GwinnettForum | Number 22.25 | April 11, 2023
HERE’S A GORGEOUS SCENE which we share here at the top of GwinnettForum just because of its beauty. It’s also today’s Mystery Photo for readers to pinpoint where this photo was made. Details in Mystery Photo below.
TODAY’S FOCUS: Be on the alert; rabid racoon found in Buford
EEB PERSPECTIVE: Gwinnett DA draws opponent in 2024 Democratic primary
SPOTLIGHT: Heaven and Alvarez, LLC
FEEDBACK: Send us your thoughts
UPCOMING: County rescinds idea of getting Livesy land by eminent domain
NOTABLE: Tax Agent mails annual notice of property assessments
RECOMMENDED: Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin
GEORGIA TIDBIT: Mormon missionary killed in 1879 in Whitfield County
MYSTERY PHOTO: Water, waves, rocks, hills dominate this mystery
CALENDAR: Learn more about Social Security April 13 at Five Forks Branch Library
Be on the alert; rabid racoon found in Buford
By Deborah Tuff
BUFORD, Ga. | Gwinnett County Animal Welfare and Enforcement and the Gwinnett County Health Department are advising residents to use caution and avoid animals behaving in unusual ways after a raccoon tested positive for the rabies virus.
Dogs attacked a raccoon at 517 Buford Highway in Buford on Tuesday, March 28. The raccoon was collected by Gwinnett Animal Welfare and Enforcement and brought to the shelter the same day for testing. Foxes, raccoons and other wild animals carry diseases like rabies that can spread to people and pets through a bite or scratch.
Pet owners should ensure that their pets are current on the rabies vaccination. According to the National Association of State Health Veterinarians, unvaccinated dogs and cats exposed to a rabid animal must be strictly quarantined for four months and vaccinated one month prior to being released.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the rabies virus attacks the central nervous system and is almost always fatal in humans if untreated. Early symptoms of rabies in people include fever, headache and general weakness or discomfort.
If you or your child have been bitten or scratched by any stray animals or an animal that is suspected to have rabies, preventive treatment for rabies is necessary.
If you believe you have been exposed, immediately seek medical care and let them know you were exposed. Then, contact the Gwinnett County Health Department at 770-339-4260 and ask for the epidemiologist on call.
To report the animal and have it picked up, please call the Gwinnett Animal Welfare and Enforcement Bite Office at 770-339-3200 ext. 5576; after hours, contact Dispatch non-emergency at 770-513-5700.
The following tips may help you protect yourself and your family from rabies:
- Make sure your pets get their rabies shots regularly.
- Keep your pets on your property.
- Do not leave garbage or pet food outside. Food left out may attract wild or stray animals.
- Report any animal acting unusually to Gwinnett County Animal Welfare and Enforcement. They may display strange or unusual behavior. They may also act aggressively, avoid food and water, foam at the mouth, have trouble moving or move in a stiff, odd way. Stay away from any unknown animals, especially wildlife.
- Stay away from wild, sick, hurt or dead animals. Do not pick up or move sick or hurt animals.
- Do not keep wild animals like raccoons, skunks, foxes and coyotes as pets. It is dangerous and illegal.
- Teach your children not to go near, tease or play with wild animals or strange dogs and cats.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Gwinnett DA draws opponent in 2024 Democratic primary
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
APRIL 11, 2023 | GwinnettForum has learned that Gwinnett County District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson will have opposition in the Democratic primary in 2024.
On Tuesday at noon, Andrea Alabi of Snellville, a former prosecutor in the Gwinnett County District Attorney’s office when Danny Porter was DA and briefly when Austin-Gatson was in office, will announce that she will seek the district attorney nomination in the 2024 Democratic primary. Ms. Alabi is currently chief assistant solicitor general in the Fulton County Solicitor General’s office.
Ms. Alabi, 41, was born in Baltimore, where her father worked for AT&T before moving to Gwinnett. She attended Sweetwater Middle School and Berkmar High before graduating from Meadowcreek High School. She got a degree in network and communications management from DeVry University. Later she changed her emphasis, and put herself through to graduation from the Pennsylvania State University School of Law.
