GwinnettForum | Number 21.56 | Aug. 5, 2022
BIG BOOST: A big check will help speed the redevelopment of the former Hooper Renwick School into a new themed library in Lawrenceville. See more details below in Upcoming. From left are Marshal Boutwell, president/CEO at Peach State Federal Credit Union; Deborah Fancher, business development at Peach State; Jason DiFranco, of the Gwinnett County Public Library; and Ryan Hawk, executive director of business development and community outreach at Peach State.
TODAY’S FOCUS: County adopts plan for the redevelopment of Gwinnett Place Mall
EEB PERSPECTIVE: MTI Baths success story paying off with expansion on the horizon
ANOTHER VIEW: Merrick Garland needs to move quicker on Committee’s evidence
SPOTLIGHT: Walton Gas
FEEDBACK: Send us your thoughts
UPCOMING: Commissioners adopt same general fund millage rate for 2022
NOTABLE: Georgia Gwinnett College new internship program now underway
RECOMMENDED: Kingdom Coming by Michelle Goldberg
GEORGIA TIDBIT: One-fourth of first 21 Georgia Board of Trustees were clergy
MYSTERY PHOTO: Maritime setting for today’s photo
County adopts Gwinnett Place Mall redevelopment plan
By Deborah Tuff
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. | The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners has adopted the final Equitable Redevelopment Plan for the Gwinnett Place Mall. The plan was informed by eight months of community engagement with direct input from over 2,000 Gwinnett residents and focuses on a new model for equitable development to benefit historically marginalized communities.
Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Nicole Hendrickson said the plan will set a new national precedent for equitable economic redevelopment. “By creating a community-driven redevelopment process and listening to the priorities of Gwinnett residents, the plan can respond to community needs, create an innovative cultural destination and attract new economic opportunities. We are proud to adopt Gwinnett County’s first Equitable Redevelopment Plan that is focused directly on equity, is informed by thousands of community touchpoints and will lead Gwinnett Place Mall into its next phase.”
District 1 Commissioner Kirkland Carden said the Board’s intent with the site is to revitalize the mall as a location where local residents, small businesses and visitors can thrive. “We sought to achieve this vision by involving the surrounding community, so they could be with us in the decision-making process from the start,” said Carden.
Gwinnett County commissioned HR&A of Atlanta for the Equitable Redevelopment Plan to equip one of the most diverse areas in the country with comprehensive strategies on how to transform the mall into a unique regional destination and community asset.
The Gwinnett Place Mall Equitable Redevelopment Plan addresses five key areas for preservation and growth in the County: housing, small businesses, cultural activity center, neighborhood services and jobs.
The County’s work on the Equitable Redevelopment Plan was completed in tandem with the Gwinnett Place Community Improvement District, which is developing its own findings into the Gwinnett Place Mall Site Revitalization Strategy to provide a complementary perspective and explore ways the project can attract private investment as well as provide a significant return on investment for Gwinnett County.
With the mall’s ERP in place, county leadership will continue its collaboration with the Gwinnett Place Community Improvement District around their Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) study. Both the Equitable Redevelopment Plan and the LCI study will set the stage for conversations with the adjacent property owners on the mall site. The County will invite developer teams to be evaluated and determine the best teams to submit proposals for the full redevelopment process. To stay involved in the process and see the plan summary, analysis, and strategies, click here: GwinnettPlaceMallEquity.com.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
MTI Baths success story paying off with expansion
A designer tub from MTI Baths. Photos provided.
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
AUG. 5, 2022 | It’s a beautiful Gwinnett success story. It started in 1988 with a new way to make acrylic bathtubs, with water jets for relaxing baths. It took off with a new owner, going from a handful of employees to 280 workers today.
MTI Baths in Sugar Hill has prospered. The tub maker recently was acquired by the Engineered Stone Group of Spain, which announced an expansion by 50 percent in Sugar Hill. They’ll soon have 225,000 square feet of space.
A self-made J.C .Henry of Duluth took over a bankrupt company in 1988. He was something of a tinkerer, adopting new ideas, still in use today, at making the tubs. Soon he brought on board an accountant, Kathy Adams, an Atlanta native, who became the chief financial officer.
Kathy had graduated from the University of Georgia in a little over two years while her husband, Walt, studied law. She taught for a year, found she didn’t like it, and returned to school at Georgia State in accounting. She passed the CPA exam on her first try.
Adams
After two years with the firm, in 1990 Kathy developed the idea of using the company’s 401K program for the employees to buy the company. Its workers became its owners, a thriving company with dedicated employees. Meanwhile, Katherine, always the creative one, devised new products to make, and new ways to market.
