WOLVES OF THE WORLD will be one of the acts appearing during the 45th annual Snellville Days. Set your calendar for May 5-6 for this always well-attended show. Numerous other local acts will be on stage for a day that highlights life in Snellville.
IN THIS EDITIONTODAY’S FOCUS: County Seeks Public Input To Gwinnett’s Transit Future
EEB PERSPECTIVE: Suddenly, Among 64,500 People, There Was An Eerie Feeling
ANOTHER VIEW: Congress Needs To Fund More Money for Gun Research through CDC
SPOTLIGHT: MTI Baths Inc.
FEEDBACK: Remembers Music Teacher in Bibb County Schools
McLEMORE’S WORLD: King James
UPCOMING: 45th Annual Snellville Days Return To Briscoe Park on May 5-6
RECOMMENDED: Saints for All Occasions, by J. Courtney Sullivan
GEORGIA TIDBIT: Hugh Peterson Sr. Served as First District Congressman
MYSTERY PHOTO: This Mystery Photo Could Stump the Field, Too.
CALENDAR: Eastside Medical Plays Open House on 1,300th Robotics Procedure
TODAY’S FOCUSCounty seeks public input to Gwinnett’s transit future
Photo via Wikipedia.
By Heather Sawyer
LAWRENCEVILLE Ga. | After a round of public input and extensive analysis, Gwinnett County and a team of consultants have drafted possible options to expand and improve Gwinnett County’s transit system over the next 30 years. Now, the County is asking the public to weigh in on those options at a series of open house sessions this month around the county.
The spring 2018 outreach effort of the planning initiative, called Connect Gwinnett, will include six public open house sessions through April 25, as well as attendance at multiple community events.
Gwinnett Department of Transportation Director Alan Chapman said that the input gathered during the spring 2018 outreach process will be incorporated into the planning team’s final recommendations to the Board of Commissioners.
He adds: “If you have opinions about transit in our community, like what kind we should have and where it should go, now is the time to tell us. Gwinnett County is considering making major long-term investments in transit, but we need public input and public support to come up with a system that will ultimately be used and be successful.”
The open house meetings will begin with a presentation but people are invited to drop in at any time. There will be posters outlining the options being considered and staff on hand to answer questions. And there will be exercises for people to rank the options and share their ideas.
The transit team also will be attending events throughout the community and will conduct an online survey, plus a scientific phone survey.
The first phase of public outreach in summer/fall 2017 focused on developing a vision and priorities for the plan, understanding existing conditions, and identifying transit needs and possible alternatives. The team attended nearly 20 community events, conducted a Saturday bus tour to 12 locations across the county, invited stakeholders to seven targeted focus group meetings, and circulated an online and paper survey that was answered by more than 3,600 people.
Through this engagement process and data analysis, the planning team identified future needs and developed strategies and drafted recommendations that balance transit modes in 5-, 10- and 30-year ranges.
Public meetings
- April 14, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. – OneStop Norcross, 5030 Georgia Belle Court, Norcross;
- April 16, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. – George Pierce Park, 55 Buford Highway , Suwanee;
- April 17, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. – Lilburn City Hall, 340 Main St. NW, Lilburn;
- April 19, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Dacula Park Activity Building, 2735 Old Auburn Avenue, Dacula;
- April 24, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Snellville City Hall, 2342 Oak Road, Snellville; and
- April 25, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, First Floor Atrium, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville.
Community events
- April 14, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Gwinnett County Multicultural Festival, Shorty Howell Park, Duluth;
- April 19, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. – Community Activities, OneStop Centerville;
- April 20, Begins at 11 a.m. – Earth Day Celebration, Gwinnett Transfer Center;
- April 21, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. – Gwinnett Family Fest, Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce;
- April 21, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Art on the Chattahoochee, Jones Bridge Park;
- April 28, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Grayson Day, Grayson Community Park; and
- May 12, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Summer Farmers Market, Suwanee Town Center.
For more information about the Connect Gwinnett plan, visit the project website at www.ConnectGwinnettTransit.com.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Suddenly, among 64,500 people, there was an eerie feeling
Magnum Moon. Image via Oaklawn Jockey Club.
By Elliott Brack
Editor and publisher, GwinnettForum
APRIL 17, 2018 | It was an eerie feeling.
Here we were at a sporting event along with 64,500 others, and all day, there was hubbub all around us, a loud buzz of voices continually yakking, no matter where you were. People were excited and moving about.
We were in Hot Springs, Ark., at Oaklawn Park, where the ponies run. It was late in the day.
Part of all the moving around was, of course, going to and from the betting windows. Most of the long row of windows were stacked with five-seven-nine people, some putting down a new bet, a few cashing in their winning tickets.
