ADDITION COMING: Gwinnett’s Judicial and Administrative Center is to get a $75 million enlargement, primarily for use by the court system. Here’s a view of what the addition to the courthouse will look like. To the right will be the new court facilities, while to the left is new 1,500 vehicle parking deck.
IN THIS EDITIONTODAY’S FOCUS: Survey Says Majority of Peachtree Corners Residents Oppose Bridge
EEB PERSPECTIVE: Consider These Candidates When You Go Into the Voting Booth
ANOTHER VIEW: Here’s Another Look of Recent Trip to Cuba by Southern Journalists
SPOTLIGHT: Precision Planning Inc.
FEEDBACK: How Patty Davis Says Alzheimer’s Touched Ronald Reagan
UPCOMING: Commissioners OKs $75 Million Addition for Gwinnett Courthouse
NOTABLE: Refunding Water-Sewer Bonds Results in $18.5 Million Savings
GEORGIA TIDBIT: Union Forces Capture Jefferson Davis in Irwin County
TODAY’S QUOTE: Shhh. Or the Whole World May Know!
MYSTERY PHOTO: New Mystery Photo May Bring Lots of Head Scratching
TODAY’S FOCUSSurvey says majority of Peachtree Corners residents oppose bridge
By Ali Stinson
PEACHTREE CORNERS, Ga., May 6, 2016 | An independent survey of 500 Peachtree Corners residents concerning the proposed bridge across Georgia Highway 141 shows that a majority of people oppose the construction of the bridge.
Stinson
The survey was administered by the Peachtree Corners Ballot Committee, which is solely responsible for its content. In its opinion, findings accurately and objectively state the opinions of survey respondents as of the survey date, within an average sampling error of plus/minus 5 percentage points at the customary 95 percent confidence level. The Ballot Committee was formed four years ago to oppose the incorporation of the city. Bob Martell is president of the Ballot Committee.
The findings of the survey were first posted April 28 on social media sites. The survey in its entirety is published below.
- Click here to see the original survey.
Consider these candidates when you go into the voting booth
By Elliott Brack, editor and publisher
MAY 6, 2016 | When elections roll around, GwinnettForum seeks to make sense out of all the campaigning, by giving readers our recommendations in the primaries.
This task is one we do not take lightly. After talking to this year’s candidates, we feel that our choice will make the best nominee in the May 24 primary.
Note that we endorse in the Democratic and Republican primaries, and in non-partisan races. However, we will not endorse in any races where we have not spoken personally to the candidate. We have invited all candidates to sit down with us for 30 minutes. If the candidate chooses not talk with us, we will not endorse them. We see no reason to endorse in races where the candidate has no primary opposition.
We swap the candidate spending time with us by providing each of those candidates space in GwinnettForum to state their views on six questions we pose to all of them. The answers to those questions will continue to be published on our website until the primary. Recognize that answers to these questions come directly from the candidate in their own words, with no editing on our part.
Now here are our recommendations in the upcoming primaries:
U.S. Senate:
Isakson
Coyne
Democrats: We recommend the candidacy of John F. Coyne III, the only Democrat to sit down with us. A small businessman, Mr. Coyne, 66, of Milton, hopes to change the way the government in Washington does business. We wish him well in this campaign, and endorse his candidacy.
Republicans: We suggest that the best Republican in this campaign is the incumbent, Johnny Isakson, 71, of Marietta. His service in Washington has been one of which most Georgians can be proud. His seniority will serve Georgia well in the next Congress, and we endorse his nomination.
Georgia Public Service Commission:
Echols
Republicans: Three Republicans seek this position for a six year term in office, with no Democratic opposition. This means that the winner will become a shoo-in as the next commissioner. An incumbent, Tim Echols, 55, of Athens, is being opposed by Kellie Austin, 38, of Lawrenceville, and Michelle Miller, 41, of Warner Robins. All three are admirable candidates. However, we feel that in his first term as a Commissioner, Tim Echols has shown great ability and provided ideas benefiting the commission. We endorse the Echols’ candidacy.
