June 14, 2020 — Gwinnett Daily Post by Gwinnett Daily Post

gwinnettdailypost.com ♦ sunday, June 14, 2020 ♦ A3

WORLD & NATION

WORLD

Confusion reigns as countries loosen lockdowns, cases rise “Can’t hug my nan but I can go on Nemesis Inferno with her,” wrote one Twitter user regarding his grandmother and a popular UK rollercoaster. This zinger on the state of England’s coronavirus lockdown was repeated across social media this week as people said they were “confused” by the government’s latest easing of restrictions. It means that relatives still can’t spend time inside others’ homes, but outdoor attractions, retail stores and places of worship can reopen in England from next week. Meanwhile, the UK has recorded more than 50,000 coronavirus deaths, second only to the United States. There is a wide discrepancy in approaches to the coronavirus by the world’s political leaders, some countries are lifting lockdowns as COVID-19 deaths continue to rise, and global health agencies are backtracking on their guidance.

Far-right groups target anti-racism protests in London and Paris Far-right groups bombarded police with bottles and occasionally scuffled violently with officers as they staged a counter-protest to anti-racism Black Lives Matter demonstrations in central London. Hundreds of mostly middleaged white men, many shirtless or clutching beers, gathered in Parliament Square, where video showed a small number of right-wing protesters throwing objects at a line of police, some of whom responded with batons. The groups, some of them chanting “England” during clashes, said the counterprotest was intended to “protect” statues around Parliament Square, including that of wartime prime minister Winston Churchill. UK Home Secretary Priti Patel described the behavior as “unacceptable thuggery.”

Australian sentenced to death in China for smuggling drugs An Australian national has been sentenced to death in China after a court convicted him on charges of drug smuggling. The man, who was not identified, was sentenced Wednesday, but news of his fate was only published Saturday on the Guangzhou Intermediate People’s Court’s website. Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was “deeply saddened” by the verdict, and is providing consular assistance to the man. He was not identified, citing privacy concerns. “Australia opposes the death penalty, in all circumstances for all people. We support the universal abolition of the death penalty and are committed to pursuing this goal through all the avenues available to us,” the department said. The move is likely to further exacerbate tensions between China and Australia. Relations have soured in recent weeks after Prime Minister Scott Morrison publicly called for a formal investigation into the novel coronavirus pandemic — a move that appeared to anger authorities in Beijing. — From wire reports

Fauci says second wave is ‘not inevitable’ as coronavirus cases climb in some states By Madeline Holcombe CNN

Coronavirus cases are on an upswing in several states and experts warn case rates could rise further this summer as states reopen. But the nation’s top infectious disease expert said a second wave of the virus later this year is not inevitable. More than 2 million people in the U.S. have been infected by the virus and at least 114,875 have died from it, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. A forecast published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday projects the death toll could increase to 130,000 by July 4. Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said a recent increase in coronavirus cases in a number of states is not necessarily a “second spike.” “However, when you start to see increases in hospitalization, that’s a surefire situation that you’ve got to pay close attention to,” Fauci told CNN on Friday. Fauci also said there may not be a so-called second wave of COVID-19 cases as some health experts are predicting. “It is not inevitable that

NATION

Trade adviser says the White House wants $2T manufacturing stimulus White House trade adviser Peter Navarro said Saturday that the White House is targeting a phase four stimulus package focusing on American manufacturing that will be “at least $2 trillion dollars.” “We are facing significant structural headwinds” because certain service-oriented industries like entertainment, hospitality and transportation have especially been hurt because of COVID-19, Navarro told CNN. “The only way to fully rebuild the economy in the face of those headwinds is to significantly expand and strengthen our manufacturing base.” “Put simply, we need to create more manufacturing jobs,” Navarro said. “Manufacturing jobs not only provide good wages but also create more jobs both upand downstream through multiplier effects.”

VP Mike Pence touts decline in coronavirus hospitalizations Vice President Mike Pence on Friday touted the U.S.’ “steady decline” in coronavirus hospitalizations and fatalities, despite data showing several states have seen a rise in COVID-19 patients since the Memorial Day holiday and health officials warning the coronavirus death toll could increase in the months ahead. “We’re seeing a steady decline in hospitalizations and most importantly, a steady decline in fatalities,” Pence told CNN’s Pittsburgh affiliate WPXI in an interview Friday, arguing that America is “safely reopening.” He described the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in some states as “a reflec-

John minchillo/ap

On-campus staff working on the grounds of the Hebrew Home at Riverdale are tested for COVID-19 by nasal swab before they can begin their shifts on Friday in the Bronx borough of New York. Coronavirus cases are on an upswing in several states and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says cases could rise this summer as states reopen. you will have a so-called ‘second wave’ in the fall or even a massive increase if you approach it in the proper way,” he said. He advised Americans to follow social distancing recommendations and to continue wearing masks in public, among other CDC guidelines. Meanwhile former CDC Director Dr. Julie Gerberding, an infectious disease ex-

pert who now is an executive vice president at Merck & Co Inc., said Friday that the industry’s collaborative efforts and the 130 vaccines in different stages of production points make her cautiously optimistic the pandemic will end with a vaccine. “I think the science is on our side, but that doesn’t say anything about the speed, the safety, and the durability and all of the other cri-

teria that have to come into play before we have something that we can count on to give us that population immunity,” Gerberding said. There are plenty of roadblocks that can arise between lab testing and putting a product out into the public, she said. “So, a little scientific humility is also an important component of the communication,” she said.

