NEW PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE: On June 12, Gateway85 CID and partners celebrated the opening of the new pedestrian bridge on Brook Hollow Parkway at the intersection of Brook Hollow Parkway and Pinnacle Way. The bridge, which is 10 feet wide and 150 feet long and situated over a creek, allows for safe pedestrian travel on the south side of this important arterial connector. It also provides a beautiful view of the creek. Additionally, sidewalks on the southside of Brook Hollow Parkway are complete along the entire expanse from Jimmy Carter Boulevard to Indian Trail Road. From left in the photo on the front row are Robert Michener, Gateway85 director of operations; Rudolph Smith, City Manager of Norcross; Lynnette Howard, Gwinnett County Commissioner; (holding scissors) Alan Chapman, director of Gwinnett Department of Transportation; Marsha Anderson Bomar, Gateway85 CID executive director; Lisa Reeves, NDI Development and Gateway85 directors; Shiv Agaarwal, American Management Services and Gateway85 Board chair; and Tim Le, Atlanta Maxim Realty and Gateway88 Director. The new Brook Hollow Parkway bridge, sidewalk additions and bus stop enhancements are part of a larger plan of improvements for the area – all with the goal of providing more mobility for pedestrians and vehicles within our bustling corridor.
IN THIS EDITIONTODAY’S FOCUS: One in Three Teens Is a Victim of abuse from Dating Partner
EEB PERSPECTIVE: Here Are GwinnettForum Endorsements in the July 24 Runoff Primaries
SPOTLIGHT: Georgia Campus – Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
FEEDBACK: Readers Chime In About Mass Transit in Gwinnett County
UPCOMING: 15th Annual Norcross Art Splash Will Have Winetasting Tent This Year
RECOMMENDED: Movie: Words and Pictures
GEORGIA TIDBIT: Popular Atlanta Motor Speedway Dates Back to Its Beginnings in 1960
MYSTERY PHOTO: It’s Primarily a Bunch of Blooms, But Someone Will Get This Mystery
LAGNIAPPE: Watch Out for False Animals Around Gwinnett
CALENDAR: Southern Wings Bird Club Has Next Meeting July 8
TODAY’S FOCUSOne in 3 teens is a victim of abuse from dating partner
By Nancy Friauf
President and CEO, Partners Against Domestic Violence
ATLANTA, Ga. | Teen Dating Violence is a pattern of controlling, abusive behaviors that a dating partner uses against their girlfriend or boyfriend. One in three teens in the U.S. is a victim of physical, emotional, or verbal abuse from a dating partner.
Friauf
However, 85 percent of parents say they don’t think their teen or their teen’s friends will be affected by teen dating violence. That’s why it’s so important we talk about this!
Abuse is not always physical and can take many different forms, including threats, constant messaging, insults, isolation from family and from friends, sexual coercion, name calling, and controlling a partner’s appearance. According to the most recent Youth Risk Behavior Survey, experiencing dating abuse is associated with a range of negative health consequences including substance use, depression, unhealthy weight control behaviors, sexual risk-taking, suicide, and abuse in future relationships.
Crucial to promoting healthy dating relationships and to preventing dating abuse among teens is prevention efforts that focus on helping teens recognize the warning signs of unhealthy relationships, the steps involved in safety planning and finding resources.
Warning Signs for Abusive Partners:
Warning signs, or red flags, are signals that indicate a potentially unhealthy or abusive relationship. Warning signs are NOT always obvious. Examples of warning signs indicating a potentially abusive partner include:
- Erratic mood or gets angry quickly.
- Makes false accusations or is possessive, jealous, or insecure.
- Consistently belittles or puts his/her partner down.
- Wants to get “serious” really quickly.
- Has seen or experienced abuse at home.
- Is extremely charming.
Warning signs also exist for digital abuse:
- Dictates who his/her partner is friends with on social networks.
- Sends negative, insulting, or threatening emails or messages on social media platforms.
- Insists on having passwords or looks through phone.
- Constant texts to the point that his/her partner feels he/she can not be away from phone because of the anger that erupts if a text is missed or not responded to.
You can find out more about the things that make up healthy relationships at www.padv.org
Sometimes it can be difficult to know what to say or how to say it, especially if you have never dealt with this issue before. Here are a few things you can do to help:
Safety Planning and Resources
Get support for yourself or a friend impacted by teen dating violence.
