Gwinnett Daily Post, Feb 26, 2017

gwinnettdailypost.com

Gwinnett Daily Post PROGRESS 2017

465535-3

Check out what Gwinnett cities have planned, 1C

INFINITE ENERGY ARENA

$2.00 ©2017 SCNI

Vol. 47, No. 96

377646

www.gwinnettdailypost.com

FEB 23 – MAR 5

© 2017 Feld Entertainment, Inc. • All trademarks shown are the property of their respective owners.

RINGLING.COM

Hunter under fire from Atlanta mayor SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2017

Reed looks to commisioner’s employer regarding comments

BY CURT YEOMANS

Mayor Kasim Reed.

This week Reed sent a letter to Hunter’s bosses at United Consulting that Amid calls from protestcontained a veiled threat to ers for him to resign for call- stop doing business with ing U.S. Rep. John Lewis the company if it didn’t do a “racist pig” on Facebook, something about Hunter.

Commissioner Tommy In addition to his remark Hunter is now under fire about Lewis, Hunter called from a new source: Atlanta Democrats “Demonrats” curt.yeomans @gwinnettdailypost.com

and “Libtards” and ridiculed U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, among other things, on social media.

“As you may also know, the city of Atlanta is a client of United consulting,” Reed wrote in the letter. “As mayor, I am writing personally to let you know that the City of Atlanta finds Mr.

Hunter’s toxic remark to be insulting, reprehensible and unacceptable to this administration.

“Please let me know by close of business Monday, Tommy Kasim Feb. 27, how you plan to Hunter Reed resolve this matter.”

Reed’s letter is the latest the comments about Lewis twist in an ongoing saga that on his Facebook page the began when Hunter posted weekend before the Martin

Luther King Jr. holiday last month. The letter came after several Civil Rights groups reached out to the mayor to protest the city’s continued use of United Consulting’s services as long as it employs Hunter.

The city is one of the clients that United Consulting features prominently

See HUNTER, Page 7A

FAMILY PROMISE

New director set to start Wednesday

BY CURT YEOMANS

curt.yeomans@gwinnettdailypost.com

Stunner runners The 10K race begins during Saturday’s “Run The Reagan” on Ronald Reagan Parkway in Snellville. (Photos: Kyle Hess)

Run the Reagan race doubles participation this year

BY CAILIN O’BRIEN

cailin.obrien @gwinnettdailypost.com

Run the Reagan came back popular as ever this year — more popular, actually.

More than 1,800 runners showed up in Snellville to participate in either the 5K, 10K or half marathon races down Ronald Reagan Parkway Saturday morning.

That’s more than double last year’s attendance, said Run the Reagan Inc. Treasurer Michelle Hamilton. It’s also more than Hamilton or the rest of the organization expected from this year’s race.

“Our main goal was to have 1,500 runners,” Hamilton said.

“We’ve far surpassed that at this point.”

Some runners who came out

MORE ONLINE Visit gwinnettdailypost.com for a photo gallery.

Saturday were old veterans ready to tackle the course again. Grayson resident Brian O’Neal came back to win the 10K — the same race he won last year.

“I just came back to defend the title,” he said.

Before he started conquering the 10K, O’Neal spent four years running the event’s half marathon. Last year, the 47-year-old decided to switch to the 10K, which he said was a bit easier for his body to handle.

Not all participants in Saturday’s races were as seasoned as O’Neal. Some were completely new to the scene. Youth running Justin Randle, a student at Brookwood High School, places first See RACE, Page 7A

in the 5K run during Saturday’s “Run The Reagan” on Ronald Reagan Parkway in Snellville.

Crossword .....9A

Lottery........... 4A

Perspectives ..8A

Comics...........9A

Horoscope .....4A

Nation ........... 6A

Sports ............1B

Community ....1C

Local ............. 2A

Obituaries .... 10A

Weather .........4A

467389-2

See ELDER, Page 7A

gwinnettdailypost.com

INSIDE Classified .......8B

Exercise.

A family activity.

There will be a new face in charge Family Promise of Gwinnett County come Wednesday.

The organization, which works with the county’s homeless population through a variety of services, will welcome Lawrenceville resident Matt Elder as its new executive director on that day. In an introductory news release, Elder already began laying out the issues he felt the group should work on.

“More than 1,000 people who live in Gwinnett County can be classified as Matt Elder either homeless or precariously close to being homeless, with thousands more living paycheck to paycheck and praying that new expenses don’t suddenly appear,” Elder said in a statement.

Elder will replace Chuck Ferraro, who had led Family Promise from 2013 to February. Ferraro told board members and supporters in a note with the group’s last newsletter that “the Lord was calling him to move on,” Family Promise Board of Trustees Public Relations Committee Chairwoman Sarah Zimmerman said.

The new executive director comes into the position having spent the last four years being involved with the county’s community development, affordable housing and homeless programs. He is a longtime Gwinnettian, with his family moving to the county when he was 4.

He grew up in Gwinnett’s school system and later went on to get his bachelor’s degree in political science from Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville before coming back to settle down with his wife, Amanda.

Family Promise said Elder’s priorities early on will include growing its financial support base, making the community more aware of

Stay connected with the Daily Post online, where you can submit news tips, browse photo galleries and sign up to receive headlines digitally at gwinnettdailypost.com/newsletter.

Send us engagements, wedding, births or anniversaries under “Submit your news” on the home page.

With our busy lives, it’s hard to fit work, family and personal time in every day. Here’s a thought: combine them. Spend time with your kids exercising. You’ll feel better, connect with your kids and teach them habits they’ll carry for the rest of their lives. Best of all, you’ll be around to see them exercising with their kids. If you’re starting an exercise program, call 404-851-6550 for some heart advice.

Northside.com

404-851-6550

A Lifetime of Care

2A • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2017

gwinnettdailypost.com

Officials to meet on child hearing bill Monday A bill backed by state Sen. P.K. Martin to help children have access to hearing aids will get a hearing on Monday and Martin’s office said residents who want to testify are welcome to attend.

Martin, R-Lawrenceville, worked with the organization Let Georgia Hear to craft Senate Bill 206. If passed by both chambers of the General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Nathan Deal, the bill would make mandate health care plans cover hearing

Political Notebook

day, in room 125 of the State Capitol in Atlanta.

“I am proud to P.K. partner Martin with ‘Let Georgia Hea and sponsor Curt Yeomans this legislation that will directly benefit children aids for deaf and hearing across Georgia with impaired children. hearing impairments to The Senate’s Insurance ensure they have the covand Labor Committee erage needed to obtain will hold its hearing on hearing aids,” Martin the bill at 2 p.m. Monsaid in a statement. “I

Silver Restoration Event Is your family silver old or broken?

SAVE 20%

Before

1 Day Only!

want to ensure every child in this state has every opportunity to grow and thrive. This legislation will go along way in that goal for many children.”

There are 20 states that have passed similar legislation, according to a joint statement by Martin and Let Georgia Hear co-founder Kelly Jenkins. The pair said getting hearing aids is expensive — it can cost $6,000 for a pair that will only last up to five years — but they also said the devices are important in a child’s early years to ensure they develop properly.

Martin and Jenkins said it can be difficult for families in Georgia

to get hearing aids for their children because of the cost and the fact that many insurance plans don’t cover them.

“This is an important first step to ensuring all of Georgia’s deaf and hard-of-hearing children have access to hearing aids,” Jenkins said. “We will continue working tirelessly to make sure all of Georgia’s children can have access to hearing aids. The statistics show that early intervention with hearing aids is crucial to ensure that these children do not fall behind.

“We want all of Georgia’s children to have the opportunity to reach their full potential and it makes moral and finan-

No appointment necessary

For one day only, Silver Restoration Expert Joni Rosen will be at our store to provide free estimates on bringing new life back to your old sterling & silverplated heirlooms. Missing parts replaced. Broken pieces repaired. Sterling silver polished.

Replating too!

You’ll love entertaining again with your family silver or just having it restored to pass along to the next generation. So gather up your old silver today and come Save 20% Off!

Wed, March 1 ONLY

464850-1

9:30 - 4:00 430 West Pike St Lawrenceville • 770-995-2505

After

25-Year Warranty on Replating

469359-2

cial sense to do so.”

Anyone who wishes to speak at the hearing in favor of, or in opposition to, the bill is asked to contact ashley.williams@senate.ga.gov in advance.

Shafer recognizes statewide essay contest winners Senate President Pro Tempore David Shafer, R-Duluth, recently recognized the top three winners in his statewide David Shafer Essay Scholarship Contest at the state Capitol in Atlanta.

High school students who participated in the contest were David Shafer asked to write an essay about a person from U.S. history who represented ideals such as courage, patriotism and citizenship.

First place honors went to Madison Seagraves, a student at Landmark Christian School in Fairburn for an essay on World War I soldier Alvin York. Johns Creek High School student Angela Huang took second place with an essay about Anne Sullivan. Meanwhile, Pooja Prabakaran, a student a Lassiter High School in Marietta, took third for an essay on James Madison.

“It is an honor to recognize these outstanding high school seniors who excel in their writing capabilities and appreciation of our nation’s core values,” Shafer said in a statement. “Each of them did an excellent job in their essay by highlighting figures in American history who exemplify true American values. I am very proud of these young ladies and wish them continued academic success.”

Political Notebook appears in the Thursday and Sunday editions of the Gwinnett Daily Post.

“I hav a e no regret av e s, et thi his was th he perffectt place to hav a e my husband’s service.” av –Rhonda Storer

GIBBS GARDENS NOW OPEN

20 M I LLIO N DAF F O D I L S

“The Most Stunning Daffodil Garden Ever!”

Gibbs Gardens Sixth Annual Daffodil COLORFEST bursts on the scene when more than 50 acres of blooming daffodils create a feast for the senses—beginning in Febuary and continuing through mid-April. Gibbs Gardens has the distinction of being recognized as an American Daffodil Society Display Garden, one of only 25 in the U.S. Over 20 million blooms, including 100 different varieties, is what Southern Living calls “the most spectacular display of blooms this side of Holland.”

See Rhonda share her story and learn more about our No Regrets Promise at WagesandSons.com

®

www.gibbsgardens.com

770-893-1881 469265-3

472118-2

1987 Gibbs Drive Ball Ground, GA 30107

Lawrenceville 1031 Law a renceville Hwy. aw y y. ( 78) 500-8007 (6

Sign up to get Gwinnett Daily Post breaking news alerts and daily newsletters at www.gwinnettdailypost.com/newsletters.

Stone Mountain 1040 Main St. ( 78) 500-8717 (6

gwinnettdailypost.com

Sunday, February 26, 2017 • 3A

Wilson relishes time as first female ringmaster

By Jon Gallo

sional singer with a engaging personality she’s displayed Of all the requests Kristen while working as a summer Michelle Wilson could have camp counselor, TV reporter made upon getting a job offer talk show host and master no woman had ever received, of ceremonies for theatrical the 35-year-old from Orlando shows to land a job that been asked to go to, of all places, given exclusively to the opthe bathroom. posite sex.

“I needed a minute,” she Wilson — the company’s said. “I walked into the rest39th ringmaster — has taken room and let out one of those over a show that’s vastly difsilent screams — and then I ferent from its predecessors. put on some lipstick and took Last year, Ringling Bros. held a bunch of silly selfies.” its final show that featured Wilson then walked out elephants before retiring the of the ladies’ room and into performing pachyderms to history when she signed its 200-acre conservation a contract to become the center in Florida. Elephants Ringling Bros. and Barnum had been a circus staple since & Bailey Circus’ first female Phineas Taylor Barnum introringmaster in the spectacle’s duced Jumbo in 1882.

146-year history. The circus Feld Entertainment, which will end its historic run in owns Ringling Bros. and May. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Barnum & Bailey Circus’ made the decision to close the final show in Georgia will curtain due to the event’s high occur this month, when the operating costs, expensive company’s “Circus Xtreme” legal battles against animal visits Infinite Energy Arena rights groups and declining in Duluth from this weekend ticket sales. through March 5.

“After much evaluation “When I got the job, I and deliberation, my family wanted to make sure they and I have made the difficult weren’t trying to fill some business decision,” Kenneth sort of quota or anything like Feld, chairman and CEO of that,” she said. “I wanted to Feld Entertainment, said in a make sure they picked me statement. “Ticket sales have because I truly was the best been declining, but following person for the job.” the transition of the elephants Wilson’s ability to comoff the road, we saw an even bine a beautiful voice she’s more dramatic drop. used for decades as a profes“This, coupled with high Staff Coresspondent

if you go What: Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus Extreme When: Through March 5 Where: Infinite Energy Center, Duluth

operating costs, made the circus an unsustainable business for the company …

The decision was even more difficult because of the amazing fans that have become part of our extended circus family over the years, and we are extremely grateful to the millions of families who have made Ringling Bros. part of their lives for generations.

We know Ringling Bros. isn’t only our family business, but also your family tradition.”

“Circus Xtreme” mixes acts starring tigers, goats, camels, horses and dogs with human performances that include acrobats, a high-wire walkers, stunt bike riders and other humans who defy the laws of gravity and strength.

“We take a lot of what the circus has been known for from the past and combine it with more modern acts,” Wilson said. “It’s still a great show. It’s still very much a microcosm of society in that it’s one of few places where young and old and people

Kristen Michelle Wilson is the first female ringmaster for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. (Photo: Field Entertainment)

from all different background come together and enjoy something that always been a very special and historic part of America.”

Wilson said she understands circus-goers are sad the “Greatest Show on Earth” will cease to exist when its 33-city tour ends in Providence, R.I. on May 7.

Ringling Bros.’ other circus show, “Out Of This World,” will also close for good when its tour concludes on May 21.

But she also said the 400-member cast, which includes more than 100 performers, is focused on making sure their final

performances are their best before they lose their jobs.

“We have a great cast, including many for whom the circus has been the only job they’ve ever had,” Wilson said. “We all live on a train together as we travel from city to city. We’re a family.

We know we only have a few months left, but we want to make sure all of our performances show how magical the circus is.”

As the ringmaster, Wilson has been thrust into the public spotlight as the voice for an American institution that is nearing a finish line that many thought would never

come.

“I have a chance to be a role model for all the women and young girls out there,” Wilson, who also sings several songs during the show, said. “I want them to know you can accomplish your dreams if you work hard. I don’t know why it took so long for the circus to have a woman as a ringmaster — I really don’t. But what’s important is that women can do anything if they believe in themselves and work hard. I want to show women can do it all, and that you can be a woman who is large and be in charge.”

Suspects accused of stealing from mall kiosk

By Curt Yeomans

curt.yeomans @gwinnettdailypost.com

Call 770-574-6220 today to schedule a visit and complimentary meal!

Independent Retirement Living Lawrenceville, GA | laurel-grove.net ©2017 HARVEST MANAGEMENT SUB LLC, HOLIDAY AL MANAGEMENT SUB LLC, HOLIDAY AL NIC MANAGEMENT LLC.

472033-1

463138-1

Laurel Grove

Four people are suspected of stealing more than $20,000 in cellphone merchandise over the course of two incidents at a Sprint kiosk in the Mall of Georgia, and Gwinnett police want to know who they are.

Police Cpl. Deon Washington said the thefts have occurred over the last two months, with the suspects accused of climbing over counters after normal hours of business and stealing the merchandise from cabinets where Sprint employees store cellphones.

Each incident happened just after midnight, Washington said.

“The first incident happened Jan. 5 shortly after midnight,” the

FREE ADMISSION . LIVE MUSIC . BBQ COMPETITION Benefiting Home of Hope @ Gwinnett Children’s Shelter

469367-2

470011-2

March 3 & 4 . Coolray Field . www.sipandswine.com

Gwinnett police released images of these suspects in a pair of thefts at a Sprint kiosk in the Mall of Georgia. (Special Photo)

police spokesman said in a statement. “The second incident happened Feb. 14 shortly after midnight. In both incidents the suspects stole various iPhone models.”

The police department surveillance camera captured images of the suspects. Anyone who has information about their identities and whereabouts is asked to

call detectives at 770513-5300. They can also call Crime Stoppers at 404-557-8477 or send a text message to 274637 if they prefer to remain anonymous.

Crime Stoppers tipsters are eligible for rewards of up to $2,000 if their information leads to an arrest and indictment in the case. Anyone who submits a tip is asked to reference the case numbers, which are 17001345 and 17-014318.

Follow us on Facebook facebook.com/ gwinnettdailypost

4A • Sunday, February 26, 2017 To Your Good Health

Keith Roach

Multiple system atrophy is rare DEAR DR. ROACH: I hope you can answer some questions about a disease called multiple system atrophy. What does it do to your body? Is the cause known?

Is there a cure?

— D.B. ANSWER: Multiple system atrophy is a group of related degenerative diseases of the nervous system.

All of them can cause any of three symptoms: ataxia (a specific type of loss of muscular coordination), Parkinsonism (the specific abnormal muscle control and rigidity that usually is seen in Parkinson’s disease), and problems with the autonomic nervous system (the part that regulates blood pressure on standing and bladder control, among many other functions).

MSA with predominant ataxia is also called “olivopontocerebellar atrophy”; MSA with predominant Parkinson’s features is also called “striatonigral degeneration”; and MSA with predominantly autonomic symptoms is also called “Shy-Drager syndrome.”

The cause is unknown, though there is promising research being done. Unfortunately, no medication treatment effectively slows or stops the progression of MSA. Treatment is used to help manage symptoms, and it may include physical therapy as well as medications.

MSA is a rare condition, and few doctors are expert in it. I strongly recommend you contact The MSACoalition, an organization devoted to education, support and advocacy for MSA, at www. multiplesystematrophy.org.

DEAR DR. ROACH: About your recent column on melatonin: At 70 years old, I was taking melatonin three to four nights a week for several months. Sometimes it helped; other times not. While purchasing a new bottle, I noticed fine print that read: “Consult a physician if using for more than four weeks.” I asked the pharmacist why, and she said, “If you are having trouble sleeping, talk to your doctor.” I thought melatonin was not addictive or harmful. Why the warning?

— K.W. ANSWER: Low-dose melatonin is relatively safe, and it almost certainly is substantially safer than most over-the-counter and prescription sleeping medications. Melatonin is proven to be beneficial in people adjusting to new time zones and in people with low melatonin levels.

Despite absence of proven benefit in all people, many physicians recommend it for long-term use. I do agree with both your low dose and that you are not taking it every night. I think these will minimize the already small risks.

Why consult a physician?

Several potentially serious medical conditions can have insomnia as a symptom, so it is wise to discuss your problem with your doctor.

This is not so much because melatonin is dangerous as it is to make sure there’s not some other cause (such as high thyroid level) for your insomnia.

gwinnettdailypost.com HOroscopes

weather watch

A secretive approach to the way you do things will allow you the flexibility to get things done without interference. You’ll have 0% 20% 0% 0% 90% 40% plenty of time to present 0% and promote your attributes when the time is right. Keep your inventive 43 52 61 46 38 35 ideas hidden from someone eager to take charge.

PISCES (Feb. solunar tables 20-March 20) — Your The solunar tables for lakes are intuitive imagination will The Gwinnett Daily Post Lake Full Yesterday Lake Full Yesterday based on studies that show fish (UPSP 921-980, ISSN 1086be in overdrive. If you and game are more active at Lanier (1071.0) .......1060.98 Allatoona (840.0) ........ 830.46 0096) is published Wedneslet it flow, it will lead to certain times during the lunar day through Friday and SunNottely (1779.0) ....... 1762.11 Blackshear (237.0) ........ 236.99 period. a plan that will improve day by SCNI, 725 Old NorMajor Oconee (435.0) .......... 434.9 Blue Ridge (1690.0) .......1670.04 your standard of living. cross Road, Lawrenceville, ...............................12:05-2:05 p.m.

Seminole (77.5).............. 77.5 Burton (1865.0) .......1864.30 GA 30045. Periodical postPersonal improvements Minor age paid at Lawrenceville, 6:29-7:29 a.m.............5:44-6:44 p.m.

Sinclair (339.8) .......... 338.7 Carters (1072.0) .......1064.62 will pay off.

GA 30044. POSTMASTER: Thurmond (330.0) .......... 320.1 Chatuge (1927.0) ....... 1917.51 ARIES (March 21-April Send address changes to pollen counts 19) — Make your reTugalo (891.5) ........... 887.8 Harding (521.0) ........ 520.38 Gwinnett Daily Post, P.O. Box Trees: Moderate 603, Lawrenceville, GA lationships with others Walter F. George (188.0).....189.7 Hartwell (660.0) .......... 650.9 Weeds: Low 30046-0603. a priority. Share your West Point (635.0) .......... 629.9 Jackson (530.0) ........ 528.89 Grass: Low feelings and plans with a loved one. Personal improvement is favored, lottery today in history and promises must be tor/comedian; Tony Randall (1920-2004), honored.

TODAY’S HISTORY: In 1815, NapoSaturday actor; Fats Domino (1928- ), singerleon Bonaparte escaped from exile on Cash 3 Midday: 5-0-5 TAURUS (April 20-May songwriter/pianist; Ariel Sharon (1928the island of Elba and began his return 20) — Round up those Cash 4 Midday: 6-4-6-0 2014), Israeli prime minister; Robert journey to France. you enjoy working alongGa. 5 Midday: 8-9-1-3-5 Novak (1931-2009), columnist; Johnny In 1935, Adolf Hitler secretly ordered the Luftwaffe to be re-formed, in violation Cash (1932-2003), singer-songwriter; Mi- side and offer incentives to ensure you receive the chael Bolton (1953- ), singer-songwriter; of the Treaty of Versailles.

Friday Erykah Badu (1971- ), singer-songwriter. necessary help to turn In 1987, the Tower Commission Cash 3 Midday: 8-3-9 a personal project into a TODAY’S FACT: Levi Strauss, a released its report on the Iran-Contra Cash 3 Evening: 3-3-2 Bavarian immigrant who went to San affair, rebuking President Ronald Reagan reality. Mix business with Cash 3 Night: 6-2-6 Francisco during the Gold Rush, made for not controlling his national security pleasure.

Cash 4 Midday: 4-6-6-1 his first pair of “jeans” out of canvas. staff.

GEMINI (May 21Cash 4 Evening: 3-9-0-6 TODAY’S SPORTS: In 1935, an aging June 20) — Be careful In 1993, a truck bomb exploded in the Cash 4 Night: 9-9-5-9 Babe Ruth was released by the New parking garage of the World Trade Cenwhen dealing with peers, Ga. 5 Midday: 3-9-7-9-9 York Yankees and signed a contract ter in New York City, killing six people friends and relatives. to become an assistant manager and and injuring more than 1,000.

Ga. 5 Evening: 7-9-8-6-1 Someone who wants player with the Boston Braves.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS: Victor Hugo Fantasy 5: 8-28-33-35-38 to make you look bad TODAY’S QUOTE: “To love or have (1802-1885), author; Levi Strauss (1829Mega Millions: 12-29-33-42-68, will jeopardize your loved, that is enough. Ask nothing fur1902), tailor/inventor; William “Buffalo Mega Ball:14, Megaplier: 3X reputation. Honesty and ther. There is no other pearl to be found Bill” Cody (1846-1917), frontiersman/ in the dark folds of life.” — Victor Hugo, showman; Tex Avery (1908-1980), anievidence are your best “Les Miserables” mator; Jackie Gleason (1916-1987), acrecourses.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) — Explore the unfareader’s guide miliar through educational resource center at 770-963- 339-5845, or email the cirpursuits or travel. Getting 9205, ext. 1161 or 1162. culation department at cirTo Report a News Item: culation@gwinnettdailypost. involved in something Hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., com between 6:30 a.m. and unique will open your mind to new possibiliMon.-Sat. Call 770-33910 a.m. Wednesday through ties. A day trip, retreat or 5850.

Editor Todd Cline is at Editor – Todd Cline to start your subscription.

Friday and between 8 a.m. excursion will be enlight770-963-9205, ext.

1300; Main Office – 770-963-9205 Classified Ads: Classiand noon Sunday. ening.

Sports Editor Will Hammock fieds can be placed at the If your paper delivery is LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) is at 770-963-9205, ext. main office 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; missed, we no longer rede— Before you start a new 1310.

To request a photo, The Gwinnett Daily Post phone lines open 24 hours, liver on each delivery day. call 770-963-9205, ext. 1327. project, review the details invites your input. Here are seven days a week by callAdministration/Finance: We only redeliver on Sunand make sure you are some guidelines to help you ing 770-236-9988. Email: day and Monday.

Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., communicate with us. getting what you deserve classified@gwinnettdailypAll other delivery days Mon.-Fri. Call 770-963-9205.

Subscription Rates: for your knowledge, skills Delivery Problems: Your that are missed, we will Subscription rate is $99 plus ost.com and enthusiasm. Once Legal Notices: Hours are satisfaction is our No. 1 pri- have this paper delivered sales tax for one year, limityou’re satisfied, celebrate ority. If we miss delivery, call with the next day paper ed delivery areas. Call 770- 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mon.-Fri. with someone you love.

The fax number is 770-339- our circulation department delivery at the request of 339-5845 from 8 a.m. to 5 VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. p.m. Monday through Friday 8082. Reach the legal the customer. customer service line, 77022) — Let your emotions move you and your intuition spur you to take on new challenges. You have more to offer than you Dear Amy: I am a forge a special friendship attend to it. realize. Put some muscle Ask Amy happily married man with with the child. Perhaps Nursing babies should behind your plans and two wonderful children you could be the Goshfabe considered part of the see what happens. (ages 6 and 8). ther — a special friend and package when their mothLIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. Recently, a close friend honorary uncle. ers are invited to weddings, 23) — Get out and do and his wife (who are Dear Amy: My son is especially when they are things with people who Catholic) asked me to be getting married soon. traveling several hundred stimulate you mentally. the godfather to their child.

We have invited dear miles to get there. Don’t Take on physical chalI instantly reminded friends and their two adult give this too much traction. lenges that test your them that I am an atheist. children and spouses.

DEAR AMY: “Mom” strength and endurance.

My children weren’t bapThe wedding is 800 was wrestling with how to Gravitate toward unfamilAmy Dickinson tized and my understandmiles away. The one young encourage her underachieviar situations, places and ing is that a godparent is a couple has a baby that will ing daughter to succeed at people. religious mentor. Indeed, garding the role of godpar- be 6 months old at the time an expensive college.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24in a recent column, you ents: A godparent will “… of the wedding. My friend I, too, had a child who Nov. 22) — Your creative noted that a godparent pro- help the baptized to lead a informed me that the baby skated under the wire in imagination will bring you vides a spiritual backdrop Christian life in harmony would be coming. high school, who I thought good fortune. Develop to a child’s life. with baptism, and to fulfill Is it just assumed now too immature for college. something you enjoy Although I am not Cath- faithfully the obligations that babies are also invited They should let her go olic, religious or spiritual, connected with it.” to weddings? to her dream school, under doing and find a way to turn it into a prosperous I would be delighted to be If you are not comfortThe mom is breastfeed- the caveat that she apply endeavor. Have fun with a a mentor, close confidant, able participating at this ing the baby, and I guess for and use student loans friend or loved one. friend, uncle, etc. to the level, it would be most she would have to bring for tuition. If she achieves SAGITTARIUS (Nov. child. ethical to decline. him along. However, I the C’s her parents want, 23-Dec. 21) — Stick If anything happened If you are comfortable have visions of the baby then they can reimburse close to home and the to my friend and his wife, participating in the baptism crying during the ceremo- her, semester by semester.If assuming it was consistent service and occasionally ny, etc. not, it’s her dime. It worked people you love and trust.

Travel and matters involvwith their wishes, my wife other church services, and Am I out of sync with for us. Having some skin and I would happily proif you feel able to fulfill wedding etiquette? How in the game can make a big ing unfamiliar people and situations will lead to vide for and love the child this role for the child, then would you handle this, or difference. and raise it as our own, you should accept. is there nothing to handle?

— Been There uncertainty, delays and on equal footing with our The second hurdle is the — Wondering Dear Been There: emotional duress.

CAPRICORN (Dec. children. church itself.

Dear Wondering: This seems potentially 22-Jan. 19) — Keep Nonetheless, in my head Christian churches differ The young couple is travel- expensive and risky (if the life simple and your the question remains, is it regarding the godparing 800 miles to attend this student doesn’t get C’s, appropriate for me to be a ent role and rite. But a wedding. That’s a fairly stays in school, and contin- expenditures minimal in order to avoid loss. godfather?

