TAKE A LOOK at what one source shows are the ideological recent leanings of the jurists of the Supreme Court. You have to follow the color lines of the different justices to understand this chart. The source is Michael Bailey of Georgetown University. For further comment on what has happened ideologically to the Court since 1950, see Elliott Brack’s perspective below. (Chart by Randy Schutt [CC BY-SA 3.0], from Wikimedia Commons.)
IN THIS EDITIONTODAY’S FOCUS: Comments on Amendments and Referendums Facing Voters
EEB PERSPECTIVE: Foiled for 65 Years, GOP Finally Getting Supreme Court They Want
ANOTHER VIEW: Hopefully, This Storm Will Wear Itself Out, As They All Do
SPOTLIGHT: Aurora Theatre
FEEDBACK: The Democrats’ Mortal Sin Against Judge Kavanaugh
UPCOMING: Gateway 85 CID Commissions Freight Plan for the Area
NOTABLE: GEHC Presents “Roots of Wisdom” Exhibit through January 2
RECOMMENDED: Hillbilly Elegy by J.D Vance
GEORGIA TIDBIT: Georgia Native Robert S. Abbott Is Founder of The Chicago Defender
MYSTERY PHOTO: Mystery Photo Is Third Lighthouse in a Row: Where Is It?
CALENDAR: Another Crowded Calendar of Upcoming Events
HERE IS THE SCHEDULE for comment on the Georgia General Election in November:
On October 16, GwinnettForum will print its endorsements of candidates in the election. On that same date, readers can peruse the answers from candidates who have returned their comment on six questions put to all candidates who have visited for 30 minutes in the office of GwinnettForum. These comments from the candidates will continue in each edition until the election.
The Gwinnett sample ballot will also run in all editions up until the election. Click here to see the sample ballot.
Comments on amendments and referendums facing voters
(Editor’s Note: With Georgia voters facing several amendment and referendum questions on the November General Election Ballot, we present here thoughts from an attorney, who represents the Georgia Press Association, on the ballot questions. Perhaps this long explanation will help you understand the way the items are presented on the ballot, and will help you make up your mind on the way you want to vote on these questions. –eeb)
By David Hudson, Hull Barrett, PC, Augusta, Ga.
Constitutional Amendment 1: Designation of sales tax on sporting goods and services.
Hudson
This amendment would authorize the General Assembly, for a period of 10 years, to designate 80 percent of sales taxes on sporting goods and services to be paid into the “Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund” for purposes of preserving conservation land.
Analysis: The General Assembly has determined that this would be an appropriate use of this portion of the sales taxes collected on sporting goods and services, but it requires a constitutional amendment to authorize this special designation of tax receipts. The use of the funds for preserving conservation land is worthwhile. If the General Assembly has determined that state revenues are sufficient to designate these taxes for this purpose, then there is no conceptual reason to oppose this amendment. The counter argument would be that there are higher priorities for these funds — education, infrastructure, medical care, etc. By presenting this question to the voters, citizens can make that decision.
Constitutional Amendment 2: Establish a statewide business court.
Currently, all appellate and trial court judges in Georgia are elected. In practice, the governor appoints many of the judges, but then they must stand for election as they continue in office. The main change proposed in this amendment is that it would allow the governor to appoint judges for a “statewide business court” with statewide jurisdiction, and those judges will serve without having to stand for election.
Under existing law, Superior and State Courts are already establishing “business court” divisions. In Augusta, the State Court has set up a business division under presiding State Court Judge Patricia Booker. This is similar to how the Superior Courts have established divisions that deal with domestic relations, drug court, veterans court, etc. Furthermore, in complex business cases, presiding judges can currently refer those cases to Special Masters (retired judges or lawyers with experience and expertise in the area of dispute).
So the question becomes whether the voters want to entrust the appointment power for new “business court” judges to the governor rather than have all of their trial court judges elected. Since the local courts already are able to establish a “business court” division presided over by local judges, should voters surrender the jurisdiction over business court matters to state appointed judges as opposed to locally elected judges?
Viewpoint: Since “business courts” can already be established locally and presided over by local judges, I do not favor surrendering this authority to state rather than local control.
