Elliott Brack’s Perspective
BRACK: Phillip Beard’s got a right to be proud of accomplishments in Buford
By Elliott Brack, editor and publisher | The big story from announcements of people qualifying to run in city elections in Gwinnett came out of Buford. It was old news, but with a twist.
There Phillip Beard will have no opposition again in the city election. In November he will re-elected chairman of both Buford City Commission and also of its School Board. That’s no surprise.
BRACK: McKoon’s far-out views could benefit the Democrats
By Elliott Brack, editor and publisher | It’s a natural law: a pendulum, once swinging, will always reverse its course.
Sometimes, it takes forever for that pendulum to move the other way. Look at the State of Georgia, Democratic always until 2002, when the Republicans finally won the governor’s office. Up until then, the statehouse had been slowly moving toward a more conservative, Republican bent, with the GOP finally gaining control of both houses in 2004.
BRACK: Author’s fascinating story of Sautee-Nacoochee Valley
By Elliott Brack, editor and publisher | One of Georgia’s most peaceful and scenic spots is just south of Helen, off Georgia Highway 75. It’s the Sautee-Nacoochee valley, highlighted by the cupola atop an Indian Mound close to the roadway, in White County, just after the road crosses the Chattahoochee River.
BRACK: Corn dodger recipe can make your mouth water
By Elliott Brack, editor and publisher | It’s great to see your former students do well. A surprise gift (Vidalia onions) from him allowed a re-connection. And this student, Ray Moses, graduating in journalism, writes so well. He uses his journalism skills in a different way today, as president of Genoa Construction, an Alpharetta-based building firm which now does business in 15 states. The firm concentrates on renovation work, but recently completed one of its biggest projects, Smithgall Woods at the new Atlanta Botanical Gardens in Gainesville.
BRACK: Think about highway roundabouts for improved safety
By Elliott Brack, editor and publisher | Americans anticipating a British driving vacation face two problems: driving on the “wrong” (left) side of the road….and British roundabouts. Britain has more roundabouts as a proportion of roads than any other country. Many get confused at negotiating the roundabout, while driving in a left-side steering car gets a little more comfortable after a while.
BRACK: Forgiveness captured in book by former Gwinnettian
By Andy Brack, editor and publisher, Charleston Currents | The whole notion of forgiveness has been in the front of many people’s minds in the weeks since the massacre at Emanuel AME Church. Just how, they wonder, could family members of the victims, one after another, forgive the accused shooter so quickly after such a reprehensible deed?
One pastor explains forgiving is the natural, almost instinctive reaction of people whose lives are based on a deep faith in God. Because of faith, they already feel forgiven for the sins they confess to their maker. When an evil was done to members of their family, forgiveness was the way for the faithful person to cope and react.
BRACK: National Civil Rights Museum is a solid attraction for Atlanta
By Elliott Brack, editor and publisher | If you haven’t been, you need to visit the National Civil Rights Museum in downtown Atlanta. The setting is superb: the parking garage serves three museums, with a central green vista from the garage to the Civil Rights and Coca Cola Museums and to the Georgia Aquarium.
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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