GwinnettForum | Number 21.12 | Feb. 11, 2022
SEE IF YOU CAN SOLVE the Mystery Photo for this edition. It’s an older photograph. Figure out what this was, and where it was located. Here’s a tip: it is associated with Gwinnett history.
TODAY’S FOCUS: Putin is just rattling sabers; he doesn’t want war
EEB PERSPECTIVE: Big dose of activities this week: Scoreboard 3-0, politicians
ANOTHER VIEW: View Point Health to help people struggling with Covid-19
SPOTLIGHT: E.R. Snell Contractor, Inc.
FEEDBACK: Feels blessed to have two good musicians in his family
UPCOMING: New 160 unit residential community planned in Norcross
NOTABLE: Northeast Boy Scout dinner to honor three Gwinnettians
GEORGIA TIDBIT: Thomas University was founded by Primitive Baptist Church
MYSTERY PHOTO: See if you can figure out where this old photo came from
CALENDAR: Arbor Day to be marked in 10 a.m. ceremony today in Norcross
Putin is just rattling sabers; he doesn’t want war
By Raleigh Perry
BUFORD, Ga. | Vladimir Putin is often hard to read. However, today it seems that he is doing something that he has never done before.
Perry
First, he has stated unequivocally that he does not want NATO very close to Russia. I do not have a problem with that request at all. We did not want Russia in Cuba and got them out.
Also, Putin has stated that he had no intention of invading Ukraine. But actions speak louder than words; he just wants to negotiate. If my memory serves me right, he has also said that he is being ignored and wants more attention. So he raises a ruckus. That is how I see it at the moment. He is getting his attention.
Normally if a country wants to invade another, they just do it. He has not done that. He just wants to talk about it. His country does not have a strong economy and it takes a versatile economy to support a war.
Russia’s economy is based on oil and natural gas, government run. Russia is supplying natural gas to much of Western Europe. That is Putin’s main revenue source. They are, or say that they are, developing new weapons, but obviously he is not ready to use them. Other than that, I see the vast Russian land as a consumer country.
Ukraine, in green.
I think all that Putin is doing is rattling sabers. We have no intentions of placing troops or weapons on the ground in Ukraine, but we are placing them close by. I think, more than ever, that all Putin wants to do is to see about what we had and how fast we could move them.
In the Wednesday, February 16th issue of The New York Times, there is an interesting letter to the editor. Basically, it speaks of the negative press that Biden is getting from the Times. In this particular instance, negotiating with Putin, he is doing an excellent job. To a great degree, I feel that Putin is testing Biden’s resolve and Biden is standing his ground. At least he is not osculating the Gluteus Maximus of Putin like Trump did.
There has been too much time involved. I think if something was going to happen, it would have happened by now. Though the Times editorials are eating Biden up, though he seems unfazed by it. The strongest thing he is doing is standing his ground, which he is doing.
Biden is doing no more than what he learned in the Boy Scouts. He is “being prepared.” Things are happening every day in this game. Reuters is saying that Russia is moving no troops whatsoever, but other sources say he is. We simply have to hope for the best.
Some idiots want war. Some are in the legislature. I am not a war monger and will do anything to keep out of one. Simply put, “been there, done that.” The people who want war are those who have never been in one. Send them in first, as soon as the incoming rounds begin, they will soil their pants for sure.
But Putin is rattling sabers to get the world’s attention. He doesn’t want war.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Big dose of activities this week: Scoreboard 3-0, politicians
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
FEB. 18, 2022 | Georgians got a triple dose of politics this week. It didn’t taste good.
First came the announcement that Chief Justice David Nahmias that he would resign after 12 years on the Georgia Supreme Court. That wasn’t so unusual. But note the timing of his announcement. It comes in the last months of his final year of office. He is also not completing his full term, planning to resign as of July 17. Instead of having an open contest and allowing the people of Georgia to elect his successor, this would allow the governor of Georgia to name his successor to serve the remainder of Nahmias’ term. That person therefore would have a leg up (as a sitting Supreme Court judge) when running for election for a full term on the bench.
Judge Nahimas has served with distinction on the Supreme Court bench. But his timing smells of pure politics and taints his service.
Nahmias
Three days after Nahmias’ announcement, came the surprising announcement that Gov. Brian Kemp would appoint Andrew Pinson, a judge of the Court of Appeals, to the Supreme Court. Kemp had named Pinson, 35, to the Court of Appeals less than a year ago.