Constitutional Amendment 3: To change taxation of forest land dedicated to conservation use.
This bill would allow the General Assembly to enact laws that would reduce the ad valorem tax on 200-acre or greater tracts of land that are placed under a covenant for conservation use. Any timber on the land would continue to be taxed without the benefit of the conservation covenant. The law further provides that the General Assembly may appropriate assistance grants to the local governments whose tax receipts will be reduced by having lower taxes on forest land placed under a conservation covenant.
Analysis: The question is whether this tax break is necessary for large tracts of timberland to be maintained in an undeveloped state by allowing the owners to pay lower ad valorem taxes. Since the standing timber is going to be taxed the same, regardless of any change in the law by this constitutional amendment, it is difficult to imagine why it is necessary to give a conservation tax break for these large tracts of land. If it is not necessary for some compelling purpose to give this tax break, it is questionable whether this one type of property should receive a reduced tax valuation as opposed to other types of real property: homes, factories, stores or farm land.
Constitutional Amendment 4: To establish rights of crime victims.
This amendment would provide that victims of crimes against a person or against property, if a felony, shall be afforded, upon request, notices of court proceedings, arrests, release on bail, escape, and to be heard by the court regarding release, pleas or sentencing. The amendment further provides that the General Assembly shall pass such laws as are necessary to afford these rights to crime victims.
Analysis: Affording these rights to crime victims, via a constitutional amendment, has no apparent downside. The amendment would give constitutional status to the beneficial effect of allowing crime victims to know how the judicial system is handling their matters, and even a right to be heard by the court at the sentencing stage of a case.
Constitutional Amendment 5: When a school may call for a referendum to change sales and use tax rates for public education.
There are some counties in Georgia where in addition to the countywide school system, there are independent public school districts within the county. This amendment would allow a school district, or a combination of school districts, that have the majority of the students enrolled within the county, to call for a referendum to be voted on by all county residents to impose sales and use taxes for educational purposes. This would be in the form of a school SPLOST to impose a 1 percent sales and use tax addition to be collected for a period of five years. The proceeds of taxes collected would be distributed between all of the public schools in the county by agreement, and if no agreement is reached, the tax proceeds would be divided according to the ratio of students enrolled in each school district within the county.
Analysis: It seems a fair proposition that the school district or districts with the most students should have the ability to initiate a vote within the county whether to impose an additional one-cent school SPLOST.
Statewide Referendum A: Homestead exemption for residents in municipalities located in more than one county.
If approved by the voters, this would allow the use of a homestead exemption for homes in a locality that is located in more than one county. The city of Atlanta comes to mind as an example.
If the locality being located in more than one county is an impediment to the right to have a homestead exemption, then it seems fair that homeowners not be penalized simply because the boundaries of the municipality exist in two counties.
Referendum 2: Ad valorem exemption for homes for the mentally disabled.
Property owned and used by nonprofit entities in Georgia are not subject to ad valorem taxation. Examples would be churches, museums, parks, etc. In some instances, a nonprofit that owns a home for the mentally disabled will have a member of the nonprofit corporation board that is a financial institution that provides financing for the construction or renovation of the home. This referendum would allow legislation that preserves the tax exemption for the home for the mentally disabled even though a member of the company owning the home is a for-profit entity.
Analysis: This technical change should be approved so as not to disqualify a home for the mentally disabled from the ad valorem tax exemption it would otherwise receive.
- Click here to see the state’s sample ballot.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Foiled for 65 years, GOP finally getting Supreme Court it wants
By Elliott Brack
Editor and publisher, GwinnettForum
(Note: refer to chart of the page for further understanding.—eeb)
OCT. 9, 2018 | Ever since Dwight Eisenhower became president in 1953, Republicans have been trying to turn the Supreme Court more conservative. While Republican presidents since then have appointed 20 court justices, Democratic presidents have appointed only eight justices. Yet the court has remained at least moderate centrist to liberal.
(Interestingly, Democrats Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman held a firm sway over the court, appointing nine and four justices each,)
So, for years, Republicans have been yearning for the day when their appointees would control the ideological climate of the court.
Only last week with the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh does it appear that GOP ideologues will have their way in turning the court far more conservative. We may see more split 5-4 votes, but they probably will almost always be on the conservative side.
