GwinnettForum | Number 20.59 | Aug. 14, 2020
RETURNING HOME? You might call it a “Homecoming” for the Norcross Presbyterian Church, as it returns to its former home building in downtown Norcross. It recently sold its Medlock Bridge Road location to a Vietnamese church. For details, see Elliott Brack’s Perspective below.
TODAY’S FOCUS: Here’re Four Elements That Signal the Rise of Populism in the USA
EEB PERSPECTIVE: Norcross Presbyterian Church Returning to Former Downtown Location
ANOTHER VIEW: Good Samaritan Norcross Center Now in 15th Year of Operation
SPOTLIGHT: Gwinnett County Public Library
FEEDBACK: Send us your thoughts
UPCOMING: Lawrenceville Hospital to Get $57 Million Emergency Room Expansion
NOTABLE: Norcross City Manager Rudolph Smith Announces His Retirement
RECOMMENDED: The Good Soldier Svejk, by Jaorslav Hasek
GEORGIA TIDBIT: Alpharetta’s George Riley Puckett Gains Fame as Country Music Artist
MYSTERY PHOTO: Perhaps Many Will Identify This “Cream Puff” Mystery Photo
Here are 4 elements that signal rise of populism in USA
By George Wilson, contributing columnist
STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga. | Populism isn’t so much a belief system as it is “a way of speaking, acting, and presenting oneself.” That sums up President Trump, except that we can also add racism, and xenophobic nationalism. In addition, he has violated the appeal to ordinary people by enacting policies that aid the plutocrats. Donald Trump shows no such concern for the economic, spiritual or security betterment of American citizens of the working class.
For that reason, I would label him a plutocratic populist. The ingredients for a demagogue like Trump to emerge as an authoritarian leader are all present. Fortunately, he has proven himself so ignorant and incompetent that he probably will not be re-elected. The fear, however, is that some other demagogue will emerge, given the economic and social problems he has created.
Both right-wing populism and left-wing populism object to the perceived control of liberal democracies by elites. Populism of the left also objects to the power of large corporations and their allies, while populism of the right normally supports strong controls on immigration.
Populism in the United States consists of four elements. We have seen it before.
- The first is rising immigration, now approaching the same level as the period from 1900 to 1914.
- Secondly, an increase in inequality, now approaching the same as in the 1920s.
- Third, an increase in the perception of corruption as evidenced by low single digit favorable ratings received by many institutions, up until recently by Congress.
- Fourth: a major financial crisis. One is needed now to complete this cycle and it may be near. How long can stocks keep rising?
All these elements are with us today.
The first populist in the United States was Denis Kearney (1847–1907) a California leader in the late 19th century who was known for his racist views about the Chinese. This activity resulted in the 1882 Exclusion Act, which banned Chinese immigrants.
Even before the coronavirus began to test our social order, the world was experiencing another plague, a pandemic of authoritarianism. Over the past decade it has infected democracies around the globe. Populism has married itself with right-wing politics. Finally, among the first responders were writers, offering apocalyptic nonfiction, all questioning the durability of democracy.
The Death of Democracy, Benjamin Carter Hett’s reconsideration of Weimar Germany, explored how partisan intransigence enabled the rise of Hitler. In another book, How Democracies Die, the Harvard political scientists Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt drew on a global roster of recently failed democracies to identify symptoms of would-be autocrats. (Donald Trump checks all the boxes.) In Surviving Autocracy, the journalist Masha Gessen dissected Trumpism and concluded that curing it will take more than an election.
Anne Applebaum’s contribution to this discussion, Twilight of Democracy: The Seductive Lure of Authoritarianism, is concerned less with the aspiring autocrats and their compliant mobs than with the mentality of the courtiers who make a tyrant possible: “….the writers, intellectuals, pamphleteers, bloggers, spin doctors, producers of television programs (FOX) and creators of memes who can sell his image to the public.”
Are these enablers true believers or just cynical opportunists? Do they believe the lies they tell and the conspiracies they invent, or are they simply greedy for wealth and power?
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Norcross Presbyterian returning to downtown location
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
AUG. 14, 2020 | Talk about a homecoming!
The Norcross Presbyterian Church is returning to its original downtown location at 89 Jones Street, right across from the entrance to Lillian Webb Park. The church since 1972 has been worshiping at 3324 Medlock Bridge Road. After years of declining membership, it recently sold its building to a Vietnamese First Baptist congregation, which draws its membership from all of Metro Atlanta, and was meeting in the Stone Mountain area. That church has about150 members.
