2/9: New GACS tower; police chases; establishment politics

This modern glass tower now graces the campus at Greater Atlanta Christian School on Indian Trail Drive in Norcross. For details on how this came about, See Today’s Focus below. (Photo by Mario Moreno Lozano.)

TODAY’S FOCUS: GACS Has New Tower Gracing Its Campus

EEB PERSPECTIVE: State Needs To Put Limits on Police Chases

ANOTHER VIEW: Both Right and Left are Dissatisfied with Establishment Politics

SPOTLIGHT: Walton EMC

FEEDBACK: More on AT&T Bureaucracy; Would Tunnel Be Better Than Bridge?

UPCOMING: Early Presidential Voting Underway at Eight Locations in Gwinnett

NOTABLE: Regional Science Fair Looking for Judges for February 26 Science Fair

RECOMMENDED: Arrowsmith by Sinclair Lewis

GEORGIA TIDBIT: Many Varieties of Birds Found in Georgia

TODAY’S QUOTE: Something of a Philosophy from W.C. Fields

MYSTERY PHOTO: What Is This Structure Doing in the Mountain Area         

LAGNIAPPE: Beavers Find Ways To Thwart Mankind’s Protective Shield

New tower graces campus of Greater Atlanta Christian School

By Jamie Dalton

NORCROSS, Ga., Feb. 9, 2016 | Several years ago, a vision was cast to families of Greater Atlanta Christian School (GACS) as part of a $29.7 million capital campaign. A place was needed in the heart of the campus where all could see that Jesus was at the center of the school.

Many stepped forward and gave generously. This past December, GACS’s new Cross Tower and Baptismal were dedicated.

Sponsoring the Cross Tower and Baptismal in the early stages were GACS parents Jane and Andy Adams of Gwinnett County. They were instrumental in making it a reality. Another family in particular, grandparents of GACS students, Harriet and J.C. Rash of Gwinnett County, helped bring the Cross Tower and Baptismal to life. Adjacent to the cross tower is a large plaza that was given by GACS parents Hayley and Mike  Strickland and GACS grandparents Sandra and Clyde  Strickland.

They all were inspired by the Cross tower for the message it will bring to not only the GACS students and families but to the surrounding community as it can be seen from Indian Trail Road. Engraved scriptures on the stepping stones were selected by students from each school level, as well as Andy and Jane Adams.

GACS President Dr. David Fincher shares why this was one of the focal projects of the capital campaign: “When people step onto our campus and see the Cross Tower at its center, it is our desire for them to know immediately to whom we belong. It’s a beautiful way to daily express that Jesus and the cross are the very heart of GAC.”

Students also met with Dr. Fincher to offer suggestions on how to fully incorporate the new area into daily campus activities and school traditions. One student shares: “We are grateful for the many people who have helped make the center of campus a reflection of the heart of GACS. Because of their generous support, the mission of GACS will continue to thrive.”

In another GACS story recently, four school vocalists, all native of the Atlanta area, have been selected for the All State Chorus in Athens, on February 25-27.  All State Chorus is sponsored by the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA).

From left are Gavin McDonnell, Ethan McDonnell, Lacey Shaffer and Madelyn Shaffer.

Students from throughout the state begin a series of auditions in November.  Initial auditions include scales, sight reading, and a theory test.  Second round becomes more rigorous, performing 6-7 pieces of choral music before the judges.  The finalists are evaluated on portions of each piece and then selected for the All State Chorus.

The Senior High and Junior High choirs rehearse with the best clinicians from across the country beginning February 25 and offer a concert at the Classic Center in Athens on February 27.

Those selected from GACS include:

• Gavin McDonnell, 9th grade, Senior High Tenor 1;
• Ethan McDonnell, 9th grade, Senior High Tenor;
• Lacey Shaffer, 10th grade, Senior High Alto 2; and
• Madelyn Shaffer, 8th grade, Junior High All State Alto

Deaths from police chases ought to cause us to re-think issue

By Elliott Brack, editor and publisher

FEB. 9, 2016 | You tell me: why do we have so much talk about gun control, shootings and deaths in the United States, when automobile accident deaths are just as prevalent, actually slight more, than gun deaths?

