A SPRING EXHIBIT is coming to Kudzu Art Zone in Norcross, opening on March 12 and continuing through April 14. One of the pieces of art will be this photograph, “Where’s My Dinner?” by Mikki Dillon. A reception to view the exhibit and meet the artists will be on Sunday, March 25, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
TODAY’S FOCUS: Though Gwinnett Economy Is Strong, Much Remains To Be Done
EEB PERSPECTIVE: Gwinnett Will Find 143 Candidates on Ballot Seeking 27 Contested Races
ANOTHER VIEW: World Working Toward a New Totalitarianism for the 21st Century
SPOTLIGHT: Brand Bank
FEEDBACK: Recent Comment on Billy Graham Disturbing to One Person
McLEMORE’S WORLD: Cellphones
UPCOMING: Kudzu Art Zone Spring Exhibit Opens on March 12
NOTABLE: Adair House, Female Seminary Exhibiting Artifacts of the Bicentennial
RECOMMENDED: A Column of Fire by Ken Follett
GEORGIA TIDBIT: Eye Care Becomes More Important as a Person Ages
MYSTERY PHOTO: Big Pineapple Fountain Asks for Its Location as Mystery Photo
CALENDAR: Evermore CID Seeks Input on Transportation Plan
Though Gwinnett economy is strong, much remains to be done
By Randy Hicks, Peachtree Corners, Ga. | By most measures, Gwinnett County has recovered remarkably from the Great Recession. The county’s unemployment rate stood at a low 3.8 percent in December 2017, over 60 percent lower than it was at the height of 9.6 in January and February of 2010.
Hicks
And yet much work remains to be done.
Even though the economic outlook is improving for Gwinnett, many of our neighbors in the county are struggling. Our official poverty rate stands at 12.6 percent—and, although that figure is less than the U.S. average, it represents tens of thousands of men, women, and children caught in generational cycles of poverty. Often, these same people live in fractured families and lack access to educational options that would make for a better future.
We can and should do better in Gwinnett County. That’s why our organization, Georgia Center for Opportunity, has launched a community-based initiative in Gwinnett that is built on what scholars term “the success sequence.” This sequence represents a simple yet profound idea: success in America is partly grounded on the three pillars of work, education, and family.
In other words, taken together, a good education, steady job, and healthy family life greatly increase the odds of people achieving economic and social stability. Remarkably, scholars on both the political left and right recognize the importance of this sequence.
The big question, of course, is how we can use this to help poverty-stricken families succeed. At Georgia Center for Opportunity, we believe the best solutions to this problem come locally. That’s why we recently created a local initiative called “Hiring Well, Doing Good” that brings together local employers, community leaders, schools, churches, and nonprofits to advance vocational training and apprenticeships for those struggling to find work. In Gwinnett, we’ve already had 30 businesses sign on to expand these types of training opportunities.
But workforce training is only part of the puzzle. The other two parts of the success sequence—education and family—are also crucial. That’s why it is so important that we expand education options for our most vulnerable children and promote healthy-relationship training programs for couples and families.
We’re already seeing promising results. For children caught in multi-generational cycles of poverty, a good education can become a stick in the spokes of the poverty cycle that slows it down; for an adult, it’s a job; and for couples, it may be relationship enrichment programs and other supports. When all three parts of the success sequence work together, however, we begin to see significant results in boosting opportunity for the rising generation.
We need to understand that each part of the success sequence can work to help individuals; it’s never too late to get life back on track. And while following the success sequence is no guarantee of a positive outcome, it does tilt the likelihood in favor of it.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Gwinnett will find 143 candidates on ballot seeking 27 contested races
By Elliott Brack, editor and publisher | Lots took place in the last week, so it’s catching up time.
Again, the Buford City School system has been named the No. 1 Best School District in Georgia by Niche.com. Congratulation to Supt. Geye Hamby and his leadership team.
The system got either an A+ or A on all six areas: academics, teachers, clubs and activities, diversity, college prep plus health and safety.
Meanwhile, niche.com ranks the Gwinnett Public School System as No. 13 among the best districts in Georgia. Niche is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Penn. Learn more about Niche at https://about.niche.com.
You have some happy people at Meadowcreek High School this week, as the school won the top-ranked high school boys basketball championship in Georgia, defeating its Gwinnett rival, Norcross, by a score of 56-43. It marked the first championship in any sport for Meadowcreek, long a doormat in athletics.
