gwinnett daily post special section - progress-in-gwinnett-2011

Gwinnett Daily Post • Sunday, February 27, 2011

2F • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2011 • WWW.GWINNETTDAILYPOST.COM

INDEXw w w. g w i n n e t t d a i l y p o s t . c o m

• BROAD PRIZE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4F

• GWINNETT CHAIRMAN . . . . . . . . .5F

• AIRPORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5F

• GMC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6F

• GCPS BUDGET . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6F

• HUDGENS CENTER . . . . . . . . . . . .7F

• DRUG CARTELS . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8F

• 287(G) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8F

• GGC LIFE SCIENCES CENTER 9-11F

• HOSPITALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-13F

• ONLINE REFERENCE . . . . . . . . . .14F

• GEORGIA FORCE . . . . . . . . . . . . .15F

• G-BRAVES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16F

• FIRE STATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . .16-17F

THE STORYGwinnett County Public

Schools won the 2010 BroadPrize for Urban Education, receiv-ing $1 million in scholarships forseniors graduating this May.

THE HISTORYIn 2009, GCPS became the

second school district in Georgiaever to be nominated for theBroad Prize, the largest educa-tion award in the nation. Schoolsystems cannot apply for theaward. The 100 largest schoolsystems in the country are auto-matically eligible, and a commit-tee reviews student achievementdata to see which districts havedone the best job in educatingminorities and students fromlow-income families.

Each year, five finalists arenominated for the prize. Judgesvisit schools and interviewstakeholders in each of the final-ist districts. The winner of theaward receives $1 million inscholarships, and the finalistseach receive $250,000 to helpits students with college expens-es.

Gwinnett didn’t win the topaward in 2009, but 13 studentseach received college scholar-ships worth about $20,000.

KEY PLAYERS:• Eli Broad, philanthropist• U.S. Secretary of EducationArne Duncan• J. Alvin Wilbanks, superinten-dent of Gwinnett County PublicSchools• School board members RobertMcClure, Louise Radloff, MaryKay Murphy, Daniel Seckingerand Carole Boyce

LAST YEAR’S HEADLINESIn April, it was announced that

Gwinnett was again a finalist forthe prestigious Broad Prize.

In a ceremony in October in

New York, U.S. Secretary of Edu-cation Arne Duncan announcedthe school system had won theaward.

THIS YEAR’S NEWSFor about 50 seniors graduatingthis May, the prize means lots ofscholarship money.

Students attending a four-yearcollege can receive awards of$20,000, while those attendingtwo-year schools can get $5,000scholarships.

The college money won’t nec-essarily go to the best and thebrightest in the county. A criterionto receive a scholarship is that astudent must demonstrateimprovement in their academicsfrom their freshman year to theirsenior year. Because their grade-point averages are a little lowerthan those who excelled through-out high school, the studentsmight not be eligible to receiveany other scholarships.

The scholarship money isdesigned to reward students whohave overcome struggles becausethe Broad Prize is awarded to dis-tricts that have demonstratedimprovement in student achieve-ment.

Along with scholarship money,winning school systems alsoreceive national attention. Districtsthroughout the country want toknow the secrets to Gwinnett’ssuccess.

The win also warranted a visitfrom Duncan in January. Thenation’s top education official par-ticipated in a roundtable discus-sion about Gwinnett’s culture witheducators, parents and businessleaders.

Unfortunately for the class of2012, Gwinnett won’t be eligibleto be a finalist again this year.

The year after that, however, isfair game.

— by Heather Darenberg


THE HEADLINES: BROAD PRIZEw w w. g w i n n e t t d a i l y p o s t . c o m

www.gwinnettdailypost.com ©2010 SCNI Vol. 41, No. 31

75¢

WEDNESDAY October 20, 2010

BY HEATHER DARENBERGSTAFF WRITER

[email protected]

SUWANEE — Watching theannouncement of the winner ofthe Broad Prize for Urban Edu-cation was like having yourteam win the Super Bowl, Jenk-ins Elementary School principalDot Schoeller said.

When Gwinnett County Pub-lic Schools was revealed Tues-day as the winner of the nation’slargest education award, a roomwhere about 250 people werewatching a live webcast of thepresentation exploded withapplause and cheers.

“It was even better than whenGeorgia scores a touchdown inSanford Stadium,” said Dem-ming Bass, the vice president of

public policy at the GwinnettChamber of Commerce.

The state’s largest school sys-tem became the ninth district inthe country — and the first inGeorgia — to win the BroadPrize. The school system willreceive $1 million in scholar-ships for seniors graduating thisyear.

“It means an awful lot,”Gwinnett County PublicSchools Superintendent J. AlvinWilbanks said. “All of the dis-tricts that were recognized wereworthy and great districts. I feltgood coming here, and I wouldhave been happy as a finalist,but now I’m happier.”

School board member Carole

Boyce said she and the otherGwinnett County Board ofEducation members were “justecstatic” about the announce-ment.

“We really, really are,” shesaid. “It’s tremendously excit-ing for all of us, and it’s validat-ing for the teachers (and otherdistrict personnel).”

Boyce, who went to NewYork City for the announce-ment, said she kept her fingerscrossed as the finalists who didnot win the top prize werenamed.

“It was obvious to us what agreat chance we had,” she said.

WINNINGPOINTSAmong the reasons in 2009Gwinnett County stands outamong the largest school dis-tricts in the country:

OUTPERFORMED SIMILAR DISTRICTS IN GEORGIAThe county outperformed otherstate districts that serve studentswith similar income levels in read-ing and math at all school levels.

NARROWED ACHIEVEMENT GAPSAchievement gaps betweenblack and white students inGwinnett County were amongthe state’s smallest in reading atall school levels and in elemen-tary and middle school math.

ACHIEVED HIGH SAT,ACT, AP PARTICIPATIONRATES.Between 2006 and 2009, par-ticipation rates rose for Gwin-nett’s black and Hispanic stu-dents taking the SAT, ACT andAdvanced Placement exams.

HIGHER PERCENTAGEOF STUDENTS PERFORMED ATADVANCED LEVELS.A greater percentage of Gwin-nett County’s black, Hispanicand low-income students per-formed at the highest achieve-ment levels on the state readingand math assessments at allschool levels compared withtheir counterparts statewide.

Gwinnett County Public Schools wins nation’s top honor

Superintendent J. AlvinWilbanks, center, EducatorAssociation Representa-tive Tim Mullen, left, andDistrict Board Chair MaryKay Murphy react afterGwinnett County PublicSchools wins the 2010Broad Prize in New York.

GWINNETT COUNTY SCHOOLS:2010 BROAD PRIZE WINNERWORTH

Photo: Diane Bondareff/ Broad Foundation

MILLIONS

Staff Photo: Jason BravermanBack home in Gwinnett, Area Superintendent Gale Hey,left, and Delores Dixon, executive director of school oper-ations and support, celebrate the announcement whilewatching via a web feed with a large group of people at theInstructional Support Center in Suwanee.

INSIDETODAY

■ WeatherPartly sunnywith a slightchance of rain.Highs in the70s ............4A

■ SportsDacu-

• See Broad, Page 7A

For a photo slide show, visitwww.gwinnettdailypost.com.

Editorial: County should cheerGCPS’ accomplishment ....6A

ON THE WEB INSIDE

BY RANDY COXStaff Correspondent

LILBURN — The City of Lilburnreleased Tuesday night its prelimi-nary findings for a proposed $15million sports complex.

The report states Gwinnett Coun-ty has a high participation rate inLittle League and softball leagues

cities.These findings, which came from

the Big League Dreams FacilityMarket Study, were discussed at acombined work session of the Lil-burn City Council and the city’sDowntown Development Authority.

At a recent meeting, the councilhad approved a license agreement togrant a 100 percent refundable pay

BY CAMIE YOUNGSENIOR WRITER

[email protected]

LAWRENCEVILLE — As her firstbig move at the helmof the Gwinnett Boardof Commissioners,Shirley Lasseter

d i

scheduled this month to request propos-als from companies qualified to be con-sidered for the partnership. Three com-panies have submitted qualifications,i l di fi h h b i

Lasseter’s first move:Delay airport proposals

■ All property owners to get taxassessments next year ................2A

INSIDE

Lilburn report supportsneed for sports complex

EAGLES, BRONCOS KEEP DIGGINGLocal teams advance in state volleyball playoffs. 1B

Gwinnett schools up for top prizeBY HEATHER DARENBERG

STAFF WRITER

[email protected]

LAWRENCEVILLE —For the second year, Gwin-nett County Public Schools

has been selected as a final-ist for the largest educationprize in the country, guaran-teeing the district a mini-mum of $250,000 in collegescholarships for its stu-dents.

Georgia’s largest school

system is one of five urbanschool districts selected as afinalist for the 2010 BroadPrize for Urban Education.The Eli and Edythe BroadFoundation also choseCharlotte-MecklenburgSchools in North Carolina,

Montgomery County Pub-lic Schools in Maryland andSocorro IndependentSchool District and YsletaIndependent School Dis-trict, both of El Paso, Texas.

Gwinnett County PublicSchools Superintendent J.

Alvin Wilbanks said he’spleased the district hasagain received such presti-gious recognition, but he’sespecially proud of theschool system’s employees.

“You don’t get recog-nized by the Broad Founda-tion unless you’ve got goodthings going on in the class-

room,” Wilbanks said,adding, “All of those dis-tricts are good districts, so(the recognition is) notsomething we take forgranted. We think we’re agood district, but we’ll haveto put our best foot forward

Staff Photo: Jason BravermanJason Hunter, an employee with Hunter Incorporated, helps install the new Coolray Field sign over the outfield video board onThursday afternoon. The old Gwinnett Braves sign will be hung in a different spot in the stadium, along with another CoolrayField sign at the entrance to the stadium. The entire process to remove and install the new 10 foot by 50 foot sign took abouteight hours. The Gwinnett Braves home opener is next Thursday and tickets are still available.

Capping it off

Man shot in drive-by outside pool hallBY DEANNA ALLEN

STAFF WRITER

[email protected]

NORCROSS — A man wasstruck by a bullet outside a Nor-cross pool hall early Thursdaymorning.

Police said the victim, 29-year-old Oscar Rodriguez of Dorav-ille, had just exited Impacto Bil-liards on Jimmy Carter Boule-vard with a friend about 3:13 a.m.when a red Chevrolet Blazerpulled alongside them. At leastone gunshot was heard comingfrom the vehicle.

Rodriguez was transported toGwinnett Medical Center with atleast one gunshot wound. Heremained hospitalized Thursday,but was expected to survive hisinjuries.

Gwinnett County Police areinvestigating any possible rela-tionship or dispute that may exist

between the two suspects thatoccupied the vehicle and the vic-tim.

Police ask anyone with infor-mation to call 770-513-5300 orCrime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS.Information can be providedanonymously and a reward of upto $2,000 is being offered.


[email protected]

LAWRENCEVILLE — At a graduationceremony in Newnan on Thursday, ChrisHughes was as proud as a parent.

The graduate, though, stood on four legsand was more interested in treats than pompand circumstance.

Pepper, a young Beagle-mix, became thefirst Gwinnett County shelter dog to gradu-

trol officer who specializes in hard-to-placepets.

About a year ago, the U.S.D.A. trainingfacility moved from Orlando, Fla., to New-nan, giving local canines a second chance.

At the shelter, Hughes said, Pepper nevereven got a name because officers did notwant to get too close after she came in as astray.

“She’s a very sweet dog, but she’s a verybusy dog,” Hughes said, adding that the doghad too much energy to sit in a potentialowner’s lap and bond “She just didn’t click

given her up.“I had a really good feeling about her

from the beginning,” said U.S.D.A. trainingspecialist Jenni Anderson.

Like many recent graduates, Pepper willsoon leave for a new life in a new city. Shehas a job to do, sniffing for apples, mangos,pork and beef at Miami International Air-port.

Two more of Gwinnett’s shelter dogs areexpected to graduate from a cargo trainingclass next month, and another will be in thenext class Anderson said adding that the


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FRIDAY April 2, 2010

INSIDETODAY■ Weather

Sunny withhighs in thelower 80s.Lows in thelower 50s ..4A

■ Sports

■ Nation

Google turnstables, callsitself ‘Topeka’ forApril Fools Day............5A

■ Local

BY DEANNA ALLENSTAFF WRITER

[email protected]

LAWRENCEVILLE —Two teens have been chargedwith a number of offensesafter fire investigators said theduo threw a small bomb intothe front yard of aLawrenceville residence.

The incident occurred about9:30 p.m. Tuesday. The devicesparked a small fire in thegrass, but did not cause anydamage to the house or a near-by vehicle.

The identities of the teensare not being released becausethey are juveniles. Both arecharged with terroristicthreats, manufacturing, pos-sessing and using a destructivedevice, violation of the Geor-gia Street Gang PreventionAct, carrying a concealedweapon, possession of a pistolunder the age of 18 andobstruction of a law enforce-ment officer.

Fire investigators spentmuch of the day Wednesdaycanvassing the neighborhoodand taking with residents.They believe the act to begang-related.

“Authorities take incidentsof destructive devicesextremely serious,” said Capt.Tommy Rutledge, spokesmanfor Gwinnett Fire and Emer-gency Services. “This type ofact is dangerous to life andproperty and is a threat to pub-lic safety.”

During the canvassing,investigators recovered anunregistered handgun and astolen vehicle that were unre-lated to the incident and madea third, unrelated arrest.

Teensarrestedin bombincident

GCPS selected as finalist for Broad Prize for Urban Education

• See Schools, Page 7A

Shelter dog completesU.S.D.A. training programA four-legged graduate

Brookwood dashes Berkmar’s hopes with win in OT.PENALTY KILLER, 1B

OCTOBER 20, 2010APRIL 2, 2010

Keep an eye on our website, cityoflilburn.com, for events and news!

March 19 Community Garage Sale

April 29 Lilburn Relay RallyMay 7 Community

Garage SaleMay 28 Memorial Day

CelebrationJune 3-Aug 26 Lilburn’s

Farmers MarketJune 4 Community

Garage SaleJune 24 Lilburn Idol IJuly 8 Lilburn Idol II

August 5 Lilburn Idol FinalSeptember 17 Community

Garage SaleOctober 8 Lilburn Daze October 15 Community

Garage SaleNovember 6 Veteran’s Day

CelebrationDecember 2 Christmas Tree

LightingDecember 3 Christmas ParadeDecember 10 Jingle Bell Run

UPCOMING EVENTS

WWW.GWINNETTDAILYPOST.COM • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2011 • 5F

THE HEADLINES: GWINNETT CHAIRMANw w w. g w i n n e t t d a i l y p o s t . c o m

THE HEADLINES: BRISCOE FIELDw w w. g w i n n e t t d a i l y p o s t . c o m

THE STORYThe second largest county in

Georgia has been without a chair-man for almost half a year, afterCharles Bannister’s surprise Octoberresignation.

THE HISTORYFew projected the upheaval that

would occur when a special grandjury convened, at the request of Dis-trict Attorney Danny Porter, to lookinto several controversial land pur-chases made since Bannister tookoffice in 2004. But before the reporteven came out, Bannister hadresigned and Commissioner KevinKenerly was indicted on a briberycharge. In the report, the grand jurysaid Bannister agreed to resign toavoid indictment on perjury charges.

KEY PLAYERSThe key players in 2010 are differentthan the ones who will be in theheadlines in 2011.• Danny Porter: Gwinnett’s districtattorney, who requested a specialgrand jury to look into land dealsafter years of trying to get regulargrand juries to probe individual

cases.• Charles Bannister: One of Gwin-nett’s longest serving politicians.From a Lilburn City Council seat in1970s, he later became mayor, thenspent nearly two decades in theGeneral Assembly before beingelected county chairman in 2004. Hesurvived a re-election bid in 2008only to resign in disgrace in 2010.Bannister has made few appear-ances at political events since.• Shirley Lasseter: The formerDuluth mayor was catapulted to theforefront after less than two years inoffice as commissioner. As vicechair at the time of the resignation,Lasseter became the county’s high-est figure head and had to juggleher full-time job with the duties ofchair.• Will Costa: A Libertarian from Lil-burn who entered the four-personrace for chairman• Larry Gause: A former Navaloffice campaigning in the chairman’srace• Duane Kissel: Retired assistantpolice chief now seeking the coun-ty’s highest office• Charlotte Nash: Retired county

administrator from Dacula in thechairman’s race

LAST YEAR’S HEADLINESBannister had a rough 2010.He was arrested on a DUI charge,

although the charge was thrown outafter blood tests revealed his blood-alcohol content was zero, and hesurvived a recall campaign when ajudge threw out a petition based onthe paperwork.

But the Lilburn politician surprisedGwinnett when, instead of facing aspecial grand jury on Oct. 8, heissued a resignation letter throughhis attorney.

County leaders did their best tocreate a transition, placing much ofthe power into the hands of Las-seter and setting a March 15 specialelection to find Bannister’s perma-nent replacement.

THIS YEAR’S NEWSThe election of Gwinnett’s new

chairman will fill a void in the coun-ty’s leadership, and whoever is cho-sen will have the difficult job ofattempting to restore the public’strust in a tarnished position.

In the past year, the public at largehas become increasingly distrustfulof the county government. The com-munity rallied against a property taxhike and a universal trash plan, butthe measures passed despite theoutcry. Many have said they feelelected officials simply don’t listen totheir concerns.

All four candidates in the racehave said they are committed to run-ning the county in an ethical manner.

At a forum in January, businessowner Costa, a Libertarian, andretired Naval officer Larry Gausetalked about the importance of lis-tening to the public.

Kissel and Nash have both saidthey have the experience to navi-gate Gwinnett through tough finan-cial times.

Although many consider Nash tobe the most qualified for the job, oth-ers perceive her as being too con-nected to the old regime.

Ultimately, it will be up to the vot-ers to decide who will fill Bannister’sunexpired term.

— By Heather Darenberg andCamie Young

THE STORYThe fate of the Gwinnett County

Airport — and, many fear, the cityof Lawrenceville — rests in a long-awaited County Commission deci-sion on whether to allow a privatecompany to take over operations.

THE HISTORYMany Gwinnettians thought the

future of Briscoe Field was decid-ed in the early 1990s, when hun-dreds of people stormed the Gwin-nett Justice and AdministrationCenter demanding that the smallairfield continue to be used forgeneral aviation and not as areliever to Atlanta’s growing Harts-field Airport.

But in late 2009, a companypropositioned leaders with the pos-sibility of adding commercialflights, an idea they say could add$1 billion in economic developmentand 20,000 jobs in the nextdecade.

While commissioners mulled theidea, residents began to organize,concerned about noise, traffic andthe possibility their home valuescould plummet by a major airport.

It became a major issue in the2010 campaign for the CountyCommission and is a concernamong voters poised to choose anew chairman in a special electionthis March.

KEY PLAYERS• Brian Allen, Gwinnett’s trans-portation director• John Heard, a Gwinnett commis-sioner whose district includes theairport• Gwinnett’s to-be-determinedchairman• Federal Aviation Administra-tion• Citizens for a Better Gwinnett,a group opposing the proposedprivatization and expansion• Propeller Airports BriscoeField: Originally under the name

Propeller Investments, Brett Smithfirst contacted the county propos-ing his company be allowed to takeover the airport and allow commer-cial flights. The most is knownabout this company’s intentionsthrough a website, whyprivatize-briscoe.com.• American Airports: One of thelargest general aviation airportmanagement companies in thecountry. The company managesfive airports in California and onein Arkansas and has submittedqualifications to manage Gwinnett.

• Gwinnett Airport LLC

LAST YEAR’S HEADLINESGwinnett County filed a “pre-

application” to the Federal AviationAdministration for a grant programthat would allow privatization with-out requiring the government topay back FAA grants used over theyears for upgrades to BriscoeField.

Preliminary approval came inMay, allowing the county to takeproposals from companies andstudy the benefits and drawbacks.

In August, three companies sub-mitted their qualifications to beconsidered for the project: Pro-peller Airports Briscoe Field Inc.,American Airports and Gwinnett Air-port LLC.

Gwinnett Department of Trans-portation has yet to make a recom-mendation on whether one, two or allof the companies can submit specificproposals, because commissionersplaced the issue on the back burneruntil new commissioners were elect-ed in November.

The issue will likely linger until anew chairman is selected, either inMarch or an April runoff.

THIS YEAR’S NEWSThe discussion may have stalled,

but the fight’s not over yet.Commissioners explored the pos-

sibility of including a non-binding ref-erendum on the ballots during theMarch 15 special election, but Elec-tions Director Lynn Ledford said a1990 attorney general opinion showslocal governments cannot spendmoney for public opinion or straw pollquestions on ballots.

While voters won’t be able to showtheir opinions at the polls, Commis-sioner John Heard said he still wantsto know what the public thinks.

Gwinnett Daily Post Publisher J.K.Murphy agreed to run a survey inthe newspaper, and Heard saidhe’s looking forward to seeing theresults.

Heard has also said he’s goingto push for a resolution to theissue once the new chairman isseated.

— By Heather Darenberg andCamie Young

Living her dreamBY HEATHER DARENBERG

STAFF WRITER

[email protected]

LOGANVILLE — Morn-ing radio personality WendyAdams is fulfilling a highschool dream.

Adams is returning to heralma mater this week as acheerleader.

“The one thing I regretfrom high school was neverbeing on the cheerleadingsquad,” said Adams, a 2003graduate of Grayson HighSchool.

Adams said she was the“shy girl in high school” andintimidated to try out forcheerleading. Instead, she wasa peer leader and participatedin band and color guard.

“I always watched from thestands,” she said.

Not this Friday.After Adams, a co-host of

The Bert Show on Atlantaradio station Q100, talkedabout her regret on the air, theschool invited her to visit andjoin the squad one week.Adams will run out on thefield with Grayson’s varsityfootball squad at the Fridaynight game against Parkview.She’ll stay and cheer duringthe first quarter.

“We’re so excited to haveWendy come back and join usand to show her how muchfun cheerleading can be,” saidMichelle Jones, Grayson’shead cheerleading coach.

Adams is also getting ataste of the squad’s weeklyactivities. She visited the highschool Tuesday afternoon tohelp the girls create the run-through banner, and she’llstop by this afternoon to learn20 to 25 cheers, plus a touch-down dance.

“It’s cool that she wants tocome back and (live) herdream that she wanted to pur-

sue,” said Amy Thurber, ajunior on the squad.

Thurber said she hopes theexperience will show Adamsthat cheerleaders are outgo-

ing, but they aren’t the stereo-typical mean girls.

On her first day with thesquad, Adams said she washaving fun.

“All the girls are so sweet andsuper spunky,” she said, addingthat she was also impressed

Photo: David McGregor Grayson High School graduate and Q100 radio personality Wendy Adams paintsa cheerleading banner on Tuesday afternoon in Grayson HIgh School cafeteria.Adams is a 2003 graduate of Grayson.


75¢


INSIDE TODAY


[email protected]

LAWRENCEVILLE — Four days after theresignation of Gwinnett’s chairman, officials arestill tight-lipped about the process to replacehim.

“It’s a more complicated process than justcalling an election,” said governmentspokesman Joe Sorenson, explaining that in cer-

tain cases the gov-ernor can quicklycall an election,but because thecounty is a cre-ation of the legis-lature, he is notinvolved in thisprocess.

“We haven’thad this happenbefore,” he said.“There are severalsteps involved thatwe have to check.”

While Sorensonwould not confirmany details as theplans are being

finalized, the first date allowed for a specialelection is March 15.

“We’re just making sure everything is in placefor that” election, he said. “This is unusual. It’s notjust like calling a referendum for a (sales tax).”

Charles Bannister resigned the chairman’sposition Friday, as a special grand jury met foran investigation into land purchases. On Mon-day, a judge released information that the juryissued “no bill of indictment” on a charge of per-jury against Bannister, although the final reportfrom the group is not expected to be releaseduntil Oct. 22.

In the interim, Commissioner Shirley Las-seter has taken over the duties of the chairman.

Sorenson pointed out that the chairman is anelected position, so Lasseter, who represents Dis-trict 1, retains her position, but as the elected vicechair is acting in the stead of the chairman. TheBoard of Commissioners elects its vice chair

Countyscramblesto set vote


[email protected]

LAWRENCEVILLE —Gwinnett County PublicSchools is a step closer tonaming this year’s top

teacher.Julie Bailey-Wegner, a

fifth-grade teacher at Mul-berry Elementary; DebbieTrevino, an eighth-gradelanguage arts teacher at BayCreek Middle; Sergio Parra,a Spanish teacher atOsborne Middle; Jennifer

Helfrich, a media specialistat Radloff Middle; KatieSaldarriaga, an ESOLteacher at North GwinnettHigh; and Steve Kuninsky, ascience teacher at ParkviewHigh, have been namedfinalists for the 2011 Gwin-nett County Teacher of the

Year title.As the final element of the

judging process, a selectioncommittee will complete anobservation of the six teach-ers in their classrooms. Dur-ing the visit, committeemembers will look for origi-nal teaching methods, how

the teachers demonstratetheir philosophy of teaching,and special class projects,according to a news release.The finalists also will sharemore about themselvesthrough an interviewprocess with the selectioncommittee.

Three of the six finalistswill be designated as theElementary, Middle andHigh School Teachers of theYear. As the only elementaryschool finalist, Bailey-Weg-ner automatically becomes

Gwinnett’s Teacher of the Year list narrows to six

BY DORIE TURNERThe Associated Press

ATLANTA — The first-ever challenge to Georgia’scharter school law wentbefore the state’s highestcourt Tuesday, with sevenpublic school districts,

including Gwinnett, hopingto recover hundreds of thou-sands of dollars in funding.

The districts are askingthe court to toss out a Mayruling by a Fulton CountySuperior Court JudgeWendy Shoob that declaredthe Georgia Charter Schools

Commission constitutionaland affirmed it wasn’t break-ing any laws by movingmoney from public schooldistricts to charter schools.

But the school systems’attorneys argued the charterschools commission is ille-gal because it is creating an

independent school systemprohibited by the state con-stitution. And the districtssay the money is actuallylocal dollars that belong tothe public school systems,not the state.

