their own police department?
A short answer might be: “Big number.”
GwinnettForum has researched the cost of the cities in Gwinnett which have their own police departments. The results can be seen in this accompanying table.
The largest city police force in Gwinnett is in Lawrenceville, with 87 sworn officers. The smallest force, with 22 sworn officers, is in both Auburn and Braselton. It follows that Lawrenceville’s police budget is the largest, at $66.7 million. Braselton spends the least, $8.2 million. The results can be seen in this accompanying table.
The Gwinnett city spending the highest percent of its overall budget is Braselton, for which the police budget is 50 percent. Next higher is Duluth, at 39 percent, while Norcross and Suwanee are spending 38 and 37 percent of their budget on policing.
The city spending the least part of its city budget on police is Auburn, spending 19 percent. Lawrenceville is next at $26.7 percent.
Braselton also has the highest ratio of sworn officers per population, at one officer for every 706 residents. Duluth follows with one officer per 622 people, while the lowest is Norcross, with one officer per 346 residents. All figures are based on the 2023 U.S. Census population estimates.
Now, looking forward to the May 8 Peachtree Corners gathering, how much would the city have to spend on its own police department, based on the figures in other cities? If you take the city with the lowest ratio of sworn officers to population, that is Norcross at 356, that would mean Peachtree Corners would need to have 124 sworn officers.
Norcross spends $7.7 million for 52 sworn officers, so using that ratio Peachtree Corners would need to fund $18.4 million for its own force.
Using a similar ratio, compared to Lawrenceville, it would mean that Peachtree Corners would spend $25.3 million for operations of its own police force. In addition, the city would have to initially construct a police building. You might remember that the City of Norcross is building a new police facility, estimated to cost $20 million.
The cost of a police force for Peachtree Corners depends on how much its citizens are willing to pay for its own police presence.
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Comet National Shipping
The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. Today’s sponsor is Comet National Shipping. If you have trucking needs, why pay for a WHOLE flatbed or covered truck, when all you need is half the space? Comet National Shipping of Lilburn can provide you with the transportation, packing, and warehousing solutions that will keep your costs reasonable and suited to your company’s needs. With more than 26 years of nationwide service, our customers put their trust in Comet National because we understand their shipping needs can change from shipment to shipment. In business since 1992, Comet is dedicated to delivering cost-effective solutions for transporting your products quickly and safely to your customer’s destination without compromise. At Comet National, our full-service shipping, packing, and warehousing resources are sure to fulfill your requirements. Call us at 1-800-831-5376. We will respond quickly to provide you with quotes and see to it that the loads are handled as you have specified, and delivered on time! Visit our new offices at 4149 Arcadia Industrial Circle in Lilburn.
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Trump is a danger to our democracy
Editor, the Forum:
After observing Donald Trump’s words and actions during his first presidential campaign, my conclusion was that he was a danger to our democracy. Fortunately, during his first term, he was surrounded by experienced and thoughtful officials. However, the first 100 days of his second term have clearly shown that he is such a danger. His goal was revealed when he hosted a dinner for Viktor Orban, Hungary’s autocratic ruler and praised him as a great leader because he says, “This is the way it’s going to be and that’s the end of it, right? He’s the boss … and he’s a great leader.”
His admiration for autocrats and dictators and his desire for revenge against perceived enemies has been obvious. He has attacked law firms because they represented his Democratic opponents, withdrawn Federal grant funds from universities because they refuse to agree to his demands to dictate what they teach and who they admit and hire, and ordered investigations of persons who have disagreed with him.
A glaring example is Chris Krebs, former director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency from November 2018 until November 2020, when Trump fired him for contradicting Trump’s false claims of election fraud in the 2020 election. Krebs was guilty of telling the truth. His Administration refuses to obey court orders, provide due process as required by law and attacks the judicial branch.
Trump’s approach is it’s either “my way or the highway.” He seeks to ignore the proper role of both the legislative and judicial branches. In the face of this, the Republicans have lost both their spine and their integrity.
All of this makes clear to me that my conclusion in 2016 was correct. Donald Trump is a danger to our democracy.