The victory was especially fantastic for Meadowcreek since the Norcross team had defeated Meadowcreek twice in regular season, and once for the regional title. Meadowcreek and Norcross were tied 36-36 in the fourth quarter, when Meadowcreek went on a 13-1 spurt to reach an insurmountable lead.
Watch out! Political candidates are coming out all around us. As the time ended for potential candidates to register to run for office this year, few incumbents were without opponents. Altogether, there are 27 contested races for political office at the county and state level this year, and three of six local judgeships are contested.
There are so many, many candidates running. On the Gwinnett ballot, there will be 143 local and statewide candidates, and this isn’t counting those running for the Supreme Court or Court of Appeals.
Let’s list the local and statewide offices and number running:
- For governor, 11 candidates;
- All other statewide races: 26 persons for six offices;
- County Commission: six people for two seats;
- Board of Education: eight candidates for two seats;
- Solicitor: two candidates for that office;
- U.S. Congress: 18 candidates for three slots;
- Georgia Senate: 16 persons seeking 7 seats;
- Georgia House: 43 candidates for 18 offices.
- Local courts: 10 candidates for three seats, plus three judges running unopposed.
Several political candidates are breathing freely these days, drawing no opposition in either the primary or in the general election. These include the six current members of the Georgia House of Representatives: Darshun Kendrick (District 93);; Pedro Marin (District 96); David Clark (District 98); Dewey McClain (District 100); Timothy Barr (District 103); and Brett Harrell (District 106). Congratulations to each of you!
Three local judges have no opposition: Superior Court Judges George Hutchison and Timothy Hamil, and State Court Judge Pam South. Don’t you know they have smiles on their faces!
The year 2018 promises to be a mighty competitive year, politically. The Georgia primary is closer than you think, to be on May 22.
Patriotic birthday of Uncle Sam. He made his debut on this day in 1852 as a cartoon in the New York Lantern, drawn by Frank Henry Bellew. The name “Uncle Sam” had been used to refer to the United States since about 1810, but this was the first time that someone thought to make him into a character and draw him in human form.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
World working toward a new totalitarianism for 21st century
“Democracy is the worst form of government, excepting for every other one that has been tried.” –Winston Churchill. He also said, “The best case against democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter.”
By George Wilson, contributing columnist | Twenty-five years ago, the liberal democratic system of the West was supposed to represent the “end of history,” the definitive paradigm for human governance.
The Republicans under Trump seem to be moving away from this model. They are actively seeking one-party rule by gerrymandering, voter suppression laws, and unlimited amounts of money given to our elected representatives from special interests. Moreover, and most insidious, the disabling of democratic norms and attacks on the free press and the justice system has become the Trump standard.
In addition, Russia, China and the United States seem to have some converging problems:
- China has a rising debt, an aging workforce, inefficient state-owned enterprises, and an imbalance in the male to female ratio.
- Russia has a low birth rate, corruption and a dependence on fossil fuel exports and too many state-owned enterprises. The wealthy Russian oligarchs are in control.
- America has a rising debt, an aging workforce, inefficient monopoly corporations, never ending wars, and poor governance.
These factors, to some varying degree, may prevent these three countries from moving forward in the future.
Aside from a low birthrate, rising debt and inefficient enterprises, what is another common problem with these three countries?
It is the rising concentrations of wealth with oligarchies that control most of the wealth.
The Hurun Report, a research organization in Shanghai that tracks the wealthy in China, reports that China’s parliament alone has $650 billion in wealth and is growing.
A 2014 Credit Suisse Analysis showed that in Russia the top 10 percent of the population controls a staggering 85 percent of the total wealth. Moreover, 111 billionaires control a fifth of all household wealth in Russia.
The 20 richest people on the planet are worth a staggering $1.2 trillion, a sum roughly equivalent to the annual economic output of Mexico.
In sum, the world’s problems are caused by climate change, income inequality, and heavy military expenditures, with the United States leading the way.
Finally, the international community, especially the European and British Commonwealth countries, must keep on raising concerns about the lack of respect for democracy and human rights. Unfortunately, the present administration doesn’t seem to care about these issues, and only exacerbate them.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
BrandBank
The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. Today’s sponsor is Brand Group Holdings, Inc., a $2.4 billion bank holding company located in the Atlanta Metropolitan area, operating as BrandBank. Bartow Morgan, Jr. is the fifth generation CEO of the company which was founded in Lawrenceville, Ga. in 1905. Additionally, BrandMortgage is a wholly owned subsidiary which offers a wide array of mortgage finance products in ten Southeastern states. BrandBank is focused on exceeding customer expectations and scored highest of all banks in the United States in Customer Satisfaction in 2016 and 2017. As of Q4 2017, BrandBank has $2.4 billion total assets and operates 12 banking offices with access to over 1,100 ATMs through the Publix Presto! Network. BrandBank ranks #1 in Customer Loyalty and Net Promoter for in-branch customer experience among peer banks in the $1-5 billion range. Research provided by Customer Service Profiles.
