6/5, full issue: No cell phone driving; Unfunded mandate; more

FLAG DAY COMING SOON: Continuing a tradition, Snellville will celebrate Flag Day on June 14 in Briscoe Park. For more details on this day, see Notable below.

TODAY’S FOCUS: Lawrenceville Issues Warning: Don’t Drive While Using a Cell Phone

EEB PERSPECTIVE: Georgia Legislature’s Unfunded Mandate Is Wrong, Hurting Stockbridge

SPOTLIGHT: Gateway 85 Gwinnett

FEEDBACK: Several Give Views on Three Subjects

McLEMORE’S WORLD: Put It in Writing

UPCOMING: Whatever Floats Your Boat Festival Rescheduled for July 14

NOTABLE: Wi-Fi Now Available on Gwinnett Transit’s Entire Fleet

RECOMMENDED: The Story We Carry in Our Bones by Juliene Osborne-McKnight

GEORGIA TIDBIT: Malcontents Leave Colony, But Later Influence Changes in Georgia

MYSTERY PHOTO: Clues May Prove Elusive in Today’s Mystery Photo

CALENDAR: New Art Exhibit Coming to The Rectory in Norcross

Lawrenceville issues warning: Don’t drive while using a cell phone

By Lt. J.O. Parker
City of Lawrenceville Police

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga.  |  In accordance with the recently enacted Hands-Free Georgia Act, the City of Lawrenceville Police Department is issuing a notification that it will begin enforcement of the new law on July 1.

The Hands-Free Georgia Act was signed by Governor Nathan Deal on May 2, 2018, and will take effect on July 1, 2018. The Hands-Free Law prohibits drivers from having a phone in their hands or supported by any part of their body.

Tim Wallis, chief of police for the City of Lawrenceville, says: “We would like to encourage drivers to be prepared by reviewing the rules surrounding the Hands-Free Law. Most of all, we urge those on the roadways to drive safely by putting their phones down while behind the wheel. It is with the safety and concern of those on Lawrenceville’s roadways that we will begin enforcing the Hands-Free Law on July 1.”

Key facts and statistics:

• In 2017, Gwinnett reported over 1,000 collisions listing distracted driving as a
  contributing factor.
• In 2016, Georgia reported 70+ more distracted-driver related accidents than in 2015.
• Drivers between 15-25 years of age caused a significant number of these additional accidents.
• The 15 other states that have passed the Hands-Free Law have seen an overall decrease of 16 percent in distracted-driver related accidents.

For more information, visit http://www.headsupgeorgia.com/handsfree-law/.

NOTE: GwinnettForum feels safe to emphasize that other police jurisdictions will also be strong in the enforcement of this new law. Don’t drive and hold a cell phone. Better still, don’t use a cell phone while driving.

• Have a comment? Send to:  elliott@brack.net

Georgia legislature’s unfunded mandate is wrong, hurting Stockbridge

By Elliott Brack
Editor and publisher, GwinnettForum

JUNE 5, 2018  |  Talk about your unfunded mandates!

In this instance, the Georgia General Assembly has taken 6.1 square miles (approx. 3,917 acres) that belonged to the City of Stockbridge, and without a justification and totally unprecedented, legislated that a vast parcel of geography, an area with a population of 9,000 people, should be included within the corporate limits of the City of Eagle’s Landings.

The bill has been signed by the governor and will be in a referendum this fall.

It’s one of the more egregious cases of a legislative body imposing its will on a people.

The city has filed a suit on a referendum in November on the proposal, and also plans a Federal suit on the question.

Think of the ramifications:

• The City of Stockbridge, which had sold bonds to pay for city infrastructure, now still has to pay off these bonds, but without getting the taxes from this land. It spells havoc for Stockbridge’s budget and bondholders, which will lead to a downgrading of the City’s bondholder rating, costing it dearly.
• Think of the people registered to vote in Stockbridge. Suddenly this right as been taken away from them, though they may now get to vote in Eagle’s Landing. The complications ramify.
• How could the Legislature do this? It’s blatantly unconstitutional. We presume the City of Stockbridge will sue, and we suspect win, this wrong.
• It is one of the disappointing elements of Governor Deal’s administration. After all, he signed this into law.