So, since the appointment of Earl Warren in 1954, we have had courts known as the Warren, Burger, Rehnquist and Roberts courts, all named for the chief justice appointed by a Republican president. But the court has always been at least centrist, if not liberal. And this galled Republicans.
Another consideration: Just because a justice is appointed by a conservative president, that doesn’t mean he or she will “stay” conservative. Republican appointments of Harry Blackmun, John Paul Stevens and David Souter all became much more liberal during their time on the bench, contributing to a more centrist court. And two other Republican appointments, Sandra Day O’Connor and Anthony Kennedy, were considered “swing” votes, often meaning 5-4 liberal decisions, delaying an outright conservative majority.
One of the most recent examples of this was the vote of John Roberts to uphold not once, but twice, the Obama Affordable Health Care Act. Observers say that is because Roberts believes in the importance of building consensus, which in turn makes the court more legitimate, and not always a thorn in the side to what Congress passes. Will Justice Roberts’ vote sometimes with the liberal wing in the future?
The low point for conservatives were the 1960s, when several jurists were more often voting liberally. Justices with these less-than-conservative leanings included William O. Douglas, Hugo Black, Arthur Goldberg, William Brennan and Thurgood Marshall. (See chart of “ideological leanings” by Michael A. Bailey of Georgetown University.) However, since then, it has taken either Roberts or retired Justice Anthony Kennedy to vote on the side of the liberal wing to maintain some semblance of balance on the court.
A key ingredient of getting Supreme Court justices confirmed is whether the president’s party has control of the Senate, we have found in the last two years. What brought this to a head was in 2016 when Justice Antonin Scalia died, leaving a vacancy.
President Obama nominated Merrick Garland, the chief judge U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, the same court Judge Kavanaugh served on. It’s interesting that they voted the same way 93 percent of the time on matters before this court!
The U.S. Senate, led by Kentucky Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, pulled a fast one, having a majority behind him, so that Judge Garland never was afforded a hearing for the seat. This move meant the Senate would not hear of another nomination until after the 2016 election, when Donald Trump became president. He eventually nominated Neil Gorsuch, who was seated in 2017 by the Republican Senate.
Essentially, this means that the next court sessions can legitimately be deemed no longer the “Roberts Court,” but the “McConnell Court.” After all, he single-handedly made sure that two conservatives got these slots on the court, foiling efforts by Democrats to seat a more liberal nominee.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Hopefully, this storm will wear itself out, as they all do
(Editor’s Note: Denise Hartzell, a former Gwinnett County school teacher, taught social studies at Phoenix High School for 14 years. She retired in 2009 after a 31-year career in education. She and her husband, Hill Jordan, brother of Lawrenceville Mayor Judy Jordan Johnson, reside in Sautee Nacoochee, Ga.—eeb)
By Denise Hartzell
SAUTEE NACOOCHEE, Ga. | The age-old admonition against expressing political opinions in polite company faded not too terribly long ago. Today, it seems, the best we can do is stand with our beliefs and weather the storms of opposition.
Hartzell
Politics is – to some – a sport, a cash cow for the networks, or virtual Berlin Wall among friends and neighbors. Nonetheless, the importance of defining and defending democracy has never been more important.
On election night 2016, Hill went to bed, unconcerned about the outcome. I was concerned. So I stayed up, waiting for “last call.”
The decision? Unexpected, disconcerting, disorienting… some say, even to the victor.
I am one who may not like to have my candidate lose, but respect the process. The voters chose someone who promised to “shake up” the system. I didn’t know that also meant to “shake down” our democracy.
Almost two years later, we find ourselves perilously isolated and polarized. Tonight’s newscasts featured the latest sexual misconduct allegations against a Supreme Court nominee (the President sympathizes, condemning women with the gall to accuse the powerful, citing his own celebrity status and past accusations against him).
The position of the United States on the world stage is no less tarnished. In the president’s speech before the United Nations, he levied criticism of traditional allies, both in NATO and the Middle East, while praising North Korea’s dictatorial regime. He has ignored efforts to slow down climate change and slammed the door on America’s historic refuge for the world’s most vulnerable.
