GwinnettForum | Number 23.03 | Jan. 9, 2024
ANOTHER NEW CITY is being proposed in Gwinnett, tentatively named “Mulberry.” It is in the northeastern area of Gwinnett, and if a bill is passed by the Georgia Legislature, the city would have a population of about 41,000 people. See details in Today’s Focus below.
TODAY’S FOCUS: Gwinnett could get its 17th city in 2024: Mulberry
EEB PERSPECTIVE: We say again: limit the Legislature to meet once in two years
SPOTLIGHT: The Piedmont Bank
ANOTHER VIEW: We must resist, reclaim and rebuild; and do it today
FEEDBACK: Likes respective counterpoints to Bernard
UPCOMING: County now has 13 glass recycling locations
NOTABLE: Library budget funding allows expanded resources and raise
OBITUARY: Billie Jean Sammons Ellis
RECOMMENDED: And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
GEORGIA TIDBIT: Twenty mile wide fall line is Georgia’s geological boundary
MYSTERY PHOTO: See if you can pinpoint the location of this sturdy building
CALENDAR: Lionheart’s next production is comedy night on Jan. 13
Gwinnett could get its 17th city in 2024: Mulberry
JAN. 9, 2024 | Gwinnett could get its 17th city in 2024 if a proposed bill to come before the Georgia General Assembly is successful. Under the proposal, the city would be named Mulberry, consisting of land on both sides Interstate 85 in northeast Gwinnett, including the Hamilton Mill area. It would consist of 29.5 square miles and would abut both Hall and Barrow counties, as well as the City of Braselton, and would have the largest land area in Gwinnett. It would be created similar to the model when Peachtree Corners was incorporated, and would operate with no city property taxes.
To read feasibility study of new city, click here.
It was a potential land zoning issue where a developer planned a 700-unit apartment complex near Seckinger High School that upset local residents and brought about consideration of a new city. The proposed bill to enact a new city is being led by local legislators Rep. Chuck Efstration and Sen. Clint Dixon.
Efstration told GwinnettForum he hopes to see the bill move quickly through the Legislature, so that the proposal would be voted on by Mulberry-area residents in the May 21, 2024, General Primary. If so, the first city officials could be elected in the November 2024 General Election to take office on Jan. 1, 2025.
Among the data of the area from a feasibility study about the proposed city:
- The proposed population would be 41,125, second only to Peachtree Corners, whose population is 42,127.
- City services would be limited to planning and zoning, stormwater management and inspections, essentially a “city lite” model. However, after incorporation, city officials could add other services.
- It would consist of 13,000 acres.
- Household income would be $121,200, the most affluent of any city in Gwinnett.
- Households in the proposed area are mostly single family, detached units.
- Students of the area attend the Mill Creek and Seckinger clusters.
- The 1.5 million square feet of commercial buildings in the proposed area generate $307 million in retail sales.
- The feasibility study concluded that the proposed city is financially feasible, and would have an initial first year budget of $9.4 million. Such funds would come from franchise and premium fees (cable TV, insurance, financial institutions and businesses), building permits and inspections and alcohol sales.
The feasibility study was conducted by the KB Advisory Group of Atlanta in December 2023.
Efstration
Efstration, who is the House majority leader, says: ““After receiving feedback and community input at five meetings and town halls in my district over the past several months, I’m excited to introduce legislation that will help give my constituents the local control over planning and zoning they’ve been seeking. I look forward to working with partners in the House, Senate and local community to fight back against the out of control growth and traffic congestion issues plaguing northeastern Gwinnett.”
The name “Mulberry” was chosen since one of Gwinnett County’s parks, Little Mulberry, is within the boundaries, as well as Mulberry Lake. The Mulberry River also flows nearby.