For Gwinnett CountySchools, the state’s largest,

the commission is taking$800,000 annually for IvyPreparatory Academy, anall-girls charter school inNorcross. That reduction infunding means the local dis-tricts either ‘‘have to raisetaxes or have to reduce ser-vices,’’ said attorney Tom

Cox, who represents AtlantaPublic Schools and DeKalbCounty Schools.

Defense attorneys say thecommission is within itsrights to take money fromthe districts because it’s state

Districts ask justices to toss rulingGEORGIA CHARTER SCHOOLS

Radio personality joining Grayson cheerleading squad for a week

GWINNETT CHAIRMAN

▼▼‘‘We’re justmaking sureeverything is inplace ... It’s notjust like calling areferendum for a(sales tax).’’

Government spokesman

Joe Sorenson

•See Ruling, Page 9A

•See Teacher, Page 11A

•See Vote, Page 9A•See Dream, Page 9A

BOBBY SAYS GOODBYE, 1BBraves prepare to move on without longtime skipper.

DATE HERE

OCTOBER 13, 2010OCTOBER 9, 2010


75¢


Report: Bannister bargainedBY CAMIE YOUNG

SENIOR WRITER

[email protected]

LAWRENCEVILLE —Charles Bannister asked a grandjury if they would excuse a

crime if he resigned from office,a report released Tuesday said.

Bannister resigned as chair-

man of the Board of Commis-sioners that day, Oct. 8, and thegrand jury decided to return a“no bill” of indictment on acharge of perjury — whichcould have carried a 10-yearprison sentence.

“The Grand Jury weighed the

possible outcomes,” the reportsaid, after noting that the pro-posed charge was based uponcontradictions in testimony, notthe Palm Creek park site pur-chase in question. “If we hadreturned an indictment thenremoval from office would have

depended upon the outcome ofthe criminal trial. The GrandJury decided that assured, per-manent removal from officewas the appropriate solution toone of the problems we


50 percentchance of rain.Highs around80. Lows inupper 50s...4A

■ Local

Staff Photo: Jonathan PhillipsCarol Jones, right, talks with Tasia Hicks and Jasmine Washington as they work on a project in biology class at NorcrossHigh School on Tuesday. Jones is one of about 70 people on the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education’s 18thannual Bus Trip Across Georgia which toured seven schools throughout the state. The tour included a combination ofeducators, business, government and community leaders.


[email protected]

NORCROSS — Two tour buses filledwith educators and community leadersvisited Norcross High School on Tues-day as part of the Georgia Partnershipfor Excellence in Education’s 18thannual Bus Trip Across Georgia.

Norcross was one of seven achieving,innovative public schools selected asstops on this year’s tour, according to a

news release. The 2010 theme is“Greater Flexibility, Greater Focus onResults.”

The tour, which included a combina-tion of educators, business, governmentand community leaders from throughoutthe state, began in 1993 and has been afixture in state education circles eversince. Schools selected as stops have aproven track record of academic excel-lence and sustained performance.

This year, there was an emphasis onthe flexibility provided in charter

schools and charter systems and systemswith an Investing in Educational Excel-lence contract with the state. GwinnettCounty Public Schools was the first dis-trict in Georgia to enter into an IE2 con-tract.

“Our visit to Norcross High Schoolwill provide our participants a look at alarge school that is able to provide itsstudents personalized instruction,” saidStephen Dolinger, president of the


[email protected]

LAWRENCEVILLE — Commis-sioner Kevin Kenerly made motionsTuesday to allow a truck rental facili-ty and a personal care home, to aban-don a former public road and honortwo neighbors who stepped in when awoman was being attacked by dogs.

Just days after anindictment by agrand jury wasunsealed on acharge of taking a$1 million bribe,calls for the com-missioner’s resig-nation wentunheard, as he par-ticipated in what

could be his third to last Board ofCommissioners hearing.

Kenerly listened to several com-ments from residents asking him tostep down, the governor to suspendhim or the county commission toignore his motions before leavingabout 30 minutes before the hearingended.

“It’s been a rocky year in GwinnettCounty and there has been a shadowover Gwinnett,” said Sabrina Smithof Gwinnett Citizens for ResponsibleGovernment. “The No. 1 thing thatcould occur to restore the faith andconfidence in our Board of Commis-sioners ... we would respectfully askthat he resign immediately.”

Kenerly, who has said he will notresign, did not respond to theremarks, before talk turned to a con-troversial pit bull ordinance.

One commissioner did respond —Shirley Lasseter, who is acting in the

‘Every kid can perform’BY HEATHER DARENBERG

STAFF WRITER

[email protected]

HOSCHTON — Sergio Parra doesn’tjust use Gwinnett County Public Schools’Quality-Plus Teaching Strategies to informhis instruction. He keeps a laser focus onthe research based practices

vocabulary, summarizing, collaboration,student goal setting, literacy, problem solv-ing, questioning, background knowledge,comparison and contrast and technology

TEACHER OF THE YEAR FINALIST:SERGIO PARRA, OSBORNE MIDDLE

This is the second in a series of sixstories highlighting the finalists forGwinnett County Teacher of the Year.

EDITOR’S NOTE

Kevin Kenerly

Charles Bannister

Tour of excellenceVarious leaders pay visit to Norcross High on bus trip

• See Tour, Page 12A

Documents show jury didn’t indict because chairman resignedTo read the grand jurypresentment in full, visitwww.gwinnettdailypost.com.

ON THE WEB

• See Report, Page 6A

Buford’s senior softball players chasing title No. 4, 1BWINNING PACK

Publiccalls forKenerlyto resign

• See Kenerly, Page 6A

File Photo

BANNISTER QUITS


[email protected]

LAWRENCEVILLE — Charles Ban-nister has resigned as chairman of theGwinnett Board of Commissioners.

As a grand jury mulled possiblecharges in land purchase controversies,Bannister announced he was done withpolitics after a rocky year that included

furor over a millage rate increase andgarbage pick-up as well as a recall attemptand DUI charge that was later dismissed.

Until a special election can be held,Commissioner Shirley Lasseter, theboard’s vice-chair, will step into the roleof the top elected official.

Bannister issued the following state-ment, citing a “trying” year that has putstrain on his family and his health:

“While I am proud of Gwinnett Coun-

ty Government’s many accomplishmentsover the past six years and had hoped toguide more of this Board’s work to com-pletion, I find myself near the end of anextremely trying year that has placed anundeserved strain on my family and hasthreatened my own health.

“I believe that stepping down at thistime is necessary to preserve my family’s

Lasseter steps in as county’s top officialBY CAMIE YOUNG

SENIOR WRITER

[email protected]

LAWRENCEVILLE —Officials hope to make asmooth transition, after theresignation of Gwinnett’s topelected official.

On Friday, CommissionerShirley Lasseter stepped in as

interim chairwoman of theBoard ofC o m m i s -sioners, withthe immedi-ate departureof CharlesBannister.

“Citizenss h o u l dexpect coun-

ty government’s normal day-

to-day operations to continueduring this transition period,”County Administrator GlennStephens said in a statement.“Gwinnett County govern-ment is a strong, well-man-aged organization comprisedof capable leadership andemployees, and they willkeep the important work ofcounty government movingforward.

“The board’s vice chair-man, Shirley Lasseter, isempowered to fulfill thechairman’s responsibilitieswhen the position is vacant.Over the next several days,county staff will review statelaw to determine the timingand process for permanentlyfilling the chairman’s seat.”


75¢

SATURDAY October 9, 2010

Automotive ......1C

Classified..........8B

Comics ............4CCrossword........4CHoroscope......11BLocal................ 3A

Lottery ............ 4AObituaries ........9APerspective ......8AReal Estate ......5C

Stocks.............. 4ASports ..............1BTelevision........11BWorld&Nation ..6A

INSIDE Delivery Problems? Your satisfaction is our number one priority. If we miss delivery ofyour Gwinnett Daily Post, call our circulation department customer service line, 770-339-5845, or e-mail the circulation department at [email protected] between6:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. Tuesday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. Saturday,Sunday and holidays. Customer Service is staffed until 1 p.m. Monday through Friday and11 a.m. weekends and holidays to handle your subscription questions.

NOW

OPEN!

‘‘’’Former Commission Chairman

Charles Bannister

I find myself near the end of an

extremelytrying year

“While I am proud ofGwinnett County Gov-ernment’s manyaccomplishments overthe past six years andhad hoped to guidemore of this Board’swork to completion, Ifind myself near theend of an extremelytrying year that hasplaced an undeservedstrain on my familyand has threatenedmy own health. Ibelieve that steppingdown at this time isnecessary to preservemy family’s well-beingand will allow theimportant business ofGwinnett County tomove forward withoutfurther distraction.

IN HIS WORDS

INSIDE TODAY■ LocalCompetitiondonates $600worth of food to local co-op....................3A

■ NationBank of America halts allforeclosures in all 50 states..6A

■ NationDow Jones closes above11,000, first timesince May.........6A

■ SportsBulldogs’ datewith Volunteersjust afterthoughtin SEC picture....................2B

■ WeatherSunny. Highs inthe mid-80s.Lows in theupper 40s ..4A

Chairman resigns amid controversy

• See Resigns, Page 9A

Shirley Lasseter

• See Lasseter, Page 9A

Mill Creek..........47Meadowcreek ......0

Buford ..............47Clarkston ............0

Grayson ............16Dacula ..............10

Wesleyan ..........49King’s Ridge ........6

Apalachee ........34Rockdale Co. ....14

GAC ..................28Decatur ..............18

North Gwinnett..38Norcross ..............0

Archer ..............17Shiloh ................14

Parkview ..........24Central Gwinnett.17

Collins Hill ........14Peachtree Ridge.10

Duluth ..............46Mountain View ..22

South Gwinnett.54Berkmar ............27

Heritage ............14 Winder-Barrow ..13

Hebron ..............42GMC ....................7

Lambert ............17Johns Creek ........7

Carrollton..........49LaGrange ............0

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCOREBOARD

An in-depth look at Charles Bannister’scareer.

COMING SUNDAY

(OT)

OCTOBER 27, 2010 JANUARY 25

Staff Photos: Jason Braverman

Who will be chair?


[email protected]

LAWRENCEVILLE — After one com-missioner’s indictment and the chairman’sresignation to avoid a grand jury, ethics is abig issue for Pat Vines.

That’s why the Lawrenceville womancame to the Gwinnett Justice and Adminis-tration Center on Monday, taking notes ofthe four people vying to become the newchairman of the county commission.

“I’m impressed with the candidates,”Vines said. “It makes my decision harder,but that’s actually a good thing.”

Monday night’s forum, sponsored by theGwinnett GOP, was the first where all fourcandidates faced the public, and they weresure to tell voters that ethics is at the top of

their lists too.“I believe that honesty and integrity

should be priority one in our local govern-ment,” said retired assistant police chiefDuane Kissel. “Government is supposed totake care of the citizens. ... We’ve fallen offtrack.”

Kissel and Charlotte Nash, who retiredas Gwinnett’s county administrator, leanedon experience, saying they are ready towork immediately to plug an $18 millionbudget gap.

“I believe I can provide the leadershipthe county needs to stabilize the situation,to balance the budget,” Nash said.

Business owner Will Costa, a libertarian,and former Naval officer Larry Gausetalked about cutting back government andlistening to the public.

“We need to rediscover what the role ofgovernment should be. The course we areon now is unsustainable,” Costa said.

“Some services are going to have to go,but it’s services the county shouldn’t bedoing in the first place,” Gause said.“We’ve got to get away from doing all

JCPenneystore setto close


[email protected]

LAWRENCEVILLE — Then-Commis-sioner Kevin Kenerly’s Fifth Amendmentrights were violated by a special grand

jury, which issued anindictment against him onbribery charges last year, abrief filed Monday withthe Georgia Court ofAppeals contends.

The brief, filed by attor-ney Patrick McDonough,argues that special grandjuries are empowered toeither investigate or indict

— not both. So the special grand juryimpaneled at the request of District Attor-ney Danny Porter to investigate question-able land purchases by the governmentstepped beyond its boundaries in indictingKenerly, McDonough argues.

Kenerly casebrief filed inappeals court


75¢

TUESDAY January 25, 2011

INSIDE TODAY


[email protected]

DULUTH — Joe Allen said he will hateto see the JCPenney Home Store go, butunfortunately, store closings are just partof the ebb and flow of retail.

The Duluth home furnishings store isone of six underperforming locationsscheduled to close nationwide, the J.C.Penney Co. announced Monday. Thedepartment store at Southlake Mall inMorrow is also slated to close, but thedepartment stores at Gwinnett Place Malland the Mall of Georgia will remain open.

The Plano, Texas-based company isclosing six stores, 19 outlets and two callcenter locations and continuing to work onan exit from its catalog business in an

‘‘Lawrenceville resident

Pat Vines’’I’m impressed with the can-

didates. It makes my decisionharder, but that’s actually agood thing.

BOC CANDIDATE DEBATE

Home furnishing facilityin Duluth to be shuttered

Document claims grand jurydid not have power to indict

Kevin Kenerly

Staff Photo: Jason BravermanThe JCPenney Home Store in Duluthcould close as early as June 1,according to company officials.

•See Store, Page 7A

•See Kenerly, Page 7A

OFTEN OVERLOOKED, 1BLawrence happy as Collins Hill’s other guard

Four vying for chairman seat discuss issues at forum

•See Chairman, Page 6A

‘‘Business owner

Will Costa ’’We need to rediscover what the role

of government should be. The coursewe are on now is unsustainable.

‘‘Retired assistant police chief

Duane Kissel ’’I believe that honesty and integrity

should be priority one in our localgovernment. Government is sup-posed to take care of the citizens.

‘‘Retired Naval officer

Larry Gause ’’Some services are going to have to

go, but it’s services the countyshouldn’t be doing in the first place.... We’ve got to get away from doingall things for all people.

‘‘Retired county administrator

Charlotte Nash ’’I believe I can provide the leader-

ship the county needs to stabilize thesituation, to balance the budget.


75¢

FRIDAY June 25, 2010

Unemployment growing, layoffs slowingBY HEATHER DARENBERG

STAFF WRITER

[email protected]

LAWRENCEVILLE — Forthe 32nd consecutive month,

Georgia has exceeded thenational unemployment rate,which is now 9.7 percent,according to figures releasedThursday by the Georgia Depart-ment of Labor.

The state’s seasonally adjust-

ed unemployment rate declinedto 10.2 percent in May, downone-tenth of a percentage pointfrom a revised 10.3 percent inApril. However, the jobless rateremains seven-tenths of a per-centage point higher than the 9.5

percent at this same time lastyear.

At 9 percent, Gwinnett Coun-ty’s unemployment rate in Maywas lower than the state’s andnation’s. But the county’s unem-ployment rate rose slightly from

the revised April figure of 8.9percent and is higher than the 8.4percent rate in May 2009.

In neighboring Barrow Coun-ty, the 10 percent unemploymentrate in May was the same a yearago. The revised April rate was10.1 percent.

Staff Photos: Jason BravermanNelson Archer, left, voices his opinion as his wife, Karen, sits by his side during a rally against the privatization and expansion propos-al of the Gwinnett airport Thursday at the Gwinnett County Historic Courthouse in Lawrenceville. About 200 people attended the event.

Fight or flightBY CAMIE YOUNG

SENIOR WRITER

[email protected]

LAWRENCEVILLE —Nearly two decades ago, thelast time commissioners con-sidered an expansion toBriscoe Field that wouldallow commercial flights,3,000 people showed up at the

courthouse.Leaders said Thursday they

had a lot of work to do toreach those levels, as about200 people rallied outside theGwinnett Historic Courthouseagainst the current privatiza-tion and expansion proposal.

“We as a group need tostick together,” said BillAtkinson, a former countycommission chairman.

Lawrenceville Mayor RexMillsaps said commissioners


[email protected]

LAWRENCEVILLE —Gwinnett County PublicSchools is hoping employeeswill pull the plug.

Energy audits identified away for the state’s largestschool district to save about$698,000 a year — removepersonal desk and floor lampsand compact refrigeratorsfrom classrooms and offices.

By doing this, the auditsconducted by utility providersfound the district could see“immediate and significantsavings,” GCPS spokesmanJorge Quintana said.

The school system askedlocal school leaders to partic-ipate in the no-cost savingsinitiative starting this sum-mer, Quintana said. To helpaccommodate the needs ofemployees and students, theschool system is suggestingfull-sized refrigerators belocated in centralized loca-tions on the school campus,such as teacher workrooms,instead.

In addition, the district isasking employees to turn offlights and computers andunplug all nonessential elec-tronic equipment at the end ofeach day, Quintana said.

“These energy initiativeswill help to raise awareness,reduce consumption, savemoney and protect the envi-ronment,” Quintana said.


places that is more than just a restau-rant. It is one of those places the

decades ago.Alley bought the building from

Latest figures show Gwinnett ahead of state, national averages

• See Unemployment, Page 9A

Lightsout forGCPSteachersAudit: Removing lamps,fridges can save $698K

GRAB IT, IF YOU CANRelease of latest iPhones creates mad rush, long lines • In W&N, 7A

Rexall closes doors, but vows returnState officials shut Duluth’s iconic restaurant on Wednesday due to owed taxes

Residents voice anger at airport proposal

Lawrenceville Mayor Rex Millsaps, left,and Lawrenceville resident and businessowner Larry Troutman put yard signsaround the Gwinnett County HistoricCourthouse prior to Thursday’s rally.

Visit www.gwinnettdailypost.com for a slide show of Thursday’s rallyand for a map of expected flight paths to Gwinnett County Airport.

ON THE WEB

• See Fight, Page 9A

MARCH 2, 2010 JUNE 25, 2010


$2.00

SUNDAY January 23, 2011

Airport vote won’t be on ballotsBY CAMIE YOUNG

SENIOR WRITER

[email protected]

LAWRENCEVILLE —March ballots will not give vot-ers an opportunity to sound offon a controversial airport privati-

zation proposal.The idea of a non-binding ref-

erendum as part of the March 15special election for chairmanwas floated Thursday during alistening session between com-missioners and the public.

Commissioners liked the idea,

but when staffers researched itFriday, they said it can’t happen.

Elections Director Lynn Led-ford cited a 1990 attorney gener-al opinion that local govern-ments cannot expend funds forpublic opinion or straw pollquestions on ballots.

“Some county expense wouldbe incurred in placing the ques-tion(s) on the ballot and the actu-al count of the vote,” she wrotein an e-mail. “Such an expendi-ture would not be authorizedabsent some statutory basis.”

Questions are regularly part of

the primary process, but Ledfordsaid political parties can placequestions on their ballots sincethey are sharing in the expenseof the election. The law alsoallows the Legislature to place

Staff Photo: Jonathan PhillipsGwinnett Heat’s Keitra Douglas (11), a sophomore at Berkmar High School, shoots for two points during their firstgame of the 2011 basketball season on Saturday. Students from different high schools across the county play forthe Heat.

Hoops with heartWheelchair sports team learns camaraderie


[email protected]

DULUTH — When Mar-tinez Johnson woke up Sat-urday morning, he was excit-ed. Basketball season hadfinally arrived.

But after the game Satur-day afternoon, a differentfeeling consumed Johnson:disappointment.

The Gwinnett Heat, thecounty’s adapted sports

team, fell 32-12 against theAtlanta Wolfpack in its firstgame of the varsity basket-ball season. Although theHeat gathered momentumtoward the end of the game,it wasn’t enough to over-come the points the Wolf-pack, the defending statechampions, racked up in thefirst half.

“We didn’t put all the

loose ends together,” saidJohnson, a Buford juniorwho was the team’s leadingscorer last season. “We’vegot to get a better game plan.... Everybody’s got to be ontheir A game.”

A post-game pep talk fromcoaches didn’t cheer Johnsonup. When asked how he felt,Johnson simply said, “Horri-ble,” as he shook his head.

Others on the teamweren’t quite as despondentafter the loss. Lanier sev-enth-grader Stephen Hobson,

who scored four points in thegame, said he was feeling“pretty confident.”

Hobson acknowledgesthere’s room for improve-ment. He thinks the teamneeds to develop more trustbetween the players. But he’salso optimistic about the restof the season.

“The coaches are great,”said Hobson, who is in hisfirst year with the Heat but hasexperience with BlazeSports.

Locals helpturn treesinto mulch


[email protected]

LAWRENCEVILLE — It was begin-ning to smell a lot like Christmas on Sat-urday at Bethesda Park.

The aromatic scent of pine, cypress,spruce and fir waft-ed about as hun-dreds of formerChristmas treeswere chipped intomulch.

“The smell is so strong, I can taste it,”said Meadowcreek High sophomoreKareen Huynh, one of more than 120volunteers who helped lug trees duringGwinnett Clean & Beautiful’s 25thannual “Bring One for the Chipper”Christmas tree recycling event.

The number of trees recycled this yearis still being calculated, said ConnieWiggins, the executive director of

INSIDE TODAY■ CommunitySuwanee couplebelieves horse has what it takesto make it to Ken-tucky Derby.......1C

■ OnlineWhat is your favoritekind of Girl Scout cookie? Vote in ouronline poll at www.gwin-nettdailypost.com.

■ USA WeekendJane Fonda talksabout the importanceof staying physicallyactive as you age.

■ SportsWesleyan’s leading receiverJones transfers to Central Gwinnett..........1B

■ WeatherPartly sunny.Highs in the 40s. Lows in the 20s. ......4A

Staff Photo: Jonathan PhillipsLisa Liu and Gande Li help grabtrees from a pile at Bethesda Park inLawrenceville before they are recy-cled on Saturday. The annual BringOne for the Chipper event had morethan 120 volunteers.

For a photo slide show, visitwww.gwinnettdailypost.com

ON THE WEB

For a photo slide show, visitwww.gwinnettdai-lypost.com

ON THE WEB

Official: Local governments can’t spend money for public opinion in election

• See Airport, Page 6A

25th annual recycling eventalso helps build community

• See Trees, Page 10A

SECOND CHANCE, 1BMilo returns to Gladiators, helps with team’s resurgence.

• See Hoops, Page 6A


Comics ............6A

Crossword ........6AHoroscope........7ALocal................ 3ALottery ............ 4A

Nation.............. 2AObituaries ........5AStocks.............. 4ASports ..............1B

Sports Agate....3B

Television..........7A

World ................2A


Staff Photos: Jonathan PhillipsYolette Antoine, a certified nursing assistant, left, helps Amy Somers color a picture as Lynn Pecook singsto CNA Lawanda Karim at Annandale Village on Friday. The D. Scott Hudgens Center for Skilled Nursing atAnnandale Village has been rated five stars by U.S. News and World Report.

In good hands3 local nursing homes get five-star rating


[email protected]

LAWRENCEVILLE — AdamPomeranz was out of the state at a con-ference when he got a voice mail fromthe chairman of Annandale Village’sBoard of Directors asking him to returnthe call.

“I couldn’t tell by the tone of hisvoice what (the call was about) so I wasa little apprehensive,” rememberedPomeranz, who serves as executivedirector of Annandale.

But the news turned out to be good. Charles Lotz had just picked up a

copy of U.S. News & World Report andread about the overall five-star rating D.Scott Hudgens Center for Skilled Nurs-ing had received for the current quarter.The center was one of three in Gwinnettthat received the rating.

“He’s been on the board 35 years,”Pomeranz said of Lotz. “He’s watchedAnnandale grow from serving eightpeople to now 130. He was just thrilled.He was ecstatic when I called him.”

The Suwanee nursing home is ownedand operated by Annandale Village ofSuwanee, a community that serves

adults with developmental disabilities.The D. Scott Hudgens Center forSkilled Nursing provides all of the ser-vices of a traditional nursing homewhile specializing filling the needs ofindividuals with a primary diagnosis of

mental retardation or other developmen-tal disabilities.

It was the only nursing home in

GGC: Jobscould beeliminated


[email protected]

LAWRENCEVILLE — Proposed cuts instate funding could force Georgia GwinnettCollege to eliminate 20 faculty and 12 staffpositions and request that enrollment be cappedat 3,000 students this fall, GGC PresidentDaniel Kaufman said Monday.

The college’s share of a $300 million short-fall in the state’s higher education budgetwould be $2.66 million — in addition to a pre-vious $4.3 million cut for fiscal year 2011,which begins July 1, a news release states.

“An additional $2.6 million budget reductionwill move us backward, not forward,” Kauf-man said. “What is especially painful is that wewould have to turn away hundreds of applicantsto reduce enrollment to a cap of 3,000.”

The college also would delay plans to estab-lish its nursing program, which has beenapproved by the Board of Regents.

In a letter to the chairmen of the House andSenate appropriations subcommittees onhigher education, University System of Geor-gia Chancellor Erroll Davis said last week hecharged the 35 presidents in the system to

Don Balfourseeks seat in Congress


[email protected]

LAWRENCEVILLE — State Sen. DonBalfour, R-Snellville, Monday was the firstto jump into the race for Congress, after U.S.Rep. John Linder’s surprise retirementannouncement this weekend.

About a half dozen other politicians havesaid they are considering campaigns, includ-ing Commissioner Mike Beaudreau, Sen.David Shafer, Reps. Clay Cox, R-Lilburn,and Jeff May, R-Monroe and Gwinnett GOPChairman Chuck Efstration.

Balfour, who is the chairman of the pow-erful Senate Rules Committee and heads theNational Conference of State Legislatures, isa formidable competitor to become Linder’sreplacement after 18 years in office. TheWaffle House executive, like Linder, wasfirst elected to his current position in 1992and is the longest serving Republican sena-tor in the state.

“Elections should be about leaders stand-ing up to defend conservative principle,”Balfour said. “I am running for Congress toserve the people of the 7th district and tofight for the conservative principles we holddear. We deserve a Congress that rises abovepolitical pettiness and balances the Federalbudget just like the citizens of the 7th Dis-trict do every day.”

While Linder plans to retire to a familyfarm in Mississippi, he said he plans to con-tinue publicizing his FairTax plan, which

Ernest Manus, left, John Gay and the Rev. William Corley talk in thedining hall at Gwinnett Extended Care at Gwinnett Medical Center inLawrenceville on Friday. The center has been rated five stars by U.S.News and World Report.

