By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
JAN. 7, 2022 | At the start of this new year 2022, GwinnettForum steps back and takes a look at our Continuing Objectives for Gwinnett, which we publish in each issue. These are the larger issues of the day, and not the day-to-day minor changes that government is always going through. We post them in each issue to keep reminding our governmental leaders that going about matters in the same old fashion way can stymie good government. Government must forever be looking for improved ways to serve the Gwinnett constituents, and be open to change.
We are pleased to see that Gwinnett has made a little progress with our Continuing Objectives in 2021. Gwinnett has seen the Objective, “More diverse candidates for appointment to local boards,” greatly improved in this last year. We applaud the various governments of Gwinnett in selecting more diverse candidates for appointment to the many local boards of the county. With this step, local boards are beginning to reflect better what the population of the county looks like. This is good. It means that our citizens will have more confidence in their government, since decisions are made by people will look more like them.
We happily remove “More diverse candidates for appointment to local boards”from this list.
Other previous objectives remain. They are:
Move statewide non-partisan judge election runoffs to the General Election. Why judges, and only judges, are elected in primaries remains a mystery. After all, this is when the fewest people traditionally vote. Why elect judges when fewer people vote? It makes no sense. The Gwinnett Legislative delegation needs to introduce this change to benefit the entire state. - MARTA rail for Gwinnett from Doraville station to Gwinnett Arena. Gwinnett desperately needs an alternative to automobile travel. Until another proposal comes along, we think MARTA rail is the best alternative. We yearn for the day when the voters will see this, as we all suffer with auto traffic continually.
- More creative efforts to support the arts in Gwinnett. We’re glad to see a developing arts presence within the county. Yet with the growth in Gwinnett, the arts community needs an even bigger presence, led by an emerging resourceful community. The business community needs to step up its financial support to ensure this creative community is funded adequately.
- Advancement and expansion of city historical societies. Only three cities, in addition to the county, have historical societies: Buford, Snellville and Duluth. Lilburn had a historical society once, but since has folded. With each of Gwinnett cities having its own rich heritage, citizens of other towns could benefit from understanding their unique contribution to Gwinnett history. We urge local leaders to come together and learn more about themselves and their history by creating local historical societies.
- Require establishments that serve alcoholic beverages to halt sales of such products at 2 a.m., and close by 3 a.m. We reiterate that few good things happen at these establishments during these late hours. Reducing hours at these places of spirits would be a first step in making our county a better and safer place. Who’ll step up and lead this effort, and become a hero at the same time?
- Require the Georgia Legislature to meet only once every two years. We say again: Georgians get concerned every time the Legislature meets, afraid what it might do (pass unnecessary laws) this time to them. So, reduce the time they are allowed to meet, as some other states do. In true conservative fashion, less government can be better government.
- 21st century salary for the Gwinnett County Commission members. In the year when legislative districts are redrawn, it’s the perfect time to re-write what the county commissioners, and especially the full-time chairman, are paid. The present salaries are unreasonable. Upgrade them to substantial increases to the level of other Metro Atlanta counties, for better government.
In this issue, we’ll add a new objective for 2022. Take a look at the sidewalks as you enter U.S. Post Offices and other government buildings in Gwinnett. Notice the unkempt appearance of wads of old chewing gum on the sidewalk entrances. This is unsightly, unsanitary and unnecessary. Each government should find ways of removing this gum from its sidewalks, and keeping them clean and neat. It’s a simple way of making our communities better.
Therefore, we add “Remove chewing gum on sidewalks at entrances of post offices and other governmental buildings” to the List of Continuing Objectives.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
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