Elliott Brack’s Perspective
BRACK: Pregnant women are the most at risk from Zika virus
By Elliott Brack, editor and publisher | While no one in Gwinnett has been found to be infected with the Zika virus, still there are 819 travel associated cases in the United States with this horrendous virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Georgia reports 25 travel-associated cases. New York reports the most cases, 198, while Florida counts 162, as of June 22.
BRACK: Remember those water tank slogans? Put ‘em to work again
By Elliott Brack, editor and publisher | Ever happen to you? Ever fail to see something right in front of you? Or another time, did you ever give something away, and then later regret your action?
That could be happening to Gwinnett County government these days, as it searches for a new slogan that succinctly identifies the diverse community that Gwinnett has become.
BRACK: Graphic presentations, sheriff candidate, a bridge and Z names
By Elliott Brack, editor and publisher | We saw this the other day and liked it: “If your data has fewer than 20 pieces of information, a graphic presentation is not needed.”
How many civic clubs presentations are ruined because the audio-visual won’t work? But how many times is the audio visual not of high quality, or it presents TOO MUCH info? Many times, just plain speaking is superior to poor quality AV.
BRACK: More understanding, education is necessary to understand Islam
By Elliott Brack, editor and publisher | Here in the South of my youth, marriage outside your religion was frowned on, as it is in many religions. Showing how provincial we were in Middle Georgia, marrying outside your religion generally meant that a Baptist married a Methodist, or that is, some denomination other than your own. This caused quite a stir, and sent mouths a’wagging.
BRACK: Sen. Unterman now supports Medicaid expansion program
By Elliott Brack, editor and publisher, GwinnettForum | State Sen. Renee Unterman of Buford, who heads the Georgia Senate Health and Human Services Committee, may soon be writing legislation which could help hospitals, especially smaller hospitals within Georgia. She has changed her views on the subject, and now supports Medicaid expansion because of hospital closings in the state and because of problems that residents are having getting to see a doctor. She first stated these views in Modern Healthcare, a national magazine out of Washington, D.C.
BRACK: Authoritative book on Cobb is major service to his reputation
By Elliott Brack, publisher, GwinnettForum | A sports author has done the state of Georgia and Ty Cobb, in particular, a major service. Author Charles Leerhsen of Brooklyn, N. Y. has published an authoritative biography: Ty Cobb: A Terrible Beauty. The book enhances and clarifies the reputation of Georgia’s “Big Peach,” who was maybe the most controversial player in baseball. The book won the 2015 Casey Award for the best baseball book of the year.
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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