BOC to consider pre-applicationforms to privatize county airport


[email protected]

LAWRENCEVILLE — Gwin-nett’s pre-application for a federalprogram allowing the privatiza-tion of the county airport is nearlycomplete.

Commissioners today willconsider giving ChairmanCharles Bannister the authority tosign the forms — expected to becomplete in the next week or so— to reserve one of two finalspots for the Federal AviationAgency’s program, which wouldforgive about $30 million in fed-eral grants if the county movesforward.

Leaders gave the go-ahead tobegin the process in January,promising an extensive publichearing process if the pre-applica-tion is approved.

Gwinnett Transportation Direc-tor Brian Allen said the countycould get the thumbs up from theFAA within about 30 days of sub-mitting the forms. At that point,

officials will seek proposals fromcompanies interested in buying orleasing Briscoe Field.

At least one company, NewYork-based Propeller Invest-ments, has expressed an interest.Propeller has created a Web sitewhyprivatizebriscoe.com to high-light its proposal, which wouldinclude offering commercialflights to regional airports such asDallas, Las Vegas, Boston andmore.

Leaders said a county studywould include possibilities of con-tinuing the airport operations as is,pursuing privatization but remain-ing a general aviation airport andpursuing privatization with com-mercial offerings.

■ Weather

Snow. Windy.Highs in the upper30s. Lows in the 20s........4A

■ Local

Norton studentstake part in writingboot camp ..8A

■ WorldTroops, policeattack looters inChile ..........2A

INSIDETODAY

• See Homes, A

Proposed cuts may also forceschool to reduce enrollment

For a statement from GGC president Daniel J. Kaufman regarding possible cuts,visit www.gwinnettdailypost.com

ON THE WEB

• See GGC, Page 5A

Others considering campaignsfollowing Linder’s retirement

• See Congress, Page 8A

• What: Board of Commission-ers meeting• When: 10 a.m. work session,2 p.m. business session today• Where: Gwinnett Justice andAdministration Center, 75 Lan-gley Drive, Lawrenceville

IFYOUGO

JANUARY 23


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THE HEADLINES: GMC LAYOFFSw w w. g w i n n e t t d a i l y p o s t . c o m

THE STORYGwinnett Medical Center elimi-

nates 160 positions, now seeks tofill 200

THE HISTORYGwinnett Health System — a

combination of Gwinnett MedicalCenter’s Lawrenceville and Duluthcampus — is listed as the third-largest employer in Gwinnett Coun-ty, with only the school system andgovernment employing more.

KEY PLAYERS• Gwinnett Medical Center CEOPhil Wolfe• Gwinnett Medical Center Market-ing Coordinator Aaron McKevitt

LAST YEAR’S HEADLINESIn November, GMC CEO Phil

Wolfe sent a memo to hospitalassociates notifying them thatapproximately 160 positions wouldbe eliminated, some through layoffsand some through empty positionsnot being filled.

An attempt would be made to“relocate” some employees into dif-ferent positions within the hospitalsystem.

THIS YEAR’S NEWSLast November, Gwinnett Med-

ical Center dropped the hammer.Now it’s lifting it.

In a memo, CEO Phil Wolfe toldassociates of Gwinnett County’sthird-largest employer that therewould be a total of 160 positionseliminated in the coming days.About 60 percent of the jobs lostwould come from current posi-tions being eliminated, with theremaining 40 coming from vacantpositions not being filled.

Since then, 19 staff membershave been relocated within thehospital system, GMC MarketingCoordinator Aaron McKevitt said.

“Following Project TIP, weplaced 19 staff members in newroles within the organization,” hesaid. “We also assisted outgoingstaff in identifying opportunitiesand securing interviews with otherarea hospitals.”

The cuts came after the hospi-tal launched “Project TIP” in July,a “90-day effort led by associatesand physicians to identify oppor-tunities for process improve-ments, expense reduction andincreased revenue,” spokeswoman

Dolores Ware said at the time.The project charged eight

teams with identifying $21.5 mil-lion in savings and $2.5 million innew revenue.

The TIP program ultimatelyidentified more than $24 million insavings and $3.5 million in poten-tial new revenues for the hospital.

“Gwinnett Medical Center isamong the most well-positionedsystems to weather this (econom-ic) downturn,” Wolfe wrote inNovember, “but there are stepswe must take to maintain thatposition and ensure continuedstability.”

After all that, Gwinnett Medicalis now looking to hire.

McKevitt said recently that thehospital system is “actively work-ing to fill” about 200 positions in avariety of departments. A portionof those potential hires will berelated to the upcoming openingof GMC’s Heart and VascularCenter.

“It should be noted that thehospital continues to bring onnew staff as our needs evolve,”McKevitt said.

“We’re expanding a lot of our

services,” he added, “so they arespread out throughout the sys-tem.”

— By Tyler Estep


[email protected]

LAWRENCEVILLE — While hisgreat-grandfather saluted as an honorguard passed by, 5-year-old AustinMann shielded his eyes in a salute-likegesture.

The tiny tyke is getting quite a histo-ry lesson from Frank Sinacola, hisgreat-grandfather, a World War II veter-an visiting from California.

On Thursday, the pair came out for aVeterans Day ceremony, with Austin’s

m o mDeniseManntryingt oimpartt h e

significance to the pre-kindergartner.“I’m trying to teach him the impor-

tance of some of these holidays thatseem to be losing their importance,”Mann, who is from Lilburn, said. “It’simportant (to Sinacola), so it should beimportant to our family.”

Austin passed out some pictures he

colored to local veterans as the cere-mony began, something his mothertaught him as the two sent out carepackages to soldiers in Iraq andAfghanistan.

The project is to “thank people who

fighted for us,” Austin explained.More than 100 veterans and commu-

nity members attended Thursday’s cer-emony, which included the laying of a


75¢

FRIDAY November 12, 2010


Sunny. Highsin the upper60s. Lows inthe 30s. ....4A

■ LocalChamber vicepresident toleave..........2A

■ Nation

Photos: David McGregorLeonard Sobczynski takes a moment to reflect during a Veterans Day ceremony at the Gwinnett FallenHeroes Memorial in Lawrenceville on Thursday.

Gwinnett County Firefighter Jeff Kendrick leads the Public SafetyHonor Guard to the Gwinnett Fallen Heroes Memorial during a Veter-ans Day Ceremony in Lawrenceville on Thursday.

BY TYLER ESTEPSTAFF WRITER

[email protected]

LAWRENCEVILLE — Gwinnett MedicalCenter has eliminated approximately 160 posi-tions, after 45 new hires were announced in Sep-tember.

According to memos obtained by the DailyPost and verified by a GMC spokesperson, Presi-dent and CEO Phil Wolfe told hospital associatesthis week that the layoffs are coming.

“Decisions that impact our associates are noteasy to make nor are they taken lightly,” Wolfewrote in a memo dated Wednesday. “Unfortu-nately, it will be necessary to make some staffreductions. In total, GMC will lose approximate-ly 160 positions.”

According to documents, roughly 60 percent ofthe jobs lost are the result of current employees’positions being eliminated. The other 40 percentcome from vacant positions not being filled.

Those affected were notified Thursday, spokes-


[email protected]

LAWRENCEVILLE — With thousands of vet-erans that call Gwinnett home being honored fortheir service Thursday, Lawrenceville also wel-comed another kind of American hero.

Apolo Ohno, the most decorated American win-ter Olympian of all-time, stopped by Books-A-Mil-lion at Discover Mills to sign copies of his newautobiography and mingle with the hundreds offans waiting for him.

“This is what it’s about, just trying to reach asmany people as we can, just trying to spread a pos-itive message about what this book is about,” Ohnosaid.

Ohno has competed in the last three Olympics,taking eight medals in short-track speed skating, apair of golds among them. His dedication andcharisma quickly made him the face of speed skat-ing in the United States, and he parlayed thatenthusiasm into a winning effort on a 2007 seasonof the TV show “Dancing with the Stars” and aside-career as a motivational speaker.

The Washington native most recently won a sil-ver and two bronze medals in Vancouver, and has


[email protected]

DULUTH — With veteransasked to stand to be recognized,seemingly half of the ballroomat the Gwinnett Center foundtheir feet Thursday night.

The sellout crowd of morethan 1,600 was there for a spe-cial Veterans Day concert bythe internationally acclaimedUnited States Army Field Band

Hospital laying offworkersGwinnett Medical Centereliminating 160 positions

Olympian stopsin Lawrenceville

Important honorCounty pays tribute to fallen heroes, veterans

Army concert draws big crowd•See Honor, Page 7A

•See Ohno, Page 7A

•See Hospital, Page 7A

For a photo slide show, visitwww.gwinnettdailypost.com.INSIDE■ School honors vets withbreakfast ..................3A

ON THE WEB

READY FOR SOME PLAYOFFS?Gwinnett teams launch into postseason tonight.

In Kickoff, 1C

JAN. 28

THE HEADLINES: GCPS BUDGETw w w. g w i n n e t t d a i l y p o s t . c o m

THE STORYFaced with a projected $80 million

shortfall, Gwinnett County PublicSchools is going to have to makesome major cuts to its budget. Sincethe budget is still under development,the cuts have not yet been finalized.

THE HISTORYGwinnett County Public Schools is a

growing school system.The growthhas not been as rapid as it was back inthe early 2000s, when about 7,000new students joined the district eachyear, but the total student population inGwinnett increases each year.

When the economy was good, theschool system’s budget increasedeach year. Bolstered by a tax base thatwas increasing in value, GCPS couldmaintain the millage rate and collectmore money than it had the yearbefore.

KEY PLAYERS• Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks• Chief Financial Officer Rick Cost

• Chief Human Resources OfficerFrances Davis• Spokeswoman Sloan Roach

LAST YEAR’S HEADLINESBecause of the recession, the local

property tax digest took a hit — andso did Gwinnett County PublicSchools’ budget. With property assess-ments declining, the school systemreceived fewer local dollars. Addition-ally, state funding continued to drop.

The school system implementedseveral cost-saving initiatives —moving to a four-day work week forschools during the summer, forexample. But during the spring, con-flict started brewing.

Several teachers whose contractswere not renewed said they were letgo for budgetary reasons. Theschool system refuted that, saidnonrenewal is an annual humanresources process based entirely onperformance. The teachers, in turn,said they were always given goodperformance reviews. A nonrenewal

is a black mark on a teacher’sresume, and many teachers fearedtheir careers would be ruined. Sev-eral said they understood if theyhad to be laid off because of bud-get constraints, but they said want-ed the school system to admit thatinstead of lying about the reasonthey were let go.

The school system maintainedthe teachers were let go becauseof poor performance. Leaders alsopointed to the number of newteachers hired as evidence the dis-trict did not have a reduction inforce.

THIS YEAR’S NEWSThere’s going to be increased

scrutiny this year on Gwinnett’sannual personnel processes.

The displacement process hasbegun for the year, and the commu-nity has expressed concern about arepeat of last year’s controversy.The sentiment is that displacingteachers is the first step toward let-

ting people go.When displacements happen, the

school system has a surplus ofteachers. With the budget crunch,schools are having to increase classsizes, which means they’ll needfewer teachers. Because of that,about 300 teachers have been toldthey don’t have a position at theirschool next year.

But the school system said theirpriority is to place their surplussedteachers into new positions beforehiring anyone from the outside.Some positions will open upbecause of retirements and normalattrition. Additionally, the schoolsystem is still growing, and a newschool is opening in August.

Community members, however,are distrustful, and community out-cry is brewing. The school system’sbudget hearings have typically hadpoor community attendance, butthat may change this year.

— By Heather Darenberg

BY JOSH GREENSTAFF WRITER

[email protected]

DACULA — A constructionsupervisor was rescued Thurs-day morning after plummeting15 to 20 feet into a manhole at agrocery store construction site inDacula, officials said.

The unidentified man is asupervisor with an excavatingand grading company. He wasadjusting piping at the FenceRoad site of a new Kroger pro-jected to open in coming weeks,officials said.


75¢

FRIDAY January 28, 2011

STRANDS OF GCPS deniesmasslayoffs


[email protected]

SUWANEE — GwinnettCounty Public Schools doesnot plan to address a projected$85 million shortfall by firinghundreds of teachers, aspokeswoman said.

“Oh, heck, no,” spokes-woman Sloan Roach said.

School principals are devel-oping staffing plans for nextyear. As a result, some classsizes may rise, and someteachers may be displaced,Roach said. She said theschool system’s priority willbe to place those displacedteachers in new jobs beforehiring anyone from outside thedistrict.

Man freedafter fall inmanhole

INSIDE TODAY■ SportsGet to know Shilohhead wrestlingcoach Jose Helena

1B

■ SportsDjokovic beats Federer to reachAussie final

3B

■ WeatherSunny. Highs inthe lower 50s.Lows in the

■ Weekend‘Peter Pan’ soarsto new heights inPemberton Place

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■ OnlineVisit our Facebook pageto win two tickets to seethe 360-degree production

Cuts to schoolsstill inevitable

TRIUMPHANT RETURN, 1BBroncos’ Faulkner swimming better than ever after injury.

Supervisor injuredin work site incident


[email protected]

LAWRENCEVILLE —Commissioners want torevive the local constructioneconomy, but they are divid-ed on whether to allowsmaller homes to getbuilders back in business.

“It’s a much different

world than it was in 2006,”when the original zoninghearing was held for BoganMeadows, a 103-lot subdivi-sion on North Bogan Road,said Hank Roland on Tues-day. “This is an attempt tobring Bogan Meadows backto construction.”

Only three homes werebuilt and occupied in thesubdivision before the hous-ing crisis brought a halt to

much of the residential con-struction in the county. It leftonly a handful of neighborsin a pipe cemetery.

Twice, Roland said, com-panies have studied the mar-ket to see if the project couldbe revived. Both times, thestudies found that the zoningrequirements of a minimumof 2,400-square-feet for twostory homes was too large tobuild at the $165,000 to

$185,000 range the marketwould accommodate.

So Roland went beforecommissioners hoping to setthe minimum allowed forsingle-story homes —2,000-square-feet of mini-mum heated floor space —as the minimum for bothranches and two-storyhomes. Staff Photo: Jonathan Phillips

One of only three houses stands built and occupied inthe 103 lot Bogan Meadows subdivision in Buford.

Officials argue small houses lead to big salesBut not all commissioners agree on limiting size of future home construction

• See GCPS, Page 5A

• See Manhole, Page 5A

• See Homes, Page 5A


[email protected]

LAWRENCEVILLE — Ian andIsabella McLeod were born Nov. 8.Twins born at 23 weeks old, seeminglya lifetime too early.

Just two days later, Isabella passedaway from pulmonary hypertension andbrain bleeds.

On Nov. 29, Ian was transported froma hospital in Athens to Gwinnett Med-

ical Center’sneonatal intensivecare unit. Hisyoung parents,Chad and Kelly

McLeod of Social Circle, went withhim.

“We’ve experienced the highest highsand the lowest lows,” Kelly McLeodsays recently. She’s sitting in GMC’sNICU, her home away from home. Ian,weighing just 1 pound at birth, is a fewfeet away in an incubator.

McLeod’s husband chimes in.“And it’s all told, right there in those

strands,” Chad says. On this day, the “strands” around

Kelly’s neck number 10. Now there are11, with another quickly approaching.Each represents one week Ian has spentat Gwinnett Medical.

On them are symbols of the NICU’smost recent undertaking, one of com-passion and comfort, and one that noother neonatal unit in the country hasadopted. They are dozens and dozens of“Beads of Courage.”

Piloted by an Arizona nurse in 2004,the Beads of Courage program typicallygives glass beads to childhood cancerpatients, a type of therapy to help them“record, tell and own their stories ofcourage.” Beads are given for each scan,each treatment, each trial they gothrough.

HOPEStaff Photo: Tyler Estep

Staff Photo: Jonathan PhillipsAbove, 3-week-old Dallas Potts holds onto her mother Danielle’s finger in the neonatalintensive care unit at Gwinnett Medical Center on Thursday.The beads lying next to themcommemorate each trial, tribulation and procedure Dallas has undergone as part of theBeads of Courage program. The NICU at GMC is the first in the country to adopt the pro-gram, which started as a type of therapy for child cancer patients and their families. Top,Chad and Kelly McLeod play with baby Ian, who was born Nov. 8 at just 23 weeks old.Hundreds of Beads of Courage hang around their necks.

Beads programputs children’sfighting spirit inparents’ hands

• See Beads, Page 10A

Visit www.gwinnett-dailypost.com for aslide show.

ON THE WEB

JANUARY 28


Comics ............8A

Crossword ........8AHealth ..............9AHoroscope........9BLocal ................2A

Lottery ..............4ANation.............. 3AObituaries ........7APerspective ......6A

Stocks.............. 4ASports ..............1BTelevision..........9BWorld ................3A



75¢

WEDNESDAY June 23, 2010

Board OKs same millage rateBY CAMIE YOUNG

SENIOR WRITER

[email protected]

LAWRENCEVILLE — Withnone of the tumult that pervad-ed 2009’s millage rate discus-sion, commissioners quietlyadopted a 2010 rate of 13.25mills — the same end result as

last year.A year ago, a controversial

proposed property tax increasebrought hundreds of people tothe Gwinnett Justice andAdministration Center, andcommissioners eventuallyyielded, voting down the taxincrease in June.

While the issue remained in

limbo for months and tempo-rary tax bills were issued, thefinal millage rate did go up inDecember, after residents andbusiness officials balked atempty fire stations anddecreased services.

Just a month ago, the supple-mental tax bills were due.

But no one spoke out against

the 2010 millage rate, which isthe same as the one adopted inDecember.

Commissioners said littleabout the feat, besides a “Goodshape, so far,” from ChairmanCharles Bannister.

With the economy still inperil and the real estate marketcontinuing downward, Chief

Financial Officer Aaron Bovosnoted that the 2010 tax ratewill bring in about $31 millionless than the 2009 revenues dueto the decline in the tax digest.

Officials are expected toconsider cost-cutting measuresfrom this year’s Engage Gwin-nett process to balance the bud-get, he said previously.


Mostly sunny.Highs in mid-90s. Lows inlower 70s...4A

■ NationFaulkner collection sellsfor $833,000at NYC auc-tion ............3A

■ LocalPolice nab fifth robberysuspect......5A

■ Sports

Local basket-ball officialsform founda-tion to giveback ..........1B

Staff Photos: Jonathan PhillipsAlexzia Thomas uses a circular saw to cut a piece for the toolbox she makes during MAGIC Summer Camp at Gwinnett TechnicalCollege on Tuesday. For the fourth year, area high school and college students — all girls — are introduced to the opportunitiesavailable in the construction industry.


[email protected]

LAWRENCEVILLE — KaylaSheppard wanted to learn someskills to complete minor repairsaround the house.

“Because whenever I have ahouse of my own, I won’t have tocall or pay a man (to fix things),”Sheppard, 18, said.

Sheppard is one of 10 girls par-ticipating this week in a day campdesigned to teach them the basicskills of carpentry, electrical andwelding and introduce them tocareers in construction.

As well as teaching them new

skills, MAGIC — Mentoring aGirl in Construction — SummerCamp also fosters self-confi-dence, several campers said.

“I wanted to come to camp so Icould learn how to do householdthings on my own, be indepen-dent and have confidence inmyself,” said Adrian Cumber-batch, 19.

Renee Conner, the nationalexecutive director of MAGICSummer Camps, said the sessiontaking place this week at


[email protected]

LAWRENCEVILLE — Ninelives intersected. Twenty-onebullets flew. Utter chaos, in thewords of one prosecutor, ensued.

The trial of former Duluthpolice Officer Jay Dailey openedTuesday, detailing through wit-ness accounts the incidents that

shattered thecommunal nor-malcy of SugarHill’s LevelCreek Road onFeb. 1, 2008.The day twoo f f i c e r sengaged in agun battle with

each other, prosecutors believe. Dailey, a Duluth veteran of

four years known as quiet andcommendable, is accused offlagging down motorist LeresaGraham, who was en route towork, and assaulting her in theroadway. Prosecutors say hepointed a pistol at twobystanders, then shot and injuredoff-duty Fulton County policeCpl. Paul Phillips when hestopped to help.

Dailey’s defense attorney, JeffSliz, concedes his client shotPhillips, whom he’d never met,and harassed motorists in aninexplicable, drunken rage. ButSliz argues his client has beenovercharged by the state, in thatsome damning felonies he facessuch as aggravated assault areevidence of reckless conduct, alesser charge.

Sliz said his client comesfrom a long line of alcoholismand depression and had battledboth illnesses to keep his dream


[email protected]

SUWANEE — The contractsfor about 1 percent of GwinnettCounty Public Schools’ teacherwork force were recommendedfor nonrenewal this spring.

Nonrenewal is a process theschool system goes througheach spring, spokeswomanSloan Roach said. If the schoolsystem decides not to rehire a

teacher for the next schoolyear, the contract is recom-mended for nonrenewal.

Out of the district’s 11,000teachers, the contracts for 155were recommended for nonre-newal this spring, Roach said.

Unlike some neighboringschool districts, the recommen-dations to not renew someteachers’ contracts were notaffected by the current eco-nomic situation, Roach said.The decisions would have beenmade in good economic times

as well as bad.In Gwinnett, nonrenewal is a

decision that is solely “basedon performance-related issuesobserved in the classroom or atthe local school level,” Roachsaid. “There are a wide rangeof activities that can go intothat.”

Of the 155 teachers recom-mended for nonrenewal, 139were in their first three years ofteaching, Roach said.

A number of the teacherschose to resign, and the con-

tracts for 63 were actually non-renewed, Roach said.

Roach added that the schoolsystem has already hired moreteachers than the number thatwere recommended for nonre-newal. As of last week, theschool system had hired 349teachers and still had about 50vacancies to fill.

“The answer (to whetherwe’ve had a reduction in force)is clearly seen in that we’re hir-ing more teachers than werenonrenewed,” Roach said.

155 teachers not rehired over performance

Jay Dailey

Instructor Carol Counter, left, helps Lyné Pitt build her toolboxduring MAGIC Summer Camp on Tuesday.

For a photo slide show, visitwww.gwinnett dailypost.com.

ON THE WEB

TOOL TIME Weeklong campintroduces girls to construction

Trial ofex-copbegins

• See Camp, Page 7A

Utter chaos detailedduring opening day

• See Trial, Page 10A

STILL DRILLING, 3AFederal judge blocks Obama’s six-month offshore moratorium.

JUNE 23, 2010

Check out our photo gallery each week to browse and purchase images from our award-winning photographers.Go towww.gwinnettdailypost.comand click on "photo gallery."

PHOTOREPRINTS

www.gwinnettdailypost.com


THE HEADLINES: HUDGENS CENTERw w w. g w i n n e t t d a i l y p o s t . c o m

THE STORYAfter facing severe economic tur-

moil in 2010, the Hudgens Centerfor the Arts now has its eyes seton major projects

THE HISTORYThe Jacqueline Casey Hudgens

Center for the Arts was officiallyorganized in 1981, originally holedup in the 2,000-square-footWilliams House in Lawrenceville. In1993, the nonprofit arts organiza-tion moved to the Gwinnett Center,where it offers wide range of class-es, events and exhibits.

KEY PLAYERS• Board of Directors Chair StanHall• Executive Director TeresaOsborn

LAST YEAR’S HEADLINESIn October of 2010, Hall issued

an urgent cry for help to the Gwin-nett public. The Hudgens was indesperate need of money just tokeep the lights on. The goal was$30,000 in 30 days, as the organi-zation waited for larger, longer-term donations.

It raised roughly $90,000.

THIS YEAR’S NEWSThe Hudgens is getting back on

stable ground.In October 2010, the Hudgens

Center for the Arts found itself in aplace it had never been before.

Struggling to raise enoughmoney for basic operating costs,the nonprofit arts organizationbased in Duluth needed cash fast.Leadership went to the press, andput out an all points bulletin.

“There are certain times whenit’s just tighter (money-wise), andthis is for us one of those times,”Osborn said at the time.

It was an understatement. Itcosts a lot of money to maintainthe spacious building stationedamid the Gwinnett Center com-plex, as much as $3,000 formonthly power bills. Staff andbudgets were cut to the bone.Nails were bitten to the quick.

Through the Hudgens’ publicoutreach, about $90,000 wasraised in just over a month.

“That was the beginning ofsome good things that happenedfor the Hudgens,” Hall said duringa recent interview.

Another understatement.

Thanks to a partnership withanother unnamed donor, the Hud-gens is now in a position it hasn’tbeen in a long time, if ever.

The donor has graciouslyagreed to provide a large sum ofmoney for what Hall called “fairlymajor refurbishings,” including a

new roof that would run close to$500,000. That, obviously, ismoney the Hudgens doesn’thave.

“Someone approached us withthe opportunity, and it won’t costus anything out of our capitalexpenses,” Hall said.

The Hudgens expects to starttaking bids on construction of anew roof in mid-March. Otheraesthetic modifications will comealong the way.

But another proposed gift isone that may unfurrow the browsof the Hudgens’ directors for theforeseeable future. The Hudgensis in talks with that same donorfor a monthly donation, one thatwould cover most, if not all, ofthe center’s bills and operatingexpenses.

“That’s what our conundrumhas always been, we have to dowhat it takes to keep the doorsopen, which is fairly substantialfor a building that size,” Hall said.

“We were fairly ecstatic over(the donation). It’s going to bemoney that goes toward powerbills and all the utilities that arejust tremendous for that big of afacility.”

Amid all the economic turmoil,the Hudgens hosted its first-evermajor arts competition, offeringup an enormous $50,000 prize —supplied by an unnamed donor —to the winner. It’s a project ithopes to bring back, along withother high-profile undertakings.

The 34,000-square-foot Hud-gens, and its organizers, can nowfocus solely on what the groupwas founded to do: increase thepresence and awareness of thearts in Gwinnett County.

“The Hudgens Prize is just thebeginning of the kind of qualitythat we want to put out there,”Hall said. “It really put us on themap, not only here in GwinnettCounty but across the state andacross the country.”

“Everything is just really posi-tive right now.”

