NEW JUDGE: Gwinnett Superior Court Judge Melodie Snell Conner, left, swears in Gwinnett’s newest Superior Court Judge, Tracey Mason. At the right smiling big are Mason’s two daughters, Macy and Caitlin, holding the Bibles of Mason’s mother and father. Mason won election this summer during the General Primary. The swearing in was in the Historic Gwinnett Courthouse, attended by a room full of Mason supporters.
IN THIS EDITIONTODAY’S FOCUS: Budget for Gwinnett County Government Hits $1.8 Billion for 2019
EEB PERSPECTIVE: Susan McBrayer Marks Her 100th Recommendation in This Issue
SPOTLIGHT: E.R. Snell Contractor, Inc.
UPCOMING: Gwinnett Stripers Announce Adam English as New General Manager
NOTABLE: Chamber Announced Winners of New Moxie Awards for Women
RECOMMENDED: American Business History and the People Who Made It By H.W. Brands
GEORGIA TIDBIT: Five Blackwater Rivers Drain Georgia’s Coastal Plain
MYSTERY PHOTO: Just Where and What Is This Unusual Structure?
CALENDAR: Duluth Holds “Deck the Halls” Event Saturday at Town Center Park
TODAY’S FOCUSBudget for Gwinnett County government hits $1.8 billion for 2019
By Heather Sawyer
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. | Gwinnett Board of Commissioners Chairman Charlotte Nash presented her $1.8 billion proposed budget for 2019 during a briefing this week.
The proposed operating budget, excluding transfers between funds, is up about 4.6 percent. Much of the increase in the operating budget is related to increased personnel costs as the county adds personnel and addresses compensation issues. The proposal includes a $1.34 billion operating budget and $434 million for capital improvements, including SPLOST-funded projects. The adopted budget for 2018 was $1.56 billion ($1.18 billion operating and $384 million capital).
Nash says the annual budget starts with base funding to maintain core county services such as police and fire protection, jail, courts, roads, transit and water. Additions for new or ongoing initiatives reflect priorities set by the Board of Commissioners last spring.
Nash adds: “This proposed balanced budget continues Gwinnett’s tradition of conservative budgeting based on multi-year planning. This 2019 budget proposal maintains adequate reserves, uses pay-as-you-go financing for capital improvements and also sets aside money for future obligations.”
One focus for the 2019 budget is making sure that a “safe and healthy community” remains a top priority. The 2019 proposed budget adds more police officers in the community and sheriff’s deputies to staff the detention center as well as the new courtrooms resulting from the expansion of the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center. The budget also includes adding positions for Fire and Emergency Services and funding for construction of the Georgia State Patrol Post 51 on I-85 near Suwanee.
Another priority, “mobility and access,” includes expanding transit and improving and maintaining roads and the airport. The “livability and comfort” priority funds libraries, parks senior services, trails and greenways, park program expansion and addressing homelessness. Economic development and redevelopment, a new Water Innovation Center, reliable Infrastructure, and the 2040 Unified Plan fall under the “strong vibrant local economy” priority.
“Communication and engagement” includes the addition of education and outreach positions for the departments of Planning and Development and Community Services.
In discussing the increase in staffing, Nash noted that Gwinnett’s population has grown by 22 percent since 2008 while County staff has only increased eight percent.
The tax digest, the value of all assessed property, is above its pre-recession level at $30.3 billion after hitting a low in 2013 and beginning to recover in 2014. Less than half of the total operating budget is funded with property tax revenue.
Five resident volunteers served on the 2019 budget review committee that heard presentations by department directors and elected officials and studied business plans, budget needs and revenue projections before making budget recommendations to Nash. Videos and documents from that process are available online at www.tvgwinnett.com.
Commissioners will take oral or written public comments at a public hearing on Monday, December 10 at 7 p.m. in the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center auditorium, 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville, and online through December 31 before adopting a final balanced budget as required by law at their first meeting in January.
