GwinnettForum | Number 21.44 | June 24, 2022
UNUSUAL VIEW: Here’s a distinctive and “artsy” view of Lawrenceville City Hall, against a blue sky background. This photo comes from Bruce Johnson. The city recently approved a $172 million budget for fiscal year 2023. See story below in Upcoming.
TODAY’S FOCUS: Rabid raccoon found in Buford; be alert for strange acting animals
EEB PERSPECTIVE: Other communities finding use for one of the “Gwinnett Standards”
SPOTLIGHT: Walton Gas
FEEDBACK: Column on Maine and lobster rolls made her hungry
UPCOMING: Suwanee’s Broadway in the Park returns July 29-30
NOTABLE: Gwinnett expands mental health services for residents
RECOMMENDED: The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi
GEORGIA TIDBIT: Birds dominate the landscape of Georgia
MYSTERY PHOTO: Few clues abound for today’s Mystery
Rabid raccoon in Buford; Be alert for strange acting animals
(Exclusive in GwinnettForum)
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. | A raccoon tested positive for rabies in Buford on Tuesday, causing local officials to issue a warning to local residents to be on the lookout for other rabid animals. A dog was attacked by the raccoon in the Pebblebrook Court/Arden Drive area in Buford on Monday. The raccoon was collected by animal welfare on Monday and brought to the shelter.
Both the Gwinnett Animal Welfare and Enforcement Department and the Gwinnett Health Department issued warnings to residents. What’s particularly dangerous is that rabid racoons change their habits when they have rabies. Instead of keeping to themselves and scurrying away when they see people, rabid racoons turn friendly. They want to be around people.
Dr. Audrey Arona, district director of the Health Department, says: “Animals with rabies can behave in a variety of ways. It is critically important to remind individuals to avoid contact with animals they do not know, both wild animals and domestic animals, including cats and dogs. If you see an animal acting strange, make sure to call animal control. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, it is very important that you contact your medical provider. You can also contact the Health Department at 770-339-4260.”
All pet owners should make sure their pets are current on the rabies vaccination. According to the National Association of State Health Veterinarians, unvaccinated dogs and cats exposed to a rabid animal must be strictly quarantined for four months and vaccinated one month prior to being released.
If left untreated, the rabies virus can be fatal in humans. Early symptoms of rabies include fever, headache and general weakness or discomfort.
Here are some tips to help protect you and your family:
- Make sure your pets get their rabies shots regularly and keep them on your property;
- Do not leave garbage or pet food outside;
- Report any animal acting unusual to Gwinnett County Animal Welfare and Enforcement; and
- Stay away from wild, sick, hurt or dead animals.
If you believe you have been exposed, immediately seek medical care. To report the animal and have it picked up, call the Gwinnett Animal Welfare and Enforcement Bite Office at 770-339-3200 ext. 5576; after hours, contact Dispatch non-emergency at 770-513-5700.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Other communities finding use for “Gwinnett Standards”
Flock cameras use solar power, cell phones and the internet
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
JUNE 24, 2022 | The “Gwinnett Standard” that Chairwoman Nicole Hendrickson promotes may be finding its way into other counties. We saw in the news the other day that the City of Atlanta is telling about a new way to help solve crimes—-surveillance cameras mounted around the city.
Atlanta is finding out what many in Gwinnett have known for a while: mounting these safety cameras around high crime or high access areas can be a major benefit to the police in solving crime.
The cameras were introduced on a large scale in Gwinnett by several of the Community Improvement Districts. Almost immediately, the police began nabbing criminals much faster, since these cameras can give them real-time information. By the cameras spotting license plates of stolen cars, for instance, it is possible that the police can track that automobile and stop the drivers before they leave the county.
Sometimes, when the police stop such a car, its drivers have stolen the car to get away after they commit another crime, such as a robbery or home invasion. And often that person driving the car has a gun, often unregistered, with him. By the police pulling this person over soon after the camera recognized the stolen car, you might say that the police stopped another crime before it was committed. (The first crime was the stolen car.)
Recently Explore Gwinnett announced that it would install Flock cameras at hotels throughout the county. This promotes public safety, since travelers can feel that it’s safe to register at Gwinnett hotels. Criminals often target vehicles parked at local hotels. The funding to install these cameras around hotels come from the hotel-motel tax that Gwinnett levies on room rentals.
We’ve written about this before. The development of surveillance started when a Georgia Tech graduate’s neighborhood was the victim of organized crime where 100 cars were broken into one night in Buckhead.