— By Tyler Estep

BY CAROLE TOWNSENDStaff Correspondent

BERKELEY LAKE —City Council membersvoted Thursday to take thefirst step in seeking a bondto finance the necessaryrepairs to the Lake Berke-ley Dam. City AttorneyDick Carothers willengage bond counsel, anda special referendum will

be held March 15, givingvoters the choice of usinga bond to finance the $2.8million price tag.

Mayor Lois Salter andthe rest of council arewaiting to see whetherFEMA will increase itsfinancial contribution tothe repairs, pendingreview of a final geo-tech-nical report to be deliveredby the city’s engineers

before Thanksgiving. IfFEMA representativesdecide that more federaldollars should be spent ondam repairs, the amount ofthe bond will be decreasedaccordingly. The total costof repairs is estimated tobe about $4 million.

Miramont road repairsto begin

Butch Thompson Enter-

prises has been awardedthe paving contract torepair roads in the Mira-mont subdivision inBerkeley Lake. The citycommissioned an outsideengineering survey todetermine the priority ofneeded repairs in the city,and Miramont’s roadswere identified as the mosturgent. The contractamount is $254,429.

2A • SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2010 • WWW.GWINNETTDAILYPOST.COM

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LAWRENCEVILLE —A child was hospitalizedwith minor injuries when atruck slammed into a Nor-cross apartment buildingin the 1800 block of JerryWay about 3 a.m. Friday,officials said.

The driver, Maria EstelaMartinez-Hernandez, 28,of Norcross, was arrestedon charges of DUI and hitand run, police said.

Hernandez reportedlyveered off the roadway andstruck a bedroom wall atthe Tuscana Apartmentswhere four occupants sleptinside, said Fire Depart-ment spokesman Capt.Thomas Rutledge.

Emergency responderstransported one child,

about 5 years old, to Scot-tish Rite Children’s Hospi-tal in Atlanta with a minorinjury. The child’s fatherwas evaluated for a minorinjury and released at thescene. The mother, anotherchild and the truck’s driverescaped injury, Rutledgesaid.

All four were reportedlyin the bedroom where thetruck hit.

A wrecker removed thetruck from the apartmentbuilding. Rutledge saidtwo of five units in thebuilding will be uninhabit-able until repairs can bemade.

County inspectors wereexpected to evaluate thestructure Friday.

Hernandez remains atthe Gwinnett County Jail,where she’s being held forfederal immigrationauthorities, records show.

Truck slamsinto apartment,injures child


[email protected]

LAWRENCEVILLE —Students and teachers inGwinnett County are get-ting an early holiday treat:an entire week off forThanksgiving break.

In years past, GwinnettCounty Public Schoolswere in session the Mon-day and Tuesday beforeThanksgiving.

Schools, however,reported seeing higherabsenteeism during thattime, and in developingthis year’s calendar, one

option was to extend theThanksgiving holiday,spokeswoman SloanRoach said.

“It did meet with a lot ofapproval from those in ourschools,” she said.

While schools will beclosed, district offices willbe open Monday and Tues-day, Roach said. Wednes-day is a furlough day for12-month employees, andThursday and Friday areholidays.

Buford City Schoolswill also be closed all nextweek for the Thanksgivingbreak.

Classes resume in bothdistricts on Nov. 29.

Students get weekoff for the holiday


[email protected]

DULUTH — The Hud-gens Center for the Artsreached out to the communi-ty in October, urgently ask-ing for donations to helpfeed its dwindling base ofoperation costs.

It was an overwhelmingsuccess.

Since going public withits needs — a risky move,officials said — the Dulutharts center has raised morethan $90,000, more thantripling what seemed like a

lofty goal.“It was just a tremendous

success” Hudgens Board ofDirectors Chair Stan Hallsaid Friday. “The moneycame from private donors, itcame from those peoplewho are members of theHudgens, it came from cor-porations, it came fromfoundations.”

“It just went well beyondwhat we thought we couldactually do. We’re just tick-led to death to be able toraise that kind of moneywhen people are reallywatching their pennies.”

Funds raised were notearmarked for any specific

purpose other than generaloperating costs, Hall said.But for nonprofit arts organ-izations, those can be a bur-den.

“We needed, and need,operating money,” Hall said.“The Hudgens is a hugefacility and I doubt that peo-ple have any idea what itcosts to run that place, juston a monthly basis as it per-tains to utilities and our staff.We have a very small staff,but they don’t want to workfor free.”

Even with the extremesuccess of recent fundrais-ing efforts, the Hudgens isalways in need of funding

help. Since launching itscampaign, the center hasalso looked into its ownspending, reducing itselfdown to “a fairly bare bonesbudget.”

Staff hours and operationhours have been rolled back,and extra attention has beenpaid to simple things likemaking sure lights are out inrooms not being used. With-out help, though, there’s notmuch more the Hudgens cando.

“We’re down to the pointwhere we can’t cut a wholelot more and maintain credi-bility as the arts organizationwe want to be,” Hall said.

Hudgens raises more than $90KFundraising effort for Duluth arts center more than triples original goal

localGas Southnewest sponsorof the arena

■ DULUTH — GasSouth has become thenewest sponsor of theGwinnett Center. Thecompany, which is thestate’s fastest-growingnatural gas provider forthe past two years, willhave its distinctive flamelogo on signage at thearena, conference centerand performing arts centeras well as on the Dia-mondvision Billboardalong Interstate 85.

“Gwinnett Center isone of the leading enter-tainment and conferencecenters in the metro area,”said Kevin Greiner, CEOof Gas South. “Gas Southis proud to be the officialnatural gas provider forthe Gwinnett Center, andvery happy to take therelationship a step furtherwith a high-profile pres-ence within the arena andon Gwinnett Centergrounds.”

Gas South, which hasworked to build an activebusiness and high-profile

sponsorship presence inthe county, is a sponsor ofthe Gwinnett Braves andChairman’s Club sponsorof the Gwinnett Chamber.

Earlier this year, GasSouth announced a mar-keting alliance partnershipwith the City of Norcrosswhich allows Norcross

residents and businessesto receive discounted nat-ural gas rates through GasSouth.

Georgia’s Ownopens branch in Grayson

■ GRAYSON — A

new branch of Georgia’sOwn Credit Union cele-brated its grand openingin Grayson on Friday.

Mayor Jim Hinkle,members of the GwinnettChamber of Commerceand members of the com-munity celebrated thearrival, along with JeffDauler of All the HitsQ100.

And the 76-year-oldcredit union made anoth-er gift to the community,presenting the SoutheastGwinnett CooperativeMinistry with a check for$1,000 to help the localfood bank.

“Georgia’s Own wasfounded on the principleof ‘people helping peo-ple,’ and we cannot thinkof a better way to cele-brate our grand openinghere than by recognizingan organization who livesby the same creed,” saidKathy Igou, vice presi-dent of branch services.“It’s an honor to con-tribute to the good workthey do for so many.”

The new branch islocated at 2437Loganville Highway inGrayson. Its phone num-ber is 404-575-1889.

— From staff reports

IN BRIEF

Special PhotoFred Ctibor, Georgia’s Own Credit UnionGrayson branch manager, Kathy Igou, vice pres-ident of branch services, and Grayson Mayor JimHinkle cut the ribbon on the Georgia’s OwnCredit Union branch in Grayson.

Berkeley Lake moves toward bond referendumResidents will have chance to decide on $2.8 million repair financing in March

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

ATLANTA — A Geor-gia death row inmate whoclaims he was wronglyconvicted has been givenmore time to file an appealto the U.S. SupremeCourt.

A court clerk said in afiling this month that theSupreme Court is allowingTroy Anthony Davis’attorneys until Jan. 21 tofile the appeal.

Davis has spent nearly20 years on death row forthe 1989 slaying of an off-duty police officer and haslong claimed new evi-dence would clear hisname if a court gave him achance to present it.

The Supreme Courtgranted Davis that hearingin 2009 and a federal

Death rowinmate getsmore time

NOVEMBER 20, 2010


75¢

TUESDAY October 5, 2010

Cops raid party houseBY JOSH GREEN

STAFF WRITER

[email protected]

STATHAM — What started as aweekly family house party amid therolling pasturelands and sprawlingestates of eastern Barrow Countymorphed, over the course of adecade, into a rollicking shindig rife

with narcotics and illegal liquorsales, authorities said.

On Sunday night, law enforce-ment decided it’d had enough.

Roughly 160 officers — includ-ing SWAT teams and Lawrencevilleand Gwinnett County Sheriff’sDepartment personnel — descend-ed on a small, one-story home at524 Thurmond Circle near Statham,

a town about 10 miles east ofWinder.

During the raid and a subsequentinvestigation that spilled into Mon-day morning, officers reportedlyfound illegal guns, drugs and anunderground bar and gaming room.They made 15 arrests and detained

Staff Photos: Jason BravermanNoh Chun Haw prepares steamed dumplings on Monday during a media event at Mega Mart at GwinnettPlace Mall. The superstore is set to open Friday.

One-stop shoppingSuperstore features clothing, groceries


[email protected]

DULUTH — For Koreanbusiness giant Mega Mart’sfirst foray into America, thecompany chose a destinationwith a large concentration ofAsian residents.

But the superstore thatfeatures groceries and cloth-ing at Gwinnett’s oldest mallisn’t just catering to Koreancustomers.

“Here, we have every-thing,” purchasing managerMike Choi said at a tourMonday, the first chance formany of the media and local

business officials to see thestore that has driven excite-ment into the 26-year-oldGwinnett Place Mall.

Choi said that many of thelocal Asian markets featureonly the fare from the FarEast, driving both Asian andAmerican consumers to twostores. Mega Mart has both— plus a second story filledwith clothing and restaurant-style delis in three cuisines.

“You’ll see Asian, Amer-ican. You’ll find it all,”Choi said, pointing out that60 percent of the groceriesare American, and in theclothing area, much of the

Hudgens in need of‘immediate’cash relief


[email protected]

DULUTH — A nonprofit arts organizationin immediate need of donations is seeking helpfrom the Gwinnett community.

The Hudgens Center for the Arts is askingindividual donors to consider making a contri-bution to help sustain the organization untiladditional, long-term funding is received, withthe goal of raising $30,000 in 30 days.

An urgent appeal from Hudgens Board ofDirectors Chair Stan Hall went out Friday.

“The biggest need the Hudgens faces todayis an immediate influx of cash to sustain theorganization at its present level while theacquisition of long-term funding can beachieved,” Hall wrote. “Solicitations to majordonors and foundations have been made butmay be some time in coming.”

Donations will be used to pay the immediateoperating costs of the facility.

“There are certain times when it’s just tighter(money-wise), and this is for us one of thosetimes,” said Teresa Osborn, executive directorof the Hudgens. “It’s just right now we needpeople’s help (and) if you don’t let peopleknow what you need they won’t be able to helpyou.”

Osborn said Hudgens is not only seeking toraise money but to cut costs where possible,including possibly delaying some neededmaintenance to the facility.

“You either raise funds or you cut expenses,”she said, “and we’re hoping to do both.”

Mega Mart is located in the old Macy’s space atGwinnett Place Mall and has men’s and women’sclothing and accessories on the second floor. With16 stores in Korea and three in China, purchasingmanager Mike Choi said the store is bringing a newconcept to the Duluth community.

Police search for man wanted for sexual assaultBY TYLER ESTEP

STAFF WRITER

[email protected]

LILBURN — Lilburn policeare asking for help identifying aman wanted for sexually assault-ing a 14-year-old girl inside aWal-Mart store.

The man allegedly slapped andgroped the buttocks of the younggirl near the cosmetics depart-

ment at the Wal-Mart location at4004 Lawrenceville Highway,fleeing in the vehicle of anotherman just before 9 p.m. Sept. 1.

After a delay securing surveil-lance footage, Lilburn officialsreleased the video Monday. Thesuspect is described as a whiteman between 20 and 30 years ofage, short and heavy-set, atapproximately 5-foot-5 and 180pounds.

Video shows him wearingjeans and a striped shirt.

The man fled the scene with ablack man, Lilburn policespokesman Capt. Bruce Hedleysaid, but that man has not coop-erated in identifying the suspect.

“We got a tag number from oneof the store employees that fol-lowed them out,” Hedley said.“He said he was just giving him aride. We don’t necessarily believethat story, but nevertheless that’sall the information we have.”

The identified Lawrencevilleman is not considered a suspect,just a “witness to the identity” ofthe assailant, Hedley said.

Sexual battery against a juve-nile under the age of 16 is con-sidered a felony in Georgia.The victim and the suspect didnot know each other, Hedleysaid.

Anyone with information con-cerning the identity of the sus-pect is urged to call Det. Jeff Kin-ney at 770-921-2211.

Staff Photo: Josh GreenAuthorities say this home on Thurmond Circle inrural Statham traditionally hosted up to 400 revel-ers on Sunday nights.


Mostly sunny.Highs in theupper 60s.Lows in the 40s ......4A

■ Sports• Francoeurback in playoffswith Texas ..1B

• Gladiatorsopen camp with differentatmosphere, 1B

■ Local

• Tip helpscops find$750K worth of marijuana atDuluth apart-ment ..........2A

MEGA MART GRAND OPENING

Authorities find illegal guns, drugs, underground bar

• See Raid, A

Nonprofit arts organization hopesto raise $30K by end of the month

• To make a donation online, visitwww.thehudgens.org. Donations can alsobe made by mailing a check to GwinnettCouncil for the Arts, Inc. dba JacquelineCasey Hudgens Center for the Arts, 6400Sugarloaf Parkway, Building 300, Duluth,GA 30097. Call 770-623-6002 to make adonation by phone.

IFYOUDONATE

• See Superstore, Page 6A

Suspect allegedly groped 14-year-old girl in Wal-Mart

BACK IN THE GAME, 1BMcCann, Braves head to playoffs after 4-year absence.

OCTOBER 5, 2010

THE STORYOver several years, Gwinnett

County has become as a key desti-nation for Mexican cartels andother drug-traffickers attracted bythe area’s highway system, grow-ing immigrant population and plen-tiful, nondescript housing. Cartelsmanufacture and move huge quan-tities of meth, cocaine and otherdrugs to the Eastern Seaboard viaGwinnett and other suburbancounties. The drugs, or compo-nents of them, are smuggled in thecountry with the intent of usingmetro Atlanta as a springboard toother dense urban populations.

THE HISTORY Drug-trafficking first showed a

local spike in 2005, when drugarrests reached a peak of 1,600defendants. The years betweenhave held steady or shown moder-ate declines. Last year saw 1,530defendants, according to the Gwin-nett District Attorney’s Office.

KEY PLAYERSGwinnett District Attorney’s

Office; Drug Enforcement Adminis-tration; FBI; all Gwinnett and metroAtlanta law enforcement, especiallythose with ties to the AtlantaHIDTA Program, a unified frontamong police and federal officialsagainst drug-traffickers.

LAST YEAR’S HEADLINESA tip in November led police to

an unassuming Norcross home ina quiet subdivision that housed thelargest methamphetamine labora-tory confiscated in United Stateshistory, officials said. The 1,000-pound bust worth an estimated$44 million represented paydirt forlaw enforcement in the pushbackagainst the drug pipelines of Mexi-can cartels; officials cautioned thebust was hardly a panacea, andthat the number of similar opera-tions in the county, if any, wasunknown.

THIS YEAR’S NEWSThe drug trade added a tragic

local dimension when three chil-dren — ages 18 months to 4 —

died from burn and smoke injuriesthey suffered in a Feb. 17 meth labfire, officials said.

Again, the lab operated on aquiet residential street, this timenear Five Forks Trickum Road inLilburn. In the larger bust a fewmonths prior, officials describedthe home as a “powder keg,” capa-ble of literally exploding; a daycareoperated down the street.

That bust nearly tripled a 350-pound meth find at two Duluthhomes in May 2009 that authori-ties called the largest recorded inthe eastern United States. Thattakedown and several other high-profile operations have fueledGwinnett’s reputation as a drugpipeline.

“The big difference between2005 and now is the cases havegotten much bigger, in terms of thesize of the product,” District Attor-ney Danny Porter said recently.“It’s ironic ... we’re not really see-ing an increase in meth usage inschools. That continues to rein-force my idea that (Gwinnett) is atransshipment point. A lot of thisdope is moving through Gwinnett,but not a lot more than we everhad is staying here.”

Porter said progress by his

office, local police and federalauthorities is difficult to character-ize, as it’s hard to calculate howsaturated Gwinnett communitiesare with drugs.

“Based on intelligence from ourongoing investigations, and basedon the number of cases we work inconjunction with (federal officials),we seem to have make the climatein Gwinnett more uncomfortable(for cartels),” he said. “Have weeradicated meth from Gwinnett?Obviously, we haven’t. It continuesto be a priority of my office.”

One difficulty, Porter said, is thatcartels have a vast supply of fore-closed and for-rent homes to

choose from in Gwinnett.“What we typically see are that

the only rooms furnished are thebedrooms,” he said. “They’re basi-cally a factory.”

In terms of red flags, Porteradvises the general public to keepan eye peeled for suspicioushomes. Indicators can be a homewith the windows completely cov-ered; a number of unrelated visi-tors and people in the house, fre-quently coming and going; a chem-ical odor; and a lack of curbsidetrash.

“They don’t put their trash out,”he said. “They dispose of it in otherways.


THE HEADLINES: DRUG CARTELSw w w. g w i n n e t t d a i l y p o s t . c o m

THE HEADLINES: 287(g)w w w. g w i n n e t t d a i l y p o s t . c o m

COURT BATTLE, 1BArcher outlasts younger Longhorns.

Wicked winds


[email protected]

BUFORD — Fifteen-year-old Anthony McKnight washome alone when it happened.

“It got dark and it startedthundering. I thought it wasjust going to pass,” the Moun-tain View High School fresh-man said. “All of a sudden awhole bunch of leaves andparts of the ceiling just startedblowing everywhere. I justfound a place to hide until itpassed.”

“I was just hoping thehouse didn’t come in and Iwould survive.”

As wicked weather coveredall of Gwinnett and much ofGeorgia on Tuesday after-noon, the Kirkstone subdivi-sion became the epicenter. Atornado is believed to havetouched down in the neigh-borhood off Gravel SpringsRoad near the Mall of Georgiaabout 3:30 p.m., completelydestroying one home andd i “ h j i ” f

the others, officials said. Anthony’s mother, Andrea,

was picking up his four sib-lings at school when the stormstruck. Their home sufferedextensive damage, one sidepartially torn off, most of the

“It’s horrifying. You seethings like this on TV and younever think it happens to you,”she said. “But when you comeinto your neighborhood andsee all this and then you seeyour house, it’s horrifying.”

No injuries or deaths werereported as scores of Gwin-nett County emergency

Staff Photo: Jonathan PhillipsSpecial Agent in Charge for theDrug Enforcement AdministrationRodney Benson speaks Tuesday onthe 933 pounds of crystal meth andmeth oil that were seized from aNorcross residence during a raidMonday night. The street value ofthe seizure is close to $44 millionand is one of the largest seizures inU.S. history.

Andrea McKnight holds onto her two daughters, Madison,left, and Taylor, right, as they survey the damage to theirhome in the Kirkstone subdivision in Buford after a stormcarved a path of destruction on Tuesday. One of McKnight'ssons was at their home of eight years before the storm torepart of the roof off of it.


[email protected]

NORCROSS — Another nondescripthouse. Another quiet neighborhood.Another gargantuan methamphetaminetakedown with the fingerprints of Mexicancartels all over it.

Authorities seized nearly 1,000 poundsof meth worth more than $44 million in anovernight lab dissection that’s being calledone of the largest confiscations on record in

$44Mof methseized


[email protected]

A Norcross man was arrested in Alaba-ma last week for attempting to sell a Hon-duran immigrant to a restaurant there.

According to Florence, Ala. police, 49-year-old Ming Zhang transported theunidentified man from Atlanta to the city innorthwest Alabama with intent to sell himto a local restaurant as a laborer.

When the 25-year-old victim realizedwhat was going on, he called police.

“He was approached and offered a job,”Florence police Det. Justin Wright saidTuesday. “He thought he was coming here

Police: Mantried to sellimmigrant


75¢

WEDNESDAY December 1, 2010

Massive haul amongbiggest in U.S. history

• See Meth, Page 7A

Mall of

Georgia

Buf

ord

Driv

e

Gravel Springs Rd.

I-85

A suspected tornadotouched down in theKirkstone subdivisionin Buford on Tuesdayafternoon.

BUFORDSTORM

56 housesdamagedby storm

Staff Photos: Jonathan PhillipsEkram Powtik walks past the remains of her sister’s house in the Kirkstone subdivision in Buford after a storm on Tues-day. Almost all of the homes within the neighborhood suffered damage with one being completely destroyed. Accord-ing to officials, no one suffered injuries.

For a slide show, visitwww.gwinnettdailypost.com.

ON THE WEB

OCTOBER 23, 2009 DECEMBER 1, 2010


75¢

FRIDAY February 4, 2011

Staff Photos: Jonathan PhillipsGwinnett County firefighters put out a hot spot in the remains of one of the buildings in the Spaulding Hillsapartment complex Thursday. Sixteen families have been displaced due to the early morning blaze thatstarted shortly before 6 a.m. No one was injured in the fire.

‘A total loss’16 families displaced in complex fire


[email protected]

DORAVILLE — The 16 familieswho lost their homes when a fire gut-ted the Spaulding Hills apartmentcomplex in Doraville on Thursdaymorning have been given places tostay, management said.

The blaze, reported just before 6a.m., charred the majority of theapartment building off of WintersChapel Road. Save for a satellite dishor two clinging on for dear life, mostof the 16 units affected were a totalloss.

The 25 or so displaced residentswere put into vacant units in the samecomplex or at a sister property calledHidden Colony about four milesaway, manager Teri Davis saidThursday afternoon.

“Thankfully we’ve been able toplace everyone,” Davis, a regionalmanager with WRH Realty, said.“Everyone’s been assigned a newapartment.”

When Gwinnett County firefight-ers arrived at the scene near theDeKalb County line, flames wereshooting through the roof of thebuilding, spokesman Capt. TommyRutledge said. Because of the prox-

imity to the county line, an enginefrom DeKalb Fire Rescue was calledin for backup but not needed, he said.

An official cause still undeter-mined, Rutledge said fire investiga-tors believe the blaze started in thearea of a top-floor apartment in thecorner of the building. Battling lowwater pressure, firefighters wereable to bring the flames under con-

trol just after 7 a.m.No injuries were reported.“Thankfully, our maintenance

supervisor lives here and he wasbanging on doors along with anotherresident,” Davis said. “They werepretty quick about it. Everyone gotout and everyone was fine. No close

Local copsreceive $2Mfrom cartels


[email protected]

ATLANTA — The Lawrenceville PoliceDepartment continues to benefit from the silverlining of heavy cartel involvement in metroAtlanta — seized drug assets.

At DEA Atlanta’s headquarters Thursdaymorning, the department of about 70 officersreceived more than $2 million in drug-forfeitureproceeds, the fruits of a two-year cartel investi-gation dubbed “Operation Four Horsemen.”

The crackdown targeted two Mexico-baseddrug cells in metro Atlanta, resulting in 23

Report: Countyfares well inpublic health


[email protected]

LAWRENCEVILLE — Gwinnett Countyranks better than the state average on a check-upof key public health measurements.

Partner Up! for Public Health, a statewideadvocacy campaign, unveiled the 2010 GeorgiaPublic Health Rankings Report on Thursday.The report consists of a database and interactivemap that ranks the state’s 159 counties. Overall,Gwinnett was ranked No. 7.

Ga. immigration bill requires employer checks

The remains of one of the buildings in the Spaulding Hills apartmentcomplex is seen on Thursday. The 25 or so displaced residents wereput into vacant units in the same complex or at a sister property.

INSIDETODAY

Staff Photo: Jason BravermanLawrenceville Police Chief Randy John-son speaks during a press conference atthe Drug Enforcement Agency in Atlantatoday as Special Agent In Charge RodneyBenson, center, and United States Attor-ney Sally Yates look on.

• See Fire, Page 9A

Lawrenceville PD tops listfor seizure disbursements

• See Cartels, A

• See Health, Page 8A

Gwinnett ranks No. 7 overall in state

ROCK SOLID, 1BJoseph Doyague a steady performer for Eagles.

BY HEATH HAMACHERSTAFF WRITER

[email protected]

LILBURN — Thursday night, Lil-burn City Hall was abuzz with peo-ple on both sides of the proposedrezoning that would allow an elabo-rate mosque to be built near U.S.Highway 29 and Hood Road.

Because this Planning and ZoningCommission hearing will apparentlyrequire a bigger venue, it was post-poned.

But Lilburn residents, clearlyemotional, managed to hold severalmini-debates — often in loud tones— before finally dispersing.

“That’s not fair!” was the chantfrom Muslims when the hearing wascanceled.

“You are wasting our time!” oneman shouted.

“We want the meeting now,”yelled another.

www.gwinnettdailypost.com ©2009 Triple Crown Media Vol. 40, No. 34

75¢

FRIDAY October 23, 2009

Staff Photos: Jason BravermanGwinnett County District Attorney Danny Porter, among other law officials, announces thearrest of 31 defendants in the county as part of Project Coronado, a nationwide operationthat targeted the distribution network of a Mexican drug trafficking organization known as“La Familia Michoacana.”


[email protected]

LAWRENCEVILLE — Mary Allenrecalls the woman accused of killingher daughter as peculiar, reclusive and

anxious — a directcontrast to her bubblydaughter, she said.

Allen is the motherof Heather Strube, the25-year-old Conyersresident gunned downin front of her infantson in a Target park-ing lot in April.

A multi-agency investigation led tothe arrest Wednesday of Strube’smother-in-law and longtime suspect,Joanna Hayes. She was apprehendedin Luthersville, the Meriwether Coun-ty town south of Atlanta where she’dbeen living since at least 2007, courtrecords show.

Allen hinted that more suspectscould be named and balked at saying

TOUGH MINDED, 1CPrep football players battle through injuries as season progresses.

tain Rd

Auburn Rd

HAMILTON MILLGOLF CLUB

Location of meth lab — 1440 La Maison Drive

in Lawrenceville

METHLABLOCATEDA total of 174 pounds were seized during adrug bust at the home at 1440 La MaisonDrive in Lawrenceville.