– John Titus, Peachtree Corners
Glad that dueling is not part of our culture any more
Editor, the Forum:
Loved the Button Gwinnett trivia! I learned so much, including the fact that he and Hamilton shared the same fate. Thank goodness we don’t duel anymore! And yes, I’m aware of the irony of that statement. Love the Forum!
– Sue Baum, Hoschton
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: ebrack2@gmail.com.
Peach State Credit Union tells scholarship winners
The Peach State Federal Credit Union C.A.R.E.S. Foundation has announced recipients of its 2025 Scholarship Program. This year, the C.A.R.E.S. Foundation awarded $277,000 in scholarships and educational grants to outstanding high school students, professionals seeking career advancement, and educational organizations throughout Georgia and South Carolina. These scholarships reflect Peach State’s ongoing commitment to education, community development, and empowering the next generation of leaders.
Ryan Hawk, Peach State’s Executive Director of Business Development and Community Outreach and foundation president says: “We’re honored to support these exceptional students. Each one represents the bright future of our communities, and we’re proud to help them take the next step in their education.”
The student scholarships reflects the credit unions’ deep appreciation for our local school systems and community leaders. Among them in Gwinnett County are:
- Thuy Dao, Gwinnett County Career Advancement Scholarship
- Drew Miles, Gwinnett County, Career Advancement Scholarship
- Angela Richardson, Gwinnett County, Career Advancement Scholarship
- Kea Williams, Gwinnett County, Career Advancement Scholarship
- Catherine Carmichael, Mill Creek High School | Dr. Frances Davis Student Scholarship
- Reagan Chizek, Loganville High School | Gary Hobbs Student Scholarship
- Giancarlo Galue, Collins Hill High School | Legacy Student Scholarship
- Aidan Russell, Apalachee High School | Dan Cromer Student Scholarship
- Addison Thomas, Brookwood High School | Rick Cost Student Scholarship
In addition, the Peach State FCU C.A.R.E.S. Foundation supports the following local organizations with scholarships and educational grants:
- Georgia Gwinnett College Foundation
- Gwinnett County Public Schools Foundation
- Gwinnett Technical College Foundation
The Annual Scholarship Program honors the lasting legacy of the credit union’s past and present board members and employees, while celebrating the lifetime achievements of numerous distinguished leaders in local school systems and communities who have shaped the future through their service. Since the program’s inception in 2002, over $2.7 million dollars in scholarships and grants have been awarded to students and educational programs across Georgia and South Carolina. To learn more about Peach State’s Scholarship Program, visit peachstatefcu.org/scholarships.
Peachtree Corners gains Czech Republic consulate
March was a busy month for the Czech representation in Atlanta. Shortly after officially moving the Consulate’s office from Sandy Springs to Atlanta Tech Park in Peachtree Corners, Monika Vintrlikova, the Honorary Consul welcomed a delegation of 14 Czech companies and startups to celebrate the opening o, the incubator. Her goal is to bring between five and ten Czech companies and lead them through the program to facilitate their landing in the United States.
Later that month, helped by the economic development team of Peachtree Corners and Partnership Gwinnett, she welcomed Martin Kupka, minister of transport, along with an impressive delegation of 42 companies. They learned about the most recent autonomous vehicles service launches in the city by May Mobility.
Partnership recognizes Movers and Makers winners
Winners have been announced for the 14th annual Movers and Makers awards, sponsored by Partnership Gwinnett. TRC Talent Solutions of Peachtree Corners, a staffing company, was named the most valuable provider. Cole Porter of Porter Steel of Lilburn was named the winner of the Corporate Citizen award.
The event recognized outstanding achievements through five more award categories:
Supply Chain Pioneer Award (2 categories):
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- Small Business (1–39 employees) – Souto Foods of Norcross;
- Large Business (40+ employees) – McKesson Corporation, with offices in Duluth, Suwanee and Norcross.
Manufacturer of the Year Award (3 categories)
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- Small Business (1–39 employees) – ULTRAVIEW Archery, Norcross;
- Medium Business (40–99 employees) – beMatrix, Norcross; and
- Large Business (100+ employees) – Viasat, Duluth.