Having an engineering degree and technical background, the Tech graduate, Garrett Langley, took action and recruited one of his former colleagues, Matt Feury. They built makeshift cameras which were then positioned around their homes to capture photos of cars and license plates. Little did he know that this ingenuity would soon lead to the arrest of another gang entering cars. The two men then launched a new firm, Flock Safety Company of Atlanta, to build and install cameras to help other communities fight crime.
Police told Langley “You gave us the evidence from the cameras, where before we knew nothing about who was committing the crime. Now we had hard identification evidence from the cameras, and have the information to make arrests.”
Today, Flock Safety cameras are in two thousand cities across the nation, from Dallas, Texas to Dallas, Georgia and they capture on average, one billion cars images per week with 3.5 percent of all crimes solved through their products. The company’s mission is to eliminate crime through objective policing, and not slow, investigative and subjective bias, meaning these cameras capture cars and plates; not faces. The results show that burglaries are down 10 percent and car break-ins reduced by 28 percent.
The company comprises 500 employees. To keep up with Flock Safety’s growth and client needs, they are adding 100 positions every 90 days. Wow.
And Gwinnett Community Improvement Districts initially adopted this method of improving public safety within the Gwinnett borders. It’s part of what Chairwoman Hendrickson calls “the Gwinnett Standard.”
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Walton Gas
The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. Walton Gas is a Georgia Proud hometown company that serves the natural gas needs of many Gwinnett citizens. Anyone on the Atlanta Gas Light natural gas pipes system is eligible for service – you do not have to get electricity from Walton EMC to be our customer! Be sure to visit us at many local events including Suwanee Fest, Snellville Live on the Lawn and the Snellville Fall Festival. To get Walton GAS competitively gas rate, call 770-GAS-HEAT.
- Contact Walton EMC at waltonemc.com, facebook.com/waltonemc or 770-267-2505.
- For a list of other sponsors of this forum, click here.
Column on Maine and lobster rolls made her hungry
Editor, the Forum:
I enjoyed your piece about Maine. I lived in New Jersey for many years and New Jersey was my traditional vacation spot.
The closest I’ve come to “tasting” Maine locally is Kathleen’s Catch. She has three locations and I frequent Johns Creek (near Pikes). She sells Lobster Rolls in season. The website is https://www.kathleenscatch.com/
Now I am hungry.
– Cathy Loew, Peachtree Corners
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.
Suwanee’s Broadway in the Park returns July 29-30
Broadway in the Park returns to Suwanee Town Center Park with heavenly productions of Sister Act JR. and The Sound of Music:Youth Edition. The family-friendly event is scheduled to begin at 7:00 pm for one weekend only, July 29 and 30.
Based on the hit 1992 film, Sister Act JR. tells the story of Deloris Van Cartier, a high-spirited aspiring pop singer who witnesses a murder and is put in protective custody in the one place the cops are sure she won’t be a found: a convent!
“Raise your voice” is the central message of this musical about a willful “disco diva” who finds grace and fulfillment in the place she least expects it. Filled with powerful gospel songs Sister Act JR. is a sparkling tribute to the universal power of friendship and community.
Based on the inspirational true story of Maria von Trapp, The Sound of Music is one of the most beloved musicals of all time! In Austria, 1938, an exuberant young governess brings music and joy back to a broken family, only to face danger and intrigue as the Nazis gain power. The von Trapps’ daring escape provides one of the most exciting finales presented in theater.
The final collaboration between Rodgers and Hammerstein, The Sound of Music is uplifting theater at its finest. The show teaches us that music, joy, and love can be effective weapons against fear, intolerance, and hate. Featuring a trove of cherished songs, including “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “My Favorite Things,” “Do Re Mi,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” and the title number, The Sound of Music won the hearts of audiences worldwide.
Premium seating in assigned areas is available in exchange for donations or sponsorship.
- For more information: suwaneeperforms.org.
Lawrenceville adopts $172 million budget for FY 2023
The city of Lawrenceville has adopted a $172-million annual budget for the coming year. The new budget represents a 17 percent increase over the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 budget of $147-million, because of increased capital expenditures, inflationary costs and salary/staffing increases.
The (FY) 2023 budget will focus on investments in three key areas – personnel, capital investments, and strategic planning. The city’s fiscal year begins July 1 and keeps the current millage rate unchanged at 2.228 mills.
Mayor David Still states: “As our city continues to grow, a sound financial plan ensures Lawrenceville will flourish and move forward according to our strategic plan. Each year, I continue to be amazed by the efficiency and critical planning expended by city staff to secure the future of the City of Lawrenceville.”