While other 16 cities of Gwinnett receive income from the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST), the new city would not immediately get this revenue. That’s because the current cities worked out an agreement with the county on how the 1% SPLOST tax revenues would be split. However, it is expected that eventually the new city would get such revenues, which could amount to $6 million annually. However, such monies would have to be spent on capital outlay projects, and not spent on city routine operations. –eeb
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Limit the Legislature to meet once in two years
By Elliott Brack,
Editor and publisher, GwinnettForum
JAN. 9, 2024 | State legislators gathered Monday at the Capitol to start the 2024 session of the Georgia General Assembly. Meanwhile, all Georgians must keep their fingers crossed hoping the current session doesn’t legislate too much mischief.
Most average Georgians feel we have far too much government involvement with our lives. We need to find more ways to limit, not expand, government. Far too many laws are passed, while not enough are vetoed by the governor, who, as another segment of government, should maintain independent judgment on all legislation.
Virtually every time a bill is introduced at the Legislature, you can bet one thing: this innocent-looking bill that changes the law will benefit some individual or some corporation, but not benefit most other Georgians. To get such laws on the books, the legislators proposing such bills often use the phrase: “All this bill does…….” When you hear that, hold tightly onto your pocketbook. Someone’s going to benefit if that legislation passes….and you can bet it won’t be you.
Simply look through the bill to determine “Whose ox is being gored?”
All the average Georgian asks of government is that it provide essential services, uphold the law, be open and fair, and make sure everyone is treated equally. Another way to say it is that a government should provide leadership, safety and economic security, maintain order, and give assistance when needed.
To all this effect, GwinnettForum has maintained for years that all of Georgia would benefit if the General Assembly continued to limit its time of meeting to 40 days and meet only every-other-year, not annually. How’s that for limiting government?
Such a proposal is among GwinnettForum’s Continuing Objectives, which are listed to the right. These are long-term solutions to some of the more pressing problems in the area.
Most legislators will tell you that there is so much legislative work they need to get done that they are rushed to complete the job in 40 days. They get around that by simply “adjourning” to a date certain. In effect, they don’t meet for 40 consecutive (week) days. They meet two or three times a week, then take a few days off for studying proposals in committees, before resuming regular sessions.
If the Legislature met for truly 40 consecutive work days, it would adjourn by the end of February. Instead state lawmakers drag it out meeting a few days a week, then adjourn for a break. They are really meeting for about 60 days before they finally adjourn toward April 1. Essentially, by adjourning every so often, they skirt the state law that says they should meet for only 40 days each year.
Next time you are talking to your legislator, bring up the subject of changing the session to meet for 40 days semi-annually, not annually. It’ll take some strong talk to convince a legislator that it is better to meet every two years. By citizens advocating this proposal to legislators, perhaps we’ll find common-sense legislators on both sides of the aisle understanding we need to limit government, not continue to expand it.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
The Piedmont Bank
The public spiritedness of our underwriters allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. Today’s underwriter is The Piedmont Bank, a full-service commercial bank that has been serving the Greater Metro Atlanta and North Georgia markets since 2009. With over 15 locations, Piedmont Bank has capitalization in excess of $200 million and over $2 billion in total assets. The bank is active in making loans to businesses and individuals in its local markets. Piedmont’s board of directors includes local business leaders with strong ties in the communities it serves. Deposits at The Piedmont Bank are insured by the FDIC up to $250,000.
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We must resist, reclaim and rebuild. And do it today
By Ashley Herndon, contributing columnist
OCEANSIDE, Calif. | Possibly the most watched horrifying event in political history since the JFK assassination was the January 6 insurrection. It was evil incarnate, evil in action, and planned evil. Yet what one presumes are reasonably intelligent elected officials and their followers attack the people’s house and the sacred seat of self-governance and have actually lied their way into people accepting an unapologetic coup attempt!
Herndon
What have these folks been smoking, drinking, and mainlining? Rampant fear forced upon freely elected fellow citizens by thieving and lying (leaders?). The photos of these events are forever etched in our minds.