The Norcross Presbyterians, part of the Presbytery of Atlanta of the Presbyterian Church, USA, had originally been built in downtown Norcross in 1899, the structure it is returning to. The church was founded in 1830 as Goshen Presbyterian Church, near what is now Interstate 85.
Mayor Craig Newton of Norcross says: “The city of Norcross purchased the old historic building a few years ago in order to preserve its historic character as it complements the old town charm, look and feel in downtown. We transferred the property to our DDA in an effort to repurpose the building with the intent that its historic nature would remain unchanged. Now we are more than pleased to welcome the Norcross Presbyterian Church congregation back home. They have mentioned plans to bring some of the original windows and other artifacts back to the church.”
Its senior pastor since 2003, Dr. Matt Fry, who lives in Peachtree Corners, says the congregation has for several months been holding services only online because of the pandemic. While there is no set time to resume in-person services, the church must first renovate its former building. It is now talking with architects and anticipates to have a construction contract soon, hopefully completing the work by the end of the year.
When the church moved to its Medlock Bridge Road location, it had about 150 members. It had a peak membership in the 1990s of about 350 members. Since then it has been declining in membership, like many other congregations, and now has a membership of about 50. Jason Bernardo, the church administrator, says they “feel the downtown building will be just the right size.”
The church bought its new location from the Downtown Norcross Development Authority for $645,000. It had sold its Medlock facility to the Vietnamese congregation for approximately $2 million. It took possession of the downtown church about a week ago.
What was then the Goshen Presbyterian Church moved to Norcross right after the railroad arrived in 1870. Later three churches, the Baptist, Methodist and Presbyterians, shared one building on the west side of the railroad tracks on what was then called Holy Row, now Sunset Drive (All three congregations built residences for their pastors on that street.) Eventually, the Baptists constructed a facility of its own across from Thrasher Park. When the Methodists built their church near the present-day Lillian Webb Park, the Presbyterians worshiped with them until they had their own building in 1899.
Dr. Fry is a native of Winston-Salem, N.C., but moved to Atlanta when an infant. He is a graduate of Flagler College of St. Augustine, Fla., a 1999 graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary, with a Masters of Divinity degree. He obtained his Doctorate of Ministry in 2008 from Columbia Theological Seminary. He has been an ordained minister since 1999, and has been the senior pastor at Norcross Presbyterian since 2003. He is father to two daughters. He enjoys jogging and completing half marathons.
The Norcross Presbyterians have a rich history, being known as the church in Norcross that fought for integration in the 1960s. Its web site says that “Our common bond is that we know that together we are stronger than we can be alone.”
Welcome back to your old home, Presbyterians.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Good Samaritan Norcross Center in 15th year of operation
By Heni Jordan
NORCROSS, Ga. | Good Samaritan Health Centers of Gwinnett is the county’s only full-time Christian charitable clinic offering medical, dental, pharmacy and counseling services to the poor and uninsured. This year marks the 15th Anniversary for the clinic that served over 33,000 people from 67 countries with over 200,000 appointments during those years. However, the celebration elation has been replaced early this year with the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on our patients and the clinic.
In March and April, the clinic, with shelter-in-place, saw a drastic decline in the number of patient visits. This drop created financial and operational challenges. Only the West Clinic on Buford Highway operated to allow a rotating shift to be able to switch at a moment’s notice to adhere to CDC and federal guidelines. In April, the clinic applied and received a PPP loan that helped to maintain the staff, but despite that program, funding was scarce.
As businesses began to open and the shelter-in-place has expired, Good Sam Gwinnett started to see a huge increase in patient visits. As of today, it sees about 120 patients a day. There are two tents in front of the clinic to triage patients and screen them before entering the building.
Later, Good Sam received $40,000 through the CARES ACT for an addition to our current building, where patients and staff can be safe from the elements. During the pandemic the clinic screened around 10,000 patients with about 200 of them evaluated with COVID-19 symptoms and referred to testing sites. Out of those patients who informed the clinic about the test results, 103 confirmed positive. As a precautionary measure for staff safety, Good Sam Gwinnett spent $40,000 on PPE and also hosted a volunteer day to make over 360 plastic gowns.
The new HomeFirst Gwinnett homeless shelter opened its doors on the first week of August to provide resources to those in need. Good Sam is operating its Assessment Clinic within that shelter, the first of a kind partnership between a homeless shelter and a non-profit clinic in Gwinnett County.