Industries in Gwinnett County, with more than 4,700 companies and 80,000 employees contribute to the region’s economic strength. For more information about Partnership Gwinnett and its economic development initiatives, visit PartnershipGwinnett.com
Andrew Hickey, director of Economic Development at Partnership Gwinnett points out: “Our manufacturers and supply chain partners don’t just drive business, they create jobs, invest in people, and shape the future of Gwinnett’s workforce.”
Movie, Conclave
This full-feature movie is about the election of a pope, which after the death of Pope Francis, is now finding spontaneous interest on streaming television. Conclave came out last October, and shows the political and theological maneuvering to select a new pope, including personal differences, and the gravity of the process. One critic of the movie called the movie’s banter as ‘banal.’ Much of the script may be overdrawn. It’s often again the case of religious conservatives versus the liberal wing. Other critics call the film ‘without intellectual depth.’ While the church has not ‘approved’ of the movie, Vatican officials were involved in the filming process, and showed the cardinal’s quarters while sequestered. Awkward stories about the various candidates for pope come out before the casting of ballots. Even through dramatic turns, soon the cardinal’s conclave reaches a consensus, with a new surprise pope choosing the name ‘Pope Innocent.’–eeb
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Jones focused farmers on scientific methods
William Louis Jones first attained recognition as a professor of science and agriculture at the University of Georgia and later as a journalist, serving as editor of the Southern Cultivator and then as editor of Henry W. Grady’s journal, Southern Farm. He was also the first director of the Georgia Agricultural Experiment Station (later the Georgia Experiment Station in Griffin). Through his writings on scientific agriculture and in his role as a professor, Jones influenced scores of Georgians and other southerners.
Born on a large plantation in Liberty County on March 27, 1827, Jones was the son of Mary Robarts and William Jones. A graduate of the University of Georgia in 1845, he studied medicine at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, in New York. After receiving the M.D. degree in 1848, he established a practice in Athens but soon decided to pursue a career in science.
In 1850 Jones enrolled in the Lawrence Scientific School of Harvard College in Cambridge, Mass., to study with the renowned Swiss scientist Louis Agassiz. A year later, he returned to Athens to serve as the professor of natural history at his alma mater. In July of that year, he married Mary Williams, a native of Athens. The couple had six children: William Agassiz, Rosa, Louis Harvey, Alexander Robarts, Joseph Williams, and Samuel Percy.
Displeased with the administration of the university president, Alonzo Church, Jones resigned in 1852 and took up farming in Morgan County. An ardent supporter of the Confederate cause, he enlisted in a state militia unit in 1863, and a year later he became the chemist in charge of the gunpowder works in Augusta.
Jones returned to the university in 1866 as the Terrell Professor of Agriculture. Shortly afterward, he and his father purchased the Southern Cultivator, which they co-edited for five years. In 1872 the university transferred Jones to the newly established Georgia State College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts, but as the arrangement did not suit him, Jones resigned soon thereafter. He sold the Southern Cultivator in 1881, though he
As a spokesman for the application of scientific methods to farming and as a sage advisor on agricultural matters, Jones won acclaim as the state’s leading authority in the field. In 1886 he returned to the university, again as Terrell Professor, and two years later became director of the new Georgia Agricultural Experiment Station. Within two years, however, the station’s board of directors had decided to deprive him of autonomy and to relocate the station in Griffin, actions that prompted Jones to resign. A year later, he left the university for good.
Meanwhile, since 1886 he had been penning columns for the Atlanta Constitution and, since 1887, serving as editor of Southern Farm. When he retired in 1892, Jones was known throughout the South for his efforts to enlighten southern farmers about the importance of applying scientific principles to crop production. He died in Atlanta on August 22, 1914.
- To view the Georgia Encyclopedia article online, go to https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
Perhaps this statue can lead you to the right answer
The status might tell you something about this issue’s Mystery Photo. Now tell us more, what it represents, and where it is located, along with your name and hometown.
The most recent mystery was recognized by lots of people, including Bruce Gaynor, Norcross; Mark Willis, Lawrenceville; George Graf, Palmyra, Va.; Susan McBrayer, Sugar Hill; Stuart Ogilvie, Rehobeth, Ala.; Terry Brookshire, Duluth; David Freeman, Buford; Jayne Bane, Lawrenceville; and Logan Duke of Fort McKavett, Texas, who wrote: “That’s the St. Simon’s Island lighthouse. It’s been a decade or three, but when I was kid, the playground equipment was at Neptune Park, just west of the lighthouse, and east of the pier. So this must be a sunrise rather than sunset picture.” Logan’s right.
