A GROUP OF ABOUT 40 Georgia Gwinnett College political science students recently visited the state capitol on a trip organized and led by Drs. Scott Boykin, Dovile Budryte and Linda Mancillas. The annual trip is open to students from various political science classes, including both political science majors and non-majors. The day included time in the House and Senate chambers, a visit to the capitol museum and an opportunity to meet Governor Nathan Deal, who paused for a photo with the students. Merri Brantley, GGC’s director of External Affairs, presented a talk about how state government works and how public funding flows to the college. This gave the students a real-life example of how state government affects them specifically.
IN THIS EDITIONTODAY’S FOCUS: City of Duluth Wins Award for Best Festival in Southeast
EEB PERSPECTIVE: Frustrations When Dealing with Certain Bureaucratic Utilities
SPOTLIGHT: The Gwinnett Braves
FEEDBACK: More on Community Gardens and Bridge Across Peachtree Parkway
UPCOMING: Stone Mountain Barbershop Quartet Offers Singing Valentines
NOTABLE: Peachtree Corners Certified as Green Community by ARC
RECOMMENDED MOVIE: Occupied on Netflix
GEORGIA TIDBIT: Long Term Effect of Yazoo Fraud Led to Trail of Tears
TODAY’S QUOTE: Even Darrow Recognized Anybody Can Be President
MYSTERY PHOTO: Peaceful Mountain and Lake Scene Awaits Your Discernment
TODAY’S FOCUSDuluth wins top award in Southeast festival competition
By Brenda Pierce | The best and brightest festivals in the Southeast won awards at the Southeast Festivals and Events Association’s Kaleidoscope Awards, in Charleston, S.C., on January 26.
Overall winner of the Best Festival with budgets over $75,000 was Duluth’s Fall Festival. The awards were held in conjunction with the 13th Annual SFEA Conference. Top festivals and events throughout the southeast were recognized for their outstanding contribution to the events industry.
One of this year’s festival co-chairs, Kay Montgomery, comments: “We were thrilled for the Festival to be recognized in this way. We knew that we had a great festival, but excited to be recognized by the Southeast Festival and Events Association as the best in the area. This make us work even harder to make sure that our Festival will continue to be outstanding. We were glad to be in Charleston for the award, and only wish that our co-chair, Billy Jones, had been able to attend. ”
People crowded in Duluth during its fall festival.
Duluth also won a bronze medal for Duluth Celebrates America, and won a silver medal for Barefoot in the City in the Best Event Program, and a silver medal for Best Creative Idea for its Beach Night summer stage concert series.
Two other Gwinnett cities, Sugar Hill and Suwanee, were among the winners in the various categories.
Suwanee won a gold medal in the Best New Event category for its Big Cheesy Festival. Sugar Hill took home a bronze medal in this category for its Sugar Rush festival. Suwanee copped a silver medal for its Suwanee Fest Volunteer Planning Committee
Both Sugar Hill and Suwanee placed for Best T Shirt, Sugar Hill winning a silver for Sugar Rush, and Suwanee placing bronze for the Big Cheesy Festival.
Suwanee was named the winner of the bronze award for its Suwanee Fest event.
“The quality of submissions continues to increase each year making it more difficult for the judges to select the winners,” noted Brenda Pierce, executive director for SFEA. “Of course, to ‘win gold,’ becomes all the sweeter when there is additional competition and the recognition a festival receives for winning is priceless.”
The name “kaleidoscope” was selected due to the colors in the logo image that represent the many different elements and facets within festivals and events. A call for entries was posted last fall and all southeast festivals and events were encouraged to participate. A panel of experts in event planning, marketing and tourism spent an entire day reviewing the entries from five states. The judges looked for originality, creativity, media impact, volunteer programs, and the overall impact to the community. The categories, in which one can win recognition, are also diverse, ranging from Best Marketing Campaign to Best T-Shirt to Best Festival or Event.
- For a complete list of other city winners, click here.