Her website says that she began her legal career at the Georgia Department of Labor handling employment disputes as an administrative hearing officer. Realizing her passion for litigation, she then worked as a criminal defense attorney representing clients south of the perimeter. As lead attorney, she handled dozens of jury trials, bench trials and motions and hearings.
Alabi
Recognizing the impact that violent crime has on the community, she began work for the Clayton County Solicitor General’s office, and later with the Gwinnett County District Attorney. She ended up as the deputy chief assistant district attorney.
Currently in the Fulton solicitor general’s office, she managed 10 state court trial teams, a jail unit, investigations, the victim support team as well as legal support for District Attorney Danny Porter.
She has over 10 years of prosecutorial experience. She is quoted on her website saying: “Early on, I realized that my passion was for litigation, and have worked as a criminal defense attorney.” She helped educate police recruits on Georgia law, criminal procedure and courtroom demeanor. She has handled over 1,000 cases and over 75 jury trials in her career.
She has extensive volunteer experience with Gwinnett County Public School’s community-based mentoring program. She launched an initiative that joined the DA’s office with local schools to promote social media safety and end cyberbullying.
She is the Immediate Past President of the Georgia Association for Women Lawyers (GAWL)-Gwinnett Chapter. She also previously served on GAWL Gwinnett’s board as vice president (2019) and secretary (2018) and as co-chair of communications with statewide GAWL.
Ms. Alabi served as one of two diversity and inclusion fellows with the American Bar Association Criminal Justice Section (2019-2021). Andrea helps educate members of the profession on how diversity impacts the practice of criminal law. Also, she was appointed as co-executive director of Communications and Membership with the American Bar Association-Criminal Justice Section.
Andrea belongs to numerous organizations including the National Black Prosecutor’s Association; GABWA’s National Council of Negro Women-Gwinnett; Stonewall Bar Association; Georgia Asian Pacific American Bar Association; NAACP of Georgia; Junior League of Gwinnett and North Fulton; and the Pennsylvania State University Alumni Association of Atlanta. She is a member of the New Mercy Christian Church on Five Forks Rod in Lilburn and is a graduate of the 2023 Leadership Gwinnett class. She has one son, Joquain, 14, who is in Snellville Middle School.
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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.
County rescinds idea of getting Livesy land by eminent domain
Without much information, the Gwinnett County Commission abruptly backed out of a condemnation of property in the south part of Gwinnett, known as the Promised Land. It had previously been announced late last week that the county was to consider getting 10 acres of property by eminent domain.
The full statement from the commission read:
“As a board, our decisions are shaped by the valued feedback from our main stakeholders – the community.
“We appreciate and understand the reactions brought forth by members of the Livsey family and the community regarding the legal notice of the potential use of eminent domain by the County to acquire properties owned by Thomas Livsey Sr. and his wife.
“We want to emphasize that while no decision has been made, we are not in favor of any legal process that hinders the legacy or wishes of the Livsey family.
“Based upon our collective desire to work with Mr. Livsey Sr. and his family as to this property, the County will not move forward with taking formal action on the eminent domain proceedings on April 25.
“We respect the right of Mr. Livsey Sr. and his wife, as a private landowner in determining the best use of this property, and we will work with Mr. Livsey Sr. and his family to reach a joint decision about how best to support the vision and wishes of Mr. Livsey Sr. and his family for the future use of this property.”