Millar
State Senate, District 40
Republicans: Once again we endorse the candidacy of Fran Millar, 66, of Dunwoody, a solid veteran Legislator. We particularly look forward to his continued work on transportation and Medicaid expansion.
House of Representatives, District 81
Duffie
Republicans: There are three Republicans running in this race. The winner will face Scott Holcomb, who has no Democratic opposition, in November. A candidate who ran before, Jim Duffie, 75, of Chamblee, is our choice in this district, which includes portions of two counties. Mr. Duffie, a retired real estate mortgage broker, wants to assure that Government will be accountable to the people. He has good ideas and would make a fine state representative.
House of Representatives, District 95
Hilton
Republicans: Two Peachtree Corners residents vie for this open seat, previously held by Tom Rice. The district covers all of Peachtree Corners and Norcross from the rail tracks westward. Our choice is Scott Hilton, 36, a commercial banker, making his first bid for office. His outlook on issues and his ties to the community tell us he will make a good servant of the people, and we endorse his candidacy. No Democrats are running for this post.
House of Representatives, District 97
Coleman
Republicans: An incumbent and a newcomer to politics seek this post. While we appreciate the candidacy of John Marsh, 52, an owner of an eye care practice, our choice is the current representative, Brooks Coleman, 76, of Duluth, a retired school administrator and auctioneer. Mr. Coleman is currently chairman of the House Education Committee, is in a good position to ensure improving schools for all Georgians, and we endorse him.
House of Representatives, District 99
Lopez
Democrats: Two Democrats are opponents for this seat, with no Republicans offering. Therefore, the winner of the May primary will gain office. Our choice for this position is attorney Brenda Lopez, 33, a resident of Norcross. Her campaign has worked tirelessly, knocking on 9,000 doors, as she seeks to make her name known. With Gwinnett becoming more and more diverse, it’s good to see a young Hispanic seek office. We endorse Brenda Lopez for this office.
House of Representatives, District 105
McLeod
Chandler
Republicans: Joyce Chandler has held this office for two terms, and seeks re-election. She has one Republican and two Democrats opponents, so this election won’t be decided until November. Mrs. Chandler, 73, of Lawrenceville, is a former school teacher and counselor. We endorse her candidacy in this primary.
Democrats: A long-time political activist in Gwinnett, Donna McLeod, 48, of Lawrenceville, is making her first bid for political office. She is a medical device consultant. A native of Jamaica, she grew up in Canada, now is an American citizen, and has been living in the district for 16 years. She makes a fine candidate, and we endorse her nomination.
House of Representatives, District 106
Republicans: Two persons seek this office. We make no endorsement, since neither visited with us.
House of Representatives, District 108
Gabilondo
Republicans: Two qualified persons seek this office, currently held by B.J. Pak, who is not seeking re-election. Clay Cox, 47 of Lilburn, is a former legislator. Patty Gabilondo, 56, of Lilburn, is making her first try for office. She has been involved with civic activities, principally through the Lilburn Woman’s Club, and should make a good representative of the district. We endorse Mrs. Gabilondo’s candidacy.
House of Representatives, District 114
Republicans: Two persons seek this office. We make no endorsement, since neither visited with us.
Sheriff of Gwinnett County
Conway
Republicans: This race pits a previous employee of this office against the current sheriff. Keith Van Nus, 63, of Dacula, is director of security at Hebron Baptist Church. Butch Conway, 64, also of Dacula, is in his 20th year as sheriff. This office handles security for the courthouse, serves warrants and operates the county jail. It is a big business, with over 700 employees. Sheriff Conway has a good service history. Because of Sheriff Conway’s record of operations, we endorse his continuation in office.