The company offered quick shipment for custom tubs, often within a week, unusual in the industry. MTI Baths also stressed quality, design, innovation and customer service. New products flourished.
Kathy lives in Decatur with her husband Walt, a retired lawyer for the Department of Labor. Kathy retired recently at the sale of her company. Their son, Russell, continues as president under the new owners.
Early on, the company expanded from tubs to shower bases, then into sinks and other bath related products. Today about 40 percent of its business is in acrylic tubs, and a similar amount in engineered stone tubs of natural granite and marble, bonded with resin.
MTI baths, once it started significant production, got a lot of attention winning “best in show” ideas at trade shows. Later Kathy began marketing directly. The company bought a six bedroom house near Sugar Hill, the Woodward Mill House, and would invite several representatives from two different companies at a time to spend two days with the company. It became their “hospitality house.”
It worked this way. On Mondays, two different retail groups would arrive at the Atlanta Airport, be picked up and transported to their quarters at the house. They were treated to dinner that night at a Buford restaurant. They returned to the Woodward Mill House, which had fixtures of products that MTI Baths made, for them to use just as they would in their homes. On Tuesday, they were given a plant tour to understand the MTI Baths manufacturing process.
Tuesday night they got a big helping of Southern hospitality and locally cooked meals at the Woodward Mill House. Wednesday mornings they were returned to the airport, where MTI Baths picked up two more groups to show off the company the last half of the week, before returning them to the airport on Friday.
Russell Adams grins when he says simply: “It was our biggest marketing tool. We took what we had been spending at trade shows and put it into the Woodward Mill House. That investment paid off handsomely.”
Doesn’t the MTI Baths story and Kathy Adams’ role in growing the company make you think of that Gwinnett slogan, “Success Lives Here?”
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Garland needs to move quicker on Committee’s evidence
“This is merely an attempt to stop a man that is leading in every poll, against both Republicans and Democrats by wide margins, from running again for the Presidency.”
–– Former President Donald Trump regarding the House Select Committee investigating the January 6 insurrection.
By Jack Bernard, contributing columnist
PEACHTREE CITY, Ga. | Mr. Trump and I do not agree on much. But we do totally agree that the House Select Committee is intent on seeing him not run again. For good reason, I might add.
With testimony and research based on documents provided by knowledgeable people like Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and his assistant, former President Trump clearly conspired to overthrow a fair and equitable election. It is an election that he embarrassingly lost by a wide margin in the election votes, 306 to 232.
President Biden received more votes than any other Presidential candidate, 81 million votes. Former President Trump got seven million less, another embarrassment for a narcissist who continues to insist to this day that he won the election “in a landslide.”
Trump has been accused of many things by the Committee members. In short, assisted by disgraceful attorney advisors like Rudy Giuliani and John Eastman who should have known better, Trump is alleged to have attempted to block the U.S. Congress from carrying out its constitutional duty to simply count electoral votes as submitted by each state. If even a few of these accusations are true and based on the facts there is no reason to believe that they are not, Trump attempted a coup to overthrow our government.
If he is guilty of election fraud and tampering (“a criminal conspiracy to defraud the United States”), as shown by testimony from prominent conservative Republicans like Georgia Sec. of State Rappensberger, who were long-time Trump supporters, he should be charged by U.S. Attorney General Garland. And Trump should end up in jail, not running for President again.
In a brief space like this one, there is no way that I can go through all of the testimony presented. If you have any questions about the details, pull up the testimony from Rappensperger and others.
I have spoken to many Trump supporters, some long-time friends, about this House Select committee. Because most only watch right-wing media (FOX, OAN, etc.), they are unaware of the select Committee’s exact findings, only the excuses given by FOX and friends.
Instead, when discussing the matter with me, they have simply stated what they have in the past- the election was stolen. They add that there is overwhelming proof of election fraud in key states; the Select Committee is partisan and lied to the public; and the investigation is just a witch-hunt by radical Democrats.
None of these assertions have any basis in fact. But these Trump supporters are so brainwashed that reality doesn’t matter to them. And that failure to acknowledge the reality of a conspiracy to undermine our way of government is the long-term threat to our democracy.
That failure of these followers to believe the truth indicates to me that these same immoral and unethical forces will try to do the same thing in the 2024 election if not stopped now via prosecutions of the guilty parties by the Department of Justice. That decision by Merrick Garland has not yet been made, which may show cowardness on his part. He needs to act soon, and with dispatch!
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Walton Gas
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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.
Commissioners adopt same millage rate for 2022
The Gwinnett Board of Commissioners have adopted the same general fund millage rate as last year, 6.95 mills. Prior to the vote, the Board held three public hearings and accepted comments through the County’s website.