Recycling event in Lawrenceville falls on Earth Day, April 22
Again in 2023, Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful (GC&B) is having a recycling event on Earth Day, that is, on April 22 in 2023.Over the last six years, GC&B has hosted this community-wide Earth Day-themed recycling event as a convenience for Gwinnett residents. Co-hosted with Gwinnett County Solid Waste, this year’s event will be from 9 a.m. to noon at Coolray Field in Lawrenceville. Items collected that day will include latex and oil-based paints, electronics, tires, clothing, sneakers, and paper for shredding. Items accepted on April 22 will include:
- Paper for secure shredding (Please limit to five copier paper boxes per vehicle);
- Electronics (Recycling is free except for TVs, monitors, and printers; $15 cash fee per monitor or TV; $5 cash fee per printer; projection/console TVs are $35 cash fee);
- Oil-based and latex paint (limit to 10 gallons per vehicle); cans must contain 25 percent wet paint);
- Tires limit to eight tires per vehicle); no dealer tires); and
- Clothing and sneakers.
April 22 marks 25th anniversary of National POW Museum
ANDERSONVILLE, Ga.—On Saturday, April 22, 2023 Andersonville National Historic Site will host a ceremony honoring Prisoners of War and commemorating the 25th anniversary of the opening of the National POW Museum. Programming for the day will begin at 1 p.m. in the museum’s theater with a presentation about the 50th Anniversary of Operation Homecoming. Following the talk, at 2 p.m. will be the National POW Remembrance Day event and commemoration of the opening of the museum. Speakers will be former Prisoners of War Bill Arcuri and Sally Morgan, former superintendent Fred Boyles, and U..S Congressman Sanford Bishop
In the summer of 1996, construction began on the almost two-year project to complete the National Prisoner of War Museum. The museum was designed to last throughout time as a living monument to American POWs.
Andersonville National Historic Site is located 10 miles south of Oglethorpe, Ga. and 10 miles northeast of Americus, Ga. on Georgia Highway 49.
County mails annual notice of property assessments
The Gwinnett County Board of Assessors mailed approximately 304,000 annual notices of assessment to residential and commercial property owners last week.
State law requires that annual notices be sent to property owners advising them of the assessed value of their property as of January 1. The annual notice provides last year’s value and the 2023 value along with an explanation for any change in value from the previous year.
Roughly 76 percent of the notices will state that the appraised value was adjusted for market conditions in response to real estate market changes throughout 2022. The Gwinnett County Assessors’ Office uses available market data to value each property in a manner that meets state regulations.
The notice is not a tax bill but does include an estimate of 2023 property taxes. The estimate combines the 2023 property value with the 2022 millage rates and exemptions on file.
- The 2022 tax rates are used because the 2023 rates for county, cities and schools are not calculated until later in the year.
- The estimates on the notice do not account for potential changes to fees, such as stormwater, solid waste, streetlights or speed control devices.
The Board of Assessors recommends that property owners review their notice to ensure it accurately represents their property and the fair market value for Jan. 1, 2023. If property owners disagree with the 2023 value, they have 45 days from the date on their assessment notice to file an appeal online, in person or by mail.
Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin
From Susan McBrayer, Sugar Hill: This is a touching yet deeply depressing story of a young man struggling with the dawning awareness that he is sexually attracted to both men and women. Set in the 1950s when being gay in America was illegal and considered by many to be shameful, David has moved to Paris and is contemplating engagement to a young woman as a way to distance himself from his gay life in New York. However, while his girlfriend is traveling in Spain, David meets Giovanni, an Italian bartender working in a Parisian gay bar, and begins a relationship. David moves into Giovanni’s rented room which becomes both an asylum and a cage that traps him as much as his homosexuality does. David’s railing against inequality, discrimination, social alienation, feelings of shame, and gender-role expectations are heartbreaking. BBC News named Giovanni’s Room as one of the 100 most influential novels of all time.”
Seriously: We are out of recommendations. Please consider sending one immediately. Just think: 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
Mormon missionary killed in 1879 in Whitfield County
Mormon missionary Joseph Standing, an elder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), was murdered in Whitfield County in 1879 at the hands of a mob comprising 12 local residents. He was laid to rest in Salt Lake City, Utah, where the Latter-day Saints erected a monument bearing the words: “There is no law in Georgia for the Mormons.”