Bratton
Batchelor
Non-partisan Judicial Races
There are three non-partisan judicial races in Gwinnett this year, with two candidates for each open position. In the recent history, Gwinnett County has enjoyed a reputation of having high quality and fair judges on its benches. While three qualified and worthy candidates oppose each of the judges, we appreciate and approve of the conduct of the three incumbent judges. Therefore, we endorse the incumbents for these offices.
Brown
That includes:
- Judge of Superior Court: Ronnie Batchelor, 66, of Snellville.
- Judge of State Court: Shawn Bratton, 44, of Suwanee.
- Judge of State Court: Carla Brown, 50, of Dacula.
WE THANK ALL of the candidates who have entered the 2016 election primary for their dedication to good government, as evidenced by them taking the time, effort and determination to run for office. They make the system work by giving the people a choice in their elected officials.
Now it’s time for the everyday citizens to do their duty, by not only voting, but supporting the candidacy of office-seekers. Go out and make your voice heard!
ANOTHER VIEWHere’s another view of recent trip to Cuba by Southern journalists
By Carrol Dadisman, publisher, Tallahassee Democrat, 1981-97
MAY 6, 2016 | Americans visiting Cuba on recently-authorized “people to people” tours catch only glimpses of the burdens borne by 11 million Cubans still subjected to Communist rule. But they see flashes of change and innovation that eventually could unlock the latent potential of our island neighbor.
Painting of classic cars in Cuba.
There’s no hiding Cuba’s neglected, decaying infrastructure. Impressive architecture of Havana’s historic buildings and finer homes is marred by decades of disrepair. Away from the capital’s tree-lined boulevards and across the rural countryside, the scene is stark. Crumbling stucco, peeling paint and cracking walls reflect decades of inattention and inadequate resources. Interspersed are concrete skeletons of abandoned building projects. Through windowless holes of small square homes, an occasional breeze fluttering wooden blinds offers the only semblance of air-conditioning.
The Communist government provides those homes, as well as free education and health care for all. But wages average only $25-$30 a month, barely enough to subsist on rice and beans, home-grown or purchased from neighborhood bodegos. Retail stores are almost non-existent.
The repressive regime continues to crush personal freedom and independence. The Castros control all government offices and most civil institutions. The Cuban military owns and/or controls most business. The news media, except for a few struggling independent voices, is owned by the state. Political dissension is punished, freedom of assembly severely restricted.
But Americans now flooding Cuban hotels and tourist sites see a largely different picture. On our four-day visit, we were greeted by upbeat, smiling Cubans at every stop. The burgeoning tourist trade — from Canada and Europe as well as the U.S. — boosts the earning power of Cuban guides, taxi and bus drivers, restaurant workers and hotel employees.
We dined sumptuously at private paladars, some of the growing number of privately-owned restaurants. We had a 16-dish lunch at an impressive organic farm and another in a Mediterranean-style villa restaurant that grows its own fresh fruits and vegetables.
We saw the energy and talent of “Fusion and Passion,” a dance troupe of young Havanans whose unique, fast-paced dances to the beat of bongo drums recently earned them a performance in a Tampa theater. And we witnessed, throughout our visit, the optimism of our young Cuban guide who hoped “you have found a Cuba that is not all that we want it to be, but one that is better than you may have heard on Fox News.”
Cuba is changing, in incremental but important ways. The long-banned World Wide Web is now available to some, through internet cafes and wi-fi hotspots. Entrepreneurs are allowed to offer “El Pacquette,” periodic collections of foreign news reports, movies and other entertainment downloaded onto flash drives.
The influx of American travelers already is opening Cuban eyes to more possibilities and Cuban wallets to more pesos. Ultimate lifting of the U.S. embargo will give the economy a major jolt.
Will those cracks in the Communist tyranny lead to a freer Cuba? Improved U.S. relations, a slight relaxing of the government’s iron fist and the ingenuity of Cuban people combine to offer that hope.