Continued frustration when fighting the telephone monopoly
By Elliott Brack, editor and publisher | Oh, the frustration of fighting a bureaucracy, any bureaucracy!
It started out with AT&T installing high-speed fiber optics in our office building. Eventually came a call from AT&T, suggesting that this faster Internet service would be the cat’s meow for me.
After several calls, I relented in late November, hearing that I could keep my same business land line telephone numbers. Previously, I had my telephone and Internet service with Windstream Business, and had been happy with that service for about five years or more. The good part: the monthly charges from Windstream were about half what the previous AT&T service was. The new AT&T service would be only about $20 more a month for phone and faster Internet. It sounded too good to be true.
Come to find out, it was.
The AT&T technician installed a new router for my Internet on December 1. Little did I know then that that was only for the Universe Internet service, and did not include the land lines.
The first indication that something was amiss happened about December 21. Someone sent me an email message that my main telephone number was out. The recording told them that calling this number “was not permitted.” Meanwhile, a second land line rollover number was still working. Though I called AT&T about the “dead” line, nothing happened.
Coming back to the office after the Christmas holidays, about December 28, I could not dial out or get calls on the second line. It was out, too. Something bad was amiss.
First I called the AT&T rep who had sold me on the new service. That is, I tried to call him. He was “no longer with the company.” So began a month of calls first to AT&T, eventually learning that Windstream had not transported the old lines over to AT&T. Seems it was “the other guy,” not their problem. Neither AT&T nor Windstream were taking any initiative.
The most frustration came when trying to get someone who could recognize the problem at AT&T. When calling them, you get three tones announcing you are at AT&T, then have to input your telephone number. When I did that, AT&T didn’t recognize the old number, and I was told to call back later. “Thank you for calling AT&T,” they said. Then the line went dead. That was galling.
Meanwhile I was using a cell phone, something I seldom do, and was not having an easy time of it. And no one knew that cell number, so I got no business calls. A few people called my wife at home, and I called them back. Dead quiet on calls coming in. It was a different feeling.
That went on for over a month. I apologize to anyone trying then to call me at the office.
Eventually, I gave up on having AT&T service. No one seemed to want to help me. By then Windstream told me that they could no longer provide Internet to my area, though they could provide land line phones, since I was a previous customer.
On January 21 an AT&T technician came to activate the land line. Then I had to wait six days (including the snow day of last Friday) for a Windstream technician to come in and give me my old numbers back. That happened Wednesday, more than a month since the land lines went out. Only then was I back with my regular office phones.
It’s been frustrating fighting bureaucracy. So far I haven’t heard a cat meow around here.
You can probably tell me your own frustrations when battling the many bureaucracies.
IN THE SPOTLIGHTThe Gwinnett Braves
The Gwinnett Braves are the Triple-A International League affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. The team plays their home games at Coolray Field, located on Georgia Highway 20 just east of the Mall of Georgia. Another season of family-friendly fun and kid-friendly activities starts on Thursday, April 14 when the G-Braves host the Norfolk Tides for a 7:05 p.m. game. The full 2016 promotional schedule, including 14 post-game fireworks shows and five bobblehead giveaways, is out now at GwinnettBraves.com. Stay tuned for other 2016 announcements by following the G-Braves at twitter.com/GwinnettBraves and facebook/com/GwinnettBraves1.
- Ticket packages are on sale now. Call 678-277-0340 or visit GwinnettBraves.com/tickets.
- For a list of other sponsors of this forum, go to: Our sponsors.
Likes Snellville’s community garden plan better than the Norcross one
Editor, the Forum:
Snellville’s community garden was featured in a press release concerning another grant it received from Gwinnett County Master Gardeners Association. Snellville’s group of gardeners are doing it right and giving back to their community. Several years ago they formed a committee, drew up a master plan, and are progressing one stage at a time, doing it the right way themselves. You can visit their web page to see some of their success and operation at www.snellvillecommunitygarden.com.