Catholic priest might not heroic (and expensive) un- ues to compile debt), but I — Atheist Godfather be willing to administer dertaking. The mother will agree that this student must Relive memories that will encourage you to pursue Dear Atheist: First this rite to a non-Catholic, need to be near the baby have skin in the game. your dreams. Follow your there is this: Are you will- non-Christian, nonbeliever. in order to feed him. You You can contact Amy ing to participate in the Your friend should check might help by seeing if the Dickinson via email: aska- instincts and strive to set a good example. church service during the with his priest. church or reception facility my@amydickinson.com.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20child’s baptism and swear If you are NOT comfort- has an available person to Readers may send postal in front of your friends, able fulfilling religiouswatch over the child during mail to Amy Dickinson, c/o Feb. 19) — Make time for the ones you love. priests and the congregaoriented roles as a godthe ceremony, but basically Tribune Content Agency, Putting in the effort to tion not only to renounce father, you should thank this baby will likely sleep LLC., 16650 Westgrove form a partnership based the devil (my favorite part) your friend for this honor through a lot of this, tucked Drive, Suite 175, Addison, on equality, admiration, but to also uphold the ten- and gesture of friendship away in a car seat or in a TX 75001. You can also respect and common ants of the church? and trust. Ask him if you parents’ arms. If it cries follow her on Twitter @ The following is from can be given an alternate during the ceremony, the askingamy or “like” her on goals will ensure future happiness.

Catholic Church canon re- status, whereby you will parent or grandparents will Facebook.

today

61

monday

tuesday

wednesday

thursday

friday

saturday

62

72

77

58

59

60

41

lake levels

Gwinnett Daily Post

Who To Call

Atheist should consider becoming ‘Goshfather’

Sign up to get Gwinnett Daily Post breaking news alerts and daily newsletters at www.gwinnettdailypost.com/newsletters.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2017 • 5A

gwinnettdailypost.com

Optometrist bill advances despite physicians’ concerns

BY ANDY MILLER

Georgia Health News

The frequent “scope of practice’’ bills in the Georgia General Assembly typically cause commotion within the medical industry, pitting health care professional groups against one another.

A recent example is legislation to let dental hygienists practice in nursing homes, school clinics and safety-net settings without a dentist being present.

In the past, the idea was fiercely opposed by many dentists and the Georgia Dental Association, which kept it from becoming law, but a compromise was reached recently on this year’s bill, and it is likely to pass.

The latest furor about medical practice has erupted over legislation to

allow optometrists — who examine the eye, test vision and prescribe corrective treatment but are not physicians — to administer drug injections into patients’ eyelids. Ophthalmologists, who are physicians specializing in the eye, are furiously opposed to this, as is the Medical Association of Georgia, a leading physician organization.

Senate Bill 221, though, was approved by the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on Thursday.

A similar bill failed to clear a House committee recently. But the same panel, the House Health and Human Services Committee, in an unusual move, is scheduled to hear another version of the legislation Friday.

The Senate proposal’s main sponsor, Sen. Renee Unterman, R-Buford, who

chairs the chamber’s health committee, said the optometrist bill would improve Renee access Unterman to care for patients, especially in underserved areas.

John Whitlow, a LaGrange optometrist, told the Senate panel that 15 other states allow optometrists to do these injections.

“We would like to be able to treat patients to the best of our ability,’’ Whitlow said. The injection, he said, “is not going into the globe of the eye.’’

An inflammation can be treated with eye drops, but if therapy doesn’t work, the patient may need an injection, said Ben Casella, president of the Georgia

“We all agree that the paramount issue is safety,’’ he said. “There are very rare instances where you need an injection around an eye.”

Injections around the eye can lead to complications that include serious bleeding and infections, as well as accidental puncture of the eye, according to Kim. Dr. Baker Hubbard, an ophthalmologist with Emory Healthcare, also said the training required under the bill would be inadequate to ensure patient safety.

A bill that would let optometrists administer drug injecUnterman, a nurse with a tions into patients’ eyelids advanced through a Senate strong interest in access-tocommittee this past week despite physicians’ concerns. care issues, said the eyelid (File Photo) injections are typically used for inflammation and that Optometric Association. must train for 30 hours on most eye care practices have But Dr. Brian Kim, a Dal- the technique under the both ophthalmologists and ton ophthalmologist, said supervision of an ophthaloptometrists. complications from an inmologist.

For complex cases, an jection can lead to problems Kim said 30 hours of optometrist is going to refer that require surgery. training “is grossly insuffiUnder the Senate bill that cient’’ to learn to how to do the patient to an ophthalmologist, she told GHN. was approved, optometrists these procedures.

“DOWNSIZING IN A DIFFERENT WORLD” Dear Curtis, My 94 year old Mother just passed away. My sister and I are faced with a huge problem. Mother left a houseful of ‘stuff’ some things family heirlooms, most of it is just her 60+ years of living and collecting. I admit we did not do a good job getting lists made beforehand. Any advice for how to deal with this?

Overwhelmed in Lawrenceville Dear Overwhelmed: Yours is a common problem especially when you consider that what your Mother and your siblings consider valuable has a different meaning…..or no meaning at all….to your family and the rest of the world. Here are some thoughts on how to deal with this.

1. Close family member who remember should go through the stuff and collect stories of items. This may help sell it or decide to hold onto it. Items need not be ‘valuable’ in order to have sentimental value.

2. Give yourself plenty of time to find takers. The rule is the longer you have something the more money you will make.

3. Do online research to see if there’s a market for your parents’ art, furniture, china, crystal or jewelry. If there is, see if an auction house might be interested in trying to sell things for you on consignment.

4. Get the jewelry appraised. Although this is an additional cost, it is very possible that a necklace, ring or bracelet or brooch has value and could be sold. Or given to a family member as a truly ‘valuable’ heirloom.

5. Look for a nearby consignment shop that might like take some items. Or perhaps a liquidation firm.

6. See if locals could use what you inherited. Pick our five local shelters and give them a list of all kitchen items, bedding, lamps, furniture etc…This will make you feel good that your Mother’s useable items are being used.

7. Download the free “Rightsizing and Relocation Guide” from the National Association of Senior Move Managers.

8. Perhaps the best advice is: Prepare for Disappointment. For the first time in the world, two generations are downsizing simultaneously. 90 year old parents who want to give their stuff away and siblings who are 60 to 70 and downsizing. The result is what your family is dealing with…..”TOO MUCH STUFF”

GAINESVILLE

GAINESVILLE 1012 ENOTA AVE

LAWRENCEVILLE

LAWRENCEVILLE 1155 HWY 29 SOUTH

467001-4

468148-4

1012 ENOTAGA AVE 1155 HWY 29 SOUTH GAINESVILLE, 30501 LAWRENCEVILLE, GA 30045 GAINESVILLE, GA 30501 LAWRENCEVILLE, GA 30045 678.696.5385 770.963.4837 678.969.5385 770.963.4837

ashtonseniorliving.com

6A • Sunday, February 26, 2017

gwinnettdailypost.com

world&nation world Kurdish reporter killed in Iraq A reporter and anchor for an Iraqi Kurdish TV station was killed Saturday while working on the front lines as Iraqi forces battle ISIS for the city of Mosul.

Shifa Gardi, 30, a beloved journalist in a maledominated profession, died in a roadside bomb blast that also injured her cameraman, Younis Mustafa, according to her employer, Rudaw.

Bayan Sami Rahman, the Kurdish government’s representative to the United States and a former journalist, tweeted that Kurdistan “has lost a courageous and professional journalist who cracked the glass ceiling.”

Gardi had been live on TV hours before her death reporting from western Mosul with Iraqi forces in the background. She joined the Kurdish media network in 2013.

Perez wins DNC chairmanship

By Eric Bradner CNN

ATLANTA — Democrats selected former Labor Secretary Tom Perez over Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison as their new chairman on Saturday, concluding a hotly contested race to lead a battered party as it tries to channel the anti-Donald Trump energy of its base into an electoral rebound.

Perez defeated Ellison in a 235-200 vote among the Democratic National Committee’s 435 members who cast ballots Saturday.

It took two rounds of voting to select a winner after Perez found himself just one vote shy in the first ballot. The five other candidates, who had amassed 13.5 total votes, all exited the race before the second round began.

In a victory speech, Perez vowed that Democrats would wage an allSuicide attacks kill out battle to deny Trump a second term. dozens in Syrian “We are at a ‘where city of Homs were you?’ moment in American history: Where Suicide attacks targeting were you in 2017 when two security centers in the we had the worst Presiregime-held central Syrian dent in U.S. history?” he city of Homs killed at least said.

32 people and wounded 24 Immediately after winothers, according to state ning, Perez made a quick media citing the city’s Gov. move to bring Ellison’s Talal Barazi. supporters into the fold — Syria’s SANA news appointing Ellison as the agency quoted Barazi on deputy chair of the DNC, the number of casualmet with cheers and ties and the nature of the unanimous approval from targets.

State-run Syrian TV cited its reporter on the ground as saying six suicide bombers carried out Security adviser: the attacks. Three of the attackers sneaked into the Term ‘radical city’s Ghouta neighborIslamic terrorism’ hood and the other three isn’t helpful into its Mahatta neighborhood while clashes were New national security underway, the channel said. adviser H.R. McMaster The head of Homs’ mili- is already setting a striktary intelligence, Gen. Has- ingly different tone than san Daaboul, was killed in his ousted predecessor, one of the attacks, Syria’s Michael Flynn, and PresiIkhbariya state news chan- dent Donald Trump, saying nel reported. the term “radical Islamic Al-Sham Liberation terrorism” isn’t helpful for Committee, a Syrian U.S. goals. umbrella organization that At an all-hands meeting includes the jihadist group of the National Security Jabhat Fateh Al-Sham, Council on Thursday, Lt. claimed responsibility Sat- Gen. H.R. McMaster said urday for the Homs attacks. jihadist terrorists aren’t true to their religion and that Man hits people the use of the term “radical Islamic terrorism” doesn’t with car, shot by help the U.S. in working cops in Germany with allies to defeat terrorist groups, an official presA man armed with a ent at the session confirmed knife was shot and injured to CNN. by police Saturday after he McMaster also spoke drove a car into a group of in starkly different terms pedestrians in Heidelberg, about Russia, saying the Germany, local police said. talk about Moscow being Three people were a friend of Washington is injured, one seriously, over, the source said.

Mannheim police said. AfThe national secuter driving his car into the rity adviser’s comments group, the suspect tried to Thursday, which were first flee the scene and was then reported by The New York shot by officers. The susTimes, and a separate email pect was seriously injured to all staff on Wednesday and taken to the hospital. have buoyed the low moNo motive is known, and rale at the agency, which the suspect has not been has been largely sidelined identified. in recent weeks because The crash occurred near of the questions surrounda bakery stand in a cening Flynn’s conversations tral square of Heidelberg, with Russian Ambassador police said.

Sergey Kilsyak. The retired The Mannheim police lieutenant general resigned are leading the investigalast week after admitting he tion since its police district misled Vice President Mike merged with that of nearby Pence over conversations Heidelberg. with the Russian ambas— From wire reports sador about U.S. sanctions.

people ‘Hamilton’ actor expects politics at the Oscars

The “Hamilton” actor who addressed Mike Pence from the stage shortly after the presidential election said Saturday he expects politics to play a role in the acceptance speeches of this year’s Oscar winners.

Brandon Victor Dixon, who plays Aaron Burr in the award-winning Broadway musical, made headlines in November when he read a message to Pence, then the vice president-elect, during a curtain call after learning the Former Labor Secretary Thomas Perez was elected as the DNC chairman on Saturday. politician was in the audi(CNN) ence.

“We truly hope that this show has inspired you to the crowd. uphold our American values Ellison called on Demoand to work on behalf of all crats to support Perez. of us, all of us,” Dixon said at “It’s my honor to serve the time. this party under the chairDixon told CNN’s manship of Tom Perez,” Michael Smerconish on Satunites our party is a he said.

CNN urday that he had no regrets belief in opportunity The results brought a Former President about what he did.

— the idea that howchaotic close to a race “It’s important to seize any Barack Obama conever you started out, that stretched on for three opportunity one has to speak gratulated his former whatever you look like months. In the waning to their elected representalabor secretary, Tom or whomever you love, days, former Vice Presitives, no matter the situation,” Perez, for clinching the America is the place dent Joe Biden and several he said. chairmanship of the where you can make it aides to former President And after an awards Democratic National if you try.”

Barack Obama — includseason marked by politics in Committee on SaturObama touted what ing Valerie Jarrett and Daacceptance speeches, Dixon day and for selecting he said was the party’s vid Simas — made calls said he expected more comhis rival for the job, track record of expandto undecided members mentary during Sunday’s Minnesota Rep. Keith ing the economy, creatin an effort to sway them Oscar ceremonies.

Ellison, as his deputy. ing new jobs, keeptoward Perez.

“I anticipate we’ll see “I’m proud of all ing Americans safe In Ellison’s camp, Vermore of the trend that has the candidates who through “tough, smart” mont Sen. Bernie Sanders, been building in Hollywood ran and who make foreign policy and New York City Mayor Bill and I, for one, am very happy this great party what expanding the right de Blasio and supportive about it,” the actor said. it is,” Obama said in to quality, affordable members of Congress a statement. “What health insurance. applied pressure on DNC members with phone calls.

Razzies names

Obama congratulates Perez on DNC election

Trump still has to fill nearly 2,000 vacancies

nation

New national security adviser H.R. McMaster said the term “radical Islamic terrorism” isn’t helpful for U.S. goals at a National Security Council meeting. (Photo: Army Capabilities Integration Center)

violated their client’s due-process rights.

Bergdahl faces charges of desertion and endangering fellow soldiers after he disappeared from his base in Afghanistan in June 2009 and was held in captivity by the Taliban until May 2014.

During the 2016 presidential campaign, Trump said Bergdahl “should be shot” for walking off his post. Trump also said that “in the good old days, he would have been executed.”

The White House did not respond immediately to a request for comment Saturday on the judge’s ruling.

After Trump became president, Bergdahl’s lawyers argued the judge should dismiss the charges against their client because of Trump’s Judge won’t comments, contending dismiss charges that it would not be posagainst Bergdahl sible for Bergdahl to get a fair trial.

A military judge has But Army Col. Jeffery ruled against dismissing Nance wrote Friday that charges against Army Sgt. while Trump’s comments Bowe Bergdahl despite were “troubling,” they did his lawyers’ claim that not constitute a sufficient President Donald Trump due process violation.

Career staff have described the NSC as a dead zone, with little activity while Flynn was in the throes of the controversy.

On Friday, during his remarks to the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, the President again used the term “radical Islamic terrorists,” as he often did on the campaign trail when criticizing President Barack Obama for not saying it.

“So let me state this as clearly as I can, we are going to keep radical Islamic terrorists the hell out of our country,” Trump said.

“We will not be deterred from this course, and in a matter of days we will be taking brand new action to protect our people and keep America safe. You will see the action.”

Nearly 2,000 appointed positions in the administration of President Donald Trump remain vacant, leaving many agencies with large staffing gaps waiting to be filled, according to data reviewed by CNN. Meanwhile, Trump is noticeably behind the last three presidents when it comes to securing the confirmation of his Cabinet and other top appointments that require Senate approval.

Trump complained about the pace of confirmations Friday in a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington. He told the crowd the administration was “setting records” for Senate delays and that he didn’t like seeing “all those empty seats” at his Cabinet meetings.

The figures below show Trump indeed has had the least successful run of Senate confirmations since George H.W. Bush back in 1989.

Only 14 Trump appointees have been confirmed as of February 21, while President Barack Obama had twice as many top-level appointments confirmed by that date. George W. Bush and Bill Clinton also bested Trump in getting the Senate to approve their choices, according to the Partnership for Public Service, a Washington-based nonprofit.

George H.W. Bush only had 11 of 21 nominations confirmed by then, although Bush also kept on three Cabinet members from the prior Reagan administration.

— From wire reports

its winners

Is it the best of the worst or the worst of the worst?

The winners (or losers, perhaps) of the 37th annual Golden Raspberry Awards, also known as the Razzies, were announced Saturday.

The voters went political this year, with “Hillary’s America: The Secret History of the Democratic Party” winning worst picture.

It faced superhero-tough competition for the year’s worst film with “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.”

“It all came down to two decidedly different examples of cinematic sludge: The $250 million comic book oop-us ‘Batman v Superman’ and the faux right wing ‘documentary’ ‘Hillary’s America: The Secret History of the Democratic Party,’” a statement from the Razzies reads.

Both films received four Razzie Award trophies, traditionally announced the day before the Academy Awards.

Besides worst picture, “Hillary’s America” also won worst actor and director for Dinesh D’Souza (who played himself), worst actress for the unnamed person who played Clinton and worst director.

D’Souza was a good sport about it and appeared in the video announcement of the winners.

“Batman v Superman” took home trophies for worst screenplay, worst supporting actor for Jesse Eisenberg, worst remake rip-off or sequel and worst screen combo for stars Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill.

“Zoolander 2” received one award for worst supporting actress for Kristen Wiig.

— From wire reports

Buffett: ‘Talented and ambitious immigrants’ make U.S. economy great

By Julia Horowitz

be interrupted for short periods from time to time. It will not, however, be stopped,” he wrote.

Warren Buffett gave his annual talented and ambitious immigrants, The 28-page letter made no shoutout to America on Saturday, and the rule of law to deliver abun- mention of potential acquisitions. extolling capitalism, immigration, dance beyond any dreams of our Last week, Berkshire-owned food the legal system and smart invest- forefathers,” Buffett wrote in his giant Kraft Heinz walked away ing as he detailed the $17.6 billion yearly letter to Berkshire Hathafrom a bid to buy Unilever, the his company earned last year. way shareholders.

European consumer products “From a standing start 240 years The 86-year-old billionaire, who conglomerate. ago — a span of time less than is typically sunny about U.S. ecoNow there’s Wall Street chatter triple my days on earth — Ameri- nomic prospects, remained bullish that Kraft Heinz and Berkshire are cans have combined human ingeabout the future. shopping around for another deal. nuity, a market system, a tide of “Yes, the buildup of wealth will Buffett also didn’t take the time CNN

Must read

to mention Wells Fargo. Berkshire owns 10 percent of the company, which came under fire last year for illegal sales practices.

The company has admitted that it created as many as 2 million fake accounts between 2011 and 2015.

Buffett did offer ample praise for Berkshire insurance chief Ajit Jain.

Jain and Berkshire Hathaway Energy CEO Greg Abel are said to be the two leading candidates to replace Buffett when the octoge-

narian steps down.

“Ajit has created tens of billions of value for Berkshire shareholders,” Buffett wrote. “If there were ever to be another Ajit and you could swap me for him, don’t hesitate. Make the trade!”

Buffett supported Hillary Clinton during last year’s election, and his letter on Saturday didn’t mention President Trump. In November, he told CNN’s Poppy Harlow that Trump “deserves everybody’s respect.”

gwinnettdailypost.com

Sunday, February 26, 2017 • 7A

Peachtree Corners receives Tree City USA recognition From Staff Reports

leaders’ commitment to trees and forested land — on Arbor Day and Peachtree Corners officials joined every other day of the year.” two of their sister cities from GwinThis is Peachtree Corners’ secnett in receiving recognition for ef- ond time earning Tree City USA forts to promote trees and planting. status, becoming part of 135 cities The Georgia Forestry Commisin Georgia and 3,400 communities sion announced on Friday that across the nation to earn the status.

Peachtree Corners was one of 19 The Georgia Forestry Commission cities chosen as Tree City USA announced Peachtree Corners was communities this year. It previously recognized for holding an Arbor announced earlier in the week that Day celebration, a heritage tree Norcross and Duluth also received designation and giving away tree the recognition this year. seedlings.

“Trees clean our air, filter our Communities receive the recogniwater, spur economic growth and tion for hosting Arbor Day events, provide countless opportunities to having a community tree ordinance, enjoy recreation, contributing to hitting certain spending levels on a better quality of life,” Georgia urban forestry and having either a Forestry Commission Director tree board or department.

Robert Farris said in a statement.

In Georgia, Arbor Day is recog“The citizens of Peachtree Corners nized on the third Friday in Februcan take pride in their community ary.

•From Page 1A on its website. Atlanta officials said the company has performed geotechnical engineering, geophysical, environmental, construction materials testing, as well as inspection services, for the city’s Department of Watershed Management since 2011.

“As a client of United Consulting, the city of Atlanta was disappointed to learn that Tommy Hunter, a top executive of the company, publicly and viciously attacked a civil rights leader who has put his life on the line to protect the rights of all people,” city officials said in a statement to the Daily Post.

“His toxic comment was insulting and reprehensible, and we are entirely within our rights to communicate our dissatisfaction.”

The letter from Reed comes as protesters have called for pressure to be put on governments and agencies that use United Consulting to stop working with the company because of Hunter’s comments.

In a response to Reed on Friday, United Consulting CEO Reza Abree said the company — which donated $100,000 a decade ago to the movement to keep the Rev. Martin Luther King

Hunter Jr.’s papers in Atlanta — has punished Hunter. However, Abree did not include specific details about what the discipline was.

“Once United consulting became aware of Mr. Hunter’s comments on his private Facebook page, our company took disciplinary action against him,” Abree said. “Mr. Hunter was disciplined as any other employee with the company would be disciplined for such a transgression.”

Abree reiterated statements the company made a month ago, and Abree also said in a letter to Lewis that it viewed Hunter’s comments about the congressman as being “abhorrent” and having “no place in civilized debate.”

“Sadly, too often we are seeing far too much heated rhetoric in our daily lives that causes division rather than unites us,” Abree said.

Atlanta officials said they appreciated United Consulting’s “timely response” to Reed’s letter.

Hunter’s spokesman, Seth Weathers, issued a statement criticizing Reed for sending the letter in the first place, and referenced an ongoing investigation about possible bribery involving Atlanta officials.

“I know Kasim Reed would love to divert atten-

tion away from himself and his corruption scandal in the city of Atlanta,” he said.

Weathers also said, “Reed has very likely got himself or the city in legal trouble by issuing that threat.”

But in a statement, a spokesperson for the city said, “We stand by the letter we set to United Consulting.”

The company, along with Hunter’s colleagues on the county commission, has distanced itself from the commissioner’s comments.

Commission Chairwoman Charlotte Nash has sent a letter of apology to Lewis for Hunter’s remarks.

Nash also made a veiled criticism of the comments during her State of the County address on Feb. 16, saying not showing respect for all Gwinnett residents was “neither acceptable nor smart.”

Meanwhile, Hunter has been under fire for more than a month. Protesters have gotten up at four consecutive Board of Commissioners meetings and blasted him during public periods that have ranged from an hourand-a-half to two and a half hours in length.

Hunter has so far resisted the calls for him to resign.

Hunter walked out just as the public comment period began at this past Tuesday’s

meeting. A week earlier, he and Weathers walked out early from a meeting the Gwinnett NAACP president had invited him to attend after members of the group protested the commissioner’s attendance. The members also called for the chapter’s president to resign as a result.

On top of all of that, Hunter is also facing an ethics complaint that was filed earlier this month. Weathers has said the complaint had no legal basis, referred to it as a “political ploy” and called the complaint and hearing process unconstitutional.

Nevertheless, a hearing officer has decided it can go before an ethics panel for a hearing.

The panel could recommend the Board of Commissioners take any of a multitude of actions, including possibly removing Hunter from office.

Weathers said on Friday that Hunter plans to fight the complaint.

“We will definitely be filing a legal response to the absurd ethics complaint,” Weathers told the Daily Post.

When something will be filed remains uncertain though.

“Don’t have the exact date yet,” Weathers said in a text.

Grease clog causes Norcross sewage spill

By Curt Yeomans

of sewage spilled into the tributary.

Crews raked the area and spread lime to reduce The Gwinnett County the environmental effects Department of Water of the spill, and signs Resources blamed a grease were posted in the area to clog for more than 4,000 let residents know what gallons of sewage spilling happened. The Georgia into a tributary of BroEnvironmental Protection molow Creek.

Division was contacted as Water department well about the incident. spokeswoman Karen County officials have Shields said the spill previously said grease happened late Thursday clogs are a leading cause afternoon at a manhole of sewage spills in Gwinlocated at 3312 Country nett. They recommend Club Village Lane in Nor- residents pour grease into cross. the department was container so it can cool made aware of the spill at down and solidify before it is thrown into the garbage, 5:07 p.m., and crews got rather than pour it down it stopped at 8:10 p.m., the drain. after about 4,137 gallons

curt.yeomans @gwinnettdailypost.com

•From Page 1A

Elder

the organization’s annual Bed Races fundraiser in what the nonprofit does April. and “developing evolu“As the new executive tionary solutions” for the director of Family Promissue of homelessness in ise of Gwinnett, Matt Gwinnett.

Elder first wants to meet In the meantime, he the community leaders also wants to get betand volunteers who have supported Family Promise ter acquainted with the people who stand behind since it began in Gwinthe group. Family Prom- nett County in 2003,” the nonprofit announced on ise leaders said he’s already looking forward its website, www.familyto meeting people during promisegwinnett.org.

Race

•From Page 1A coach Ken Almon brought a team of nine runners from Summerour Middle School in Norcross to Run the Reagan.

He’d been coaching the group since they were in elementary school.

“Today, we’re doing their first half marathon,” Almon said.

Each young runner told the Daily Post they were excited — but nervous — as they made their way to the starting line.

Luckily the runners’ nerves didn’t seem to spread to officials coordinating this year’s massive Run the Reagan. Droves of volunteers showed up early and stayed into the afternoon to help keep the races running smoothly.

Volunteer Coordinator Jackie Thornberry said about 170 people signed up online to distribute water, watch over kids or just generally lend a hand. As of about 8 a.m., one hour into registration and an hour before the first race began, another 10 people had shown up to volunteer who weren’t on the official list.

With large numbers of volunteers and runners came large earnings for this year’s race. Run the Reagan 2017 earned more than officials expected.

“We had a goal to give $50,000 in sponsorships,” Hamilton said.

Instead, the race raised more than $90,000.

Run the Reagan is a wellestablished race in the county.

For the first 21 years of its existence, money raised from the event went toward the Gwinnett Community Clinic.

The clinic closed during the fall of 2015, but the race

Georgia Forestry Commission Director Robert Farris presents a Tree City USA certificate to Peachtree Corners representatives earlier this month.

Peachtree Corners joins Gwinnett sister cities Norcross and Duluth in receiving the recognition. (Special Photo)

Steve Kester of Duluth stretches out before Saturday’s “Run The Reagan” on Ronald Reagan Parkway in Snellville.

Willie McKenzie of Grayson checks his time after finishing the 5k race during Saturday’s “Run The Reagan” on Ronald Reagan Parkway in Snellville. (Photos: Kyle Hess)

lived on. The officials who had once organized the event for the clinic became Run the Reagan Inc. and re-envisioned the event in time for the 2016 race.

Now, the organization keeps just enough of the proceeds to cover expenses associated with organizing the race. The rest goes toward local groups it chooses each year.

This year, the majority of the $90,000 raised will go toward the Lilburn Co-Op, the Southeast Gwinnett Co-Op and the Brookwood Schools Foundation.

The race donated to the Lilburn and Southeast Gwinnett Co-Ops last year, but this is the first year the Brookwood Schools Foundation will benefit from the event.

The foundation funds

programs meant to enhance learning for students in the Brookwood cluster schools, including Brookwood Elementary School, Craig Elementary School, Gwin Oaks Elementary School, R.D. Head Elementary School, Alton C. Crews Middle School, Five Forks Middle School and Brookwood High School.

“Any time students might need some extra support, teachers might need something to help in their classrooms, the foundation helps accomplish that,” said Pam Dietz, a special education teacher at Brookwood Elementary School.

Dietz was at the race Saturday wearing a red and gold tutu. And she wasn’t alone — more than a handful of Brookwood cluster teach-

ers and administrators turned out wearing tutus, ready to support the race that would in turn support them.

Brookwood students also came out to show their appreciation.

The Brookwood High School cheerleading squad stood about a mile into the race, encouraging the runners who came by. A little further off down the road, members of the Brookwood High marching band set a running rythm with their drums.

