GwinnettForum | Number 23.49 | June 21, 2024
THE GWINNETT CHAMBER FOUNDATION is working on its inaugural minority business enterprise certification cohort. Shown with some of the leaders and participants are from left on the front row: Mercy and Efrain Cosme, LPZ Construction; Gabriel Vaca, GCF board member; Deirdra Cox, GCF executive director; Lisa Clarke. GCF board member; Aysha Treadwell, GCF board chair; and Candy Rodriguez, Gwinnett Chamber senior coordinator. On the back row are: Chad Gaffney, Empire Contracting; Pamela Rivera Silva, Armor Industrial Services; Anita Davis, GCF board member; Orlando Cruz, Pampa Bay Landscaping; Nick Masino, Gwinnett Chamber president and CEO; Monique Harrison, Vitality Med Spa; Hank Reid, Certified Southern Catering; and Wanda Lloyd, Wandaful Herbs. For a more detailed look at the program, see Upcoming below.
TODAY’S FOCUS: Here’s update on Gwinnett’s vast Rowen project
EEB PERSPECTIVE: Stature of the U.S. Supreme Court today is dwindling
SPOTLIGHT: Peach State Federal Credit Union
ANOTHER VIEW: What we are seeing is the abuse of the justice system
FEEDBACK: Allergic to a drug? You don’t know until you take it
UPCOMING: County looks to maintain tax rate for 2024
NOTABLE: Gwinnett Chamber Foundation names new selectees
RECOMMENDED: Tartuffe (or The Imposter), by Moliere
CRITIC’S CORNER: Irving Berlin songs were a hit at the Aurora
GEORGIA TIDBIT: Smyrna native Julia Roberts is international celebrity
MYSTERY PHOTO: History abounds in today’s Mystery Photo
LAGNIAPPE: Jumble of wires defies communications activity
CALENDAR: 10-minute plays at Lionheart Theatre on June 21-23
Here’s update on Gwinnett’s vast Rowen project
By Mason Ailstock
CEO, Rowen Project
AUBURN, Ga. | By 2035, Rowen is set to create 18,500 jobs, potentially reaching 80,000 at full build-out, ultimately contributing $8-10 billion annually to the Georgia economy. This month, we’re reflecting on the Rowen Region’s position as a destination for global industry and the crucial next steps our innovation community must take to actualize this forecast.
Renowned as a top business destination, Metro Atlanta drives economic growth with a flourishing tech scene, generating job opportunities statewide. Start-up communities like Venture Atlanta and ATDC drive opportunity for our diverse workforce, attracting tech giants like Apple and Google, while new developments like Science Square continue to drive local innovation. While external factors like rising interest rates and inflation have slowed investments in recent years, the cities across the South continue to gain momentum when compared to other regions in the U.S.
Three years ago, just 11.4 percent of all venture capital raised went to the South. In 2023, that figure almost hit 20 percent. Credit: carta
And, Georgia’s innovation ecosystem is not limited to Metro Atlanta. Rowen’s central location and deep understanding of the innovation landscape in the state creates a unique opportunity to facilitate the exchange of ideas, flow of talent and innovative progress.
The Rowen Region, roughly defined as a one hour drive around the Rowen site intersecting Atlanta, Athens-Clarke County, Gainesville and communities around Gwinnett County, is poised to be a hub for collaboration and discovery that will accelerate innovation in Metro Atlanta, Georgia and beyond.
Meissner’s new manufacturing facility in Athens is just one example of how innovation is already sparking in the Rowen Region. Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners is another, and hundreds of ideas are poised to emerge from the more than 50 research and educational institutions within an hour’s drive from Rowen.
Check out these progress reports within the Rowen project.
- Installation of landscaping, irrigation systems and lighting infrastructure continues, while telecommunications and conduit installation was finalized in May.
- Work associated with the Georgia Highway 316 tie-in is ongoing, as curb and gutter installation and paving continues. Telecommunications and electrical conduit installation are now complete along this corridor.
- We continue to make progress on landscaping, grading, drainage, culvert and sidewalk installation, with roundabout details completed at the end of May.
We will continue to have many exciting updates to share as we near the completion of Phase 1 infrastructure. Let me encourage you to follow along via our social media platforms (@RowenLife) or by subscribing to our newsletter at www.rowenlife.com/connect.