The entire proposed 2019 budget document is available online at www.gwinnettcounty.com and as a hard copy in the Financial Services office at GJAC, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Susan McBrayer marks her 100th recommendation in this issue
By Elliott Brack
Editor and publisher
NOV. 30, 2018 | Past GwinnettForum readers are familiar with Susan McBrayer of Sugar Hill. She has diligently contributed ideas to this site for years, and has been long known as a prolific reader.
We bring this up today as Susan in this issue contributes her 100th recommendation, more submissions than any other reader. Here’s how it came about.
Susan says: “When I moved to Sugar Hill in mid-2010, I was somewhat distressed to see there was not much of an actual downtown here. I used to joke with people that our downtown consisted of a city hall and a cemetery.
“One day I came across the GwinnettForum. I asked you to have someone write a story about it so I could know what was going on. However, you turned the tables on me, asking ME to write the story! Bummer. I had not written for publication in 20 years, but my curiosity got the better of me. I interviewed Bob Hail, former Sugar Hill city manager, and wrote the story in 2012.
“After that, you asked if I would write some book recommendations. My first one was a British novel by Jeffrey Archer called Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less. I think I submitted my first Mystery Photo shortly after that. I have really enjoyed sharing my book recommendations, and regret that I am so hard to please. I usually have to read seven or eight books before I find one I can actually recommend.”
McBrayer
Her busy mind regularly produces unique and distinctive thoughts. After all, Susan is such an active person, though private, enjoying reading and travel. She’s a member of at least two book clubs meeting monthly, yet finds time to read additional books each month.
She’s part of the GwinnettForum family of readers that makes my job here simple and most enjoyable. My position as an editor is one of merely taking in what the various contributors send, picking and choosing which to feature, usually giving the articles slight editing, and then publishing them. We seldom downright reject items by readers.
From 17 years of publishing, we have developed a cadre of contributors. Some write occasionally, and others write more often. We regular feature the ideas of George Wilson, Debra Houston and Jack Bernard. Little did we know when these people first contributed that they would become regulars. We would like to have more regular contributors.
Let me pause and say here that none of these people get any compensation for what they write. They do it voluntarily.
Perhaps the most popular feature is our Mystery Photo in each issue. We get regular material from a wide range of people. George Graf of Palmyra, Va., and Allan Peel of San Antonio, Texas, usually get the mystery photos identified correctly. And they send us photos to use, too. We’ve never met either of these guys, though Allan once lived in Peachtree Corners.
Jerry Colley of Alpharetta (formerly Lilburn) is another regular contributor of photos. Other regulars that I know are Bob Foreman of Grayson; Ross Lenhart of Pawleys Island, S.C.; Elizabeth Neace of Dacula; Karen Garner of Dacula; Lou Camerio of Lilburn; Jim Savedelis of Duluth; Molly Titus of Peachtree Corners; Holly Moore of Suwanee; and several others I may catch the devil for omitting. And it does my heart good when I get answers from infrequent contributors. Makes my heart sing!
That’s a lot more than a salute to Susan McBrayer, for her 100th Recommendation to readers. Thank all you who make our life a little better for your contributions to GwinnettForum.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
E.R. Snell Contractor, Inc.
The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. Today’s sponsor is E.R. Snell Contractor, Inc. of Snellville. Founded in the 1920s, ERS was built on Christian beliefs with honesty and integrity leading the way. Specializing in roads, bridges and culverts, its goal is to build a safe and modern highway system while preserving our natural environment. Through quality production and high safety standards, it strives to be the best contractor possible, while continuing to be a positive influence on its employees and the community. Internet access is available at www.ersnell.com.
- For a list of other sponsors of this forum, click here.
Reaching old age has become pretty neat for this octogenarian
Editor, the Forum:
I am reaching my 80th birthday and want to share my thoughts about growing old.
Being 80 means that I have become aware of almost every joint in my body. And old wounds have come back to remind me of my dumb mistakes in my youth.
I deeply appreciate all 57 years of being married to my best friend.
Wisdom seems to have snuck up in my life. I, however, wish that others would appreciate my new found wisdom. I no longer need to make things happen but cherish those things I have accomplished in the past. Most importantly is my pride of having a loving and successful family. Being old is really neat.