A fully operational methamphetamine conversionlaboratory was busted in this home at 1440 La Mai-


[email protected]

LAWRENCEVILLE —Elena Rostas paid littleattention to the white, two-story house a few doorsdown on Lawrenceville’sLa Maison Drive.

Some nights she caughta “weird” smell waftingfrom the home’s direction,something pungent likegasoline. And it seemedodd that a red semitrailerwas parked outside thehome for several daysrecently, she said.

Other than that, nothingfishy, she said.

Situated around a bendin the Royal Terrace subdi-vision, the unassumingabode housed one of thelargest, most complexmethamphetamine conver-sion laboratories federalauthorizes have uncoveredin the United States, offi-cials said Thursday.

The only thing missingfrom the docile front, saidGwinnett District AttorneyDanny Porter, “was a whitepicket fence.”

Gwinnett becameground zero this week inthe largest takedown oper-ation targeting a Mexicandrug cartel in the history ofthe Drug EnforcementAdministration. TheLawrenceville home —where a reported 174pounds of meth werefound Wednesday — wasthe national epicenter, pro-viding links to operationsin cities as far as LosAngeles.

Rostas, a mother of 12,found news of the raid dis-concerting.

“To me, it’s prettyscary,” she said, a fussychild at her side. “It’s aquiet neighborhood.Maybe that’s why theychose it.”

Bingo, authorities saidat a press conference.

The bust and others likeit nationwide were theresult of an initiative calledProject Coronado, leadingto 31 arrests of suspecttraffickers in Gwinnettalone Wednesday. Along

Mom recallssuspectedTarget killeras ‘strange’

JoannaHayes

ON THE WEB

The impact meth has onmedical, prison systems

COMING SUNDAY

Raid turns up 174 pounds of meth at Lawrenceville home

Historic drug bust

• See Bust, Page 6A

MosquehearingdelayedBigger venue needed asresidents flood city hall

• See Mosque, Page 10A

FEBRUARY 4, 2011

THE STORYAt its roots, the controversial 287

(g) program is a section of the Immi-gration and Nationality Act passed in1995 that allows state and local lawenforcement agencies to be trainedto identify illegal immigrants and turnthem over to federal authorities.Gwinnett is the largest of four Geor-gia counties participating; Cobb, Halland Whitfield counties are the oth-ers.

THE HISTORYThe Gwinnett County Sheriff’s

Department applied for the 287(g)program in March 2008 andreceived the unanimous support ofGwinnett County Commissioners infunding 18 deputy positions requiredto implement and run it. Officialsactivated it locally Nov. 16, 2009.

KEY PLAYERS• Gwinnett County Sheriff ButchConway has championed the pro-gram for years, with the backing ofkey government officials.• Detractors include the GeorgiaAssociation of Latino Elected Offi-cials and Atlantans Building Lead-ership for Empowerment (ABLE),whose leaders have staged ralliesand prayer vigils against the pro-gram.

LAST YEAR’S HEADLINESAt the one-year mark, 287 (g) in

Gwinnett was hailed by supportersas a cost-saving measure that hadclamped down on the arrests of ille-gal immigrants, many of whom mayhave fled the county, officials said.287 (g) opponents voiced concernsthat the program was based onracial-profiling.

THIS YEAR’S NEWSConway said the 287 (g) program

saved Gwinnett taxpayers roughly $6million in inmate housing costs dur-ing its first year, due to a steep dropin foreign-born inmate bookings.

“I didn’t expect to see the numberof foreign-born inmates beingbooked into the facility decrease asrapidly as they did in the first year,”Conway told the Daily Post earlierthis month. “I didn’t think that wouldhappen until the program had beenup and running for a couple ofyears.”

Statistics reflect that in the firstyear of operation, the GwinnettCounty Jail booked 4,289 fewer for-eign born inmates than the previousyear — a drop of 28 percent.

“In looking at our statistics overthe last five or six years, that numberhas never decreased and showedsignificant increases each year,”Conway said.

Conway said the data show thatillegal aliens are either moving out ofthe county or have stopped commit-ting crimes here that would bringthem to police attention.

“That alone tells me the programis working,” he said.

Detractors maintain the program’snegative impact can’t be measuredin statistics. Numbers can’t beapplied to a collectively lower senseof security and fear of authoritiesamong immigrant groups, theyargue.

In the first year, the alleged crimesof the 3,062 inmates detained forfederal immigration authoritiesranged from a few child molestationand rape arrests (none werecharged with murder) to DUI and cityordinance violations.

Records show those immigrantshailed from countries such asColombia, Cuba, Guatemala,Jamaica, Honduras and Panama,among others, but roughly two-thirds

were from Mexico. A handful camefrom westernized European coun-tries like France (3 inmates) and Ger-many (2).

Big changes could be on the hori-zon for 287 (g).

Conway said he is consideringapplying in 2011 to operate the pro-gram in the “task force model.” ICEauthorizes participating jurisdictionsto employ a jail enforcement model(which Gwinnett uses now), a taskforce model or a combination of thetwo.

Under the task force model, 287(g) officers would identify andprocess removable aliens in commu-nity settings. They would do so dur-ing regular duties as patrol officers,detectives or criminal investigators.

A move like that is likely to drawthe ire of opposition groups, thesame immigrant rights supporterswho staged Gwinnett rallies andsummits decrying 287 (g) monthsbefore its activation.

— By Josh Green

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Sunny. Highs inthe 30s. Lowaround 16 ......4A

■ LocalHowardentersDistrict 2race ..2A

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Bisher says affairs more a blow to role as a parent.TIGER’S TROUBLES, 1B

Staff Photo: Jason BravermanSheriff Butch Conway speaks to the Daily Post about his view of the newly implemented 287 (g) program andthe controversy it has created.


[email protected]

DACULA — Two teens are dead and a third washospitalized following a fatal plunge Saturday into theicy waters of a neighborhood pond.

Rescue workers were called to the Daniel Park sub-division in Dacula on Saturday afternoon after a witnessreported seeing three teenagers fall through the ice andinto the frigid water.

When crews arrived, one of the teens, identified bywitnesses as Alex Paul, had pulled himself out onto athin sheet of ice and was attempting to locate his friends,who were still submerged.

After coaxing the boy to the shore, where rescuersbegan treating him for hypothermia and shock, theGwinnett County Fire Department’s Swiftwater RescueTeam deployed a boat. Unable to locate the other boysat the surface, rescuers used 10-foot pike poles to skimthe bottom, where they found the teens, who had been


[email protected]

LAWRENCEVILLE — County government’s com-mitment to Partnership Gwinnett is back on track aftermoney was added to the 2010 budget to help the eco-nomic development initiative.

Commissioners pledged in 2007 to contribute$500,000 a year to the Chamber of Commerce-led ini-tiative, which was credited with the recruitment of theNCR headquarters to Duluth last year and otherachievements.

But the grant was cut short in 2009, when the gov-ernment faced a budget crisis and slashed spending. ThePartnership fund was decreased to $250,000.

This week, though, commissioners approved a$750,000 pledge as part of the 2010 budget.


[email protected]

LAWRENCEVILLE — MaryBeth Rumble’s first class at GeorgiaGwinnett College — introduction totechnology — will begin at 8 a.m.Monday.

The Lawrenceville resident is oneof about 600 students enrolled forthe first time at GGC, the highestnumber of mid-year, new enrollees

the college has seen since its incep-tion, an increase that is atypical.

“It’s unusual to grow from fall tospring,” said Stas Preczewski, vicepresident of academic and studentaffairs. “Normally you lose stu-dents.”

As a result of its accreditation thispast June and the addition of eightnew majors, combined with GGC’salready high retention rates at about

INSIDE TODAY

LAWRENCEVILLE

Gwinnett County Sheriff ButchConway, the shepherd of 287(g), says the fast-track deporta-

tion program is showing clear signs ofsuccess less than two months since itsactivation.

Conway shrugs off claims fromimmigrant rights activists who complainthe program is racially motivated. Hepoints instead to data that show 287 (g)is easing jail crowding and could savethe county millions, while pulling law-breakers by the hundreds from streetsand neighborhoods.

Conway credits 287 (g) with a dra-matic decrease in bookings of illegalimmigrants since its Nov. 16 debut.Such bookings — which he said cangum the system — dropped roughly 31percent over the same timespan a yearprior. The overall jail population hasdipped to 2,400 — levels not seen sinceearly 2007, Conway said.

“Even with the economy going

down, we still saw an increase in for-eign national book-ins every year,” hesaid. “Now they’re down tremendous-ly.”

In the following conversation withstaff writer Josh Green, the sheriff dis-cusses community feedback and theattributes of 287 (g), while disputingclaims that the program is xenophobic:

Josh Green: In its first six weeks,287 (g) will be directly responsible fordeporting 286 inmates. Is that numberabout what you had in mind before-

hand?Butch Conway: I actually thought

the number would be higher. But ourjail population numbers have gonedown, much more so than I expected.

JG:You’ve seen a tangible impact inthe jail already?

BC:Yes. That impact is from notbooking as many foreign-born people.

JG: Is that more because word about

Sheriff: 287(g) worksConway says deportation plan easing jail crowding

• See Conway, Page 8A

Here’s a breakdown bynationality of illegalalien suspects identifiedby Gwinnett’s 287 (g)program since its Nov.16 activation:* • Africa - 2• Brazil - 1• Colombia - 1

• Cuba - 3• El Salvador - 21• Guatemala - 24• Honduras - 38• India - 1• Jamaica -1• Mexico - 227• Other* - 43• Panama -1

• Philippines -1• Unknown -1• Virgin Islands -1

*Source: Gwinnett County Jail statisticsupdated late Thursday. The “Other” cate-

gory constitutes countries not trackedby U.S. Immigration and Customs

Enforcement. — Josh Green

WHO’S BEING DEPORTED?

WhitneyLeQuirelistensduring anew stu-dent orien-tation atGeorgiaGwinnettCollegeSaturdaymorning.

Two deadafter fallingthrough iceOnly one teen survivesplunge into Dacula pond

County commitsto Partnership

College sees highest midyear enrollment

Photo: David McGregor

• See Ice, Page 9A

• See County, Page 9A

• See College, Page 9A

LOCALPedestrianstruck, killed in Snellville, 8A

OCT. 15. 2009 JAN. 10, 2010

ONE YEAR LATERKenerlyousts selffrom BOC


[email protected]

LAWRENCEVILLE — A month after boldly claim-ing to continue service, Commissioner Kevin Kenerlystepped aside Tuesday, voluntarily suspending himselfduring his last two months in office.

After a yearlong special grand juryinvestigation into county land pur-chases, an indictment was unsealed,accusing Kenerly of taking a $1 mil-lion bribe and failing to disclose histies to a developer in rezoning issues.

With the final months of his 16years in office coming to a close, theBraselton man said he would fight thecharges and would not resign — as Chairman CharlesBannister did just weeks before.

But on Tuesday — which would have been the sec-ond to last meeting date of his tenure — Kenerly’slawyers released a statement that he would take a vol-untary suspension.

BY CAROLE TOWNSENDStaff Correspondent

BUFORD — Thirty

the school to share aThanksgiving meal withthe students and to writeshort essays describing


75¢

WEDNESDAY November 17, 2010

2007* 2008 2009 2010

13,1

51

14,0

54

15,3

33

11,0

44

Number of foreign-born inmates arrested in the last four years

Breakdown of the 6,662 crimes/charges

in the last year

* Stats are documented from Nov. 16 of theprevious year to Nov. 16 of current year

Traffic Other

Driver’sLicense

Felonies

Other Misdemeanors

DUI

ProbationMisdemeanors

City/County Ordinance Violations

2.7%Battery

Misdemeanor Theft 1%Misdemeanor Drug0.6%

23.5%

21.5%

17.8%

16.8%

7%

4.5%4.5%

Breakdown of the 1,186felonies in

the last year

Other Felonies

Drug ChargesFelony

38.5%

22.5%

ProbationFelony

9.4%Theft

Felony

8%Agg.Assault

6%

Robbery

Agg.Child Molestation

Sex Crimes

3.3%

3.4%

3.3%2%1.9%1.7%

RapeAgg. SodomyAgg. Sexual Battery

ChildMolestation

Burglary


[email protected]

LAWRENCEVILLE — As of Tuesday, thecontroversial 287 (g) program meant to greasethe deportation process had been active for a yearin Gwinnett, and its impact appears to be signifi-cant.

Most telling among the fertile, statistical soilthat 287 (g) has sown is this number: 28 percent.

That’s how much the total number of foreign-born jail bookings has dropped since 287 (g) wasactivated on Nov. 16, 2009. That’s 4,289 fewerinmates compared to the previous year. The costto house an inmate is $45 per day, meaning thecounty saved roughly $130,000 for each daythose inmates weren’t incarcerated.

“The program’s doing exactly what we wantedit to do,” said Sheriff Butch Conway, who cham-pioned 287 (g) before its local launch. “I think it’shad a profound effect on the population of illegalaliens in Gwinnett.”

But detractors say the program’s negativeimpact can’t be measured in statistics. Numberscan’t be applied to a collectively lower sense ofsecurity and fear of authorities among immigrantgroups, they argue.

The crimes of the 3,062 inmates detained forfederal immigration authorities have ranged fromchild molestation and rape (none have beencharged with murder) to DUI and city ordinanceviolations.

Records show those immigrants hail fromcountries such as Africa, Colombia, Cuba,Guatemala, Jamaica, Honduras and Panama,among others. Roughly 2⁄3 are from Mexico. Ahandful come from westernized European coun-tries like France (3 inmates) and Germany (2).

At its roots, 287 (g) is a section of the Immi-gration and Nationality Act passed in 1995 thatallows state and local law enforcement agenciesto be trained to identify illegal immigrants andturn them over to federal authorities.

Source: Gwinnett County Sheriff ’s Department

287 (g)What the numbers

say about the county’s

immigration program

Of the countries ICEmonitors, here are the

top four birth countriesof foreign-born inmates.

No other country produced more than 22

inmates

2,053 Mexico

276 Honduras

270 Guatemala

169 El Salvador


[email protected]

LAWRENCEVILLE — Gwinnett could cut itslibrary budget by 15 percent and money to subsi-dies in half to try to make up a $47.5 million bud-get deficit.

Finance Director Aaron Bovos made the recom-mendation Tuesday but noted that even with the useof $15.8 million from a one-time second tax pay-ment earlier this year, the county is still $17 millionin the hole.

The spending plan, which will be published Dec.1 and up for a vote in January, contains only onemajor increase — a few staffers to support a statelaw requiring that every property owner receive anassessment notice each year. Bovos said recom-mendations from the Engage Gwinnett study teamearlier this year were incorporated, and depart-ments found about $5.7 million in voluntary reduc-tions.

Budget deficitcould bringlibrary cuts

Welcome receptionLanier students surprised by Falcons visit

Embattled commissionertakes leave amid protests

PAPER OR PLASTIC?Los Angeles answers question with single-use bag ban • 8A


camie.young@ i d il

to Bill Head Funeral Homebrought hundreds of peo-ple from the community,

Tucker crematorygets board approval

• See 287 (g), Page 9A• See Cuts, Page 9A

Kevin Kenerly


NOV. 17, 2010

BY KATE BRUMBACKThe Associated Press

ATLANTA — A potentialclass-action lawsuit has beenfiled in federal court inAtlanta over a governmentprogram that allows localauthorities to enforce federalimmigration law.

Experts say the lawsuit,filed last week on behalf ofthree immigrants in Georgia,could be the first to directlychallenge the legitimacy ofthe 287(g) program, whichhas been used to identifymore than 180,000 illegalimmigrants for deportationnationwide since 2006.

‘‘I have heard of nobodyfiling a lawsuit on this, and Iwould have heard about it,’’said Charles Kuck, a promi-nent Atlanta immigrationlawyer and past president ofthe American ImmigrationLawyers Association.

The lawsuit names U.S.Immigration and CustomsEnforcement director JohnMorton, Cobb County Sher-iff Neil Warren, an investiga-tor for the Georgia Depart-ment of Public Safety andother officials as defendants.

A Department of PublicSafety spokesman and aspokeswoman for Warren’soffice said Thursday theiragencies hadn’t seen the law-suit and couldn’t comment.ICE did not have an immedi-ate comment.

The lawsuit was filed onbehalf of three immigrantsand seeks to define the classas ‘‘all Hispanic persons whohave been or will berestrained and interrogatedwithin the State of Georgia’’by local authorities enforcingfederal immigration lawunder an agreement withU.S. Immigration and Cus-toms Enforcement.

As of late September, the287(g) program had beenused to identify 14,692 ille-

gal immigrants in Georgiafor deportation in the fouryears since Cobb became thefirst county in the state tolaunch the program, accord-ing to ICE. Three additionalcounties, including Gwin-nett, plus the state Depart-ment of Public Safety havesince signed agreements.

The lawsuit alleges ICEhas failed to train, superviseand otherwise oversee sher-iff’s deputies in Cobb Coun-ty, where the three plaintiffslive. It also claims ICE hasimproperly delegated itspower to local authorities.

‘‘This is a bad thing, and ittears apart families,’’ saidattorney Erik Meder, whofiled the lawsuit. ‘‘Whilethese people are certainly inthe country illegally, theyaren’t criminals and don’tdeserve to be locked up andseparated from their fami-lies.’’

Immigration officials havebroad discretionary powerand should not be issuing anotice to appear — whichinitiates deportation proceed-ings — for illegal immi-grants who are arrested anddiscovered to be in the coun-try illegally after initiallyhaving been stopped for rela-tively minor offenses, thelawsuit says.

The program is part of the1996 Immigration andNationality Act, but wasn’tused much until 2006. It isintended to train state and

local officers in immigrationlaw enforcement and enablesthem to identify and detainillegal immigrants, who canthen be turned over to ICE.

It has become a rallyingpoint for immigrant rightsactivists all over the countrywho say it encourages racialprofiling and discouragesLatinos from reportingcrimes for fear of beingdeported.

The inspector general ofthe Department of HomelandSecurity, which includesICE, reported in March thatthe 287(g) program waspoorly supervised and pro-vided insufficient training toofficers. The inspector gener-al made recommendationsfor overhauling the program.

It was the second criticalreport for the program. TheGovernment AccountabilityOffice had criticized it inJuly 2009.

Meder said the program isunconstitutional because it‘‘impermissibly delegatesfederal power to localauthorities with insufficientoversight.’’

Kuck doesn’t support the287(g) program but said hebelieves Congress specifical-ly authorized ICE to delegateenforcement authority tolocal entities.

‘‘Unfortunately, I don’tthink it’s unconstitutional,’’he said. ‘‘I don’t think there’sany harm in challenging it,but I don’t expect the suit to

go anywhere. And I certainlydon’t think it will be givenclass-action status.’’

Brittney Nystrom of theNational ImmigrationForum, a Washington-basedimmigrant advocacy organi-zation, said she hasn’t heardof any other lawsuit thatdirectly attacks 287(g) on itsmerits.

‘‘Most of the advocacyaround this program is thatlocal authorities aren’t usingthe authority they’re givencorrectly, that there’s racialprofiling, for example,’’ shesaid.

The three named plaintiffsin the lawsuit ‘‘each repre-sent a different kind ofabuse’’ of the program,Meder said.

One, a Mexican citizenwho came to the U.S. legallyin 2004 but overstayed herauthorization, was arrestedafter a car crash for not hav-ing a driver’s license and isbeing deported. The second,an illegal immigrant arrestedon a shoplifting charge, is indeportation proceedings. Butthe lawsuit argues she shouldbe able to stay until her crim-inal case is decided. Thethird is an El Salvadoranimmigrant who has legalauthorization to work in theU.S. but was arrested in Julyon felony forgery charges.Authorities say he used afalse immigration documentto renew his driver’s license,a charge he denies.

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local&state

localChurch to honor violence survivors

■ LAWRENCEVILLE — In observance of Domes-tic Violence Awareness Month, a local church will behosting a celebration of survivors on Saturday.

It’s estimated that 2009 brought 125 domestic vio-lence-related homicides in Georgia. Brought to you bythe Circle of Sistas, the two-hour “Talk It Out” eventheld at First United Methodist Church at 395 W. Cro-gan St. in Lawrenceville will be raising awareness forthe cause.

The free event will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.,with refreshments provided by Loving Hut Restaurant.

For more information, visitwww.circleofsistas.vpweb.com, or call 678-978-4963.

stateBarnes got tax break for propertyhe didn’t own, campaign says

■ ATLANTA — Roy Barnes claimed federal andstate income tax breaks in 2008 and 2009 for deprecia-tion on a house he doesn’t own, his campaign acknowl-edged Thursday.

Cobb County property records show Barnes’ daugh-ter and son-in-law have owned the house in Mariettasince 2007 when Barnes gave it to them. Barnes, theDemocratic nominee for governor, owns several proper-ties on the road.

Barnes campaign spokesman Emil Runge called it anaccounting error and said, as a result, the former gover-nor had underpaid about $7,500 in taxes for the twoyears. His accountant is amending the returns to removethe tax break.

News of the tax discrepancy was first reported by theSavannah Morning News.

Runge said Thursday that in the course of reviewingBarnes’ taxes his accountant found another error in2008 that will deliver the former governor an additionaltax refund of about $30,000.

That mistake involved a loss on the sale of shares inHabersham Bank. Barnes initially reported a gain ofapproximately $34,000 which should have been a lossof approximately $135,000.

— From staff, wire reports

IN BRIEFSuit challenges 287(g) enforcement

2007 2008 2009 2010

13,15114,054

15,333

11,044

Number of foreign-born inmatesarrested in the last four years.

If you want to know what’s going on in your community immedi-ately, the Gwinnett Daily Post has all the headlines and informa-tion you are looking for. Check us out online or on Facebookand Twitter for up-to-the-minute news or sign up for our e-newsletter to get headlines delivered to your inbox every morn-ing. To register, visit www.gwinnettdailypost.com/newsletter

GET NEWS FAST


THE HEADLINES:GGC LIFE SCIENCES

w w w. g w i n n e t t d a i l y p o s t . c o m

THE STORYA much-needed Life Sciences

Center is under construction onGwinnett Technical College’s cam-pus, and massive fundraising isunder way to make sure the schoolhas enough money to operate thenew facility.

THE HISTORYGwinnett Tech President Sharon

Bartels submitted her first requestfor funding for a life sciences build-ing in 2005. Employment projectionsshowed a need for more trainedworkers in the health and life sciencefields, and Bartels knew the collegewould need more space to meet thedemand. Four years after first submit-ting the request, Gwinnett Techreceived funding to construct its lifescience building.

KEY PLAYERS• Sharon Bartels, president of Gwin-nett Technical College• Mary Beth Byerly, president of theGwinnett Technical College Founda-tion• Delta Airlines President Ed Bast-ian, honorary chair of the Legacy ofLives campaign• Kim Ryan, CEO of Eastside Med-ical Center, and Jim McGean, retiredpresident of Verizon Wireless, cam-paign co-chairs.

LAST YEAR’S HEADLINESGwinnett Technical College broke

ground in April on its new Life Sci-ences Center.

While the school received statefunding to construct the building, theLife Sciences Center will not initiallyreceive any operational support. Thecritical funding need led the GwinnettTechnical College Foundation tolaunch the Legacy of Lives campaignto raise money to run the buildingonce it opens in August.

THIS YEAR’S NEWSThe 14,000-square-foot Life Sci-

ences Center will be devoted tohealth care and life sciences educa-tion, industries that are expandingand show no signs of slowing down,Bartels said.

“It’s the only industry during therecession that did not take a hit,” Bar-tels said. “Not only are the jobs outthere, but they’re good jobs.”

The need for health care workers inGwinnett and the surrounding area isexpected to outpace the rest of Geor-gia and even the nation in the nextfive years. With the industry projectedto grow by 38 percent from 2010 to2015, the county is expected to add8,223 new health care jobs.

The additional space will allow the

Rendering offuture LifeSciencesCenter

• Continued on Page 11F


THE HEADLINES: GGC LIFESCIENCES (CONT.)


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75¢

FRIDAY April 23, 2010

Cycle of lifeBY HEATHER DARENBERG

STAFF WRITER

[email protected]

DULUTH — EmilyZimmerman knows whyshe and her classmateswere helping plant a treeThursday at ChattahoocheeElementary School.

“Because it’s Earth Day,and we’re trying to helpthe Earth,” the kindergart-ner said.

In honor of the daydesigned to inspire aware-ness and appreciation forthe Earth’s environment,the Greater GwinnettGroup of the Sierra Clubvisited the elementaryschool to help kindergart-ners plant trees and flowerseeds.

“The way I look at it is ifyou don’t take care of theEarth, nothing else reallymatters,” club memberTamyra Hyatt said. “God’sgiven us the responsibilityof stewardship for Earth. ...Here in Gwinnett, it startsat home with the conserva-tion and preservation ofour wild spaces for futuregenerations.”

Ibad Ansari, 6, said heenjoyed planting the tree.

He also knows whyEarth Day is important.

“Because you have tokeep the Earth clean,” thekindergartner said.

Shannon Keller, akindergarten parapro, saidthe students will get towatch the trees grow overthe next five years.

“The sooner they start tolearn about the environ-ment and how the wholecycle works, the betterchance they’ll take it intoadulthood,” she said. “Ifyou teach them whenthey’re little, they’re goingto grasp these lessons andcarry them throughoutlife.”

Officialscommendtraffic bill


[email protected]

LAWRENCEVILLE — Gwinnett offi-cials praised lawmakers Thursday forclearing the way for traffic improvementsand jobs.

After a three-year stalemate, Georgia’sHouse and Senate passed a bill Wednesdayto divide the state into regions, allowingpeople to vote to impose a 1 percent salestax to fund transportation.

The issue has been the No. 1 pursuit ofthe Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce sincethe business organization created a publicpolicy department in 2007.