Meanwhile, the day was partially cloudy with the sun breaking out from time to time. But it was chilly outside, about 65 degrees, with a strong breeze making it seem much colder. The infield was crowded while we were inside the grandstand, out of the weather.
The eerie feeling came among the noise, when the public address announcer said: “Ladies and gentlemen, please give me your attention for an important announcement.”
The crowd grew a little quieter.
But the hubbub only thinned a little. Then the PA system blared again: “Ladies and gentlemen, may I ask that you please give me your attention for a very important announcement.”
That’s when it got real, real quiet, with this strange feeling.
What would this announcement be? It made me to think that perhaps there was some major national situation that would cause Oaklawn to feel that it must warn us about something. It raised our concern, and apparently also raised the concern of others, for out of all that noise and clamor, suddenly it got most quiet. People were in anticipation of whatever this announcement might be.
Then they told us: “Ladies and gentlemen, it’s now time for the 82nd running of the Arkansas Derby!”
What? As Ralphie said after solving the Ovaltine mystery, it was a “lousy commercial!”
But the Arkansas Derby is always exciting. This is what many people came for, the running of the Derby, which showcases some of the top 3-year old horses of the year. You may remember that a few years back, American Pharaoh won the Arkansas Derby on his route to the Triple Crown.
A few minutes later, undefeated Magnum Moon had won the Derby going away by four lengths, and was headed for the Kentucky Derby. He ran a beautiful race, always near the lead, and simply left the others far behind in the stretch. He’ll get a lot of attention at the Louisville race the first Saturday in May.
SATURDAY WE SAW SOMETHING at a horse race we had never seen before.
In the 10th race, one horse simply did not want to run. Blueridge Traveler went through all the paces of preparing to start the race, being shown to his gate along with the other horses. All was ready for the gates to swing open to start the race.
Then the gates opened and all the horses were off … except Blueridge Traveler, a 15-1 entry. He simply kept still when his gate was opened, perhaps thinking to himself, “Hmmmm. Why should I exert myself? I don’t think I want to run today.”
Later it was determined that there was no gate malfunction. It was just this horse showing his willpower not to compete this day!
No doubt this has happened somewhere before. But we had never seen a horse remain at the gate. Later the track announced that anyone who had bet on this horse would have their money refunded.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Congress needs to fund more money for gun research through CDC
By Jeff Ploussard
LILBURN, Ga. | Last October, on the heels of the mass shooting in Las Vegas that left 58 people dead and 851 injured, Dr. Mark L. Rosenberg, the founding director of Communicable Disease Center (CDC) National Center for Injury Prevention and Control and a member of the NRA, called for the Congress and President to restart CDC funding for research that will provide critical data for lawmakers “to find interventions that both reduce gun violence and protect gun rights.”
President Trump and the Congress did nothing at the time and didn’t even discuss potentially restoring CDC’s appropriations to begin conduct research and collect data again on gun violence until after the school shooting on February 14 in Parkland, Fla.
The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence—a nonprofit named after Jim Brady who was shot by a handgun more than 30 years ago during the assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan—estimates that 31,537 people die in the United States every year from gun violence. The gun-related research funding at the CDC was eliminated 22 years ago. The Brady Campaign and other gun control and gun rights groups can only estimate the number of gun-related deaths and speculate about the causes of those deaths.
Most groups agree that homicide and suicide are among the top five leading causes of death for 10 to 44 year olds and in the top 25 for all age groups. However, without a comprehensive set of research data since 1996 when the Congress stopped appropriating the $2.6 million to the CDC to conduct the research on gun violence, no one knows for certain the specific rank of each fatality.
With regard to Rosenberg’s plea for federal monies for research on gun violence, it took the Valentine Day massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida that left 17 people dead and 17 injured, for a bipartisan group of lawmakers to start talking about resuming the appropriation for the CDC research.
As Dr. Rosenberg mentioned, reducing motor vehicle crash deaths was one of the great achievements of the 20th century for the United States. This was done because Congress has appropriated $200 million annually to the CDC for research that has led to a host safety measures that “has saved more than 350,000 lives — all done without banning cars.”
Unfortunately, while the emergency spending bill that passed the Congress and was signed by the President on March 23 did state that the CDC has the authority to conduct research on the causes of gun violence, not a single penny was appropriated to restart the research.
It seems that nothing will be appropriated for the CDC to do research again on this grave public health issue without increased citizen involvement. Please call or write your Georgia U.S. Senators and Representative and President Trump in Washington, D.C. today to ask them to appropriate a minimum of $10 million this year to the CDC. That way researchers there can begin collecting data again on gun-related deaths, the causes of gun violence, and the best ways to stop this epidemic on our young people and save lives.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
MTI Baths Inc.