Don’t get me wrong: the mounting gun deaths are not to be taken lightly. Our country needs to find common grounds for solving this problem, while at the same time maintaining our Second Amendment rights. Getting the National Rifle Association to the table may be the hardest job.

The latest figures from the Centers for Disease Control (2013) show both auto deaths and firearms deaths are neck-and neck, with auto traffic deaths per 100,000 at 10.7. Gun related deaths are 10.6 per 100,000. In raw numbers, autos accidents killed 33,804 in 2013, while firearms deaths were 33,636.

Both figures should be unacceptable to our nation.

Yet there is even a larger threat to our population. That’s the poisoning deaths of all kinds, from overdoses, from illegal substances, or deaths from legal drugs. All those deaths account for 15.4 per 100,000, or 48,545 deaths in the year 2013, more than gun or auto deaths.

We cite the figures to show the extent of the mortality from other than natural causes in our country. Added together, that’s 36.7 deaths per 100,0000, or 115,985 of the 160,945 injury deaths in 2013. This accounts for 72 percent of these uncommon deaths.

Recently in the metro area we have had five unnecessary deaths because of one underlying factor: police chasing a vehicle.

The first deadly accident was in Norcross, as Johns Creek police were chasing a vehicle, with the collision occurring on Peachtree Parkway at Jay Bird Alley, killing two elderly and distinguished Norcross residents. The other deadly incident was a few days later, as police chased a car from College Park into Southwest Atlanta, killing three children.

Now think: are these police chases really necessary? In both cases, these chases were far more detrimental to society than the reason for the police to go after relatively minor incidents.

Both chases went far beyond the original jurisdiction boundaries. Government has long allowed chases under certain circumstances. These unnecessary deaths make this the time to re-think the subject of police chasing vehicles.

The danger in the chases is that police seem all too often to chase routinely, no matter how much risk they put on oncoming or slower-moving motorists. Five deaths within two weeks in Metro Atlanta highlights this.

We need to rid ourselves of the idea of allowing police chases. What they accomplish is minor, compared to the persons maimed for life or killed in such chases.

We cringe at the thought of more laws coming to the rescue. Yet we would support legislation aimed at limiting police chases to within the borders of the government where the reason for the chase took place.

In order words, limit Johns Creek police to chasing within their city borders. Or College Park police being not allowed to chase past their boundaries.

Just recently, we’ve seen three children killed in one chase, two seniors killed in another. Bring on the legislation to require police chases be limited to the jurisdiction where the chase begins. Put some teeth into this, by citing police if they violate this limit.

A few people getting away is far better than more unnecessary deaths from police chases.

Both right and left are dissatisfied with establishment politics

By George Wilson

FEB. 9, 2016 | Everywhere we look, the middle class is squeezed by employers who shrink benefits and pay, eliminate jobs, and fear-pressure their staff to work illegally without overtime pay. The redistribution of income to the top one percent continues unabated. Student loans in the U.S. are choking our future. Medical bankruptcies darken the days of those who most need some light. Some things are very wrong in this country, and these are principally the same things that work well for our peers in Europe and Canada.

Hillary travelled some 970,000 miles as Secretary of State. She has met with every world leader, and knows the workings of our government inside and out, and probably most of the world’s governments as well. The Republicans message to return the United States to the Middle Ages must stop. Hillary will make a fine President, and will serve as a role model for woman around the world.
Bernie as the senator from a tiny state has not the experience or history to run the country. His powerful message of economic justice is singular and impressive, but I’m afraid without a Congress he will go nowhere. However, a real “political revolution” with a massive voter turnout that replaces Congress would solve this problem.
Both the right and left are dissatisfied with establishment politics and are hungry for meaningful change. Unfortunately for those on the right, their anger was co-opted by those responsible and directed toward those on the left.

Since the early 90s, the right has attacked Hillary Clinton. Our 20-somethings have grown up hearing the accusations without hearing specifics, so it was easy for them to move to Senator Sanders. They have fallen for attacks on Secretary Clinton without questioning the accusations. Finally, both are outstanding candidates and would be infinitely superior to any Republicans on the stage.

