GwinnettForum | Number 22.80 | Nov. 7, 2023
MOST OF THE EXTREME northeastern area of Gwinnett could become Gwinnett’s 17th city after a referendum under a proposal from a current legislator. For more details on this proposal, see Elliott Brack’s Perspective below.
TODAY’S FOCUS: Two from Gwinnett inducted into Georgia Military Veterans HOF
EEB PERSPECTIVE: Legislator to propose forming of new city of Mill Creek
SPOTLIGHT: Walton Gas
FEEDBACK: Take along plenty of shoes for this journey
UPCOMING: New Suwanee park to feature commemoration of veterans
NOTABLE: Tips for preventing injury in new craze of Pickleball
RECOMMENDED: Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812, by Dave Malloy
GEORGIA TIDBIT: GALILEO is an online virtual library begun in 1995
MYSTERY PHOTO: Just what is the name of the tree in this photograph?
CALENDAR: Duncan, Army veteran and judge, to address Veteran’s Day
2 from Gwinnett inducted into Ga. Military Veterans HOF
By Marilyn Weitzel
COLUMBUS, Ga. | Two military veterans from Gwinnett County were inducted Saturday into the Georgia Military Veterans Hall of fame in Columbus. Inducted were the late World War II Army Staff Sergeant Carvis Pittman Williams of Snellville and former Vietnam Prisoner of War Air Force Lt. Col. James Wesley Williams, who currently lives in Norcross.
Announcement of the honor, together with 13 other deserving Georgia veterans, was made by 2013 GMVHOF Founder Col. Paul Longgrear (USA-Ret) of Pine Mountain.
According to Hall of Fame Director and Chairman of the Board Col. Rick White (USA-Ret), formerly of Norcross, Hall of Fame nominees must have ties to Georgia and qualify in one of three categories: valor for heroic action in combat; outstanding achievement while in service, or significant local, state or national contributions after leaving active duty.
Sgt. Carvis Williams
Carvis Williams was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1944 and sworn in at Fort McPherson, Ga. He arrived in France in 1945 with a rifle company known as the “Cotton Balers” after completing training as a casualty replacement for allied forces.
While participating in fighting on German soil, his battalion suffered great losses, but later launched a massive attack to breach the Siegfried Line. Pursuing the enemy across the Rhine River, the “Balers” secured Nuremberg under American control on their way to closing the war.
During the months-long siege PFC Williams risked his life repeatedly to protect his fellow soldiers amid close range fighting despite being exposed to hostile fire. For his gallantry in action, PFC Williams was awarded the Silver Star, the Army’s second highest medal for valor.
After discharge from the Army in 1946, Williams returned to Gwinnett County and farmed for the remainder of his life He was elected a county commissioner representing the Snellville area and was president for 25 years of the Gwinnett Livestock and Fair Association, which puts on the annual Gwinnett County Fair. He also was a district supervisor of the Upper Ocmulgee Soil and Water Conservation District for 18 years. The bridge over the Yellow River on Killian Hill Road was named for him in 1997.
Lt. Col. James Wesley Williams
The other inductee from Gwinnett, Lt. Col. Williams was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force in 1967 after graduating from the Tennessee State University AFROTC program. Following flight and survival combat training, in 1971 he was assigned to an Air Force base in Thailand from where he staged F-4 combat missions over North Vietnam.
In May 1972 with 40 days remaining on his Vietnam tour, he was shot down on his 228th mission and ejected over North Vietnam. He was captured and confined to the infamous Hanoi Hilton, with Col. John McCain being one of his fellow hostages.
After spending 313 days in captivity enduring unspeakable conditions and abuse while refusing to engage in propaganda or disclose military secrets, he was released in March 1973 during “Operation Homecoming.”
Following his return, he became a command pilot with over 3,100 flying hours in five different aircraft including the F-4 Phantom and the F-15 Eagle. He has been awarded 58 Military Decorations including 4 Distinguished Flying Crosses, Bronze Star with Valor, two Purple Hearts, 15 Air Medals and the Prisoner of War Medal.
After assignments as Professor of Aerospace Science at Alabama State University and a tour at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. he retired in 1995 with 28 years of service. He later became head of the ROTC program at Tucker High School for 20 years. He currently is serving as the secretary of Veterans Affairs POW Advisory Committee for five years.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Legislator to propose referendum of new city of Mill Creek
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
NOV. 7, 2023 | Now there’s a move afoot to incorporate another area in Gwinnett into a city. It comes as no surprise that a built-up area like Hamilton Mill in northeastern Gwinnett might want more local control of its community.