“The bottom line for all of us to takeaway is that, for the first time, the state ofGeorgia (including metro Atlanta), has along-term plan for truly tackling our crip-pling traffic congestion and deterioratinginfrastructure,” Chamber President JimMaran wrote in a letter thanking supportersand legislators. “For our economic devel-opment team, this means ‘transportation’ isno longer the big weakness it once was.For our member employers, this means

Man, 61, diesfrom accident


[email protected]

SNELLVILLE — The suspected drunkdriver who fled from Snellville police andcrashed Wednesday night died in the hospi-tal Thursday morning.

The man, who was not identified by policeat the scene, is Thomas Alvis Jr., a 61-year-old Loganville man, Snellville police ChiefRoy Whitehead said.

Snellville police responded to a callreporting a potential drunk driver just after 8p.m. Wednesday and were able to stop theblue Chevrolet pickup truck at the intersec-tion of Ga. Highway 124 and U.S. Highway78. Alvis fled.

Photo: Christine RodriguezGwinnett Technical College radiologic technology student TaiLe, from left, Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce President JimMaran,Technical College System of Georgia Commissioner RonJackson, Technical College System of Georgia board memberMichael Sullivan, Delta Airlines President Ed Bastian, GwinnettTech President Sharon Bartels, state Sen. Don Balfour, Bill Brog-don and Gwinnett Tech Foundation board chair Sean Murphyshovel dirt at the groundbreaking ceremony for Gwinnett Tech’snew Life Sciences Center.

Gwinnett Tech holds groundbreaking for centerBY HEATHER DARENBERG

STAFF WRITER

[email protected]

LAWRENCEVILLE — This year,Gwinnett Technical College had to turnaway 6,000 people interested in studyinghealth care and life sciences.

Gwinnett Tech serves 500 studentsthrough 10 health science programs. OnThursday, officials broke ground on abuilding that will allow the school toeducate an additional 3,000 students ayear.

“The Life Sciences Center is a projectthat will benefit both our community aswell as our school,” Gwinnett Tech Pres-ident Sharon Bartels said. “... This is thebeginning of a massive economic devel-

opment and community developmentproject in our community.”

The Life Sciences Center will allowGwinnett Tech to expand both studentcapacity and program offerings. Whenthe building is complete in the fall of2011, Gwinnett Tech will have morethan 140,000 square feet of learningspace devoted to health care and life sci-ences education.

The center will be a 78,000-square-foot, three-story facility that will house13 classrooms and lecture halls and 12high-tech labs.

Ron Jackson, the commissioner of theTechnical College System of Georgia,said it’s critical that health care and life

Staff Photos: Jason BravermanChattahoochee Elementary School kindergarten teacher Debby Torak, back,helps students Jalen Hill, from left, Emily Rengifo, Keshav Parthasarathy andAngela Baron toss dirt on a tree that was planted Thursday in honor of EarthDay.The Greater Gwinnett Group of the Sierra Club members helped the stu-dents plant trees, seeds and peat pots.

Chattahoochee Ele-mentary School

kindergarteners Glo-ria Tshibangu andKelly Turner plant

flower seeds duringclass on Thursday in

honor of Earth Day.Gwinnett Sierra

Group membershelped the students

plant trees, seedsand peat pots.

Studentsplant trees,

flower seeds


Mostly sunny.Highs in thelow 80s......4A

■ LocalObamaendorsesJohnson ....2A

■ Inside

SnellvilleDays Festivalpullout

Alleged drunk driver fled fromSnellville police before crash

• See Accident, Page 9A

Leaders celebrate passageof transportation funding

• See Bill, Page 9A

New facility to educate an extra 3,000 students

• See Center, Page 9A

PERFECT PLACE, 1BRPI an ideal spot for Rams’Brooke Van Baush.

APRIL 23, 2010

communityC

SundayNovember 14,

2010

Gwinnett Daily Post

Check outengagements,anniversaries

INSIDE

4C

Staff Photo: Jason BravermanConstruction continues on the life sciences building at Gwin-nett Technical College.The three-story classroom and laborato-ry learning facility will serve more than 3,000 students annual-ly and will provide 78,000 square feet of innovative learningspace dedicated to life sciences and health sciences profes-sions.

Staff Photo: Jason BravermanContractors are seen here working on the life sciences building atGwinnett Tech. Building a life sciences building was imperativebecause Gwinnett Tech — one of the largest schools in the Techni-cal College System — has had to turn away 6,000 applicants inter-ested in studying health care and life sciences in the past two years.

Staff Photo: Jason BravermanAccording to officials, the addition of the life sciences buildingwill mean a good chunk of Gwinnett Tech’s campus will be ded-icated to training health care professionals. In all, the schoolwill have more than 140,000 square feet of learning spacedevoted to health science education.

ROOMTO

GROWBY HEATHER DARENBERG

STAFF WRITER

[email protected]

LAWRENCEVILLE —In 2005, Gwinnett Techni-cal College submitted itsfirst request for funding fora life sciences building.

“We saw the writing onthe wall,” said Mary BethByerly, Gwinnett Tech’sexecutive director of insti-tutional advancement.

Employment projectionsshowed a need for moretrained workers in thehealth and life sciencefields, and Gwinnett Techofficials knew they wouldneed more space to meetthe demand.

Four years after firstsubmitting the request,Gwinnett Tech receivedthe funding to construct itslife sciences building.

“That it will be open incalendar year 2011 is amiracle,” Gwinnett TechPresident Sharon Bartelssaid. “We’re very, very for-tunate that we finally got iton the list. Had we not got-ten a $2 million donationtoward construction, wemight still be sitting on thelist.”

In the Technical CollegeSystem of Georgia, capitalproject requests are placedon a priority list. Because

of the limited availabilityof funds, only the projectsdeemed most critical areapproved.

For Bartels, building alife sciences building wasimperative because Gwin-nett Tech — one of thelargest schools in the Tech-nical College System —has had to turn away 6,000applicants interested instudying health care andlife sciences in the past

two years.“Two-year colleges are

the vehicles for traininghealth care workers,” Bar-tels said. “Eighty-five per-cent of first responders aretrained at community col-leges.”

With the new building,Gwinnett Tech still won’tbe able to meet thatdemand, but it will be ableto expand and add to itsrepertoire of science andallied health programs.The three-story classroomand laboratory learningfacility will serve morethan 3,000 students annu-ally and will provide78,000 square feet of inno-vative learning space dedi-cated to life sciences andhealth sciences profes-sions.

Byerly said the additionof the life sciences build-ing will mean a goodchunk of Gwinnett Tech’scampus will be dedicatedto training health care pro-fessionals. In all, theschool will have more than140,000 square feet oflearning space devoted tohealth science education.

“Of the top 20 fastestgrowing careers, 10 are inhealth care,” Byerly said.“And they’re high-payingjobs.”

Gwinnett Tech moves forwardwith new life sciences building

• See Building, Page 6C

‘‘’’Two-yearcolleges arethe vehiclesfor traininghealth careworkers.Eighty-fivepercent offirst respon-ders aretrained atcommunitycolleges.

Gwinnett Tech President

Sharon Bartels

NOVEMBER 14, 2010

college to admit more students intoits health care and life sciences pro-grams, good news for the thousandsof qualified applicants who seekadmission to these programs eachyear.

The new building will also allowGwinnett Tech to add programs toits repertoire. With open heartsurgery coming to the county,Gwinnett Medical Center is going toneed some cardiovascular techni-cians, which is one of the programsthat will be added.

As health care expands, Ryansaid she’ll look to Gwinnett Tech foremployees.

“Gwinnett Tech, through my part-nership with them, does a phenom-enal job first selecting students andthen has phenomenal instructors totrain them so that I don’t have toworry,” Ryan said, “because when Iinterview a student for a job atEastside and they’ve been trainedat Gwinnett Tech, I know I don’t

have to worry about their technicalskills and how they relate to ourpatients.”

Meanwhile, the Gwinnett Techni-cal College Foundation will contin-ue its aggressive fundraising for thecenter’s operations. Several largedonations have been made to theLegacy of Lives campaign, includ-ing $50,000 from the CommunityFoundation of Northeast Georgia,but many more are needed.

“Our Legacy of Lives campaignhas an impact far beyond our cam-pus boundaries,” Bartels said. “Thedevelopment of our Life SciencesCenter and the expansion of ourhealth care and life science pro-grams will positively enhance ourcommunity and the region. Having ahighly trained, skilled health carework force is critical to meet theneed for health care services in ourcommunity and to combat risingcosts.”

— By Heather Darenberg

• From Page 9F


THE HEADLINES:HOSPITALS


THE STORYGwinnett hospitals break ground

on major expansions

THE HISTORYEmory Eastside Medical Center

is a 231-bed hospital located on adual campus in Snellville. Itemploys more than 1,500 workerswith 400 affiliated physicians.

Gwinnett Medical Center, found-ed more than 60 years ago, nowincludes hospitals in Lawrencevilleand Duluth and several supportingmedical facilities. It employs morethan 4,100 workers with 800 affili-

ated physicians.

KEY PLAYERS• Emory Eastside Medical Cen-ter and COO Dustin Greene,Gwinnett Medical Center andCEO Phil Wolfe

LAST YEAR’S HEADLINESEmory Eastside Medical Center

broke ground on a new medicaloffice building and an emergencydepartment expansion in 2010, aswell as announced future plans fora new patient tower.



THE HEADLINES:HOSPITALS (CONT.)


After a lengthy planning periodand some controversy, GwinnettMedical Center finally broke groundon its Heart and Vascular Center inJune.

THIS YEAR’S NEWSEmory Eastside Medical Center

is quickly approaching completionof a pair of projects that will greatlyexpand its services, as well asnearing what it hopes will be thebeginning of an even bigger under-taking.

On June 30, Snellville’s primaryhospital broke ground on a new,40,000-square-foot medical officebuilding. Hospital officials werekeeping quiet on all it would entailat the time, but Greene gave a littlemore insight recently.

He said the new building, EmoryEastside’s third for medical offices,will include a new hospital-basedspine center, neurosurgeons, gen-eral surgeons, endocrinology andphysical therapy, among otherphysicians.

The building, expected to beopened in May, is beginning to fillup and already “looks finished fromthe outside,” Greene said. Built tobe expandable, the hospital isalready “in the planning phase ofgrowing the building,” he said.

Emory Eastside also brokeground on a $13-million expansionof its emergency department lastJune. Phase I of that project — newconstruction — should be finishedApril 11, Greene said.

Phase II will be updating the cur-rent emergency department tomatch new construction.

“It’s basically upgrading the entireemergency department,” Greenesaid. “The important thing is thatwhen the entire project is finished,we will have 33 percent additionalcapacity. That will drastically short-en wait times and improve patientcare.”

The next big milestone for EmoryEastside, however, comes onMarch 4.

That’s when the state’s decision

on the hospital’s new patient tower— a 72-bed addition — is sched-uled to come back. Greene is confi-dent that his hospital’s Certificate ofNeed will be approved, giving it thego-ahead to begin construction.

“We fully expect approval,” hesaid.

Gwinnett Medical Center, mean-while, opened its newest patienttower in September 2009. It’s nowconstructing an open-heart centerat its Lawrenceville campus, whichwill eliminate Gwinnett’s status asthe state’s largest county withoutsuch a facility.

Ground was broken in June, withconstruction originally slated to takeabout 18 months. It’s ahead ofschedule.

“The GMC Heart and VascularCenter construction is on track andwill be completed in less than ayear,” GMC spokeswoman DoloresWare said recently.

The birth of a heart center inGwinnett wasn’t an easy one.

In January 2008, Gwinnett Med-ical Center sent its application for acertificate of need to state regula-tors. In June of that year, it wasapproved — but not without opposi-tion.

Piedmont, Emory University andEmory Crawford Long hospitals inAtlanta all filed opposition, saying,among other things, that “hospitalsneed to perform a high number of(open heart) procedures to maintainquality.”

Following the approval of GMC’sprogram, all three hospitals againfiled administrative appeals. Thecommissioner of the Department ofCommunity Health, however, upheldthe original approval.

As of January, the Gwinnett Med-ical Center Foundation had raised$7 million toward the proposed $33million project, Ware said.

Dr. Manfred Sandler, dubbed the“champion physician” of the open-heart project, sang its praises atlast year’s ground breaking.

“It will be a dream come true,” hesaid.

— By Tyler Estep

Crossword 10A Lottery 4A Stocks 4AINSIDE Delivery Problems? Your satisfaction is our number one priority. If we miss delivery ofG i D il P ll i l i d i li


THURSDAY June 17, 2010

Obama says BP agrees to $20B fundBY BEN FELLER

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — PresidentBarack Obama and BP reachedagreement Wednesday on a $20billion fund to compensate vic-tims of the disastrous oil spill inthe Gulf of Mexico, and the giant

British company’s chairman apol-ogized to America for the worstenvironmental accident in thenation’s history.

BP is suspending its dividendsto shareholders to help pay for thecosts, said chairman Carl-HenricSvanberg.

Obama announced the agree-

ment after a four-hour meetingwith BP officials. He also said thecompany had agreed to set up aseparate $100 million fund tocompensate oil rig workers laidoff as a result of his six-monthmoratorium on deepwaterdrilling.

‘‘The structure we are estab-

lishing today is an important steptoward making the people of theGulf Coast whole again, but it willnot turn things around overnight,’’Obama said. He said the vulnera-ble fishermen, restaurant workersand other people of the Gulf ‘‘areuppermost in the minds of all con-cerned. That’s who we’re doing

this work for.’’Likewise, Svanberg, speaking

for a company that has beenassailed from every corner for thepast two months, said, ‘‘I hearcomments sometimes that largeoil companies are — are greedycompanies or don’t care, but thatis not the case in BP. We careabout the small people.’’

Staff Photo: Jonathan PhillipsLucero Garza, right, Umair Farooqui, Shelby Gillentine and Olivia Garuba work on a chemistry experimentduring the Summer STEM Experience at the Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology onWednesday. The four-day program allows incoming freshmen to get used to the greater demands of highschool by giving them a taste of their coursework.

A sneak peekProgram gives freshmen exposure to classes


[email protected]

LAWRENCEVILLE — Classesdon’t begin until August, but incomingfreshmen at Gwinnett School of Mathe-matics, Science, and Technology arealready getting a taste of their curricu-lum.

This week, the rising ninth-gradershave been participating in chemistry

labs, completing trigonometry problemsand working cooperatively on projects.

“The first day we came here, we werealready given homework,” said Con-stance Perkins, who just finished eighthgrade at Jones Middle School.

But Perkins isn’t complaining.Instead, the aspiring doctor said she isusing the experience to figure out howto make the most of her time so shedoesn’t fall behind when schoolresumes Aug. 9.

Gwinnett School of Mathematics,Science, and Technology is a charterschool with an educational programfocused on mathematics and scientificinquiry and discovery in engineering,bioscience and emerging technologies.

During their freshman year, studentstake classes including chemistry,physics, engineering and advanced inte-grated geometry — courses that aren’t

Cops: Twoshot afterrobbery


[email protected]

SNELLVILLE — An apparent drug-relatedrobbery attempt in Snellville on Wednesdayafternoon resulted in gunfire, a car in a ditchand two people shot, police said.

Five individuals are believed to haveentered a home on the 3500 block of SpringMesa Drive at about 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, ina robbery that “may have been motivated bydrugs,” Gwinnett County police spokesman

Hi-Hope hits50 years incommunity


[email protected]

LAWRENCEVILLE — When Marie Col-lier’s first child was born, the then 19-year-oldnew mother did not know what Down syn-drome meant.

She treated him just like her four other chil-dren, but when it came time for the youngster togo to school, there was nowhere for him to go.

So Collier took her son Mike Holman toGwinnett’s first special education center,

Staff Photo: Jonathan Phillips

GMC breaks ground on open-heart facilityBY TYLER ESTEP

STAFF WRITER

[email protected]

LAWRENCEVILLE — Afteryears of planning and a little contro-versy, Gwinnett Medical Centerfinally broke ground on its Heart &Vascular Center on Wednesdayafternoon.

The 40,000-square-foot additionto the west side of GMC’sLawrenceville campus is slated totake 18 months of construction tocomplete. In early 2012, Gwinnettwill no longer be the largest countyin the nation without an open-heartfacility.

“We’re here to celebrate the hard-fought victory of bringing openheart to Gwinnett,” Charles Bannis-ter, Chairman of the Gwinnett Coun-ty Board of Commissioners, saidbefore 300 or so people Wednesday.

And hard-fought it was. In January 2008, Gwinnett Med-

ical Center sent its application for acertificate of need to state regulators.In June of that year, it was approved— but not without opposition.

Piedmont, Emory University andEmory Crawford Long hospitals inAtlanta all filed opposition, saying,among other things, that “hospitals


Highs in theupper 90s...4A

Company’s chairman apologizes for worst environmental accident in nation’s history

• See BP, Page 7A

• See Hi-Hope, Page 7A• See Classes, Page 8A

Ground wasbroken for theHeart & Vas-cular Centerat GwinnettMedical Cen-ter’sLawrencevillecampus onWednesday.Hospital andlocal officialswere given thechance toshovel dirt infront of thesite where the40,000-square-foot additionto the centerwill be built.

Police: 5 flee Snellville residence,resulting in gunfire, car crashes

• See Shot, Page 8A

Addition to center expected to take 18 months

• See GMC, Page 8A

BACK IN THE GAME, 1BDefenseman Youngclaus signed for 2010-11 Gladiators season.

75¢

Editor’s note:Due to trans-portation difficul-ties of the Gwin-nett Daily Post’sLegal Advertis-ing section, onlya portion of thescheduledThursday Legalpages are pub-lished in today’sedition.Theremaining LegalAdvertisingpages will bedistributed in theFriday edition.

JUNE 17, 2010

Classified..........3D

Comics ............8B

Community ......1CCrossword........6DHoroscope........2ELocal................ 2A

Lottery ............ 4AObituaries ........6APerspective ......8AReal Estate .... 1D

Stocks.............. 4ASports ..............1BTelevision..........1EWorld&Nation ..5A



$2.00

SUNDAY June 27, 2010

Palin to focus on family at eventBY CAMIE YOUNG

SENIOR WRITER

[email protected]

DULUTH — Who better tobring to home the message

that special-needs families arejust like the rest of us than theworld’s most famous hockeymom?

Sarah Palin, who rose tofame in 2008 from the gover-nor of Alaska to a vice presi-

dential nominee, will spendTuesday in Gwinnett talkingnot about politics but aboutfamily.

For David Glover, aGainesville man who beganZachariah’s Way ministry to

talk about the challenges hisgrandson faced even inchurch, Palin was the perfectperson to talk about accep-tance, since her youngest childTrig has Down syndrome.

Glover learned from the

short life of his grandson thestruggles that parents of spe-cial-needs children endure,often alienated because peopledo not know how to deal with


Mostly sunny. 40percent chanceof rain. Highs inmid-90s. Lowsin lower 70s.4A

■ Local

60 firefighterscalled to apart-ment blaze..................3A

■ NationTropical weath-er new reasonto worry inGulf............5A

■LocalA look atcities’, busi-nesses’ July 4celebrations..................1C

■ USAWeekend

2010’s MostCaring Athletehelps outtoday’s youthpeople..Inside

Staff Photo: Jonathan PhillipsEmory Eastside Hospital is in the process of several expansion projects including one to its emergency room department, a new medicaloffice building and a patient tower that will increase the number of patients that the hospital can care for.

GROWING UPBY TYLER ESTEP

STAFF WRITER

[email protected]

SNELLVILLE — Sometimesexpansion isn’t just about morespace.

Officials at Emory Eastside,which will break ground on two of

three planned projects Wednesday,hope new construction will help cre-ate a new environment for Snel-lville’s main medical center.

“This hospital has been known inthe past as a great community hospi-tal that did a little bit of everything— and we’re growing up,” saidEmory Eastside COO Dustin

Greene. “We’re graduating from being just

a community hospital, and so we’redeveloping certain service lines.”

On Wednesday, the hospital willbreak ground on a new medicaloffice building and an expansion ofits emergency department. Still inthe planning stages, a brand new

patient care tower is in the works forcoming years.

“We want to be what the commu-nity needs us to be, to meet thehealth care and illness care needs ofthe community,” CEO Kim Ryansaid. “Because that’s what it’s all

Staff Photo: Jonathan Phillips


[email protected]

WINDER — Deep summer in theZormat Valley of eastern Afghanistan,where high temperatures routinely nipat 130 degrees, has got nothing onGeorgia summers, in the estimation ofGeorgia Army National Guard Sgt.Mike Brown.

Drenched in soupy air, Brown joined

450 soldiers with the Guard’s 1/121stHHC and Echo Company for a festivewelcome-home party at Winder-BarrowHigh School’s stadium Saturday, fol-lowing a year deployment inAfghanistan. Few of 3,000 free hot dogswent to waste.

Albeit a couple months late, the cere-mony and festival, organized by a sup-port group called Operation Patriot’s

Former Alaska governor to speak at Arena on Tuesday

Sarah Palin

Emory Eastside planning big expansion of Snellville campus

•See Palin, Page 6A

•See Expansion, Page 6A

Belated homecomingfestive for 450 soldiers

Sgt. Mike Browneats hot dogs onthe football field atWinder-BarrowHigh School withhis wife April, left,and daughtersRebekah, Sarahand Elisabeth onSaturday. Sgt.Brown is with theU.S. Army GeorgiaNational Guard unitthat was deployedto easternAfghanistan for ayear and honoredon Saturday bymembers of Opera-tion Patriot’s Call.•See Soldiers, Page 6A

UP TO THE CHALLENGE, 1BSuwanee’s Curry trains for triathlon while preparing to move to Africa

JUNE 27, 2010

• From Page 12F


THE HEADLINES:ONLINE VERSION


We know you are busy.Keeping up with major issues in your commu-

nity is not always simple. The Gwinnett DailyPost’s annual Progress report, titled Last Year’sHeadlines; This Year’s News is designed togive readers an in-depth and comprehensivelook at major issues that will affect you this year.Each section, from the GCPS’s Broad Prize winto the opening of new fire stations, contains vitalinformation about what happened in the news in2010, the key players involved and what’s instore for 2011. We’ve also included a look at theoriginal story and the date it first ran in thepaper.

We’ve also made it easier for you at gwinnettdailypost.com. Each of these analy-ses are available, along with links to the previ-ous stories under the home page button, labeledLast Year’s Headlines; This Year’s News.

THE STORYThe Georgia Force returned to

the Arena at Gwinnett Center forthe first time in three years in thenew, reorganized Arena FootballLeague after relocating fromHuntsville, Ala.

THE HISTORYThe original Force played five of

their eight seasons in metro Atlantaat the Arena at Gwinnett Center,making the AFL playoffs four times.The Force also played in ArenaBowl XIX in 2005 while a tenant atPhilips Arena in Atlanta. Overall,the Force went 47-33 and averaged10,541 fans per game in their sea-sons in Gwinnett.

KEY PLAYERSCoach Dean Cokinos and his staffwill select his team from a trainingcamp roster of 35 players. Amongthe players to watch are quarter-back Bill Cundiff, receiver C.J.Johnson, defensive back RobertDurham, defensive lineman JeffLittlejohn and former Georgiadefensive lineman/linebacker WillThompson.

LAST YEAR’S HEADLINESThe Force went 7-9 as the Alaba-

ma Vipers while playing at the VanBraun Center in Huntsville, Ala.,last season.

THIS YEAR’S NEWSPerhaps new General Manager

Chris Hendley put it best whendescribing the new incarnation ofthe Force, which returns to theArena at Gwinnett Center after atwo-year hiatus.

“It’s a little new, a little old,”Hendley said. “It’s the same (teamand league) name, the samegame, but different folks (playingand running the league).”

With the AFL in its secondseason of its relaunch after thedemise of the old league follow-ing the 2008 campaign, Forcefans will find many things familiarfrom when the Force last played.That includes some of the oppo-nents, such as the Arizona Rat-tlers, San Jose SaberCats,Chicago Rush, New OrleansVooDoo, Orlando Predators,Tampa Bay Storm, ClevelandGladiators and PhiladelphiaSoul, all of which were franchis-es in the old AFL. The new fran-chises include Spokane (Wash.)Shock, Utah Blaze, Dallas Vigi-

lantes, Iowa Barnstormers,Kansas City Command, TulsaTalons, Jacksonville Sharks, Mil-waukee Mustangs and PittsburghPower.

However, there will be severalsignificant differences. With thenew Force franchise having relo-cated after playing as the Alaba-ma Vipers last season, there is anew coach (Cokinos) who willhave an almost entirely newroster of players — kicker Car-los Martinez is the only mem-ber of the training camp rosterthat played for the old Force.

In addition, the league sched-ule has been increased to 18games, nine of which will beplayed at the Arena at GwinnettCenter.

Hendley also says that whileputting a winning product on thefield is a big goal for the fran-chise brass, the main goal is toprovide plenty of entertainmentfor its fans at an affordable price(season tickets begin at $59,while individual game tickets

start at $10).“One of the things we’re hav-

ing is a fan advisory board,” saidHendley, who came to Atlantawith the original Force when thefranchise moved from Nashvillein 2002 and then worked withthe Arena at Gwinnett Centerwhen the old AFL disbanded.“Our fans are obviously our mostimportant clients. If they’re nothappy, we’re not happy. You can’tcontrol the outcome of the game,but if you keep them entertained,they’ll come back.

“We’ve got more competition thistime with the Gwinnett Braves intown, and they do a great job withwhat they do. So, there’s an evenbetter quality of (entertainment)choices for people in Gwinnett

County looking for things to do.”Hendley added the team will try

to reach out to the Gwinnett com-munity by recognizing a CommunityGroup of the Week and a specialFaith and Family Night, the detailsof which are still being worked out.

And the team also plans to havemany promotions and giveaways inan effort to grow its fan base, whichHendley says the teams is pleasedwith the size of initially.

“Our marketing campaign is justnow getting started,” Hendley said.“We’re hoping the fans come backin droves. ... We’re happy withwhere (the season ticket base) iswithout having marketed much, andwe only expect that to increase.”

— By David Friedlander


THE HEADLINES: GEORGIA FORCEw w w. g w i n n e t t d a i l y p o s t . c o m

INSIDE TODAY

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THURSDAY November 18, 2010

Staff Photo: Jason BravermanGlenn Stephens, Gwinnett County administrator, left, serving as principal for a day at Radloff Middle School address-es a class of eighth-graders as Patty Heitmuller, principal of Radloff Middle School, looks on. Several communitymembers participated in the principal for a day program throughout the county this week.