Cheerleader Alexandria Johnson said it was a rewarding experience for her.

“It’s really fun to see (the runners) doing their best while we’re cheering them on,” she said. “It’s kind of like how we do with our basketball players and our football players, and it’s really a lot

Participants are pictured at Saturday’s “Run The Reagan” on Ronald Reagan Parkway in Snellville.

of fun.”

Cheer coach Emma Harris said a lot of the girls on her squad commented that it was fun to realize they actually affected runners, many of whom thanked the cheerleaders on their way by.

One of those affected by the Brookwood spirit was runner Andrew Catanese.

“They were great,” he said after finishing the half marathon. “The drums definitely got me going whenever I went past the groups playing drums. Those were fun.”

Not that Catanese needed a ton of help. He won the half marathon.

Catanese is serious about running. He signed up for the race a few weeks ago as a way to train for the Publix Georgia Marathon in Atlanta this March. He said the Run the Reagan course makes a great training ground.

Catenese said he understands why the course is so popular.

“It’s a little hillier, but not too bad,” Catanese said. “In general, it’s a pretty fastfeeling course.”

perspectives

gwinnettdailypost.com

Todd Cline, Editor

todd.cline@gwinnettdailypost.com

Page 8 A • Sunday, February 26, 2017

Applying the ‘Madman Theory’ to foreign policy

WASHINGTON — At the heart of Donald Trump’s foreign policy team lies a glaring contradiction. On the one hand, it is composed of men of experience, judgment and traditionalism — meaning, they are all very much within the parameters of mainstream American internationalism as practiced since 1945. Practically every member of the team — the heads of State, Homeland Security, the CIA and most especially Defense Secretary James Mattis and national security adviser H.R. McMaster — could fit in a Cabinet put together by, say, Hillary Clinton.

The commander in chief, on the other hand, is quite the opposite — inexperienced, untraditional, unbounded.

His pronouncements on everything from the “one China” policy to the twostate Arab-Israeli solution, from NATO obsolescence to the ravages of free trade, continue to confound and, Charles as we say today, disrupt.

Krauthammer The obvious question is: Can this arrangement possibly work? The answer thus far, surprisingly, is: perhaps.

The sample size is tiny, but take, for example, the German excursion. Trump dispatched his grownups — Vice President Pence, Defense Secretary Mattis, Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson — to various international confabs in Germany to reassure allies with the usual pieties about America’s commitment to European security. They did drop a few hints to Trump’s loud complaints about allied parasitism, in particular shirking their share of the defense burden.

Within days, Germany announced a 20,000man expansion of its military. Smaller European countries are likely to take note of the new setup.

It’s classic good-cop, bad-cop: The secretaries represent foreign policy continuity, but their boss preaches America First. Message: Shape up.

John Hannah of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies suggests that the push-pull effect might work on foes as well as friends. Last Saturday, China announced a cutoff of all coal imports from North Korea for the rest of 2017. Constituting more than one-third of all North Korean exports, this is a major blow to its economy.

True, part of the reason could be Chinese ire at the brazen assassination of Kim Jong Un’s halfbrother, who had been under Chinese protection.

Nonetheless, the boycott was declared just days after a provocative North Korean missile launch — and shortly into the term of a new American president who has shown that he can be erratic and quite disdainful of Chinese sensibilities.

His wavering on the “one China” policy took Beijing by surprise. Trump also strongly denounced Chinese expansion in the South China Sea and conducted an ostentatious love-in with Japan’s prime minister, something guaranteed to rankle the Chinese. Beijing’s boycott of Pyongyang is many things, among them a nod to Washington.

This suggests that the peculiar and discordant makeup of the U.S. national security team — traditionalist lieutenants, disruptive boss — might reproduce the old Nixonian “Madman Theory.” That’s when adversaries tread carefully because they suspect the U.S. president of being unpredictable, occasionally reckless and potentially crazy dangerous. Henry Kissinger, with Nixon’s collaboration, tried more than once to exploit this perception to pressure adversaries.

Trump’s people have already shown a delicate touch in dealing with his bouts of loopiness. Trump has gone on for years about how we should have taken Iraq’s oil for ourselves. Sunday in Baghdad, Mattis wryly backed off, telling his hosts that “All of us in America have generally paid for our gas and oil all along, and I am sure we will continue to do so in the future.”

Yet sometimes an off-center comment can have its uses. Take Trump’s casual dismissal of a U.S. commitment to a two-state solution in the Middle East. The next day, U.S. policy was brought back in line by his own U.N. ambassador. But this diversion might prove salutary. It’s a message to the Palestinians that their decades of rejectionism may not continue to pay off with an inexorable march toward statehood — that there may actually be a price to pay for making no concessions and simply waiting for the U.S. to deliver them a Palestinian state.

To be sure, a two-track, two-policy, two-reality foreign policy is risky, unsettling and has the potential to go totally off the rails. This is not how you would draw it up in advance. It’s unstable and confusing. But the experience of the first month suggests that, with prudence and luck, it can yield the occasional benefit — that the combination of radical rhetoric and conventional policy may induce better behavior both in friend and foe.

Alas, there is also a worst-case scenario. It needs no elaboration.

Charles Krauthammer’s email address is letters@charleskrauthammer.com.

Dealing with a case of the mulligrubs I’ve had the mulligrubs lately. For about three years. I don’t know if you are familiar with the term, but it means that you are in a bit of a malaise without knowing why.

It’s kind of like having the blues, except that you usually know the source of the blues and the source usually lacks a Y chromosome.

I came home from church Sunday and locked myself in the basement, determined to examine my life and come to an understanding of my condition in order to do something about it. Having a longterm case of the mulligrubs is not a good way to go through life, understand.

First I looked at the positives in my life. Counting one’s blessings is always a good way to drive away the doldrums. I have been exceedingly blessed. My tour business is booming; my kids hardly ever ask me for money.

My beloved Georgia Bulldogs haven’t lost a football game since November. I get to spend several days a week in the company of my grandson, Sir Henley the Adorable, the stock market is soaring and I broke 100 on the golf course twice this week.

examine the sports page — the toy store of the newspaper.

As I poured my second cup of coffee I would begin to read the local news and then would finally turn to the hard news in the front section, skimming the headlines and reading stories that I found interestDarrell ing. I would save the opinion Huckaby columnists for last and then, if time allowed, would work the Finally, I figured it out. I crossword puzzle. miss my mornings.

By the time the sun and my For the first 33 years of lovely wife, Lisa, were up, my marriage I had a simple I had enjoyed 90 minutes of routine to start each and peace and quiet, was quite upevery day. I would wake up to-date on world events and at 5:30 a.m., long before ready to go about my daily the sun. I would turn on the business with a smile on my coffeemaker and walk up our face and a lilt in my step. long driveway to retrieve the Nowadays, however, mornmorning newspaper. Then ings aren’t so pleasant. I find I would pour my first cup myself lolling around in bed of coffee and pour over the until almost 7:30 a.m. on papers in perfect solitude. most mornings. I still get up Sometimes I would sit at the and start the coffee and head kitchen table, sometimes on up the hill for the morning pathe front porch and, in the pers, but there is only one in dead of winter, I might build my driveway now, and it is as a small fire and enjoy my cof- thin as one of those Girl Scout fee, my paper and musings in mint cookies. Besides, I have front of the fireplace. usually read every word in the This regimen never varied. print edition on my computer I would read the funnies first the night before. And there because starting the day with is no solitude in my house at a laugh is always a good 7:30 a.m. because my wife thing. Then I would closely watches some silly morning

show where everybody tries to talk louder than everybody else and and they all laugh at things that aren’t funny and the audience laughs along with them, whenever somebody holds up the laugh sign.

To make matters worse, my wife talks back to the television and even tries to get me to comment on the idiocy.

When I don’t, she complains that we never talk anymore.

The coffee is never hot enough, either.

And it has taken me three years to figure this out. That’s how long it has been since I retired from the classroom and started sleeping in every morning.

I decided before leaving my basement that I had a couple of options. I could go back to teaching, or I could just go back to getting up at 5:30 again to enjoy my solitude.

I chose option C. I’m going to keep sleeping late and sharing the morning with Lisa. The mulligrubs aren’t that hard to deal with and besides, pitchers and catchers have already reported and the Braves will be playing soon.

I’ll still be morose, but at least I’ll know the reason.

An Olympic champ’s pursuit of excellence Dr. Melvin Pender Jr. is a bona fide American hero: An Olympic gold medalist (4 by 100 relay in the 1968 Mexico City Games at 31 years of age); a Bronze Star recipient with two tours of duty in Vietnam, retiring as a captain after having joined the Army at 17; a college graduate; a member of 11 halls of fame; a coach; an author and motivational speaker; a cancer survivor and a devout Christian. A list of remarkable achievements to which many of us would aspire but which few, if any of us, could ever equal. He has.

But what makes Pender a real hero is the obstacles he had to overcome to attain that success. He grew up in the separate-but-unequal South of the 1950s. “It was a time when blacks sat in the back of the bus and in the days of ‘white only’ water fountains,” he says.

He has also battled subtle and sometimes not-so-subtle racism for much of his adult life. The man has experienced the worst in us and not only persevered, he succeeded beyond anyone’s wildest imagination — except his.

“I never had any doubt I would make it,” he told me recently. “I used the system to my benefit.” Let it be known that Mel Pender is a loyal American who fought for his

Dick Yarbrough country and has little patience with those who disrespect our nation and its flag.

Sadly, his country didn’t always show him a lot of respect in return. His Olympic experiences were sandwiched between tours in Vietnam and little recognition by his superior officers as to his accomplishments on the track. He was denied service at restaurants even while in uniform. He was unwelcomed as a coach at the United States Military Academy because senior officers said “West Point isn’t ready for a black head coach.”

“That hurt,” he admits. “I had fought for my country and had been awarded a Bronze Star and was an Olympic athlete.”

Why isn’t he bitter with the second-class treatment he experienced more than he deserved and thrown down the race card? “My grandfather taught me to never let others

drag you down to their level,” he said. His grandfather also told him to be the best he could be in life. Even when he was a victim of racism, rather than give up and give in, he put his 5-foot, 5-inch self into overdrive in the pursuit of excellence, which included an Olympic gold medal that he has donated to the Charles Wright Museum of AfricanAmerican History in Detroit.

Today, Mel Pender is approaching 80, and has embarked on a nationwide tour to discuss his just-published book, “Expression of Hope” (Christian Faith Publishing.)

A visit to his website, www. mdconsultingfirm.net, will list some of Pender’s upcoming speaking engagements, including today at the Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta.

“It is a book I have been encouraged to write for many years,” he told me. “It is a chance to help young people and particularly young blacks to understand what it takes to be successful.” You owe it to yourself to hear this man’s story. And what a story it is.

The first time he ever ran track was in the Army, while stationed in Okinawa. His first-ever competitive race was against members of the Japanese Olympic team. He won.

He was 25, a time many elite

sprinters are slowing down.

Mel Pender was just getting started. “I was fast,” he says matter-of-factly. Was he ever.

Today, some six decades later, in addition to Olympic gold, he still holds the world record in the 50- and 60-yard dash and once owned the world record for the 100-meter dash.

Pender and I got off to a rocky start in our relationship when he took umbrage at one of my columns regarding a local political race in which he was serving as an adviser and I didn’t particularly care for his analysis of my analysis. Out of that initial cranky contact has come a mutual admiration and a strong friendship. A short black guy fast as the wind and a tall white guy who couldn’t walk and chew gum simultaneously. Who would have thought?

Dr. Melvin Pender Jr. beat a lot of people in a lot of races.

He also beat the odds stacked against him. He is proof that in this country, one can get out of life what one is willing to put into it. He is truly an American hero.

You can reach Dick Yarbrough at yarb2400@bellsouth.net; at P.O. Box 725373, Atlanta, Georgia 31139; online at dickyarbrough.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dickyarb.

10A • Sunday, February 26, 2017

gwinnettdailypost.com

Pace gets award for technology innovation From Staff Reports

an early adopter of Gwinnett County Public technology Libraries Executive Director and chamCharles Pace has received pioned some national recognition its use from the Public Library Asin public sociation for bringing new libraries.

Charles technology into the county’s It includes Pace library branches. a $1,000 The association recently honorarium to the winning presented its 2017 John Iliff library or professional.

Award to Pace. The award Gwinnett officials said recognizes librarians who Pace was specifically embrace innovation through recognized for overseeing technology and follow in the the implementation of a footsteps of Iliff, who was technology system called

Open+ at the Lawrenceville branch last summer.

The system, which is offered by Norcross-based Bibliotheca, includes a variety of functions, such as self-service kiosks, public access computers, lighting, alarms, public announcements, patron safety services and automatically monitors — and controls — access to the library building.

Gwinnett was the first library system in North America to adopt Open+, according to system officials.

“The board of trustees of the Gwinnett County Public Library is proud that Charles is being recognized for his commitment to customer service,” library board Chairman Dick Goodman said in a statement. “The implementation of Open+ is one of many innovations Charles has brought to our library system since coming aboard three years ago, with each one greatly enhancing the library experiences of the citizens of Gwinnett County.”

obituaries

In loving memory of Jimmie “Bobcat” Simmons who God took home on February 27, 2009.

On that day God took you home.

We will always love you dearly, we miss you so much.

Isabella, Sue (Fane), Jo, Ellen, Thomas, Sam, Angie (Vel), Grandchildren, Jennifer (Rug Rat), Cole, Jacob, Shane, & Mashall BARNESVILLE

756, Barnesville, GA 30204. To express condolences, please sign our online guest book at www. flaniganfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements By: Junior E. Flanigan of Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford, GA (770) 932-1133.

TUCKER, GA

Mallory Cruz Mrs. Mallory Paige Cruz age 33, of Tucker, GA passed away Thursday, February 23, 2017.

Arrangements By: Junior E. Flanigan of Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford, GA (770) 932-1133.

BUFORD

Rosalyn Frost Cleo Boles Mrs. Cleo Boles, age 98, of Barnesville, GA passed away Wednesday, February 22, 2017. Mrs. Boles was preceded in death by her husband Eldon Leon Boles, who died in 2011 at the age of 89. They were married 72 years at the time of his death.

She’s preceded in death by all her siblings and their spouses: two brothers, Duess “Dewey” Ashworth (Bea) of Suwanee, GA and Willie Lee Ashworth (Lonnie Mae) of Suwanee, GA; a sister, Estelle Ashworth Martin (Clifford) of Hoschton, GA; and a son-in-law Paul Williams of Forest Park, GA. She was also preceded in death by all Boles in-laws, father and mother-in-law Claude and Ora Bagley Boles, brother-in-law Wilbur Boles and sisters-in-law Charlotte West Boles, Syvilla Boles Wade (Lois), Ruby Boles Wade (James), Jessie Lou Boles Carey (S.T.). Her survivors include four daughters, La Rue Hand (Bobby Joe) of Barnesville, Martha Mackey-Gastgeb (Wayne) of Jackson, GA, Dianne Williams (Kenny Fretz) of Jackson, GA, Rebecca Huling (Charles) of Mableton, GA; seven grandchildren; ten greatgrandchildren; four greatgreat grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Services will be held in the Chapel of Flanigan Funeral Home of Buford, GA on Sunday, February 26, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. Officiating are Mrs. Boles’s nephews: Rev. Danny Ashworth and Rev. Winfred Martin. Interment will be at Peachtree Road Baptist Church Cemetery, Suwanee, GA. The family will receive friends on Saturday, February 25, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Flower condolences are welcome or memorial contributions may be made to the Gideons International or New Life Baptist Church, P.O. Box 7

Rosalyn Frost, age 83, of Buford passed away on Friday, February 24, 2017.

Graveside services will be held at 1 PM on Monday, February 27, 2017 at East Shadowlawn Memorial Gardens. Mrs. Frost was preceded in death by her husband: Clyde Frost; father & mother: Clyde and Effie Wade Reynolds, Sr., Brothers: Junior Reynolds, Robert Reynolds, Sister; Peggy Mauldin. Surviving are Son; Dan “Danny” Boss of Buford, Daughter; Mary Boss Doran of Decatur, Sister; Sue Moon of Lawrenceville, Brother; Bill Reynolds of Stockbridge, Sisters & Brothersin-law; Patsy and Ralph Burton of Loganville, Ruth and Larry Allen of Lawrenceville, Grandsons & Granddaughters-in-law; Scott and Jennifer Doran of Buckhead, Jeff and Julie Doran of Lawrenceville, Great Grandsons; Caleb, Weston and Zachary Doran, Great Granddaughter; Sarah Doran. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Alzheimer?s Association: www.alz.org.

The family will receive friends from 4-6 PM on Sunday, February 26, 2017 at Tim Stewart Funeral Home: 300 Simonton Rd. Lawrenceville, GA 30046 770-962-3100. Please leave online condolences at www.stewartfh.com

WINDER

Marvin Hanson, Jr. Mr. Marvin James “Jimmy” Hanson, Jr., age 72 of Winder, Georgia, who entered into rest Saturday, February 23, 2017.

CLERMONT

Albert King Albert (Al) Francis King, age 79 of Clermont, Georgia, passed away peacefully on February 20, 2017 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center following

an extended illness.

Al, known as Papa Bear in the family, leaves behind son, Mike King (Sheenagh) of Clermont; daughter, Kelly King Herndon of Lawrenceville; and grandchildren, Leilah King Kemp (Alex) of Tifton; Cameron King (Jenn) of Greenville, South Carolina; Colin King of Clermont; Winston Herndon of Clermont; Adam Herndon (Melissa) of Braselton; and Claire Herndon Vandervelde (Jacob) of Jackson, Mississippi. Papa Bear was loved by six great-grandchildren under the age of seven, Charlie, Avery, Ashlynn, and Addaline Kemp of Tifton; Parker King of Greenville, SC; and Ellery Herndon of Braselton. Al King is survived by his sister Kathy Payne of Easton, Md; brother-in-law John Temple (Ouida) of Sky Valley; sister-in-law Rosemary T. Calhoun of Tifton; and sister-in-law Gail Temple of Social Circle.

He was proceeded in death by his wife of 53 years, Barbara King of Clermont; son-in-law Mark Herndon of Gainesville; brother Wayne King of California; sister and brother-in-law Patricia (Pat) and Alfred (Red) Atkinson of Hartwell; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Loy and Jean Johnson of Jackson, Mississippi; brother-inlaw Gerald Temple of Social Circle; brother-inlaw Barnwell Calhoun of Tifton; brother-in-law Pete Temple of Hartwell; brother-in-law Paul Payne of Laurel, Maryland; and sister-in-law Kathy Temple of Hartwell.

Al was born in Washington D.C. and separated from his sibling at an early age. His ability as an athlete began to reveal itself when he entered St. Joseph’s Orphanage in his early teens and came under the wing of an outstanding man and young coach, Morgan Wooten.

Coach Wooten went on to career as one of the most successful Prep coaches in the country. With the help of Coach Wooten, Al earned a spot at the prestigious and nationally ranked DaMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland. With so many strikes against him from transportation to cost, Al was not able to attend DaMatha. Life had been a series of tough blows up to that point including spending a year in the hospital at age ten where he was given last rites for kidney damage from child abuse. In his despair at losing his place at DaMatha, Al had no way of knowing that his faith was about to let the sun shine in with a brilliance. His sister Patricia (Pat) Atkinson, a teen herself, met a young WWII veteran from Hartwell, Georgia working in Washingon D.C. That good man was Red Atkinson. They married, and Pat urged Al to come south. A Greyhound bus delivered Al into a new life.

The families of Reed Creek and Hartwell embraced Al just as they had done Pat. He gained w

Correction It is the policy of the Gwinnett Daily Post to correct all errors of fact.

An article in Friday’s paper erroneously stated the name of the father of Christopher Cody Howard, the young man who suffered a fatal medical emergency hours after being booked into Gwinnett County jail. His father’s correct name is Robert Howard. The Gwinnett Daily Post regrets the error.

For more obituaries, visit www.gwinnettdailypost.com.

weight and grew several inches in just two years.

In his words, “I was not hungry for the first time in my life. No Southern mother allowed a young person to leave her home without a biscuit or piece of chicken.”

Growing stronger served him well at Hart County High as he became the captain of the football and baseball teams, also named Thespian of the Year as a senior. Affectionately called “Yank” by fellow athletes, Al’s classmates became lifelong friends.

While at Hart County High, a pretty redheaded majorette with white tasseled boots caught his eye.

From a large family in the community, her name was Barbara Ann Temple.

Al caught Barbara’s eye too during the 1956 Hart County High vs. Gainesville High football game when he played a part in bringing the Hart County Bulldogs from behind to a nail-biting 21 to 20 end.

Hartwell lost the game, but Al won the girl.

Following graduation, Barbara left for college in Milledgeville and Al enlisted in the Army. While stationed at Fort Benning, he hitchhiked many a weekend to see his girl.

They were in married in August 1959. Al went on to earn an undergrad and master’s degree in education from the University of Georgia. He coached and taught at Madison County High School. In 1970, he accepted a position with the State Department of Education, climbing to the rank to state director of transportation. In retirement, Al followed yet another dream by becoming the GM of a professional football team, the Birmingham Barracudas of the Canadian Football League, CFL. Having never forgotten the dark years of his childhood, Al was generous with everyone around him.

Staying under the radar suited him best. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, a 4th degree, and his influence was also felt by Meals on Wheels, St. Paul the Apostle, St. Jude Medical Center, Boys Town, Covenant House and the University of Georgia. Among the accomplishments for which he was most proud was helping to establish and build St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Cleveland, Georgia.

A celebration mass of his life will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2017 at 2:00 P.M. at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, Cleveland, Georgia with a reception to follow in the parish hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 1243 Hulsey Road, Cleveland, GA 30528, http:// stpaulcleveland.com/; Eagle Ranch helping children and families in crisis, P.O. Box 7200 Chestnut Mountain, Georgia 30502, www.eagleranch.org; or the Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center, http://www.nghs.com/ hospice.

BUFORD

SUGAR HILL

Florrid Little, Jr.

Linda Rivera

Florrid Ezel Little, Jr., 61, of Buford, GA passed away February 21, 2017.

Crowell Brothers Funeral Home and Crematory, 5051 Peachtree Industrial Blvd, GA 30092.

(770)448-5757. www. crowellbrothers.com.

Linda Pauline Rivera, 66, of Sugar Hill, GA passed away February 18, 2017. Crowell Brothers Funeral Home and Crematory, 201 Morningside Drive, Buford, GA 30518.

(770)945-9999. www. crowellbrothers.com.

UNION CITY

BUFORD

William Little

Bernard Rosenberg

Mr. William Travis Little, age 74 of Union City, Georgia, who entered into rest Saturday, February 25, 2017.

Bernard “Bud” Rosenberg age 82, of Buford, GA passed away Wednesday, February 22, 2017. Arrangements By: Junior E. Flanigan of Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford, GA (770) 932-1133.

DULUTH

Faye Mattison Faye Mattison, 78, of Duluth, GA died February 23, 2017. Funeral services will be held Sunday, February 26, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. at Duluth First United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Duluth Church Cemetery Mrs. Mattison, a native of Carrolton, GA was a member of the Duluth First United Methodist Church, and was a retired clinic worker with B. B. Harris Elementary School in Duluth after 25 years of service. She is survived by her, husband, Shirley D. “Red” Mattison of Duluth, GA; son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Donna Mattison of Lilburn, GA; daughters and sons-in-law, Pam and Jerry Free of Cartersville, GA, Linda Gail and Frank Junior Passmore of Gainesville, GA, Karen and Ray Hodges of Duluth, GA; brother, Willis Holcombe of Virginia Beach, VA; eight grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, those desiring may make donations to the Duluth First United Methodist Church, 3208 Duluth Hwy 120, Duluth, GA 30096 (770)476-3776 or the Alzheimer’s Association, 41 Perimeter Center East, Suite 550, Atlanta, GA 30346 www. alz.org/georgia (800)2723900. Condolences may be sent by visiting www. billheadfuneralhome.com.

The family will receive friends Saturday, February 25, 2017 from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Bill Head Funeral Homes & Crematory Duluth Chapel (770)476-2535

GAINESVILLE

Bennie McAfee Bennie Ray McAfee, 62, of Gainesville, GA passed away February 21, 2017. Crowell Brothers Funeral Home and Crematory, 201 Morningside Drive, Buford, GA 30518.

(770)945-9999. www. crowellbrothers.com.

GRIFFIN

Vernelle Wages Vernelle Wages, age 97, of Griffin, GA passed away Thursday, February 23, 2017. She is survived by her son, Bill (the Late Kathy) Wages; daughter, Sylvia (Gary) Hollums; grandchildren, Steve (Suzanne) Wages, Julie (Jeff Dein) Moore, Kevin (Jenny) Hollums, and Andy (Cassi) Hollums; great grandchildren; Jeofry Wages, Hannah Moore, Jackie Hollums, Katie Hollums, Josh Hollums, Ellie Pennybacker, Elyce Wages, Morgan Wages, Lysander Hollums, and Melchizedek Hollums; great-great grandchild, Charlie Hollums; as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Beulah Thompson, Sr; husband, William Lamar Wages, Sr; and brother, William Otis Thompson, Jr. A Funeral Service Honoring the Life of Vernelle will be held on Monday, February 27, 2017 at 11:00AM at Tom M. Wages Lawrenceville Chapel with Rev. Hoyt Huff officiating. Interment will follow at Gwinnett Memorial Park. The family will receive friends on Monday, February 27th from 10:00am-11:00am in the funeral home. Condolences may be sent to or viewed at www. wagesfuneralhome.com.

Tom M. Wages Funeral Service LLC, “A Family Company” 120 Scenic Hwy Lawrenceville, GA 770-963-2411. .

15 photos are available with all Obituaries and Death Notices CALL 770.963.9205 EXT. 1162 OR EXT 1163

$

GDP -2/26/2017-Sunday

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2017 • 11A

gwinnettdailypost.com

NMLS# 187214/1180234

NMLS# 187214/1180234

Rider looks to make mark at Georgia Dome

BY JON GALLO

Staff Correspondent

Matthew Alford enjoys his job installing cable and internet service, but what he does when he’s not on the clock is his true passion.

“I love riding,” the 20-year-old from Winder said. “If I could make my living riding my bike, it would be a dream come true.”

Alford will take the next step in making his fantasy a reality when he makes his Class B debut at AMSOIL Arenacross Amateur Day today as part of a massive event that marks one of the final competitions at the Georgia Dome before the iconic venue closes for good.

“I’m from a small town and have had to work hard for everything that I’ve got,” said Alford, a 2013 gaduate of Winder-Barrow High.

“When I go the Georgia Dome, it’s going to be the biggest race of my life.”

Alford will be among many riders looking to leave the Georgia Dome with a fond memory, as for the first time ever, Monster Energy Supercross and AMSOIL Arenacross will compete in the same city, at the same venue, on the same weekend as the series celebrate 25 years of tearing up tracks.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A REVERSE MORTGAGE? Little Known TRUTHS 1) You have options for the accessing of your loan proceeds:

• Monthly payout for the life of your loan

• Monthly payout for a set period of time

• Cash at close with a balance added to the Line of Credit

• Line of Credit in order to take advantage of the growth rate

• Any combination of the above options.

2) You have protection against a potential downturn in the housing market.

3) The Line of Credit is a GREAT tool to be used as part of your overall Retirement Planning.

4) The property passes to your heirs the way you have it set up.

5) There is never a danger of leaving your heirs ‘strapped’ with your debt.

471851-1

471851-3

6) The Reverse Mortgage is a NON-Recourse loan

Arenacross came to the Georgia Dome Feb. 24-26. (Special Photos)

The event, which is being dubbed as “Motofest,” will be among the most significant in the history of stadium motorcycle racing, which has spanned four decades.

The event, which began Friday and ends today, features riders of all skill levels, from seasoned professionals to up-and-coming amateurs looking to go from weekend warrior to the sport’s next star.

“I’ll be nervous out there, but I’m going there to win,” he said. “My goal is to have a solid, top-10 finish and if I do that, I’ll be happy.”

The action-packed weekend started Friday night when AMSOIL Arenacross made its Atlanta debut, when

riders looked to navigate the red clay track at 8 p.m. for Round 7 of the championship series.