While nothing is set in stone yet, Rep. Chuck Efstration had indicated he plans to introduce a measure in the upcoming Legislature to incorporate that area as Gwinnett’s 17th city. He is initially proposing that the city be named “Mill Creek.”
It stands to see if the Gwinnett County government would resist or back another area in the county trying to become its own city. If the county does not object, this proposal could have clear sailing toward a referendum on the matter. It has many positive elements.
The area already functions much like a city, a somewhat crowded suburban area, loaded with businesses and churches and (county owned) recreation areas. And it’s almost entirely all newly-built in the last few years, another turning of farmland into subdivisions.
Efstration
Now some people in this area want to help control the destiny by determining what will happen in the area by having their own government. No doubt that they looked closely at Peachtree Corners, Gwinnett’s youngest city and largest city, in determining how they want the Mill Creek area to function. The incorporation of the area of Peachtree Corners into its own city, now 12 years old, has been successful in about every way.
While Peachtree Corners functions with limited services, yet the important functions of a city, such as planning and zoning, building inspection, code enforcement, waste collection, stormwater runoff, and others are an integral part of Peachtree Corners. It gives the residents of the area a stronger voice on the type of businesses that will be located within the city.
In many cities, its largest department is its police force. Policing a community is difficult, and always costly. Since Peachtree Corners property owners have always paid the county for police services, the city relies upon the Gwinnett County Police Department for this service, substantially reducing the cost of overall government.
Note that from its beginning, the City of Peachtree Corners does not have ad valorem taxes on property. Much of the budget for 2024 for the city comes from licensing and franchise fees. Take a look at the upcoming 2024 proposed budget.
One basic element that Peachtree Corners had going for it when it became a city was the location of Technology Park/Atlanta within its borders. This provided an employment base for the city, at one time the location of more than 5,000 workers.
Those interested in incorporating Mill Creek into a city should also take a look at the proposed 2024 Peachtree Corners budget as an indication of the revenues that a proposed City of Mill Creek might generate. Peachtree Corners budget for the 2024 fiscal year is $20.6 million.
In coming months, Gwinnett will watch the upcoming session of the General Assembly to track this proposed legislation to see if voters in that area will get a chance to vote for another layer of government….one closer to them.
Would there be a possibility that another Gwinnett neighborhood might want to become a city? Another unincorporated community in Gwinnett is the Centerville community, south of Snellville. Yet should this area seek to incorporate, it could not be named Centerville, since there is already a city of 8,423 residents in Middle Georgia with that name!
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Walton Gas
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Anticipating the 2024 election from a seat in Buford
Editor, the Forum:
It seems obvious that the upcoming national election is not really about just two or three people running. It is more about whether this country is going to keep the democratic republic that the Constitution set up, or become an autocratic government.
There are several forms of autocracy and we do not have to look hard to find them. An autocratic government would have a person, basically only one, that makes all the decisions. Trump has already said that if he is elected that is what he will try to do. That would mean tearing up the Constitution and really not establishing another.
I did not join the service and fight in a war for that sort of thing. It is interesting that when the Constitutional Convention was over that Benjamin Franklin was asked what type of government we were going to have. His response was “A Republic if we can keep it.” It looks to me as if we might be unable to keep it any more.
Just listening to the parts of the debate the other night and comments that have been made after the debate, an autocracy is the direction we are headed if one of several on the stage is elected.
Rona McDaniel, of the Republican National Committee, said recently that unless the candidate pushes on abortion, they will lose. That means that they would accentuate their support for the abortion laws. I think, and I hope, she is wrong.
My assessment is that since a large majority of the electorate are against the reversal of Roe v. Wade, that would give the Democrats an upper hand and with that the country would remain a Democratic Republic. Women of child-bearing age would vote in great numbers. Those are not the numbers we see in the popularity polls that are published virtually every day on the Republican candidates.
On this matter of abortion, party affiliation will mean little. Both Republican and Democratic women of child bearing age will vote in great numbers for abortion rights. I believe that unmarried men and young husbands will also vote for abortion rights.
We live in perilous times!
– Raleigh Perry, Buford
Take along plenty of shoes for this journey
Editor, the Forum:
Great article about the Apostle Paul’s journeys. I enjoyed reading it.