And now the overriding thought: if this could happen in this area of Georgia, it could happen anywhere, giving the right political conditions.

• The City of Snellville might like to include land now in Grayson, or vice-versa.
• Or Buford might like more land now in Sugar Hill.
• All it would take would be a legislative whim!

What gives?  How can this happen?

We bring up this single incident in Henry County to serve as an example why we think the Georgia Legislature should meet less often. After all, we all get nervous as the General Assembly meets for 40 days every year.  Why? They continually pass laws which require lesser governments, counties and city, to do the legislature’s bidding……without the accompanying monies to go with the biddings. That’s why they are called “unfunded mandates.”

This is the very reason GwinnettForum has as one of its Continuing Objectives that the Georgia General Assembly should reduce the amount of time it has to legislate each year. We have long proposed that indeed, the General Assembly should meet for only 40 days….not each year, but every other year. The state of Texas meets once every two years. This taking of Stockbridge’s land only serves to illustrate the proposition.

Meeting once every two years would mean that the Legislature would have less time for grubby politicians to impose their wishes on the people. The really necessary changes in laws could still pass, but the senators and representatives would have less time to wander into arenas where they are not needed.

And of course, this happens also in the Congress. The best example presently is the Federal Government wanting to pass along responsibility for the 50 states to fund health care.

The City of Stockbridge is bringing a suit to halt enforcement of this newly-signed legislation, and to restore the land to its rightful governing body, the City of Stockbridge.  The city is doing the rest of Georgia a service by challenging this unfortunate legislation. All of Georgia will applaud Stockbridge’s action.

• Have a comment? Send to:  elliott@brack.net

Gateway85 Gwinnett           

The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. Gateway85 Gwinnett and is a self-taxing community improvement district that includes just over 800 commercial property owners with a property value of over $1 billion. Gateway85 includes the southwestern part of Gwinnett County including properties along Jimmy Carter Boulevard, Buford Highway, Indian Trail, Beaver Ruin, and Singleton Road. Gateway 85 is one of six CIDs to be created in Gwinnett County and is the largest of all CIDs in the state. The community is an economic powerhouse that helps fuel the regional economy. More than 3,600 companies (employing roughly 36,000 people) call Gateway 85 home. The jobs in the district account for almost 12 percent of Gwinnett County’s total employment and support $2 billion in annual payroll. Gwinnett Village’s mission is to improve property values through increased security, a decrease in traffic congestion, and general improvements to the curb appeal of the area. The CID moved their offices to 1770 Indian Trail-Lilburn Road, Norcross and recently rebranded to reflect the strong future of this area.  It was previously known as Gwinnett Village Community Improvement District. For more information visit www.gwinnettvillage.com or call 770-449-6542.

• For a list of other sponsors of this forum, click here.

Lots of issues in play on 2018 contest for governorship

Editor, the Forum:

Obama lost Georgia (and Gwinnett) in both of his attempts by over 200,000. He took Fulton and Dekalb, while losing Cobb and Gwinnett.

This year the primary had the Governor and Lieutenant Governor candidates for the Democrats with more votes than the Republicans in Gwinnett.  The combined vote was a mere fraction of the registered voters, but it showed more interest in one party than the other.  There are voters that just don’t vote in primaries.  One would be surprised to see the leaders around us that don’t vote.

But Democrats are more focused and motivated right now. The Republicans are delighted with the economic successes, but unmotivated to participate.  Demographics have also changed, but employment and paydays changes minds.

This isn’t over, but minds will be pulled in many ways to pick the next governor.  Economy, race, gender, education, Second Amendment, immigration, gangs, transportation, taxes, and health care will still push people one way or the other.

— Byron Gilbert, Duluth

Two comments on recent perspective about Cincinnati

Editor, the Forum:

Loved the bit on Cincinnati.  I lived there for five years after college (undergraduate at Miami of Ohio, about 1.5 hours away in Oxford, Ohio).

It was a great place to visit and live in as a German learner.  Some of the best architecture in the country (in my opinion).

Thanks for sharing a little love for the Midwest!

— Jon Valentine, Atlanta

Editor, The Forum:

I enjoyed reading the article about Cincinnati and agree with you pertaining to ice cream favorites!  However, you’re going to have to include Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream in your top bucket list if you haven’t tried them yet…or some of the amazing Thai rolled ice creams found up and down Buford Highway.