Before racing got underway on Friday, fans had the chance to meet Monster Energy Supercross and AMSOIL Arenacross riders and walk the track during a pre-race track party from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Drivers who were scheduled to compete this weekend were joined at the party by several of the sport’s all-time greats, including Jeremy “The King McGrath and Ricky “The GOAT” Carmichael.

On Saturday, Monster Energy Supercross held its eighth stop of the 17-race championship at 6:30 p.m.,

when Ryan Dungey, Ken Roczen and Chad Reed highlighted a star-studded field. The race was preceded

by Fan Fest from noon to 6 p.m., when fans mingled with drivers.

The rest of the weekend will feature amateur riders of all ages and skill levels, with racing today at 11 a.m.

“No matter what happens,” he said, “I’ll never forget it.”

Tickets are $30 for reserved seating, $20 for general admission or $10 for general admission if purchased with an SX ticket, and can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com, the Georgia Dome Box Office by calling (800) 745-3000.

Local first responders receive free estate planning

BY CAILIN O’BRIEN

471851-2

cailin.obrien @gwinnettdailypost.com

www.gwinnettdailypost.com

About five years ago, a man shot a gun at the car in

STORM RELIEF ALBANY,GA

PLEASE DONATE TODAY

TO DONATE PLEASE VISIT

GOFUND ME https://www.gofundme.com/recover-rebuild-renew-albany-ga

XNSP4073 467900-1

CONTRIBUTING LOCAL CHARITIES

UNITED WAY OF SWGA SHERWOOD BAPTIST STORM RELIEF • MT. ZION BAPTIST STORM RELIEF

SPONSORED BY THE ALBANY HERALD AND SOUTHERN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

which Gwinnett County police officer Reed Walters sat.

“We were doing undercover operations and we were driving around (the) South Norcross, Tucker (area),” Walters said. “This guy started jaywalking in the road and cut in front of the car.

We turned around to get out and he pulled out a gun and started shooting.”

Walters said he’s had a number of close calls like that in the almost 10 years since he’s been a police officer. But he began to think differently about them about a little over a year and a half ago.

That’s when his daughter, Hannah, was born.

“We’ve never had a will before, and now we’ve got this one,” he said, gesturing to the curly-haired toddler. “So I figure we need one.”

Walters was one of 30 Gwinnett police and fire first responders signed up for the free Wills Clinic hosted by the the State Bar of Georgia’s Young Lawyers Division Estate and Elder Law Committee as well as the Gwinnett Bar Association.

The clinic offered first responders and their families free legal estate planning.

Mostly that meant getting

Gwinnett County police officer Reed Walters waits with his 17-month-old daughter at the Free Wills clinic for first responders Saturday. (Staff Photo: Cailin O’Brien)

together wills in case something were to happen to the responders while they were on the job.

“For a first responder, obviously, they’re putting their life at risk everyday,” said Melody A. Glouton, an attorney helping to organize the event at the law offices of Andersen, Tate and Carr on Saturday. “So for the surviving spouse, if something were to happen to them in the line of duty, then they would have a last will and testament in place.”

Glouton said having the proper documents can ensure spouses can manage finances

Enter for your chance to win tickets to both the exhibit AND the Giant Screen film!

New Giant Screen Film Now Open

NOW ON VIEW

Discover the Science Behind the Storms in this New Special Exhibit

FernbankMuseum.org/Weather | @FernbankMuseum

Lead Sponsor

Wild Weather is developed and produced by Science North in partnership with the Ontario Science Centre.

Name ____________________________________________________________ Address __________________________________________________________ Phone ____________________ Email _________________________________ Mail your completed entry form to GDP/Fernbank P.O. Box 603, Lawrenceville, GA 30046 or visit gwinnettdailypost.com/contests to enter at:

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Must be 18 years old or older to enter. Sponsors and their families are not eligible. All entries must be completely filled out to be eligible. Void where prohibited & restricted by law. Entries must be received by March 15, 2017. Winners will be notified.

By entering you agree to receive limited promotional offers from GDP and our partners.

There are no exchanges and prizes cannot be resold.

471632-2

and that children have a place to go in case of an emergency.

But it wasn’t only about planning for a fatal situation.

“Probably some of the more important documents are the healthcare directives,” Glouton said. “So if they’re injured in the line of duty, then they’re designating someone who would serve as a healthcare agent and can assist in making healthcare decisions.”

A collection of attorneys from around Georgia volunteered to spend a little over an hour with each family drafting, witnessing and notarizing documents. Some worked from 8:30 a.m. until almost 2 p.m. on one of their days off.

But Gwinnett County Probate Court Law Clerk Elizabeth Strupe said she was glad to volunteer her time.

“First responders do such an incredible job taking care of their communities,” Strupe said. “I felt, what better way to give back to the people who give back to the community so much.”

The first responders seemed to appreciate the effort. Glouton said the 31 spots opened to participants in the program filled quickly after she began advertising in December. There were likely interested families who didn’t make the sign-up.

Glouton said getting another clinic together would be a large undertaking that could take months.

“But we do recognize that there are so many first responders out there who probably don’t have these documents in place,” she said. “It is a very important issue that we would like to address within our community.”

It’s become an important issue for Walters, too. He said he just wants to know his wife and Hannah have financial security should anything happen to him.

“I mean, what else is there when you’re dead,” he said.

“I just want them to be taken care of.”

12A • Sunday, February 26, 2017

gwinnettdailypost.com

ADVERTISEMENT

Does it Feel Like a Toothache in Your Leg or Thigh?

Do You Have Hip Pain? Are You As Stiff As a Board When You Try to Get Up From a Chair? Have You Run Out of Hope?

How 5 Lies About Low BACK PAIN Will Keep You Hurting, Frustrated & Exhausted ... Forever!

NEW Scientific Breakthroughs Make Short Work of Low Back Pain ... Just What Big Medical Centers and High Priced Clinics Are PRAYING You Never Figure Out On Your Own! Hi, I’m Dr. Daniel Martin, D.C., and if you’ve got any kind of back, hip or leg pain, your worries may be over in just a few minutes. Why? Because I’m the Clinic Director of HealthsourceTM of Hamilton Mill and I’ve discovered what may be the best healing secrets for “bad backs” — EVER!

Dr. Daniel Martin, D.C.

I’d be stupid to make such a claim if I couldn’t back it up. But I’m so confident we can help your back I insist on giving you A 100% UNCONDITIONAL SATISFACTION GUARANTEE at our Healthsource™ clinics (details later). I hate empty promises, and I also hate the lies most folks have been told about their backs.

That’s why it’s important I expose these MYTHS about back pain:

MYTH #1: Scialica (pain down your leg) is always caused by a herniated disc!

No way... even though most doctors will sell you a $3,000 MRI at the first sign of leg pain. But they don’t tell you about a “ 5-inch muscle in the hip that can squeeze the sciatic nerve. And It feels EXACTLY like “you’ve got the worst slipped disc on earth. It’s a major discovery and ...

The good news is that it can be easy an inexpensive to correct! How? Just keep reading!

But first, here’s a picture to show you where the pain comes from:

MYTH #2: Stiffness from Arthritis means you’re getting old...and it must be the reason for all your pain and stiffness!

Not true, because thousands of folks with arthritis in their backs have absolutely NO PAIN! Then why do YOU feel like your back will snap if you bend forward or twist too fast?

Because the truth is: Your stiffness may be caused by a hidden, even more dangerous problem than arthritis, and it can lead to a hip replacement! You see, most folks believe that something mysterious (like maybe an “arthritis fairy”?) waved a wand over them, and they’re cursed ... doomed to suffer forever.

But did you know that many arthritis problems are CAUSED by a combination of unseen imbalances in the spine and surrounding muscles. It’s the most common cause of hip replacement but not hard to correct if we catch it in time. It’s like the tires on your car ...

If the alignment it off just a teeny-weeny bit, at first you don’t notice, but over a few thousand miles you start to see signs of wear ... that is, if you’re Lucky enough to catch it before a flat on the freeway ruins your day. In your spine you’re lucky if you catch untreated imbalance before they ruin your spine! How to fix them? Just look at Myth #3.

MYTH #3: Your Back is “Out”!

468555-1

Sure, that’s exactly how it feels. But oldfashioned chiropractors (the ones who only ‘crack’ your back) really thought the spine worked this way. Now we know better. New research provides a whole new arsenal of toolsnot just a ‘crack’.

You see, there are 7 different reasons for that painful, locked-up and stuck feeling that causes so much misery:

• low-grade spasm • pelvis torque and tension • imbalance of hips • fallen or dropped arches • stiff vertebra joint • adhesion in leg muscle • pinched nerve

It’s NOT just your spine, and it’s NOT just your muscles. As, a matter of fact if one of the major muscles that stabilize the spine is partly spasmed, a “2nd stringer” will have to carry the load. But this is a serious problem ...

It’s like having your plumber doing all the dangerous electrical work!

Sure, he may get it done, and it may work at first but how long until there’s a fire? Or your back locks up. Which leads me to our next myth:

MYTH #4: “It’s Only a Muscle!”

Boy, it’s scary how many people think muscle problems are no big deal. Unfortunately, tight, bound-up, and spasmed or tight muscles can wear out l0 times faster than you can say, “Charley Horse”!

That’s why it’s important to examine the spine AT THE SAME TIME as the muscles that control it. It’s also why we’ve had such outrageous success with even the worst backs at HealthsourceTM. Because we deal with BOTH the spine and muscles at the same time. We have spine expert (chiropractors) and muscle experts (therapists) and together they deliver the abolute best way to help “bad backs” ...

EVER!! This ties in to Myth #5 and the diagram:

MYTH #5: “Muscle Relaxants” will help your muscles heal! Good grief, NO!

Your muscles tighten up for a reason” and muscle relaxants are like turning back the clock on a time bomb... you know it’s still going to blow up!

Sure, you may feel better now, but you’ll pay “in spades”!

So don’t fall for these lies about your back.

They’ll keep you hurting, frustrated and exhaustedforever!

WOULDN’T YOU RATHER: Turn over in bed without pain waking you up?

Get up in the morning without being stiff as a board? Be able to stand for as long as you want without sitting down for relief?

Lean forward over the sink without that ‘stubbing” in your buck or leg?

Then cut out my $17 coupon NOW!

Call NOW!

There are over 200 HealthsourceTM locations nationwide. Now 2 Atlanta locations to serve you!

Chiropractic & Progressive RehabTM

HAMILTON MILL/BUFORD 2725 Hamilton Mill Road (678) 889-2593 MARIETTA - 3036 Roswell Road (770) 578-0785

“My major symptoms were low back pain radiating down my right leg, severe numbness in both feet and poor ability to walk. Because of these symptoms, it made it impossible for me to walk or drive. I used a walker to walk. I tried physical therapy, pain medication and injections that didn’t work. HealthSource did adjustments on my back that helped with the pain and gave me the ability to walk without my cane. The exercises helped with my coordination and the neuropathy treatments gave me back the feeling in my feet. I feel better now mentally and physically. I am more able to do things for myself, like driving, and I am more active. I even sleep better. I would tell friends about HealthSource because they have given me back my independence. The care and concern that the therapist and doctor have shown, and the ways they have helped me have made me feel better.”

-Rebecca Smith

SCIENTIFIC BREAKTHROUGH:

A hidden muscle may be causing your SCIATICA! Does Your Back seem “Too Old” for Your Own Body?

Not eyeryone qualifies for treatment, so help us see if you do. If you check off even one box, drop what you’re doing and call Healthsource™ NOW. And bring this coupon when you come in for your comprehensive, guaranteed* 19-point “Back Pain Track Down Exam” for only $17 - complete with our compliments. This is the same full-value service that we offer at other locations and at other times for $189! As part of our community outreach program it is being extended for a very limited time. Now check off what describes you: • Tension ... always tight across the beltline • Bent-crooked off to one side and can’t stand up straight if your life depended on it • Trigger Polnt ... zinging pain to butt-cheek • Stiff as a board ... creak and groan when you first get out of bed in the morning • Traitor ... can’t trust your back and what it’s going to do--or when!

• Vice-like ... constantly locked down tight!

• Shooting ... vicious but short-lived • Lumbago ... hard to pin it down-just seems to hurt all the time, but it’s hard to say where • One-side... right at that “bone” on one side • Jack hammar...pounding off and on like a heartbeat or a toothache in your back • Aching from 1-5 years • Chronic pain for over 5 years No one will try to sell you anything, and you make no commitment...you just find out what’s wrong!

17 19-point “Back Pain Track-Down” Exam This state-of art exam finds referred pain in: • spine • pinched nerves • head posture • neck • trigger points • muscle tightness • joints • tendons • range of motion • stuck nerves • ligaments • muscle balance (A $189 Value! X-rays also included, if necessary) HealthsourceTM of HamiIton Mill (678) 889-2593 (Expires: 2/28/2017)

$

This offer does not apply to federal insurance beneficiaries and ANC participants gdp 11/9/14.

*Our Ultimate Guarantee!!

If you DO decide to work with us your service is guaranteed. It’s against the law for me to guarantee results. But if you’re not satisfied at any time, for any reason, with how you have been treated we’ll refund every dime for that treatment. No hard feelings, no risk, and absolutely nothing to lose except your miserable pain!!

P.S. Why You Must Not Wait! Because of the outstanding response to our previous community outreach efforts we can only provide this complimentary service through February 28, 2017. So don’t say, “Well, maybe I’11 be better tomorrow.” Don’t put your life on hold. Don’t call in sick again. Live your life pain free! Tie your own shoes for a change.

There is still an opportunity for complimentary examinations for a very select number of patients! Don’t Delay!

Chiropractic & Progressive RehabTM

HAMILTON MILL 2725 Hamilton Mill Road Dr. Daniel Martin, DC

(678) 889-2593

www.healthsourcechiro.com

sports

gwinnettdailypost.com

SECTION B • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2017

11 area teams headed for state quarters

By David Friedlander

david.friedlander@ gwinnettdailypost.com

THE EIGHT

Wesleyan seniors, left to right, Bailey Edwards, Capri Frazier, Sarah Adams, Katie Stipe and Sydney Millikan share a moment during Wednesday’s state playoff game at Wesleyan in Peachtree Corners. The Wolves have eight seniors this season. (Photo: Karl L. Moore)

Wesleyan’s tight-knit, successful senior class has been together since middle school

By Christine Troyke

BASKETBALL

christine.troyke@gwinnettdailypost.com

During a water break the day after Wesleyan’s second loss of the girls basketball season to Holy Innocents’, the Wolves’ eight seniors walked out of practice.

Well, ran out.

“That was the most terrifying experience of my life,” Natalie Armstrong said with a grin.

Assistant Erin Hall, once a player for head coach Jan Azar herself, suggested this wasn’t the day to pull their senior prank.

Laughter and groans mixed together equally as these girls, teammates and friends since Wesleyan’s class of eight seniors has been together since middle middle school, relayed the story. school. Back row, left to right, are Jameson Kavel, Natalie ArmThey talk over one another, but strong, head coach Jan Azar, Katie Stipe and Bailey Edwards. Front what does come through clearly row, left to right, are Mikayla Coombs, Sarah Adams, Capri Frazier is how much of a family this is. and Sydney Millikan. (Photo: Brian L. Morgan) Enough to risk bolting out of the after we had lost to Holy Innogym and sending their coach on a Coombs, the UConn-bound star guard considered to be one of the cents’ …,” Capri Frazier said. scavenger hunt.

“Can we start from the begin- best in the country. ning of practice?” said Mikayla “(Azar) came in and this was See WESLEYAN, Page 4B

Quarterfinal matchups in the state high school basketball playoffs: Tuesday Class AAAAAAA 6 p.m. — Colquitt County girls at Archer 6 p.m. — McEachern girls at Mill Creek 6 p.m. — Norcross girls at Westlake 6:30 p.m. — Collins Hill girls at Lambert Class AAAAA 5:30 p.m. — Buford girls at Warner Robins Class AAA 6 p.m. — GAC girls at Tattnall County Class A Private 5:30 p.m. — Prince Avenue girls at Wesleyan Wednesday Class AAAAAAA 7 p.m. — Brookwood boys at Grayson TBA — Norcross boys vs. Pebblebrook at TBA* Class AAAAA 6 p.m. — Warner Robins boys at Buford *Pebblebrook won the coin toss to host, but its gym is too small. It has until Monday to find a large enough gym for the home game.

There are 11 Gwinnett County boys and girls high school basketball teams remaining as the Georgia High School Association’s state basketball tournament reaches the quarterfinal round for each classification early next week.

The number of story lines for those teams seems far greater.

For starters, there are the coin flips to determine homecourt advantage for like seeds, in which Gwinnett teams nearly broke even. The Archer and Mill Creek girls (both Class AAAAAAA), and the Buford boys (Class AAAAA) won theirs for the right to host. The Norcross girls and boys (AAAAAAA), and the Buford and Greater Atlanta Christian girls (AAA) all have to travel.

“That was a big flip,” said Archer girls coach Bob Westbrook, whose Tigers (24-4) will welcome Colquitt County (23-4) to their gym for a 6 p.m. tipoff on Tuesday. “To be on our home court, I don’t know the numbers behind (how well home teams do in the quarterfinals), but it’s a big deal. It’s our third straight home game (of the tournament). You can’t set the table any better than that.”

Homecourt isn’t always necessary for success, as the boys teams from Grayson (20-9) and Brookwood (16-13) have demonstrated heading into their quarterfinal game — the only allGwinnett matchup in the Elite Eight — Wednesday at 7 p.m.

See QUARTERS, Page 4B

NFL COMBINE

Carson ready to put on a show

Levin set to make name for himself

Parkview grad Chris

By Paul Thomas paul.thomas@gwinnettdailypost.com Carson is one of four local players to earn an invite to As soon as the NFL season the combine. The Oklahoma ends, organizations turn their State running back will be attention to the draft process. joined by Alvin Kamara It’s an inexact science that (Norcross/Tennessee), Wayne mixes film study, background Gallman (Grayson/Clemson) investigations and a slew of and Corey Levin (Dacula/ other considerations.

Tennessee Chattanooga) at While the Senior Bowl in the combine.

January kicks off the process Carson and Levin have in earnest, it hits another gear both been training in Northis week in Indianapolis at cross with Chip Smith to the NFL Combine, where 330 prepare for the draft process. of the top collegiate players “I’m looking forward to will get the chance to work See CARSON, Page 4B out in front of all 32 teams.

paul.thomas@ gwinnettdailypost.com

4

I FCS. He is one of 330 players invited to the NFL Combine, which begins Tuesday in Indianapolis.

Every year scouts “I think I’m going to become enamored answer a few with small school questions to some prospects that put teams and I look up good results at to do well there,” the NFL Combine. the 6-foot-3, 305-pound lineman Dacula gradusaid of the chance ate Corey Levin is to work out for all hoping to be that Corey 32 teams. player this year.

Levin After redshirtThe former ing as a freshman for UTC Falcon offensive lineman played for the University of in 2012, Levin started Tennessee Chattanooga the See LEVIN, Page 4B last five seasons in Division

By Paul Thomas

Oklahoma State running back Chris Carson (32), a Parkview grad, jumps over Ole Miss defensive back Mike Hilton (38) during the 2016 Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. (Photo: Derick E. Hingle/USA Today Sports)

465505-1

HEART OF THE HAWKS PACK

PRESENTED BY:

4 TICKETS + $40 FREE FOOD & DRINKS HAWKS.COM/HEARTOFTHEHAWKS

HAWKS VS. PACERS

SUNDAY, MARCH 5 | 1:00

2B • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2017

gwinnettdailypost.com

Witmer sets sights on expanding middle school golf He also took a great interest recently in the Gwinnett-based Middle School What: Middle School Golf League because two Golf League Even in retirement, Les of his five grandchildren When: March 13-May 21 Witmer stays plenty busy. played in the league.

Details: Open to all The longtime Gwinnett “I made some remarks at Gwinnett area golfers resident retired from both the end of the year and the from fifth through eighth the U.S. Army and later next thing I know, I’m the grade from a career in finance, director of the league,” a For more information but was offered an intrigulaughing Witmer said. “In or to register: www. ing job 16 years ago as a all seriousness, I’m lookmiddleschoolgolf.com tax program moderator. ing forward to it. I love the He still holds that position, game.” which requires travel once Now the middle school coach, resigned. a month to Washington, league, which runs its regSince stepping away D.C., but stays busier with istration through the South from the Deep South, his non-paying jobs.

Gwinnett Athletic AssociaWitmer is known locally Witmer has immersed tion, has charged Witmer for his role with the Deep himself in one of his with taking it to another South Classic, Brookfavorite hobbies, golf. He level. wood’s long-running, plays regularly at Summit It has been a popular oppost-Christmas high school Chase Country Club in tion in the past since Tim basketball tournament.

Snellville and volunteers Gaines of the SGAA and He was instrumental in at area courses, including a Don Britt of Summit Chase founding the event in 1991, regular gig as a spotter for got it going, but Witmer assisted longtime director The Golf Channel, which has more time to dedicate Bruce Huckle for years and has him traversing the to the endeavor. then ran the tournament course in a headset relayWitmer has a track 2004-09, stepping down ing distance, club choice record of success in similar after his son Craig, then and other information to pursuits like the Deep Brookwood’s basketball the broadcast producers.

South Classic, an event

By Will Hammock

GOLF LEAGUE

will.hammock@ gwinnettdailypost.com

that expanded greatly and brought teams from as far as Alaska and California during his tenure with the tourney.

The golf league fielded six middle school teams (and close to 50 golfers) last season, mostly from feeder schools into Grayson, Brookwood, Archer and Parkview, as well as one team from Fulton.

Golfers are grouped with other players from their own middle school, giving them an option to compete with their classmates.

Summit Chase and Cedar Lake are host courses for the league, which offers registration through March 4 with play beginning the week of March 13. Play

continues through May 21.

“Right now, it’s really just around this area, but what we’d like to do is really expand it,” Witmer said. “I talked to Cedar Lake and Summit and they’re all for it. I didn’t want to step on toes if they wanted it just here.

But with the golf courses around, I think there is plenty of room for expansion. We’d certainly like to see it increase.”

Each school group this season will have a marshal to oversee on-course play, as well as to steer golfers to the proper tees (both Red and Junior tees will be used). Practice range time and work with club pros also will be offered, and

Witmer hopes high school players from participating feeder middle schools can come for a round with the juniors. Events are Lauderdale best-ball style, though the league plans to introduce more stroke and individual competition going forward. The season will conclude with an individual stroke play or two-player tournament, along with a pitch, chip and putt contest.

“There’s a great opportunity for local middle school age kids to learn and play golf in really fun way,” Witmer said. “Golf can help boost kids’ health and confidence as well as teach personal skills that will last a lifetime.”

Enter To Win A Family Four Pack of Tickets!

Atlanta Gladiators vs Greenville Swamp Rabbits Saturday, March 11th at 7:05pm - Infinite Energy Arena

Last Chance to See Monster Jam® at the Georgia Dome!

GEORGIA DOME

373231

ENTER ON FRIDAY, MARCH 3RD ONLY ON FACEBOOK.COM/GWINNETTDAILYPOST

MAR 4 & 5

Competitors shown are subject to change. © 2016 Feld Motor Sports, Inc. • All trademarks shown are the property of their respective owners.

MonsterJam.com

ENTER THIS THURSDAY ONLY ON FACEBOOK.COM/GWINNETTDAILYPOST

460933-1

471300-1

Enter To Win A Family Four Pack Of Tickets

First Home Game is April 6th!

WIN FOUR IN-FIELD BOX SEATS AND WATCH THE FIREWORKS FROM THE DUGOUT!

Opening Day

TM

Enter Today Package includes:

• 4 in-field box tickets and seats in the dug out after the game to watch the fireworks!

Last Chance to See Monster Jam® at the Georgia Dome!

GEORGIA DOME

Name ____________________________________________________________ Address __________________________________________________________ Phone ____________________ Email _________________________________

MAR 4 & 5

Mail your completed entry form to GDP/GBraves P.O. Box 603, Lawrenceville, GA 30046 or visit gwinnettdailypost.com/contests to enter at NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Must be 18 years old or older to enter. Sponsors and their families are not eligible. All entries must be completely filled out to be eligible. Void where prohibited & restricted by law. Entries must be received by February 28, 2017. Winners will be notified.

By entering you agree to receive limited promotional offers from GDP and our partners.

There are no exchanges and prizes cannot be resold.

373231

Competitors shown are subject to change. © 2016 Feld Motor Sports, Inc. • All trademarks shown are the property of their respective owners.

MonsterJam.com

469557-3

ondeck Prep Schedule

Monday

BASEBALL

5:30 p.m. — Chamblee at Berkmar 6 p.m. — Central at Johnson 6 p.m. — Meadowcreek at Centennial 6 p.m. — Norcross at Forsyth Central 6 p.m. — Northview at Duluth 6 p.m. — Peachtree Ridge at Rockdale Co. 6 p.m. — South Forsyth at Lanier 6 p.m. — Towers at Shiloh

LACROSSE

5:30 p.m. — Fellowship Christian girls at Wesleyan 6 p.m. — Collins Hill boys at Dacula 6 p.m. — Lanier boys at Mill Creek 6 p.m. — Lanier girls at Northview 6:30 p.m. — Grady girls at GAC 7 p.m. — Archer boys at Northgate 7:30 p.m. — Dacula girls at Johns Creek

TENNIS

• Brookwood and Peachtree Ridge at Sugarloaf Country Club • Buford and South Forsyth 3:30 p.m. — North and Lambert boys at Sharon Springs 3:30 p.m. — North and Lambert girls at TBA 4:15 p.m. — St. Pius at Wesleyan Tuesday

BASEBALL

5 p.m. — Hebron at Collins Hill 5 p.m. — Mountain View at Fannin Co. at UNG 5:30 p.m. — Archer at Loganville 5:30 p.m. — Chamblee at GAC 5:30 p.m. — Mill Creek at Parkview 5:30 p.m. — Westminster at Wesleyan 6 p.m. — Dacula at Centennial

BASKETBALL

State quarterfinals Class AAAAAAA 6 p.m. — Colquitt County girls at Archer 6 p.m. — McEachern girls at Mill Creek 6 p.m. — Norcross girls at Westlake 6:30 p.m. — Collins Hill girls at Lambert Class AAAAA 5:30 p.m. — Buford girls at Warner Robins girls Class AAA 6 p.m. — GAC girls at Tattnall County Class A Private 5:30 p.m. — Prince Avenue girls at Wesleyan

GOLF

3:30 p.m. — Central and Discovery at Northwood

LACROSSE

5:30 p.m. — Maynard Jackson at Meadowcreek 6 p.m. — Chattahoochee girls at North 6:10 p.m. — Mount Pisgah boys at Wesleyan 6:30 p.m. — North boys at GAC 7 p.m. — Archer girls at Buford

SOCCER

5 p.m. — Berkmar at Providence 5 p.m. — Hebron at Fellowship Christian 5 p.m. — Parkview at GAC 5 p.m. — Riverwood at Wesleyan 5:30 p.m. — Brookwood at Peachtree Ridge 5:30 p.m. — Buford at Social Circle 5:30 p.m. — Dacula at Archer 5:30 p.m. — Duluth at Loganville 5:30 p.m. — Grayson at Mill Creek 5:30 p.m. — Madison Co. at Discovery 5:30 p.m. — Meadowcreek at Shiloh 5:30 p.m. — North at Norcross 5:30 p.m. — St. Pius at Collins Hill

TENNIS

• Archer at Shiloh • Brookwood at Central • Habersham Central at Dacula • Meadowcreek and Lakeside-Dekalb • Mountain View and Peachtree Ridge at Sugarloaf 3:30 p.m. — Grayson at Newton 3:30 p.m. — Hebron at GAC 3:30 p.m. — Lanier at Winder-Barrow 3:30 p.m. — Loganville at Parkview 3:30 p.m. — Mill Creek at Collins Hill 3:30 p.m. — North at Discovery 4 p.m. — Tallulah Falls at Providence 4 p.m. — Wesleyan at Buford

TRACK & FIELD

3:30 p.m. — Parkview at Brookwood

The Home Teams

Gladiators

Hawks

TODAY NEXT UPCOMING at Orlando at Florida at Florida 1:30 p.m.

Fri, 7:30 p.m.

Sat, 7 p.m.