Now we have an ex-governor, Nikki Haley, snaking around the country hiding from the horrors of slavery, and a current second-term governor, Ron DeSantis, saying the enslaved were better off having been pieces of chattel property? This is also in the snake pit. Are these two following Putin’s playbook?
Meanwhile an ex-president who helped foment a “Hang Mike Pence” gallows is currently leading in his party’s primary run.
As Jill Colvin of Associated Press, wrote earlier this year:
- Many of these folks claim allegiance to a long dead young rabbi who taught Agape…wonder what he thinks of this blasphemous behavior?
- Have we become a sick country?
- Have we become a country populated with a growing number of enraged-uncivilized-uneducated-bullies who are captivated and controlled by a bully who happens to be an ex-president and his toadies in Congress and some state houses?
Enough is enough already.
Governing the USA in city council meetings, and county commissions and statehouses is not a “Mad Max” sequel.
We should reawaken what Dr. Joseph Lister (1827 -1912) once said “We need help getting the surgery required to rid us of this bacterial invasion that has descended upon our great nation and society!”
Slavery and fascism are at least kissing cousins if not brother and sister.
What’s the deal here? We must resist, reclaim and rebuild. And do it today.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Likes respective counterpoints to Bernard
Editor, the Forum:
I enjoyed Jeff Gorke’s spirited yet respectful counterpoints to Jack Bernard’s various articles. It was an abject lesson in healthy public debate which deftly illustrates the art of disagreeing without being disagreeable.
– Joe Briggs, Senoia
Dear Joe: Thanks for recognizing. The whole idea of GwinnettForum is to air different viewpoints. We thrive on this, and you have contributed to this over the years, and for that, we thank you.—eeb
Harding University won a football title this year, too!
Editor, the Forum:
Good article about football bowl games. But you left out the Division 2 champs, Harding University in Searcy, Ark. I am a graduate of Harding.
– Stew Ogilvie, Lawrenceville
Sorry, Stew, but somehow, we missed seeing that game on television. Know you must be proud.–eeb
Play as against Georgia, and ‘Bama would have won
Editor, the Forum:
Yes, I do agree with most of your bowl football comments, but it seemed to me that Alabama could run the ball at will. Most of the running plays gained yards, but they wanted to pass. The O-line could not protect the quarterback to give him time to throw. Running plays around the end worked, so why, on the last play of the game, and I think the most important play, did they run up the middle? If they had played as they did against Georgia, ‘Bama would have beaten Michigan.
– Charles Brack, Allentown
Getting rid of her piano, she wanted to cry
Editor, the Forum:
It is enjoyable reading your article about throwing away old items. Indeed, your coat inherited from your son is a mighty-fine looking coat. I understand you not throwing it away.
A year ago we moved to independent living and had to throw away items from our closets and cabinets, and even some furniture. I had to get rid of my piano and many books. It caused me to feel very sad. When I watched the truck drive away with my “still-useful” piano, I wanted to cry. I had always owned a piano and now for the first time in my life I was without one.
– N.J. Foster, Lawrenceville
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.
County now has 13 glass recycling locations
Gwinnett County and Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful, in partnership with Ripple Glass, have added 10 new glass recycling locations across the county. The County’s glass recycling program allows residents to drop off glass for safe and sustainable recycling.
In total, Gwinnett now offers residents glass recycling at 13 locations. Find a purple glass recycling container near you at these Gwinnett parks: Duncan Creek, Lenora, Peachtree Ridge, Harbins, Rabbit Hill, Lucky Shoals, Bogan, Bethesda, Pinckneyville and E.E. Robinson. Other locations include One Stop Norcross, Mountain Park Aquatic Center and Collins Hill Aquatic Center.
Braselton Highway to become four-lane roadway
Construction is underway to widen Georgia Highway 124 (Braselton Highway), expanding the road to four lanes with turn lanes, sidewalks, curb and gutter, and drainage improvements from Pine Road to Spout Springs Road. These improvements will enhance local transportation infrastructure, promote safety, and address traffic congestion.