Regarding Greenville, we think it is an amazing gem and encourage you to try it out for a weekend.  We were dazzled by the downtown revitalization and the wonderful array of boutique shops and restaurants.  Additionally, there are wonderful hiking and biking paths throughout the city.  Check it out and let us know what YOU think!

— Bob Grossman, Norcross

Jackson EMC story about stringing wire in Bolivia heartwarming

Editor, the Forum:

Thank you for the story on Jackson EMC helping to get electricity to people in Bolivia.  What an uplifting, heartwarming story it is!

— Elizabeth Neace, Dacula

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.  We reserve the right to edit for clarity and length.  Send feedback and letters to:    elliott@brack.net

Put it in writing

• For more of Bill McLemore’s cartoons, see his page on Facebook.
• Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net

Whatever Floats Your Boat Festival rescheduled for July 14

For the safety of local residents, the City of Duluth and 10 Dollar Tubing has decided to reschedule the upcoming river festival, “Whatever Floats Your Boat.”

According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, heavy rains have raised the water level of Lake Lanier. As a result, officials will need to release water out of Buford Dam 24 hours per day for the next two weeks, making it dangerous for residents to be on the Chattahoochee River and on Lake Lanier.

Whatever Floats Your Boat is rescheduled for July 14 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Residents can tube down the Chattahoochee River or just hang out at a local park while enjoying live music, yard games, and food!

This event is presented by 10 Dollar Tubing and the City of Duluth. Admission to this event is free but tubes, rafts, kayaks, and standup paddle boards will be available to rent. You may also bring your own.  There will be food trucks, live music and games for some added fun. NOTE: All event participants on the river are required to wear a life jacket, no matter the age!

Come out with the whole family, even your four legged members, for fun in the sun. Pack your sunscreen, your favorite bathing suit, and your sense of adventure for this first time event.

• The event will take place at Rogers Bridge Park. For more information, visit https://www.duluthga.net/community/2what_s_happening/upcoming_events/whatever_floats_your_boat.php.

Flag Day ceremony scheduled on June 16 in Snellville’s Briscoe Park

The annual Flag Day ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. June 16 at the T.W. Briscoe Park Partee Flag Pole in Snellville. Mayor Pro Tem Barbara Bender will speak.

Bender

The event will feature welcoming remarks, the keynote speaker, flag presentation, a 21-musket gun salute, and raising a flag, which was flown over the U.S. Capitol and was sponsored by U.S. Sen. David Perdue. The Pledge of Allegiance by Boy Scout Troop 65, Snellville UMC and others will follow. The event is open to the public.

All citizens, businesses and municipalities are asked to fly the U.S. flag that day. Flag Day is also a great time to take a close look at your current flag to ensure that it is in good condition. Retire old flags appropriately by reaching out to your local American Legion or the Boy Scouts as they accept old flags year round.

Mike Sabbagh, Snellville Flag Day Committee chairman, says: “It’s the utmost honor, that we the citizens, the American public stand tall saluting this great symbol of Freedom, the reality of freedom, the USA flag, remembering what it stands for and thanking all those who have given the ultimate sacrifice and remembering all service men and women who stood in the forefront ensuring our flag is flying high.”  Refreshments will be served after the program

Wi-Fi now available on Gwinnett Transit’s entire fleet

The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners recently approved the purchase of equipment to make Wi-Fi available on Gwinnett County Transit’s entire bus fleet. This free amenity is now available on all GCT buses for patrons with Wi-Fi enabled mobile devices.

Karen Winger, director of the Gwinnett County Transit Division, says: “We are excited to add this feature to our transit vehicles.  Wi-Fi connection will allow our customers to stay connected while they enjoy their stress-free transit ride.” Riders will have the opportunity to log in to the open network for access to their favorite entertainment, public service information, emails and more.

Wi-Fi is available to all customers on commuter express, local and paratransit vehicles. For easy access, login instructions will be made available on Gwinnett County Transit’s buses via decals and on the website www.gctransit.com.

Gwinnett County Transit currently operates five commuter express routes using the managed lane on I-85, six local routes to connect neighborhoods, businesses, educational and leisure opportunities, and paratransit service for individuals who qualify.