- Talk to an expert. Chat with a trained peer advocate by texting “loveis” to 22522, calling 1-866-331-9474, or clicking on the “Chat Online Now” link at the top of the http://www.loveisrespect.org
- Find a trusted adult you can talk to. Try to find a teacher, family member, parent, friend’s parent that you feel safe talking to, won’t blame you for what’s happening, and can help you develop a plan for addressing the issue.
- Make a safety plan. Leaving an abusive relationship can be dangerous. Identify resources and an individualized plan with strategies for staying safe emotionally, physically and across the various places and environments frequented on a daily basis. Learn more at www.padv.org
Help Someone Who’s Experiencing Teen Dating Violence
- Believe their story. Let your friend know you are concerned and believe their story, it can make a difference to them!
- Reach out to local organizations that provide resources to teens in your community. Partnership Against Domestic Violence (PADV) provides free prevention education programming to schools and youth serving organizations throughout Georgia.
- Check out your state’s laws for teens impacted by dating violence. Teens, other than adults, face additional barriers to seeking legal support given differing state laws. You can also learn more about teen dating violence laws at http://www.loveisrespect.org/resources/teen-dating-violence-laws/
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Here are GwinnettForum endorsements in the July 24 runoff primaries
By Elliott Brack
Editor and publisher, GwinnettForum
JULY 3, 2018 | GwinnettForum urges registered votes to return to the voting booths on July 24 in the runoff of the two parties to determine the nominations for the General Election.
Even registered voters who did not vote in the May primary are eligible to vote in the runoff. However, if you voted in the primary, you must vote in the same party’s runoff on July 24.
Based on the interviews we have had with candidates this season, GwinnettForum endorses the following candidates, feeling they will be the best person for the office and also will do the best job in carrying their party’s banner in the General Election.
Here are our choices for the contested offices:
Bourdeaux
U.S. Congress, 7th District, Democrats: In this race, we have two good candidates who have survived the first round of voting. David Kim or Carolyn Bourdeaux could each do a good job in this office. Our endorsement is for Carolyn Bourdeaux, 47, of Suwanee for this Congressional seat. We feel Ms. Bourdeaux has more “fire in her belly” to unseat the current Republican Congressman. She is a college professor, and we particularly like her views on affordable health care, and her zeal in wanting to improve the health delivery system.
Shafer
For Lieutenant Governor, Republicans: we heartily endorse Gwinnett’s State Senator David Shafer, 53, of Duluth, who has long toiled in the Senate for the benefit of the county and the state. His 16 years in office means he thoroughly knows his way around the Senate, and can lead in solving our state problems. He will do a good job.
Raffensperger
For Secretary of State, Republicans: our choice is Brad Raffensperger, 62, of Johns Creek, a person who runs a business in Gwinnett. He recognized the problems of this office and seeks to streamline the licensing of corporations. This office oversees the regulation of over 130 professions, through 40 different boards. He promises installation of new voting electronic machines, with print-outs, an important mission for the next four years.
Thornton
For State School Superintendent, Democrats: Otha Thornton, 50, of Richmond Hill. He is one of the most impressive candidates of this election year, a retired lieutenant colonel, and currently a private industry senior technologist. He has deeply involved himself in school matters, being a former president of the National Parent Teachers Association. We like his ideas and zeal, and look forward to his coming to this office to bring a more energetic enthusiasm to it.
Tabb
Statehouse, District 97, Republicans: Our choice is Kipper Tabb, 61, of Duluth, an area pastor of Perimeter Church. We feel he is just the person to fill the shoes of former Rep. Brooks Coleman. He seeks creative ways to solve our technical problems, particular in transportation and education. He is particularly interested in practical ways to solve both the opioid crisis and child trafficking. We feel he will focus on these and other problems with diligence and intelligence.
Hastings
Statehouse, District 102, Republicans: As we did in the primary, we heartily endorse Paula Hastings, 51, of Lawrenceville. She has put in years of service for the community, including serving on the county Planning and Zoning Commission. She has a statewide outlook, for instance, realizing that the State of Georgia must help South Georgia succeed if the entire state must move forward. She seems open to innovative ideas to propel our state forward.