IN THE SPOTLIGHTPrecision Planning Inc.
The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. Today’s underwriter is Precision Planning, Inc., a multi-disciplined design firm based in Lawrenceville, Georgia with a 33-year history of successful projects. In-house capabilities include Architecture; LEED® Project Management; Civil, Transportation and Structural Engineering; Water Resources Engineering; Landscape Architecture; Interior Design; Land and City Planning; Land Surveying; and Grant Administration. PPI has worked diligently to improve the quality of life for Georgia communities through creative, innovative planned developments, through the design of essential infrastructure and public buildings, and through promoting good planning and development principles. Employees and principals are involved in numerous civic, charitable and community based efforts in and around Gwinnett County.
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How Patty Davis says Alzheimer’s touched Ronald Reagan
Editor, the Forum:
There has been talk lately of a proposed comedy film about Ronald Reagan during his later life. While decency seems to have shelved this project for now, it does bring the subject of Alzheimer’s to the surface.
My father has suffered from this disease for several years and now it seems to be getting worse and worse. Each day there will be an hour or so where he seems so like his old self. Then he is a wonderful conversationalist. But soon, it is almost like he leaves the room and someone else takes his place. You never know when that hour will come. But you know most days that is all you will get.
Ronald Reagan’s daughter, Patti Davis, is an author and in an open letter about the proposed film project she described her feelings. Here’s a section of that open letter. I have never seen a better written description.
“Alzheimer’s doesn’t care if you are President of the United States or a dockworker. It steals what is most precious to a human being — memories, connections, the familiar landmarks of a lifetime that we all come to rely on to hold our place secure in this world and keep us linked to those we have come to know and love. I watched as fear invaded my father’s eyes — this man who was never afraid of anything. I heard his voice tremble as he stood in the living room and said, “I don’t know where I am.” I watched helplessly as he reached for memories, for words, that were suddenly out of reach and moving farther away. For ten long years he drifted — past the memories that marked his life, past all that was familiar…and mercifully, finally past the fear.”
— Charles Blair, Lawrenceville
- Send Feedback and Letters to: elliott@brack.net
Commissioners OK $75 million addition for Gwinnett Courthouse
Gwinnett commissioners have approved a 180,000 square foot courthouse addition which will be for judicial proceedings. The four story building will be behind the present Gwinnett Justice and Administrative Center. A parking deck for 1,500 vehicles will also be built. Designing the addition is Pieper O’Brien Herr Architects, Ltd. of Alpharetta.
Gilbane Building Company of Atlanta, with offices in Suwanee, is to build the addition along with the new parking deck. Funds from the 2009 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax program will pay the bulk of the $75 million project with the remainder coming from the capital project fund.
The new building will consist of four stories and a lower level and will house courtrooms, a jury assembly room and holding cells. A security clearance lobby will connect the new building and an adjacent parking structure. The three new structures will be located in the space occupied by the current parking structure. The new building will also connect to the existing Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center.
Gwinnett County will use a construction manager at risk approach, a project delivery method that entails a commitment by the construction manager to deliver the project within a guaranteed maximum price based on construction documents and specifications at the time of award, plus any reasonably inferred items or tasks. This approach also allows for more flexibility in phasing the work to accommodate uninterrupted operations of the building.
The Gilbane team has built 59 courthouses in the past 10 years, including 16 in Georgia, and more than 50 parking decks in the past five years.
Lionheart’s You Can’t Take It With You runs May 6 through May 22
You Can’t Take it With You is a hilarious stage romp that opens May 6 at Lionheart Theatre Company in Historic Norcross. It runs through May 22. Friday and Saturday shows start at 7:30 p.m., Sunday shows start at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 and $12 for seniors and students. The 1938 Pulitzer Prize-winning play was written by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman.
On Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 8, celebrity chef Nona Johnson will serve a champagne brunch at the Lionheart Centre+ for the Arts at noon. The price is $35 and includes a ticket to the show. Lionheart will donate a portion of the show’s proceeds to Norcross Meals on Wheels.