• For additional information about how to access the internet while on a Gwinnett County Transit bus, or for additional information about routes and schedules, visit www.gctransit.com or call Gwinnett County Transit Customer Service at 770-822-5010.

Norcross innovates with digital plan review and approval

The City of Norcross is rolling out a solution for plan review and permitting needs in Norcross.

In an effort to reach the city’s sustainability goals, the Norcross Department of Community Development is implementing this online plan review process to reduce the number of paper project submittals to the city. This will, in turn, reduce the number of vehicle trips and man hours put into delivering paper plans to the city for review.

The new electronic system works with ePlan Solutions, a company out of Cumming. In a nutshell, a developer or citizen can upload plans for review to ePlan Solution as well as receive comments and feedback from staff (and even plan approval) all from the comforts of home or office without making a trip to City Hall.

The services will be accessible to anyone that will require a permit to perform work in the city, including developers, engineers, architects, contractors and citizens who may act as their own contractor.

While the program has already launched via a ‘soft opening’, it officially rolled out on June 1, as the City now accepts plats, development plans and site plans via the Norcross ePS platform: eplansolution.com/norcrossga. It’s the next era of digital plan review, and Norcross is moving into the digital future with this new digital development..

The Story We Carry in Our Bones by Juliene Osborne-McKnight

Reviewed by John Titus, Peachtree Corners  |  If you are one of the more than 40 million Americans who claim Irish ancestry, you may well enjoy this book. It is subtitled Irish History for Americans. The author, a professor of journalism, literature and creative writing at DeSales University in Pennsylvania, is an engaging storyteller in the Irish tradition. Beginning with ancient Ireland, she takes the reader through Celtic Christianity, invasion by various groups, starvation resulting from the potato famine, emigration, and finally the Irish arriving in America and how they succeeded here. Along the way she provides brief excerpts from her other books. For me it was an entertaining and informative read

• 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. Send to:  elliott@brack.net

Malcontents leave colony, but later influence changes in Georgia

Among those to voice displeasure with the policies of General James Oglethorpe and the Georgia Trustees during the early years of Georgia’s settlement, the Malcontents issued the most vehement complaints.

The leaders of the group, composed primarily of Scottish settlers near Savannah, included Patrick Tailfer and Thomas Stephens. The Malcontents first made their objections heard in 1735 shortly after their arrival in the new colony.

Whereas many of Georgia’s original settlers came with monetary aid from the Trustees, most of the Malcontents arrived without assistance and thus did not have the same loyalty to the colony’s founders. In particular, the Malcontents objected to the Trustees’ limits on landownership and prohibitions on slavery and rum. Since the Malcontents could afford to purchase slaves and vast tracts of land, they felt the policies of the Trustees prevented them from realizing their economic potential.

Between 1737 and 1738 Patrick Tailfer organized a group of colonists who objected to the actions of the Trustees. One of their first public complaints came in 1738, when the group wrote and circulated a petition that called for drastic changes in the colony’s administration. Although 121 residents signed the petition, the Trustees refused to amend the laws.

Frustrated by the lack of local authority or change in Georgia and its administration, many of the Malcontents’ leaders left the colony in 1740. Representatives of the Trustees believed internal dissent would decline with the Malcontents’ departure.

In 1740 William Stephens, the father of Thomas Stephens and secretary to the Trustees, wrote a memorial entitled A State of the Province of Georgia. The document claimed the Trustees and their policies enjoyed wide support throughout Georgia and—owing to the unique laws governing the colony—economic success seemed assured. For many residents Stephens’s description did not reflect reality.

Speaking for the Malcontents, Tailfer refuted Stephens’s claims in a tract entitled A True and Historical Narrative of the Colony of Georgia. Writing from Charleston, S.C., Tailfer reiterated his belief that Georgia’s survival required significant changes. Tailfer wanted members of Parliament and others who provided funding for Georgia to understand that many of its residents were prevented from succeeding financially because of the Trustees’ policies.

Tailfer’s arguments were heard but did not result in immediate change. Officials in London ordered additional surveys of popular sentiment following the publication of Tailfer’s pamphlet, but the Trustees and their increasingly controversial statutes remained.