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Stature of the U.S. Supreme Court today is dwindling
U.S. Supreme Court
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
JUNE 21, 2024 | In ideal times, the most respected institution of government of the United States ought to be the U.S. Supreme Court. This august body is supposed to be a watchdog of what is going on in the country. It is to arbitrate matters, and keep our country on an even keel in respect to law and order. The nine justices are the final arbiter on many matters, unless their findings are overturned by the Congress, or by the people through an amendment to the Constitution. The court should be the most respected body in our governmental system.
But man oh man! Has the stature of the Supreme Court fallen to an all-time low! On top of it all, court members are bringing it on themselves, and taking no action. Going back to when President Franklin Roosevelt tried to pack the court to get some of his Depression legislation through a conservative court, the body faced controversy. Yet it overcame this and continued to be a well-respected third body of government.
Later on, the Court was sullied by different presidents nominating people to the court to which the Senate either passed by a close vote, or did not allow the nomination to proceed.
President Ronald Reagan nominated Judge Robert Bork, a prominent conservative judge, to fill a Supreme Court vacancy in 1987. Bork gained notoriety in 1973 when President Richard Nixon directed him to fire the special prosecutor in the Watergate scandal. On October 23, 1987, the Senate rejected Bork’s nomination by a vote of 42–58. Altogether, two Democrats and 40 Republicans voted in favor of confirmation, whereas 52 Democrats and six Republicans voted against.
In the Thomas case, on October 15, 1991, President George H.W. Bush nominated Clarence Thomas to the bench. However, attorney Anita Hill had testified that Supreme Court nominee Thomas had sexually harassed her when he was chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and she worked there as an adviser to him. But he was confirmed to the Supreme Court by a narrow Senate majority of 52 to 48 taking office on October 23, 1991.
President George W. Bush in 2005 also nominated Judge Samuel Alito to the court. The Senate confirmed Judge Alito by a vote of 58-42 and was sworn in on January 31, 2006.
That’s the background. Recently there have been numerous instances that Justice Thomas accepted millions of dollars from a wealthy Texas donor, and never listed this on his financial returns. Seems every month, new allegations come out.
Roberts
And now Justice Alito’s conduct is becoming questioned in that he is showing his conservative views by, among other things, flying a U.S. flag upside down. And the worst part is that the justice seems to be taking the low road by saying it’s his wife, not him! What else is happening that we don’t know?
Remember that Sen. Mitch McConnell blocked President Barack Obama’s nomination of U.S. Circuit Court Judge Merrick Garland to the court, by not holding hearings until Obama was out of office? Is this another case of sullying of our system!
We had hoped that Chief Justice John Roberts would be able to control the actions of his members better. He should, at best, take leadership and propose high ethical standards for the justices. Meanwhile, he languishes in doing nothing, and the reputation of his court is continually suffering.
Our nation’s highest court should lead the way in ethical standards. Take hold, Justice Roberts, and show us the way.
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What we are seeing is the abuse of the justice system
By Jack Bernard, contributing columnist
PEACHTREE CITY, Ga. | Fifteen years ago, I was the head of the Jasper County Republican Party. Never did I attack the local Democratic Party. Although we differed on which roads to pave, fiscal matters and so on, I tried to work with the Democrats on the County Commission to get things done. Never did I attack the local Democratic Party.
In other words, when I was a GOP elected official in Georgia, I felt relatively good about both parties. We just differed on policy issues.
No longer do I feel that way. Along with many prominent GOP figures (Romney, Ryan, Cheney and more), I have given up on the Republican Party. And it is primarily because of Donald Trump and his cult-like following in the GOP… locally, statewide and nationally.
A comment by Rep. Mike Collins on June 13, who represents part of Gwinnett, is typical of the Trump cult members in Congress. He is quoted as saying: “The American justice system has become little more than a weapon the left uses to bludgeon its political opponents into submission.”
Collins is complaining that the “left” (i.e., Democrats) control our court system. If it were not for the fact that the GOP base believes him, his statement would be amusing.