Sheldon
Statehouse, District 105, Republicans: Our choice is Donna Sheldon, 56, of Dacula. Gwinnett is lucky to have a candidate in this race with several years of previous service in the Legislature. Her experience will help her be a formidable member of the House, hitting the ground running. She is particularly interested in students, broken homes, and what teachers have to deal with. She seeks to do this not so much by governmental regulations, but through empowering the community. Her return to the Legislature will benefit Gwinnett.
Mason
Superior Court Judge, Non-Partisan: As in the earlier voting, our choice is Tracey Mason, 56, of Grayson. She led in the initial voting. She is a mediator who comes from a family long associated with leadership of the county. (Her father was a state representative.) She especially sees the job as looking after the interest of children in custody cases, which through meditation she already deals with in her work in family law and in mediation. She has the experience and background to be a fine judge, and we endorse her candidacy.
SEE RUNOFF BALLOTS: There are three runoff ballots for Gwinnett voters:
ADVANCED VOTING is now underway in the county at the Gwinnett County Elections office, at 455 Grayson Highway in Lawrenceville. Voting takes place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday until July 20. There is no weekend voting, and the office is closed on July 4. You may also vote by absentee ballot from now until prior to the election. An application for an absentee ballot may be obtained online or a registered voter may call 678 226 7210 to request an absentee ballot.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Georgia Campus – Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. Professional healthcare programs leading to doctoral degrees in Pharmacy (PharmD), Physical Therapy (PT), and Osteopathic Medicine (DO) are offered at Georgia Campus – Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (GA-PCOM) in Suwanee Ga. A graduate degree at the master’s level can be earned in Biomedical Sciences and Physician Assistant Studies. GA–PCOM is a private, not-for-profit branch campus of the fully accredited Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, a multi-program institution founded in 1899 with a tradition of educational excellence.
- To learn more about how GA-PCOM is educating tomorrow’s healthcare professionals, visit pcom.eduor call 678-225-7500. For an appointment at the Georgia Osteopathic Care Center, an osteopathic specialty clinic, call 678-225-7485.
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Readers chime in about mass transit in Gwinnett County
Editor, the Forum:
You struck a chord with your perspective about transit in Gwinnett. Since my teens, I have wanted to see better access to all areas of Atlanta, including pedestrian, bicycle and transit.
I lived in England in the early 70s and was amazed at the coverage of trains, local and long-distance buses that allowed traverse of that wonderful island without hesitation. After living there for a year, on my return to Georgia, it was a great shock to recognize the poor quality of transit in the Atlanta area (even with the advent of MARTA during that time.)
In addition to buses that only go to the hub of downtown and back out in Atlanta, the train service is limited in distance and coverage. A network of bus service that traverses the northern arc as well as intra-county areas would allow for ease of access to jobs, entertainment, shopping and visiting with friends. It would increase commerce to businesses and facilitate the lives of those who currently must rely on taxis, Uber or LYFT.
With fewer cars on the road, pollution would be reduced as well as congestion on the roads, highways and byways. (Do you recall the wonder of having no problems with ozone in August 1996, during the Olympics, when everyone staggered their work times or tele-commuted? and traffic was not so overwhelming or time consuming!)
When Gwinnett voted in the 1980s NOT to participate in MARTA, I was very disappointed and have continued to yearn for the ease of hopping on a bus to go shopping, out to lunch or to a doctor’s appointment. Your suggestion of having rail service to the Infinite Energy Center is excellent. But why stop there? With no vision for complete transit coverage in Gwinnett, we are selling ourselves short on the future.
— Margot Ashley, Lilburn
Editor, the Forum:
I enjoyed your Perspective about transit and agree 100 percent. Gwinnett County needs reliable mass transit sooner rather than later – and extending to Infinite Energy Arena — if it wants to remain an economically viable region. The county has made progress in so many areas, but the lack of modern public transportation is a detriment.
— Fran Worrall, Lawrenceville
Editor, the Forum:
Bravo on transit. Keep it up!
— David Hughes Duke, Norcross
Editor, the Forum:
I was in Atlanta when each county first voted on Marta. Fulton and DeKalb approved Marta.
The surrounding counties voted it down because they were afraid minorities would move in. I guess Clayton, Gwinnett and Cobb were in for a surprise, given changing demographics.
On a more serious note, the legislature should have mandated (and still should) comprehensive mass transit for the entire area. This is the most effective thing that could be done to all eve traffic issues in greater Atlanta, along with toll roads in an outer loop.
— Jack Bernard, Peachtree City
Editor, the Forum:
Joining MARTA isn’t a good idea. All our funds will go towards completing the current system in DeKalb and Fulton counties.