Typically when a judge resigns before the end of a term, those interested in the seat send their names to a Judicial Qualifications Commission (JNC). Then the governor interviews typically five candidates selected by the JNC and announces a selection. (The governor picks the members for that Commission, so it is essentially a commission of the governor’s choosing.)
Governors can bypass the JNC, though usually this doesn’t happen. Most of the time the selection process garners some goodwill with the candidates and their supporters.
But this time Governor Kemp bypassed this commission, and simply named Judge Pinson to the Supreme Court. There’s nothing illegal with this, but it does circumvent the normal process.
While Mr. Pinson may become a superb member of the Supreme Court bench, that method of his appointment creates another particular odor of politics that erodes credibility in government. Thank you, Mr. Kemp. It’s also somewhat amazing that Governor Kemp would take this direction in a year when he is up for re-election.
Perdue
Then on Tuesday came another move that we must lay at the feet of Governor Kemp, though he was one step away from its action. We refer to the selection of Sonny Perdue as the sole nominee to be the chancellor of the University System of Georgia.
This selection, many will point out, came independently from the 19 members of the Board of Regents of Georgia. Sure it did. It’s only happenstance that the majority of these Regents were appointed by none other than Brian Kemp.
The chancellor’s appointment, rumored for weeks, was particularly unusual since Sonny Perdue has no experience in higher education. It reminded people of the attempt back in 1941 of former Gov. Gene Talmadge’s firing of professors, administrators, and members of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, which led to the withdrawal of accreditation from all of Georgia’s state-supported colleges for whites.
Then mid-week the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges said that it will not contact the state’s Board of Regents about its chancellor search process. The Association had been lobbied by university professors to investigate the search process.
So this week we’ve had three political developments, all smacking of questionable activities. And we wonder why many people are losing their trust in their governments? Here’re three incidents why.
The scoreboard: The politicians three, the people zero!
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
View Point Health to help people struggling with Covid-19
By Paige Havens
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. | View Point Health (VPH) has been awarded a grant through the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities to help meet the needs of the local community members who are struggling with the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Havens
VPH is a local community service board providing a comprehensive array of behavioral health services and supports in Gwinnett, Rockdale, and Newton counties. One of the ongoing and intensive needs is around mental health and well-being. This need is exacerbated by increased anxiety due to the uncertainty of the virus and depression related to social separation that diminishes interpersonal connections. The Pandemic has also created negative economic factors such as loss of employment that directly impacts an individual’s emotional well- being.
Throughout the pandemic, View Point Health team members have been available to the community partners to provide resources and behavioral health support. Jennifer Hibbard, the CEO of View Point Health states: “Our front line healthcare professionals, teachers, first responders, clergy and many others have asked for supportive services to help cope with the stressors of navigating life during these challenging times. We are hoping these support groups offer that comfort and help participants gain new skills to persevere through the prolonged pandemic.”
The FREE virtual support groups are open to all community members who have been negatively impacted by the pandemic. Each group is held via Zoom once a week for four sessions and is facilitated by a trained clinician. Click HERE to review the registration link. Attached is an informational flier that promotes the free groups. The link is embedded along with a QR code.
View Point Health’s vision is “Building healthy lives and healthy families through high quality comprehensive care.”
- To learn more about View Point Health, visit its website at www.myviewpointhealth.org.
- 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.
- Visit online at www.ersnell.com.
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Feels blessed to have two good musicians in his family
Editor, the Forum:
For me, music is memory. I’ll try to be brief. The recent comment in the Forum on favorite music struck a deep chord with me.
I’m the most fortunate of people to have shared my life with two extraordinary musicians. My wife of 28 years is an accomplished pianist, serving as our church pianist for 30 years. One of the great joys of my life is listening to her play.
However, my beloved mother was even more accomplished. Until she was stricken with MS when I was 12, she filled our home with Mozart, Chopin and Rachmaninoff. I didn’t appreciate how fortunate I was at the time.
When I was 10, Mom brought home a new record album. She sat me down and said, “I want you to hear the most beautiful music ever written.” She played a recording of Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto. Tchaikovsky only wrote one violin concerto, and it was so difficult it took him four years to find someone brave enough to perform it in public.
My wife and I were thrilled to hear the virtuoso Joshua Bell perform the concerto with the Atlanta Symphony a few years ago. What a joy! As I sat there, my mother who left us 25 years ago, sat beside me as tears streamed down my face.
– Tim Anderson, Fitzgerald
Appreciates learning a new element about Supreme Court
Editor, the Forum:
Great observation about the Supreme Court’s religious affiliations. Never thought about it until now.