No world leader has ever been openly laughed at by the international gathering of leaders. The President of the United States had to shrug it off.
How does one reflect on this?
For 31 years, I sought to engage young people in the importance of participation in our democracy. I tried to make history come alive, to have my students feel the power and the pain of our forebears who shaped their world.
Together, we examined the dreams, attitudes and prejudices that influenced decisions. These young people took pride in their ability to debate issues, to analyze events and evaluate outcomes. They did not shoot from the hip. They did not deal in platitudes. Respect was fundamental to every discussion.
Where did it go?
We know that none of this is new. American politics, throughout history, has been rife with conflict, controversy and competing interpretations of facts.
What does seem new, though, is the tsunami of anger unleashed through the 2016 campaign and into our president’s term in office.
Anger – not at genuine “bad guys” – but anger at the news media, anger at our closest allies, anger at the disadvantaged, anger at women, anger at traditional trade partners, even Canada. Really?
My hope, in reflection, is that this storm will wear itself out, as they all do. That, as the tide recedes, we will find that left on the shores of this extraordinary place are the remnants of our integrity, dignity and honesty… hallmarks of what truly makes America great.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Aurora Theatre
The public spiritedness of our underwriters allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. Today’s sponsor is Aurora Theatre, home of the best entertainment in northeast Georgia. With over 850 events annually, Aurora Theatre, now in their 23rd season, has live entertainment to suit everyone’s taste. Aurora Theatre presents Broadway’s best plays and musicals alongside exciting works of contemporary theatre. Additionally, Aurora produces concerts, comedy club events, children’s programs, and metro Atlanta’s top haunted attraction, Lawrenceville Ghost Tours. Aurora Theatre is a world-class theatrical facility with two performances venues. It is nestled on the square in historic downtown Lawrenceville, with free attached covered parking and is surrounded by myriad of restaurants and shops. Aurora’s Season 23 starts with the blockbuster Disney musical Newsies running 7/29-9/2. Single tickets go on sale 7/1, but to ensure the best seat at the best price consider season tickets, now available at auroratheatre.com.
- For more information or to purchase tickets: http://www.auroratheatre.com or call 678-226-6222.
- For a list of other sponsors of this forum, click here.
The Democrats’ mortal sin against Judge Kavanaugh
Editor, the Forum:
The Senate has voted and Brett Kavanaugh will become an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court. But it will not absolve the Democrats of their sin. The duplicitous tactics used have impressed a permanent stain on their political soul, thanks to Senator Feinstein, et al.
The Democratic goal was to get Kavanaugh to withdraw or Trump to pull his nomination or failing that, delay the vote until after the midterm election. Using traditional confidential Judiciary investigation processes would not attain the goal. Instead they deliberately deployed an immoral tactic of public disclosure in a malicious attempt to sully a man with no concern for the impact on his family. The callousness extends to subjecting Dr. Blasey Ford to publicity and death threats she finds “terrifying”. But this is political war, her pain is collateral damage.
President Trump added to the unseemliness of this whole episode with his remarks at the political rally in Mississippi last week where he mocked Dr. Blasey Ford. This was unhelpful to Judge Kavanaugh and was disgraceful behavior for a president.
Politically, don’t be surprised if this episode backfires on Democratic plans to take over the House. They probably will, but with a smaller majority. There’s little chance they will take the Senate and in all likelihood the Republicans might add a seat or two.
Regardless of your feelings about Judge Kavanaugh, the defeat of the tactics used by the Democrats is a good thing. The Left is understandably very angry. Perhaps in time they will have learned a lesson. I’m thinking November 6.
— Theirn J. Scott, Lawrenceville
Appreciates views from Debra Houston and Robert Cromlish
Editor, the Forum:
First, thank God for Debra Houston! Her recent article was succinct and accurate. In reference to Roberta Cromlish’s letter: another good one.
You say France has a better system than we do? That system of health care certainly isn’t working in Canada, so why is it so great in France? Free health care, free college tuition, free everything? It is called Socialism, and it’s not free! Somebody has to pay for it and the answer is THE TAXPAYERS!