102.9-FM 102.9-FM 102.9-FM

at Boston Dallas Off Mon, 7:30 p.m. Wed, 7:30 p.m.

FSSE/92.9-FM FSSE/92.9-FM

Off

at Calgary Sat, 9 p.m.

at New England March 12, 1 p.m.

Swarm

gwinnettdailypost.com

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2017 • 3B

Legacy front row for Daytona 500

By Don Coble

Staff Correspondent

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The late Dale Earnhardt used to believe he could “see” the air when he raced at the Daytona International Speedway.

Bill Elliott used to believe there were no limits to how fast he could go at the 2.5-mile racetrack.

After winning the front row for the biggest race of the season, the sons of two NASCAR Hall of Fame drivers hope to continue to carve their own niches today in the Daytona 500.

Chase Elliott won the pole with a qualifying lap of 192.872 mph last week — well short of his father’s 1987 track record of 210.364.

Earnhardt Jr., who’s second to his father in all-time restrictor-plate victories, will be on the outside pole.

While NASCAR has embraced the connect between the sport’s past and present, sentimentality probably end when the green flag waves at 2 p.m., especially after manufacturer teammates all gang up.

“Obviously guys are going to do what they feel like is best for them,” Elliott said. “That’s just the fact of life when it comes to racing. You don’t blame ’em for doing their own thing. Sometimes you just got to make your own — kind of do your own thing, make your own way.”

Earnhardt Jr. has 10 career victories at the two racetracks that require a restrictor plate. The plates, also used at the Talladega Superspeedway, reduce speeds for safety purposes by limiting the flow of gasoline and air into the engine.

They also create a new brand of racing that re-

NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott (24) starts on the front row for today’s Daytona 500 after winning the Can-Am Duel at Daytona 1 on Thursday night. (Photo: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports)

quires drivers to use aerodynamics, not horsepower, to make passes. Nobody knew how to do that better than Junior’s father, who won 13 times with plates.

Earnhardt Sr. knew exactly how to use the slipstream — called the draft — to create speed for himself and turbulence for everyone else. That’s why he believed he could see the air around his car.

The son has taken aerodynamics to a new level by figuring out how the air also affects speeds when cars get side-by-side.

“It seems like everybody’s kind of got smart to most of the tricks,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “The more common stuff out there, you see everybody sort of taking advantage of that.

Every time we come down here, the cars draft and work a little bit differently.

Something that used to work maybe doesn’t work quite as well, or there’s a new thing that’s actually working.

“You just got to really be aggressive out there with the side-drafting and working and pushing.”

Another thing that’s working is teamwork. All

four Joe Gibbs Racing cars, with drivers Denny Hamlin, Matt Kenseth, Kyle Busch and rookie Daniel Suarez, are expected to work in tandem, as well as the Fords for Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano at Team Penske and for Clint Bowyer, Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch and Danica Patrick at StewartHaas Racing.

“Plate-racing, I feel like you have to be one move ahead all the time and you have to have one in the bank that nobody has seen yet,” Keselowski said. “In that regard, you don’t know who has one in the bank and you never know who learning and moving forward based on mistakes or lessons learned. It’s very much fluid, very much dynamic.”

Elliott and Earnhardt both drive for Chevrolet and Hendrick Motorsports.

They also have Kasey Kahne and defending series champion Jimmie Johnson as teammates. The challenge is to find a friend quickly and work together to get to the front.

Jamie McMurray will start third today, followed

by Hamlin in fourth, Harvick in fifth, Bowyer

in sixth, Keselowski in seventh, Kurt Busch in eighth, Kenseth in ninth and Austin Dillon in 10th.

While everyone is committed to working together, a lot of the agreements fall apart in the closing laps.

“You certainly have to have some people go with you at some point to move forward,” Elliott said. “It’s all what you can do to help yourself.”

Elliott backed up his pole position with a win in last Thursday’s 150mile qualifying race. The last driver to sweep the pole, the qualifier and the Daytona 500 was his father back in 1985.

Earnhardt led 53 of 60 laps in his qualifying race, only to be overwhelmed coming to the white flag by a three-car freight train led by Hamlin. Earnhardt lost the draft and wound up sixth.

Only a few have learned how to manipulate the air, and the confidence it takes to make a move under pressure at Daytona, Earnhardt Jr. said. A driver who’s willing to block a hard-charging line of traffic or jump out of line during the stretch drive is just as likely to end up on his roof as in Victory Lane.

For most, the opportunity to win on stock-car’s grandest stage is well worth the gamble.

“I think plate racing works for a certain type of personality, a certain type of mentality, because it’s more about the choices the driver’s making instead of what the car’s capable of doing,” Earnhardt Jr. said.

“So the guys that are really good at understanding and making the right choices always seem to be toward the front.”

Just like his father.

Reed claims second Xfinity win

By Reid Spencer The Sports Xchange

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — For Ryan Reed, there’s magic in the air at the Birthplace of Speed.

Reed went to Victory Lane at Daytona International Speedway in February 2015 and hadn’t won since — until Saturday night, when he held off Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series veteran Kasey Kahne in overtime to claim victory in the Powershares QQQ 300 NASCAR Xfinity Series season opener.

With the race going four laps past its scheduled distance of 120 laps, and with the series running NASCAR’s new three-stage event format for the first time, Reed blocked Kahne in Turn 2 on the first of two overtime laps and stalled his momentum.

From that point on, Reed stayed out front and got to the finish line .219 of a second ahead of Kahne, with Austin Dillon a close third and Brad Keselowski and

before clobbering the backstretch wall on Lap 104 in a 16-car accident.

Sadler was credited with a 24th-place finish but managed to hold third in the series standings, thanks to points earned in the first two stages. Reed leaves Daytona with a nine-point lead over second-place Gaughan, with Sadler 14 back.

“Man, that was a heck of a race,” Gaughan said.

Xfinity Series drivers Brandon Jones (33) and Justin All- “What a run to get back to gaier (7) wreck during the PowerShares QQQ 300 on Sat- the top five! Me and Austin urday. (Photo: Mike DiNovo-USA Today Sports) — we were beasts coming through the field.”

Before the race reached Brendan Gaughan fourth 40 cars were running at the end of the 30-lap first and fifth, respectively. the finish. Only three cars stage, the event had been Reed’s triumph was a escaped damaged from red-flagged twice for welcome start to the season a succession of major for Roush Fenway Racing, wrecks — those of Kahne, two massive wrecks that eliminated more than a which suffered through a Ty Dillon (who ran out of handful of drivers expected winless season in 2016. gas on the first overtime “I’m just so excited,” lap) and David Starr (who to contend for the series Reed said in Victory Lane. dropped out after four laps championship.

On Lap 23, Scott La“I knew if I could run two with engine issues). gasse Jr. turned the No. 42 perfect laps (in overtime) The driver who got the Chevrolet of Tyler Reddick with however many blocks worst end of the accident I had to do in those two toll was Elliott Sadler, who across traffic on the backlaps, I’d be standing here.” led a race-high 40 laps and stretch, causing a colossal chain-reaction pileup that In a race that produced won the first two stages involved 20 cars — liter10 cautions, one short of under caution (earning the event record, 20 of the one playoff point for each) ally half the field.

FSSE = FOX Sports Southeast, FSSO = FOX Sports South

On TV AUTO RACING

Today

2 p.m. — Daytona 500. From Daytona International Speedway. FOX

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

2 p.m. — Syracuse at Louisville CBS 3:30 p.m. — Butler at Xavier FS1 4 p.m. — Wisconsin at Michigan State CBS

GOLF

3 p.m. — PGA Tour Honda Classic, Final Round. From Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. NBC

NHL

12:30 p.m. — Boston at Dallas NBC 7:30 p.m. — St. Louis at Chicago NBCSP

SOCCER

8:25 a.m. — Premier League Tottenham Hotspur FC vs Stoke City FC NBCSP

WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

1 p.m. — Florida State at Notre Dame ESPN2 1 p.m. — Georgetown at DePaul FS1 1 p.m. — Georgia Tech at Miami FSSO 3 p.m. — Ohio State at Rutgers ESPN2 3 p.m. — Duke at North Carolina FSSO 5 p.m. — Tennessee at Mississippi State ESPN2

www.gwinnettdailypost.com

Fowler breezes to 65 and 4-shot lead The Sports Xchange

in Southern California and I played at Oklahoma PALM BEACH GARState. It’s been known to DENS, Fla. — Rickie blow in Oklahoma; the key Fowler took advantage of is to hit the ball solid. benign conditions on the “Wind or no wind on Champion Course at PGA this course, you still have National, but he’s ready for to hit the ball in the fairway the wind on Sunday. because there is trouble Fowler, who has won out there. It’s a great golf three times on the PGA course and it keeps you Tour but is trying to make on your toes. I was able to up for a sub-par 2016, avoid the trouble and make carded a bogey-free 5-unsome birdies.” der-par 65 on Saturday to Fowler, who opened take a four-stroke lead over with 66-66, has a 54-hole Tyrrell Patton of England total of 13-under 197, at the Honda Classic. breaking by one stroke the “I love to play in the tournament record set by wind,” Fowler said when Rory McIlroy in 2014. told it is expected to blow Hatton, who has won at least 25 mph in the final five times as a pro topped round. “It blew at about by the Alfred Dunhill 10-15 mph every day Links Championship where I grew up (Murrieta) last year, was one stroke

behind after making three straight birdies through No. 14, but made a bogey at No. 17 as Fowler birdied two of the last three.

“I’ll go out there and play the best I can tomorrow, that’s all I can do,” said Hatton, who tied for fifth in the Open Championship and tied for 10th in the PGA Championship last year.

“I can only control what I do and we’ll see how it goes.”

Sean O’Hair birdied four of the last seven holes in a 65 and is six shots back in a tie for third with Emiliano Grillo of Argentina, who also had a 65, two-time major champion Martin Kaymer of Germany, who shot 68, Gary

Woodland, who totaled 66, and rookie Wesley Bryan, who stumbled in a 72 after being tied for the lead after each of the first two rounds.

PGA champion Jimmy Walker carded a 65 and is seven behind in a huge tie for eighth with Brandon Hagy (64), Kevin Kisner (66), Jason Dufner (67), Zach Johnson (68), Francesco Molinari (67) of Italy, Brian Stuard (67), Chad Collins (67), Morgan Hoffman (69), Graham DeLaet (70) of Canada, Anirban Lahiri (71) of India and 36-hole co-leader Ryan Palmer (73).

Defending champion Adam Scott of Australia struggled to a 73 and was tied for 39th, 11 strokes down.

4B • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2017

gwinnettdailypost.com

Wesleyan •From Page 1B “For the second time,” Coombs said.

“She had just come from watching film of the whole thing,” Frazier said.

“It was the worst day to do it,” Armstrong said.

“And we were doing so bad in practice,” Katie Stipe said. “She was so mad.”

“We were going to do it in the middle of practice,” Sarah Adams said, starting to laugh. “Mikayla and I are just chatting and Natalie sprints out of the gym.”

Frazier: “You know she was not about to give us another water break so we had to go then.”

Armstrong: “We left Wesleyan through all the traffic ...,” Stipe: “In cars. We’re all driving.”

Coombs: “You should have seen us sprinting out of this gym. It’s the fastest I’ve ever run in my life.”

Stipe: “I’ve never been so scared.”

They met at Dunkin’ Donuts and were about to start a group text when Azar messaged them.

“She said she was going to start freshmen on Senior Night,” an already laughing Adams said.

Adams and Coombs claim they knew Azar, architect of Wesleyan’s 11 state championship teams since 2002, was kidding.

Coombs said she and Jameson Kavel, headed to Duke on a softball scholarship in the fall, were calm the whole time. Kavel, along with Adams, has been at Wesleyan since kindergarten and playing under Azar’s tutelage since fifth grade.

Coombs has been in the program since seventh grade.

Stipe was the last to join the group in eighth grade, which may explain some of her angst over the prank.

“I kept saying, ‘I’m turning around!’” Stipe said.

“Katie literally nearly crashed her car,” said Coombs with her usual dry humor and a grin.

They stuck with the plan, however rocky the start, and sent Azar on a scavenger hunt around campus.

“Usually I’m in on the prank,” Azar said. “But I guess I wasn’t this year.

“It was right before Senior Night, that’s why they did it. So I found them on the lower school playground, where some of them grew up in kindergarten. But they brought me Dunkin’ Donuts, so they figured they’d be OK.” It was. And it’s just one example of how this class of eight has stuck together for so long. Even in a program, which Azar has a hand in from fifth grade on up, with excellent retention, some attrition is normal.

“For the most part, they have hung together and I think it’s really largely due to their commitment to each other,” Azar said. “They really like each other. They support each other.

“For a lot of them, basketball is not their No. 1. I think they like basketball a lot and they enjoy being a part of this program, but they love

each other. That’s what has held them together.”

When Coombs was selected as a McDonald’s All-American, the other seven seniors talked about going to Chicago for the game.

“When McDonald’s came here to present Mikayla with her jersey, I thought they were kidding when they came up and asked me to drive a minibus to Chicago,” Azar said.

“They did offer to help drive.

“I told them that wouldn’t be necessary — because I was not driving a minibus to Chicago. But they found a way. They are making a senior trip.”

More laughter and groans filled the air when they’re asked how they think that adventure will go.

“I’m just going to let you know, none of our plans ever go smoothly,” Coombs chuckled.

Which might be what makes them laugh so often when retelling stories.

They’ve been together so much, and for so long, that separating memories is next to impossible. So is holding the sentimentality at bay.

“It’s not just about basketball,” Frazier said with emotion vibrating in her voice. “It’s family. These are my best friends.”

Bailey Edwards, who with Sydney Millikan and Frazier all arrived in fifth grade, had a tear slide slowly down her cheek at that.

“Stop!” Frazier ordered laughingly.

Coombs and Armstrong enrolled in seventh grade, although the Samford-bound Armstrong has been around the program since she was in kindergarten because her older sister Anne Marie Armstrong was playing for the Wolves. Stipe came the next year and the group was complete.

“I remember there were a lot of them,” Azar said of the class’ initial tryouts in fifth grade. “And a lot of talent.

“Some had never really played basketball before, but it was an athletic group who really wanted to play all sports here at Wesleyan.”

Azar does the tryouts from fifth grade on up and is there every Saturday morning for the younger teams’ games.

“I’m convinced Coach Azar is definitely duplicated,” Frazier said.

“There’s definitely more than one of her. Because Coach Azar is everywhere.”

“I used to be so scared of her watching me play,” Coombs said.

“She’ll come to games to watch and then if you start losing, she’ll come to the bench,” Adams said.

“Not even losing,” Coombs laughed. “It’d be winning by like 15.

That’s not enough!”

This class hasn’t done much losing along the way. They’ve played in the state finals three straight years and are aiming for their second championship this season. The Wolves host the Class A Private quarterfinals Tuesday night against Prince Avenue Christian, needing three more wins for a state title.

“I think they won every champion-

Quarters ship in middle school,” Azar said.

“I don’t know that they won the fifthgrade championship because they were all so new to basketball. But I know seventh and eighth grade, they did not lose much.

“And they were split apart on teams those years (because the class was so big). Some were up on the eighth-grade team and some who played on the seventh-grade team, which a lot of times splits girls apart.

This group it did not. They knew they were going to find their way back together.”

The eight were finally reunited on the same team as juniors.

“Throughout every single game, they get excited for one another,” Azar said. “No one is trying to outdo anyone else and that spreads throughout our younger players. It’s great leadership on their part to help continue our tradition of it being a team sport and not just about one person. They are very in tune to that.

“You find them everywhere.

They’re very involved with the school. Which I like. Life is not just about basketball for these eight girls.

They love it and they love being together, but they’re all so involved in so many other ways.

“They’re going to really, really miss each other when they go their separate ways.”

Azar was right to predicte tears at the mention of this fall, when they all head to different colleges.

“I know what you’re going to say and I’m going to start crying,” Armstrong said.

She does anyway. As do Frazier and Edwards. Even Coombs’ eyes look suspiciously bright after she gives Armstrong and Frazier a hard time about it.

“It’s going to be weird,” Armstrong said. “We really know each other forward and backward.”

“We’ve seen each other every day for at least the last five years,” Edwards said.

“Since we’ve been together for so long, our relationship goes a lot further that basketball,” Adams said.

“Even though we’ll be apart, we’ll have the same relationship.”

“Even if we can’t see each other that often, when we all get back from college and have that moment, it’s going to be exactly the same,” Armstrong said.

With half the team set to graduate, Azar has a larger than normal roster.

“I’m not worried about what the future holds,” Azar said. “Our younger players are talented and great girls — and also because of what they’ve learned from these seniors.

“These seniors are an amazing group of girls. Yes, they’re good at basketball, but the type of people they are is what I will miss the most.

They come from good families who are all very supportive of the things we do here, which has made my job easy for the last eight years. And some of them since I’ve had them as campus kindergartners.

“That I definitely will miss.”

Carson •From Page 1B it,” Carson said of the combine. “Taking this opportunity to get to go out there and show my ability with some of the top running backs in the country. It’s going to be a good little show out there.”

Carson’s path to this point has been anything but clear. Nine games into his senior season with the Panthers, Carson was hit on the knee by a Berkmar defender’s helmet.

His season and high school career was over with a torn ACL. He had rushed for 1,146 yards and 17 touchdowns prior to the injury for the Panthers.

He had received interest from programs like Auburn, Georgia and South Florida, but once his season ended, he lost focus and was forced to attend Butler Community College in Kansas.

It took eight months for Carson to rehab his knee and get ready for his first season at Butler.

“The first couple months were probably the worst couple months of my life,” he said. “I’m really just sitting there thinking, ‘I’m really about to be done.’ Then you go from hopefully you want to play Division I football to having to go the JUCO route. It just tears you apart. It was rough, but I had good people in my corner helping out and

bringing me up and really just made me grind even harder to try to get back from that situation.”

Carson said he relied heavily on the support from his mother, Dina Rowe, and teammates Kyle Williams (now at Mercer) and Shaq Vereen (now at Air Force) to get through the rehab.

Once fully healed, he starred for Butler, a JUCO powerhouse. In two seasons for the Grizzlies, he rushed for 1,605 yards and 17 touchdowns.

“It’s probably the worst, but the best, times of your life really because it teaches you everything,” he said of JUCO. “It makes you put in perspective what’s really important, what’s really not important. Out there in El Dorado, Kan., it’s nothing but Butler Community College. All you can do is just focus on football, your grades and academics. It was just a learning experience and a blessing at the same time. The people out there were really good, you get a lot of close relationships that you’re not going to lose out there. It was a blessing and taught me a lot about the game.”

As they promised him in high school, the Bulldogs came calling after his sophomore season at Butler. He committed to Georgia, but a crowded backfield and a late push

from Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy flipped him to the Cowboys.

Carson racked up 687 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns for the Cowboys as a junior. Last year he ran for 565 yards and nine touchdowns in nine games. He also caught 13 passes for 128 yards and a TD, as he missed four games with a hand injury.

He said he was happy he got the chance to compete in the Big 12 and hopes that teams will take notice of how dynamic a running back he’s developed into.

“Definitely pass protection,” he said of where he grew the most. “We didn’t do none of that at Parkview.

It was just give me the ball and run. But now I’m good at pass protection and reading the defense and probably my game out of the backfield too — being a receiver out of the backfield is probably my biggest thing. You can move me out to slot and stuff like that, just me being more versatile in my game is probably the biggest thing.”

Since his season ended Carson has enjoyed being back in Gwinnett to train for the draft. NFL.com currently gives him a rating of 5.22, which puts him in the “NFL backup or special teams potential” range.

He’ll get a chance to improve that stock this week at the combine. Smith has

put dozens of players in the NFL and is considered a pioneer in the sports performance training industry and NFL draft prep.

He brings in former NFL players to work with his draft hopefuls, who do more than just work on their 40-yard dash times at the Norcross facility. One of the biggest components of the draft process is how players perform when asked X’s and O’s questions by teams.

Former NFL linebacker Rennie Curran works with Smith and said he tries to tell the players that the Combine is really just one big job interview.

“The biggest thing I try to tell them is, ‘This is your one opportunity to sell yourself,’” the Brookwood grad said. “You’re going to get those questions like ‘Do you love football? Are you comfortable playing special teams?’ Not just giving them a yes or no answer, but really going in depth as far as selling yourself as a player and the assets that you provide with how you can add value to a team.

“It’s no different than when you go into any business and you’re trying to fight for a job. The only thing with this is you’re competing with hundreds of other guys who are trying to get the same thing and the margin of error is so small.”

•From Page 1B

perhaps none more than the Norcross boys’ (24-5) The Rams have won game with Pebblebrook four straight road playoff (21-7), a rematch from games over the last two the championship game seasons, including Thurs- of the Tournament of day’s 69-53 second-round Champions Classic on win at Etowah, while the Dec. 30 won by the FalBroncos are 10-5 away cons 77-69. from home this season, That game was at including 8-2 in true road Wheeler High School, but this time, the Blue Devils games. will be traveling to play Those numbers would Pebblebrook on its home seem to favor Brookcourt for a 7:30 p.m. tip. wood, since Grayson is Other top Gwinnett set to host Wednesday’s storylines in the quartergame.

“It’s kind of weird, but finals include Norcross’ girls (27-2) attempting to we haven’t really played return the favor by elimiwell at home this year,” nating Westlake (22-7) on said Brookwood boys their own homecourt after coach Daniel Bowles, whose Broncos are mak- the Lions did the same ing their first quarterfinals to them in last year’s second round, as well as appearance since 1999 the split coin flip results and hope to advance to the semifinals for the first in the AAAAA doubletime since 1989. “There’s header between Buford just something about our and Warner Robins, with kids in a hostile environ- the Wolves boys (26-2) welcoming the Demons ment that brings out the (26-3) to Buford Arena best in them.” on Wednesday, while the Such was the case Wolves girls (26-2) travel when Bubba Parham’s to Warner Robins (27-1) a buzzer-beating 3-pointer day earlier. lifted Brookwood to a But no matter the sto62-59 win at Hillgrove last Thursday, and the at- ryline, no matter the site, mosphere for this week’s no mater the atmosphere, every team will need game with Grayson figures to be just as electric to be at its best to keep advancing through the given the two teams’ tournament. familiarity with each And with most of other, though it is not as Gwinnett’s teams having familiar as it has been in the recent past, when the plenty of postseason experience, their respective two teams played in the coaches seem confident in same region. their players’ being able “It’s pretty cool beto come through with that cause (Grayson) Coach part of the formula for a (Geoffrey) Pierce and win.

I are pretty close. We “Our team definitely wanted to play each other knows the situation,” said (in the regular season), Westbrook, whose Archer but just couldn’t get the girls will be making their schedule to work out,” third quarterfinal appearBowles said. “I think ance in the last four seait makes (Wednesday’s sons. “That part is pretty game) better that we much taken care of. Of didn’t. I was looking course, the further along at some film from our games from last year, and you go in the tournament, we’re both different teams the better the (opponents) now. … It should be a lot are. But we’ve got a great group of young ladies of fun.” who know how to comAll games involving pete. So I’m not worried Gwinnett teams figure about them bringing their to have an intense and A-game.” exciting atmosphere,

Levin •From Page 1B

months.

“It’s a blessing. He’s the last three seasons at a pro bowler, he played both guard and tackle. eight years, started, won The past two seasons he a Super Bowl and he had was named first-team one of the best quarterbacks behind him,” Levin All-American and as a sophomore and junior he said. “He knows a lot about the game and it’s was awarded the Jacobs good for us to be like a Blocking Award as the top lineman in the South- sponge and just take all that stuff in.” ern Conference.

In January, Levin parHe began his career ticipated in the NFLPA at left tackle, but moved inside to guard for all but Collegiate Bowl in Los Angeles, which helped one game last season, him get on more teams when he started at right radars and helped earn the guard. He’ll likely be a guard in the NFL but said coveted combine invite.

NFLdraftscout.com he feels comfortable at currently rates Levin as a any spot along the line. likely seventh-round pick Last season the Mocs went 9-4 and reached the and NFL.com rated him second round of the FCS one of the top 16 prospects outside of Power 5 playoffs. Levin wasted schools to watch prior to no time getting to work. the season.

Nearly two weeks after Levin will have a the Dec. 3 loss to Sam chance to improve his Houston State, he was back in Gwinnett County draft stock this week and take one step closer to fulto start preparing for the filling his lifelong dream draft process. of playing in the NFL. He’s one of eight “I’ve always dreamed former Gwinnett grads working with Chip Smith about it,” he said.

“There’s some doubts in and his sons in their your mind growing up.

Norcross facility. Smith gets former New Orleans Like, ‘Really can I be as Saints and Georgia offen- big and fast and strong and smart as those guys?’ sive lineman Jon StinchProbably when I recomb to work with the ally thought ‘I can make linemen in his pre-draft some noise if I want to’ group each year. was probably my redLevin said he’s really shirt sophomore year in enjoyed working with the Parkview grad. Their college. I was the top days usually begin about offensive lineman in the conference and the guy 8 a.m. with film and who did that the year whiteboard work, where before (Dakota Dozier) Stinchcomb will prepare them to answer questions has been on the 53(-man) potential teams will throw roster with the Jets for four years now.” at them in the next few Call 770-963-9205 to subscribe to the

Gwinnett Daily Post.

gwinnettdailypost.com

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2017 • 5B

UGA wins on Archer boys, Brookwood girls win Frazier’s frees ARCHER INVITATIONAL

By David Friedlander

The Sports Xchange

eney’s basket extended the lead to three before ATHENS — J.J. FraOgbeide’s layup cut the zier scored a game-high lead to one with 44 sec29 points, including two onds left. free throws with 1.6 secThe Tigers missed three onds remaining, to give shots before Georgia got Georgia an 82-80 victory the rebound and called over LSU in an SEC game timeout with six seconds Saturday at Stegeman left.

Coliseum.

Frazier drove the length The defeat extended the of the floor and was Tigers’ losing streak to a fouled by Duop Reath. school-record 15 games Blakeney started the and left them winless second-half scoring with a since Jan. 4. LSU (9-19, 3-pointer that pulled LSU 1-15 SEC), hosts Tenwithin 44-40, but Wilnessee in its home finale liam Jackson II made two Wednesday.

3-pointers and E’Torrion The Bulldogs (17-12, Wilridge made one as 8-8) host Auburn on Georgia took a 55-42 Wednesday. lead.

After Frazier gave Four Tigers each made Georgia the lead, the a basket during an 8-0 run Bulldogs called timeout. before Frazier stopped the Derek Ogbeide made run by making a layup. a steal, was fouled and LSU made another run, made 1 of 2 free throws to getting within 58-57 when complete the scoring.

Jalyn Patterson converted Ogbeide and Juwan a 3-point play.

Parker had 12 points The Bulldogs twice apiece for Georgia. increased the lead to six Antonio Blakeney led before the Tigers got the Tigers with 20 points, within 65-63. LSU finally extending to six his streak pulled even at 69 when of games with at least 20 Blakeney made two free points. Brandon Sampson throws with 6:21 left. and Skylar Mays had 15 Frazier’s free throw points each. broke the tie and the LSU trailed most of the Tigers twice got within game, but Wayde Sims’ a point before grabbing tip-in gave the Tigers a their first second-half 78-77 lead, and Blaklead.

Surman’s win in the pole vault of 12-feet, 6-inches (and just barely missing setting a school record with LAWRENCEVILLE his final attempt at 13-2) — Most of the track and and Wright’s winning toss field coaches involved at of 54-3 may have been the the 2017 Archer Invitacatalysts for Archer’s boys. tional had to have felt good But the Tigers dominated about the way their respec- with their depth that intive teams and individual cluded teammates Simeon athletes performed in their Lipsey (third, 12-0) and first major meet of the Le’Kee Horton (fifth, 11-6) season, especially given the in joining Surman in the top cool and windy conditions five of the pole vault and throughout the day. runner-up finishes from the But Archer’s boys and 400 relay team of Sterling Brookwood’s girls have Warner, Khmari Thompson, even more reason to feel Rodney Wayne and Daniel good about their day after Robinson and Derrian winning the team competi- Wright in the 800. tions in their respective diConsidering the number visions Saturday at Archer of top-flight teams and indiCommunity Stadium. viduals from around metro The host Tigers got Atlanta and all of Georgia, first-place finishes from it was a performance coach Daniel Surman in the pole Ethan Kasson was happy to vault and Sam Wright in see coming right out of the the shot put to pace an gate. all-around team effort that “I’ve yet to see a high helped them run away with school track meet that it this the boys title, more than 40 team in terms of the field points ahead of runner-up and the competition in the Lambert. state, … with the exception Brookwood’s girls, of the state meet,” Kasson meanwhile, rode event wins said. “Everybody contribfrom Mackenzie Ellison in uted. The sprinters, we’ve the 800 meters and Caitlan got a great group of juniors.