They asked the city to lease them a small garden plot on 3/4 acre, and nothing more.
Locally in Norcross, not so much! Here the council is being asked to pay for the project using taxpayer’s money from one fund or another. The initial Request for Quotes (RFQ) construction low bid was over $600,000. To their credit, they revised the RFQ, now $350,000 for the benefit of less than 1/4 of one percent of the taxpayers. Additionally, if Council approves, they plan to place the garden on leased land that has an early termination clause written into the lease.
As a taxpaying citizen, I prefer the Snellville initiative best!
— Ross Kaul, Norcross
Suggests potential problems widening Peachtree Parkway
Editor, the Forum:
Seems inevitable that the state of Georgia will eventually have to widen Peachtree Parkway. What happens to the proposed Peachtree Corners bridge across Peachtree Parkway then? Are there contingency plans for that possibility? Cumming and Johns Creek residents would have interest in the improvement of that highway.
— Byron Gilbert, Peachtree Corners
- Send Feedback and Letters to: elliott@brack.net
Singing Valentines offered from Stone Mountain Barbershop Quartets
Quartets from the Stone Mountain Barbershop Chorus will offer their popular Singing Valentine program for 2016.
David Southern, Greater Atlanta Chapter president, says: “This is one of our most enjoyable projects because we get to deliver a unique ‘I Love You’ message to that special sweetheart. We have serenaded both men and women in such varied spots as supermarkets, college and elementary classrooms, business offices, retail shops, doctor’s offices, living rooms and residential driveways. The effect is most dramatic when an audience is present to witness the event,” he added.
The Singing Valentine delivery includes two love songs sung live by a barbershop quartet, a faux rose and a personalized Valentine’s Day greeting card. The cost is $50.
Singing Valentine deliveries will be made throughout the metro Atlanta area on Friday, February 12, and Saturday, February 13, and Sunday, February 14. The Stone Mountain Chorus is a non-profit, charitable organization and a portion of all Singing Valentine proceeds is donated to Families of Children Under Stress (FOCUS), a local charity.
Orders for a Singing Valentine can be placed on the secure Stone Mountain Chorus web site, www.stonemountainchorus.org, using a VISA, MasterCard or Discover credit card. Contact the chapter information line at 770-978-8053 with any questions.
Briscoe Park Pool in Snellville to get $47,400 improvement
The pool at Briscoe Park in Snellville will be resurfaced by spring after the Mayor and Council approved a contract with a local company recently. Positively Pools will resurface the 42-year-old pool for an outlay of $47,400.
Briscoe Park pool was originally built in 1974 and only included the pool itself and surrounding deck. In 2002 the pool area was renovated by adding a kids’ Splash Pad area and a pool house building containing an office, restrooms, storage and outdoor showers. During the 2002 renovations nothing was done to the existing pool.
The Snellville Parks and Recreation Department continues to work with its pool management company to make sure Gwinnett County regulations are followed and the condition of equipment is healthy and within industry standards. The pool was overdue for replacement repair and must be taken care of now to maintain standards.
The repair work includes the pool plaster, racing lanes, waterline tile, in-wall steps, a filter sand change and includes a 12-month warranty. Funds to complete this project have been budgeted and designated from 2014 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax funds.
19th North Atlanta Home Show at Infinite Energy Center Feb. 19-21
Over 150 home remodeling experts will gather together at Infinite Energy Center (formerly Gwinnett Center) February 19-21 for the 19th annual North Atlanta Home Show (www.AtlantaHomeShow.com). Featuring the latest products and services for home remodeling, interior decorating, landscaping and outdoor living, the North Atlanta Home Show offers attendees the opportunity to comparison shop and talk to the experts one-on-one.
The North Atlanta Home Show will be open from noon-6 p.m. on Friday, February 19; from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Saturday, February 20; and noon – 5 p.m. on Sunday, February 21.
