Elliott Brack’s Perspective
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.
Gwinnett Forum | Aug. 27, 2024
“I like to play chess with old men in the park. But it’s so hard to find 32 of them.”
– American Stand-up Comedian and Producer Emo Phillips (1956 – ).
DULUTH FALL FESTIVAL
Put the Duluth Fall Festival on your calendars now. This family-friendly event will take place on September 28-29, 2024. This is the 41st year. The Festival has consistently been voted one of the top festivals in the area, including 20 top festivals in the entire nation by US News and World Report and Country Living Magazine. There will be hundreds of arts, crafts, sponsor and food booths, a huge parade, entertainment at two venues, a 5K road race, and much more. For more information, or if you are interested in volunteering, go to the Festival website:
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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