Tate in the 200-meter dash … The pole vaulters were to roll up enough team unbelievable. … We got points and hold off runner- contributions from everyup Westlake and third-place one.

North Springs.

“We’ve got a young

david.friedlander@ gwinnettdailypost.com

group, but a really good group. So to come out in a field like this and win a meet like this the way we did, it’s impressive. It’s a great start to the season.”

Likewise, Brookwood’s girls certainly got a boost from Ellison, who won the 800 in a time of 2:19.23, and Tate, who edged Tucker’s Kayla Lumsden to win the 200 in 24.58 seconds, but also got strong performances across the board.

Runner-up finishes in the 1,600 and 3,200 by Lauren Flynt and Morgan Bentley’s fourth-place finish in the long jump with a Brookwood freshman-record leap of 17-6 3/4, were also keys to building a lead that held up most of the day.

And when the 1,600 relay team of Carlie Turner, Jayla Farris, Ellison and Tate placed fourth, it was enough to offset first- and fifth-place finishes from separate Westlake teams and a runner-up finish by North Springs to help the Broncos hold on for the title.

“I thought all of the girls performed very well, especially in weird weather conditions,” Brookwood girls coach Kelly Swanson said. “Our distance girls were outstanding. Mackenzie winning the 800, that

was huge, and she kicked in to help us finish third in the (3,200 relay). Tate was great in the 200 and 400. It was just a good day.”

In addition to the two division champions, several individual Gwinnett boys and girls and relay teams won their events.

Individual girls champions from Gwinnett included Ronje Williams of Shiloh in the high jump, Ijeoma Uche of Collins Hill in the long jump, Javon Joyner of Norcross in the discus, Natasha Stamp of Grayson in the shot put (with a school-recored throw of 445), Peachtree Ridge’s Mary Kathryn Knott in the 3,200 and Buford’s Kimberly Harris in the 400.

South Gwinnett’s Antuane Dennard was Gwinnett’s only mutli-event champion after clearing 6-6 in the high jump, and then posting a time of 38.06 seconds to win the 300 intermediate hurdles.

Other individual champions from county schools included Collins Hill’s Justin Laryea in the triple jump, Brookwood’s Ryan Fontenot in the discus, South’s Terrell Smith in the 100 and the Shiloh 1,600 relay team of Elijah Berry, Julian McDuffie, Chase Murray and Christian Whitehead.

PREP ROUNDUP

North finishes unbeaten at tourney From Staff Reports

Georgia guard J.J. Frazier (30) celebrates on the court against LSU on Saturday at Stegeman Coliseum. (Photo: Adam Hagy-USA Today Sports)

Ross leads Magic to win over Hawks

By Tim Povtak

in the second half. They lost by 18 points at home to Miami on Friday.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Aaron Gordon scored Newly acquired forward 18 points for the Magic.

Terrence Ross scored 24 Elfrid Payton had 15 points and Nikola Vucevic points, nine assists and had 16 points and 14 nine rebounds. rebounds to lead the OrTim Hardaway Jr. led lando Magic to a 105-86 the Hawks with 15 points. victory over the Atlanta Center Dwight Howard, Hawks on Saturday night who played eight seasons at the Amway Center. for the Magic, had 11 Ross, who was obtained points and 14 rebounds in from Toronto in a trade 30 minutes. He struggled involving Serge Ibaka, with early foul trouble hit 10 of 15 shots from and made just 5 of 13 free the field and 4 of 7 from throws. Paul Millsap, Den3-point range in just his nis Schroder and Taurean second game in a Magic Prince each had 11 points. uniform.

The Magic led by as The Magic (22-38) many as 21 points midsnapped a two-game losway in the fourth quarter. ing streak. The Hawks They led by as many as 19 (32-26) lost their third points in the third period consecutive game and and took a 80-65 lead into never seriously challenged the fourth.

The Sports Xchange

IN BRIEF

Archer’s Smith signs with Emmanuel bowling program Archer senior Peyton Smith celebrated his signing with the Emmanuel College bowling program on Friday. He earned a bowling scholarship along with an academic scholarship to Emmanuel.

Smith has been Greater Atlanta Youth Bowler of the Year, Georgia Youth Bowler of the Year and Georgia/ North Carolina/South Carolina All-Star Bowler of the Year, in addition to competing for the Georgia Youth All-Star Bowling Team for the past eight years. He also won the Pepsi Tournament, the BPAC Championship and the Georgia Youth Bowlers Tour Tournament of Champions.

Duluth’s Chandley receives award Duluth resident Jeff Chandley was selected recently as the Professional Tennis Registry Member of the Year for Georgia.

The award is presented to a PTR member who has shown dedication and diligence in promoting and supporting tennis and PTR. Chandley, a tennis teaching professional for 34 years, was hired at the Atlanta Athletic Club was director of tennis in 2008 and was promoted to athletics/tennis director in 2010.

COVINGTON, La. — After beating Fontainbleau 11-0 and St. Paul’s 16-0 on Friday night in WGNO Classic in Louisiana, North Gwinnett topped Brother Martin 4-2 and Jesuit 9-5 on Saturday to cap off its perfect trip and run its record to 8-0.

Brother Martin scored in the first inning to snap the 36-inning scoreless streak North pitchers had going, but the Bulldogs came out on top 4-2.

Walker Cleveland started and took a no decision, going five innings, while Hunter Cummings struck out six in two innings of relief in getting the win.

Michael Borah had a pair of doubles and an RBI, while Jake Brace went 2-for-3 with a double.

Borah also went 4-for-4 with a pair of doubles and a triple in North’s 9-5 win over Jesuit. Parker Coyne also went 2-for-3 with a double and three RBIs, while Cade Heil (2-0) fanned 12 over six innings for the win.

Coyne, who also had three RBIs in both games on Friday, finished the four games 10-15 with 11 RBIs, while Borah went 9-for13 with five doubles and five RBIs. North pitchers also had a good weekend by striking out 42 in four games.

BASEBALL BASEBALL Grayson tops Social Circle, Hebron LOGANVILLE — Grayson ran its record to 6-3 on Saturday with wins over Social Circle and Hebron.

John Anderson allowed one earned run over four innings to improve to 2-0 as the Rams routed Social Circle 11-1. Oscar Serratos led the offense with three hits, including a home run, while Nick Clarno had two hits and homered. Parker Meadows, Caleb Glasnovich and Evan Sturgill each had two hits.

Grayson built a 7-2 lead against Hebron and held off a late surge from the Lions to post a 7-6 win.

Hebron (3-1) rallied with four runs in the top of the seventh

and had the bases loaded before Grayson finally put out the fire.

Landon Jones led Hebron by going 2-for-4 with an RBI, while Max Bennett added two hits.

James Civelli was the losing pitcher.

Kendall Wesson logged the win with two innings of scoreless and hitless relief. Serratos had three hits with Sturgill adding an RBI single. Bradley Blalock also had a double.

Mill Creek wins two LAGRANGE — Mill Creek beat LaGrange 5-1 and NorthsideColumbus 11-3 on Saturday afternoon to stretch its record to 5-2.

Christian Rutherford pitched a complete-game one-hitter in the opener against LaGrange for the win, while Davis Sharpe, Bryan Petty and Phillip Green each finished with two hits and an RBI. Sharpe delivered again against Northside-Columbus, going 2-for4 with six RBIs. Steven Kirk also had two hits and drove in one, while Beau Jones logged the win, giving up three runs on three hits with five strikeouts.

Brookwood 18, Etowah 11 WOODSTOCK — Deangelo Abboud of Brookwood went 2-for-4 with two home runs and five RBIs on Saturday to power the Broncos to an 18-11 win at Woodstock.

Tim Martin and Angelo DiSpigna each had two hits and three RBIs for Brookwood (4-0) with Will Banfield going 1-for-2 with two RBIs. Kameron Guidry also finished 2-for-4, while the win went to Chad Williamson (2-0).

Dacula sweeps Discovery LAWRENCEVILLE — Dacula posted a pair of wins on Saturday with a doubleheader sweep of Discovery, topping the Titans 22-2 and 13-3.

In the opener, Jake McCaffrey, Ryan Bigue, Michael Cherwenka and JoJo Lopez each had two hits.

Aaron Brown led the attack in the second game with three hits and two RBIs, while Tanner Nichols and Jarrett Jenkins each had two hits. Chad Gonzalez was the winning pitcher.

The two wins bumped Dacula to 6-1.

Parkview defeats Collins Hill, Cartersville LILBURN — Parkview improved to 3-0 on the young season with a 16-1 win over and a 7-3 defeat of Cartersville on Saturday.

Parkview’s Joey Demasi went 3-for-4 with a double, two home runs, four runs and six RBIs in the Panthers’ 16-1 rout of Collins Hill. Other contributors at the plate were Jonathan French (2f0r-3, double, homer, three RBIs), Ben Markiewicz (hit, two RBIs) and Michael Bryant (2-for-2, RBI).

Robert Bennett went four in-

nings with one earned run and five strikeouts for the win.

Bennett also had a hit and an RBI in Parkview’s 7-3 win over Cartersville. Demasi also added a pair of hits with an RBI, while Logan Cerny led the way by going 3-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs. Markiewicz finished 1-for-2 with an RBI. Collins Hill (3-4) also faced Cartersville and fell 4-1. Grant Bonner had two hits, including a double, and drove in the lone run for the Eagles. Ty Sparrow, Tyler Burnette and Jon Michael Findlay also each had a hit.

Archer beats Redan, Social Circle LAWRENCEVILLE — Archer improved to 3-2 on Saturday with wins over Redan and Social Circle.

Chase Christopolous (1-0) picked up his first win in the Tigers’ 10-3 defeat of Redan. Casey Jividen started but got a no decision, going 5 2/3 innings with four strikeouts. Six different Tigers had at least one RBI, led by a 3-for-4 day from Hunter Cain.

Cain (1-0) was the winning pitcher in the nightcap as Archer shut out Social Circle 10-0. Matthew Allen went 2-for-3 with two RBIs while Crews Taylor, Craig Osmer and Anthony Bailey each had two RBIs. Redan 10, South 0 SNELLVILLE — After falling earlier to Archer, Redan bounced back and blanked South Gwinnett 10-0.

Marc Davis pitched well, but took the loss for South to even his record at 1-1, giving up one earned run over five innings with four strikeouts.

Wesleyan 5, Buford 4 ALPHARETTA — Adam Moon of Wesleyan delivered a two-run single in the bottom of the seventh to lift Wesleyan to a 5-4 over Buford on Saturday at Alpharetta High School.

Wesleyan (2-4) led 3-0 until Buford plated four runs in the top of the seventh, chasing starter Michael Payne after 6 1/3 innings of solid work with three strikeouts and one walk. Colin Hall went the final 2/3 innings to get the win in relief.

Payne also went 1-for-3 with three RBIs, while Ryan Weed finished 3-for-4.

Wesleyan wasn’t as fortunate against Alpharetta as the Raiders held the Wolves to just two hits in a 4-0 shutout. Charlie Taylor had a double for one of Wesleyan’s two hits.

Providence 13, Decatur 8 LILBURN — Providence won its first game of the season by topping Decatur 13-8 at home on Saturday.

Luke Matthews allowed two earned runs on six hits with three

strikeouts over four innings in getting the win, while Keegan Tranum led the offense with a 3-for-4 day, including an RBI and two runs.

Wesley Anderson also went 3-for-3 with three RBIs and two runs, while Simon Graf finished 2-for-2 with three runs and two RBIs. Providence improved to 1-4.

BOYS LACROSSE BOYS LACROSSE Peachtree Ridge 9, Buford 7 SUWANEE — Peachtree Ridge edged Buford 9-7 on Saturday night.

Buford (2-2, 1-0) was led by three goals and two assists from Grant Breyo, while brothers Gavin and Payton Kesselring added two goals each. Taylor Lewis also had 13 saves at keeper.

Grayson 22, Evans 5 EVANS — Nick Losurdo of Grayson logged seven goals and dished two assists on Saturday as the Rams rolled to a 22-5 win at Evans.

Reese Morrow followed with three goals and three assists for the Rams (1-2) with Michael Anderson adding three goals and two assists.

GIRLS GOLF GIRLS

GOLF

Mill Creek seventh, Wesleyan 10th in Lady Wolves Invite SUWANEE — Gwinnett had two schools place in the top ten out of a field of 22 teams on Saturday in the Lady Wolves Invitational on Saturday afternoon at Bear’s Best.

The event, which was won by Lambert with a team score of 155, was a best-ball format of two-player teams.

Mill Creek, which finished seventh at 172, had a pairing tie for low medalist at 75 from Tessa Davenport and Allison Avery.

Wesleyan also had a duo shoot 76 in Elisa Yang and McKenzie Keeler to lead the Wolves to 10th place at 188.

GYMNASTICS GYMNASTICS Goyco’s three event wins key Buford victory BUFORD — Claudia Goyco of Buford took first place in three events on Saturday to lead the Wolves to a first-place finish in a three-way meet. Buford took first place by tallying 109.3 points.

Goyco’s wins were in the vault at 9.6, beam at 9.6 and floor at 9.5.

Kelsey Schulman also posted a pair of second-place finishes in the vault at 9.2 and bars at 8.8.

Cyrena Whalen, who also was tied for third in the vault at 9.0, helped by winning the bars with a score of 9.2. Lyndzi Jones also had a good day with third-place finishes in both the beam (9.4) and floor (9.1).

Grizzlies score 32 runs in series sweep From Staff Reports LAWRENCEVILLE — The fifth-ranked Georgia Gwinnett baseball team used a combined 32 runs on Saturday to defeat Montreat 23-1 and 9-4 in

a doubleheader at home.

The Grizzlies swept the series in their first-ever three-game set with the Cavaliers.

“Today’s win gives us our second series sweep of the season and our third

series win of the year,” GGC head coach Brad Stromdahl said. “The guys are buying into what we are doing on the field, and the results are beginning to show.

“On Friday, we strug-

gled to get hits and take advantage of runners in scoring position. Today’s wins are a testament to keeping our focus, reacting to our circumstances, and capitalizing on key moments during each game.”

progress 2017

Gwinnett County’s cities — and even the county government itself — are in the midst of a building boom focused on a common goal: Giving residents livable centers of activity in their own backyards.

For the cities, this has meant major investment in the redevelopment of their downtown areas — or in Sugar Hill’s case, creating a downtown area. Meanwhile, the county has tried to create its own downtown-like centers in unincorporated areas, such as the planned

See DESTINATIONS, Page 14C

Alpharetta and a project at Atlantic Station. It is also working on the Colony Square redevelopment project in midtown Atlanta.

“What we’ve learned with the recent repositioning of Atlantic Station, the development of Avalon and the reimagination of Colony Square is that whether we are a resident, hotel guest, an office worker or a visitor to shop and dine, we are seeking experiences that can best

curt.yeomans@gwinnettdailypost.com

public-private partnership to create an entertainment district at the Infinite Energy Forum.

Mark Toro, managing partner at North American Properties, which is working with the county on the Infinite Energy Center entertainment district, said this is part of a trend going on not just in Gwinnett but in communities around metro Atlanta and elsewhere in the country.

North American Properties has also worked on projects such as the Avalon development in

BY CURT YEOMANS •

This illustratio entertainmen n shows what Duluth’s Pa t rs occupied by district will look like whe ons Alley kinds of dest restaurants. It is an ex n it is fully am in turn their dow ations Gwinnett’s cities ple of the ntown areas ar into. (File Illus e trying to tration)

meet me downtown

Gwinnett cities aim to create destinations

gwinnettdailypost.com

SECTION C • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2017

2C • Sunday, February 26, 2017

gwinnettdailypost.com

meet me TM

DULUTH

established: 1876

population: 29,193

downtown progress 2017

This architectural rendering shows the proposed design of the Residential Group’s The Village At Duluth. (Special Photo)

What’s there The city recently unveiled a mosaic in the Parsons Alley development at the corner of Lawrenceville and Main streets. The Duluth Fall Festival committee paid for the mosaic, which is located on the exterior side wall of Dreamland Barbecue.

The mosaic includes portrayals of buildings around Duluth, both past and present, such as City Hall, The Duluth Festival Center and the old Duluth School, train depot, Parsons and Co. store, Dutch Mill, Calaboose and Ted’s Fruit Stand. There are also scenes of life in old Duluth as well as the Duluth Fall Festival’s logo and a scarecrow in front of the festival center.

The location in Parsons Alley carries a lot of historical significance for longtime Duluth residents. The alley was framed in the past by the old Parsons and Co. store on one side and by its supply warehouse on the other. Both the store and warehouse were torn down and are being replaced by restaurants in the Parsons Alley project.

ELVIS™, ELVIS PRESLEY™ AND ULTIMATE ELVIS TRIBUTE ARTIST CONTEST™ ARE TRADEMARKS OF ABG EPE IP LLC RIGHTS OF PUBLICITY AND PERSONA RIGHTS: ELVIS PRESLEY ENTERPRISES, LLC. © 2016 ABG EPE IP LLC

469948-1

ON SALE NOW! MARCH 9 FOXTHEATRE.ORG FOX THEATRE TICKET OFFICE 855-285-8499

What’s NEXT Nearly 100 new homes are expected to be built near downtown Duluth over the next few years.

The residential development across from the Duluth Church Cemetery on Hardy Street is expected to include 59 town homes and 39 single-family homes. The first home is set to be ready in the fall of 2018.

The development will be a couple of blocks away from the Duluth Town Green and the surrounding downtown Duluth retail and restaurant scene. In addition to its size, it is also noteworthy because it helps clear the way for another major downtown project: The new Duluth library branch.

“Both the Downtown Development Author-

“

We feel like by doing this, that place is going to get better, and that place is going to get better, and the place down the road is going to get better.”

— Mayor Nancy Harris said the day the old Proctor Square was toppled

ity as well as City Council have been working very hard over the past few years to make this project a reality,” Duluth Economic Development Specialist Will Corbin said in a statement.

“We are excited to continue the transformation of downtown Duluth into a truly walkable community.”

expected arrival The new residential development and the library are just some of the major projects underway in Duluth’s downtown area. City officials said there has been $120 million in recently completed and currently under construction investment taking place in the downtown area.

Other projects include a new yoga studio, a new bar and restaurant called Truck and Tap that makes use of food trucks, the $64 million District at Duluth mixed-use project at the former Proctor Square site and Parsons Alley, which is set to welcome several new restaurants including Simple Done Donuts, Good Word Brewing and Public House and Taiyo Ramen.

Home South Communities is also leading the way on a 36-unit town home development that is being built next to City Hall.

A sense of purpose… a common bond People count on us. They need us for their light, heat, air conditioning, dinner, laundry and favorite TV show. They need us to keep their production lines moving, their coolers chilling, their computers operating, their schools teaching and their warehouses shipping.

Serving them gives us a sense of purpose. Our team shares a common bond – keeping the power on 24/7/365. And we do it with a smile, a helping hand, a kind word and a deep sense of pride. It’s just who we are.

468095-1

Your Power. Your Community.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2017 • 3C

gwinnettdailypost.com

meet me downtown

SUGAR HILL

population: 21,747 established: 1939

PROGRESS 2017

WHAT’S THERE City officials recently broke ground on a $36 million EpiCenter project, but they said the groundbreaking was the beginning of something bigger in the city. The EpiCenter is expected to be finished by December.

It was, in a way, the birth of downtown Sugar Hill.

Sugar Hill leaders have been working on plans to develop a downtown for 10 years after surveys showed residents wished the city had a downtown area. Now the town is looking at about $300 million in investments spread across four projects, including EpiCenter, that will be built around the intersection of Temple Drive and Broad Street over the next few years.

So far, Sugar Hill already has a new City Hall and the Bowl at Sugar Hill next to it. However, the EpiCenter project will be a key piece in the development of new district, which will eventually mix retail, dining, entertainment, housing and a full-service hotel.

EpiCenter alone will have a gymnasium, a 350seat movie theater, retail, restaurants, music space and office spaces. It will stretch from City Hall, down Broad Street and end roughly at the intersection with Level Creek Road. Awnings with plants growing through them will line a plaza that will overlook the Bowl with a grand staircase leading to the amphitheater.

WHAT’S NEXT The city is planning to push forward Sugar Loop Greenway, a 16.5-mile loop of multi-use trails connecting downtown to parks in the city.

All of the projects officials have in the works for downtown Sugar Hill, as well as their vision for the area, is a big draw for investors, according to developers.

One of those investors is JWM Ventures LLC, which has lined up an upscale, full-service Wyndham hotel, with possibly about 150 rooms, that will be built across Temple Drive from City Hall with views overlooking The Bowl.

JWM CEO John McDonald said the company is also planning to build condos and a 20,000-squarefoot conference center that will adjoin the hotel. He added that he is working with groups to land a Trader Joes as well.

WHAT’S THERE Lawrenceville boasts a downtown scene full of businesses and restaurants.

Mayor Judy Johnson said the town square has become one of the best for dining and entertainment in the metro Atlanta market.

There’s been no shortage of growth to prove that point. Over the past year, the city welcomed more than 320 new businesses and about 900 new jobs.

It also continued to build relationships that led to a stronger film industry base.

But it’s not all business in Lawrenceville. The downtown area is known for entertainment and leisure as well.

The city’s Heritage Trails have continued to host walkers from the Gwinnett Fallen Heroes Memorial to the Rhodes Jordan Park since it was constructed in 2013 to pay homage to residents who have significantly influenced the city.

The city’s Aurora Theatre, the only professional theater in Gwinnett, won special recognition from Gov. Nathan Deal this year for its artistic impact on the region. The theater added that award to its cabinet full of 25 Suzi Bass awards, an award for excellence in the arts from the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and an IMPACT Regional Business Award from the Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce.

This design drawing shows the proposed look of Sugar Hill’s EpiCenter downtown project from the gymnasium end.

The businesses and gymnasium in the development will face Broad Street, next to City Hall.

(Special Photo)

EXPECTED ARRIVAL Other projects in the pipeline include an independent living facility and a mixed-use development, both of which will be built around City Hall at EpiCenter as well.

Macauley Investments Principal Stephen Macauley said the EpiCenter is a sign of the city’s commitment and leadership. McCauley Investments is working on a mixed-use project his company is working on across Broad Street from the EpiCenter site that McCall said will be a more than $60 million investment in the area.

“This EpiCenter is really an incredible catalyst,” he said.

“None of this would be happening without the vision and the the commitment and the investment the city has made itself.

That is just huge.”

Edwards said all of the projects will be ongoing at roughly the same time, with Radford adding that the hotel may open at the same time as EpiCenter. The city manager added that the mixed-use development and the independent living facility project, which will be built on the site of a former trailer park, are expected to open sometime between summer and fall.

Edwards added that the city is also looking at adding some detached single-family housing and additional commercial development in the future as well.

“

It’s been a long time in the making, and we’re finally in a position where we can get it done. We’re taking it to the next level and upping our game, so to speak, to make Sugar Hill a destination within the region.”

— Sugar Hill Mayor Steve Edwards

LAWRENCEVILLE population: 30,493 established: 1821

WHAT’S NEXT The downtown community vibe of Lawrenceville will keep expanding in the future.

The city plans to spend $1 billion on projects throughout the city within the next five years.

Johnson said $400 million of that money will go toward developing a mixed-use project around Lawrenceville Lawn. The project, on 40 acres one block from the historic Lawrenceville square, will include residences, offices and shops.

The Aurora Theatre will also expand in the next five years. The $22 million project will include a new 550-seat theater and a parking deck. The theater will also open a satellite office at Central Gwinnett High School.

But it’s not only city-funded projects Lawrenceville residents have to look forward to in the near future. A local dentist is heading up a project to turn a 106-year-old building next to the old train station into the first beer brewery in both the city and Gwinnett County.

Lawrenceville granted approval for the project on Sept. 7.

A crowd gathers on the Lawrenceville Lawn prior to the Abbey Road Live! concert. The city hopes to build a mixed-use development around the lawnin the next five years. (File Photo)

EXPECTED ARRIVAL The Aurora Theatre’s satellite office at Central Gwinnett High School is expected to open this spring, but the full theater expansion won’t likely be completed until 2020, depending on budgeting.

The Lawrenceville Lawn mixed-use project is multifaceted. Officials expect it to move forward in the next two years, but the project likely won’t be completed for five to seven years, depending on how the project moves forward.

This spring, the city will likely begin the $12 million project to convert Perry and Clayton streets into twoway roadways. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2018.

Officials will also begin constructing this summer a 2.2-mile linear park between Georgia Gwinnett College and the historic downtown district for an estimated cost of $33 million. The project will likely take two years to complete.

“

Every day we are preparing for more progress. We have been moving forward with strategic visioning that will equip us to manage and respond productively to all situations that may come our way.”

— Lawrenceville Mayor Judy Johnson

4C • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2017

gwinnettdailypost.com

meet me

SUWANEE

downtown

population: 18,694 established: 1838

PROGRESS 2017

WHAT’S THERE

EXPECTED ARRIVAL

The city of Suwanee hosts some 40 events each year, most at Town Center Park, which is home to several concerts throughout the year, food trucks, an interactive fountain and a performance stage with a 1,000-seat terraced amphitheater area.

It sits in front of Town Center, a set of buildings that includes City Hall and more than 63 acres, including a traditional neighborhood, Shadowbrook at Town Center. Town Center will encompass more than 100,000 square feet of retail space, 87,000 square feet of office space, 147 townhome and condominium units, 85 single-family homes, and the 10-acre Town Center Park.

More than 200 high-end apartments — with monthly rent above $1,500 — are coming in the next two to three years as part of a $46 million project that will expand Town Center and bring 10,000 square feet of mixed-use space to Buford Highway.

Plans are to redevelop a 3.5-acre area along Chicago Street that would include a five-story structure and a parking garage, which would include about 520 structured public and private parking spaces.

The 235 apartments will be primarily one- and two-bedrooms residences and marketed to appeal to millennials and empty-nesters. Average rent for those apartments is expected to be $1,568. The apartments will be constructed to allow for possible future conversion to condominiums.

The city also expects a roundabout on Buford Highway at Russell Street to be underway by this summer.

The changes are designed to create a more walkable and connected downtown area that’s pedestrian friendly. It will also have a bike line and on-street parallel parking. The roundabout will serve as a gateway into Old Town.

WHAT’S NEXT A new park is coming to a 25-acre site commonly known as the DeLay property — behind the Suwanee library on Suwanee Dam Road — that is also called Town Center West.

The park will feature a mixture of urban and rural environments. Among the features are a roughly 900-foot, elevated signature bridge for pedestrian and bike use, which will span the entire park and cross an approximate one-acre water feature, an open terrace plaza and lawn area at the peak of the park’s elevation that will include several smallscale micro-business sites, and an extension of the existing Playtown Suwanee geared toward older children, which will expand the age range of Playtown Suwanee.

The $12 million park will also include sandpit volleyball courts and a public art piece.

The area will see a realignment of Main Street, which will shift around the park and exit onto Suwanee Dam Road at an existing traffic signal in hopes of improving the safety and traffic flow, which would allow the median break on Suwanee Dam Road to be closed.

About 15 acres along the existing Brushy Creek Greenway will remain undisturbed.

The new park design is influenced by the style of Town Center Park, but city officials said it won’t be a replica. Plans call for a more prominent pedestrian connection to rework City Hall Park into a linkage of the two sites. The topography of Town Center Park West will allow it to overlook Town Center.

WHAT’S THERE Norcross has worked toward a reputation as a sustainable city over the past year.

The city opened Discovery Garden Park in October 2016 on the grounds of the Norcross Welcome Center and Museum on Lawrenceville Street.