Clearly, Collins just wants to curry favor with the cult leader. So, regardless of the facts, he made a declaration that Trump would approve. Strangely, he makes this statement about progressives controlling the court system, even though the son of the Democratic Party leader (President Biden), was just convicted in a federal court on gun charges and faces significant jail time.
The truth is exactly the opposite of what Collins asserts. It is the GOP that has totally rebuilt our nation’s judiciary in its own image. For example, there are nine justices of the Supreme Court. Six are very conservative, with three being Trump appointees. Per research conducted by Washington University in St. Louis and the University of Michigan, nearly two-thirds of the Supreme Court’s decisions now favor conservatives-not the “Left.”
Just think about recent far-right SCOTUS decisions which overturned long established precedents regarding abortion, affirmative action, voting rights, gun control, and the separation of church and state.
Since the start of Reagan’s term, Republican presidents have appointed 1,184 federal judges. Democrats only appointed 721 prior to Biden. Even with Biden’s appointees, Democrats still have appointed fewer judges versus Republicans (922 versus 1,184).
The complaints about the justice system from Collins and other Congressional cult members are being voiced after Trump was recently convicted of felonies in New York. Because of various reasons (including political bias by a Trump-appointed Florida federal judge), Trump’s other legal woes will not result in any convictions before the election. He is currently awaiting trial on federal election interference (District U.S. District Court); classified documents (southern Florida U.S. District Court) and Georgia election interference (Georgia Court).
Even if he is ultimately convicted in every case, Trump knows that he will be able to pardon himself if he is re-elected. That’s what he did for his supporters when they were convicted of crimes. This rogue’s gallery includes Roger Stone; Steve Bannon: Paul Manafort; Charles Kushner (his son-in-law’s dad); and disgraced former General Michael Flynn. Plus, dozens of others, including major GOP donors.
Rep. Mike Collins may not realize it is obvious which side is abusing the justice system. And it is not the Democrats.
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Allergic to a drug? You don’t know until you take it
Editor, the Forum:
About advertisements for drug manufacturers: Virtually all of the drug ads end with a short list of side effects, certainly not all of them. They also say: “Talk to your doctor about whatever drug is being advertised.”
I trust the doctors that I have, either private or at the Veterans Administration, to make the right decisions about what will solve or alleviate any condition of mine. The VA does not jump on new medications; they have their own tests and until the drug is approved, it will not be prescribed.
My advice to someone taking a new medicine is that they go to the drug store and ask for the data sheet where all of the known side effects are listed. The problem with the data sheet is that many of the side effects are mentioned in Greek-based words. You might have to get a Medical Dictionary to look up the words you do not know.
There is yet another line that is rather stupid in all of the drug ads. Specifically, they say “Do not take this drug if you are allergic to it.” Since most people taking drugs don’t have a clue about pharmacology, how are they to know if they have an allergy to it, especially before they take it?
– Raleigh Perry, Buford
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County looks to maintain tax rate for 2024
The county tax rate will remain the same in 2024, Gwinnett County officials have signaled. The Commission is considering keeping the general fund millage rate the same as last year, at 6.950 mills.
They will hold three public hearings for residents to comment in the auditorium of the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center. 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville on the following dates:
- Thursday, June 27 at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, July 16 at 11 a.m.
When the total digest of taxable property is completed, Georgia law requires that a rollback millage rate be computed to produce the same total revenue on the current year’s digest that last year’s millage rate would have produced had no reassessments.
For 2024, Gwinnett County’s rollback millage rate is calculated at 6.500 mills. The Board of Commissioners is considering a 2024 millage rate of 6.950, or 0.450 mills above the rollback millage rate. Therefore, state law requires commissioners to announce a property tax increase.
Gwinnett Commissioner Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson says: “By maintaining this stable tax rate, we can maintain a stable government that supports well-being and quality of life for all Gwinnett residents, businesses and visitors.”
Gwinnett Chamber Foundation names new selectees
The Gwinnett Chamber Foundation (GCF) has announced selectees of its inaugural minority business enterprise (MBE) certification cohort.
In collaboration with JP Morgan Chase, LISC Atlanta, and the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council, GCF will guide these 16 small businesses through the process of obtaining MBE certification. This program will provide participants with increased subcontracting and networking opportunities, educational resources, and individualized coaching. The member companies of this year’s cohort are:
- Armor Industrial Services
- BGMart Construction
- Carter Construction Partners Inc.