– Barbara Knox Luckhurst, Duluth
Questions that GOP has lost its honesty and integrity
Editor, the Forum:
On Ashley Herndon and his recent comment: Really, has the GOP lost its honesty and integrity? You are the pot calling the kettle black. Honesty and integrity are lost period. The Democrats are no better and possibly worse. Our political system has become a travesty and the people are paying the price. You talk as if all Republicans are neo-nazis and fascists. Really? Look in the mirror my friend. Do you really like what the other side reflects back?
— Jim Savadelis, Duluth
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.
New 160-unit residential community planned in Norcross
A 160 unit mixed-use residential community is coming to Norcross at the intersection of the northeast corner of Peachtree Industrial and Jimmy Carter Boulevards, to open in the third quarter of 2023.
FIDES Development, in partnership with South Florida Real Estate Firm Point One Holdings, broke ground on the project recently. The company positioned this as its “Gateway Project,” at the “gateway” to Norcross.
Norcross Mayor Craig Newton said: “We’re delighted FIDES chose Norcross for this new development. Over the past four years, we’ve seen close to $900 million in investments in our community through new expansions and developments in Norcross.”
The property, an institutional-quality, Class “A” multifamily apartment community, will be an elevator-serviced, four-story building with a best-in-market amenity set. The joint venture recently closed the site acquisition and financing for the project and construction is underway.
Heath Hans of FIDES Development says that “With apartment demand in Atlanta’s northern suburbs continuing to outpace other submarkets across the area and supply limited, a highly visible location such as this has strong tailwinds that don’t show signs of stopping.”
FIDES Development of Atlanta was founded in 2020. The project is the first of many apartment beginnings for the firm in 2022. They have plans for a 350-unit high-rise project in Midtown Atlanta, and a 192-unit mid-rise project in Chamblee. They also have a 340-unit mid-rise on the Charleston S.C., and a 205-unit community with deep water frontage along the southern shoreline of Lake Lanier.
PointOne owns and manages a diversified portfolio of residential and commercial assets valued in excess of $1.3 billion throughout the southeastern United States, Texas, Virginia, and Colorado.
Zeta Phi Beta to host education and vaccination clinic
On Saturday, February 19, Zeta Phi Beta sorority members across Gwinnett County will host a community education and vaccination clinic to help increase COVID-19 vaccination rates in Gwinnett County.
The event will take place at noon at the Gwinnett Health Department’s vaccination venue in the former Gwinnett Place Mall Sears building at 2100 Pleasant Hill Road in Duluth.
Chapter President Ayatta Hunter-James of Snellville says: “As we enter into the third year of the pandemic and as Gwinnett’s vaccination pace has stalled over the last few weeks, we are ready to put COVID-19 behind us and are willing to step in and do our part to help.” The sorority members are partnering with the Gwinnett Newton Rockdale Health Department and Gwinnett Cares to provide an open forum for people to come and ask questions and get the trusted information they need to make a sound decision about their vaccine choices.
McDowell
The community conversation will be led by Sorority member Lorraine McDowell of Lilburn. She says, “We want this to be a safe place of non-judgement for anyone to come ask questions and talk openly about what’s holding you back from being vaccinated. Please come get the resources you need to protect you and your family from COVID-19.”
The idea is those attending will walk away feeling more confident about the vaccine and will be ready to roll up their sleeves and get vaccinated that day on site. President Hunter-James shares: “Not only does it concern us that only 57 percent of Gwinnett’s total population is fully vaccinated, but less than 50 percent of Gwinnett’s black population has been vaccinated.”
First, second, third, fourth, and booster doses will be available. Though the community conversation takes place mid-day, vaccinations will be offered all day from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome.
Appointments can be made at bit.ly/ZetasCare. Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines will be available to anyone age 12 and up. No pediatric doses will be given at this site. Vaccines are free to all. No identification, proof of residency or citizenship, or health insurance required. Those having previous vaccinations are encouraged to bring your vaccination cards.
Northeast Boy Scout dinner to honor three Gwinnettians
Norwood
Arona
Anderson
The Northeast Georgia Boy Scouts of America Council will host its 22nd Annual Gwinnett American Values Dinner on Tuesday, March 1, 2022. The event will take place at Gas South District in Duluth. The reception starts at 6 p.m. and will be followed by dinner program at 6:30 p.m.