Property taxes are based on millage rates set by county government, the schools, and cities. One mill equals a dollar tax per thousand dollars of assessed property value.
The 2022 total property tax millage rate for property owners in unincorporated Gwinnett County will be 14.71. The millage rates for special service districts and countywide levies for recreation and economic development also remain unchanged from last year. Millage rates for service districts in Gwinnett are based on property location and county services provided, such as police, fire and emergency medical services, and development and code enforcement. Details on the 2022 millage rates and additional information about how property taxes are calculated are available online at www.gwinnett county.com.
The Gwinnett County Tax Assessor calculates the total value of all taxable property in the county, called the tax digest, by conducting annual updates of residential and commercial property values.
Tuesday’s action paved the way for the Tax Commissioner’s Office to mail property tax bills in September. Payments will be due in November. Property owners or mortgage lenders can make payments by mail, online, in person, or by using one of the special drop boxes located at tax and tag offices across the county.
$330,000 gift from Peach State boosts Hooper Renwick
Renovation of the former Hooper Renwick School got a boost this week when Peach State Federal Credit Union C.A.R.E.S. Foundation announced a $330,000 pledge over the next 10 years to the Hooper Renwick Memorial Campaign of the Gwinnett County Public Library Foundation. The pledge will support the conversion of the existing Hooper Renwick building into a one-of-a-kind 25,000-square-foot themed library paying homage to the African American community of Gwinnett County.
The Gwinnett County Public Library and its Foundation is working with the City of Lawrenceville, with Gwinnett County, and other organizations to turn the former Hooper Renwick school, one that was segregated for teaching of Black children, into the first themed library in the Southeast. With Gwinnett County being one of the most diverse counties in the United States, the Gwinnett County Public Library Foundation is working to highlight the history of this previous time in the county’s history.
Jason DiFranco, director of development and community relationships at Gwinnett County Public Library, says: “We are grateful for the partnership with Peach State Federal Credit Union, and also the C.A.R.E.S. Foundation, in recognizing the part of history that Hooper Renwick played in our county. We also shows their commitment to increasing the understanding and empathy for all residents in Gwinnett County with the opportunity to further community-wide racial healing.”
Peach State CEO Marshall Boutwell says: “The Hooper Renwick building will always be an important part of Peach State’s history. In September, 1973, after our beginnings nearly 60 years ago, we operated out of a cardboard box before moving to the space at Central Gwinnett High School, we were given our first formal office space inside the service center. We are grateful for their generosity and support all those years ago. This donation on behalf of the C.A.R.E.S. Foundation is an expression of our gratitude to a community that believed in what our founders were trying to build so much that they offered us space in which we could grow and flourish.”
Today, Peach State has expanded to 24 locations throughout Georgia and South Carolina, and has grown to $832 million in assets, serving more than 75,000 members.
County seeking input of survey about public transit
Gwinnett County is reimagining the future of public transit with its Transit Development Plan and is seeking input through a short online survey.
In recent years, Gwinnett County Transit has boarded a million customers, enabling travel across the county and metro Atlanta through its local, commuter and paratransit service routes. The plan will evaluate both current and future transit needs that also consists of transit services provided by regional partners like the Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority Xpress and more.
The survey will remain open until August 15 at GwinnettCounty.com/TDPSurvey and is accessible in multiple languages.
Georgia Gwinnett’s new internship program now underway
Non-profit organizations are key to the economic vitality, stability and health of a community. A new Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) initiative will pair students with area nonprofits to gain insight, build interest and enhance their options to enter nonprofit careers.
GGC’s Nonprofit Internship Program will offer juniors and seniors semester-long paid internship opportunities in Gwinnett County and the greater Atlanta area. Students who meet program qualifications will work up to 25 hours a week and will be paid up to $20 an hour, which officials say will spur interest, provide invaluable experiences, and contribute to their financial stability.
GGC president, Dr. Jann L. Joseph says: “Internships are valuable, high-impact, learning opportunities for our students. Our students want to make a meaningful impact and this program will allow them to use the skills they learned in the classroom to succeed in nonprofit organizations and give back to their communities.”
In collaboration with the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia, a multiple donor fund was created to support the pilot program. The fund includes a grant by the Community Foundation and additional donors totaling $210,000.
Jackson EMC accepting application for Bright Ideas grants
Jackson EMC is accepting applications for its Bright Ideas grants program, which funds creative and innovative class projects developed by state-certified educators in public middle schools in Jackson EMC’s service area.
Educators can earn up to $2,000 for class projects. Projects must involve students directly, provide a fresh, creative learning experience through innovative teaching methods, provide ongoing benefits to students, and create opportunities for teamwork.
