GwinnettForum | Number 21.63 | Aug. 17, 2021
GWINNETT CONTINUES TO GROW, as the 2020 Census shows its population up 19 percent. That’s why gatherings like the Duluth Fall Festival continue to be well attended and considered fun-filled events. For a look at how fast Georgia’s county, cities, and the state are growing, see Elliott Brack’s Perspective below today. And keep the Duluth Fall Festival on your calendar for the last weekend, Sept.25-26 this year.
Sunday morning, September 26, at 8 a.m., close to 500 runners will wind through Downtown Duluth in the annual Duluth Donut Dash 5K Road Race. Every runner will receive a donut and coffee compliments of Dunkin’ Donuts. Pre-registered runners are guaranteed a long-sleeved tech shirt. This is a qualifying race for the Peachtree. Much of the proceeds go to the Wellroot Family Services, which works with children in foster care and transitional housing. Go to duluthfallfestival.org to learn more about the race, register for the race, and to find out about our Festival! Or, look for the Festival tent at Food Truck Fridays in Downtown Duluth for more information.
TODAY’S FOCUS: County to appoint J. D. McClure as its new chief of police
EEB PERSPECTIVE: Census of 2020 shows Gwinnett grows at rate of 14,813 people each year
ANOTHER VIEW: Plain and simple, he wants Georgia to kick out its Republican leaders
SPOTLIGHT: Gateway85 Gwinnett
FEEDBACK: Had two children both born under socialized medicine
UPCOMING: EPD offers session on changes to water control standards Sept. 13
RECOMMENDED: A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
GEORGIA TIDBIT: Glennville native dedicates life to missionary work in India
MYSTERY PHOTO: We’re seeking where, what and who about this covered bridge
LAGNIAPPE: Once again, enjoys hearing the music of Banks and Shane
CALENDAR: Virtual Book Club discusses Outlander by Diana Gabaldon at 7 p.m. today
County to appoint McClure as its new chief of police
By Jeanie Donaldson
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. | A new police chief has been named for Gwinnett County. County Administrator Glenn Stephens has announced the appointment of Deputy Chief J.D. McClure to succeed Police Chief Brett West, who will retire after 30 years of service to the county. McClure is expected to be approved by the county commission at its meeting Tuesday (today).
McClure
McClure began his career as a police officer with Gwinnett County in 1996 and currently serves as deputy chief over the department’s Operations Bureau. McClure will assume his new role August 21. He will also become the department’s first African American chief.
McClure says: “I’m honored to have this opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Chief West and previous Gwinnett County police chiefs who have led with integrity and compassion. The men and women of this agency are among the best in the country, and I’m grateful for the ongoing support of the board and our residents as we strive to prioritize professionalism and bring pride to our community.”
Promoted to lieutenant in September 2009, McClure previously served as commander of the Criminal Investigations Division, watch commander in the Criminal Investigations Section and as the commander of the Office of Professional Standards. Appointed to major in September 2016, he served as the Central Precinct commander and as the department’s chief of staff. Deputy Chief McClure was a member of the Special Weapons and Tactics Team for more than a decade, retiring as the Tactical Team leader.
McClure is also a veteran of the United States Marine Corps.
Stephens pointed to the history of Gwinnett police chiefs with lengthy tenures with the County. “Our police department is a shining example of well-coordinated succession planning at the County. J.D.’s strength of character and professionalism, combined with the knowledge and leadership skills he has acquired during his decades of service to the county, make him the ideal choice for the awesome responsibility and privilege of leading this great department. I am confident that J.D. will continue the tradition of setting the Gwinnett Standard for excellence in community policing.”
West
Retiring Chief West, who joined the Gwinnett Police Department in 1991, said he is proud to hand the torch to McClure. “I’ve been fortunate to serve with J.D. for many years,” said West. “Our department’s mission is to serve the community in an unbiased and compassionate manner to protect the lives and property of residents and improve the quality of life in our community. All I’ve learned about J.D. throughout our time serving side-by-side tells me he’s the right person to carry this department through its next chapter with that mission at heart.”