— David Earl Tyre, Jesup
Recognize that for one week, Europe will be on different time
Editor, The Forum:
Germany and most of Europe end Summer Time (Daylight Saving Time) this year on Sunday morning, October 28. So if you have interaction with Europe, recognize the time difference. (In the US, the change will not be made until a week later on Sunday morning, November 4.)
— Larry Zani, Kaiserslauten, Germany
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
Gateway 85 CID commissions freight plan for the area
The Gateway 85 Community Improvement District has commissioned a Freight Plan to provide a comprehensive look at freight practices within the CID.
The plan will have a specific focus on the area roughly south of Jimmy Carter Boulevard and west of I-85, as this area was identified as a freight-intensive cluster by the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC). Freight movement, mobility and infrastructure will be studied.
The CID will also consider other factors that impact freight operations, such as issues that affect the workforce associated with the industry (i.e. transit, workforce transportation, etc.). The plan will include involvement of stakeholders such as business owners and representatives of local governments within the area, and it will include significant public involvement.
Based upon the findings of the study, the CID will develop the freight plan, which will provide recommendations, including potential projects, aimed at improving freight-related issues within the study area.
The project is funded by the ARC, Gwinnett County Department of Transportation and the CID. At the September 13, 2018 board meeting, Gateway 85 board members approved the selection of Cambridge Systematics of Atlanta as the consultant who will work on the project.
Backyard Community Camp Out at GEHC will be Oct. 13-14
Reconnect with the great outdoors at the inaugural Backyard Community Camp Out October 13 and 14. Hosted by the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center (GEHC), this overnight campout at the Festival Field is a fun, family friendly event designed to educate and entertain with activities such as stargazing, exploring the trails after sundown, discovering the animals that call the GEHC home, campsite tales, campfire safety demonstrations by the Gwinnett County Fire Department and a special hayride.
Attendees are permitted to bring their own food and snacks or purchase dinner and/or breakfast from an onsite food vendor. Pricing for 15 x 15 campsites at the Backyard Community Campout is $15 per campsite for Gwinnett residents and $30 non-Gwinnett residents.
For those new to camping, there is an option to reserve a 15×15 campsite that includes an assembled two-person or four-person tent. Campers will need to bring their own personal gear. There are limited numbers of pre-assembled tent campsites available.
Check-in begins at 4:30 p.m. with activities beginning at 6 p.m. Campsites hold up to four people, and pre-registration is required for all campers. Register online at www.gwinnettEHC.com.
The GEHC is located at 2020 Clean Water Dr. in Buford. For additional information about this event, call 678-765-4664 or email ehcrental@gwinnettcounty.com.
Get spooked with these Halloween haunting season activities
Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation has so many ways to celebrate the Halloween haunting season. Some are spine-chilling and some are educational but all are family friendly for the coming week:
Witches’ Night Out is on October 12 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Bogan Park Community Recreation Center, 2723 North Bogan Road in Buford. Bring your friends and dress up for this bewitching soiree. Create a canvas masterpiece with a haunted theme while enjoying light refreshments. The event is for ages 16 and up, $15 per person. Pre-register by October 10 online with code BOP41666 or call 678-277-0850.
Ghostly Get-Together will be on October 12 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at George Pierce Park Community Recreation Center, 55 Buford Highway in Suwanee. Guests can enjoy an evening of s’mores, hot cider and spooky stories around a campfire. This event is for all ages and $6 per person. Pre-registration is required online with code GPP41410 or call 678-277-0910.
The Bicentennial Bus Tour will feature the cemeteries of Gwinnett on Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. leaving from the Lawrenceville Female Seminary, 455 South Perry St. in Lawrenceville. Guests will explore historic churches and cemeteries of Gwinnett while learning the mysteries of Gwinnett’s past. The event is for all ages, $10 per person. Pre-register online with code LFS48110 or call 770-822-5178.
Not So Scary Night at the Museum on Oct. 13 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Lawrenceville Female Seminary, 455 South Perry St. in Lawrenceville. Guests will listen to folktales and make fun crafts at this not so scary after hours event. The event is free and for all ages. Must pre-register by October 11 online with code LFS48104 or call 770-822-5178.
GEHC presents “Roots of Wisdom” exhibit through Jan. 2
Visitors learn about traditional Hawaiian fishing practices and ecosystem management through exciting digital interactive displays and games.