All 2022 applications must be completed online and received by Jackson EMC by midnight on Tuesday, Sept. 6 for consideration. For a complete list of criteria and to apply for a Bright Ideas grant, visit jacksonemc.com/brightideas.
Grant applications will be judged by an independent panel of educators and administrators. Grant recipients will be notified and awarded funds in late October and November 2022. Grant funds must be used in the 2022-2023 school year, and grant awardees must submit a grant report at the end of the school year.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Kingdom Coming by Michelle Goldberg
From Raleigh Perry, Buford: I have been reading about this and studying it for years without knowing what Christian Nationalism really was. Ms Goldberg is an excellent writer and very incisive in her statements in this book. In this book many names and even government policies are discussed. The surprising thing to me is the number of the names that I actually knew personally or talked to on the phone in my business. Christian Nationalism is a serious movement that wants to turn the United States into a Christian state. It has been in the news quite a bit lately with Marjorie Taylor Greene saying that she was a Christian Nationalist and two of the main channels on television having shows, or excerpts on it. My suggestion is that you read it but I have to tell you, it is hard to find. Perhaps Amazon or eBay might be your best sources. The full title is Kingdom Coming: The Rise of Christian Nationalism.
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
One-fourth of first 21 Georgia Board of Trustees were clergy
Anglicanism originated in the 16th century, when King Henry VIII left the Roman Catholic Church to establish a new state church. At the time Georgia was founded, anyone holding a political position in England was required to be Anglican.
James Edward Oglethorpe, the founder of the Georgia colony, was a member of the British Parliament in the 1720s, before he ventured to America. With the new colony, Oglethorpe sought a more humanitarian way for England to deal with its “worthy poor,” who at the time were often incarcerated for indebtedness.
Other members of Parliament hoped to convert Native Americans in the region to Christianity, while the British government saw a need for a political and military buffer to protect its colonies in Virginia and the Carolinas against possible encroachment by the Spanish, who had colonized Florida. Sending settlers to Georgia promised a way to meet all three of these needs. Missionary priests (Anglican ministers) would provide moral leadership to the colonists and preach to Native Americans, while the settlements established by these newcomers would act as a barrier against Spanish incursion.
Among those working with Oglethorpe was the influential Anglican priest Thomas Bray, founder of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel to Foreign Parts. Bray had for 30 years worked with other church members to send missionaries to English colonies. He had also visited several of the colonies in America and had gathered a group of solid supporters at home, called Associates of Dr. Bray.
One major thrust of their activities was the solicitation of donations to pay missionaries’ salaries. Another was the provision of books for the missionaries. Bray’s group sent books by the caseload, intending for them to be used by the ministers and to form “a publick library” in the new colony. Early Georgia records show that religious books in the “Indian language” and in German (for working among Moravian settlers) were sent as well.
The charter establishing Georgia as a colony was formalized in 1732, with a Board of Trustees appointed to guide the new enterprise. One-fourth of the 21 Trustees were clergy. Although there was some discussion of the establishment of the Church of England as the official church of Georgia, groups of various religious persuasions were permitted to worship in the new colony. (Catholicism was banned in Georgia, however, until 1777.) The Trustees did appoint Anglican clergymen to serve the new colonists, however, and saw to it that 300 acres were provided for the support of an Anglican church in Savannah, including a parsonage and cemetery.
(To be continued)
- To view the Georgia Encyclopedia article online, go to https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
Here’s a maritime setting for today’s mystery photo
Here’s a maritime setting with a distinctive bridge. Figure out where this photograph was taken and send your answer to elliott@brack.net, including your hometown.
Photo by Andy Brack
Allan Peel of San Antonio, Texas, came up with the identity of the last mystery. He writes: “What first struck me as odd about the lighthouse was its location and surroundings. A lighthouse is normally situated so as to provide passing ships with guidance to nearby barriers. However, this one appears to be in the middle of a congested area, surrounded by land and high-rise buildings on one side and a bridge blocking its location on the other side. That’s just odd … until you realize that the lighthouse was likely not in its original location!
“So, this mystery photo is of the Bulwer Island Light, an inactive lighthouse that was originally located on Bulwer Island, in the city of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. In 1983, it was moved to the Queensland Maritime Museum in the heart of Brisbane along the southern banks of the Brisbane River. The station was originally established in 1909 and it shone its first light in 1912, as the rear light of a pair of leading lights at the mouth of Brisbane River. Made of hardwood frame clad with corrugated iron, it stands 52-feet high. In 1983, the lighthouse was replaced by a more durable skeletal tower, and the original wooden tower was relocated to the Queensland Maritime Museum.”
The photograph came from Andy Brack of Charleston, S.C. Two others identified it: George Graf of Palmyra, Va. and Lou Camerio, Lilburn.
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