The Gwinnett County Police Department is the second largest police agency in Georgia with an authorized strength of 895 sworn officers, supported by 301 civilian employees. The department is CALEA (The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies) accredited, originally attaining that designation in 1993. Gwinnett Police serve a population of almost a million residents with an area of 437 square miles.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
2020 Census shows Gwinnett grows 14,813 people each year
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
AUG. 17, 2021, Exclusive in GwinnettForum | The 2020 Census results show that Gwinnett County continues to grow, now with a population of 957,062, an increase of 148,138 people or 19 per cent since the 2010 census. Gwinnett continues to be Georgia’s second most populated county, trailing Fulton County, which has 1,066,970 people.
The state of Georgia now has a population of 10,711,908, eighth largest state in the nation. However, 6,089,815, or 57 percent, of Georgia’s population resides in Metropolitan Atlanta.
Among Gwinnett cities, Braselton has seen the highest growth rate, an increase of 108 percent since 2010. It now boasts 15,673 residents. Among smaller cities, Dacula is up 88 percent to 6,552 residents, while Grayson has grown 78 percent, now counting 4,556 citizens.
Peachtree Corners is the largest city in Gwinnett, with 44,701 residents, while Duluth has overtaken Lawrenceville as the second largest city, with a population of 31,873. Lawrenceville is close behind with 30,629 people.
Sugar Hill is now Gwinnett’s fourth largest city, with a 36 percent growth, counting 25,701 residents. Suwanee is next largest, with 20,786 citizens, while Snellville follows closely behind, now with a population of 20,573.
Statewide, Atlanta continues as the largest city, growing a healthy 16 percent to 498,715 residents. Columbus has replaced Augusta as the second largest city, 206,922, compared to 199,614 for Augusta. However, growth around Augusta makes it the second largest metropolitan area, with a population of 611,000, nearly doubling the metro Columbus area population of 328,883. Savannah’s metro area is third largest at 404,798.
Among the largest cities, Sandy Springs showed the most growth, 18 percent, now counting 110,644 residents. Warner Robins missed the top 10 with a population of 80,121, now 11th largest.
Among the top 10 Georgia counties, Forsyth County has seen a large growth, 43 percent, with 251,283 residents, remaining just below Cherokee County, with 266,620 population. Cherokee’s growth was 24 percent.
Cobb County edged past DeKalb County as Georgia’s fourth largest county, while Clayton County replaced Chatham County as the fifth largest.
New in the top ten counties is Muscogee County, with 206,922 people, replacing Richmond County with 203,368, now 11th. Hall County is now just shy of the top 10 counties, having 203,136 people, or a growth of 14 percent.
The county with the biggest growth in Georgia for the 2020 census is Bryan County, near Savannah, up 48 percent to a population of 44,738. Forsyth County has the second fastest growth at 43.2 percent.
Other counties with fast growth include Oconee, 41,799 (27 percent); Columbia, 156,010 or 26 percent; Jackson County, 75,907 or 26 percent; Cherokee, 266,620 or 24 percent; Effingham, 64,769 or 24 percent; Barrow, 83,505, up 20 percent; Dawson, 26,798, an increase of 20 percent; and Towns County, 12,493, or 19 percent.
The suburban counties of Savannah, Bryan and Effingham Counties, are the only South Georgia counties with fast growth. The only other counties in the top ten which are not in the near Metro Atlanta area are Columbia County, near Augusta, and Towns County, in far North Georgia.
For Gwinnett, the census shows the county continues a high growth rate, with an average of 14,813 new people moving in each year for the last 10 years. That means Gwinnett’s new growth alone each year is larger than the population of 49 Georgia counties.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Plain and simple, he wants Ga. to kick out its GOP leaders
“Ignorance is the root of all evil.” — Albert Camus.
By George Wilson, contributing columnist
STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga. | Without thinking too much about it, you quickly realize that right-wing conservatives and extremists Republicans are responsible for most of the country’s problems and the deaths of thousands of Americans.