The successful “Campaign 2020” allowed the clinic to purchase an older building to expand the Good Samaritan mission. It will be a 10,800 square foot space that will include six dental chairs, six medical exam rooms and have 50 parking spaces. The soon-to-open Good Sam Gwinnett East Clinic is at 1175 Commercial Court, Norcross, 30093 (across from Walmart) and can more easily serve the population east of Interstate 85. If all of the construction program goes as planned, this new clinic will open in September.
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Lawrenceville hospital to get $57 million ER expansion
Upcoming Emergency Room Expansion Rendering.
The Northside Gwinnett Medical Center will expand the emergency department in Lawrenceville, marking a significant milestone as the hospital merger approaches its first anniversary.
The project, which was approved by the Georgia Department of Community Health on August 10, includes renovation of the existing emergency department and adjacent imaging services. A two-story addition adjacent to the hospital’s South tower will house 27 exam rooms and 30 observation beds. The completed facility will comprise more than 75,000 square feet, essentially doubling the capacity of the Northside Gwinnett emergency department.
The $57 million project is expected to be completed in the fall of 2021. J.E. Dunn Construction of Atlanta is contractor, while the architect is the Atlanta office of Perkins and Will, of Chicago.
Debbie Mitcham, president and CEO of Northside Hospital in Gwinnett and Duluth, says: “This major expansion will greatly enhance Northside’s patient care resources in this rapidly growing region, where we want to make a real difference in people’s lives. While this year has presented significant challenges to the health care industry, Northside has not wavered from its commitment for quality health care in Gwinnett. This project is transformative and will be a huge asset for our community.”
Over the past year, Northside has brought a number of new providers to Gwinnett County representing an array of specialties. Northside Grayson Health Center opened in October, offering primary care, cardiology, gastroenterology and OB/GYN services, as well as 3D mammography.
Census to knock on doors of those not competing forms
Census takers have begun interviews at local households that haven’t completed the 2020 Census questionnaire. If you haven’t completed the survey yet but want to skip the knock on your door, fill out the census forms online at My2020Census.gov. You can also complete the census by phone, or by mail using the form mailed to your house.
Census data determines federal funding, representation in government, and planning for community resources like schools, hospitals, and roads. Your private information is confidential by law and can’t be shared with any other agency. For more information, visit 2020Census.gov.
Johns Creek Symphony plans 2020-2021 season
The Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra (JCSO) announces its 2020-2021 concert season. It will begin on October 3, with other concerts on November 7, a yet to be determined fall date, December 19 and March 27. All concerts except for Music in Newtown Park will take place at the Johns Creek United Methodist Church, 11180 Medlock Bridge Road in Johns Creek. All programs, artists, dates, and locations are subject to change.
Music Director J. Wayne Baughman says: “The Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra is optimistic that the curve will flatten and that we will be able to share exquisite professional music with the community safely this season. However, we do understand the circumstances surrounding COVID-19 are changing daily; therefore, we are implementing a ‘no questions asked’ refund policy this season. This is one of many steps we are taking to ensure the health and safety of our patrons and musicians.”
In response to COVID-19, JCSO has established a Task Force to address patron and musician safety at all performances. These procedures and protocols will be communicated and adjusted as the situation with COVID-19 evolves. JCSO will continue to follow any guidelines from local and other officials.
The Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra’s 2020-2021 season is as follows:
- Music in the Park, Saturday. October 3 at 7 p.m. at Mark Burkhalter Amphitheater at Newtown Park, 3150 Old Alabama Road in Johns Creek, presented by: The City of Johns Creek.
- Virtual Concert Series, for fall 2020. This virtual series is made possible by a generous grant from Fulton County Arts Council.
- Chamber Music with Charles Yang, Saturday, November 7 at 7:30 p.m.
- Christmas Gala Concert, Saturday, December 19 at 7:30 p.m.
- A Twilight Serenade, Saturday, March 27 at 7:30 p.m.
Subscriptions range from $45- $99 and single tickets range from $18 to $42.50. All tickets can be purchased online at www.johnscreeksymphony.org, by phone (678) 748-5802, or at the door.
Norcross City Manager Smith announces retirement
Norcross City Manager Rudolph Smith will retire on September 22, after spending 22 years with the city.
Smith
A Berrien County native from Alapaha, Ga., Smith first served the City of Norcross as Tax and Business License manager before becoming he general government administrative director. He has been city manager since 2008.