Wilson Construction Management, LLC of Norcross was awarded the construction contract. The $10.6 million project is funded largely by various SPLOST programs, with $3 million coming from a Georgia Department of Transportation Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant. To learn more about SPLOST, visit GwinnettSPLOST.com.
Library budget funding allows expanded resources and raise
The Gwinnett County Public Library’s budget for 2024 is $24,419,802. That includes $798,307, which will allow the library to provide a staff merit increase of four per cent.
Charles Pace, executive Director of the Gwinnett County Public Library, says: “The additional funds allocated will help us expand our resources and retain highly qualified staff members as we continue to strive for excellence in providing library services to the community.”
Board Chairman Jonathan “JT” Wu adds: “The Library Board of Trustees and our entire leadership team are thrilled at the historic investments made by Chairwoman Hendrickson and the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners in support of our world-class library system. It also helps in retaining staff, plus awards them for their hard work.”
The Gwinnett County Public Library is the most extensive circulating library in Georgia. It operates 15 branches and provides free, trusted resources and programming for our diverse community.
Peach State FCU’s 2023 toy drive successful again
Peach State Federal Credit Union’s 2023 annual toy drive in support of the Marine Toys for Tots program was a success! Every year, the credit union uses their branch locations as convenient drop-off sites for community members to support Toys for Tots. The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys and deliver them as holiday gifts to less fortunate children in the community.
Demitra Houlis, Peach State’s chief administrative officer and Foundation president, says: “The annual toy drive unites all of us in the holiday spirit by helping families in need and giving back to our communities. It’s one of the many efforts that align with the credit union’s C.A.R.E.S Foundation, which supports local charities, food banks, and school systems with the goal of helping our communities thrive. The Foundation helps brings the credit union philosophy of ‘people helping people’ to life and we’re proud to support the efforts of Toys for Tots program.”
In 2021, Peach State introduced the Peach State FCU C.A.R.E.S. Foundation with a goal of helping neighbors through contributions throughout our service area.
Billie Jean Sammons Ellis
Billie Jean Sammons Ellis, 89, of Duluth, , peacefully entered into the presence of her Lord and Savior on Saturday, January 6, 2024, at her residence surrounded by her loving family.
Ellis
Funeral Services for Billie Jean will be held on Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at 11 a.m., at Johns Creek Baptist Church with Dr. Shaun King and Rev. David White officiating. Burial will follow at Peachtree Memorial Park, Peachtree Corners. The family will gather on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, 4 to 8 p.m. in the Peachtree Corners Chapel of Crowell Brothers Funeral Homes and Crematory.
She was born on January 10, 1934, in Atlanta, to Dessie Mae Smith Sammons and William Whitfield Sammons. Also preceding Billie Jean in death was her husband of 69 years, James “Jim” Wesley Ellis Jr; and cherished sons, James “Jimmy” Edward Ellis and William Gregory Ellis.
Billie Jean worked for Georgia Tech for 17 years. After retiring, Billie Jean’s entrepreneurial spirit thrived as she used her retirement money to start Jim Ellis Automotive, along with her late husband, James “Jim” Wesley Ellis Jr. Together, they built an automotive empire that became synonymous with quality and customer service.
Away from the business world, Billie Jean found solace in the game of tennis, where she honed her skills and enjoyed friendly competition. She was a member of the Atlanta Athletic Club, where she formed lasting friendships and shared her love for the sport.
Billie Jean’s faith was an essential part of her life, and she was a member of the Johns Creek Baptist Church. Her unwavering devotion to her spiritual community brought her solace and joy throughout her life.
Traveling was one of Billie Jean’s greatest joys, as she explored destinations far and wide. A beach home in Vero Beach and exotic locations such as Africa, China, and Australia held a special place in her heart. These adventures allowed her to create cherished memories with loved ones, embracing the beauty and diversity of the world. Billie Jean loved shopping; she was a professional at it and truly believed in finding the best “discounts” and if it was, she would buy multiples of those items.