NOTABLERefunding water-sewer bonds Results in $18.5 million saving
Gwinnett County will save $18.5 million for its Water and Sewer Authority by refunding certain 2008 Water and Sewer bonds to take advantage of favorable interest rates.
Rates dropped from between 4 and 5 percent to approximately 1.69 percent, which will result in net savings of about $18.5 million. Since 2011, Gwinnett County has taken advantage of the low interest rate environment to refund water and sewer bonds resulting in more than $50 million in debt service savings over the life of those bonds.
Gwinnett has maintained a triple-AAA bond rating, the highest credit rating possible, from each of the three major rating agencies since 1997. Only about one percent of all counties in the United States hold the designation.
Gwinnett Tech picks Esquivel as 2016 distinguished student
Gwinnett Technical College named its 2016 Distinguished Student last week, with Angel Esquivel winning the award. Other 2016 finalists included Amber Whilhite, Caryn Ridenour, Jennifer Miller, Margaret Megaro, and Kristen Ferreira.
Angel Esquivel (third from left) stands with Dr. Glen Cannon, president of Gwinnett Technical College, flanked by her faculty advisors, Amy Weaver(left) and LeaAnna Harding (right). (Photo by Anthony Stalcup)
Angel Esquivel is an honor student who is the first in her family to go to college. She juggles school and a full-time job while still maintaining a 4.00 GPA. Additionally, she’s been actively engaged in many different student life programs, fundraisers and community volunteer initiatives. Angel even shares her time helping patients at Truth’s Community Clinic and offering oral health education presentations to elementary school students.
Esquivel says: “Gwinnett Technical College has been a great fit for me. First, the location is great and convenient. The College has an amazing staff and excellent resources such as the One Stop Center, student labs and library. All of these have been a great help when I needed advice, guidance, or had an issue.” She continued, “This recognition shows me that my hard work has paid off. I’m excited to achieve my goal of graduating and am ready to become a dental assistant.”
Snellville Commerce Club grants scholarships to two students
Two business-minded high school students were awarded $1,000 each from the Snellville Commerce Club Tuesday.
Re’Nyqua Farrington from South Gwinnett High School and Amanda Yang from Brookwood High School were the scholarship winners. She is a scholar athlete who plays softball, an FBLA state winner, a Georgia Merit Scholar and an AP Scholar. She is a volunteer for the Special Olympics, her church and library. Farrington hopes to attend the University of Tampa.
Yang serves on the BHS Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee, a board member of the BHS Executive Committee, the National Technical Honor Society, the National English Honor Society, the Brookwood Leadership Team, the Art Club, the International Club, the Computer Club and FBLA. She has volunteered for Legos and Robotics Camp, Georgia Gwinnett College Super Saturday Series and the Alton C. Crews STEM Technology Camp. She is an AP Scholar and will attend the University of Georgia.
Walton EMC grants 33 students scholarships in 10-county area
Some 33 students from across Walton EMC’s 10-county service area have received the latest round of Walton Electric Trust Scholarships for 2016. They include eight students from Gwinnett County. Of those, 33 students were selected to receive scholarships of $4,000. Another 29 were awarded runner-up scholarships of $1,000.
The Gwinnett students include Mary Faith Kaswinkel, Parkview High School; Masyn Power, Brookwood High School; Brendon Machado, Gwinnett School of Math, Science and Technology; Michael Adeola, Brookwood High School; John Andrew Jehle, Grayson High School; Nicholas Partain, Shiloh High School; Michael Bowler, Brookwood High School; Joshua Shields, Parkview High School.