Joseph Standing, the son of Mary and James Standing, was born on October 5, 1854, in Salt Lake City. He was baptized in 1862 and subsequently ordained an elder. In 1875 he was one of seven men called to serve in the newly organized Southern States Mission, but he fulfilled his mission duties in Illinois and Indiana instead, laboring alongside friend and fellow missionary John Morgan.
In early 1878 he was again set apart for a mission to the South and assigned to the state of Georgia. There he was reunited with Morgan, who had assumed leadership of the Southern States Mission, as well as the responsibility for “gathering” the southern saints to the West. Like Morgan, Standing focused his proselytizing energies on the mountainous counties of northwest Georgia, and soon converts from Catoosa, Chattooga, Floyd, Walker, and Whitfield counties were making their way to a new Mormon colony in the San Luis Valley of southern Colorado.
But conversion to the LDS Church in the 19th century often created separation—both physical and psychological—between converts and loved ones, which led some north Georgians to view the Mormon missionaries as a threat to family and community.
On July 21, 1879, as Standing and missionary companion Rudger Clawson traveled from Whitfield County toward a church conference in Chattooga County, they encountered an armed mob of 12 men. It is not clear that the mob intended murder, but by sundown Joseph Standing was dead, having suffered at least 20 gunshots to the head and neck. Clawson survived the encounter and resolved to return Standing’s body home to Utah. The Deseret News of Salt Lake City reported that 10,000 people attended the funeral service, which was conducted in the tabernacle at Salt Lake City on August 3, 1879.
By the time arrest warrants were issued for the 12 who participated in the mob, most had already slipped across the border into Tennessee. A posse finally captured three of the men and returned them to Whitfield County to await trial. When the grand jury met in Dalton in October, they returned indictments against all 12 members of the mob, charging them with murder and riot.
Individual trials for the three captured men followed, but within days a jury acquitted them of the charges. The grand jury then moved to absolve the entire mob of blame. Mormon authorities reacted angrily to the decisions and publicly denounced the state’s failure to hold Standing’s killers accountable. They did not, however, abandon the mission field in Georgia. In 1952 a small memorial park was dedicated at the site of Standing’s murder in Whitfield County.
- To view the Georgia Encyclopedia article online, go to https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
Water, waves, rocks, hills dominate this mystery
Here’s a hint about today’s Mystery Photo: it was not taken in Georgia. Now go forth and try to figure out where this beautiful photo was made, sending your idea to elliottt@brack@gmail.com. Be sure to tell us where you live.
The last mystery was around here, as Stewart Woodard, Lawrenceville said: “It is one of the homes of the Bona Allen family in Buford. This was originally the Bona Allen Jr. home at 375 East Main Street. Now a private residence, it was built in 1908, a classic Greek Revival style. It is further west of the Bona Allen mansion and grounds.” The photo was made by George Graf of Palmyra, Va. when visiting Gwinnett last fall.
Others identifying the home were Stew Ogilvie, Lawrenceville; Jay Altman, Columbia, S.C.; Susan McBrayer, Sugar Hill; and Allen Peel, San Antonio, Tex.who added: “There are many houses in historic downtown Buford that bear his family’s name, including the First Bona Allen Home (1891); Kate Allen Shadburn House, aka “Stonehenge” (1904); Bona Allen, Jr. Home (1908), today’s mystery photo; Victor Allen Estate (1908); John Q. Allen Home (1912); and Bona Allen Mansion (1913). Two other Allen homes, now demolished, that were built in the area: Clarence Allen Home (demolished in 1941) and H. Wadleigh Allen Home (demolished in the 1970s).”
>>> SHARE A MYSTERY PHOTO: If you have a photo that you believe will stump readers, send it along (but make sure to tell us what it is because it may stump us too!) Send to: elliott@brack.net and mark it as a photo submission. Thanks.
The Braselton Artisan Festivals will be held later this month. More below.
Lunch and Learn: How to Become an Entrepreneur. Learn how to start your own business and how to create a lender-ready business plan. Lunch will be provided. This will be held on Tuesday, April 11, at 11 a.m. at the Norcross Branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library.