Secondly from your article, “If Gwinnett is to get the benefit of MARTA, why not bite the bullet and take the right action, and extend MARTA all the way to the center of the county, that is, to the Infinite Energy Arena area! It would be a shot in the arm to attract people from the vast Metro Atlanta area for shows, conventions, sporting events and entertainment in the Arena area.”
I don’t truly think it would do much to bring folks out to Gwinnett. After all MARTA passengers just go pretty much do downtown and back. I don’t see folks from Midtown jumping on a train to come to the Energy Center. I also do not see folks in North Fulton making the trip from Milton to Peachtree Center to get another train to Duluth. I think they will just drive.
Lastly 10 to 20 years is too long to wait, too many things can change in 20 years. If done it needs an aggressive time table, say five years. Make it a priority and start right away.
— Tim Sullivan, Buford
Dear Tim: Should Gwinnett vote to join MARTA, it would have representation on the MARTA board, and that representative(s) should be able to insure that funds collected in Gwinnett stay in Gwinnett. Should also be part of the framework for approval. As for a faster schedule, we can only hope at this time, for yes, it’s needed now. –eeb
- 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
15th annual Norcross Art Splash will have winetasting tent this year
Norcross Art Splash, always filled with whimsical and fun art, will have a new feature this fall that is sure to tantalize the crowds. The 15th annual art celebration, now called Norcross Art Splash and Wine Festival, will showcase an outdoor wine tasting venue which highlights 60 wines “from around the world.” Cindy Flynn, one of the Art Splash & Wine Festival’s producers laughs: “Art buyers love wine, and wine drinkers love to buy art.”
The charming downtown district of Historic Norcross will come alive with both colorful and happy artisan booths and a large tent where shoppers can sample wines and continue to browse the artist displays.
The popular art show will open Saturday, October 6 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, October 7 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wine tastings will be from noon until 4 p.m. each day. Tickets for the wine tasting tent are $35 through October 5 and then $40 during the weekend and are good for only one day. Bottles of the featured wines may be purchased at VSOP Oil and Vinegar Taproom, Farmhouse 17 and 45 South Cafe during the weekend. Featured wines by the glass can be experienced at several of the downtown restaurants.
Historic Norcross Art Splash and Wine Festival will offer continuous live entertainment on the Thrasher Park Stage,. The energizing Kidz Zone, also in the Park, returns with jazzy rides and engaging children’s activities. A silent auction and sale filled with decorated chairs and surprises by local school students will be waiting for the highest bidders at “Chairs for Charity.” Festival cuisine and tasty food from local restaurants will be available for hungry eaters!
- Free shuttle and parking is easy to find. For more information on the festivities, visit www.splashfestivals.com. Wine tasting tickets may be purchased at www.freshtix.com/events/norcross-art-splash-and-wine-festival.com.
Movie: Words and Pictures
Reviewed by Karen Burnett Garner, Dacula | What do an afflicted artist and a has-been poet have in common? Both have a heart for their art, and a heart for their students in an exclusive prep school. This is a deeply personal character study of two individuals who wage a “war” within the school – one of pictures, one of words. Each is pushed beyond their complacency, beyond their limitations, to improve their lives. One finds renewal, healing and growth, while one self-destructs and finds that the way back consists of determined, small steps. Which is a truer expression of our human hearts – words or pictures? Which enriches our soul? This is a 2014 film, available for streaming on Amazon Prime.
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
GEORGIA ENCYCLOPEDIA TIDBITPopular Atlanta Motor Speedway dates beginnings to 1960
Atlanta Motor Speedway is one of the oldest and most popular stops on NASCAR‘s Winston Cup circuit.
The two Winston Cup events hosted by the speedway each year attract crowds of nearly 250,000 fans from all 50 states and several foreign countries—consistently the first and second highest attendance levels for single-day sporting events in Georgia.
A group of Atlanta real-estate developers led by Garland Bagley, seeking to take advantage of a super-speedway boom started by the successful launching of Florida’s Daytona International Speedway in 1959, built the one-and-a-half-mile speedway 25 miles south of Atlanta in Hampton (Henry County).