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Ready to start billing AT&T for her lengthy waiting on hold

Editor, the Forum:

Who can I file a complaint with for AT&T – home internet, phone and TV? The service is so unacceptable.  I’ve spend hours on the phone with them, to no avail. Now, I just returned a receiver (not being used)  and then they turned off the wrong line!

It also seems that every month my bill goes up about $30, for no known reason!

I am over with all the phone calls and holding. I need to start billing them for my time.

Do I contact the FCC?

— Trish Gates, Lilburn

Dear Trish: With my recent problems, I feel for you. I suggest you contact the Georgia Public Service Commission. They regulate telephone service, and should be able to help you. Call (404) 656-4501. Or go online to http://www.psc.state.ga.us.–eeb

Suggests tunnel, not bridge, for Peachtree Corners

Editor, the Forum:

A friend and I had a conversation about the bridge proposed for Peachtree Corners. We both thought a tunnel might be a better overall idea, particularly in terms of accommodation of the state widening the road.

It could allow people to go from one side to the other without street lights on the highway.  It could have the moving sidewalks like airports to make it easy for those who don’t get around very well.  The grade would be much better for people in wheel chairs and it would be out of the sun and rain.

Not only that, but ice forming on the bridge could produce a serious hazard to vehicles and could lead to law suits and insurance claims.  The tunnel would offer walls for art and announcements or ads.  Well-lighted, it would be a safer, more pleasant way to get to the other side that could be expanded as the highway is expanded. And it might be relatively inexpensive, though no dollar figures have been told on the bridge.

— Byron Gilbert, Peachtree Corners

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Eight locations around county offer early presidential voting

Gwinnett County has greatly expanded advanced voting in the March 1 Presidential Primary, which is now underway and continues through February 26.

If you are a registered voter in Gwinnett County, you can let your voice be heard beginning this week at locations around Gwinnett.  Offices are open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. There will be no voting on February 15, as county offices are closed for President’s Day.

The Gwinnett voting locations include:

• Main Office, 45 Grayson Highway in Lawrenceville.
• Bogan Park Community Center, 2723 North Bogan Road, Buford.
• George Pierce Park Center, 55 Buford Highway, Suwanee.
• Lucky Shoals Park Center, 4651 Britt Road, Norcross.
• Shorty Howell Park Center, 2750 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth.
• Dacula Activity Building, 2735 Auburn Avenue, Dacula.
• Lenora Park Activity Room, 4515 Lenora Church Road, Snellville.
• Mountain Park Activity Building, 1063 Rockbridge Road, Stone Mountain.

Voters may cast their ballots in person before Election Day, or on Election Day. Voters are required to complete paperwork and provide an acceptable form of ID before being issued an electronic ballot. Anyone that does not have the proper ID may choose to vote a provisional ballot.

Deadline approaching for Suwanee’s annual Art on a Limb contest

Are you an artist willing to go out on a limb – literally – for your art? The City of Suwanee is accepting proposals and samples from artists who wish to have their work considered for the City’s month-long, award-winning Art on a Limb program.

Through Art on a Limb, two pieces of original artwork are hidden each day along the Suwanee Creek Greenway or at one of the City’s parks throughout the month of May. Those who find the art pieces get to keep the unique trail treasures.

Past Art on a Limb pieces have included clay orbs, small paintings on canvas as well as pieces of the City’s old water tower, magnets, gourds painted to look like birds, the Suwanee S shaped from metal, and pottery pieces that include leaves found along the Greenway.

The deadline for submitting entries to be considered for the 2016 Art on a Limb program is February 29. More information and an application are available at www.suwanee.com.

Kudzu Art Center plans workshop by Mark Mehaffey Feb. 16-19

“The Path,” by Mark Mehaffey

Kudzu Art Zone in Norcross will present a workshop by internationally noted artist Mark Mehaffey from February 16-19. Sessions will be from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. each day.

Mehaffey  has won national and international awards, twice winning the Silver Medal of Honor and has authored the popular “Creative Watercolor and Acrylic Workshop.” Artists will  create paintings using elements of shape, line, value and color to simplify subject matter. Participants will work with texture to produce abstractions with a personal focus.