He is a graduate of Abraham Baldwin College in Tifton, in accounting and business administration. He began his governmental career in the City of Alapaha, where he served for 18 years as grant administrator, city clerk and city manager. He first joined the City of Norcross in June of 1998. He has been involved in municipal government for over 40 years.
Smith holds national and international municipal clerk certifications and is a Georgia certified finance officer. In 1992, he was given the District II Leadership Award by the Georgia Municipal Association and in 2007, he was selected as the Finance Officer of the Year by the Georgia Municipal Clerk/Finance Officers Association. In 2009, he was selected as one of the 2009 Men of Influence by the Atlanta Business League.
More recently, Rudolph received a 30-year service award from the International City/County Management Association.
He is most proud of the role he played in bringing the city through the 2008 recession and ensuring a sustainable future. His conservative approach to managing the city’s budget was instrumental in the city’s ability to endure this most challenging financial crisis in the city’s history..
“It is time,” Rudolph said in a message to staff and council. “I have been with the city for 22 years, and now it is time to take advantage of the opportunity to retire and enjoy traveling, gardening and spending time with my son. I appreciate all the employees—I have enjoyed the many experiences I have had working with our team, and I am proud of our accomplishments during my years here. The city is blessed with an awesome team of professionals.”
PCOM’s pharmacy school accredited for next 10 years
The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) recently granted the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Doctor of Pharmacy program, located in Suwanee, eight years of continued accreditation. The accreditation term was extended through June 30, 2028, which represents a customary eight-year cycle, according to ACPE. The accreditation decision was made at the ACPE board of directors meeting held July 29 – August 1.
Spencer
Shawn Spencer, RPh, PhD, dean and chief academic officer of the PCOM School of Pharmacy, says: “ACPE safeguards quality in pharmacy education by verifying accreditation standards are met within the Doctor of Pharmacy degree program. The faculty, staff, students, preceptors and administrators within the School of Pharmacy have all worked together to ensure programmatic excellence which helped us achieve continued accreditation status in light of more rigorous ACPE standards.”
The decision was made based on an on-site evaluation held March 10 – 12, the School of Pharmacy’s self-study, along with additional communications with the school. Monitoring of the School of Pharmacy’s accreditation status will occur regularly.
Founded in 2010, the PCOM School of Pharmacy (SOP) is a four-year Doctor of Pharmacy program consisting of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Department of Pharmacy Practice. Students enrolled in the PharmD program have the option of enhancing their credentials by pursuing a concentration or a dual degree program. Concentration areas include acute care pharmacy, ambulatory care pharmacy and managed care pharmacy. PharmD students also may pursue one of three online graduate business programs offered in partnership with Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia.
The SOP achieves its mission through “advancement of contemporary pharmacy practice, interprofessional education, patient-centered care, innovative research, a commitment to service, and lifelong personal and professional development.”
NAMAR shares grant between hospital staff, 2 co-ops
The Northeast Metro Association of Realtors (NAMAR) has shared a $1,500 grant from the Georgia Realtors COVID-19 Community Outreach program with Northside Gwinnett Hospital and two local food co-ops.
NAMAR was able to serve 255 frontline workers at the Hospital in early July, delivering meals to both the day and night shift at the Hospital to the emergency room and Covid Unit staff members. The remainder of the funds was split between the Norcross Community Ministry and North Gwinnett Co-op. From left are NAMAR Committee Chair Jessica Morrison and North Gwinnett’s outreach director, Mary Warren.
The Good Soldier Svejk, by Jaorslav Hasek
From Raleigh Perry, Buford: If you liked Catch 22, you will love this. Actually, this is where Heller got his ideas for Catch 22. It is one of the funniest books that you will ever read. It is long, but that is not a problem, it was written as serials for a magazine, so it is easy to put down the pick up later. It deals with a Czech soldier in World War I who has already been kicked out of the Army for being an ‘idiot.’ He is ordered back into the Army and his military career is nothing more than jumping into cesspools and coming out smelling like a rose. I recommend the Everyman’s Library edition; it is hardbound. It is long, but it does not have to be read straight through. Take a break, read something funny.
- 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
Alpharetta’s Puckett gains fame as country music artist
George Riley Puckett was one of the nationally known pioneer country music artists who gained experience and exposure at the Georgia Old-Time Fiddlers’ Conventions, held in Atlanta between 1913 and 1935. His dynamic single-string guitar playing, featuring dramatic bass runs, earned for him an enviable reputation as an instrumentalist.