Three Gwinnett individuals will be honored at this dinner. They are attorney Ethel D. Andersen of Anderson, Tate and Carr PC, law firm; Dr. Audrey Arona, director of the Gwinnett-Newton-Rockdale Health Departments; and Norwood Davis of 12 Stone Church. They will all be honored with the Scott Hudgens Distinguished Citizen Award for their contributions to Gwinnett County.
The Keynote Speaker will be Chris Clark, who is president and CEO of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. Each year, over 400 business and community leaders are in attendance for this event. It is a signature event for Gwinnett County and Scouting. For more information, contact Rodney Brundidge at 706-405-9912 or rodney.brundidge@scouting.org.
McAllister is new county human resource director
McAllister
The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved the appointment of Adrienne McAllister as human resources director for the nearly 6,000 county employees. The appointment was made by County Administrator Glenn Stephens. She was named Acting Department Director in 2021. She graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science degree and is certified by the Society of Human Resources Management. McAllister lives in Loganville and is a member of the Georgia Local Government Personnel Association and the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce. Her previous experience was with Verizon in New York, at the University of Maryland, and later with Geico in Fredericksburg, Va.
Gwinnett Commission OKs after school program funding
Gwinnett Commissioners have greenlit a BOOST (Building Opportunities in Out-of-School Time ) grant from the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association which will be used to expand the County’s “Building Brains Anywhere” afterschool program to five additional schools. The schools, all within Gwinnett County’s Public School system, include: Meadowcreek Elementary School, Rockbridge Elementary School, Graves Elementary School, Hopkins Elementary School and Corley Elementary School.
This program seeks to improve school readiness and provide learning/academic enrichment opportunities for young people in the county. The $275,000 grant also supports an after school playground enrichment at select Title One schools.
Other commission actions include:
- The sod-covered sports fields at Rock Springs Park will soon be replaced with synthetic turf. It’s part of a plan that will also upgrade light fixtures, replace existing walkways and fencing. The contract was awarded to Sports Turf Company in the amount of $1,863,750. A portion of the project is funded by the 2017 SPLOST Program
- A revitalization plan may be in the works for one community. The County will apply for the Atlanta Regional Commission’s 2022 Community Development Assistance program. If approved, the assistance goes toward a plan that looks into redeveloping commercial areas in the Mountain Park community. The plan eyes alternative transportation and community enhancement needs at the intersections of Five Forks Trickum Road and Rockbridge Road and Five Forks Trickum Road and Killian Hill Road. The County will contribute $10,000 and the planning process will begin in August.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
No recommendation today, since our readers have recently not sent new reviews. Help us by writing us 150 words about what you have enjoyed recently, from trips to look at leaves, to cultural events, or what gave you pleasure. Help! We need new ones. Send to: elliott@brack.net
Thomas University founded by Primitive Baptist Church
Founded in 1950, Thomas University is a private, nonprofit institution in Thomasville that offers associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees. Most of its students are from south Georgia and north Florida. The university welcomes a student body that is diverse in age, ethnicity, religious belief, socioeconomic status, and academic preparation.
The school was founded by Primitive Baptists dedicated to providing higher education opportunities for young men and women in Georgia, Florida, and Alabama. Its founder, Elder J. Harley Chapman of Valdosta, envisioned an “undertaking without precedent in the Primitive Baptist denomination” that would ultimately provide both associate’s degrees in liberal arts and bachelor’s degrees to students “of good moral character irrespective of their religious belief.” The college was originally designed to serve 100 students, who would receive an education in the liberal arts within a conservative Christian context.
A donation of $10,000 from Mrs. Vicey Harris of Jacksonville, Fla., provided the seed money necessary to search for a suitable location for the new school. After approaching officials in Macon, Waycross, Columbus, and Thomasville, committee members ultimately decided to purchase Birdwood Plantation, just outside Thomasville, in Thomas County.
Built as a winter resort in 1932 by W. Cameron Forbes, U.S. ambassador to Japan and one-time governor of the Philippines, Birdwood Plantation contained a main house (which still serves as the university’s main administration building) and a few outbuildings on 48.5 acres of land adjacent to Glen Arven Country Club.
In 1950, with the school’s name—Birdwood College—chosen and a location secured, the executive committee attempted to recruit the college’s first entering class, with little success. The original fall 1951 opening date was postponed. After a new board of trustees was installed in 1953, a dedicated campaign ensued to “Open the Door in ’54.”
Classes began in the fall of 1954 with nine students enrolled. The financial struggles of Birdwood College increased as anticipated support from Primitive Baptist congregations failed to materialize. Lack of adequate physical facilities impeded the college’s ability to apply for accreditation, and lack of accreditation limited the number of students willing to enroll. In the fall of 1966 the board decided to stop admitting residential students, citing the additional costs of repair and remodeling of the dormitory facilities.