Social Security 101 Workshop will be held Thursday, April 13, at 11 a.m. at the Five Forks Branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library. Join a Social Security Administration Specialist to learn about retirement benefits, Medicare, and services the Social Security Administration provides.
Mountain Park area residents are invited to a special public meeting to discuss the future of the land near the Olympic Tennis venue, which the county acquired with a land swap with DeKalb County. The meeting will be with County Commissioner Ben Ku on Thursday, April 13 at 6 p.m. in the Mountain Park Activity Building at 1063 Rockbridge Road.
Ribbon-cutting will be Friday, April 14, at noon of the new Putt Nation mini-golf location at 1995 Mall of Georgia Boulevard in Buford. service restaurant and bar. Putt Nation is the first of its kind operation, quite distinct from other putt-putt operations.
Heritage Hall Lecture Series No. 2 will be held April 15 at Salem Missionary Baptist Church, 4700 Church Street, in Lilburn. The special guest lecturer will be Dr. Michael Gagnon, professor of History, Georgia Gwinnett College. The subject will be ‘Slavery In Gwinnett. Come hear and learn about an important aspect of our history!
The Snellville Historical Society will meet on Sunday, April 16, at 2:30 in the Community Room of Snellville City Hall. Speaker for the occasion will be Valerie Wages, whose career was in the funeral business in Lawrenceville and Snellville. Come early, enjoy the meeting, and partake of refreshments afterward, says Melinda Franklin, current president.
How Georgia Turned Purple is the title of a new book by Greg Bluestein of The Atlanta Journal and Constitution. He will appear at the Duluth Branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library on Thursday, April 20 at 8. p. m. to host a lively look at the players and issues reshaping Georgia and American politics. Books will be available for sale and signing.
Citizenship Clinic will be Friday, April 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lawrenceville Branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library. Invest in your future by applying for United States Citizenship. Get free assistance in completing your naturalization application. Pre-registration is required.
The Braselton Artisan Festivals are held throughout the year, with the two biggest Artisan Festivals featuring 300+ vendors in April and October. In addition to vintage treasures and handmade finds, the April 21-23 show includes plants, yard art, outdoor furniture, and everything needed to celebrate spring. The event in 2023 is the festival’s 20th year!
Community Recycling will be Saturday, April 22, from 9 a.m. until noon at Coolray Field in Lawrenceville, sponsored by Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful, Co-hosted with Gwinnett County Solid Waste. Items to be collected that day will include latex and oil-based paints, electronics, tires, clothing, sneakers, and paper for shredding. This is an Earth Day event, and will include Touch-A-Truck, refreshments, a chance for residents to meet their haulers, opportunities to learn more about programs and services from various county departments, and more. It will be a “rain-or-shine” event.
Canning Workshop will be Saturday, April 22 at 11 a.m. at the Centerville Branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library. Learn from Gwinnett County UGA Extension agents the different types of canning processes and prepare your own apple preserves. Limited space. Registration is required.
Climate Intervention Workshop will be held on Saturday, April 22 at 11 a.m. at the Norcross Branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library. Are you concerned about climate change or just want to know what all the fuss is about? Join Climate Interactive Ambassadors to learn about MIT’s En-ROADS and explore solutions with this dynamic, interactive tool.
12th annual Family Promise Bed Race will be April 22 on the Historic Square in downtown Lawrenceville. The Parade of Beds is scheduled for 1030 a.m., with the races to begin at 11 a.m.
Join with the Gwinnett Historical Society for a new event at the Elisha Winn House on Sunday, April 23, from 2-4 p.m. It is co-hosted by the Society and Gwinnett County. Named “Way Back Winn,” it is intended to give attendees a chance to learn about times gone by with some fun thrown in, especially for kids. It showcases the most significant historic site in Gwinnett County, the place where the county took its first steps after creation by the Georgia Legislature on Dec. 15, 1818. There will be outdoor games, music, tours and refreshments.
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