The three-day event at 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth includes expert speakers, door prizes, live radio broadcasts, buyer discounts and much more. The Grand Prize is a Saber Cast 500 L full-sized grill provided by American Casual Living. General admission is $8 and tickets may be purchased at the door. The North Atlanta Home Show is a SEMCO Show.
Walter Reeves, the Georgia Gardener, will kick-off the speaker roster at noon on Friday, February 19 with “Have the Best Landscape this Spring,” and will return Saturday morning, February 20, to broadcast “The Lawn and Garden Show” live on WSB. This will be followed by a live broadcast of WSB’s “Home Fix-It Show” hosted by Dave Baker.
HGTV’s Joe Washington will present “Adapt and Garden Smart” both Friday and Saturday, and additional speaker topics will include de-cluttering, interior design, home organization and much more. To see a full list of speakers and times, visit www.AtlantaHomeShow.com.
NOTABLEPeachtree Corners wins ARC Green Communities certification
Only three years old, the City of Peachtree Corners has earned a certification that only 20 other communities in the entire Atlanta metro 10-county area have achieved, the Atlanta Regional Commission Green Communities certification.
This is the city’s first certification in the ARC’s Green Communities program. The award is in recognition of the city’s efforts to conserve energy, reduce waste and protect natural resources. Peachtree Corners was honored for becoming a Bronze-certified Green Community.
Diana Wheeler, the city’s Community Development Director, says: “Being environmentally responsible and providing leadership in sustainable practices is a top priority for Peachtree Corners, This award represents our long-term interest and commitment to the well-being of our community.”
On hand to receive the Bronze Certificate were Councilmember Lorri Christopher, Green Committee members Emily Finn and Lorrie Backer, city staff members Diana Wheeler, Jennifer Howard and Alvenease Jackson.
To gain the certification the city:
- Provides a public drop-off location for cell phones, household batteries and ink cartridges. The city’s Green Committee also provides an updated database of local recycling opportunities for residents.
- Encourages businesses in under-utilized locations rather than build on undeveloped land.
- Encourages the recycling of a wide range of items by providing incentives for businesses to locate recycling facilities in the city limits. The city’s zoning code allows recycling in areas zoned “light industry,” the most common zoning district, resulting in a large number of properties suitable for this use.
- Adopts a ‘night sky” ordinance to reduce excess light pollution and conserve energy. The city also provides incentives for sign lighting that is controlled by timers and uses high-efficiency LED lamps.
- Installed an electric vehicle charging stations at City Hall.
Snellville Community Garden gets grant for greenhouse project
The Community Garden at Snellville (CG@S) just got a green thumbs up from the Gwinnett County Master Gardeners Association. The Association has given the Garden a $518 grant to help with a new greenhouse project.
Earlier, a donation was made to the CG@S in 2013 which allowed the purchase of a used 40-by-20-foot greenhouse and equipment. Garden officials asked the Association to grant a request to provide start-up costs for making the greenhouse operational this year.
With the grant, the Garden will have a protected space to begin sowing seeds and propagating plants, offer community classes designed to teach gardening and propagation of plants, conduct spring and fall plant sales in order to raise future funds for the CG@S and to provide a location for the Gwinnett County Extension Office and Master Gardeners to use for classes and demonstrations. The grant will cover costs for supplies including soil and fertilizer.
Rosalie Tubre, the Association’s grant project committee chairman, says: “Thank you for your efforts to beautify Gwinnett County by spearheading this great greenhouse project. Your hard work and dedication in using good horticultural practices will help to educate many who will benefit from your efforts.” For information about the Garden visit www.snellvillecommunitygarden.com.