Kudzu Art Zone is located in Norcross Georgia at 116 Carlyle Street: check the website www.kudzuartzone.org for details, or call 77-0 840 9844.

Regional science fair needs judges for Feb. 26 event

The 2016 Gwinnett Regional Science, Engineering + Innovation Fair is on Friday, February 26 at the Infinite Energy Center in Duluth.  This event continues to grow every year and we need the help and support of our community to help provide an impact on young minds as they explore STEM fields.

The Fair needs 250 science and engineering professionals to serve as judges.  Why so many judges?  There will be over 1,000 students participating, with over 800 projects to be judged in the competition.  Each project will need to be judged three times for a final score.

• Questions can be directed to Gwinnett Regional Science, Engineering + Innovation Fair Advisory Committee member, Rachel Jeffers at rachel@accentcreativegroup.com or by calling 678-407-8820. Or click here ) http://www.gwinnettsciencefair.com/we-need-you-become-a-judge-2016/) to register as a judge.

Rice will not seek re-election to state House of Representatives

Rice

State Rep. Tom Rice (R-Norcross), chairman of the House Motor Vehicles Committee, will not seek re-election to the Georgia House of Representatives after 20 years of service as a state representative. He serves District 95 that includes Peachtree Corners, Berkeley Lake, Norcross and parts of Johns Creek. Chairman Rice plans to devote his time to fulfilling ministry opportunities with his wife Frances at Peachtree Corners Baptist Church where he serves as an Elder. Quoting Ecclesiastes 3:1 Chairman Rice said, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the sun.”

United Peachtree Corners Civic Association Past President Scott Hilton has been the only person so far to announce to run for this office.

County finds saving of $323,000 by remounting ambulances

Following the success of two previous projects to save money by remounting existing ladders on new fire trucks, Gwinnett Fire and Emergency Services will save $323,000 by remounting eight ambulances onto new chasses.

Fire Chief Casey Snyder said the lifetime warranty on the Life Line compartment modules will be continued and the units will be refurbished to new condition with updated equipment and technology for use by emergency responders. The department had previously saved $135,000 by reusing the aerial ladders from two old, high-maintenance fire trucks that were due for replacement.

In a separate action, the Board accepted a $255 donation of animal oxygen masks made by 11-year-old Julia Hicks, who chose to help animals involved in fires rather than receive birthday gifts this year. Her mother, Melinda Hicks, worked with the Emma Zen Foundation to provide three sets of animal oxygen masks that will be placed on Engine 16, Engine 17 and Engine 27.Snyder says: “This generous donation speaks well of Julia’s attitude and willingness to help the community.”

Snellville rewards Britt Elementary class for helping in food drive

Students in schools throughout Snellville collected cans of food in the second annual Give Hunger the Boot Challenge between Snellville and neighboring Grayson. On Friday, the first class of students in Snellville who collected the most food items for their school were given a pizza party for their efforts.

Ms. Alaina Moore’s first grade class at Britt Elementary School was joined by Councilman Dave Emanuel, who with his wife Kathy, created Give Hunger the Boot, an organization which feeds the area’s needy. GHTB was the guiding force in the city in collecting canned goods and money for the contest which Snellville won.

Ms. Moore’s class collected 282 items, a portion of the more than 6,000 collected in Snellville. Residents also gave $15,187 to benefit the Southeast Gwinnett Co-op. Other area schools also donating canned goods to Snellville in the contest were Norton, Brookwood, Craig and J.C. Magill Elementary Schools. Emanuel will also provide pizza parties for the winning classes in those schools in the coming month.

Arrowsmith

A novel by Sinclair Lewis

A Pulitzer Prize winning novel in 1926 (which Sinclair Lewis refused to accept), Arrowsmith tells the story of the brilliant Martin Arrowsmith, an aspiring medical student, and his rise through the ranks from school, to small town doctor, bureaucrat, and research scientist. His focus in life is science, and his wife, Leora, endures his divided attention. She provides un-wavering support as he challenges medical practices during his professional rise in status. His early mentor inspires him to travel to the Caribbean where an outbreak of plague is raging. Though he discovers a cure, the loving Leora succumbs to the disease. Famous now for his discovery, he is swept into social circles and wealth, even marrying an heiress. But it is not enough to fulfill his dreams of following his early mentor, and he leaves to find satisfaction in solitary research. The book still speaks to medical issues today.