The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. Today’s featured sponsor is MTI Baths Inc. of Sugar Hill. MTI Baths is a manufacture of high-quality acrylic and engineered solid surface bath products, including whirlpools, air and soaking baths; lavatories; shower bases; and kitchen sinks. MTI’s patented Fill-Flush® and Simple Touch® whirlpool cleaning systems are the best on the market. MTI now offers engineered solid surface–counter tops and sinks. Every product is custom-made to order and shipped within seven business days. We are now operating in an additional manufacturing plant of 38,000 square foot. CEO of the firm is Kathy Adams, while Russell Adams is president.
- Visit their web site at http://www.mtibaths.com/.
- For a list of other sponsors of this forum, click here.
Remembers classical music teacher when growing up in Macon
Editor, the Forum:
Sorry, do not know the name of your hymn you mentioned recently, but growing up in Macon, I certainly remember Miss Henrietta Collins! I believe the name of her radio program was “On Wings of Song”. I think the classes listened to her on the radio once a week? Or was it more often? Thanks for reviving a very nice memory!
— Gail Davis, Peachtree Corners
Dear Gail: Yep, she did a lot for us unclassical kids. But with about 20 elementary schools in the county, seems I remember her on the radio about once a month. And every time it was a treat. –eeb
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
McLEMORE’S WORLDKing James
- For more of Bill McLemore’s cartoons, see his page on Facebook.
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45th annual Snellville Days return to Briscoe Park on May 5-6
Wildlife Wendy and a friend. Photo provided.
The 45th Snellville Days Festival is returning to T.W. Briscoe Park May 5 and 6. The event is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 5 and from 12 to 5 p.m. May 6.
There will be a free shuttle from First Baptist Church from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday.
Plenty of food options will be available from local civic and non-profit organizations that will be serving up everything from barbecue, hamburgers, hot dogs, funnel cakes, to peanuts and popcorn.
Crowds of more than 30,000 are expected to pack the two-day arts and crafts festival to get a glimpse of the diverse talents of local artisans and entertainers.
Local entertainment – including school student acts – will fill the stage near the food court all day Saturday and Sunday.
Wolves of the World is a new act for 2018 and will be presenting the mystical, enigmatic wolf pack during the two days of the festival. The show features a hero wolf that saves a young girl from drowning, showing that wolves can be intelligent and empathetic animals.
Also debuting this year is Wildlife Wendy and her tropical birds, which provide an up close and personal encounter with entertaining species of the bird world. Audiences will be intrigued by the majestic macaws as they present their physical abilities and personalities.
Roaming the grounds will be Robocars, a range of brightly colored, life-sized, transforming robot vehicles. Operator driven, they walk and drive, creating excitement and photo opportunities for families.
Other features will be the Walking TreeMan and Cowboy Woody. Barely distinguishable from real trees, Walking TreeMan moves slowly and deliberately down the street, and can be seen from 150 yards away. There will be also someone dressed as a 10-foot-tall Woody from “Toy Story” performing lasso tricks.
Dozens of arts and crafts vendors will be selling their wares and information about local nonprofit and city organizations will also be on hand.
- For more information, visit snellvilledays.com.
Saints for All Occasions: by J. Courtney Sullivan
Reviewed by Karen J. Harris, Stone Mountain: Nora and Theresa Flynn leave Ireland for America with high hopes. Nora is joining her fiancé, Charlie Rafferty, and Theresa is bound for adventure and hopefully carving out a career as a teacher. Nora is the older responsible sister while Theresa is effervescent and devil may care. Plans go awry when Theresa meets an handsome stranger, falls in love and finds herself pregnant. A fateful decision is made to cover Theresa’s mistake. The repercussions of this plan form the backdrop for secrets to fester resulting in estrangement of the sisters for decades. The slowly unfolding resolution in the midst of heartbreak for Nora’s children, eventually brings a peace and hope for all. A heartbreakingly beautiful story with real characters suffering from the joy and pain involved in family life and its mysteries.
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
GEORGIA ENCYCLOPEDIA TIDBITPeterson served as First District congressman
Hugh Peterson Sr., a native of Ailey, in Montgomery County, served in the Georgia General Assembly from 1923 to 1933. Along with Georgia governor Richard B. Russell Jr., Peterson was instrumental to the passage of the State Reorganization Act of 1931, which streamlined the workings of state government. He later served in the U.S. Congress from 1935 to 1947.