Substitute teachersBY HEATHER DARENBERG

STAFF WRITER

[email protected]

DULUTH — As GwinnettCounty administrator, GlennStephens oversees the day-to-day operations of one of thelargest counties in the nation.

On Wednesday, Stephens gotto see what it’s like to run aschool in Georgia’s largestschool district. He visitedRadloff Middle School as part ofthe Principal for a Day program,a joint venture of the GwinnettChamber of Commerce andGwinnett County PublicSchools.

The program, designed tobuild strategic partnershipsbetween business executives andschool leaders, is in its seventhyear, but this was Stephens’ firstyear participating.

“It’s very important that wecross-pollinate and learn what

takes place (at our respectiveorganizations),” Stephens said ofthe county and the school sys-tem. “For us in the county, welook to the school system as oneof the main drivers of economicdevelopment. ... We tell others

we have the best school systemin the nation. To me, it starts ateach of these schools.”

Stephens said he wasimpressed by what he had seenin the kids. He and principalPatty Heitmuller greeted stu-

dents as they arrived at theMeadowcreek cluster school,made an appearance on the stu-dent-produced morningannouncements and visitedsome classrooms.

The county administrator andprincipal also took some time toshare ideas and talk about theways in which their jobs are sim-ilar.

“I hope that he is able to seethat schools are a wonderful bal-ance of good business and lead-ership practice with clients whoare kids,” Heitmuller said. “Asprincipals, we’re running smallbusinesses but have the benefitof getting to work with studentsevery day.”

The Principal for a Day pro-gram takes place during Nation-al Education Association’sAmerican Education Week,which ends Friday. This year,129 business and communityleaders are participating in theGwinnett program.

Ex-officialadmits tochild sexcharges


[email protected]

LAWRENCEVILLE — A formerLawrenceville official and communitybusiness leader serving a decade in fed-eral prison pleaded guilty to childmolestation charges in Gwinnett Supe-rior Court this week.

William “Carter” Gorman admittedin court Monday to asking a 13-year-old girl to expose herself at hisLawrenceville residence sometime in2007, District Attorney Danny Portersaid Wednesday.

Superior Court Judge Michael Clarksentenced Gorman to four years inprison on a single count of childmolestation. Gorman had been indictedon an additional count in 2008, whichwas dropped in exchange for his plea,Porter said.

Kenerly willreceive payduring break


[email protected]

LAWRENCEVILLE — Commis-sioner Kevin Kenerly’s six-week sus-pension will be servedwith pay from thecounty government.

Kenerly, who isaccused of taking a $1million bribe for facili-tating a favorable dealwith a developer in aland purchase, volun-tarily stepped asideTuesday, a day before a panel couldhave imposed a suspension.

Georgia Force seeks full community supportBY DAVID FRIEDLANDER

STAFF WRITER

[email protected]

DULUTH — A little lessthan four months remainbefore the Georgia Forcemake their return to the Arenaat Gwinnett Center.

And the Arena FootballLeague team still has plentyof work to do before that

March 13 season openeragainst the Tulsa Talons, notthe least of which is for coachDean Cokinos to put togethera team.

However, Force presidentRon Evans took an importantstep necessary to re-establishthe team’s footprint in thecommunity when headdressed the GwinnettChamber of Commerce’smonthly general membership

meeting and luncheonWednesday at the 1818 Club.

Among the messages heconveyed to the room of thecounty’s business and civicleaders:

• The Force and the newArena Football League, whichlaunched earlier this year, arein it for the long haul at theArena at Gwinnett Center,where the original Forceplayed three of their seven

seasons.And Evans is certain the

league’s new business modelis built on learning from themistakes made during thelater years of the old AFL,which disbanded followingthe 2008 season. The changesinclude lower team payrollsand a more streamlined leagueoffice.

Kevin Kenerly

Gorman gets 4 years forasking teen to expose self


[email protected]

NORCROSS — SeveralLawrenceville and Norcross residentswere arrested for various drug-relatedfelonies Tuesday, when GwinnettCounty Police raided a pair of loca-tions in those cities.

Police executed search warrants atlocations on Samuel Drive near BeaverRuin Road in Norcross and on Laurel-ton Circle near Arnold Drive inLawrenceville on Tuesday afternoon.While doing so, they booked at leasteight suspects, most on charges of traf-ficking methamphetamine and manywith extended criminal records.

Police nab 8meth suspects

Staff Photo: Jason BravermanPatty Heitmuller, principal of Radloff Middle School, left, andGlenn Stephens, Gwinnett County administrator monitorthe hallway during a class change on Wednesday morning.

Community leaders get a peek in the classroom as principals for the day

Mostly sunny. Highs inthe lower 60s. Lows inthe upper 30s...............................4A

■ Weather ■ Local ■ People ■ Sports

Gwinnett Place securitygets a boost for holidays....................................3A

ActressEva Longoria,TonyParkerofficiallyfile fordivorce........6A

Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez thinksthis could be the year ....................4B

• See Force, Page 5A

• See Gorman, Page 5A

• See Meth, Page 9A



STRONG WARNING • 6AAmid public outcries, FDA calls energy alcohol drinks ‘unsafe’

NOVEMBER 18, 2010


[email protected]

NORCROSS — For three decades,two massive water towers along Inter-state 85 have signaled that Davida Bakeris nearly home.

“It just feels good,” to see the familiarrelics after long trips, a signal that herOld Norcross-Tucker area home is notfar away. “It was always the landmarkthat meant you were almost home.”

When she first moved to the area in1978, the towers were often a blur, asshe traveled down the interstate. But forthe past decade or so, she and her neigh-bors would clock traffic by how long itwould take to reach the water towersfrom a nearby exit.

“That was the landmark and everyoneknew it and used it in their own way,”she said.

For days, now, she has watched theconstruction workers dismantle the 35-year-old towers, one panel at a time.

“It’s with mixed feelings I see it com-ing down,” she said. “It was not aesthet-ically beautiful but ... I don’t know howI’m going to recognize my exit any-more.”

The tanks — famous for their slogans“Gwinnett is Great” and “Success LivesHere” — once held a total of 2 milliongallons of water and helped maintainwater pressure for the area. But upgradesto a Norcross water pump station and anew 24-inch water main connecting thedistribution system in the area meant thetanks were no longer needed, a pressrelease said.

“With the recent improvements to ourwater system and the need to reduceoperating costs in our facilities, it makesgood sense to retire the water tanks,”Chairman Charles Bannister said. “Even

after the tanks are gone, we will still beable to say that Gwinnett is great and


[email protected]

LAWRENCEVILLE —Homero Gonzales laughed at theidea of a traffic jam on the cam-pus of Georgia Gwinnett Col-lege, but for a few minutes Mon-day, the college’s first day ofclasses, that’s what he saw.

Campus police were on site tohelp returning students and thecollege’s approximately 2,300freshmen navigate the parkingareas on a campus that has grownconsiderably since Gonzales,now a senior, enrolled in 2007 aspart of the first class to havespent all four academic years atGGC. Since then, he haswatched the campus expand —GGC added a library, a studentcenter, set to be finished in Octo-ber, and dorms this year — andenrollment numbers soar — thecollege surpassed the 5,000 stu-dent mark this fall.

“You can see why we havenew buildings because I can’timagine where we would have fitall these students,” the 21-year-

old Lawrenceville resident saidMonday, enjoying a mocha blastin the new Jazzman’s Cafe andBakery adjacent to the newlibrary. “It’s really amazing tosee how large the college is now,and now we have problems withparking,” he said with a laugh.

Freshman Lamequa Purdie

spent some time Monday after-noon in the college’s new state-of-the-art library following hersole class, an elective course inmusic. Quite a few students tookadvantage of the cool air insidethe $28.3 million, 95,370-

C d 7B N ti 3A S t t 4BINSIDE Delivery Problems? Your satisfaction is our number one priority If we miss delivery of


75¢

TUESDAY August 24, 2010


Sunny. Highs inthe lower 90s.Lows in theupper 60s. ..4A

■ LocalMan gets 60days for slittingcat’s throat ..6A

■ Nation

Wayne Newtonconcerned withfuture of youngstars ............3A

■ SportsBisher: Currygiving his all toGeorgia Statefootball ........2B

Staff Photo: Jason BravermanContractors begin taking down the two iconic water tanks along Interstate 85 that proclaimed “Success LivesHere” and “Gwinnett Is Great” on Monday morning. Officials expect to save about $100,000 in annual operatingcosts without the tanks. According to Lynn Smarr with the County’s Water Resources department, the con-tractor will cut the tanks into small pieces that will be loaded and taken to a scrap metal yard where they willlikely be shredded and then shipped to a smelting facility to be melted for recycling.

Staff Photo: Jason BravermanGeorgia Gwinnett College third year students Nicole Har-ris, left, and Kiera Jackson compare schedules on the firstday of class Monday at the Library and Learning Center.

BY DAVID FRIEDLANDERSTAFF WRITER

[email protected]

DULUTH — The theme surrounding Monday’snews conference announcing the return of arenafootball to the Arena at Gwinnett Center was a com-bination of a return of an old tenant and a newbeginning.

Gwinnett’s latest sports team will represent thereturn of the Arena Football League, and it willretain the name and color scheme of the GeorgiaForce, which called the arena home for three of itsprevious seven-season run from 2002-08.

However, the team with the old name and colorscheme will have many dramatically new compo-nents, not the least of which will be new owners anda new AFL league structure.

“The Georgia Force is back,” Atlanta radio per-sonality and news conference master of ceremonies


[email protected]

LILBURN — A 46-year-old Lilburn man founddead beside a home one morning last week was beatento death, police said Monday.

Gwinnett police identified the victim found in theside yard of a home on Nash Lee Drive as Thu TrongTran. An autopsy has confirmed Tran died of bluntforce trauma, said Gwinnett police spokesman Cpl.Brian Kelly.

Tran rented a room at a residence that neighbors theyard where his body was found about 11 a.m. Thurs-day, after police responded to a person down report. Hehas no family there, Kelly said.

Detectives believe a weapon was used in the attackbut are withholding any other information in the ongo-ing investigation, Kelly said.

“They are confident that they know how he waskilled and what was used,” Kelly said.

Police believe Tran was killed near the locationwhere he was found. Responding police found a carthat could be associated with Tran parked haphazardlynearby, police said. A motive has not been released.

“Detectives are currently pursuing all active andviable leads,” Kelly said.

Police urge anyone with information to call Gwin-nett County police at 770-513-5300 or Crime Stoppersat 404-577-TIPS. Tipsters could be rewarded with up to$2,000.

Police ID manfound slainfrom beating

Forcereturnsto Arena

The end of an eraWater towers, longtime landmarks, being dismantled

Owners relocatingteam from Alabama

Staff Photo: Jason BravermanGeorgia Force head coach Dean Cokinos, left,shakes hands with team president Ron Evans ashe is introduced during a press conference onMonday at the Arena at Gwinnett Centerannouncing the team’s return to Gwinnett in2011.

Expanded GGC returns to class

▼▼“It’s with mixed feel-

ings I see it comingdown. It was not aesthet-ically beautiful but ... Idon’t know how I’mgoing to recognize myexit anymore.”

Norcross resident

Davida Baker

• See Class, Page 8A

• See Force, Page 8A

• See Towers, Page 6A

THIS ROUND OVER FOR WOODS, 3ATiger, wife officially divorced after 9 months of turmoil.

AUGUST 24, 2010

to finish fifth in the secondsession that same year.

Better late than neverIt’s taken a while, but

Jerome Cole is finallymaking a big impact onBrookwood’s boys basket-ball program.

After battling to get hisgrades up in the class-room, the 6-foot-1 seniorguard finally became eligi-ble to play and has giventhe Broncos (8-14 overall,8-6 in Region 8-AAAAA)a spark in the backcourt.

He averaged 15 points and3.6 assists over his first fivegames, during which Brook-wood won three times.

Cole, whose youngerbrother — sophomore

Jamaal Cole — also plays forthe Brookwood, then posteda career-high 26 points in theBroncos loss to CentralGwinnett on Saturday.

And coach DanielBowles is hoping the seniorcan combine with fellowguards Thomas Higgin-

botham and Malcom Han-nah to make Brookwood alegitimate threat during theregion tournament.

“He’s worked reallyhard to get himself in posi-tion to play,” Bowles saidof Cole’s work to becomeeligible. “I love it for the

kid. ... And he’s reallyhelped us because peopleare starting to key (defen-sively) on Hannah, andeverybody already knewabout Higginbotham. Webrought him off the benchat first, but now, we’restarting three guards.”

•From Page 1B

“Ryon left to go toWesleyan and we were alldevastated and I helpedconvince him to comeback,” Lavant said. “Nowwe are here.”

Riggins did return, butit cost him. Georgia HighSchool Athletic Associa-tion rules forced him tomiss his junior season atNorth. He’s had more fun,but the understated big-man stayed patient.

“It wasn’t a fresh start,it didn’t seem like, Ialmost came back to theteam knowing what myrole was,” Riggins said.

Then came a coachingchange. Longtime headman Len Garner steppedaside and one of his assis-tants, Zach Smith, took thereins. All three knew Smithwell. He coached them onthe freshman and juniorvarsity teams and wasalways around practices.

“Initially I didn’t know(what was going to hap-pen),” Lavant said.“When Coach Garner leftI thought everything wasgoing to fall apart, butCoach Zach sat down andtalked with us and we toldhim we wanted to staybecause we wanted toplay with each other thislast season. We want todo big things this year.”

Williams, the team’sleader and point guard,agrees.

“Coach Zach is a greatcoach and we are verycomfortable with his styleof play,” said Williams,who measures his wordsbefore speaking. “Weknew that, as a team, wewanted him to take overas coach. The season hasgone great because of thenew style he brought andthe hard work that he hasput in to teach us and toshow us.”

The players reciprocat-

ed Smith’s hard work.Starting from the team’sloss in the playoffs toCampbell last season,workouts began. Smithforced the players into theweight room, encouragedthem to shoot as much aspossible and they ran andran and ran.

“Coach was just work-ing us and working usever since (last seasonended),” Lavant said. “Wesaid, ‘Coach, why are youdoing all of this to us rightnow?’ But it’s paid off.”

Their 16-6 record alonemakes clear this season’sups and downs. But anoccasional loss or badnight is just a hiccup for atrio accustomed to chal-lenges. Their friendshipmakes the challenges sur-mountable. Riggins andWilliams often disagree,with Lavant playing roleof mediator. It happens inpractices, during gamesand after close battles onXbox 360.

“One thing we wantedto do was we wanted tostart together and the bigthing was we wanted tofinish together,” Williamssaid. “That was one ofour main objectivesbecause we know whatwe can do. We are greatfriends. We have a love, apassion for the game andit shows on and off thecourt, how close we are.”

6B • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2011 • WWW.GWINNETTDAILYPOST.COM

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Hoops

Force name assistants, team personnelBY DAVID FRIEDLANDER

STAFF WRITER

[email protected]

Georgia Force head coachDean Cokinos rounded outhis staff with the addition ofsix assistant coaches andoperations staff members,the Arena Football Leagueteam announced Monday.

James Clark and JuanPorter will serve as linecoaches, while Willie Gary

will coach defensive backs,Brian Struck will serve asathletic trainer, Chris Stru-ber will serve as the direc-tor of pro player personneland Thomas Anderson willbe the team’s equipmentmanager.

“We are fortunate to haveall ... of these men on boardwith us for the 2011 season,”Cokinos said in a statementreleased by the team Mon-day. “Each one brings theirown unique style to the staff,

but what I am mostimpressed with is their over-all knowledge of the game,their ability to communicateand their evaluation skills inregard to player personnel.”

Clark, Porter, Gary andAnderson all have a histo-ry in Gwinnett.

The three coaches eachplayed or coached for theprevious Force franchisewhen it played in the Arenaat Gwinnett Center in theold Arena Football League

before it disbanded follow-ing the 2008 season.

Anderson, meanwhile,has worked for the Gwin-nett Gladiators of theECHL from 2005-10, serv-ing as the assistant equip-ment manager in 2010 andvisiting team locker roomassistant before that.

The Force, which returnto the Arena at GwinnettCenter in the new, reorga-nized AFL this season,begin training camp Feb. 19.

FEBRUARY 8, 2011

sportsBThursday

December 16,2010

Gwinnett Daily Post

FALCONS AT SEAHAWKSSunday, 4 p.m. • Seattle • Fox/92.9-FM

GwinnettDaily Post’sClassifieds7-9B

INSIDE

FileJosh Wolff will join D.C. United afterthe MLS team selected him in theleague’s re-entry draft.

NewsceneParkview grad Wolffheaded to D.C. United

BY WILL HAMMOCKSPORTS EDITOR

[email protected]

Soccer has taken Josh Wolff all over theworld and Wednesday brought anotherchange of scenery for the former Parkviewstar.

The 33-year-old was selected by D.C.United in the 2010 Major League Soccer Re-Entry Draft, which is essentially MLS’ ver-sion of free agency. He had played for theKansas City Wizards, now known as Sport-ing KC, from 2003 to 2010 after breakinginto the league from 1998 to 2002 with theChicago Fire.

Wolff also played for 1860 Munich in Ger-many in 2007 and 2008, his only club experi-ence internationally. During his career, he hasmade 52 appearances with the U.S. NationalTeam, including two World Cups and oneOlympics.

His latest soccer team is probably the mostwell-known in MLS.

“I’m genuinely excited,” Wolff saidWednesday. “(D.C. United) is one of thoseclubs that has the most notoriety in theleague. It’s certainly been one of the mostsuccessful, so it’s a good chance for me to goto a prestigious club. I certainly feel like I canstill play. And I’ve got to be mindful of beinga mentor and a leader for the younger guys as

Force fillingout rosterArena league team signsseven offensive linemen


[email protected]

With training camp less than two monthsaway, the new Georgia Force started build-ing its roster for the 2011 Arena FootballLeague season with the signing of seveno f f e n s i v el i n e m e nWednesday.

To p p i n gthe list areformer OleMiss stand-out DaverinGeralds androokie SergioRender.

After hisc o l l e g ecareer at Ole Miss, the 6-foot-2, 285-pound Geralds spent time in NFL trainingcamp with both the Cleveland Browns andNew Orleans Saints before eventuallysigning and playing the 2010 season withthe Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian

Staff Photo: Jonathan PhillipsOffensive lineman Garrett Clark moved in from Florida this summer and made an immediate impact on NorthGwinnett’s season.

Easily adaptable

Bulldogs’ Clark at home while on the move

All-star football coaches, players braving coldA California native who

has spent most of his highschool coaching career inFlorida, Tim Cokely hasdone a pretty good job ofavoiding cold weather. Hecouldn’t escape it this week,though.

The Greater AtlantaChristian head footballcoach and his Gwinnett col-leagues are coaching thisweek in the annual Rivalriesof Gwinnett All-Star Foot-ball Game, and spend closeto two hours each afternoonin the frigid temperatures. Acrop of more than 70 Gwin-nett high school players areright there with them.

“I’ve gone skiing a goodbit and (Monday) was thecoldest I’ve ever been in mylife,” Cokely said duringTuesday afternoon’s prac-

tice at Grayson, when thehigh was 31 degrees and thelow was 14.

The coaches and playersdid their best to bundle upand keep moving, bouncingaround more than standingstill. Like them, I couldn’tfeel my toes as I watchedTuesday’s practice. Ithought that was bad, butevery player or coach Ispoke with said that Mon-day, with its brutal wind,was much worse. The Mon-day temperatures were low,a high of 32 and a low of18, but the stiff wind madeit feel like double digits asthe teams practiced at

Grayson and Central Gwin-nett.

By the time the sundipped behind the visitingstands Tuesday evening atGrayson, the temperaturedropped rapidly. Only Char-lie Conn, the father ofGrayson head coach MickeyConn was comfortable —he was smart enough toobserve from the heatedpress box.

Meanwhile many playerscaught and threw passeswithout gloves, hiding theirhands as much as they couldfor warmth. The kickers


[email protected]

LOGANVILLE — Theprospect of playing collegefootball is an exciting one toany high school footballplayer.

But North Gwinnett’sGarrett Clark has even morereason to be excited when heheads off to the University ofSouthern Mississippi nextfall besides taking his gameto the next level.

“It’ll be good to be therefour years,” the 6-foot-4,285-pound offensive line-man said prior to practicingwith his team Wednesday atGrayson High School in

preparation for Saturday’s2010 Rivalries of GwinnettAll-Star game. “I think it’sthe longest I’ve ever beensomewhere.”

With his family havingmoved around the Southeastthroughout his life, Clarkhas always found himself to

be quite adaptable — a traitwhich came in handy as hecame into North’s programthis summer.

“I think I’ve lived in 20different houses and gone to10 different schools,”recalled Clark, who startedhigh school at nearby

Loganville before moving toMainland High School inDaytona Beach, Fla., hissophomore and junior years.“I’ve gone to three differenthigh schools. ... At first, it’sdefinitely a little hard gettingcomfortable with a newschool and new (classmatesand teammates). But it defi-nitely gets easier after awhile.”

Clark’s adaptability alsocame in handy from the foot-ball end of things this sea-son.

After playing most of hiscareer in Mainland’s pro-setoffense, North’s wide-openspread offense gave himquite a different look.

VIEWPOINTS

WILL HAMMOCKSPORTS EDITOR

■ What: Rivalries of Gwin-nett All-Star Game■ When: Saturday, 1:30p.m.■ Where: Mountain ViewHigh School■ Teams:• Head coach MickeyConn: Archer, Berkmar,Brookwood, Collins Hill,

Dacula, Grayson, GreaterAtlanta Christian, NorthGwinnett, Shiloh and Wes-leyan.• Head coach Keith Maloof:Buford, Central Gwinnett,Duluth, Hebron, Meadow-creek, Mill Creek, MountainView, Norcross, Parkview,Peachtree Ridge andSouth Gwinnett.

COUNTY ALL-STAR GAME

Meticulous Mularkey focuses on detailsTHE ASSOCIATED PRESS

ATLANTA — Mike Mula-rkey likes to keep his focus onthe Falcons’ next game.

Receiver Michael Jenkins onWednesday called Mularkey“meticulous.”

Atlanta’s offensive coordi-nator is all about the details.He’s all about the now. Thanksin part to Mularkey’s focus,the Falcons are all about win-ning.

Mularkey’s offense ranks

fifth in theNFL in scor-ing and is abig reason theFalcons (11-2) have theNFC’s bestrecord — andpoised for aSuper Bowlrun.

“He’s just real meticulouswith his work,” Jenkins said.“He likes to go over every-thing to the finest detail. If

you’ve heard it 30 times, hewants to go over it 31 times.That’s just the way he is. Hestrives for perfection. And hedoes a great job of feeling thegames, knowing when to putus in no-huddle, when weshould continue to run the ball.He has a good sense of that.”

It’s as if Mularkey can makeno bad calls.

His offense wears downdefenses with a power runninggame led by 1,000-yard rusherMichael Turner and a danger-

ous passing attack. Matt Ryan,in his third season, is havinghis best year while throwing toRoddy White, who leads theNFL with 99 catches.

With Hall of Fame-boundtight end Tony Gonzalez and aline that has been together forthree years, Mularkey has avariety of weapons at his dis-posal.

“I think he tries to be unpre-dictable,” Gonzalez said. “He

Mike Mularkey

■ Who: GeorgiaForce vs. Tulsa Talons■ When:March 13, 4:05 p.m.■ Where: Arena atGwinnett Center

HOMEOPENER

•See Wolff, Page 10B

•See Force, Page 2B

•See Hammock, Page 2B

•See Clark, Page 2B

•See Mularkey, Page 2B

DECEMBER 16, 2010

THE STORYThe Gwinnett Braves finished

their second season, and first underGeneral Manager North Johnson,second to last in attendance in theInternational League.

THE HISTORYSince moving to Gwinnett in

2009, the Class AAA baseball affili-ate of the Atlanta Braves has strug-gled to draw large crowds, especial-ly during the week. In the team’ssecond season, average atten-dance dropped by more than 1,000a game from 5,858 to 4,818. In2009, another International Leagueteam, the Columbus Clippersopened a new stadium and aver-aged more the 9,000 people agame.

KEY PLAYERSGeneral manager North Johnson,Gwinnett Braves new AssistantGeneral Manager Shari Massengilland new Marketing and PromotionsManager Maggie Neil, the people ofGwinnett and surrounding counties.

LAST YEAR’S HEADLINESFirst-year general manager John-

son did not take over official controlfrom the outgoing Bruce Baldwinuntil late January and lacked anyreal time to implement the changesclearly desired by his hiring. In hisprevious post in the same positionof the Class A Myrtle Beach Peli-cans, Johnson set a team atten-dance record in his final year.

THIS YEAR’S NEWSThe plan for the Gwinnett Braves

when Gwinnett County courted theminor league team and the AtlantaBraves relocated it from Rich-mond, Va., obviously includedheightened interest from Gwinnettand surrounding counties. Yetdespite a big opening weekend inits first year, the crowds plummet-ed quickly. The team announcedjust two sellouts its first seasonand none in 2010.

Though there is no threat of theteam leaving in the near future,the third year of a team in anymarket is when the trends begin toentrench. To combat the early apa-thetic attitude of Gwinnett’s fanbase, Johnson and his new mar-keting manager, Neil, put togethera much larger promotions calendarfor this season that includes webcoupons, buy-one-get-one tickets,free entry for children under 12,food discounts, traveling acts andgiveaways.

“It’s been really, I don’t know ifincredible is too strong a word,”Johnson said of the luxury of hav-ing a full offseason to prepare.“Just being able to go through lastsummer and being able to betterunderstand what the market is allabout. Every market is different.”

Johnson compared the Gwinnettmarket to the one he worked asGM of Rancho Cucamonga in Cali-fornia. It’s a late arriving crowddealing with traffic, work and oftenschool, he said.

“Our weekends are really goingto be when we draw our biggestcrowds,” Johnson said.