From duck decoys to surf boards, chocolate to popcorn, knowledge from indigenous people is of benefit to us all. The Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center’s (GEHC) newest, interactive exhibit, allows visitors to explore how the blending of age-old traditions and modern science work together to restore vital ecosystems, provide sustainable food sources and improve human health. The Roots of Wisdom: Native Knowledge, Shared Science exhibit will be on display through January 2.
The exhibit highlights four Native American communities from across the country, including the Tulalip Tribes, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, native Hawaiians and the Eastern Band of the Cherokee. Visitors gather resources, examine data and take part in the growing movement toward sustainability and the reclamation of age-old practices. Visitors will hear voices of elder and youth, engage with digital interactive displays, hands-on games, puzzles and much more.
Exhibit stations allow visitors to act as caretakers of a fish pond and join a droplet of water on an incredible journey down a Hawaiian mountainside, discover traditional practices of wild harvesting and gardening, help restore an ecosystem through stewardship of a lamprey and the restoration of river cane and even try their hand at basket weaving.
Jason West, GEHC program manager, says: “As we celebrate Gwinnett’s bicentennial, it is important to recognize the people, including the Cherokee and the Creek that lived here before the county was officially established in 1818. This special exhibit reminds us that our community is continually influenced by different cultures, past and present.”
Produced and toured by the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, the exhibit was made possible with funds provided by the National Science Foundation. The self-guided exhibit is included in free admission to the GEHC during its regular operating hours. For more information, , call 770.904.3500 or visit www.gwinnettEHC.com.
Hillbilly Elegy by J.D Vance
From Karen Harris, Stone Mountain: J.D Vance’s memoir is also a searing sociological analysis of the hillbilly Appalachian culture. The reasons for this the eroding of culture 
are on the surface simplistic but in truth are mired in the complex mores that define honor and the interdependence within families most of which are in some ways dysfunctional. Scenes from his life are in turn heartwarming and heartbreaking as he tries to live with profound instability and potential violence. As events lead him out of his family culture, he must learn new mores and integrate into middle class life with only a few helpful mentors and the love of his grandparents, the only stable adult family members in his life. Underscored as a theme is how poverty ravages poor whites but also poor blacks and Hispanics. He sheds light on the deep divisions within the country and how far many are from the American Dream.
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 native Abbott is founder of The Chicago Defender
Georgia native Robert Sengstacke Abbott founded, edited, and published The Chicago Defender, for decades the country’s dominant African American newspaper. Through the pages of the Defender, Abbott exercised enormous influence on the rise of the black community in Chicago, Illinois, and on national African American culture.
Abbott was born on November 24, 1868, on St. Simons Island to Flora and Thomas Abbott. Abbott’s mother was born a slave in Savannah in 1847 to Portuguese west African parents. Her father, Jacob Butler, a skilled craftsman, purchased his family’s freedom. Abbott’s father, likely of Ebo ancestry, came from a line of house slaves and was majordomo of a planter’s household. He died when Abbott was an infant. Hostile to Flora for her “inferior” extraction, the Abbott clan sued for custody of the infant. John H. H. Sengstacke, a German newly arrived in Savannah, hired a lawyer who represented Flora successfully.
Sengstacke’s background held surprises. He was in fact a Savannah native; his father, Herman, was a German immigrant merchant, and his mother, Tama, was a slave purchased off the auction block and freed by her future husband. Married in 1847, they sent their children to be raised in Germany.
Following Herman’s death, Sengstacke returned from Germany in 1869 to settle the estate in Savannah, where he met Flora and aided her custody battle. They married in 1874, and Abbott lived with them in Yamacraw and later Woodville, then a swampy, remote Savannah suburb. Sengstacke’s work as a Congregationalist minister-teacher drew criticism in this strongly Baptist area. His passion for learning and equality (and a modest foray into journalism as founder of the Woodville Times) deeply shaped the young Abbott.
After briefly attending Savannah’s Beach Institute and Claflin University in Orangeburg, S.C., Abbott studied printing at Hampton Institute in Hampton, Va., graduating in 1896. (A loyal alumnus, he later was the alumni association’s president.) He then left for Chicago, Ill., where he earned a law degree from Kent College of Law.