— Karen Burnette Garner, Dacula

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

Wide variety of birds found in Georgia’s several regions

Birds are associated with physiographic regions (the Blue Ridge, Cumberland Plateau, Ridge and Valley, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain) of the state as well as the habitats or landscapes found in those regions.

Birds living in the Blue Ridge, or mountain, region are those commonly found in more northern regions of the United States. The weather in Georgia’s mountains is similar to that of southern New England, making this region the coldest and wettest part of Georgia.

Painted bunting.

The Blue Ridge represents an important but relatively small area of breeding-bird diversity. About 130 species nest there in spring and summer. Found only in Georgia at elevations above 3,500 feet are nesting Canada warblers (Wilsonia canadensis), winter wrens (Troglodytes troglodytes), veerys (Catharus fuscescens), yellow-bellied sapsuckers (Sphyrapicus varius), and dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis). Nine other species are found nesting in Georgia only at elevations between 1,700 and 2,700 feet.

The Cumberland Plateau, which is part of the Appalachian Plateau, and the Ridge and Valley regions of northwest Georgia represent a small area of the state. The climate and habitat of these regions are similar to those found in the Piedmont, and these regions are warmer and drier than the mountain region.

Oak-pine forests are common in areas that are not cultivated or developed; national forest land comprises mostly hardwood trees. Most private lands are farmed, planted with pines, or developed. Ninety-four species nest in the Ridge and Valley region, and none are unique to the state. Possibly 75 species nest in the Cumberland Plateau region. Peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus), once common to Georgia’s Cumberland Plateau, were eliminated in the eastern United States by the pesticide DDT but have recovered.

The rolling hills of the Piedmont region once supported large agricultural fields but now are scattered with pine and hardwood forests of many ages. About 110 to 115 species of birds nest in the region. The Piedmont is also an area with an increasing number of nesting birds that have been invading the area, mainly from the north, during the last fifty years.

The Coastal Plain covers the southern half of the state. About 110 breeding species nest in this region.

The red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis), an endangered bird, is limited to southern pine forests, especially to the longleaf pine of the Coastal Plain. The colorful painted bunting (Passerina ciris) nests along coastal areas, especially on barrier islands; near wetlands; and near rivers with grassy glades containing shrubs. Large heron and egret nesting colonies, some with more than 30,000 nests, are also common in the Coastal Plain and include the much smaller nesting colonies of the endangered wood storks (Mycteria americana). Wetland bird habitat is important in south Georgia, where one of the largest swamps in North America, the Okefenokee Swamp, floods nearly 400,000 acres. About 232 different birds can be found in the swamp, which provides habitat for 64 nesting species.

• To access the Georgia Encyclopedia online, go to http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org

Tell us where this unusual copper-topped structure is located

What’s this structure doing in the midst of this mountainous area? There’s a reason. Figure out where this photo was made and send in your answer to elliott@brack.net and include your hometown.

Last edition’s mystery photo was spotted by three individuals, with George Graf of Palmyra, Va. coming in with the first answer: Havana Harbor, Havana, Cuba. He writes: “Faro Castillo del Morro is the lighthouse in the background. It was built in 1845 on the ramparts of the Castillo de los Tres Reyes Magos del Morro, an old fortress guarding the harbor of Havana.  Morro Castle is named after the three biblical Magi, and was begun in 1589 and finished in 1660.  Spanish word “Morro” means a rock which is very visible from the sea.” The photo was sent in by Jerry Colley of Lilburn.

Also figuring out the right answer was Bob Foreman of Grayson and Susan McBurney of Sugar Hill.

The beavers find a way around mankind’s protective shield

Roving Photographer Frank Sharp of Lawrenceville found this gnawed tree near Rhodes Jordan Park, showing that the beaver population finds ways to get around mankind’s attempts to protect a young tree. Wonder why the beavers jumped at this particular tree? Maybe they were planning to use the wood as the superstructure for one of their many dams.

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