Billie Jean’s family was the center of her universe, her pride and joy. Her legacy lives on through her daughters, Karen Ellis Black and Kristi Ellis Cohron; grandchildren, Stacey Ellis Hodges and husband, Gregory, Brooke Ellis Gatlin and husband, James, James Wesley Ellis III and wife, Monica, Taylor Elizabeth Cohron, Trey Ellis Cohron; Tara Keltner and husband, Jason, Sheyanne Navarro and husband, Scott, Caroline Cohron; daughter-in-law, Glynnell Ellis; sister, Patricia Johnson; great-grandchildren, Ivie Ellis Gatlin, Tyler Gregory Gatlin, Ellen Grace Hodges, Andrew Davis Hodges, Asher Jacob Ellis, James Ryland Ellis, Camden Grant Ellis; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and dear and close friends.
Beyond her personal achievements, Billie Jean’s philanthropic endeavors showcased her compassionate and caring nature. Through the Jim and Billie Ellis Foundation, she and her late husband donated over $50 million to local organizations, leaving an indelible mark on the community. Her commitment to giving back inspired her children and the employees of Jim Ellis Automotive to carry forth their legacy of generosity.
Billie Jean will forever be remembered as a remarkable woman who lived life to the fullest. The “Ellis Matriarch” who put family above all joyfully and unconditionally. And to her family, she will be known in their hearts as the wittiest, most beautiful woman in the room.
In lieu of flowers, Billie Jean’s specific requests were that contributions be made to Atlanta Mission; or Norcross Cooperative Ministries; Eagle Ranch; and Annandale Village in loving honor of “Billie Jean Ellis.”
The family would like to contribute a gratitude of love and thankfulness for the care of Billie Jean to Wendy Agbemashior, Georgia Adun, Sarah “Boo” Johnnie, Ljeose “Josephine” Omorodion, Priscilla Adebayo, Primrose Lesego, and Selena Lintz Kora.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.crowellbrothers.com.
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie (2015)
By Susan McBrayer, Sugar Hill: It’s 1939 and 10 strangers are invited by a mysterious Mr. Owen to a house party on an island off the Devon coast. But when they arrive, there is no host to be seen and, almost immediately, a horrible storm cuts them off from the mainland. After dinner the first night, the butler plays a recording accusing each person of a murder. Most deny the claims but tension and suspense begin to build as, one by one, the guests start dying. This 2015 TV adaptation follows Agatha Christie’s tragic novel more than any of the five film versions I’ve seen. It’s long enough to give you the backstory of each of the characters, and the ending is almost exactly like the ending of Christie’s novel. And Then There Were None is the world’s bestselling crime novel of all time. It’s well worth watching if you enjoy suspense. (Available on Amazon Prime.)
- 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
20-mile-wide fall line is Georgia’s geological boundary
The fall line is a geological boundary, about 20 miles wide, running northeast across Georgia from Columbus to Augusta. It is a gently sloping region that rapidly loses elevation from the north to the south, thereby creating a series of waterfalls. During the Mesozoic Era (251-65.5 million years ago), the fall line was the shoreline of the Atlantic Ocean; today it separates Upper Coastal Plain sedimentary rocks to the south from Piedmont crystalline rocks to the north. The fall line’s geology is also notable for its impact on early transportation in Georgia and consequently on the state’s commercial and urban development.
Rivers that flow across the fall line create waterfalls or rapids, which give the “fall line” its name. The geologic regions to the north of the fall line include the Appalachian Plateau, the Valley and Ridge, the Blue Ridge, and the Piedmont. The Upper Coastal Plain and Lower Coastal Plain regions occur south of the fall line.
The geological differences to the north and south of the fall line give rise to variations in soil types, hydrology (water cycles), and stream morphology. For example, sandy soils predominate to the south of the fall line, and wide floodplains have developed along many of the streams in this region.