First, the Republicans under Mitch McConnell failed to support President Obama with enough money to have a quicker recovery from the financial crisis of 2008. Fast forward to 2016, Trump and other Republicans complained about the slow recovery under Obama. Well yes, their economic policies caused this to happen by not supporting Obama’s plans.
On the health care front, they refused to expand Medicaid in mostly southern states so that when COVID hit, the medical structure was not prepared to handle this crisis. In addition Georgia’s governor got into a fight with the mayor of Atlanta over the wearing of facemasks.
Furthermore, the states that failed to expand Medicaid have the lowest vaccination rates. We have learned that they also voted for Trump. Moreover, by politicizing COVID they have increased the death rate just as their failure to expand Medicaid has caused the death of many Americans, according to many reputable studies. Our governor has shown no leadership in fighting COVID and continues to falter in leadership as the rates creep back. Note that two-thirds of all new COVID cases are in Florida and Texas, both with Republican governments.
Republicans at the state level started cutting spending on higher education and forced students to obtain loans to cover the higher cost of education. In the meantime, the Republican legislators cut taxes for the wealthy.
Bowing to the fossil fuel industry and becoming climate change deniers, they have slowed or prevented measures to slow down this existential world crisis.
They fought common-sense gun safety measures and we know gun violence has increased because of the supply of guns in all major cities. The National Rifle Association, backed by gun manufacturers, pumped millions of dollars into Republican coffers.
Finally, but not all, their most recent act was to deprive the Internal Revenue Service of funding to handle the additional load of handling COVID relief payments. Had they upgraded the computer systems and hired more audit personnel, that would have netted billions of dollars to the treasury, primarily from people making over $400,000.
In the final analysis, the voters have a collective responsibility for the failure of the Kemp Administration and the extremist Georgia legislature. Despite their efforts to suppress the vote and probably engage in gerrymandering, we must make a supreme effort to kick them out.
- 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 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 Road, and Beaver Ruin Road. Gateway85 is one of six CIDs to be created in Gwinnett County and is the largest single CID in the state. The community is an economic powerhouse that helps fuel the regional economy. More than 3,000 businesses (employing roughly 34,000 people) call Gateway85 home. The jobs in the district account for almost 12 percent of Gwinnett County’s total employment and support $2 billion in annual payroll. Gateway85’s mission is to improve property values through increased security, decreased 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 https://www.gateway85.com/ or call 770-449-6542.
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Had two children both born under socialized medicine
Editor, the Forum:
I was fortunate enough to have birthed my son (now age 31) in Toronto, Canada. At the time, because of my age, I had an amniocentesis and was monitored usually monthly, then biweekly then, and toward the end of my pregnancy, weekly. I could not have asked for better more comprehensive care. I was allowed to stay in the hospital for five days! when he was born.
My first child, now 36, was born in England. There I had great, fantastic care. Again, I stayed in hospital for five days and could have stayed 10 days, since she was my first! After I came home, I had a home health nurse to come visit weekly to weigh and assess her health. Such amazing care!
Both my children are now thriving productive American citizens! To say (as an American living abroad) I was blown away with both experiences is an understatement.
And the cost? Not a dime!!
— Barbara Knox Luckhurst, Duluth
Confused at some of the terms being used politically today
Editor, the Forum:
I am confused. As a pretty educated citizen, I don’t understand the definitions of the words used by Trumpites. For example, the word “socialist” is used a lot, yet the Fox News crowd seems to confuse it with “communism.”
The word “Antifa” is used in a way that seems not to match the definition in the dictionary. “Critical Race Theory” seems to be confused with the teaching of accurate American history. Even the word “freedom” is used without the concept of social responsibility. These are just a few of words used by the MAGA crowd that I don’t understand. Perhaps Trumpites could write a dictionary so we could better understand what they are yelling about.
— Alan Schneiberg, Sugar Hill
Questions building Interstate 14 due to micaceous soil in area
Editor, the Forum:
Most of the area covered where Interstate 14 is planned I once covered as a traveling salesman for 35 years. A new interstate that runs somewhat parallel to I-20 and I-10 is a bit ridiculous.