After experiencing difficulty finding employment as a lawyer because of his race, Abbott turned to journalism. In 1905 he founded The Chicago Defender, a weekly newspaper that soon dominated Chicago’s already crowded black press. Within a decade the Defender was arguably the nation’s most important African American newspaper.
Surging on the tide of black migration north and west, circulation reached 50,000 by 1916; 125,000 by 1918; and more than 200,000 by the early 1920s—overall readership tripled those figures. Some two-thirds of this national publication’s sales were beyond Chicago.
Abbott’s newspaper included largely celebratory political, social, and entertainment reporting on Bronzeville (black Chicago’s nickname); mostly grim racial news from the South; exhortations to newcomers for upright conduct in the face of freedom’s temptations; personal announcements from readers; employment and other classifieds; and often militant editorials for racial equality—presented with sensationalism in the style of the media giant William Randolph Hearst.
(To be continued)
- To view the Georgia Encyclopedia online, go to http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
Mystery Photo is third lighthouse in a row: Where is it?
Here’s even another lighthouse for your consideration. This is the third in a row Mystery Photo which is a lighthouse. Try to figure out this lighthouse location, and mail your entry to elliott@brack.net, including the town where you get your mail.
Last week’s mystery lighthouse was sent in by Ann Royster of Shelby, N.C., and is known as the Prim Point Lighthouse, located near Digby, Nova Scotia. (Digby is a prime location to go out looking for whales in the Bay of Fundy between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, Canada.)
Bob Foreman of Grayson stepped up first with the location of this photo., followed by Lou Camerio of Lilburn. George Graf of Palmyra, Va. wrote: “The current Prim Point Lighthouse is the fourth in a succession of lights built on this location that date back to 1804. The 1804 light lasted just four years before burning in 1808, and it wasn’t until 1817 that its replacement was built. The second Prim Point Lighthouse was a square dwelling, painted white with red vertical stripes on its northern and two adjoining sides.
“The third Prim Point Lighthouse, built in 1874, was a square wooden tower with sloping sides built into the northern end of one-and-a-half-story dwelling with a gabled roof. Red vertical stripes adorned the tower to continue the station’s daymark.
“In 1964 a bulldozer pushed the third Prim Point Lighthouse over the bluff. The fourth lighthouse on Prim Point was built in the familiar form of a square tower rising from one corner of a one-story, flat-roofed building. It became unmanned in 1987. Visitors to the station today will still see the vertical red stripes that have been historically used at the station.”
GROUNDBREAKING at the Gwinnett Water Innovation Center of the Wayne Hill Water Resources Center, Tuesday, October 9 at 2 p.m. Park at the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center, 2020 Clean Water Drive in Buford. A shuttle will take guests to the groundbreaking site. Note: wear comfortable shoes.
PIZZA WITH POLICE in Suwanee will be Tuesday, October 9 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Suwanee Police Station, 373 Buford Highway. This event is for the entire family, and will feature free pizza from Papa John’s, giveaways, and officers and police vehicles on-hand for children to explore. RSVPs are not required. Discuss issues that concern you or questions you may have, and just get to know the officers who keep the city safe.
PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS WORKSHOP: How do you prepare for a zombie apocalypse? Gwinnett Health Department experts will answer that question for you and share a few tips about preparing for real pandemics too! This year marks the 100th anniversary of the 1918 Spanish influenza pandemic – the deadliest pandemic in human history. Today, the impact of an outbreak would be even more catastrophic due to the explosive population growth and the ease of extensive travel. Two sessions are available. Both are free and open to the public. The first is Wednesday, October 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the Five Forks Branch Library, 2780 Five Forks Trickum Road, in Lawrenceville. The second is Thursday, October 25 at 6:30 pm at the Suwanee Branch, 361 Main Street, Suwanee. For more information, visit www.gwinnettpl.org or call 770-978-5154.
AUTHOR VISIT: First time novelist Nic Stone of Atlanta brings diverse voices and stories to her work. Booklist has given her first novel, a starred review calling it, “vivid and powerful.” Join Gwinnett County Public Library to meet Nic Stone on Thursday, October 11 at 7 p.m. at the Suwanee Branch, 361 Main Street, Suwanee. It is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.gwinnettpl.org or call 770-978-5154.
