Articles by: Elliott Brack
BRACK: New Dahlonega distillery aims at producing spirits by January 2017
By Elliott Brack, editor and publisher | A new $2 million hand-crafted distillery is about to begin off Town Creek Road near Dahlonega. Stillhouse Creek Distillery has as president Diane Kelly of Dahlonega, the only woman who is head of a distillery in Georgia.
On November 4, the distillery will mark its opening at the plant at 2 p.m. Dave Pickerell, a master distiller previously with Maker’s Mark bourbon, will be present.
BRACK: Our endorsement for the presidency of the United States
By Elliott Brack, editor and publisher | The Bible speaks to us on many present-day matters. Take a look at the first four verses from Psalms 36 (RSV):
I have a message from God in my heart
concerning the sinfulness of the wicked:
There is no fear of God before their eyes.
In their own eyes they flatter themselves
too much to detect or hate their sin.
The words of their mouths are wicked and deceitful;
BRACK: Finally, something good comes out of the presidential campaign
By Elliott Brack, editor and publisher | It’s taken a while, but finally we see something good coming out of this worrisome, obnoxious and uncouth presidential campaign of 2016. And it’s something we could never have predicted.
It came as a result of one of Donald Trump’s many volcanic eruptions. This time it wasn’t some crude remark from the present-day, but a recording of his views of women in 2005 as revealed in a conversation with Billy Bush. You know the details.
BRACK: Here are GwinnettForum’s endorsements in the 2016 Georgia elections
By Elliott Brack, editor and publisher | While the national election has been relatively active, one like we have never seen before, the local scene has been relatively quiet. Though there are several local contests, all-in-all, there’s still little major political activity on the local front.
We had 43 candidates visit in our offices this year, though several have failed to spend time with us, and therefore, we cannot consider recommending their candidacy. We regret that they did not come by, for we know little about them or their candidacy. We figure the onus is on them.
BRACK: Gwinnettians need to approve continuation of SPLOST Funds
By Elliott Brack, editor and publisher | What do you think your property tax payments to Gwinnett County would be if Gwinnett did not have a special fund for constructing major projects, in view of the tremendous growth Gwinnett has had in the last 50 years? (By the way, October 15 is the deadline to pay the 2016 property taxes.)
BRACK: Lillian Webb was major force in Georgia as elected official
By Elliott Brack, editor and publisher | Lillian Webb was a major force for good in Gwinnett as an elected official. She was a Norcross councilperson (four years, 1971-74) to 11 terms as mayor (1975-84 and 1996-2007) and chairman of the Gwinnett County Commission for eight years (1985-1992).
“Miss Lillian” Webb, 87, died last week. She was a pioneering office-holder, leading the way for women in state Republican political activities, and in city and county government in Gwinnett. She was the first female mayor of Norcross, and first female county commission chair. And she did all this with such a happy, welcoming demeanor that charmed everyone she met.
BRACK: Enjoying the pleasures of living for a week in Dublin, Ireland
By Elliott Brack, editor and publisher | Living in a foreign city for a week certainly gives you another perspective on life.
Our youngest has an Irish-related client and was headed for Dublin, Ireland, for a week. Renting an apartment there with two bedrooms, my wife and I got an invitation to buy a plane ticket and go along. It’s hard to refuse such an offer.
Gwinnett Forum | July 26, 2024
“I do not have a psychiatrist and I do not want one, for the simple reason that if he listened to me long enough, he might become disturbed.”
— American Humorist James Thurber (1894 – 1961)
Continuing objectives
Gwinnett Forum publisher Elliott Brack suggests that Gwinnett County needs a long-range list of continuing objectives for improving the county. His list:
- Move statewide non-partisan judge and school board elections to the General Election.
- Adoption of the 2023 Transit Plan for Gwinnett.
- 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.
- 21st century salary for the Gwinnett County Commission members.
- Remove chewing gum on sidewalks at entrances of post offices and other governmental buildings.
- Eliminate single-use plastic packaging and straws in Gwinnett and require instead the use of paper products.
- Condos instead of apartments for Gwinnett.
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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