In about five years, my wife and I are planning to do the “Footsteps of Paul” tour, where we trace his steps and visit the cities where he planted churches. We visited Israel in 2018, and that is another place that leaves an impression on you.
– Capt. Paul Ryerson, Salvation Army, Lawrenceville
Dear Paul: If you or anyone else starts to trace Paul’s footsteps, take plenty of shoes!—eeb
In Ephesus, he suddenly realized was in the midst of history
Editor, the Forum:
Provided.
Thanks for your article about the travels of the Apostle Paul. I had never given much thought to how far apart these cities were and exactly where they were located, except for Ephesus in Turkey, which we visited on a Mediterranean cruise in 2010.
While Ephesus is now inland, our guide told us that in Paul’s time it would have been a seaport. Over the centuries the land gradually filled in and changed its location and it is now inland.
When visiting there I was able to visit the amphitheater where Paul likely preached and as I walked the streets I was suddenly aware that Paul had walked those same streets. It was the first time I was consciously aware that I was standing in the midst of history. Going down one street you saw the facade of the library, which Molly took a picture of it and then made a painting of it. Photo enclosed.
– John Titus, Pechtree Corners
Excellent Roman roads would have been a help to Paul
Editor, the Forum:
The excellent Roman road system certainly made a substantial contribution to the spread of Christianity along with the Roman emperor, Constance, making it a state religion.
– George Wilson, Stone Mountain
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 Suwanee park to feature commemoration of veterans
The City of Suwanee is offering an extraordinary opportunity for the community to commemorate their loved ones who have served or continue to serve in the military.
Set to open in the summer of 2024, Suwanee’s newest park, Town Center on Main, will be home to a number of unique features, including a veterans memorial. The memorial, Greater Good, will be integrated within a tranquil water feature and include an entranceway lined with commemorative plaques honoring service members.
Toni Hardy, Greater Good project manager, says: “The heart of this project lies in offering individuals a unique chance to honor and remember their cherished heroes. The plaques will be integrated into the walkway leading to the memorial, offering a touching tribute to those who have made a profound impact.”
Each 8” x 4” etched stainless steel plaque can be customized with up to four lines of text, allowing for 30 characters per line. This flexibility allows for the celebration of multiple service members on a single plaque.
A limit of 300 plaques are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Service members do not need to be residents of Suwanee to be commemorated with a plaque. The cost per plaque is $300; orders will be accepted until November 30, 2023.
- For more information regarding the Greater Good veterans memorial or to purchase a plaque, please visit Suwanee.com or contact Toni Hardy at thardy@suwanee.com.
Georgia Gwinnett College plans Preview Day on Nov. 18
Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) will host its final on-campus Preview Day for 2023, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., on November 18.
Prospective students will hear from members of the Grizzly family about programs of study, admissions, financial aid, student housing and more. Participants will be able to tour GGC’s campus and talk to student ambassadors about their experiences at GGC. The party-like atmosphere will include food, music and fun giveaways. GGC team members will host selected breakout sessions in Spanish.
GGC application fees will be waived in November in accordance with Georgia Apply to College Month. About 82 percent of GGC students qualify for financial aid. Visit GGC’s webpage to learn more and register for the Preview Day.
Lawrenceville DAR chapter plans wreath ceremony
Parkview High School JROTC Cadets participated in the Wreaths Across America during the 2022 ceremony at East Shadowlawn Memorial Gardens. The cadets are from left, Cadets Gunnery Sergeant Leslie Dominguez, PFC Cameron Carlotta, Second Lieutenant Benjamin Rodriguez, First Lieutenant Jayden Bateman, Lieutenant Colonel Blake White, Staff Sergeant Gabriel Mocanu, Sergeant Major Alexander Rodriguez, and Staff Sergeant Genevieve Brown.
Join the Philadelphia Winn Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), to honor American veterans at their fifth Annual Wreaths Across America ceremony. This ceremony will be held on Saturday, December 16th at Noon at East Shadowlawn Memorial Gardens, 87 Scenic Highway, Lawrenceville. Also participating will be the Button Gwinnett Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), the Elisha Winn Society, Children of the American Revolution (C.A.R.), Georgia State Society SAR Color Guard and Militia, and additional local community service organizations.
If you choose to sponsor a wreath ($17 each), you will be invited to place the wreath on the marker of a veteran’s grave following the ceremony. Consider joining a grateful nation in saying “Thank you for your service and sacrifice.”