LEARN HOW TO MAKE a lantern on Thursday, October 11 from 6-8 p.m. at The Rectory in Norcross. Then enjoy refreshments and the company of other lantern makers. Registration is $25 per person plus the cost of lantern making materials. Then help Light Up Norcross on October 27 from 4-9:30 p.m. in Thrasher Park in the costume and lantern parade.
CRAFT FAIR at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Snellville is Saturday, October 12,from 9 a.m. until 2 p. m. Great for starting your Christmas shopping early. This benefits the WPC missions. The church is located at 2208 Main Street in Snellville.
LUNCH AND LEARN at the Southeastern Railway Museum in Duluth on Friday, October 12, at noon, as part of the Georgia Archives program at the museum. Hear James Polihronakis, Southeastern Railway Museum Education Coordinator, joined by Lloyd Neal, the Museum Assistant Librarian., talk about the many programs offered at the Duluth museum. These lunch and learn programs are sponsored by Friends of Georgia Archives and History. No registration is required. For more information, contact Penelope.Cliff@usg.edu.
HOUSING EXPO AND JOB FAIR will be Saturday, October 13 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. a Summerour Middle School in Norcross. For more information, visit jobministry@norcrossco-op.org.
THE 45TH LILBURN DAZE Arts and Crafts Festival will be Saturday, October 13, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. in Lilburn City Park. With shopping opportunities, rides, games, food, and entertainment, there is something to appeal to every member of the family. Lilburn Daze is organized and hosted by the Lilburn Woman’s Club and co-sponsored by the City of Lilburn. This festival allows the club to support and enrich the Lilburn community through scholarships, support of the arts, beautification projects, public health and safety projects, and much more. Admission is free. Parking and shuttles run from these locations: First Baptist Church, City Hall and Library, Lilburn Middle School and Salem Missionary Baptist Church. Details: http://www.lilburndaze.org.
JAZZ FEST returns to Suwanee Town Center on Saturday, October 13, from 6 to 10 p.m. It is sponsored by he North Gwinnett Arts Association in partnership with the City of Suwanee and ARTober Gwinnett. Proceeds fund the student art scholarships and NGAA art initiatives.
SNELLVILLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY will meet Sunday, October 14 at 2 p.m. at the Snellville City Hall. Dr Skip Taylor, department chairman of UGA’s Music Department, and Jimmy Camp will present a program on music that was popular using banjos and fiddles. On display will be the Gladstone Snell’s banjo and some other historical musical instruments. Admission is free.
FINDING COLLEGE DOLLARS: a seminar will be Tuesday, October 16 at 7 p.m. at Primerica, 1 Primerica Parkway, Duluth. Come learn from the experts how to identify the scholarship opportunities just right for you. This program is offered in partnership with Gwinnett County Public Schools. A college fair will precede the program at 6 p.m.
RECYCLING EVENT at LAN Systems, 4711 Peachtree Boulevard in Berkeley Lake, Friday, October 19, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring electronic items you no longer need or use to send them for recycling. Plus enjoy hot dogs and hamburgers and roasted marshmallows and more. All proceeds are donated to Prevent Child Abuse. More info: 770-662-0312.
BRASELTON ZOMBIE 5K RUN, the fourth annual, will be Saturday, October 20 beginning at 8:30 a.m. from the Braselton Brothers Department Store building. Check in begins at 7:30 a.m. For more information, visit www.DowntownBraselton.com.
WALK IT OUT 5K will be held Saturday, October 20 at 8 a.m. at Rabbit Hill Park in Dacula. It is sponsored by IamBeautiful.org. The walk supports support the Gaining Insight and Real Life Skills (GIRLS) Leadership Program. For more information, visit this site.
FREE TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP at the Gwinnett Library’s Buford-Sugar Hill Branch, 2100 Buford Highway in Buford, on October 27, at 2 p.m. Join the Georgia Nature Photographers Association (GNPA) for this informal talk and Q&A travel photography workshop in conjunction with the library’s new announcement about becoming a passport issuance location. GNPA will provide information about what to take when you travel and tips for improving your travel photos.”
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