— Alan Schneiberg, Sugar Hill
Appreciates having George Wilson keeping him alert to key elements
Editor, the Forum:
Gosh, I sure am glad we have George Wilson to tell us the really important things in life! Where would we be without his pointed history lessons and deep insights into how we should all think?
Let’s address a couple of things here: an actual examination of 19th Century history will tell us that the slaveholders and elites that ran things back in the day were all Democrats. Funny how that always gets left out of the discussion. And in truth, there was no public education system to lift the common man out of ignorance. Recent history will show us what sort of spot we can find ourselves in when uneducated folks are making decisions.
Moving on to present times: I am happy that I get to decide the things that are important to me, and to lend my support to ideas which I feel have merit. Things like personal responsibility, limited interference in my life by an intrusive government, and the freedom to pursue my chosen path without being forced to celebrate other people’s choices when they are not in line with my personal values.
I resent being told that my thoughts and beliefs are somehow faulty because I do not support some currently fashionable “feelings.” I don’t care if folks want to feel this way or that. It’s not my business. I think we’d all be better off if we mind our own!
— Rick Hammond, Flowery Branch
Dear Rick: Yes, “they” were all Democrats back then, but in reality, they were mostly conservative. Some say that leaders like Senators Russell, George, the governors, et al, elected as Democrats, supported many Republican ideals.–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
UPCOMINGGwinnett Stripers announce English as new general manager
The Gwinnett Stripers, Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, have announced the hiring of Adam English as the club’s new vice president and general manager.
English joins the Stripers for his first role as a General Manager following six seasons leading the ticket sales department for the Sacramento River Cats (Triple-A, San Francisco Giants). Hired as Sacramento’s director of ticket sales in 2013, he spent the last two seasons as the vice president of ticket sales and service.
During his tenure, the River Cats drew 3,598,210 fans to Raley Field for an average of 8,466 per game. Sacramento ranked in the top five in Pacific Coast League attendance in each of his six seasons, and led the 16-team circuit in total attendance in 2013 (607,329), 2014 (607,839) and 2015 (672,354). In 2016, the River Cats were named by Forbes as the most valuable franchise in Minor League Baseball.
A native of Lexington, Ky., English enters his 14th season in professional baseball in 2019. His previous experience includes three seasons at the Lexington Legends (Class-A, Kansas City Royals) and four seasons for Ripken Baseball (2006-10). English holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Transylvania University in Lexington, Ky.
- The Gwinnett Stripers open the 2019 season at Coolray Field on Thursday, April 4 with a game against the Norfolk Tides. Memberships for 2019 are on sale now by calling the Coolray Field Ticket Office at 678-277-0340. For more information, visit GoStripers.com/memberships.
Chamber announces winners of new Moxie Awards for women
The Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce recently announced its Moxie Awards, to leading women and outstanding organizations “with Moxie.”
They include:
Charlotte Nash, chairman of the Gwinnett County Commission, the Greater Good recipient, who sees that “the big pictures ideals make our area the optimal place to live, work and play.”
Leticia Maspons Willis, Willis Mechanical, the Influence recipient, who is “making her mark in a field that is traditionally male dominated.”
Trinity Hundredmark of Anderson, Tate and Carr, PC, the On the Rise recipient, who “we can’t wait to see what’s on the horizon as her career continues to evolve.”
Aurora Theatre, Outstanding Organization recipient, “which exhibits excellence and sets the standard.”
Annie Valenty, Moxie recipient, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, who “has a proven track record and her professional career is on point.”
Paige Havens, marketing and community relations consultant, Pay It Forward recipient, since “our community is a better place because of her contributions.”
Gwinnett County Public Schools, the Enlightened Employer recipient, which “assists in advancing women, while providing support for gender diversity and equality.”
Here’s the way to adopt a pet from Animal Welfare for holidays
Celebrate the yuletide season with Gwinnett County Animal Welfare’s Home for the Holidays adoption special, where all pets are free on Fridays and 10 lucky dogs and cats are selected for free adoption each week through December.