You may sponsor a wreath online at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/ga0265p, or send a check, made payable to the Philadelphia Winn Chapter to: Kathy Schmidt, Chapter Treasurer, 886 Marbrook Dr., Lawrenceville, Ga. 30044.
- For any questions, contact Regent Lynn Jacques at (678) 332-9852, email LynnJacques55@gmail.com, or First Vice Regent Randi Minor at (770) 882-8108, email RandiMD@gmail.com.
Tips for preventing injury in new craze of Pickleball
Taking a whack at pickleball are D’Bora Cross of Duluth and David Nguyen of Lawrenceville.
Pickleball – a low-impact racquet game that is a combination of tennis, ping-pong and badminton – is the fastest growing sport in the nation, according to USA Pickleball, the national governing body for the sport in the United States. Pickleball is so popular that a recent episode of The Golden Bachelor, a dating reality TV series featuring senior adults, presented a tournament where one player was injured.
The sport, with popularity stretching from children to older adults, is known for being slower-paced with less ground to cover. Recently physical therapy students and faculty members at PCOM Georgia, an osteopathic medical school in Suwanee, offered free pickleball injury prevention screenings to Metro Atlanta community members. The screenings aimed to help pickleball players stop injuries before they occurred.
Elizabeth Chaffin, an assistant professor and the Director of Clinical Education in the Department of Physical Therapy at PCOM Georgia, offers her top five tips on preventing injuries and staying on the court longer.
They include:
- Make sure you warm up before playing pickleball. Don’t go from the car directly to the court. A total body warm-up of the muscles and joints can prevent injury.
- Start slow. Gradually build up the amount of time you spend on the court. Overdoing it is one of the quickest ways to injury.
- Use the correct equipment. A pickleball shoe that provides lateral stability and a properly fitted racquet can decrease potential injuries.
- Take a lesson, especially if just starting to play. The proper technique can significantly decrease the chance of injury.
- Get a screening. Before getting on the court, new players who haven’t been physically active recently or pickleball players who have developed chronic injuries or conditions should consider a physical therapy and/or a pickleball injury prevention screening to assess strength, range of motion, flexibility, balance and functional mobility to identify areas to improve.
Dr. Chaffin has worked in the field of rehabilitation for over 25 years as a physical therapist and athletic trainer. Her focus has been in the fields of sports medicine and orthopedic rehabilitation working with a range of athletes from weekend warriors to college and professional players.
She has served as the manager of medical services for the United States Tennis Association, where she oversaw medical care for more than 600 international athletes and the medical services at over 100 elite junior and professional tennis events per year.
Pickleball, an all-season sport that can be played inside or outside, was created in the summer of 1965 by three fathers on an old badminton court to provide a game for their teenagers to enjoy. It was named as a reference to the “thrown-together, leftover, non-starters in the ‘pickle boat’ of crew races,” according to its governing body.
Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of of 1812, by Dave Malloy
By Jane Wroton, Duluth: “Set in 1812 Moscow shortly before Napoleon’s invasion of Russia, this lively musical at Little Five Points Horizon Theatre centers around beautiful, young Natasha, who is visiting relatives and future in-laws while awaiting her beloved fiancé Andrey’s return from the war. At the opera opens, Natasha is introduced to Anatole, a handsome young (secretly-married) officer who plans to seduce her. Although Anatole’s scheme is thwarted, a confused Natasha poisons herself and Andrey’s good friend Pierre is called upon to intervene. What we loved: transformation of the Horizon into a multi-level cabaret with the cast performing right beside us; variety of musical genres: pop, soul, folk, electronic dance, classic Broadway; multi-talented actors and actresses singing, dancing, and playing musical instruments; energized, fun atmosphere had us on our feet clapping, singing, dancing along with the cast. Tickets available through November 26 at www.horizontheatre.com.
- 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
GALILEO is an online virtual library begun in 1995
GALILEO (GeorgiA LIbrary LEarning Online), a project of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, has provided online access to library materials to the state of Georgia since 1995. GALILEO is Georgia’s virtual library, with electronic books, periodicals, journals, magazines, newspapers, such reference materials as encyclopedias, and special collections, and access to Georgia’s library catalogs. Through collaboration and resource sharing, GALILEO provides universal access to library materials and information for all Georgia citizens. It does not replace the library but complements the services offered by libraries.