Chief Financial Officer Keith Lee made the FY 2023 budget presentation that incorporates investment in human capital with the inclusion of $2.1-million (salary and benefits) for an employee market salary adjustment to all staff; $452,000 to create five total new positions in the police, human resources, public works, and planning and development departments; and funding to create an employee residency incentive.
Additional highlights of the FY 2023 budget include $18.3-million invested in capital assets, which include roads, electric grid, natural gas distribution, stormwater system, public safety, and facility maintenance and improvement.
City Manager Chuck Warbington says: “Our three central budget initiatives are key to the continuing success of our city and support the budgetary vision of the Mayor and Council, who speak for the community. Investing in human capital through market salary adjustments and creation of new positions for our growing city ensures competitive compensation to attract and retain top talent in all departments.”
- For additional details and to view the full budget presentation, visit the agendas and minutes section of the city website. Visit Open Checkbook, the city’s financial transparency site, for details on city expenses.
Gwinnett expands mental health services for residents
Gwinnett County is enhancing its services for residents who may be experiencing a mental health crisis. The Board of Commissioners have approved an expansion of the mental health partnership between the Gwinnett Police Department and View Point Health.
The expansion means the addition of two licensed clinicians, bringing the number of providers in the behavioral health unit to three. A total of six clinicians will be in place by the end of 2022. The total cost of the contract with View Point Health is $539,820.
More than 160 mental health crisis calls were answered during the pilot program that began in 2021. In March of this year, the unit played a key role in both the release of passengers who were being held hostage on a Greyhound bus and getting the suspect off the bus safely.
GGC wins recognition for diversity and inclusiveness
Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) was selected to receive the Georgia Association of Colleges and Employers (GACE) inaugural Diversity and Inclusive Excellence Award.
GGC received the award for its program, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? A Conversation on Diversity in the Workplace. The event drew GGC student, faculty and staff participants, who heard from a panel of representatives from the government and private sectors. Over dinner, event panelists discussed their respective experiences and provided advice in navigating through diversity issues in the workplace.
Sherrie Goodman, acting director of GGC’s Career Development and Advising Center said that the Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner event allowed participants to share their own experiences in what she called a “safe space.” Goodman said that GGC will host another Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner event in early 2023.
Gwinnett Young Professionals spotlight 35 under 35
Billings
Gwinnett Young Professionals (GYP) hosted its second annual event celebrating the region’s top young business minds. This 35 Under-35 awards program named thirty-four winners and one ‘Young professional of the year’ as it furthered GYP’s mission to champion Gwinnett’s next generation of business leaders. More than two hundred young professionals attended the event to honor their peers.
Jasmine Billings, community development manager for the City of Lawrenceville, received the 2022 Gwinnett Young Professional of the Year recognition.
The 2022 35-under-35 winners included:
- Adriana Andrade, Precise Consulting;
- Charbel Aoun, Georgia First Generation Foundation;
- Heather Bellew, HB Consulting Co.;
- Vlad Bursuc, Georgia Gwinnett College;
- Kristen Cofelice, Catering Concepts;
- Benjamin Coker, Northside Hospital;
- Katie Corbett, Gwinnett County Animal Welfare;
- Dee Driver, Gwinnett County Government;
- Tommy Easley, Atlanta Gladiators;
- Ana Echeverry, Chemistry;
- Justin Estep, BECA, Inc.;
- Jared Estes, Colliers Engineering & Design, Inc.;
- Ashley Flagg, Mayvin, Inc.;
- Christabel Ghansah, City of Norcross;
- Michael Green, Green Financial Resources, LLC;
- Tyler Henry, Movement Mortgage;
- Stephanie Hernandez, Mosaic Georgia;
- Daniel Hwang, Twenty Five Marketing ;
- Sabina Khoja, Northwestern Mutual;
- Catrina Kmieciak, Atlanta Humane Society;
- Kyle Leineweber, Gwinnett County;
- Brittany Lowe, Rainbow Village Inc;
- Juan Mejia, JCM Ventures;
- Ikram Mohammed, Two and You Foundation;
- Muriam Nafees, Gwinnett County Government ;
- Jake Nguyen, Nguyen & Pham, LLC Attorney at Law;
- Shantel Nock, Empower With Words College Prep;
- Philip Pendergrass, The Pendergrass Law Firm;
- Kam Phillips, The Kam Phillips Group;
- Brooke Shultis, Gwinnett County Public Schools, Office of Academies and CTE;
- Kristan VandenHeuvel, The Water Tower;
- Owen Waits, J.P. Morgan Chase;
- Chad Wasdin, Gwinnett, Newton & Rockdale County Health Departments; and
- Aurielle Williams, Amatus Health.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi
From Susan McBrayer, Sugar Hill: If you’re looking for Jiminy Cricket here, you won’t find him. That was Disney. This classic tale from the early 1880s is deeper and darker. On the surface, it’s a silly moralistic story about a gullible puppet continually being conned by a parade of shady characters. If you read this story from the viewpoint of what was happening on the Italian Peninsula less than 10 years after the unification of Italy, you will see that it’s a comment on the young country in the 1880s – the poverty, the hunger, the illiteracy, the dangers and the clash of cultures. On close inspection, this story has many layers. But primarily, it’s the classic tale of a young character who leaves home seeking adventure and, instead, finds danger at every turn as he tries to find his way back home. For that reason, I recommend it primarily for children, though I enjoyed it.