Many aspiring guitarists who followed him have studied and copied his style. Although he was an accomplished musician on several instruments, his singing was most responsible for establishing him as an important figure in the history of country music.
Born near Alpharetta in 1894, Puckett was blinded shortly after birth, presumably the result of misapplication of medicine for his eyes. While attending the Georgia Academy for the Blind in Macon, he learned to play the piano. Later, as a teenager, he taught himself to play banjo, and in time he became a contest winner on the instrument.
His vocalizing was a regular feature at the Georgia Old-Time Fiddlers’ Conventions. Newspaper reporters covering these events referred to him as the Bald Mountain Caruso in admiration of his renditions of such songs as When You and I Were Young, Maggie and Sleep, Baby, Sleep. For several years Puckett played and sang with the Home Town Boys, a string-band ensemble composed of Atlanta-area musicians. They made their debut on Atlanta’s six-month-old radio station, WSB, on September 18, 1922. Until going off the air in 1926, they remained one of the station’s most popular acts.
In 1924 Puckett accompanied fiddler Gid Tanner to New York, where, on March 7 and 8, they recorded 12 songs and tunes for the Columbia Phonograph Company. They were the first country-music artists to record for that firm. These recording sessions yielded vocal selections by Puckett and fiddle tunes by Tanner. One of Puckett’s songs, Rock All Our Babies to Sleep, established him as probably the first country-music artist to yodel on records. Yodeling was employed as an embellishment by numerous country music vocalists well into the 1940s.
Puckett was a charter member of the influential string band Gid Tanner and His Skillet Lickers (from Gwinnett County) and continued to record with the group through their last session in 1934. Puckett recorded as a solo artist into the early 1940s, creating a discography of more than 200 records on such labels as Columbia, Decca, and Bluebird. His repertoire included novelty songs, religious songs, traditional folk songs, cowboy songs, and ballads from the field of popular music.
In addition to making records, he appeared in stage shows and worked on radio stations in Atlanta and other Georgia cities, as well as selected eastern and midwestern cities. Riley Puckett was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 1986. He died on July 13, 1946, in East Point.
- To view the Georgia Encyclopedia article online, go to http://georgiaencyclopedia.org
Perhaps many will identify this “cream puff” Mystery Photo
We bet this Mystery Photo may be classified as a “cream puff.” For sure, it’s different and distinctive. Tell us where it’s located by sending to elliott@brack.net, including your hometown.
North Carolina native Susan McBrayer of Sugar Hill is learning more about Georgia history as she identifies mystery photos. She says of the most recent photo: “This is the Chief John Ross Bridge (Market Street Bridge), which is a restored, historic drawbridge across the Tennessee River in Chattanooga, Tenn. It is named in memory of Cherokee Chief John Ross, who was the principal chief of the Cherokee Nation from 1828-1866, serving longer in this position than any other person. The Cherokees called Ross the ‘Moses’ of his people, and he influenced the Cherokee nation through such tumultuous events as the relocation to Indian Territory and the American Civil War.
Ros
“He was primarily Scottish. His father was from Scotland and his mother was of Scottish descent but with a full-blooded Cherokee grandmother. Ross built a plantation and started businesses along the Tennessee River. The community that grew up around these businesses was called Ross’s Landing. That area is now Chattanooga. He was a sophisticated man speaking many languages and spending a great deal of time in Washington lobbying for the Indian causes. He died there in 1866 while negotiating the Reconstruction Treaty.His Cherokee name was ‘Guwisguwi.’”
The photo came from Jerry Colley of Alpharetta. Others identifying the photograph included Lou Camerio, Lilburn; Virginia Klaer, Duluth; and Holly Moore of Suwanee, who noted that “The bridge opened in 1917, and is a double bascule bridge (drawbridge). The hills beyond the bridge give a bit of a clue to its location.” George Graf of Palmyra, Va. sent along a photo of the bridge with the spans opening.
Allan Peel of San Antonio, Tex. sent along another photo of the bridge: “Designed by architect Benjamin H. Davis in 1914 and completed in 1917, it is a center-draw span, double-leaf steel truss rolling-lift bascule bridge. This simply means that there are two separate spans with concrete counterweights on either end that, when activated, separate in the middle. The entire bridge is approximately 2,000-feet long and 36-feet wide and was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on December 20, 2010. At the time of its completion in 1917, the 300-foot main span was the longest rolling-lift bascule span in the world.”
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