Alan Davis, manager of the Animal Welfare and Enforcement Division, says: “More families bring a new pet home for the holiday season than at any other time of the year. Home for the Holidays is an awareness campaign that promotes the adoption of animals.”
Gwinnett County Animal Welfare is offering adoption gift certificates this holiday season.
During the month of December, 10 select animals will be free each week. Follow us on Facebook to see which animals can be adopted for free. Free Fridays will also continue through the month of December.
All pets adopted at Gwinnett Animal Welfare have been vaccinated, neutered and microchipped and are ready to go to their new home.
Gwinnett Animal Welfare is located at 844 Winder Highway, Lawrenceville. See updated information about available pets and activities atwww.gwinnettanimalwelfare.com.
RECOMMENDEDAmerican Business History and the People Who Made It By H.W. Brands
From Susan McBrayer, Sugar Hill | If you had told me a few years I would enjoy listening to a talk about American business history, I would have said, ‘No way!’ ‘The Great Courses series’ changed my mind. Each ‘great course’ is about a different subject and, in this one, Historian H. W. Brands gives an overview of American business history. He simply tells interesting stories in a conversational way – stories about individual entrepreneurs, how they got started and how their big ideas changed American culture. He starts with John Jacob Astor and ends with Bill Gates. Sound dry? I would have thought so, too, but no. Once you pass the introduction, the professor brings these very human tales to life. I’m not interested in business, but I am interested in people and in history, and I thoroughly enjoyed this seven-disc audio set I got from the library. For more information, check your library or https://www.thegreatcourses.com.
- 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
Five blackwater rivers drain the Georgia coastal plain
Ogeechee River near Savannah, Ga.
Five rivers in Georgia’s Coastal Plain form a collective river basin: the Ochlockonee, Ogeechee, Satilla, St. Marys, and Suwannee. The Ogeechee, which begins in Greene County; the Satilla, which begins in Ben Hill County; and the St. Marys, which begins in Charlton County, are Atlantic Coast drainages. The Suwannee, which begins in Dooly County, and the Ochlockonee, which begins in Worth County, drain to the Gulf of Mexico. The St. Marys and Suwannee rivers also drain portions of the Okefenokee Swamp, and the St. Marys River forms the boundary between Georgia and Florida.
Each of these rivers drains sandy soils that lack the ability to retain dissolved organic matter leached from terrestrial vegetation. For that reason their water is tea-colored, and they are referred to as blackwater rivers. Even though there are high concentrations of dissolved organic matter in the blackwater river basin, the suspended sediment levels are low. Extremely low concentrations of dissolved oxygen occur in blackwater rivers during the warmer months of the year.
These rivers have very little change in elevation per unit river length and extensive floodplains. The pH of the Ogeechee River is near 7.0 since there is a large input of carbonate-rich water from Magnolia Springs. The Satilla River has a much lower pH (around 5.0) and lies entirely within the Coastal Plain. Development and industrial or residential pollution is very low, and there is relatively little agricultural runoff into the river basin. Cypress and black gum forests fill the floodplain swamps that border the length of the Satilla River.
Historically, large amounts of woody debris and snags created an intricate patchwork of blackwater rivers and riparian zones. These stream bottoms consist primarily of constantly shifting sand, and woody debris and snags provide a stable habitat for insects and thus are vital to the secondary production of aquatic insects. Snagging operations at the turn of the 20th century changed the rivers. For example, wood-removal operations were more intense in the Satilla River than in the Ogeechee River; hence less woody debris remains in the main channel of the Satilla.
Flooding plays an important role in the exchange between the surrounding watershed and the main channel of each blackwater river. The highest concentrations of total organic carbon occur during these flooding periods, and the lowest concentrations are measured during low flow periods. This exchange between the mainstem and the floodplain occurs because of the lack of impoundments and the low gradient of these rivers.
- To view the Georgia Encyclopedia online, go to http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
Just where and what is this unusual structure?
Today’s Mystery Photo seems to be merely a designed structure, with no purpose. There are few clues to what or where it is, besides that of being besides a big body of water. You’ll be recognized as a sleuth if you can figure this one out. Send your guess to elliott@brack.net, and include your hometown.