There are also four major ticketplans, including full season, half

season, weekend and anytimetickets. Anytime tickets can beused for any game and give sav-ings off the face value price. Aminimum of 10 vouchers must bepurchased but they can be used inany combination. The ticketdepartment, Johnson said, begancontacting group and season ticketholders in August with incentivesto buy tickets for this season.

The team also added school day

games with morning start times toallow local children to attend abaseball game as part of a fieldtrip as the school year windsdown. Last year, every game,other than Sundays, started at 7p.m.

The school-day games incorpo-rate education into the day byshowing how math, English andscience are a part of every base-ball game, Johnson said.

The G-Braves also made staffchanges, adding Massengill asassistant general manager andNeil as promotions manager. John-son worked with both in other gen-eral managing stops in his career.

“There is no learning curve (inthose positions), there is no mis-understanding about how we wantto do things,” Johnson said.

— By Ben Beitzel


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BY GUY CURTRIGHTStaff Correspondent

It’s a good thing theGwinnett Braves won theirfinal game at Charlotte onLabor Day. If they hadn’t,the Atlanta minor leaguesystem wouldn’t have had ateam with a winning record.

As it was, no Bravesteam made the playoffs andthat hadn’t happened since1990 — the year beforeAtlanta went from worst tofirst and started its run of 14consecutive division titles.

Player development, notwinning, is the priority inthe minors and the Braves’system has continued to beproductive. But the lack ofteam success in the lowerminors doesn’t bode wellfor Gwinnett’s success inthe coming years.

Atlanta’s system had anoverall record of 313-372this season. Other thanGwinnett at 72-71, theonly Braves affiliate thatdidn’t have a losingrecord was Danville of therookie AppalachianLeague at 34-34.

Atlanta’s two Class Ateams struggled the most,with Myrtle Beach of theCarolina League going58-83 and Rome of theSouth Atlantic League notmuch better at 59-80.

The six Braves farmteams also had a losingrecord in 2009, going 338-

348. But Gwinnett madethe International Leagueplayoffs as the wild-cardteam and Danville won theAppalachian League cham-pionship.

In 2008, the Atlantaminor league system had awinning record at 345-337and Mississippi won theClass AA Southern Leaguechampionship.

Redmond, Carter on Team USA

G-Braves starter ToddRedmond and relieverAnthony Carter, a WhiteSox prospect who graduat-ed from Parkview, werenamed to Team USA for thePan American Games qual-ifying tournament in PuertoRico early next month.

Redmond, 25, was 3-0last September as the U.S.won the World Cup inEurope, allowing just 11 hitsin 22 innings while strikingout 17 and walking one. Hewas 9-10 with a 4.26 ERAfor the G-Braves this season

and pitched a no-hitter atLouisville. Twice he wasnamed International Leaguepitcher of the week.

Carter, 24, tied for theSouthern League lead insaves with 22 while makingthe conversion from starterto reliever at Birminghamthis season. The winner of11 games each of the previ-ous two seasons as a starterin Class A, he had a 2.58ERA in 44 relief appear-ances with the Barons,striking out 55 with 16walks in 521⁄3 innings.Opponents hit .201.

After pitching for TeamUSA, Carter will head tothe Arizona Fall League.

Freeman, Teheran win awards

First baseman FreddieFreeman and right-handerJulio Teheran will be hon-ored as the Braves’ minorleague player and pitcherof the year during cere-monies prior to tonight’sgame against St. Louis atTurner Field.

Freeman, promoted toAtlanta on Sept. 1, batted.319 for Gwinnett and ledthe International Leaguein hits and extra-base hitswhile smacking 18homers and driving in 87runs. At 20, he was one ofthe youngest players inClass AAA.

Teheran, 19, was 9-8with a 2.59 ERA in 24

starts while making stopsin Class A at Rome andMyrtle Beach and finish-ing the season at Class AAMississippi, where he wasinvolved in a combinedno-hitter. The native ofColumbia struck out 159in 1422⁄3 innings and oppo-nents batted just .208.

Barbaro Canizares, theInternational League battingchampion with a .341 aver-age, and Craig Kimbrel,who had 23 saves, werenamed the Gwinnett playerand pitcher of the year.Kimbrel joined the Bravesat the end of the IL season.

Young, Timmons bound for Mexico

Matt Young is headedback to play in the MexicanPacific League this winterand he is bringing G-Bravesteammate Wes Timmonswith him. “I had to twist hiswife’s arm,” Young said.

Young, 27, hit .300 andled the International Leaguewith 39 stolen bases thisseason while playing sec-ond base as well as all threeoutfield spots. Timmons,31, made the AAA All-StarGame for the secondstraight year and finishedwith a .293 average and.400 on-base mark.

Timmons missed muchof the last month of the sea-son with an abdominalinjury and he is scheduled tohave a surgical procedure.

GWINNETT DAILY POST • SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2010 • 7B

Gwinnett Daily Post is a partner of AtlantaJobs.com.

Braves’ systemTeam, Class RecordGwinnett, AAA 72-71Mississippi, AA 63-74M. Beach, High A 58-82Rome, Low A 59-80Danville, Rookie 34-34Gulf Coast, Rookie 27-31

MINORFUTILITY

being known more for thisglove and arm, he hadnever struggled quite likethat before. His career aver-age was .254 in the minors.

“Sometimes the gamewill throw you a big timesnowball,” Sammons said.“It did and I couldn’t getthings turned around. Itwasn’t because I stoppedworking, that’s for sure.And I don’t think it affectedmy defense. Without that, Idon’t have a job at all.”

At least Sammons fin-ished with six hits in 22 at-bats during the final weekof the season.

“I think I finally startedto swing the bat a little bet-

ter,” he said. But by then J.C. Boscan,

who had shared the catch-ing duties with Sammonson the G-Braves, had beenpromoted to Atlanta, earn-ing his first major leaguelook at age 30.

With David Ross havingsigned a two-year contractextension to stay asMcCann’s backup, theBraves don’t appear tohave an opening behindthe plate in the near futureeven if Sammons got backon track at the plate.

“It will be better nextyear,” said Sammons,determined to be opti-mistic. “I’ll be somewhere.I’ll just wait and see whathappens.”

•From Page 1B

Sammons

BY GUY CURTRIGHTStaff Correspondent

Attendance took a sub-stantial dip in the GwinnettBraves’ second season, withthe average crowd at Cool-ray Field this year falling bymore than 1,000 fans as thenewness wore off.

The G-Braves’ averageattendance was 4,817 in 70dates, with two openingslost because of rain. Totalattendance was 337,240.

Only one of the Interna-tional League’s 14 teamsdrew less. Charlotte, whichwas able to play on all ofits scheduled 72 dates, hadan attendance of 305,842for an average of 4,247.

Lehigh Valley led the ILwith an attendance of645,905 for an average of9,227. Eight teams aver-aged more than 7,000 fansper game.

The G-Braves drew423,556 a year ago in theirfirst season after movingfrom Richmond, averaging

5,966. They were 10th intotal attendance and 12thin average per game lastseason.

Of the 30 Class AAAteams, Gwinnett ranked25th in total attendance and26th in average per date. Thebottom draws in the PacificCoast League were Col-orado Springs, Nashville,Las Vegas and Portland.Sacramento led the PCL,attracting 657,910 fans foran average of 9,137.

The unusually hotweather didn’t help Gwin-nett at the gate this seasonand the team’s record alsodropped from 81-63 to 72-71. The G-Braves madethe IL playoffs as the wild-card team in 2009.

Gwinnett was outdrawnsubstantially this seasonby Richmond, whichregained a team after ayear’s absence and led theClass AA Eastern Leaguewith a draw of 463,842.The team’s average crowdwas 6,626.

All Braves farm teams miss playoffsMINOR LEAGUE NOTESAttendance falls in

G-Braves’ 2nd year

SEPTEMBER 12, 2010

BY BEN BEITZELSTAFF WRITER

[email protected]

After a season in whichthe Gwinnett Braves’ aver-age attendance dippedbelow 50 percent of Cool-ray Field’s capacity andplaced the team in second-to-last in average acrossthe International League,the Class AAA baseballteam took two days toannounce an increased pro-motions calendar.

The G-Braves concludedthat announcementWednesday with a list oftheir planned giveaways,theme nights and celebrity

appearances.“The thing that we’ve

been able to do this yearversus last year is we’vehad the entire, what we call,our offseason planning andpreparing for the 2011 sea-son,” said Gwinnett Bravessecond-year general man-ager North Johnson. “Lastyear, I was just trying to getcaught up to what wasalready in place. Last yearwas my learning curve.This year is the first realyear where we are going tobe able to roll out every-

thing the way I want to doit.”

Opening weekend aloneincludes a T-shirt giveawayto the first 2,000 fans onApril 7, opening night, anappearance by WWE hallof famer Jerry “The King”Lawler April 8, a return of

the Cowboy MonkeyRodeo on April 9 and aGolf Expo on April 11.

Overall there will be 19theme nights, includingCollege Night, Friday the13th Night, Harry PotterNight and Superhero Nightthat includes an appearanceby Captain America.

Other giveaway include a

Freddie Freeman bobble-head on June 4, CoolrayField replica on June 18and red, white and bluethundersticks on July 4.

The G-Braves home sea-son begins April 7 againstthe Durham Bulls at 7 p.m.For a complete list of themenights and giveaways visitwww.gwinnettbraves.com.


[email protected]

SUWANEE — Policearrested a Suwanee teenthis week after friendsfound a video of himsecretly filming a younggirl taking a shower, offi-cials said.

L a m a rBrayboy-H a y e s ,18, facest w of e l o n ycharges ofp e e p i n gTom forallegedlyf i l m i n g

the juvenile at home on

Silver Water Court inSuwanee several monthsago.

The video surfaced lastweek after Brayboy-Hayes had ridden in a carwith friends and left asmall camera in the vehi-cle.

“We think it fell out ofhis pocket when he gotout of the car,” said

Suwanee policespokesman Capt. ClydeByers.

Others in the car mis-took the device for a key-less entry remote at first,but later plugged it into acomputer out of curiosity.They stopped the videoafter realizing what it wasand where it was filmed,and brought the footage

to Suwanee police on Fri-day, according to a policereport.

The complainant toldpolice both Brayboy-Hayes and his twin broth-er were in the vehiclerecently, and either couldhave left it. She couldn’ttell which brother waspictured in the video set-ting up the camera, the

report states. Byers said no addition-

al arrests are expected,though the case remainsunder investigation. Hesaid the video could dateas far back as November.

Arrested Tuesday,Brayboy-Hayes remainedat the Gwinnett CountyJail on $22,400 bondWednesday.

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G-Braves release giveaways, theme night and stars

• Who: Gwinnett Bravesvs. Durham Bulls• When: 7 p.m. April 7 • Where: Coolray Field• Tickets: Information isavailable at www.gwin-nettbraves.com

SEASONOPENER

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FEBRUARY 10, 2011

sportsBFriday

September 10,2010

Gwinnett Daily Post

Staff Photo: Jonathan PhillipsBrittany, left, Tayler and MacKenzie Tuttle, aside from being triplets, are freshmen starters for theProvidence varsity softball team.


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Dave Brundage doesn’t mixwords when he discusses therole of the Gwinnett Braves.

The long-time Class AAAmanager loves winning, andlosing wears on him, but heunderstands that minor leaguebaseball is about more thandivision titles and playoffappearances.

“Our goal is to help the bigclub win,” the G-Braves man-ager said.

With the Atlanta Braveslocked in the playoff and divi-sion chase, the GwinnettBraves certainly did that thisseason. Of the 33 players onthe Braves active roster, 11players were on the G-Bravesroster at some point during thepast season. That numberdoesn’t include the playerswho used Coolray Field forrehabilitation or the call-up ofhitting coach Jamie Dismukefor September experience.

Among the 11 are pitchersJonny Venters who has a 1.77ERA in 71 1/3 innings of reliefand Mike Minor who is 3-0 infive starts since his late-seasoncall-up to fill an ailing startingrotation.

Top prospect first basemanFreddie Freeman is now withAtlanta for his first taste of thebig leagues as well as G-Braves catcher J.C. Boscan.

But the G-Braves seasonwasn’t all about getting guysto the big leagues and helpingthe Atlanta Braves win. Theyfinished a game above .500thanks to a season-ending winat Charlotte and average ishow the team played much ofthe season.

Things never truly clickedfor the G-Braves. When pitch-ers would have strong outings,the offense would founder. Ifthe offense put up runs, thelead often would disappear.They stranded double-digitrunners and were no-hit athome once.


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LILBURN — “Are wesmiling?”

“No.”“We should smile. We

smile. We are nice people.”It’s a group picture and

the Tuttle siblings differ intheir opinion on how toappear.

Tayler is against it. Shewants to look tough. It’ssoftball, after all. MacKen-zie goes the other way.Smiling shows their per-sonalities. Brittany justwants to know where tostand and is more con-cerned about the look ofher busted lip than if sheshould show her teeth ornot. The switch hitterwalks back and forth to thefar side of either sibling,ready to pose.

Eventually the verdict isa series of pictures. Somewith smiles. Others seri-ous. Tayler’s smile is moreof a sun-in-the-eyes squintand MacKenzie’s game-face has the look of a sti-fled grin. Brittany does asinstructed.

A broad brush of theTuttles would make thethree out as identical sansthe mirrored faces. Theyare triplets. They are allgirls. They are all strongstudents. They are athletesand all three chose to pur-sue softball. Their match-ing orthodontia only addsto the perception.

Yet examine the tete-e-tete for the photo and thesimilarities fade.

The oldest, MacKenzie,concerns herself with theappearance to the family.She doesn’t want her“ums” quoted wants peo-ple to see the Tuttles asfriendly, welcoming.

“We are nice people,hello, we smile,” she saysagain, later.

Triple threat

Cards bounce back to beat BravesBY PAUL NEWBERRY

The Associated Press

ATLANTA — Colby Ras-mus hit a pair of homers,Albert Pujols and Skip Schu-maker also connected, andAdam Wainwright bouncedback from a shaky firstinning to lead the Cardinalspast the slumping AtlantaBraves 11-4 on Thursdaynight.

The Braves, looking toturn things around after apoor road trip knocked themout of first place in the NLEast, jumped ahead 3-0 in thefirst inning. But the Cardi-nals rocked Jair Jurrjens forfive runs in the second —capped by Schumaker’s two-out, two-run drive — andAtlanta took its sixth loss ineight games.

Rasmus went 4-for-4 and

drove in four runs, matchinghis career high in both cate-gories.

Atlanta dropped a fullgame behind idle Philadel-phia in the NL East and couldmiss the playoffs entirely if itdoesn’t turn things around.San Francisco trailed by 11⁄2games in the wild-card raceheading into its late gameagainst San Diego.

The Cardinals won for just

the fifth time in 16 gamesand trail first-place Cincin-nati by five games in the NLCentral. The Reds lost toColorado.

Wainwright (18-10)appeared headed for an earlyexit in the first. The Cardi-nals committed two throwingerrors on one play, JasonHeyward had a run-scoringsingle and Derrek Lee home-red for the first time with theBraves, a two-run shot.

Average,successfulyear forG-Braves

Getting to Know ... Carole CrightonCarole Crighton is the

newly titled athletics opera-tions coordinator at theWesleyan School, althoughshe has been doing thesame job for the past 14years at the Norcross pri-vate school.

The University of Geor-gia graduate’s daughter

seen the school move fromits origins in Sandy Springsto trailers to its currentsprawling campus.

In this installment of“Getting to Know...” staffwriter Ben Beitzel talkswith Crighton about watch-ing Wesleyan grow, herlove of basketball the use

Azar’s Jolly Rancherobsession.

BB: How does onebecome an athletics oper-ations coordinator?

CC: It started out aswhat was supposed to bethree hours a day, a part-time job It never was that

We had an athletic directorbut he was young and wereally needed someone toput in the work to get (theschool into the GHSA fromGISA). As a parent whovolunteers here a lot, if youvolunteer a lot sometimesyou end up working here. Idid not intend for it to be

GwinnettDaily Post’sClassifieds6-8B

INSIDE

Tuttle trio invading Stars’ softball team as freshmenGwinnett fulfillstop role of minorleague team

•See G-Braves, Page 4B•See Tuttle, Page 4B

Atlanta a full game behind Phillies in NL East

•See Braves, Page 4BThe Associated Press

AtlantaBravescatcher

BrianMcCann

(16)watchesfrom thebench in

the theBraves’

11-4 lossto the St.

Louis Car-dinals in

Atlanta onThursday.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2010

THE HEADLINES:FIRE STATIONSw w w. g w i n n e t t d a i l y p o s t . c o m

THE STORYAfter a financial shortfall caused

a yearlong delay, the GwinnettCounty Fire Department openedthree stations in strategic areas inOctober 2010 for a total of 30 sta-tions, bolstering one of Georgia’slargest firefighting ranks. By com-parison, the Atlanta Fire RescueDepartment operates 20 stations.

THE HISTORYIn 2009, Gwinnett County Com-

missioners voted against a pro-posed tax increase that wouldhave funded personnel, and thestations were shuttered upon theircompletion. The board later revisit-ed a tax proposal and accepted ahigher millage rate, promising toopen the stations.

With a more than a six-monthtraining period, fire officials could-n’t quickly staff the new stations,so they fenced them off and guttedcooling units from air-conditioningsystems to deter copper thefts.

KEY PLAYERS• Gwinnett County Fire Chief BillMeyers; Gwinnett County Com-missioners; county taxpayers.

LAST YEAR’S HEADLINESThe department made history

when it simultaneously openedthree stations — two brand-newfacilities and a relocated one — at7 a.m. on Oct. 30. Station 18 inHamilton Mill replaced an olderstation, and is said to better dis-tribute resources with the openingof Station 29 in the Chateau Elanarea. Station 30 is in Loganville.Voter-approved SPLOST fundswere used to build the stations andbuy necessary emergencyresponse vehicles.

THIS YEAR’S NEWSThe additional three stations

have reduced response times inaffected coverage areas by abouta third — from 12 minutes orgreater to less than eight minutesin most cases, said GwinnettCounty Fire Departmentspokesman Capt. Thomas Rut-ledge.

An ancillary benefit is a reduc-tion in insurance premiums thatfire officials hope most a residentswill see. “Homeowners are encour-aged to contact their insurance carri-



THE HEADLINES:FIRE STATIONSw w w. g w i n n e t t d a i l y p o s t . c o m

er and make them aware of the newfire station in their community,” Rut-ledge said.

The impact of the stations is beingfelt across Gwinnett, as the numberof total fire engines, ladder trucksand medical personnel has beenupped, Rutledge said.

“The addition ... has greatlyenhanced the fire and emergency

medical response capabilities ofthe department,” he said.

The department graduated oneof the largest recruiting classes inhistory (more than 60) last fall tohelp staff the stations and fill retire-ment vacancies; more are expectedto graduate this month, Rutledgesaid.

2011 marks the department’s 40-year anniversary — a timespanthat’s seen it swell from a singlestation with 10 personnel, to a fire-fighting force of 844 personnel at30 stations that responds to morethan 60,000 emergency incidentsannually.

In the last decade, the depart-ment has added seven stationsand more than 300 authorizedpersonnel positions. The depart-ment opened its own fire trainingcenter in the early ’80s, and inte-grated ambulance services fromthe hospital system a few yearslater, Rutledge said.

Rutledge said the continuedexpansions are the result of a keyobjective: To heighten the sense ofsecurity among the general popu-lace.

The additions have “allowed thedepartment to continue to meet thedemands of a diverse and growingpopulation,” he said. “The stationswere built with expansion in mind,and will serve the citizens of Gwin-nett County for many decades tocome.”

— By Josh Green

Gas pricesup but willhold steady

Staff Photo: Jason BravermanCounty officials are preparing to open three fire stations, including No. 30 located off Ozora Road inLoganville, that have sat empty for a year. After training firefighters, they are set to open the stations Nov. 1,a year after they were built.


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LAWRENCEVILLE — The fireengines have been on the road for ayear, but three county fire stations havesat empty.

Finally, though, the fences aroundGwinnett’s new fire stations 18, 29 and30 have come down, and the furniturehas mostly been loaded in. Next week,one of the largest recruit classes everwill graduate, and 66 newly trainedfirefighters will be deployed into thecommunity.

A year after officials had worried thatthe economy would bring an end to theexpansion of one of Georgia’s largestfirefighting ranks, they are preparing tocelebrate the new stations in HamiltonMill, Chateau Elan and Loganville.

“For us, it is certainly an excitingtime, a historic time for our depart-ment,” said Capt. Thomas Rutledge, aspokesman for Gwinnett’s Departmentof Fire and Emergency Services. “Ourgoal is to be able to decrease ourresponse time. Being able to add sta-tions and equipment will certainlyallow us to do that.”

For communities far away from firestations, the openings mean reductionsin insurance premiums by as much as50 percent. But the benefits are evengreater if tragedy strikes.

“The opening of the new fire stationswill have a tremendous, positive impacton the citizens of Gwinnett County,both now and for many decades tocome,” Fire Chief Bill Myers said.“Having a fire station in the area withtrained emergency personnel is a win-win situation for everybody.”

A year ago, the stations were shut-tered as soon as they were completed,after commissioners voted against aproposed tax increase that would have

funded personnel. But then in Decem-ber, the board revisited a tax proposaland this time accepted a higher millagerate, promising to open the stations andreplace police officers.

With a more than a six-month train-ing period, firefighters couldn’t quicklyopen the new stations, so they leased

fences to the tune of about $2,000 apiece and took the cooling units out ofair conditioning systems to deter cop-per thefts.

“We wanted to protect our citizens’investment,” Rutledge said, adding that


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LAWRENCEVILLE — As a local businessowner driving from place to place at least twodays a week purchasing supplies for her restau-rant, Darcey McGinnis is well aware of gasprices.

And the business-related travel is in additionto her almost daily commute from Winder toLawrenceville and back.

So when prices at the pump increase, evenjust a few cents, she notices.

McGinnis paid $2.63 a gallon for regularunleaded gas at the QuikTrip service station offRiverside Parkway in Lawrenceville on Mon-day. That price was about a five-cent increase

Shootingvictim wasTexan roofer


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DULUTH — Police have released more infor-mation regarding Friday night’s brutal fatal shoot-ing at a Duluth extended stay hotel.

Gwinnett County police responded to the Resi-dence Inn at 1760 Pineland Road at approximately10:30 p.m. Friday, finding the man they’ve nowidentified as 73-year-old Peter Daley deceased inthe parking lot with significant head trauma.

Given the Houston resident’s age and other fac-tors, investigators originally believed the death mayhave been a falling accident. A subsequent autopsyby the medical exmainer’s office, however,revealed a single gunshot wound to the back ofDaley’s head.

“Initially, it appeared that he may have stood upabruptly, impacting his head upon a fixture of hisvehicle,” Gwinnett County police spokesman Cpl.Brian Kelly said Monday.

Daley was a regular at that hotel, frequently trav-eling to the area for his roofing business, Kelly said.He was reportedly “very well liked and very famil-iar to hotel employees.”

The exact motivation behind the crime remainedunder investigation Monday, but Kelly did say thatthere were “no immediate indications” of robbery.Police said earlier that suicide was not believed tobe a factor.

There are no known witnesses to the homicide,and no current suspects, officials said.

Anyone with information regarding Daley’sdeath is urged to call Gwinnett police at 770-513-5300 or Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS.

Duluth man held in jail after gun battle at his homeBY HEATHER DARENBERG

STAFF WRITER

[email protected]

DULUTH — A Duluthman remained in the Gwin-nett County jail Monday oncharges that he shot two menwho attended a party at his

house over the weekend.Abdiel Alberto Aizprua

was being held without bondon a felony charge of aggra-vated assault and a felonycharge of aggravated battery,jail records show.

An initial police investiga-tion indicated Aizprua gotinto an argument with party

attendee Kevin Anderson, 25,of Lawrenceville. The disputeescalated into a gun battle,and Anderson was shot in thearm, police said. Aizprua wasnot injured.

Another guest, however,was also shot during the inci-dent. Lawrenceville residentHarry Cokely, 34, was

wounded in the back, policesaid.

Gwinnett County policeresponded to the scene about1:45 a.m. Sunday and foundCokely in critical condition.Cokely and Anderson wereboth transported to the hospi-tal for treatment of theirinjuries.

On Monday, police saidCokely is expected to survivehis injuries.

The incident happened in ahouse on the 4400 block ofHopkins Lake Drive. Thatstreet runs off of HopkinsMill Road, which runsbetween Old Norcross Roadand Satellite Boulevard.


75¢

TUESDAY October 19, 2010

Classified............7B

Crossword..........6BHoroscope..........5BLocal 2A

Nation ................ 5AObituaries ..........7AStocks 4A

Sports Agate......4B

Television............5B

INSIDE Delivery Problems? Your satisfaction is our number one priority. If we miss delivery ofyour Gwinnett Daily Post, call our circulation department customer service line, 770-339-5845, or e-mail the circulation department at [email protected] between6:30 a m and 10 a m Tuesday through Friday between 8 a m and 11 a m Saturday

INSIDE TODAY■ NationTop Canadiancommander pleadsguilty to murders....................5A

■ NationCrystal Cathedralmegachurch filesfor bankruptcy......................6A

■ WeatherSunny. Highsaround 80.Lows in mid-50s..... ..................4A

■ SportsFalcons’ DuntaRobinson hasconcussion......................2B

■ SportsWildcats hoping tosolve slow defensivestart against UGA............................3B

AbdielAizprua

County set to open three new fire stations

Staff Photo: Jason BravermanA sign in the window at fire station No. 30 informs visitors that the sta-tion is not currently open. The station had sat vacant for a year and isset to open Nov. 1.

Ready for action

‘‘Spokesman for Gwinnett’s Department of Fire and Emergency Services

Capt. Thomas Rutledge

•See Stations, Page 6A

•See Gas, Page 6A

’’We would not be able to open these sta-tions without the support of our citizens, ourcommissioners and our county administra-tor. They have made public safety a priority.

IN THE RIGHT PLACE, 1BDuluth graduate making the most of opportunity with GSU

OCTOBER 19

• From Page 16F

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