To the north of the fall line, clay soils and narrower stream valleys are the rule. One significant consequence of these differences is that the fall line separates distinctive plant and animal communities. Wiregrass–longleaf pine forests, swamp forests, and tidal marshes form the main landscape features south of the fall line. North of the fall line, deciduous hardwood forests, including oaks and hickories, are native to the Piedmont and mountain regions, as are plant communities on granite outcrops.
The soil to the south of the fall line, in the Upper Coastal Plain, is better suited to peanut and vegetable cultivation. Agricultural production to the north, in the Piedmont, centered on cotton cultivation in the past but today focuses on such animal products as poultry (including eggs) and beef.
Animal populations also vary to the north and south of the fall line. While certain animals, such as deer and opossum, occur throughout the state, many animals are found primarily on one side or the other. For example, the fall line is sometimes called the “gnat line,” because the sandy soil on the southern side is better suited for the gnat’s life cycle, making these insects more common in the southern half of the state.
Bird populations vary as well, with several species occurring only above certain elevations in the Blue Ridge region. The Appalachian Plateau, Valley and Ridge, and Piedmont share most bird species, numbering around 110, while the Coastal Plain is home to wetland birds and waterfowl not found elsewhere in the state. The Okefenokee Swamp alone is home to 232 bird species.
(To be continued)
- To view the Georgia Encyclopedia article online, go to https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
See if you can pinpoint the location of this sturdy building
Say what you want, but doesn’t today’s Mystery Photo look sturdy? This building’s not going anywhere. Can you figure out what its function is, and where it is located? Send your answer to elliott@brack.net, and include your hometown.
In the last edition, only a few recognized the Museum der Stadt Fussen (Museum at Fussen) in Fussen, Germany. Among them were Susan McBrayer, Sugar Hill; Jay Altman, Columbia, S.C.; Lou Camerio, Lilburn; Stew Ogilvie, Lawrenceville; George Graf, Palmyra, Va. and Allan Peel of San Antonio, Tex. Allen wrote:
“It’s a picture of the entrance to a museum of the Benedictine Monastery of Saint-Mang, located in the Old Town of Füssen, Germany (approximately 60-miles southwest of Munich in the Bavarian Alps region). The Benedictine Monastery was founded as a proprietary abbey of the Prince-Bishops of Augsburg in 850. The foundation was built upon a church that itself was built around 730 by a St. Gallen monk, Magnus of Füssen, otherwise known as Saint-Mang. His remains were found in the original church that he built, and he was later reburied in a crypt in the new basilica in 851. Over time however, pieces of his remains were redistributed throughout the region, and by the year 1100, all of his bones were found to be missing.
“Between 1696 and 1726, the original monastery was expanded into an enormous Baroque complex in the Old Town of Füssen. The transformation of the medieval basilica into a Baroque church was intended to be an architectural symbol of the veneration of Saint Magnus. Today, only a tiny splinter of a breast bone is located in a large glass cross hanging above the main altar. Ironically, it was received from his original birthplace of St. Gallen in Switzerland.”
- SHARE A MYSTERY PHOTO: Help: We’re running low on Mystery Photos. Send in one yourself! 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.
Lionheart’s next production is comedy night on Jan. 13
Men’s Civic Breakfast at Christ Episcopal Church in Norcross will be Saturday, January 13, at 7:45 a.m. Speaking will be the mayor of Peachtree Corners, Mike Mason.
Lionheart Theatre will present an evening of laughter with its next production. Lionheart Comedy Night will showcase some of the area’s funniest comics on January 13 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Admission is $10 to see the vibrant Norcross comedy scene for a night of hilarity and unforgettable open mic performances. You may purchase tickets online at https://lionhearttheatre.org/buy-tickets-2/
Ribbon-cutting at Generous Care Adult Day Center, a new business, will be held on January 16 at 2 p.m in Lawrenceville, at 1180 McKendree Church Road.
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