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
Birds dominate the landscape of Georgia
Birds, more than any other vertebrate (an animal with a backbone), dominate Georgia’s landscapes. The state’s diversity of habitats and physical features, from the northern mountains to the swamps and coastal islands, provides habitats for approximately 347 species of birds that live in Georgia at some point during their lifetimes. Between 90 and 110 species breed and nest in south Georgia. This number increases in north Georgia to almost 130 nesting birds. The study of birds, also called ornithology, began as early as 1723 in Georgia.
Georgia’s landscape changed dramatically from 1925 to 2000. Farmland in the early 1900s occupied about two-thirds of the state, while forests occupied the remaining third. Urban and suburban areas were limited to a small percentage of the land. By the end of the century, forests covered almost two-thirds of the state, and farmland covered less than a third. Urban and suburban areas increased greatly and so did urban sprawl. These landscape alterations have caused changes in the bird populations, with some species benefiting and others suffering. New breeding birds, such as the American robin (Turdus migratorius), arrived in the new landscapes, which were suitable for nesting and raising their young. Other bird populations, such as the painted bunting (P. ciris), declined rapidly with changes in the landscape that eliminated habitats required for living and for raising their young.
Invasions of 14 northern breeding birds have occurred in north Georgia since the 1940s. Half of these birds are nesting in human-dominated habitats, such as housing subdivisions.
At the same time that urbanization increased in Georgia, the state’s forested areas also increased. Bird habitats became more fragmented with the increase in forest edge. Six species of breeding birds invaded north Georgia from the north to occupy the new forest and forest edges. The prothonotary warbler (Protonotaria citrea) invaded north Georgia from the south and may have benefited from the soil erosion, stream sedimentation, and increased flooding that expanded swamp forests and provided nesting habitat.
Habitat conservation in concert with wildlife management is the key to protecting Georgia’s birds. Rapid changes to landscape and habitats will cause some birds to lose their nesting, migrating, and wintering homes. These birds deserve our attention and conservation efforts. Birds not only consume insects but also benefit our economy, as people spend millions of dollars in Georgia each year on outdoor recreational activities to enjoy birds.
- To view the Georgia Encyclopedia article online, go to https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
Few clues abound for today’s Mystery
You can tell that today’s Mystery Photo is an older house because of the massive chimneys, meaning it took plain, everyday wood to heat this structure. Look at all the brick in these chimneys? Now figure out where this house is located. There are few identifying clues around! Send your answer to elliott@brack.net and include your hometown.
The most recent Mystery Photo wasn’t some older building in Europe, though it may have looked like it. George Graf of Palmyra, Va. recognized it immediately. “That’s Gray Towers National Historic Site (aka Gifford Pinchot House or The Pinchot Institute) is located just off U.S. Highway 6 west of Milford, Penn. The house was built in the style of a French château to reflect the Pinchot family’s French origins and overlooks the Delaware River. Almost all the materials came from local sources. Hemlock timbers were floated down the Delaware on rafts from Lackawaxen, and another river town, Shohola, provided the bluestone and windows.
“It is the ancestral home of Gifford Pinchot, first director of the United States Forest Service and twice elected governor of Pennsylvania. Gifford married Cornelia Bryce in August 1914 and the couple began spending their summers at Grey Towers. She realized that their developing political careers (she ran for Congress three times), required changes to the house to make it more suitable for entertaining. At her behest, many alterations were made to the original first-floor plan. The most significant involved merging the dining and breakfast rooms to create a large sitting room, and similarly enlarging the library by adding the living room to it. In 1963 the house and property were donated to the Forest Service; it is the only U.S. National Historic Site managed by that agency.”
The photo came from Lee Klaer of Duluth. Others recognizing the photo include Robert Foreman, Grayson; and Lou Camerio, Lilburn.
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