The Infrastructure bill was being enacted because existing highways and bridges are in poor condition. If that highway is approved, it will take 30 years to build it, so it probably will not affect my life at all. The concept of I-14 is not a priority.
Anyone who has travelled I-20 from Atlanta to Vicksburg, Miss. and into Louisiana will tell you the problems of micaceous soil. The geology of that area is difficult to build in or on. That is due to the meandering of the river and you can see that situation as far as at least 100 miles from the Mississippi. The problem will be the same on the west side of the river. The Mississippi River does not stay in one place. If you fly from New Orleans to Chicago, a lot of your flight might be right over, or near to, the river. You will see an abundance of horseshoe shaped lakes where the river has left them as it changed course.
— Raleigh Perry, Buford
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, and include your hometown. The views of letters are the opinion of the contributor. We reserve the right to edit for clarity and length. Send feedback and letters to: elliott@brack.net.
EPD offers 9/13 session on changes to water control standards
The Georgia Environmental Protection Division Watershed Protection Branch will hold a virtual public meeting to review and discuss proposed changes to the Georgia Rules for Water Quality Control, Chapter 391-3-6.03 (Water Use Classifications and Water Quality Standards). These standards were initiated at the beginning of the 2019 Triennial Review of Water Quality Standards, in February 2019. The meeting will be held on Monday, September 13, 2021, beginning at 10 a.m. on the Zoom web conferencing platform. Join online at: https://gaepd.zoom.us/j/96368403687?pwd=dEtuR1NLY0tIRWpGRmoyTzdYNlRNdz09.
Purpose of this meeting is to provide the public and interested stakeholders the opportunity to learn about the proposed updates to Georgia’s Water Quality Standards. A working draft PDF file can be downloaded on the EPD Water Quality Standards web page, under the 2019 Triennial Review section (https://epd.georgia.gov/watershed-protection-branch/georgia-water-quality-standards).
Among the changes being considered are adoption of EPA’s recommended aquatic life criteria for Acrolein and Carbaryl, adoption of language to allow site-specific WER and biotic ligand models for aquatic life criteria, update of bacteria criteria for fishing and drinking water designated uses, update of Lake Oconee and Lake Sinclair criteria, addition of definitions for primary and secondary contact
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
From Karen J. Harris, Stone Mountain: In 1922 Count Alexander Ilyich Rostov, recipient of the Order of Saint Andrew, member of the Jockey Club and Master of the Hunt and writer of the poem, Where Is It Now, is condemned to house arrest at the Metropol Hotel in Moscow. Should he ever leave this hotel he will be shot. Members of Commissariat for Internal Affairs believe Rostov is a hero of the pre-revolutionary cause in Russia. Though his life appears to be greatly diminished, a whole world of experiences unfold along with a vibrant and diverse set of characters that give Alexander’s life depth, breadth and resolve. This book is a delight from the beginning until the last page. The overlay of Russian history provides the framework for this story that is laced with both humor and comical pathos! I wish I could give it 10 stars!
An invitation: what books, restaurants, movies or web sites have you enjoyed recently? Send us your recent selection, along with a short paragraph (150 words) as to why you liked this, plus what you plan to visit or read next. Send to: elliott@brack.net
Glennville native dedicates life to missionary work in India
Laura Belle Barnard, a Free Will Baptist missionary, humanitarian, and educator, was born on February 13, 1907, and reared in Glennville. After graduation from high school, she attended South Georgia Teachers College (later Georgia Southern University) in Statesboro, and then transferred to Columbia Bible College in Columbia, South Carolina. She graduated from Columbia in 1932, and shortly thereafter she sensed a call to evangelical mission work.
Barnard
In 1935 Barnard was commissioned for mission work in India by the General Conference of Free Will Baptists of the South. That year the General Conference merged with the Cooperative General Association of Free Will Baptists, a group in the Midwest and Southwest, to form the National Association of Free Will Baptists. She became the first missionary of the newly formed denomination.