- For more information, go to https://www.thebrandbank.com/ .
- For a list of other sponsors of this forum, click here.
Recent comment on Billy Graham disturbing to one person
Editor, the Forum:
It disturbs me, but I am not surprised, when someone, such as Jack Bernard, tries to reflect on the life of a person like Billy Graham, and does so from a political, worldly posture.
It shows a true lack of respect for one of the most respected Christian leaders in our time. To use scripture to determine whether in the opinion of a skeptical writer, someone measures up to their own standards of living, just proves what most Christians already know: that such a world view as expressed in his article, should never surprise anyone of faith.
There is no question that Rev. Graham, would say that we should pray for those who have such divergent comments, because Jesus loves them too.
— Charles Summerour, Duluth
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. We reserve the right to edit for clarity and length. Send feedback and letters to: elliott@brack.net
Cellphones
- For more of Bill McLemore’s cartoons, see his page on Facebook.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Kudzu Art Zone spring exhibit opens March 12
Further proof that spring is on the way is the opening of an exhibit at Kudzu Art Zone in Norcross entitled Spring Fest. The show is comprised of works by member artists and their interpretations of the spring season. The exhibit opens March 12 and continues through April 14. A reception to view the exhibit and meet the artists will be on Sunday, March 25, from 2 to 5 p.m.
Among the outstanding pieces are two diverse entries by Mikki Dillon, an artist noted for both her pastel paintings and photography. The first, Sumac and Daisies, was painted outdoors near Stone Mountain at a plein air event. The second work is a photo of birds taken near St Augustine. Its title is Where’s the Dinner?
Another painting is Wanda Walston’s Wispy Willows. She had purchased some new paints and was excited to try the silver paint, which worked out well for her as the viewer will agree.
A prolific artist as well as graphic designer, Cynthia Corbin, is on a new journey experimenting with abstract collage mixed media paintings. One example in this exhibit, Loop d’Noir, encompasses bold graphics, reds and greens for strong contrast and a lot of action. Her second work, Escapade, is bright acrylic blues, greens and yellows with bold blacks to show movement and energy.
Again Kathy Collins’ soft, masterly oil landscapes are represented here by The Other Side of the Tracks, an impressionistic painting based on a photo taken at Stone Mountain Park. It is a view across the railroad tracks along a hiking trail. She has recently been working in a long horizontal format which she says seems to give a sensation of calm distance which works well in her landscapes.
Kudzu Art Zone is located at 116 Carlyle Street in downtown Norcross and is home to galleries, classroom space and 8 individual artists’ studios. For more information, phone is 770-840-9844 and the website is www.kudzuartzone.org.
Dulcimer artist Ted Yoder coming To Lionheart Theatre March 23
Hammered Dulcimer virtuoso Ted Yoder will make a one-night only appearance at Historic Norcross at Lionheart Theatre, Friday, March 23 at 7:30 p.m.
Yoder
Probably the most famous and innovated dulcimer artist in the country, Yoder reimagines his instrument. He powerfully personalizes, or “Yoderizes,” classics across genres and eras—including Irish traditionals, worship music favorites, pop and rock songs from Eagles and The Beatles—with his symphonic solo musician touch. He also performs his own compositions that have become modern standards for his devoted fan-base.
The Goshen, Indiana-based instrumentalist-composer-singer is the 2010 National Hammered Dulcimer champion. His cover of the Tears for Fears hit “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” became one of the most-watched Facebook Live posts in 2016 when the song received more than 101 million views from music fans around the world. Tickets are $25 and are available at www.lionhearttheatre.org. For more information call 678-938-8518.
Adair House, Female Seminary exhibiting artifacts of the bicentennial
The opening reception of the Bicentennial school exhibit was held March 9. The Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation, the Gwinnett County Public School System and Georgia Gwinnett College. Guests have come together to provide artifacts like slate pencils, historic photos, and teaching certificates representing the rich history of education in Gwinnett County.