In 1742 Thomas Stephens, representing the Malcontents and other disaffected settlers from London, published a pamphlet entitled The Hard Case of the Distressed People of Georgia. The Trustees maintained their power, but Stephens’s arguments continued to be heard in Georgia and England. When the Trustees passed a law in 1750 allowing slavery, many credited the change to the actions and writings of the Malcontents.

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

Clues may prove elusive in today’s Mystery Photo

Today’s Mystery Photo may be difficult, in that it contains few clues. But clues really abound in this photograph, so keep your Thinking Cap on. Send your idea to ebrack2@gmail.com, including your home town.

The recent Mystery Photo was something of a “cream puff,” with several readers recognizing it. The photo was sent in by Frank Sharp of Lawrenceville.  Paige Havens, Lawrenceville, responded immediately: “That is the statue of Dolly Parton in front of the Sevier County Court House in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.” She soon was followed by Bob Foreman of Grayson, Larry Zani of Kaiserslautern, Germany; Vera Forkner of Duluth and Lou Camiero of Lilburn.

Fran Worrall of Lawrenceville identified it and wrote: “The Dollywood theme park is nearby in Pigeon Forge, The figure, by Jim Gray, shows a young barefoot Dolly sitting on a rock with her guitar. The status is a life-size bronze and is part of a 28-stop downtown walking tour of Dolly’s hometown.”  (She added: “I enjoyed your travel log about Cincinnati. I’ve been there a couple of times, and it is easy to navigate and filled with good restaurants, museums and a wonderful arboretum.)”

April Fool’s fake photo

Allan Peel of San Antonio, Tex. gave more depth to the mystery: “On April 1, 2013 the editors of the Visit My Smokies website decided to play an April Fool’s joke on people and ‘announced’ that the city of Sevierville had plans to replace the iconic Dolly statue with one of Miley Cyrus as a means of attracting more of the younger generation to the town. As many of our readers may know, Dolly is Miley’s Godmother, and needless to say, that story created quite a stir amongst the local folks as the ‘news’ spread like a wildfire! To make people believe this story, the website even published a fake photo of the statue, in which Dolly’s face is changed to look like Miley (see attached photo).”  Great story, Allan!

George Graf, Palmyra Va., adds: “Dolly Parton is Sevierville’s favorite daughter, has a statue to prove it! Outside of the Sevier County Courthouse, visitors can take a selfie with a bronze statue of the Queen of Country Music. Sculpted by local artist Jim Gray in 1987, the Dolly Parton statue has become the most iconic landmark in downtown Sevierville.”

Ink, Paint and Steel is a new art exhibit opening June 8 to run through July 13 at The Rectory in Norcross. Explore the works of Katherine Linn and Simone Wilson in this new exhibit . Opening night, June 8, is free and open to the public and will include a reception with music, refreshments and the opportunity to meet these extraordinary artists.

The Peachtree Corners Festival will be on June 9-10 and seeks volunteers to help make the magic happen. Volunteer opportunities, as short as two hours, are available for assisting exhibitors with setting up booths, as well as support during the festival for hydration and rest breaks. The car show will also need people to direct cars and help drivers, while the dining area will need to be kept clean for guests, and the hospitality suite will need to be manned. Visit PeachtreeCornersFestival.org and click Volunteers to get started. Every volunteer receives the exclusive 2018 Peachtree Corners Festival t-shirt. Teens and groups are welcome.

Book Signing and Talk by local author Clyde Strickland will be held Thursday, June 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the Suwanee Branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library, 361 Main Street in Suwanee. Strickland, born a sharecropper’s son, has overcome poverty and minimal schooling to become a self-educated CEO.  Mr. Strickland’s newest book, What Can I Do?, is a testimony to achieving the American Dream by trusting in God and doing what’s right, even if it’s hard. The event is free and open to the public.  Books will be available for purchase (cash or check only) and signing. For more information, visit www.gwinnettpl.org or call 770-978-5154.

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• Managing editor: Betsy Brack
• Roving photographer: Frank Sharp
• Contributing cartoonist: Bill McLemore
• Contributing columnist: Jack Bernard
• Contributing columnist: Debra Houston
• Contributing columnist: George Wilson

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