The park is a nature center, community garden and neighborhood park all in one and is meant to engage residents in the environment and community. It features an outdoor classroom pavillion, a grilling station, native plant collections, a pollinator garden and a children’s garden. Residents can also join in an organic community garden, where they can grow their own fruits, vegetables and flowers.

While Norcross residents tended their new garden, a Georgia Tech startup manufacturing solar cells received a $93 million expansion this past year.

That makes Suniva the largest U.S.-based solar cell manufacturing company in the world.

“

(Town Center Park) draws over 200,000 visitors annually to events, as well as regularly serving our 18,000 citizens.

The new Town Center Park West will help ease the demand on the existing park and surrounding community.”

— Suwanee Mayor Jimmy Burnette

At top, more than 200 high-end apartments — with monthly rent above $1,500 — are coming in the next two to three years as part of a $46 million project that will expand Town Center and bring 10,000 square feet of mixed-use space to Buford Highway. (Special Photo) Above, Suwanee Fest patrons listen to a presentation at the amphitheater at Town Center Park in Suwanee. (File Photo)

NORCROSS

population: 16,643 established: 1870

WHAT’S NEXT Parks will continue to play a big part in Norcross’ development.

City officials are now turning their sights toward an expansion of Lillian Webb Park that will turn the park and its surroundings into a mixed-use development meant to complement Norcross’ historic downtown.

In all, the city is hoping to develop about 30 acres around the park. But they don’t own all of that yet, said Bucky Johnson said in his state of the city address Feb. 13.

And what they do own is still in the development stages. Officials are hoping to surround the park with shops, restaurants and apartments. Johnson said the city is working with a developer who’s already talking about turning one parcel of land into either a hotel, shops, apartments or condos.

It’s unsure at this time what it will turn into.

What officials do know is that a library will stand next to the new park entrance on Buford Highway near a plaza. Johnson said the city is in the final weeks of contract negotiations with the county to get the library on its way.

Norcross expects to open its science, technology, engineering and math school, mapped out at left, this fall. An artist’s rendering of the building is pictured above. (Photos: City of Norcross)

EXPECTED ARRIVAL The library outside Lillian Webb Park could get underway in the next few weeks.

The city has also begun to look at creating a system of trails friendly to both pedestrians and bike riders around the county.

The entirety of the trails will take anywhere from 15 to 20 years to complete, but Johnson hinted in his state of the city address that residents may begin seeing bike-logo signs around the city in the near future.

He said the ultimate goal would be to encourage kids at a handful of local schools to bike or walk to school with ease.

One of those schools could be a new STEAM high school, which Norcross residents can expect to be open this fall. The school will mostly host students previously enrolled in Norcross High School.

“

Many of you have your thumbprints on what we’ve got in the city today because you went to all those meetings to look at what we’re doing, where we were going.

You gave us the vision and elected us to lead in that.”

— Norcross Mayor Bucky Johnson

gwinnettdailypost.com

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2017 • 5C

STILL ROCKIN’ AT

70

We’re 70 and we’re in good company.

467147-1

Carlos Santana, b. 1947

Orchestrating progress for 70 years. #Rockin70

6C • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2017

gwinnettdailypost.com

meet me downtown

SNELLVILLE established: 1923

PROGRESS 2017

population: 20,000

WHAT’S THERE The city of Snellville has taken on the challenge of creating its downtown from scratch, city spokesman Brian Arrington said. It hopes a marketplace and library will create a bustling central area, which will lend itself to future projects.

“Unlike cities like Lawrenceville or Decatur, Snellville does not have the luxury of an existing downtown with older buildings and public squares to bolster housing and development,” Arrington said.

The city of Snellville is seeking input from the community through social media and its website about its Towne Center project to create a thriving citizen-led downtown community.

(Special Photo: City of Snellville)

“

The mayor and council have identified the Towne Center as the city’s top priority. We have been meeting with developers and project planners for more than a year.”

— Snellville spokesman Brian Arrington

EXPECTED ARRIVAL

471854-1

The city is in the process of asking for the community’s input for its Towne Center, a project about a decade in the making, at facebook. com/TheTowneCenter and snellville.org/thetowne-center-snellville. Officials have said in the past that they need the input to make sure development around the Towne Center matches residents’ desires.

It’s still too soon to determine when construction will start, though.

WHAT’S NEXT The plans include relocating the Elizabeth H. Williams Library on Lenora Church Road and the addition of the City Market, which would be the centerpiece. The area would include bistros, restaurants, outside dining, retail space, pedestrian space and open building space for civic events.

The market would be similar to Krog Street Market in Atlanta, which has revitalized nearby neighborhoods, according to reports.

The city does not have a projected cost because the project is in its early planning stage, Arrington said. The library relocation will be funded by recently approved city and county SPLOST tax dollars, said Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Charlotte Nash.

It would follow in the steps of other cities, including Lilburn, Duluth and Norcross, that have been working with county officials in recent years to get new library branches.

“City leaders view the Towne Center as a vital piece of moving Snellville forward now and in the future,” Arrington said. “We want our residents to be able to shop, dine, work and live in our Towne Center. We want our young people to have a reason to move back to Snellville and our seniors to have a place to live when they no longer want the burden of owning a traditional home. The city wants to create a draw for future and quality development for those looking to invest here.”

Relief is in reach.

Back pain can keep you from living your life to its fullest potential. But with a wide range of non-surgical treatment options as well as direct access to the neurosurgical experts at Gwinnett Medical Center, the team at the Back Pain Center will work to quickly diagnose your condition and determine the best course of treatment for you. We have everything you need to start feeling better, right here in one location.

Get back to the things that matter most. Visit us online at gwinnettmedicalcenter.org/backpain for a

469487-1

free copy of Understanding Back Pain.

This is now.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2017 • 7C

gwinnettdailypost.com

PEACHTREE CORNERS population: 40,978 established: 2012

meet me downtown PROGRESS 2017

“

This area is going to urbanize. We know it is — just look at its numbers. What we’re trying to do is urbanize thoughtfully.”

— Peachtree Corners Mayor Mike Mason

WHAT’S THERE

WHAT’S NEXT

Peachtree Corners may be relatively new, but it’s already established itself as a major job hub, particularly in the tech community.

Mayor Mike Mason estimated the city hosts about 40,900 residents and 40,600 jobs — coming close to having one job per resident.

Most of those jobs are housed in the city’s Technology Park, which has been considered a hub for innovators since the 1970s. This past year, that park grew again.

The city welcomed startup incubator Prototype Prime into its Technology Park in October. The incubator takes up a 12,500-square-foot space beneath City Hall where it provides new businesses with many things they might need to succeed, including workshops, a podcast room, a design lab with three 3-D printers and spaces that can be used for networking or events.

By December, the incubator had picked the first two startup companies it would help grow.

But it’s not all business in Peachtree Corners. The city saw the opening of an organic Thai restuarant call L’Thai Organic Cuisine and Wine Bar in the Peachtree Parkway Shopping Center off Peachtree Parkway in November.

Residents also rejoiced as Aldi, a discount grocery chain, opened its doors in the Peachtree Marketplace shopping Center Feb. 9.

Mayor Mike Mason said city officials are well aware Peachtree Corners will continue to attract businesses and expand. Now they’re focused on making sure the city expands in a smart way.

A portion of that goal should be accomplished with its long-anticipated town center project.

The mixed-use development will include more than 70 townhomes, a movie theater, office space, shops and restaurants. No more than 50 percent of the restaurants can be national chains.

No more than 85 percent can be a combination of national and regional chains. The rest will be chef-driven.

But it won’t all be indoor spaces.

A 2-acre portion of the center will serve as a town green complete with an amiptheater for outdoor councerts and other city events. Eventually, a pedestrian bridge will connect the city green to a botanical garden.

The town center has been in the works for a while.

Fuqua Acquisitions II LLC presented the plans for the mixed use development to council in July 2015. It was just another step in plans the city had been formulating since it bought the 20 acres of land across from The Forum, an open-air shopping center.

Another company had been looking to turn the land into an apartment complex. But council didn’t feel that plan moved the city forward in the innovative way they’d planned.

ESTIMATED ARRIVAL

A partial view of the Town Center project, which shows Cinebistro located near the Town Green.

(Photo: City of Peachtree Corners)

Peachtree Corners’ Town Center is expected to break ground this spring.

But it’s not the only project Peachtree Corners is looking forward to in the near future. The city recently drew up plans for 11.2 miles of multi-use trail that will run through the city connecting neighborhoods, shops, restaurants, Technology Park and the new Town Center. The first phase of the trail plan is expected to be complete by the end of 2017.

OUR CUSTOMERS COUNT ON US “TO MAKE THEIR BUILDINGS SHINE. DELTA COMMUNITY KEEPS US SOLID FROM THE GROUND UP.” KATHY MOORE, CFO, GLASS STREAM

Commercial Banking from Delta Community Credit Union Glass Stream has been providing metro Atlanta with quality commercial glass since 1991. They use Delta Community Credit Union to make sure their finances are anything but fragile. Is your business as strong as it can be?

Contact a Delta Community Commercial Lender at 404-677-4289 or Commercial.Banking@DeltaCommunityCU.com.

©2016 Delta Community Credit Union. All loans and lines subject to credit approval.

COMMERCIAL LENDING | BUSINESS BANKING | DEDICATED RELATIONSHIP MANAGER

69304-1

E V E R Y T H I N G YO U R B A N K S H O U L D B E

TM

8C • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2017

gwinnettdailypost.com

THE RIGHT THINGS

» making health care in Gwinnett a priority

FOR THE RIGHT REASONS

Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Braselton is proud to bring the award wining services of Northeast Georgia Health System closer to home for those who work, live and play in Braselton, and we are humbled each day by the patients who choose us for their care. Our 100-bed hospital is built upon the programs of excellence NGMC is known for, including: •

Emergency Services

•

Orthopedics

•

Advanced Surgery and Medical Care

•

Neurosciences

•

Heart and Vascular Services

•

Cancer Treatment

•

Labor and Delivery Services

•

Neonatology

At NGMC Braselton, you’ll find The Heart Center of NGMC, numerous specialty physicians and outpatient services. You can expect our staff members to work tirelessly, ensuring you receive exceptional and compassionate care. The right thing, for the right reason: you.

1400 River Place, Braselton, GA 30517 | www.nghs.com/braselton • 770-848-8000

Dr. Arif Patni

Gwinnett Chamber’s Primary Care Physician of the Year

He knows BUFORD. He knows MEDICINE. DO YOU KNOW HIM?

Accepting New Patients of All Ages!

472115-1

Watch a video and request an appointment online at ngpg.org/patni.

678-498-6330

Services provided: • Routine & preventive health evaluations • EKG • Flu vaccines & Immunizations • Same-day appointments • Scool and sports physicals

Buford 4445 South Lee Street Suite 100 Buford, GA 30518

gwinnettdailypost.com

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2017 • 9C

INFINITE ENERGY CENTER

This illustration shows the planned design of the full-service Marriott hotel that is expected to be built at the Infinite Energy Center. Explore Gwinnett officials said the hotel’s developers are in the final stages of designing and doing due diligence on the hotel plans. (Special Photo)

WHAT’S THERE

WHAT’S NEXT

The Infinite Energy Center campus currently includes an arena, a conference center and a performing arts center surrounded by a vast sea of parking spaces.

The center, which is owned by the county and managed by the Gwinnett Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, opened in 1992, and the 13,000seat arena and the 21,600-square-foot grand ballroom opened in 2002 and 2003, respectively.

The naming rights were sold to Infinite Energy in 2015 for $18 million.

The center hosts conventions, concerts by big name artists and home games for the Atlanta Gladiators and Georgia Swarm. The performing arts center includes a 702-seat theater. There is also a 50,000-squarefoot Exhibit Hall and 23 versatile meeting rooms at the forum.

County and Explore Gwinnett officials are working with North American Properties to conduct a massive overhaul of the property in an effort to make it more of a destination attraction.

Plans include the construction of an entertainment district designed to offer visitors a reason to “come early and stay late” when they come to the center for a conference or concert. The district would be built adjacent to the Infinite Energy Arena and the Infinite Energy Forum, in space that is currently used for parking. A parking deck would be built as well.

“Working with Explore Gwinnett and the GCVB team, we intend to advance the work that they’ve been doing for years, leveraging the Gwinnett brand,” North American Properties’ Mark Toro said. “We’re extremely enthusiastic about this opportunity and we look forward to working handin-glove with Chairman Nash and the county commission to deliver the ‘third place’ to the residents of Gwinnett County.”

A separate project, a full-service high-rise Marriott hotel, is also slated to be built on the property, bridging the forum and the arena. Officials also plan to expand of the Infinite Energy Forum’s conference space to compete for more conference business. The 2017 SPLOST approved last year included $67.3 million for the expansion.

Gwinnett County officials also purchased land adjacent to the center last year, to build an additional entrance to the facility on Meadow Church Road.

“While the Center is successful now, we believe it can be so much more,” County Commission Chairwoman Charlotte Nash said in her State of the County address earlier this month. “In fact, we see the Center as the catalyst to create a truly remarkable business and entertainment district unlike anything that exists in Gwinnett now.

“We believe in this vision so much that we have acquired additional property, contracted to build another entrance and set aside millions of dollars for public investment at the Center.”

EXPECTED ARRIVAL Explore Gwinnett Executive Director Lisa Anders said the hotel developers are in the final design and due diligence stages of planning the Marriott.

“While separate from the private (North American Properties) development, (the hotel) will be an important cornerstone of the overall complex,” she said.

Anders also said Explore Gwinnett is still finalizing its letter of intent with North American Properties, but she expected that would be done within the next 30 to 45 days. Once the letter of intent is in place, the process of setting a timeline for proceeding with work will begin.

“North American does not have a tenant list,” Anders said. “They have been working on due diligence, determining how the site will be broken up as far as the percentage of retail, office (and) residential.”

“

I think it is creating a downtown — or more aptly, a primary entertainment district — for Gwinnett. The Sugarloaf CID, as they begin to develop, will play a really important role in making this area more walkable and pedestrian friendly, as well, which is another very important piece of the puzzle.”

— Explore Gwinnett Executive Director Lisa Anders

The above rendering shows proposed ideas for the expansion and redevelopment of the Infinite Energy Center. Explore Gwinnett officials are working with North American Properties on a final plan for developing an entertainment district and residential area at the center.

(File Illustration) The illustration at left shows another view of the planned design of the full-service Marriott hotel that is expected to be built at the Infinite Energy Center.

(Special Photo)

10C • Sunday, February 26, 2017

gwinnettdailypost.com

meet me

LILBURN

downtown

population: 13,000 established: 1910

progress 2017

What’s there Last fall, the former site of an abandoned subdivision was transformed into the new Lilburn City Hall and the Lilburn branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library system on Main Street. The $11.3 million project was completed Oct. 18 with funding from the specialpurpose local-option sales tax, a 1-cent sales tax voters approved for special projects. The cost was shared by the city and the county.

“Lilburn has come a long way over the past four or five years,” said Nikki Perry, a city spokeswoman. “I used to hear Old Town described as quaint, which suggests that it’s charming but antiquated. Not anymore.

It still has all of the small-town charm, but it feels fresh and active now.”

What’s next The city will move the Lilburn Police Department and the court from the Calvin Fitchett Municipal Complex, where City Hall was located.

The police department will be moved to a 9.73-acre site at 4572 Lawrenceville Highway, next to Lilburn Commons office complex, less than one mile north of Indian Trail Road. The city purchased the property in October 2015 for the future public safety facility, which will also be funded by the recently approved county and municipal special purpose local option sales tax.

“The move will increase police presence on the main business and transportation corridor,” Perry said. “It will also free up space next to Lilburn City Park, which opens all kinds of possibilities that have yet to be fully explored.”

Plans to renovate Lilburn City Parks are on hold until the municipal complex is vacated.

The city plans to upgrade Camp Creek Greenway boardwalks and bridges behind the new City Hall/library building from lumber to PermaTrak. The first precast concrete bridge in Georgia was completed on the Greenway in 2016. It will last much longer than the wooden planks that needed constant repair due to the flood-

The city of Lilburn finished construction of its new City Hall and library complex project downtown last fall. (File Photo) prone location next to Camp Creek.

About $2.7 million in 2017 SPLOST funding is needed to repair the section between Main Street and Rockbridge Road. Repairs are set to begin next winter.

Ultimately, city officials hope to use the new City Hall and library complex at the corner of Main and Church Streets as an anchor to spur an expansion of Lilburn’s downtown district from the current police headquarters to U.S. Highway 29.

The city and the Lilburn Downtown Development Authority hope to provide high-density housing and commercial development on several acres of property it owns around the City Hall and library complex. The idea has been floated that the mixed-use project would target millennials.

Some of this property is under contract, but the sale isn’t done. The former City Hall annex property on First Avenue was recently sold to a developer for high-density single family housing.

expected arrival The timeframe for the relocation of the police department and city court has not been determined since it will depend on on the estimated cost of the building and the rate of SPLOST income over the next six years.

GWINNETT COUNTY population: 895,823 established: 1818

“

What’s there

We bought it with the idea that we were going to demolish the stadium and offer it to the private sector competitively.

We want redevelopment on the property.”

Unincorporated Gwinnett offers two types of stories when it comes to development.

The Gwinnett Prado Shopping Center, near Gwinnett Place Mall and the old Olympic Tennis facility are once-vibrant activity centers that have virtually turned into vacant ghost towns. These are places now being eyed for redevelopment.

Then, there are other places, such as the corner of Mall of Georgia Boulevard and Woodward Crossing Boulevard, which are undeveloped spaces that are being eyed as new mixed-use activity centers where people can live, work and play.

— Gwinnett County Commission Chairwoman Charlotte Nash on the Olympic Tennis Center property

What’s next Several projects are either already going on around unincorporated Gwinnett or are in the pipeline, but there are three projects to watch for.

One of them is the public-private redevelopment of the old Olympic Tennis Center property near Stone Mountain.

It’s barely inside Gwinnett, right off U.S. Highway 78. The county acquired the land in a property trade with the Stone Mountain Memorial Association last year, and officials plan to turn it over to one or more developers to see what it can be turned into.

Planning is also underway to redevelop the largely dormant Gwinnett Prado site, whose few remaining tenants include Great Wall supermarket and a few small restaurants. Plans call for a mixed-use development that will leverage the tools available to projects in the Venture Drive Redevelopment Overlay District to make it happen.

The third project is the 16-acre mixeduse project next to the Mall of Georgia, at the corner of Woodward Crossing Boulevard and Mall of Georgia Boulevard. It will include a 21-story hotel and condo midrise building, office space, retail shops, bars, restaurants, comedy clubs, a grocery store, a 50,000-squarefoot family entertainment center, parking decks and more than 500 apartments.

Among the partners affiliated with property owner J and J 360 LLC is Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones. The project is big enough that the Atlanta Regional Commission declared it a major regional impact project.

Gwinnett County officials are planning to demolish the old Olympic Tennis Center on the county line near Stone Mountain, shown above, and turn the property over to developers to see what they can turn it into. The intended goal of a mixed-use development is one of the major projects taking place in unincorporated Gwinnett. (Staff Photo: Curt Yeomans)

The redevelopment of the Gwinnett Prado site near Gwinnett Place Mall, at left, is one of the major development projects taking place in unincorporated Gwinnett. The plan is to convert the largely vacant shopping center into a mixed-use development with retail, office and residential spaces.

(File Photo)

expected arrival The biggest project on the radar for county officials right now is the Olympic tennis center redevelopment. It will be a while before this project comes out of the ground, though.

Gwinnett County Commission Chairwoman Charlotte Nash said officials are still working through the process of picking a company to demolish the tennis center. A request for proposals will be issued by the county, asking developers to list what they would do with the site if hired. A developer will be hired based on the RFP responses.

“We’ll be seeking a private sector partner through a competi-

tive process, so start thinking about what makes sense for the site,” Nash said during her State of the County Address.

Meanwhile, construction on the first phase of the mixed-use project at the Mall of Georgia, which is expected to include 23,000 square feet of street-level retail space and 336 multifamily residential units, is expected to begin this spring.

At the same time, the Gwinnett Prado’s new owners are moving quickly on their plans to redevelop the site. Although the plans to redevelop the site were just announced in October, without much detail other than a vision, Gwinnett County Planning and Development Director Kathy Holland told the Daily Post in December that the owners had already brought concept drawings to county officials for feedback.

Sunday, February 26, 2017 • 11C

gwinnettdailypost.com

your community: city by city

City by City is a weekly look at the happenings in the places you call home more from lawrenceville

AUBURN Seniors group hosting potluck lunch, Alzheimer’s talk The Auburn OWLS (Older, Wiser, Laughing Seniors) group is set to host a potluck lunch next month where a serious issue facing older people will be discussed.

The potluck lunch on March 15 will feature a presentation form the Alzheimer’s Association. Attendees will learn about the 10 signs that indicate a person may have Alzheimer’s Disease, as well as ways that early detection can help a person who has it.

The lunch workshop will last from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the J.D. Withers Building, 7 Seventh St. in Auburn.

BARROW COUNTY Pre-K lottery applications being accepting in March Parents can submit the applications for the Barrow County School System from March 1-30.

They must be turned in at the Barrow County School System at 179 W. Athens St. in Winder.

To be eligible, each child must be age 4 or 5 before Sept. 1, and parents must provide proof of residency and a copy of the child’s birth certificate or other acceptable proof of age and identity.

The pre-K drawing will take place April 1. For more information, visit barrow.k12. ga.us or call 770-867-4527.

BERKELEY LAKE Pinckeyville Park to host Quince Girl Expo Everything anybody could ever need for the ultimate quinceanera celebration will be offered at Pinckneyville Park’s Community Recreation Center this March.

The center will host the Quince Girl Expo March 11 from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. The event will feature fashion shows, interactive exhibitor demos, budget party planning tips and door prize drawings. There will also be party professionals on hand to help girls with tips on decorations, cakes, fashion and makeup.

The first 50 girls in the door will win free swag bags.

The Pickneyville Park Community Recreation Center is located at 4650 Peachtree Industrial Blvd.

For more information, call 678-277-0920.

BRASELTON Braselton Adult Coloring Club to meet at library Relax and practice coloring inside the lines at the Braselton Library this Thursday.

The library’s Adult Coloring Club will meet for about an hour starting at 10:30 a.m. to color their woes away. Participants are welcome to bring their own materials, but coloring books and colored pencils will be provided.

The Adult Coloring Club meets the first Thursday of every month in the Library’s meeting room. Braselton Library is located at 15 Brassie Lane.

BUFORD Up-and-coming singer-songwriter Macy Todd to perform Folk/pop artist Macy Todd will put on a show at the Buford Community Center, 2200 Buford Highway, at 8 p.m. March 23.

The 19-year-old Georgia native will take a break from working on her debut album to grace the city with her vocals, which she developed while performing at church.

Her set will include her song “I’ve Got a Feelin.’ ” Buford’s own Eli Hannon will open for Todd.

Tickets are $10 each. For more information or to buy tickets, visit bufordcommunitycenter.com/event/macytodd.

DACULA Library hosting Dr. Seuss birthday party Thursday will mark the 113th anniversary of famous children’s author Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel’s birth, and the Dacula library is

NORCROSS Positions open on city’s DDA The city’s Downtown Development Authority is looking for people to apply to serve with the group that works with development, growth and preservation of all business areas and works to advance projects.

Submit applications to City Clerk Monique Lang at mlang@norcrossga.net. More information is available about meeting days, the organization’s mission and a list of other people serving on each board and commission on the city web site under City Government tab.

The DDA Board meets the first Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. Applications are due

by Friday.

Georgia Manufacturing Alliance founder Jason Moss, right, receives a gubernatorial commendation from Georgia Commission on Equal Opportunity Director Melvin Everson during a recent celebration at the 1818 Club in Duluth. Everson presented the commendation on behalf of Gov. Nathan Deal. (Special Photo)

Industry champion

Gwinnett-based leader of state manufacturers commended

By Curt Yeomans

programs the Georgia Manufacturing Alliance has undertaken in the commendation. Those programs The Lawrenceville-based founder include the Georgia Manufacturing of the Georgia Manufacturing AlSummit, the Georgia Manufacturliance was recognized earlier this ing Awards, the Georgia Manumonth with a commendation from facturing Director, the Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal for a commitManufacturing Hall of Fame and ment to the state’s manufacturing the Georgia Manufacturing Calenindustry. dar.

Jason Moss received a formal These programs are intended copy of the governor’s commenda- to serve a variety of roles for the tion from Georgia Commission on state’s manufacturing industry, Equal Opportunity Director Melvin whether it be the calendar listing Everson during a recent ceremony events hosted by 10 industry asat the 1818 Club in the Gwinnett sociations or the directory, which Chamber headquarters in Duluth. helps manufacturers find services, “I met Mr. Moss in 2007, and parts and equipment in their areas. he shared his vision for creating There’s also the work done by the Georgia Manufacturing Allithe Hall of Fame to honor people in ance,” Everson said in a statement. the industry for their contributions “Manufacturing is the backbone of to manufacturing in Georgia. our economy, and GMA has had a “I saw a need for manufacturing tremendous impact on the manufac- professionals to have events where turing industry in our state.” they can share best practices and to The governor highlighted several provide resources where they can

curt.yeomans@gwinnettdailypost.com

planning to celebrate.

The library will fete the man who gave the world memorable characters — such as Things One and Two, the Grinch, the Cat In the Hat, the Lorax, Horton the Elephant and Sam I Am — with a birthday party from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday.

The celebration will include games, crafts, stories and special guest readers in celebration of Read Across America Day. The library is located at 265 Dacula Road in Dacula.

DULUTH Local college receives Military Spouse honor Saint Leo University, which has a campus in Duluth, has earned the 2017 Military Spouse Friendly School designation by Victory Media, publisher of G.I. Jobs, Military Spouse, Vetrepreneur and STEM Jobs resources.

Saint Leo ranked fifth in the nation among private institutions with at least 10,000 students.

The annual companion list to Military Friendly School, in which Saint Leo was named No. 3 in the nation in its category and a Top 10 Gold-level MilitaryFriendly School, recognizes higher education institutions that actively recruit spouses of active-duty service members. The list recog-

nizes schools that promote student retention and career development policies and programs that acknowledge and support the unique challenges of military life.

This year’s list features 100 institutions across 10 categories, demonstrating the growing success among post-secondary schools for tapping into this talented group of men and women.

“Saint Leo University is humbled to be recognized for not only educating those who have served and continue to serve our country, but also for providing educational opportunities for their spouses and other family members,” said Pamela Martis, retired U.S. Army colonel and director of Saint Leo’s Office of Military Affairs and Services. “Being designated as a Military Spouse Friendly School is an honor for us because we value the sacrifice of our military families and want to support those spouses who are juggling the demands of family, military life, work, Permanent Changes of Station moves, and going back to school — all at the same time.”

GRAYSON Library hosting Chess Club next weekend The first rule of Chess Club is you do not talk about Che … oh, sorry,

form strategic alliances with each other,” Moss said in a statement.

“We started the Georgia Manufacturing Alliance with just a few members, and now we have five regional chapters across the state.

“We are uniquely positioned to help Georgia capture much of the reshoring of manufacturing to America.”

Deal praised Moss for his work to “strengthen the resources necessary to support Georgia’s manufacturing industry” in the document.

“Mr. Moss has acted as a champion for the manufacturing sector by offering numerous opportunities for industry professionals to develop partnerships and learn best practices from leaders of the trade,” Deal said. “Through his commitment and dedication to the manufacturing industry, Mr. Jason Moss has had a positive impact on workers across the state and encouraged the growth of Georgia’s economy.”

wrong club.

The Grayson library branch’s Chess Club — which officials don’t mind talking about — is set to gather from 3 to 4:30 p.m. next Sunday for its regular meeting. Attendees play games of chess against each other, socialize, learn new strategies and grow as players. The event is open to people of all ages, and participants can bring their own chess set or use one of the library’s sets.

The library is located at 700 Grayson Parkway, in Grayson.

LAWRENCEVILLE Gas department taking bids for Walnut Grove project Lawrenceville’s gas department is looking for someone to take on phase II of the city’s Walnut Grove pressure improvement project.

The city announced recently that it is seeking bids for the project and that qualified contractors have until March 20 at 3 p.m. to submit their information.

The project entails removing seven pressure regulating stations, and tie-overs of 10 pressure regulating stations, high-pressure steel gas mains and 154 gas services along Ga. Highway 81.