The primary objective of GALILEO is to utilize available technology to electronically deliver uniform and universal access to extensive educational resources to everyone in Georgia. The intent is to make it easier for libraries to share resources and to equalize access to information throughout the state. Through the use of sophisticated technology, GALILEO connects all of Georgia’s communities regardless of location or economic considerations.
GALILEO’s history began in August 1994, when the University System of Georgia’s chancellor, Stephen Portch, asked his advisory staff to consider how they would spend $20 million. The staff and system librarians suggested that funds be allocated to enhance systemwide library services, especially databases offering full-text materials—a complicated idea that librarians had long been pursuing. The chancellor was excited by the prospect of providing vastly improved, wide-ranging information services and superior library access to system students, faculty, and staff, and potentially to all Georgia citizens.
GALILEO made its debut on September 21, 1995, just 150 days after the governor and legislature approved funding. Initial access was for University System of Georgia faculty and its more than 200,000 students. The founders anticipated that in later years other educational entities would want to participate. Because GALILEO was instantly popular, however, within six months some private academic institutions requested to join the GALILEO family. All Georgia citizens now have access to GALILEO from school libraries, public libraries, and home computers.
GALILEO has been hailed as one of the earliest and most comprehensive statewide library systems in existence in the United States today.
- To view the Georgia Encyclopedia article online, go to https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
Just what is the name of the tree in this photograph?
Today’s Mystery Photo is a tree of unique design. Figure out where this tree is located, and what it is called by those who know trees. Send your answer to elliott@brack.net and list the city where you live.
Lou Camerio of Lilburn recognized the recent Mystery Photo and remembers it well. “High Falls, just off I-75 south of Atlanta near Jackson, once had a hydro-electric power plant. I’ve camped here many times with the Boy Scouts, once in six degree weather. The last time I camped there was 1993 while a patient at the Shepherd Center.”
Allan Peel of San Antonio, Tex. added this: “High Falls’ ‘claim-to-fame’ are that they are the tallest cascading waterfall in Central Georgia and south of Atlanta. The falls are over 135-feet high, starting from the dam that forms the High Falls Lake to a series of cascading falls that span over 1,000-feet along the Towaliga River.”
Also recognizing these falls were George Graf of Palmyra, Va; Stew Ogilvie, Lawrenceville; and Jay Altman, Columbia, S.C.
- 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.
Duncan, Army veteran and judge, to address Veteran’s Day
Snellville Commerce Club will meet November 7 at noon at Piedmont Eastside Hospital in the ERC classroom on the second floor. Enter at the breast center entrance of Medical Plaza No. 1. This will be a business meeting with reports from Don Britt, president of the Snellville Tourism and Trade Association.
Gwinnett tribute to veterans will be Saturday, November 11 at 11 a.m. at the Gwinnett Fallen Heroes Memorial on the grounds of the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center in Lawrenceville. The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners will provide remarks, and Army veteran and Superior Court Judge Angela Duncan will give a keynote address. The ceremony will stream live on Facebook @GwinnettGov and be available on demand at TVGwinnettLive.com following the event.
Classical concert by the Gwinnett Symphony Orchestra will be Sunday, November 12 at 5 p.m. at the Discovery High School Theater in Lawrenceville. Music will be from Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Gjeilo, Esendvalds and Cormier. General admission is $10. Visit www.GinnettSymphony.org for more information.
Better Cooking for a Better Environment: Holiday Edition will be presented Tuesday, November 14 at 6 p.m. at the Suwanee Branch of Gwinnett County Public Library. Help your holiday season go smoothly. Learn how to properly dispose of fats, oils, and grease while sampling some holiday treats.
Author Visit: Jacob L. Wright, who wrote Why the Bible Began,will speak on Wednesday, November 15, at 7 p.m. at the Lawrenceville branch of Gwinnett County Public Library. He is professor of Bible at Emory University.
Ninth annual Festival of Trees will be from November 19 until January 1 at the Southeastern Railway Museum, 3595 Buford Highway in Duluth. See over 20 decorated trees sponsored by local businesses and individuals. Enjoy train rides, food and entertainment, and vote for your favorite tree. On November 18, Santa Claus will arrive by train at 1 p.m. The Festival is sponsored by the Duluth Fine Arts League.
Those wanting to attend Braselton’s fourth annual Cravin’ Bacon Walk should order their tickets now. The event will be December 7 from 5 to 9 a.m. in downtown Braselton. There are two levels of tickets: the $35 Squealer ticket, and the $65 VIP ticket, for those over age 21. For tickets, go here.
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