Allan Peel of San Antonio, Texas, gave additional information. “The photo was shot during the early morning sunrise, which would explain why there are no children playing in the jungle gym and slide structure that was built in the shape of a sailing ship to complement the nautical theme of the area.
“This is the second lighthouse that has been at this location. The first was 75-feet high and built of tabby concrete (a mix of lime, sand, and oyster shells) in 1810. It was destroyed during the Civil War by Confederate troops in 1862 to prevent Union forces from using it for navigation. The current lighthouse was built in 1872 and stands 104-feet tall, and is topped with a cast iron lantern. Originally powered by oil lamps and reflectors, it was later upgraded to a Fresnel lens, and then to electricity in 1934. It was fully automated in 1953 and continues to operate today.
“Visitors can climb the 129 steps to the observation deck for a panoramic view of St. Simons Island and the Atlantic coastline. If you ever visit the lighthouse and decide to climb to the top, be sure to look down and watch the children play as they climb up and slide down the jungle gym in the playground 100-feet below!”
- 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!) Click here to send an email and please mark it as a photo submission. Thanks.
Tree ordinance revision is April 30 at OneStop Centerville
Enjoy a unique book club experience at Exhibit A, a beer growler shop at 178 Crogan Street No. 210 in Lawrenceville. First read the book, Gothictown, by Emily Carpenter, then meet on April 30 at 7 p.m. for what is not your average book discussion. It’s a relaxed, laid-back vibe with craft beer in hand. Our first pick is this horror mystery by Emily Carpenter.
Gwinnett School Board Member Steve Gasper will speak at the PDC Club in Norcross at 45 South Café on Wednesday, April 30, at 8:15 a.m. All are welcome.
Learn about the revision of the Gwinnett tree ordinance. Help shape how Gwinnett balances growth with the care of the county’s tree canopy. This update will be on April 30 at 6 p.m. at OneStop Centerville, 3025 Bethany Church Road in Snellville.
Ribbon-cutting of a new hotel, City Express by Marriott, will take place on Thursday, May 1, at 3 p.m. at 2360 Stephens Center Drive in Duluth.
Free Comic Book Day will be Saturday, May 3, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Lawrenceville Art Center, 124 North Clayton Street. Join the group as the city hosts an expert-led panel, playtesting games submitted for this year’s Game Jam. Awards will be given out.
Author visit and talk: Join bestselling author Marie Bostwick in discussing her newest historical fiction novel, The Book Club for Troublesome Women, a humorous, thought-provoking, and nostalgic romp through one pivotal and tumultuous American year. This will be at the Duluth Branch of Gwinnett County Public Library on May 5 at noon. She never really meant to start a book club, or feminist revolution. Come and learn more.
Bestselling author Emily Carpenter will discuss her newest psychological thriller, Gothictown, on May 8 at 7 p.m. at the Suwanee Branch of Gwinnett County Public Library. Books will be available for sale and signing.
Producer David Zelski of Georgia Public Broadcasting, will be guest speaker on May 8 at the Thursday Though Leaders breakfast buffet at the Northwest in Peachtree Corners at 8 a.m. He will highlight some of Georgia’s most unique destinations and explain how local farms, food and outdoor experiences are helping power Georgia’s economy. Register online before May 6 to hold your space.
Law enforcement community meeting on the possible creation of a police force in Peachtree Corners is scheduled for May 8 at 7 p.m. at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 5775 Peachtree Parkway. Featured will be findings of a police analysis and staffing study funded by the city. Attendance is limited to 300 on a first come, first seated basis. The program will be livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/@peachtreecornersnetwork/streams
Join acclaimed author Nancy Johnson in discussing her newest novel, “People of Means,” about a mother and daughter each seeking justice and following their dreams in 1960s Nashville and 1990s Chicago. This will be at the Lawrenceville Branch of Gwinnett County Public Library on Friday, May 9, at noon.
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