What we judged to be a difficult Mystery Photo in the last week’s edition, was not for Joseph Hopkins of Norcross. He said succinctly: “Easy peasy. It’s the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington, D.C.” The photo came from George Graf of Palmyra, Va.
Several others also immediately grasped where the photo was: Jim Savadelis of Duluth wrote: “This is the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington, DC. It is primarily known for its focus on contemporary, modern art and culture. It is part of the Smithsonian Institution.” Holly Moore of Suwanee, recognized it, as did Susan McBrayer of Sugar Hill, saying: “I think the sculpture is one of the works in Brushtroke series by Roy Lichtenstein.:”
One of the regulars, Allan Peel, San Antonio, Tex., wrote: “In all honesty, today’s mystery photo was not really that difficult. It is a building with distinctive architecture: the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, D.C. on the National Mall. The museum was initially endowed in the 1960s with the permanent art collection of Joseph H. Hirshhorn. It currently focuses mainly on the post–World War II period, with particular emphasis on art made during the last 50 years.
“The building is, in itself, an attraction in Washington. It is an open cylinder elevated on four massive ‘legs’with a large fountain occupying the central courtyard. Before architect Gordon Bunshaft designed the building, the Smithsonian staff reportedly told him that if it did not provide a striking contrast to everything else in the city, then it would be unfit for housing a national modern art collection. As a result, Bunshaft’s intention was to make the building stand out as much as possible by designing the museum in a cylindrical shape made out of concrete and supported by four legs.”
CALENDAR
FREE NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP at the Gwinnett Library Suwanee Branch, 361 Main Street in Suwanee, on November 30, at 2 p.m. Join the Georgia Nature Photographers Association for this informal talk and Q&A nature photography workshop. They will provide information about cameras, editing software, and tips for getting better photographs with the equipment you already have.
FARMERS MARKET in Snellville continues on the first Saturday of each month, from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. The next market will be Saturday, December 1. The market is located on the Towne Green, in front of City Hall.
DECK THE HALL event in Duluth on December 1 from 2 until 7 p.m. on the Town Green. Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with Santa and Mrs. Claus, see holiday decorations set up around Town Green, enjoy games and a tree lighting ceremony. The event is sponsored by the City of Duluth and the Duluth Fall Festival. While attending the event, residents are encouraged to chat with city council members during City Hall’s Open House from 4-5 p.m.
FAMILY SNOW DAY will be December 7 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Pinckneyville Park, 4758 South Old Peachtree Road, Norcross. Bring the entire family to enjoy a fun-filled, festive night with a popcorn/hot chocolate bar, gingerbread house-decorating contest, games, and crafts. The night will end with a family-friendly “snowball” fight!. Cost: $17 per family of four or $5 per person. Preregister online by December 10 with code PVP41495 or by calling 678-277-0920.
MELTED SNOWMAN PARTY is December 7 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Collins Hill Aquatic Center, 2200 Collins Hill Road, Suwanee. Splash around in ex-snowmen, write a letter to Santa, help decorate a tree in the indoor pool, and more.. Cost: $5 per person. Preregister online with code CHP45800 or by calling 770-237-5647. All pool rules apply.
SOUTHERN WINGS BIRD CLUB will have its Holiday Potluck meeting on December 10 at 6:30 p.m. at Rhodes Jordan Park Community Room in Lawrenceville. The club will provide ham, and guests are asked to bring their favorite vegetable, salad or dessert to serve 8 to 10 people. Bring your own drinks. The Club will supply plates, utensils, etc.
CHRISTMAS PERFORMANCE of the Gwinnett Symphony Orchestra and Chorus will be December 10 at 7 p.m. at the Infinite Energy Theater in Duluth. Tickets are from $13 to $25. For more, visit this site.
NORTH ATLANTA Metro Area Realtors (NAMAR) is holding its annual EXPO on January 17, 2019, at the Infinite Energy Center, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Nearly 150 exhibitor booths will be in attendance.
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