RECOMMENDED MOVIEOccupied on Netflix
“Occupied, a new fictional drama on streaming Netflix, is one of the best new series we have seen on television recently. It’s set in Norway, and it’s a political thriller, as Russia uses a “silk glove” invasion of Norway, to insure continued oil production. Meanwhile, the European Union gets involved, the Norwegian police are put in a difficult position, and Russia is disrupting the peaceful people of Norway. Several personal stories are involved. Meanwhile, we get inside scenes of the interworking of the Norwegian prime minister and his cabinet, plus everyday scenes of what life is like in Norway. The English subtitles which don’t detract from the action.”–eeb
An invitation: what books, restaurants, movies or web sites have you enjoyed recently? Send us your recent selection, along with a short paragraph (100 words) as to why you liked this, plus what you plan to visit or read next. –eeb
GEORGIA ENCYCLOPEDIA TIDBITLong-term effect Yazoo Fraud Led to Trail of Tears
(From previous edition)
To prevent those claiming lands under the Yazoo purchase from receiving a sympathetic hearing in a Congress dominated by Federalists, Jackson and his lieutenants blocked any cession of the western territory until the Republicans were in control. Then, in the Compact of 1802, commissioners from Georgia, including Jackson, transferred the land and the Yazoo claims to the federal government. The United States paid Georgia $1.25 million and agreed to extinguish as quickly as possible the remaining claims of Native Americans to areas within the state.
Northern speculators who had acquired land from the Yazoo companies pressed Congress for payment, but for more than a decade congressmen sympathetic to Georgia rebuffed them. Frustrated claimants sued for redress. In the case of Fletcher v. Peck (1810), Chief Justice John Marshall ruled that the Rescinding Act had been an unconstitutional violation of the right of contract. Finally, in 1814, Congress resolved the issue, providing $5 million from the proceeds of land sales in the Mississippi Territory to be shared by the claimants.
Georgia politicians used the “Yazoo” label to bludgeon opponents for almost 20 years following the congressional settlement. A more tragic legacy of the Yazoo fraud grew out of the 1802 cession to Congress. As cotton culture spread across Georgia, the national government proved unable to extinguish Creek and Cherokee claims to land quickly enough for white Georgians, who were rapidly laying claim to inland tracts through the land lottery system. Anger over this matter fueled the development of the states’ rights philosophy, for which Georgia’s leaders became notorious in the 1820s and 1830s as they continually prodded the United States to complete the process of Indian removal. In a sense, the Yazoo land fraud helped lead to the Cherokee “Trail of Tears” in 1838.
- To access the Georgia Encyclopedia online, go to http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
Peaceful mountain and lake scene awaits your discernment
This tranquil setting makes one think of warmer climes than we are in during February. It’s a peaceful scene, and certainly not around here. If you think you know this Mystery Photo location, send in your idea and include your address to elliott@brack.net.
That cold-looking city with a church in the background, our Mystery Photo of the last edition, was identified by one George Graf of Palmyra, Va. He writes: “It’s Burlington, Vt. Burlington became the first city in the United States to run completely on renewable energy. Ben and Jerry’s began in 1978 when Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield opened their first ice cream scoop shop in an old gas station in Burlington. Current U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders was the mayor of Burlington from 1981 to 1989.” The photograph was sent in by Susan McBrayer of Sugar Hill. She notes that the photo is of the pedestrian-only Church Street in downtown Burlington. The First Unitarian Universalist Society building is in the background.
DAR chapter pays visit to Chateau Elan winery in Braselton
Daughters of the American Revolution from the Philadelphia Winn Chapter in Lawrenceville visited Chateau Elan in Braselton recently. The group learned about various wines, grapes and the process of making wine! Though located in the North Georgia foothills, patrons feel as if they’ve visited the French countryside, though with warm, Southern hospitality! Making the visit are on the front row Randi Minor, Regent Lydia McGill, Helen Grigsby and Oliver, and Mary Ann Owens. On the second row are Renee Weilbrenner, Pat Davis, Joyceline Cruz, and Janet Perry. The third row consists of Ann Story, Barbara McCay, Joyce Howard and Margaret Peddle. On the fourth row are Lee Schermerhorn, Carolyn Holley, husband of a member Frank Marchese and Anne Lockhart.
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