These items will be on display at the Isaac Adair House and the Female Seminary in Lawrenceville through December 31. These items include quilts, clothing, prehistoric tools and more. The Lawrenceville Female Seminary is located at 455 South Perry Street in Lawrenceville, and the Adair house is behind it. For additional information, call 770-822-5178 or visit www.gwinnettparks.com.
Georgia Gwinnett baseball team concludes another successful season
Each season, the Georgia Gwinnett baseball team continues to maintain a high level of competitive play and battles against the nation’s top programs as a top contender in the NAIA. The 2017 season was no different as the Grizzlies finished the year with their fourth consecutive season of 40 or more wins, compiling a 40-21 mark.
Georgia Gwinnett began 2017 as the fifth-ranked team in the NAIA and made it as high as No. 2 before finishing the regular season ranked No. 14. In the final NAIA Coaches’ Poll released on June 7, GGC maintained the No. 14 ranking.
GGC head coach Brad Stromdahl says: “This season was a new experience where our staff got to do a lot of hands-on coaching and see our younger players learn the game and grow. In the past, we’ve had a more experienced team that came in with fundamentals that were more sound, but our team adjusted well this year and matured. We had a great run and have things that we will continue to work on in preparation for next season. I’m proud of the effort our guys gave this year.”
The Georgia Gwinnett baseball team continues to inch closer to a return to Lewiston, Idaho, for the Avista-NAIA Baseball World Series and will use the experiences gained from 2017 to make a competitive push in the 2018 season.
“The opportunities are endless,” concluded Stromdahl. “We will continue to be competitive and will enter the fall ready to work and become a better team each day.”
A Column of Fire by Ken Follett
Reviewed by Karen Harris, Stone Mountain | The third novel in the Kingsbridge, Column of Fire series covers the turbulent years of 1558-1620. The death of Mary Tudor begins the struggle between English Catholics and English Protestants. It pulls lovers Ned Willard, a Protestant, and Margery Fitzgerald, a Catholic, to opposite sides of the conflict which alters the course of their lives and the lives of the English, Spanish, and Dutch populations. Over 25 years there are rebellions, battles, turns and twists along with many memorable, multidimensional characters. This book is very long, 909 pages, but well worth the effort. This story can actually be read apart from Pillars of the Earth, Kingsbridge 1 and World Without End, Kingsbridge 11 because the past is only vaguely referred to late in the story. Still I recommended reading the first two novels, which along with Column of Fire are a history lesson in story form.
An invitation: what books, restaurants, movies or web sites have you enjoyed recently? Send us your recent selection, along with a short paragraph (100 words) as to why you liked this, plus what you plan to visit or read next. Send to: elliott@brack.net
Eye care becomes more important as a person ages
Optometric (and ophthalmologic) eye care is becoming increasingly important in Georgia, due to its aging population. After the age of 45 the incidence of eye and vision problems needing diagnosis and treatment increases. Optometric services are accessible to Georgians—as of 2005 there are around 860 licensed doctors of optometry (also known as ODs) practicing in more than 150 Georgia communities.
The Georgia Optical Association was founded in 1904, and in 1916 Georgia became the 38th state to pass a law recognizing and regulating the practice of optometry. That same year the Georgia Optical Association changed its name to the Georgia Optometric Association.
The original function of an optometrist was to measure the eyes for eyeglasses. The word optometry is derived from opto, Latin for “eye,” and metrist, Latin for “the measure of.” Thus, an optometrist was a person who “measured” the eye for its refractive condition. In 1886 Edmund Landolt, of Paris, France, was the first to use the term optometry.
Because of new modalities and treatments, the advent of contact lenses, and the increasing education of optometrists in other areas of eye care, the scope of optometry has greatly expanded. The American Optometric Association states that “Doctors of Optometry are primary health care professionals who examine, diagnose, treat and manage diseases and disorders of the visual system, the eye and associated structures, as well as diagnose related systemic conditions. They prescribe glasses, contact lenses, low vision rehabilitation, vision therapy and medications, as well as perform certain surgical procedures.”
To become a licensed doctor of optometry in Georgia, one must attend a four-year graduate program in an optometry college; graduates must then pass the Georgia State Board examination in order to be licensed to practice. Typically, optometry-school students have already obtained a bachelor’s degree. Almost all optometrists have had at least eight years of college training.
Sixteen optometric schools operate in the United States, four of which are in the South: Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tenn.; University of Houston College of Optometry in Houston, Texas.; School of Optometry/Medical Center at the University of Alabama in Birmingham, Ala.; and Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Since there is no optometry school in Georgia, the state helps underwrite the cost of such schooling for Georgia students. Applicants from Georgia who are accepted at the University of Alabama or at Southern College can have their out-of-state tuition costs paid by the state of Georgia, so that students pay only the equivalent of the in-state tuition rate.