RECOMMENDEDAn 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 TIDBITUnion forces capture Jefferson Davis in Irwin County
In early May 1865 the Confederate States of America was greatly disorganized, largely because of the frenetic events of the previous month. General Robert E. Lee had surrendered the Confederate armies at the Appomattox Courthouse in Va., and most Americans believed the Civil War (1861-65) was over. The assassination of U.S. president Abraham Lincoln in Washington, D.C., by John Wilkes Booth, cast suspicion over many in the Confederate government. Though still intact, the government was largely ineffective.
Davis
Confederate president Jefferson Davis still retained hopes for the future of the Confederacy. Privately, he harbored a desire to reinforce the armies and move the fighting to the western part of the Confederacy. Publicly, he was forced to flee the Confederate capital in Richmond, with a cadre of trusted advisers, which in effect became a government in exile. Upon departing Richmond, Davis and his retinue established a temporary center of government at Danville, Va. They soon moved farther south, however, because Virginia was heavily saturated with Union troops.
Among Davis’s advisers were John H. Reagan, Judah P. Benjamin, John Breckinridge, and Burton Harrison. A small but elite military escort was also in tow, and they all arrived in Washington, in Wilkes County, on May 3. The next day Davis held a final meeting with his cabinet, and the members dispersed after the president authorized their belated compensation from the remaining Confederate treasury, including gold.
Davis proceeded south to Sandersville, where on May 6 he entrusted the remaining Confederate treasury to Captain Micajah Clark, the acting treasurer of the Confederacy, and on May 7 he was reunited with his wife, Varina, and their children. Together they moved on through Abbeville, in Wilcox County, on May 8, keenly aware that Union forces were close behind. The pursuit of Davis resulted largely from the U.S. War Department’s false assumption that he was complicit in the assassination of Lincoln. A $100,000 reward was promised for anyone who could bring in the president and his aides.
Reaching the farming community of Irwinville, in Irwin County, on the evening of May 9, the remaining hopefuls, still assuming that they were a step ahead of their pursuers, set up camp near a creek bed.
Early the next morning the camp was awakened by a pop of gunfire and within minutes was surrounded by members of the First Wisconsin and Fourth Michigan cavalries. Not one shot was fired by the Confederates.. A zealous member of the Michigan detail quickly apprehended Davis, and he was transported to Fortress Monroe, Va., where he remained a prisoner for more than two years. His poor treatment and its subsequent exposure in the press helped strengthen the cause of Southern nationalism.
A historic marker indicates the spot where he was arrested, and the surrounding area is now the Jefferson Davis Memorial Historic Site, a 13-acre park that features a museum, hiking trail, and picnic facilities. Jeff Davis County, in central Georgia, is named in the Confederate president’s honor.
- To access the Georgia Encyclopedia online, go to http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
New Mystery Photo may produce lots of head scratching
While the Mystery Photo in the last edition was relatively easy, this one may extend readers a bit. It’s another mill, but the question is where it’s located. Send your ideas to elliott@brack.net, and be sure to include your hometown. Bob Foreman of Grayson sent in the photo.
First in last week was Lynn Naylor of Atlanta: “I believe the pix in today’s issue is from Barnsley Gardens in Adairsville, Ga. It’s been several years since I’ve been there but this building looks familiar.” Bob Foreman of Grayson sent in the photo.
Others getting the photo right include Mark Barlow of Peachtree Corners; Paige Havens of Lawrenceville; Susan McBrayer, Sugar Hill; Holly Moore, Suwanee; and Billy Chism, Cleveland.
Michael Green of Milton gave us more details: “The ruined house in the picture is located in Barnsley Gardens, a golf resort on the grounds of an historic former plantation near Adairsville. The plantation, originally known as Woodlands, was established by Godfrey Barnsley, a resident of Savannah, who was originally from Liverpool, England. He built the Italianate house in the late 1840s. His descendants lived in the Woodlands main house until it was severely damaged by a tornado in 1906. The estate was purchased by a German nobleman, Prince Hubertus Fugger in 1988, who began the major project which stabilized the ruins and restored the gardens.”
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