During its first 20 years, Birdwood College graduated an average of 14 students a year with diplomas in liberal arts. The hoped-for 100 students never materialized, and in 1973 the college had only 56 students. Serious disagreements between factions of the Primitive Baptist Church over the role of the college contributed to the denomination’s declining support in the 1960s.
Although Chapman had insisted in 1950 that the college was not intended to be a seminary to train preachers, that “God alone calls and educates men for his ministry by the Holy Spirit,” many Primitive Baptists expressed concern that Birdwood had been established to produce “intellectual preachers” who lacked the necessary divine calling the denomination demanded of its ministers. “Progressive” and “Old Line” Primitive Baptists were deeply divided over the need for youth camps, formal Sunday school curricula, and a college in their denomination.
(To be continued)
- To view the Georgia Encyclopedia article online, go to https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
See if you can figure out where this old photo came from
Today’s mystery photo is something in disrepair. See if you can figure out what and where this used to be. Send your answer to elliott@brack.net, and be sure to include your hometown.
The most recent Mystery Photo proved difficult, as only three readers recognized it. It was the Lora Robins Sculpture Garden in Richmond, Va., sent in by George Graf of Palmyra, Va.
Allan Peel of San Antonio, Tex. wrote: “Today’s mystery photo contains two pieces of art that are located on the grounds of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) in Richmond, Va. The strikingly beautiful ‘Red Reeds’, a collection of 100 red glass reeds by internationally renowned glassblower Dale Chihuly are in the foreground. These deep red reeds frame the mesmerizing ‘Chloe’ statue.
“The ‘Red Reeds’ exhibit consists of more than 100 red glass reeds that were part of the Chihuly at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts exhibition between October 2012 and February 2013, after which the museum purchased the exhibit and maintained it as a major attraction in its outdoor sculpture exhibits. In the background is the ‘Chloe’, a 24-foot steel statue by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa. Plensa’s artwork is generally modeled on real people and digitally processed, before being designed into materials that are adapted to the place where the sculpture is to be located. The sculptures can be seen from all angles, but by walking around them you experience a distorted perspective of the subject.”
The two others who nailed the photo are Jim Savadelis of Duluth and Fran Worrell of Lawrenceville. However, Lou Camerio of Lilburn found a similar scene in Indianapolis.
Arbor Day will be Friday, February 18, and is a national holiday that celebrates the beauty of our nature but more specifically trees! In observance of this day, the City of Norcross participates in planting trees across the community! Join us in celebrating the “treemendous” benefits of greening our planet. Come to the Rectory(across from City Hall) at 10 a.m. for this celebration.
Job Fair: The Gwinnett Stripers will host a Job Fair at Coolray Field on Saturday, February 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will take place in the Suite Lounge. During the Job Fair, individuals with a passion for delivering exceptional fan experiences can apply for the following part-time, seasonal gameday positions for ushers, parking attendants, security, grounds and cleaning crews, photographers, statistics operators and other game-day positions. Coolray Field’s concessionaire, Professional Sports Catering, will also be present at the Job Fair and accepting applications.
Career hiring event for Gwinnett County Government is on Friday, February 25 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Gas South Convention Center. This is your opportunity to meet and network with current employees from several departments. During the event, you can also have your resume reviewed and apply onsite for available positions in a variety of fields including accounting and finance, administrative and clerical, engineering, information technology and public safety. The convention center is located at 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth. Free parking is available in Deck 1.
Vaccine Clinic is scheduled on Saturday, February 26 at Lenora Park, near Snellville. This is a walk in clinic. No appointments will be taken. It will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Visitors will have an opportunity to get their COVID-19 vaccine and earn a $100 gift card while supplies last. Vaccines will be available to eligible people ages 5 and up. All three authorized vaccine types — Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson — will be available. The vaccine clinic, operated by the Gwinnett County Health Department, will take place inside Lenora Park Gym. Community partners will be set up outside the gym providing additional information and resources. Lenora Park Gym is located at 4515 Lenora Church Road in Snellville.
Sundays in Suwanee series: What Lies Beneath: “Exploring African American burial grounds” will be Sunday, February 27 at 3 p.m. at the Suwanee Library Branch, 361 Main Street, Suwanee. Join as Dr. D. L. Henderson discusses the history of Atlanta’s segregated Oakland Cemetery.
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