Peterson
Peterson was born in Ailey on August 21, 1898, to Joanna Calhoun and William J. Peterson. He graduated in 1916 from Brewton-Parker Institute (later Brewton-Parker College), and in 1917 from the University of Georgia in Athens. Peterson enlisted in the U.S. Army and entered the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., in October 1918. He remained in the military until honorably discharged at the end of World War I (1917-18).
After the war, Peterson returned to Ailey and established an insurance agency in 1919, while also managing his family farm holdings and studying law under a private course. In 1921 he was admitted to the Georgia Bar Association and elected mayor of Ailey, serving from 1922 to 1923.
In 1922 Peterson won a seat in the Georgia House of Representatives as the representative of Montgomery County. He continued his insurance and farming enterprises while in office and in 1924 established the Monitor Publishing Company, serving as president of the company and editor of the Montgomery Monitor into the 1950s.
He became close friends with other young legislators from around the state, including Roy V. Harris and Richard B. Russell Jr. In late 1929 Peterson met Russell’s sister Patience Elizabeth Russell, whom he married on June 24, 1930. The couple had one child, Hugh Peterson Jr., who became an attorney in Atlanta.
Peterson’s high level of involvement with fellow legislators, committees, and state agencies allowed him to contribute to Georgia governor Lamartine Hardman‘s plan in 1928-29 to reorganize the state government. This effort, led by Atlanta businessman and civic leader Ivan Allen Sr., consisted of a major survey of Georgia’s governmental department structure.
In 1930 Peterson ran for a seat in the state senate, and Russell, his new brother-in-law, ran for governor. Both won their respective elections and immediately set to work modifying and implementing Hardman and Allen’s plans. Russell named Peterson chair of a special legislative committee, which held hearings and created the State Reorganization Act of 1931. This act included the consolidation of more than 100 state departments into 18, as well as the creation of the University System of Georgia. Russell signed the act into law on August 28, 1931.
In 1934 Peterson won a seat in the U.S. Congress representing Georgia’s First Congressional District, defeating both Albert Cobb and incumbent Homer Parker. He remained in office until 1946 and, as in the state legislature, was active on numerous committees, including Public Lands, Territories (in which he spent time studying Hawaii and Alaska), and Public Roads. In 1946 Prince Preston of Statesboro, a returning World War II (1941-45) veteran and former state legislator, ran against Peterson for the congressional seat and won.
From 1946 until his death in 1961, Peterson worked as a lobbyist for the American Turpentine Farmers’ Association, Georgia Power Company, and the United States Cane Refiners Association. He also pursued development interests around Montgomery County and the region of southeast Georgia.
While researching development around Sylva, North Carolina, Peterson died there of a cerebral hemorrhage on October 3, 1961. He was buried in Ailey at the Peterson family cemetery. His papers are housed at the Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies at the University of Georgia.
- To view the Georgia Encyclopedia online, go to http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
Staircase at Clayton State University puzzled the field
This mystery photo may be a puzzle to many. We’ll give you one clue: it is not in the southwest United States. See if you can figure out where it is. Send your idea to elliott@brack.net, and include your hometown.
Side view of staircase
Last week’s mystery
Even our experts were not finding the answer to the last edition’s Mystery Photo. And no wonder, since it was tough. Perhaps any graduates of Clayton State University at Morrow should have recognized this, though from a different angle. It’s looking up the spiral staircase in the Lecture Hall building at the college. Jerry Colley of Alpharetta sent in the photo, which he got from Kevin Fitzgerald of Forest Park. Great photo, Kevin! Here’s a side view of the staircase, along with the puzzling view.
CALENDAR“Informed Aging,” a program for older adults and their families, will be presented on April 22 at 2 p.m. at Temple Beth David in Snellville. Conducted by Debbi Dooley, Geriatric Care Manager for Aviv Older Adult Services at Jewish Family & Career Services, the program will cover having legal documents in order (wills, powers of attorney, and advance directives); alternate living options; and making choices to age healthfully. There will be a Q & A period following the program. This program is presented at no charge by Temple Beth David, 1885 McGee Road, Snellville.
(NEW) Robotics Community Open House at Eastside Medical Center on Wednesday, April 25, from 5 to 7 p.m. on its main campus North Tower lobby. The celebration is to mark the 1,300 robotic surgeries at Eastside, procedures that results in less pain and scarring of patients plus shorter hospital stays. RSVP to Hope.Moeck@HCAHealthcare.com
Free Nature Photography Workshop at the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center, 2020 Clean Water Drive, Buford, on April 28, at 1 p.m. Join the Georgia Nature Photographers Association for this informal talk and Q&A photography workshop. They will provide information about cameras, editing software, and tips for getting better photographs with the equipment you already have.
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