Barnard began her mission in Kotagiri, South India, in the summer of 1935. She worked mostly among the “untouchables,” the lowest class in the Hindu caste system. In the early 1940s she moved back to the United States and served briefly as a teacher at the fledgling Free Will Baptist Bible College in Nashville, Tenn., but she soon returned to India, where she remained until 1957.
Upon completion of her master’s degree at Columbia Bible College in 1960, she became a professor of missions at the Free Will Baptist Bible College, from which she retired in 1972. Barnard wrote a number of books, including His Name among All Nations (1946), which is a theology of missions, and Touching the Untouchables (1985), her autobiography.
Barnard retired to her hometown of Glennville, where she engaged in numerous ministries, including humanitarian aid to Mexican migrant workers. She died there on March 9, 1992.
- To view the Georgia Encyclopedia article online, go to https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
We’re seeking where, what, who about this covered bridge
Seldom do you see covered bridges this long. Whoever designed this bridge had the good sense to provide a window to the water in the middle of the bridge, creating a place for people to view the river flowing underneath. Today the question is: where is this bridge, what river flows underneath, and who built the bridge? That’s a lot to research! Send your answer to elliott@brack.net, and include your hometown!
Apparently, not many Gwinnett readers are frequenters of New York City. After all, only two readers recognized the spewing fountain at the New York City Metropolitan Museum of Art. Lou Camerio of Lilburn was the first to guess the mystery. The photo came from Susan McBrayer of Sugar Hill.
The other spotter was Allan Peel of San Antonio, Tex. He gave some detail: “Today’s mystery photo shows one of the two Dancing Water Jet Stream Fountains located in the David H. Koch Plaza at the Fifth Avenue entrance to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The two fountains were created by Delta Fountains, an international design, consulting and manufacturing company for water architecture and fountains that is based out of Jacksonville, Fla. Delta Fountains has been in the business of designing and building complex water fountains for over 25-years, and has installations throughout the world.
“The two large tabletop fountains on each side of the walkway are programmed with synchronizing light and water shows. Each fountain holds 21,000 gallons of water, multiple underwater LED lights, and has 48 programmable water jet streams, which are able to independently modulate, allowing for stunning display opportunities.”
Once again, enjoys hearing the music of Banks and Shane
By Ross Lenhart
STONE MOUNTAIN | Recently at Park Springs, a Gwinnett retirement community, Banks and Shane lit up the ballroom and had seniors rockin’ with songs of yesteryear. Newcomers to Georgia loved the MTA and southerners soaked in Georgia on My Mind. There was something for everyone, great music based with nostalgia.
I first became a fan of Banks and Shane in the late 70s when they played at the Steak and Ale on LaVista. Often I would stop off after work, or take an out of town client to hear them play. In the late 50s and early 60s I was a fan of the Kingston Trio and Banks and Shane’s renditions of Scotch and Soda and Tom Dooley always hit the mark. They were fun to hear and their banter between songs was always delightful.
Thus, when Park Springs programmed their concert several weeks ago, I was happy to hear that they were alive and we jumped at the opportunity to hear them. Alive and well? Absolutely, bringing that good old music that makes the heart sing, a fun-filled two hours, and after all of these years they haven’t missed a beat. In short, they are still superb. The performers are, from left, Jim Durand, Banks Burgess, Paul Shane, and his brother, Chuck Shane.
ATLReads Virtual Book Club Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, will be Tuesday, August 17(today) at 7 p.m. EST, virtually. Outlander is the first book in the Outlander series, the basis for the Starz original series. Free and open to all. Read the book and chat with us! Invite friends to join. Guests do not have to be library cardholders. Those who are cardholders may download a free copy of this book by clicking here. To join us, click here.
Climate Change Prevention: Andreas Karelas – Renewable Energy Advocate, will be on Thursday, August 26 at 7 p.m. EST, virtually. Join Andreas Karelas to discuss his solutions to climate change and his new book, Climate Courage. Karelas is the founder and executive director of RE-volv, an Audubon TogetherGreen Conservation Leadership Fellow and an OpenIDEO Climate Innovator Fellow. Free and open to the public. Registration is required to access this program. Register online at GCPL.org.
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