Plagued with financial difficulties and construction delays from the start, Atlanta International Raceway (as it was initially called) hosted its first race on July 31, 1960. A crowd of 25,000 braved the mud and unfinished facilities to see Glenn “Fireball” Roberts win the inaugural event. Since then the speedway has hosted at least two Winston Cup races annually, numerous races in NASCAR’s Busch Series, races sanctioned by the Automobile Racing Club of America, and 14 races for Formula One cars sanctioned by the U.S. Auto Club, Championship Auto Racing Teams, and the Indy Racing League.
The Atlanta Speedway struggled for much of its early existence, changing ownership and management numerous times and even being subjected to reorganization under Chapter 10 bankruptcy provisions in the 1970s. In 1990, however, speedway magnate Bruton Smith purchased the facility, renamed it Atlanta Motor Speedway, and proceeded to turn it into a state-of-the-art auto racing venue. Smith’s Speedway Motorsports, Incorporated, has spent millions of dollars to refurbish and expand the track to bring the total number of permanent seats to 124,000, while adding 141 luxury suites and the nine-story Tara Place, which houses offices, banquet facilities, and 46 condominiums. The track itself was reconfigured in 1997, when the start-finish line was moved to what was the backstretch and two doglegs were added to the new front stretch to improve the fans’ view of the racing.
Atlanta’s importance as a venue on the Winston Cup circuit increased in 1987, when the speedway began a 14-year run as the site of the final Cup race of the season. This made the fall Atlanta race particularly appealing in years when the Winston Cup championship came down to the final race.
(To be continued)
- To view the Georgia Encyclopedia online, go to http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
It’s primarily a bunch of blooms, but someone will get this mystery
The Mystery Photo for today may at first seem difficult, but we bet some readers have been to this spot, and will quickly recognize were this is located. Send your answer to elliott@brack.net and include your hometown.
Somehow, sometimes, your editor clicked one button, and most of our recent incoming emails disappeared from people who identified the last Mystery Photo. Try as we might, we could not pull up the several answers to the most recent Mystery. So we’ll just tell you the answer, and those of you who sent us in correct answers will just have to be smug. It is a scene taken from the DeSoto Hotel in Savannah, Ga., looking north. We remember several of you pointing out the Independent Presbyterian Church on the left side, and across the river on the right side, a convention hotel. And yes, several of you recognized it. Our apology for clicking one time too many. The photo came from Chuck Paul of Norcross. Then at deadline”” on Monday, Stephanie Jones of Lawrenceville sent in the right answer: “Looks like Savannah to me. I lived in Savannah as a kid.”
False grazing
At one time, cattle grazing was routinely part of the scene in Gwinnett County. Nowadays, when you see cattle grazing in Gwinnett, it may be false news and a fake cow. This zebra-striped cow we found outposted in silence on a front lawn in Gwinnett, recently joined by a multi-colored rooster also watching quietly from afar. Perhaps you know of other false animals on duty around the county. Take a picture of them and send to elliott@brack.net.
CALENDAR
Gwinnett Bicentennial Prelude to the Fourth, will be July 3 on the Lawrenceville Lawn. The event features food trucks, drinks, live music and a professional fireworks show at dusk.
Norcross Red, White and Boom Festival, its 23rdannual, will be July 3 from 5-10 p.m. in the downtown area. There will be live music, food trucks, bounce houses and patriotic items for sale. Shuttles will bring people to the downtown area, beginning at 4 p.m. from the Norcross First United Methodist Church. Cost to ride shuttle and park: $5.
Mall of Georgia’s 16th annual Star-Spangled Fourth celebration, July 4 from 4 p.m. Fun activities for the entire family including a concert, children’s rides, inflatables, live music, bicentennial activities, food and beverage concessions, and the largest fireworks display in the county. The fireworks are at 9:35 p.m. After the fireworks, watch a free movie Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, rated PG-13.
Southern Wings Bird Club will meet Monday, July 8 at 7 p.m. at Rhodes Jordan Park Community Center meeting room, 100 East Crogan Street. John F. Deitsch will be the speaker, addressing “My Birding Aventures.” More info: southernwingsbc@yahoo.com..
Workshop: The Evolution of Data Security will be held July 19 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the Peachtree Corners City Hall, 310 Technology Parkway, by the Partnership Gwinnett Technology Forum. Ed Pimental, chairman of AgileCo Labs, will be speaking .Learn about steps banks are taking to reduce fraudulent activity, what e-commerce is expected to continue to grow, and how block chain technology supports the industry. The cost is $10. Register here.
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