Each Georgia optometrist must also take 36 hours of approved continuing education every two years in order to retain his or her license to practice. Every year the Southern Educational Congress of Optometry, the largest optometric educational meeting in the United States, convenes in Atlanta. From 2001 to 2004 there have been more than 8,000 registrants from all over the world at each conference.
In the mid–20th century very few women practiced optometry, but in 2001 in Georgia, 28 percent of all practicing doctors of optometry were female. And in 2003-4, 60 percent of all students in optometric colleges were female.
- To view the Georgia Encyclopedia online, go to http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
Big pineapple fountain asks for its location as Mystery Photo
A pineapple has something of a welcoming quality, and this fountain sports a pineapple. Can you tell us where this fountain is located? You might be surprised, for several of you have seen this fountain, we bet. Send your answer to elliott@brack.net, and be sure to include your hometown.
Jim Savedelis, Duluth, was first in with the recent Mystery Photo contest. He asked: “Could it be the Meems Bottom Covered Bridge Mount Jackson, Va.?” It is. The photo was sent to us by George Graf of Palmyra, Va.
The only other person recognizing the photo was Allan Peel of San Antonio, Tex., who wrote: “I thought that I recognized this bridge from some of my prior road trips (I am a bit of a ‘covered bridge’ fan). This bridge as the Meem’s Bottom Covered Bridge, located in Mount Jackson, Virginia (just west of the Skyline Drive). It crosses the North Fork of the Shenandoah River and is on the National Register of Historic Places as well as the Virginia Landmarks Register.
“The bridge is a 204-foot, single-span, Burr Arch Truss. Originally constructed in 1892-93, this long span bridge carried traffic for more than 80 years before being burned by vandals on Halloween 1976. After salvaging the original timbers, the bridge was reconstructed and eventually strengthened with steel beams and concrete piers underneath the roadway. The bridge was reopened to traffic in 1979 and is still in operation today, albeit with periodic closures for maintenance and traffic accidents.
“I am guessing that the photo was shot sometime after March 31, 2017 which was the last time the road was closed due to an accident. In fact, it was the second time in a month that a vehicle strike had damaged the historical bridge. On March 31, 2017 the Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office was called to the site for a reported hit and run. With help from a citizen, deputies arrested the driver of the truck, a resident of Flowery Branch, Ga!”
CALENDAR
Irish Fest Norcross will be Saturday, March 17, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in downtown Norcross. Merchants will be offering Irish-themed activities and fare to mark the occasion. There will be music, dancing, face painting, demonstrations and other activities. It’s all free and and 100% family-friendly at this first ever St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
A public information open house has been scheduled for the Evermore Community Improvement District (ECID) Comprehensive Transportation Plan. The meeting will take place on Wednesday, March 21 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Evermore CID’s offices located at 2795 Main Street, Suite 28, Snellville.
The Comprehensive Transportation Plan serves as a roadmap for how a community would like to see their transportation networks develop to serve their current and future needs. The Plan consists of recommendations for transportation improvements, which include, but are not limited to intersections, roadway widenings, transit, sidewalks, bike facilities, and trails, to maintain and expand the CID’s infrastructure while fostering a healthy, livable community. For more details, visit planning@pondco.com or contact deancollins@axiscompanies.com.
GwinnettForum is provided to you at no charge every Tuesday and Friday.
Meet our team
- Editor and publisher: Elliott Brack, 770-840-1003
- Managing editor: Betsy Brack
- Roving photographer: Frank Sharp
- Contributing cartoonist: Bill McLemore
- Contributing columnist: Jack Bernard
- Contributing columnist: Debra Houston
- Contributing columnist: George Wilson
More
- Location: We are located in Suite 225, 40 Technology Park, Peachtree Corners, Ga. 30092.
- Work with us: If you would like to serve as an underwriter, click here to learn more.
Subscriptions to GwinnettForum are free.
- Click to subscribe.
- Unsubscribe. We hope you’ll keep receiving the great news and information from GwinnettForum, but if you need to unsubscribe, go to this page and unsubscribe in the appropriate box.
© 2018, Gwinnett Forum.com. Gwinnett Forum is an online community commentary for exploring pragmatic and sensible social, political and economic approaches to improve life in Gwinnett County, Ga. USA.
Follow Us