Elliott Brack’s Perspective
BRACK: Another local soldier falls abroad; No more build-up, President Trump
By Elliott Brack, editor and publisher | It was near the start of the war in Viet Nam. This war was a long distance away, though Americans could see its action on the six o’clock news each night. But then that illusion of the war being distant was shattered when a local young soldier, was killed in Viet Nam. With modern transportation, his body soon arrived home.
BRACK: Americans distinctively thrive under our Bill of Rights
By Elliott Brack, editor and publisher | Most Americans probably don’t realize how unique are their individual rights, compared to people living under other governments.
Our Founding Fathers, in all their inspired wisdom, gave early Americans more rights than previously had any government anywhere in the world. Those same rights, often multiplied in some ways, remain a cornerstone of living in the United States and go a long way in defining what it is to be an American.
BRACK: Gwinnett’s great diversity makes one newcomer feel comfortable
By Elliott Brack, editor and publisher | Most of us feel comfortable, we had presumed, in our native surroundings. Then a comment this week made me re-think this idea. And it gives a new insight of what it means to live in Gwinnett County, at least to one individual.
This person has lived in Gwinnett four years. He asks: “How in the heck did someone like me, end up somewhere like here?”
BRACK: What happens when a film crew wants your house
By Elliott Brack, editor and publisher | With Georgia being discovered these days for filming movies and television series, who knows? A location scout could knock on your door! Your home could be in demand for filming. Recently a crew from the Oprah Television series, Greenleaf, was filming in Norcross, right next door to our home.
The filming was at the home of Bonnie and Ben Sloan, with the home picked because of its modern appearance. Ben said: “It looked like a modern contemporary home that fit the screen character of one of the young single guys in the series.”
BRACK: Exciting activities in Gwinnett cities with envisioning leaders
By Elliott Brack, editor and publisher | One of the bright areas in Gwinnett in 2017 is the tremendous vision, funding and activity going on in some of our cities.
Partially funded by the cities of Gwinnett’s greater share of SPLOST funds, but augmented by growth in city revenues, there is a feeling of bustle and movement in some of Gwinnett’s cities that is nothing less than exciting.
BRACK: An unexpected return to the days of springtime student recitals
By Elliott Brack, editor and publisher, Charleston, S.C. | There’s something special about musical recitals for young students.
From the very young newcomers and their sometimes faltering style……to the more advanced students and their confidence, to the surprise of the day (there’s usually one), the recitals are entertaining, if sometimes anticipated with nervousness…at least on the part of the parents and grandparents.
Brack: Holtkamps find success in HVAC business, give back to community
By Elliott Brack, editor and publisher | People move to Gwinnett for all kind of reasons. For one young graduate of a technical college in Iowa back in 1985, he came to Atlanta since youth in his area of Iowa couldn’t find jobs. Those jobs were going principally to older, experienced guys, who had been laid off of jobs at factories.
Throwback at Duluth Theater last weekend quite enjoyable
By Elliott Brack, editor and publisher | You may not be able to go back in time, but it was near that Saturday night in Duluth. Red Clay Theater audience members thoroughly enjoyed “Mayberry Moments,” a throwback to the days of the original Andy Griffith show. The theatre was packed, laughing and appreciating bluegrass music.
BRACK: My, my, my, how official groundbreakings have changed
By Elliott Brack, editor and publisher | Groundbreakings were once not what they are today.
One of my first groundbreakings we thought was quite an occurrence. At a weekly newspaper, we were growing and had run out of room, needing to add space to our building. The three male stockholders decided to make it a public occasion, and asked our wives to come and “break the ground.”
Gwinnett Forum | Nov. 22, 2024
“We are born charming, fresh and spontaneous and must be civilized before we are fit to participate in society.”
– Etiquette Authority Judith Martin (1938 – ), also known as Miss Manners.
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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