- Certified Southern Catering
- Empire Contracting, LLC
- Faith Thru Play LLC
- Lead with Coach Jeimy, LLC
- Lex Tax Preparation
- LPZ Construction LLC
- Pampa Bay Landscape
- SFE Advance Medical Consulting DBA – l-Amin Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine
- Simply HR Inc.
- The Edge Agency
- Vitality Med Spa, LLC
- Wanderful Herbs
- Westbridge Solutions, LLC
Gwinnett Chamber Foundation Executive Director Deirdra Cox says: “Our mission is to empower economic inclusion, and this MBE certification cohort is a critical step in fostering long-term economic prosperity for minority businesses in our community and to provide them with the resources and support they need to thrive.”
The Gwinnett Chamber Foundation, an affiliate of the Gwinnett Chamber, focuses on supporting minority, veteran, and women-led small businesses to create a more prosperous and inclusive economy in Gwinnett. Through tailored programming and grant initiatives, GCF supports all eligible organizations in their journey toward success.
In addition to the MBE certification program, the Gwinnett Chamber Foundation also partners with Verizon Small Business to educate minority, veteran, and women-owned (MVW) businesses on best practices for future certification opportunities. To learn more and sign up for these educational initiatives, visit GwinnettChamberFoundation.org.
Tartuffe (or The Imposter), by Moliere
From Susan McBrayer, Sugar Hill: The family of wealthy aristocrat, Orgon, is up in arms because Orgon has fallen under the influence of a former vagrant, Tartuffe, really a con man posing as a pious spiritual leader, who speaks with divine authority. Orgon is completely under Tartuffe’s control and his family tries in vain to expose the charlatan for the hypocrite he is. But their efforts backfire and Orgon disowns his family and pledges to give all his worldly goods – plus his unmarried daughter – to Tartuffe. But Tartuffe has a weak spot for Orgon’s young second wife, Elmire, so she decides to devise a scheme to reveal Tartuffe’s true nature and reveal him as a fake. But will the scheme work? Will she have to pay too high a price? The Royal Shakespeare Company did a good version of this satirical play with an easy-to-understand English translation. You can watch it here.
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Irving Berlin songs were a hit at the Aurora
You missed a terrific performance at Aurora Theatre’s Strickland Stage last Sunday, June 16. That’s when the Molly Blank Concert Series of The Breman Museum of Atlanta showcased in Gwinnett a one-time performance of music by Irving Berlin. On stage were eight musicians (three instrument players and five singers) from The Flying Carpet Theatre Company who outlined the life of Berlin through sketches of his life, but mainly through thoroughly-familiar songs of the prodigious talent that Berlin was., which the audience thoroughly enjoyed. From the initial belting of There’s No Business Like Show Business to the slow rhythms of I’ll Be Loving You Always, with tin-pan alley familiar hits in between (like Alexander’s Ragtime Band), the show was terrific. Here’s hoping for more collaboration with The Bremen (and other theaters) to appear on the Aurora stage in the future. The lights should not go wasted a single night!—eeb
Smyrna native Julia Roberts is international celebrity
Five years after leaving her hometown of Smyrna, in Cobb County, to begin an acting career, Georgia native Julia Roberts achieved international celebrity with her starring role in the 1990 film Pretty Woman. Today an established Hollywood icon, Roberts is an Academy Award winner, the owner of a production company, a philanthropist, and one of the highest-paid actresses in the film industry.
Julia Fiona Roberts was born in Atlanta on October 28, 1967, to Betty Lou Bredemus and Walter Grady Roberts. She belongs to the fourth generation of Robertses to live in the Atlanta area, beginning with her great-grandfather, John Pendleton Roberts, a farmer.
Although as a child Roberts hoped to become a veterinarian, as a teenager her interests began to shift, especially in light of her brother’s early successes as a professional actor. After her 1985 graduation from Campbell High School in Smyrna, Roberts joined her siblings in New York City, where Eric had lived since the mid-1970s. Her first role was a nonspeaking part in the film Firehouse (1987), followed by a small speaking part in the drama Blood Red (1989) alongside her brother.