Bids should be submitted

to Lawrenceville City Hall — Purchasing Department, 70 S. Clayton St., Lawrenceville, GA 30046.

LILBURN Bulgarian Folk Dance Group of Atlanta to perform at library The group will perform authentic Bulgarian folk dances at the branch 4817 Church St. from 3 to 4 p.m.

The free event will feature the group, which has grown in popularity since a few enthusiasts started it in 2010.

The dance group shows off different folk dances from several Bulgarian regions and offers sessions to educate others about the culture.

For more information, visit gwinnettpl.org.

LOGANVILLE American Legion Post hosts Bingo all week long Bingo enthusiasts don’t have to be American Legion Post 233 members to get their game on all week long.

The post hosts Bingo at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Cards start at $7.50 and the jackpot gets up to $1,000.

The American Legion Post 233 is located at 4635 Atlanta Highway. For more information, visit www. gapost233.com.

PEACHTREE CORNERS City looking for input on Arts & Culture Master Plan Peachtree Corners needs residents’ input for its Arts & Culture Master Plan.

The idea of the plan is to provide future direction for public and performing arts in the community. The city is looking for input on whether Peachtree Corners should bring in more arts, what the purpose of the plan should be and what kinds of arts the city should focus on.

To do that, officials have compiled a survey, which can be found at https://www. surveymonkey.com/r/ptcartsandculture.

The city will keep the results of the survey in mind while compiling the Arts & Culture Master Plan.

SNELLVILLE Craft garments, bedding for disadvantaged newborns You can sew, quilt, knit or crochet items for little ones in need in northeast Georgia at the Tiny Stitched Snellville Workshop on March 13.

The workshop will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. the second Monday of each month at Eastside Hospital South Campus, Room H2U, 2160 Fountain Drive.

Materials, patterns and instructions will be provided.

For more information, contact Karen Fulford at 770638-4682 or k.fulford@att.net or visit www.tinystitches.org.

SUGAR HILL Youth council attends conference in Atlanta Four members of the Sugar Hill Youth Council — Aysha Jerald, Roshni Patel, Taylor Morain, and Amber Nicholson — recently attended the Mayor’s Day Conference in Atlanta at the Hilton Hotel.

The youth council observed three conferences, met several mayors, state senators and youth delegates from across the state. The group also took part in a youth leadership program.

In that program, the SHYC was informed on how a bill becomes a law, learned the importance of public services and obtained advice from elected officials, including Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick, Rep. Dexter Sharper and Clarkston Mayor Ted Terry.

SUWANEE Kiwanis Club hosts seventh annual Shamrock 5K Suwanee’s Kiwanis members are set to put on a 5K race at Town Center Park on March 18 and run through Town Center and the Suwanee Greenway Trail. The race will begin at 7:30 a.m., and is a certified Peachtree Road Race qualifier.

Last year, the Shamrock Run, with 250 participants, was one of the group’s largest fundraisers. High school students can apply for scholarships funded by the race proceeds.

The Kiwanis Club of Suwanee recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, and the club supports the local community through service projects and fundraisers.

The race entry fee is $25 before March 3 and $35 on the day of the race. Awards will be given to the top three finishers overall and in the top three male and female categories, as well as to age group finishers. Registration is available at active.com.

12C • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2017

gwinnettdailypost.com

Dyer Elementary chorus receives honor Members of the Dyer Elementary chorus recently visited the Gold Dome and met with state lawmakers and other leaders at the Capitol.

Gwinnett School Board member Carole Boyce, and Professional Association of Georgia Educators legislative liaison Margaret Ciccarelli accompanied music teacher Sherry Coulombe and the students.

Rep. Chuck Efstration, R-Dacula, wrote a resolution for Dyer being named one of two elementary schools in the state to perform at the annual Georgia Music Educators Association conference in January.

Last year, Dyer was performed for President Jimmy Carter and his wife.

As part of the Gold Dome visit, the Dyer students met with State School Superintendent

Good News from Schools

Members of the Dyer Elementary chorus recently visited the Gold Dome and met with state lawmakers and other leaders at the Capitol. Here, they posed for a picture with State School Superintendent Richard Woods. (Special Photo)

Keith Farner Richard Woods.

“He was so gracious and kind,” Coulombe said. “He (talked) with my students about education and his own life. He answered all questions and spent a whopping hour and a half with us.”

Duluth millionaire Duluth Middle student Naman Shah is $20,000 richer after appearing on a hit TV game show.

Shah was one of a handful of contestants selected to compete on a special “Whiz Kids” episode of the long-running

televised game show, “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?”

More than 10,000 students from across the country applied to appear on the show.

Peachtree Corners Business Association donates to Norcross Foundation At its January networking breakfast, the Peachtree Corners Busi-

ness Association presented a check to the Norcross High School Foundation for Excellence in the amount of $1,500. This donation will go to help fund the After School

Matters Program at the school.

Keith Farner writes about education. Good News from Schools appears in the Sunday edition of the Daily Post.

Marriage takes away Reduce your words, a fantastic character increase your impact Forget Perfect

One of my favorite characters ever and one that readers have unfailingly enjoyed is my friend Poet, the scion of a cotton family who speaks in lyrical tones and has always been interestingly unconventional.

For Poet, life has never held rules. Let me clarify.

He is honorable, kind, smart and filled with integrity, so he doesn’t cheat or lie and he takes pride in his word. But for years, I have watched with fascination as Poet colored outside the lines and took his cue from no one but himself. Perhaps I even lived vicariously through him. He was brave about his choices and obedient to his restlessness.

He did what he wanted when he wanted. Often were the days that he’d climb into his truck, take off with a trail of farm dust scattering behind him and wind up wherever he took a notion. He answered to no one. He always made sure that he owed nary a soul, though he does like for others to owe him either in money or favors. Some of my most enjoyable times have been the adventures with Poet for he’s always game for anything and he has a beautiful way of expressing himself in rich Southern language so he’s terrifically entertaining.

His observations are wise and summed up in wit.

One night out at dinner, the conversation turned to a Southern politician whom I hold in admiration while Poet teeters, skeptically, on the center line. We debated and I defended. We were sitting

in a booth that didn’t have a partition between us and the adjoining booths.

The group of four dining behind us got up to leave and one of the men came over and introduced himself to Poet, reminding him that they had met previously.

He said, “I couldn’t help but overhear your discussion. You know that I’m his nephew, right?”

Cool as cucumber, Poet drawled beautifully, “Yes, indeed, I am well aware of that. And a fine man he is. We’re all the better for him having served so honorably. Please, relay my kindest regards to him. And tell him my contribution is in the mail.”

As he walked away, Poet’s eyes widened. “Did I say anything that would have sounded disparaging to such a fine man and humble civil servant?”

I nearly went under the table, laughing.

Another time, he showed up at a conference I was attending that was being held in a hotel/ casino. He wanted to play blackjack, so I followed him to the table and watched in admiration as he coolly, assuredly played the game. I have no card sense. I don’t understand cards, so I can’t play them though he tried

to explain. After a while, he laid his hand on the table and, with nonchalant panache, instructed the dealer, “Color me out.”

“Color me out? What does that mean?” I asked as we left the casino.

“Just another way of saying ‘deal me out.’”

See, Poet has a way with words that makes him memorable.

Because of his answerto-no-one style and penchant for living life on his own terms, I have considered him to be one of the South’s greatest characters in modern times and he has given me lots of material.

And then, without a word to anyone, he up and married. Tink laughed as he watched the conversation between Poet and me for I was taken aback.

It felt like my favorite character in my favorite book had been killed off.

He’d never have that same devil-may-care attitude again.

“Be happy for him,” Tink said.

“The Tarleton twins have died,” I responded glumly.

“Who?” “Gone With the Wind.

Killed in battle. Characters I loved.”

Tink rolled his eyes and Poet laughed. I slumped lower in my chair.

“Now, he’s just like the rest of us. He’s ordinary.

He used to be exciting.”

So I’m in mourning.

The rambling, adventurous Poet has been colored out.

Ronda Rich is a bestselling Southern author.

Visit www.rondarich.com to sign up for her free weekly newsletter.

Have you ever experienced death by PowerPoint? How about your boss asking you to read the endless business plan?

We’ve all been there.

A well-intended person puts pen to paper, or hands to keyboard, and they cram everything they know into a document. Their intention is to share important information, but too much information is almost as bad as too little. When it comes to communication, there are three levels: 1. Stoic silence If you’ve ever dwelled in the silent vortex of no information, you’ve know the chilling effect the absence of communication has on organizations and relationships.

When people don’t know what’s going on, they feel disconnected from the task at hand and disconnected from each other. Malaise ensues.

2. Regurgitation On the flip side of no communication is regurgitation. Decks with 37 slides, business plans with 15 different strategies. It’s not quite as bad as noncommunication, but it’s not particularly helpful either. It’s not over communication; it’s overly wordy communication. In the face of 17 goals, no one knows which one is most important.

3. Concise The most effective communication is to distill the information down into the most important points and communicate it with brevity. It’s challenging because you

ing instructions with to kids. Before you speak, or go for the slide deck, ask yourself: Is this essential for my audience?

And I mean absolutely essential. If you have 10 top priorities, you might as well have none.

Strategy is about making Lisa McLeod choices. It means saying yes, and saying no. If you want others to take have to sort and prioritize your information, prioritize, don’t list more than three things. discarding anything not Is this relevant to my absolutely essential. audience?

The famous quote, “If Nothing obliterates I had more time, I would have written you a short- a solid point more than er letter” illustrates why endless data before and afterward. Your CEO brevity is so difficult. It doesn’t need all the takes more time. details of your job, your The quote was first customer doesn’t need attributed in writing to to know the inner workFrench mathematician ing of your software, and philosopher Blaise and your spouse doesn’t Pascal. The statement need every detail of your (in French) appeared in conversation with the a letter in a collection neighbor. Share what’s called “Lettres Provinciales” in the year 1657. relevant to the listener, The quote was also later not what you find interesting. People don’t need attributed to Voltaire, as much background as Benjamin Franklin, you might think.

Mark Twain and WinWhat do I want my ston Churchill, amongst audience to do? others. No doubt these Whenever I work leadexcellent writers reers on goals and strategy, peated and internalized it, because they all know, the litmus test I use is, “I’m a middle manager, I being concise requires more mental acuity than just heard this. It’s Monday morning, what do I simply blathering on. do?” Good communicaWhen I work with setors connect the dots for nior leaders, it’s always challenging to help them people. They draw the distill their strategies and line from the big picture to daily actions. goals into the most saWords matter. The lient points. Here are the fewer you choose, the questions I use to help more they stand out. leaders be concise with Lisa McLeod is the their teams. The same questions can be used if author of the bestseller “Selling with Noble Puryou’re in the middle of pose.” Her most recent an organization, combook is titled “Leading municating with your with Noble Purpose.” volunteer group, or giv-

Many American Christians are struggling with the refugee question: How do we reconcile our commission to care for the poor with the need to protect our communities?

After all, Americans are the most charitable people in the world. A new study by the Almanac of American Philanthropy found that we out-donate Britain and Canada by a 2-to-1 ratio and other western nations by 20-to-1. If we weren’t so charitable, the influx of refugees from war-torn Middle-Eastern nations might not pose such a dilemma. We’d simply turn them away.

At the same time, reports of growing violence

infiltrate the ranks of refuges in order to export fighters to the U.S., along with reports that they have already done so.

Even if some accounts are exaggerated, the truth is sobering enough. How many jihadists vowRob ing death to Americans Jenkins represent an acceptable number? in Western Europe, where As Christians, we don’t the numbers of immiwant to turn away people grants have skyrocketed with legitimate needs. in recent years, are difChrist declared that we ficult to ignore. For that must love our neighbor as matter, we see similar ourselves and taught that reports from American we are to feed the hungry, cities with large refugee clothe the naked and tend populations, such as to the sick — regardless Dearborn, Mich. of nationality or religion.

We also read stateYet the Savior also ments by ISIS leadcautioned about thieves ers that they intend to that come “to kill and

to destroy” and warned of “wolves in sheep’s clothing.” It’s true that, in both cases, He was speaking figuratively; however, such passages indicate a clear awareness on His part of evil in the world — of bad people who would do us harm, against whom we must be ever vigilant.

I don’t think Jesus would have said that loving our neighbor means allowing thieves into our homes or wolves into our folds. Clearly, charity is a commandment — but just as clearly, it is not a suicide pact.

Fortunately, there are many ways of expressing Christian charity. As individuals

and congregations, we can and should extend a helping hand to those peaceful refugees who are already here, giving both our substance and our time. Many churches, like mine, have collected clothes, blankets and food for needy refugee families, put together “hygiene kits” containing basic necessities, or performed other charitable acts.

Meanwhile, the federal government has both the right and the responsibility to protect its citizens, taking every precaution to make sure we’re not allowing jihadists into our country. It should not discriminate based on

Ronda Rich

Balancing charity with wisdom and knowledge

faith but should prioritize those most endangered in their home countries — especially victims of religious genocide.

It should work with our allies in the Middle East and elsewhere to find workable solutions to the refugee crisis.

Most of all, it should focus on defeating ISIS and other radical groups so as many refugees as possible can go home.

Rob Jenkins is a local freelance writer and the author of four books, including “Family Man: The Art of Surviving Domestic Tranquility,” available at Books for Less in Buford and on Amazon. Email Rob at rjenkinsgdp@yahoo.com.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2017 • 13C

gwinnettdailypost.com

RESTAURANT SCORES

PETS OF THE WEEK

Restaurant Address ...................................................................................................................Score B.B.’s Wings 3920 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Duluth.....................................................................84 Don Quixote 1630 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth ..............................................................................100 Arcado Elementary School 5150 Arcado Road, Lilburn.............................................................100 Messina’s 4075 U.S. Highway 29, Lilburn ......................................................................................81 B.B. Harris Elementary School 3123 Claiborne Ave., Duluth ....................................................100 Capaldis New York Pizza Company 3170 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Duluth ..........................100 Hibachi Express 1417 Grayson Highway, Lawrenceville ...............................................................98 D. Cuban Cafe 5942 Buford Highway, Norcross .............................................................................85 Pasta and Grill 1291 Old Peachtree Road, Suwanee ....................................................................84 Oriental Garden 4132 Atlanta Highway, Loganville ........................................................................87 China Chef 2420 Wisteria Drive, Snellville ......................................................................................80 Autumn Leaves of Sugarloaf 1475 Satellite Blvd., Suwanee .......................................................98 Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt 5900 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville .............................................100 Auntie Anne’s Pretzels 5900 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville ..................................................94 Medieval Times at Discover Mills 5900 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville ..............................100 Lattea 2131 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth ...........................................................................................91 Culinart at Phi College Osteopathic Medicine 625 Old Peachtree Road N.W., Suwanee.......73 Pings Place 2300 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth .................................................................................91 Jade Dragon 4601 Satellite Blvd., Duluth ........................................................................................91 Cho Won Buffet 3635 Satellite Blvd., Duluth ...................................................................................87

Each week the Gwinnett Daily Post will feature an animal available for adoption at the Georgia SPCA, which is located at 1175 Buford Highway, Suite 109, Suwanee, GA. The hours of operation are Mondays through Fridays 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays 1 to 4 p.m. You can see the rest of the adoptable cats and dogs at www.georgiaspca.org.

Enter To Win A Family Four Pack Of Tickets!

SAT • MAR 18 2PM & 7PM SAT • MAR 18 2PM & 7PM

Tickets available at the Philips Arena Box office or online at ticketmaster.com

Tickets available at the Infinite Energy Arena box office or online at infiniteenergycenter.com

Tickets available at the Philips Arena Box office or online at ticketmaster.com

Tickets available at the Infinite Energy Arena box office or online at infiniteenergycenter.com

SAVE $7 ON TICKETS SAVE $7

Use code word: COURT. Valid on select tickets. May not be combined with any other offers or used with previous purchased tickets. Offer valid through game day.

ON TICKETS

Use code word: COURT. Valid on select tickets. May not be combined with any other offers or used with previous purchased tickets. Offer valid through game day.

468986-1

ENTER THIS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28TH ONLY ON FACEBOOK.COM/GWINNETTDAILYPOST

Huey and Louie are a couple of 1.5-half-year-old brothers who would love to go to a forever home together. This orange tabby pair loves to play and be petted.

They are both very affectionate and would love to share some of that affection with you.

Huey and Louie were brought to us after a divorce in the family, and unfortunately for these lovable brothers, they got the short end of the stick. They lost their family, but wouldn’t you love to make them a part of yours?

COMMUNITY CALENDAR March 4

Lilburn City Hall will host Tree Planting and Maintenance Lunch and Learn from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

It is suggested to bring a sack lunch, and the event will be led by Master Gardener Kate Pittman. The event will be located at 340 Main St. in Lilburn. For more information, visit cityoflilburn.com.

March 18

Suwanee Town Center Park will host the fifth annual Suwanee Kiwanis Shamrock 5K Run beginning at 7:30 a.m. The event will be located at 330 Town Center Ave. in Suwanee. Registration will begin at 7 a.m. For more information, send an email to A.edge@suwanee.com.

Suwanee Town Center Park will host the seventh annual Suwanee Beer Fest beginning from 1 to 5 p.m.

Advance tickets will cost $50 and day-of-event tickets will be $60. The event will be located at 330 Town Center Ave. in Suwanee.

April 22

The Infinite Energy Center will host an All About Kids Expo from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The event will be located at 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth. More information can be found on the event’s Facebook page.

Suwanee Town Center Park will host Suwanee Beat Cancer Fest beginning at 7 a.m. The event will be located at 330 Town Center Ave. in Suwanee. For more information, visit suwaneebeatcan-

cerfest.com.

Lawrenceville Lawn will host Paws in the Park at 10 a.m. Vendor tables are $50, and sponsorships begin at $100 to raise money for the Bow Wow Buddies Foundation. The event will be free to the public. The event will be located at 147 Luckie St. in Lawrenceville. For more information, visit campbowwow.com.

April 29

Coolray Field will host the 4th annual Greater Atlanta Congenital Heart Walk. Registration will begin at 8 a.m., and the walk will start at 9:30 a.m. The event will be located at 2500 Buford Drive N.E. in Lawrenceville. For more information, contact info@ congenitalheartwalk.org.

Ongoing

The Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation is sponsoring Writer’s Groups from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. every Monday. The groups will meet at the Pinckneyville Park Community Recreation Center, which is located at 4650 Peachtree Industrial Blvd. in Berkeley Lake. For more information, visit gwinnettcounty.com.

There will be badminton playing from 5 to 8 p.m. every Friday. These badminton nights will take place at Best Friend Park, which is located at 6224 Jimmy Carter Blvd. in Norcross. For more information, visit gwinnettcounty.com.

The Atlanta Hobby Robot Club will meet from 10 a.m. to noon the last Saturday

of every month. The club meetings will take place at Pinckneyville Community Recreation Center, which is located at 4650 Peachtree Industrial Blvd. in Berkeley Lake. For more information, visit gwinnettcounty.com.

There will be Northeast Georgia Civil War Round Table meetings starting at 3 p.m. the second Sunday of each month. The meetings will take place at the Gwinnett History Museum, which is located at 455 S. Perry St. in Lawrenceville. For more information, visit gwinnettcounty. org.

There will be Gwinnoters meetings starting at 2 p.m the fourth Sunday of every month. The meetings will take place at the Gwinnett History Museum, which is located at 455 S. Perry St. in Lawrenceville. For more information, visit gwinnettcounty.com.

HOOKED: Teen Volunteer Club, a service volunteer club, will meet monthly the first Saturday of each month.

The club will meet at the Shorty Howell Park Activity Building, which is located at 2750 Pleasant Hill Road in Duluth. For more information, visit gwinnettcounty.com.

McDaniel Marchers, a walking club, meets from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. the third Wednesday and Saturdays of each month. The club will meet at the McDaniel Farm Park, which is located at 3251 McDaniel Road in Duluth. For more information, visit gwinnettcounty.com.

Enter To Win A Pair Of Tickets!

“ONE OF THE BEST FAMILY MUSICALS EVER PENNED” –Chicago Tribune

ON SALE NOW! MARCH 17-19

FoxTheatre.org/ANNIE • 855-285-8499

ENTER THIS WEDNESDAY ONLY ON FACEBOOK.COM/GWINNETTDAILYPOST

470465-1

SAT • MAR 11 2PM & 7PM SAT • MAR 11 2PM & 7PM

14C • Sunday, February 26, 2017

Destinations

•From Page 1C be described as The Third Place — that place beyond work and home where we go to recreate and to commune,” Toro said.

“In a time when we’re all hyperconnected by these (mobile) devices, tweeting and texting and posting, we’re as isolated as we’ve ever been. It is The Third Place that provides that communal aspect of life that we all crave. And those of us charged with creating place must provide it in order to succeed.”

The flurry of downtown development is not a Gwinnett-specific phenomenon. John Tuley, a senior principal planner with the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Community Development Division, said suburban downtowns and commercial nodes are reinventing themselves as livable centers with new amenities, such as restaurants, shops and additional housing.

“This is a trend we’ve been seeing in the region for several years,” Tuley said. “You really see it more so on the north side than the south side. Some of that, there’s some other regional economics and other things at play there, but you do still see sort of similar things happening.”

Tuley pointed to a trio of Gwinnett cities — Norcross, Duluth and Suwanee — as early adapters of this trend and models for other communities to follow. Norcross and Duluth, in particular, were two of the first communities to adopt Livable Centers Initiative plans for their downtowns, he said.

As a result, both cities have created large town green spaces in their historic downtown districts and brought in a mix of shops and restaurants to get people back into those areas. Both cities are also working on plans for a mix of new commercial and residential developments near and around

gwinnettdailypost.com

downtown progress 2017

Some cities still in early planning

Clockwise, from upper left, The Bowl at Sugar Hill’s rise has caused city leaders to pour several million dollars into upgrades, most notably $3 million into the amphitheater. (File Photo) Brian and Erica Etheridge from Alpharetta enjoy ice cream with their kids on a beautiful Sunday afternoon in downtown Duluth. (Photo: Karl L. Moore) A rendering of a portion of the planned Town Green in Peachtree Corners is pictured. (Special Photo: City of Peachtree Corners) This illustration shows a proposed look for the 16-acre mixed-use development expected to begin construction this spring next to the Mall of Georgia. (File Photo)

their downtowns to further enhance those areas.

Meanwhile, Suwanee built an an entirely new activity center, the Town Center, that has become its new downtown. It includes a new City Hall, a town green, shops, restaurants and residential spaces all in one location.

“Gwinnett has had some of the most success with a lot of their little town centers,” Tuley said.

“We reference those cities, those jurisdictions a lot, and Gwinnett County as a whole has done a pretty good job of working together to do a lot of good development and attract some good employment.

“We honestly do use a lot of those examples.

Folks may be getting tired of hearing us talk about them, but nevertheless, … Suwanee has consistently been (an example), Duluth has been one and Norcross is another

one. Even when we talk to folks nationally, we bring up those three cities as examples again and again.”

Tuley said it’s part of a movement of cities, as they build out to their city limits, to look at revitalizing their existing downtown areas as ways to keep their economies prosperous. At the same time, Tuley said people are looking for places to live which are denser and more urbanized.

Although it may appear that everyone who wants that is gravitating to midtown and downtown Atlanta, Tuley said the downtown areas of the suburbs remain viable alternatives.

“You’ve seen a lot of interest in people wanting to be somewhere where, when they’re home, especially, they have urbantype amenities close by,” Tuley said.

“It’s kind of this ongo-

ing trend of an urban renaissance that we’ve been seeing for the past almost 20 years in the region of, not necessarily everybody wanting to live (in downtown Atlanta), but folks want to live in a slightly more urban, slightly more walkable area and have things like restaurants and parks and potential entertainment options close to their home.”

One example of this movement is Sugar Hill’s EpiCenter project. Unlike many of its counterparts elsewhere in Gwinnett, Sugar Hill has never had a traditional downtown area.

EpiCenter builds off the momentum created when the new City Hall opened a few years ago, followed by the Bowl at Sugar Hill and the town green. The EpiCenter will include recreation, dining and social and office spaces next to City Hall.

Similarly, Gwinnett’s

OPEN HOUSE MARCH 25

Georgia Gwinnett College is affordable, accessible and gives you the attention you need to get a high-quality, four-year college degree. Attend our Open House to learn more about GGC!

Saturday, March 25 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM Reserve your space at www.ggc.edu/OpenHouse 470820-1

meet me

some of its community improvement districts on economic development and revitalization projects. Other walkable

Open House includes: Guided campus tours and lunch with faculty and current students. Breakout sessions include: Financial aid, GGC majors, campus life and student housing.

newest city, Peachtree Corners, is planning to establish its own downtowntype area with its town center project next to The Forum. It will include townhomes, a movie theater, office space, shops, restaurants and green spaces where the community can gather.

“I think also having a sense of identity for those communities has maybe gotten to be more important,” Tuley said.

“Peachtree Corners is one of those that incorporated and didn’t really have a center, and is now kind of moving quickly toward developing their identity, reinvigorating that technology hub that they were for so many years, building a new town center and realizing that to attract those new businesses, in their case, they may need to rethink what their identity is a little bit.

“Not a wholesale change. Not throw out the past, but reinvigorate and reinvent themselves.”

Meanwhile, Snellville has its own projects in the pipeline, including the creation of a city market and development around its town green.

At the same time, Lilburn officials are looking to eventually extend their downtown along the newly rerouted Main Street out to the new City Hall, library complex and U.S. Highway 29.

Lawrenceville is looking to develop the property around the Lawrenceville Lawn in an effort that will take years to complete, while Clayton and Perry streets will be converted from one-way roads to two-way streets.

Other cities in Gwinnett, such as Grayson and Loganville, may not have development projects under construction right now, but they are eyeing some development of their own.

Grayson, for example, sold its old post office to its Downtown Development Authority in November with plans for the DDA to do a turnaround and sell it to a developer.

At the same time, Loganville officials are looking at a variety of potential uses for property its city leaders bought on Main Street last year.

“The Gwinnett brand is … community building and place making,” county commission Chairwoman Charlotte Nash said in her recent State of the County address. “All of the cities in Gwinnett are engaged in this work and have made great progress.”

Elsewhere, in unincorporated Gwinnett, the county is working with

What’s there now Loganville has purchased land on Main Street, between Covington and Church streets, for future development and has taken over the former Loganville Elementary School site.

Meanwhile, Grayson officials are working with the county to overhaul the intersection of Grayson Parkway and Rosebud Road to relieve traffic tie-ups.

Buford officials, on the other hand, are grappling with parking issues downtown.

What’s next Loganville has two projects on tap for its downtown area, according to city spokesman Robbie Schwartz. One is the redevelopment of the former school to become the new City Hall.

“This entails about 10 acres of the downtown area and is tying up a lot of our time and efforts right now,” Schwartz said.

The city is still looking at possible uses for the site between Covington and Church streets on Main Street, and received a presentation on various potential options last month.

“The presentation at January’s council meeting was centered on showing our council members the potential of land purchased by the City of Loganville over the past 18 months,” Schwartz said. “We have been in discussions with different private investors on a variety of different options, but we wanted to put something before them so they could visually see the potential.”

In Buford, officials are looking to take action soon on the parking situation. They included funding for a downtown parking deck in the 2017 SPLOST project list.

At the same time, Grayson officials sold the former post office on Pine Grove Avenue to the city’s Downtown Development Authority in November with plans for it to eventually be sold to a developer for redevelopment.

Expected arrival Other than Grayson’s road project, a lot of these projects are still in the early stages, so it will be a while before residents see them fulfilled. Schwartz said the Loganville project on Main Street, for example, must still undergo a needs assessment before it can proceed.

mixed-use developments are expected to pop up at the Infinite Energy Center and the Mall of Georgia.

These types of developments outside of traditional downtown areas are not limited to Gwinnett.

Tuley pointed to similar developments at Cumberland Mall and the new Atlanta Braves stadium in Cobb County, and the Perimeter Mall area in north Fulton, as examples of denser downtown-like activity centers popping up in traditional commercial centers.

“This doesn’t have to be historic cities,” Tuley said. “These are places that maybe traditionally weren’t actual literal town centers but were centers of activity that are now trying to become a little more urban.”