Articles by: Elliott Brack
BRACK: Book recounts criminal life of Dixie Mafia’s Billy Birt
By Elliott Brack | Most people in Gwinnett may not have heard of the “Dixie Mafia.” That is the term applied years ago to white Southern gangsters operating in several areas, though not connected to the Italian Mafia members who hung around together operating in the northeast. The Dixie Mafia had many illegal operations outside the law in the South.
BRACK: Native of Ecuador finding success in Gwinnett County
By Elliott Brack | It’s been enjoyable to get to know Wilson Tomala, now a Gwinnettian, who came to this country from Ecuador as a 16 year old in 1975, who has a knack for business, and has become a success through his innovations and drive. He is the owner of a Paul Davis restoration firm off Reps Miller Road in Norcross.
BRACK: Gwinnettians play key roles in dedication of new MLK Jr. statue
By Elliott Brack | Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s hometown of Atlanta found a new way to honor him last weekend, with the help of a lot of people from Gwinnett County. An eight foot bronze statue of the late Dr. King was unveiled at the Rodney Mims Cook Sr. Peace Park in the Vine City neighborhood west of downtown.
BRACK: Gwinnett district attorney not performing duties as she should
By Elliott Brack | Voters here need to know that Gwinnett County is being poorly served by District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson. We understand that she is an amicable person, but she is in over her head in this office. She has lost multiple simple murder cases, meaning that criminals are going free when they should be in jail.
BRACK: Georgia doesn’t need heavier trucks pounding our roadways
By Elliott Brack | When driving on Interstate highways, do you notice how many people drive constantly in the left lane of Interstate highways?? Ever wonder why? There’s a simple answer. The 18-wheel or more trucks are required to drive in the right lane. That simply means that the right lanes of the Interstate system have more bumps and are much rougher to drive on because of the pounding that the heavy trucks on the pavement.
BRACK: Action from 2006 might be harming police hiring
By Elliott Brack | An action taken by Gwinnett County government back in 2006 may be creating problems in retaining county employees. On Dec. 31, 2006, the county’s defined benefit plan (read as “pension”) was closed to all new employees of the county. Those employed at that time had the option of remaining in the pension plan or being included in either a 401 (a) or 457 (b) retirement plan.
Gwinnett Forum | Jan. 10, 2025
“Nothing makes us feel more connected than when we are engaged in a healthy balance of thoughtful speaking and hardcore listening.”
— Belgian-American psychotherapist and relationship expert Eshter Perel (1958- ) via John Titus, Peachtree Corners.
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Continuing objectives
Gwinnett Forum publisher Elliott Brack suggests Gwinnett County needs a long-range list of continuing objectives for improving the county. His 2025 list:
- Move statewide non-partisan judicial and school board elections to the date of the General Election.
- More creative efforts to support the arts in Gwinnett.
- Advancement and expansion of city historical societies.
- Require establishments that serve alcoholic beverages to halt sales of such products at 1 a.m., and close by 2 a.m.
- Require the Georgia Legislature to meet only once every two years.
- Eliminate single-use plastic packaging and straws in Gwinnett and require instead the use of paper products.
- Gwinnett planners to encourage condos and townhouses instead of apartments.
Interested in Gwinnett history?
Now re-printed in its third edition, Gwinnett: A Little Above Atlanta, the award-winning history of Gwinnett County, is once again available for purchase. It sold out of its first two printings. The book won the 2010 Award of Excellence in Documenting Georgia History from the Georgia Historical Records Advisory Board. The book is available at Old Town Antiques at 93 Main Street in Lilburn.
- The history of Gwinnett is also available as an e-book from Amazon or Barnes and Noble for $9.95.
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