Roberts soon landed her first major role, Daisy Arujo, in the independent film Mystic Pizza(1988), written by Atlanta native Alfred Uhry. Her next film, Steel Magnolias (1989), proved to be a significant critical and box-office success, especially for Roberts, who received a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress as well as an Academy Award nomination. In a 1990 interview, Roberts credited the other women in the cast, veteran performers Olympia Dukakis, Sally Field, Darryl Hannah, Shirley MacLaine, and Dolly Parton, with supporting and mentoring her.
During the 1990s Roberts became one of the most recognized Hollywood actresses, and her swift rise to fame began with Pretty Woman (1990), a romantic comedy directed by Garry Marshall and costarring Richard Gere. Roberts was awarded the Golden Globe, this time for Best Actress, while receiving another Oscar nomination.
(To Be continued)
- To view the Georgia Encyclopedia article online, go to https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
History abounds in today’s Mystery Photo
There’s some history associated with today’s Mystery Photo, which might be difficult, because of its age. And clues abound, if you can spot them. Work on this mystery, then send your answer to ebrack2@gmail.com and include your hometown.
The last mystery was quickly identified by several of our sleuths. Allan Peel of San Antonio, Tex. sent to us: “Today’s mystery photo is of the St Michael and All Angels Church, located in the village of Croston in Lancashire, England, approximately 25-miles northwest of Manchester.
“A church has occupied this site since the 7th century having undergone many, many changes and renovations. The original church was an Anglo-Saxon turriform church (otherwise known as a tower-nave church) as it was built in the form of a tower. It was replaced in the late 10th and early 11th century and a doorway dating to this period still survives. The church was largely rebuilt in the 16th century, altered in the 17th, partially rebuilt again in the 18th century, and then substantially altered in the 19th century. Today, it consists of a nave and chancel with north and south aisles, mostly built of red sandstone with stone tiles.”
Others spotting this location were Jay Altman, Columbia, S.C.; George Graf, Palmyra, Va.; and Susan McBrayer, Sugar Hill.
The photo was taken last week by Catherine Brack of Charleston, S.C. She was revisiting this town where the entire Brack family enjoyed an overseas stay in Croston 29 years ago. At that time, Catherine went to a bell ringing practice at this church, and the bellringers asked her if she would like to ring one of several bells in the tower. She pulled down one of the ropes ringing a bell, and then was surprised at the immediate force of the rope upward at the end of the cycle, nearly pulling her off the ground, before she let go.
- 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: ebrack2@gmail.com and mark it as a photo submission. Thanks.
Jumble of wires defies communications activity
It’s a wonder! All those modern electronics in our homes, our telephones, computers and for some, even television signals, must get to our houses in some manner. But sometimes the entry point from the telephone poles to our houses are a jumble of boxes, switches and wires, looped in uncanny ways. About the only other places you may find such a mish-mash of wires…..may be behind your home office desk!
10-minute plays at Lionheart Theatre on June 21-23
The Vidalia Theatre Company will present Summer Harvest 2024, a collection of 10 minute plays that explore the theme of “unexpected goodbyes.” This will be presented on the Lionheart Theatre stage in Norcross on June 21-23. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m. while the Sunday performance is at 3 p.m. For tickets, visit www.vidaliatheatre.com.
Women in Sports Panel Discussion will be held Saturday, June 22 at 2 p.m., at the Norcross Branch of Gwinnett County Public Library. Calling all sports enthusiasts, aspiring athletes, and supporters of women in sports! Join Atlanta Women in Sports for an inspirational discussion featuring game-changing women.
Helping Kids Manage Big Emotions will be at the Collins Hills Branch of Gwinnett County Public Library on Tuesday, June 25, at 6:30 p.m. Gain a greater understanding of the challenges facing your child and practical steps you can take to ensure your child’s needs are met.
Public Art Unveiling Ceremony will be in Braselton at the library at 15 Brassie Lane on June 25 at 5:30 p.m. This features the sculpture by J. Doyle Rogers and Logan Berry. It is sponsored by the Braselton Public Arts Council.
Taste of Peachtree Corners will be Thursday, June 26, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Community Room of City Hall, presented by the Peachtree Corners Business Association. Enjoy an evening of bites and drinks as you get to sample foods from local businesses.
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