of the brave. West Point is a universal symbol of American gallantry, loyalty, devotion, discipline, and skill,” Trump began his address, reading from a teleprompter. “To the 1,107 who today become the newest officers in the most exceptional Army ever to take the field of battle, I am here to offer America’s salute. Thank you for answering your nation’s call,” he added. Later in his remarks, Trump thanked all of the branches of drew angerer/getty images north america/getty images the military for their help to White House trade adviser Peter Navarro said that the White fight COVID-19 and calling House is targeting a phase four stimulus package focusing on the pandemic the “invisible American manufacturing that will be “at least $2 trillion dollars.” enemy.” “We will vanquish the virus, we will extinguish this tion of a dramatic increase black man Friday night. plague,” the president said. in testing.” Bottoms said this was “But we’re watching it very Shields’ decision and she Summer camps try closely and we remain very will remain with the city in ‘pods’ to keep campers confident that we have the an undetermined role. hospital capacity, we have Rodney Bryant will be- together while limiting the resources to be able to come the city’s interim pocoronavirus spread deal with any specific out- lice chief. breaks that could occur,” Bottoms said she is also As the summer sun rises Pence told WPXI. calling for the termination of high in the sky, kids who have The vice president’s opti- the officer involved in Friday been out of school and stuck mism about the government’s night’s deadly shooting at a at home are itching for an response to the virus comes Wendy’s restaurant in Atlanta. escape from the pandemicas health officials emphasize induced isolation. the importance of face covMost summers, freedom Trump addresses a erings and continued social for kids and parents alike is socially distanced distancing. typically provided by sum“We know the pandemic is West Point graduation mer camps. But this year, not over,” said Dr. Jay Butmany have been canceled ler, the U.S. Centers for DisPresident Donald Trump or are currently on pause. ease Control and Prevention on Saturday addressed 1,107 But not everyone is out deputy director for infectious graduates who gathered at of luck. A number of camps diseases, during a call with the U.S. Military Academy across the country are tryreporters on Friday. at West Point for the acade- ing something new to safely my’s annual commencement. bring children back without The ceremony looked very endangering their health. Atlanta police chief different from those in years It’s called the “pod.” steps down after past. Graduates socially disBy dividing campers into black man shot and tanced 6 feet from one another smaller groups and pairing across the Plain Parade Field them with just one or two killed by an officer to accommodate COVID-19 counselors or coaches for Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance public health requirements the entirety of camp, the Bottoms said instead of at Michie Stadium, camps are hopeful that the Atlanta Po- the ceremony’s traditional virus will be deterred. lice Chief Er- location. And family and Suggestions by the Cenika Shields will friends were not allowed ters for Disease Control and step aside as to attend the ceremony but Prevention include keeping police chief could watch it online. beds 6 feet apart in sleep“This premier military acad- away camps and keeping following the deadly offi- emy produces only the best small groups together withcer-involved of the best — the strongest of out mixing. Erika — From wire reports shooting of a the strong — and the bravest Shields

PEOPLE

ABC casts first black ‘Bachelor’ following outcry for diversity Following a petition urging ABC to address a lack of diversity on its enormously popular reality dating franchise, ABC has cast the first black “Bachelor.” Matt James will be the star of the 25th season of “The Bachelor.” James, 28, was a popular contestant on Season 16 of “The Bachelorette” and is the best friend of former “Bachelorette” contestant Tyler Cameron, with whom he runs the nonprofit ABC Food Tours. “Matt has been on our radar since February, when producers first approached him to join Bachelor Nation, as part of Clare’s season,” ABC Entertainment President Karey Burke said in a statement. “When filming couldn’t move forward as planned, we were given the benefit of time to get to know Matt and all agreed he would make a perfect Bachelor.” “We know we have a responsibility to make sure the love stories we’re seeing onscreen are representative of the world we live in, and we are proudly in service to our audience,” Burke added.

Taylor Swift says Confederate monuments in Tenn. make her sick For most of her career, Taylor Swift has been known in part for staying out of politics. That’s changed in the last few months. And her latest string of tweets, which call out Confederate monuments in Tennessee, is the most recent display of that shift. “As a Tennessean, it makes me sick that there are monuments standing in our state that celebrate racist historical figures who did evil things. Edward Carmack and Nathan Bedford Forrest were DESPICABLE figures in our state history and should be treated as such,” she said. In a series of 10 tweets posted on Friday, Swift goes details the histories of Carmack and Bedford, calling on Tennessee officials to stop “fighting for these monuments.”

Prince Harry praises 95-year-old who walked for charity Private Joseph Hammond, the 95-year-old Ghanaian man who walked 14 miles to raise money for frontline workers in Africa “brought a huge smile” to Prince Harry’s face, he said in a letter to the war veteran. Prince Harry applauded the veteran for taking up the strenuous task for a good cause. “Even at ‘95 years young’ I imagine it was not an easy task,” he wrote in the letter to Hammond. “However, given the service and selflessness you have demonstrated throughout your life, it does not surprise me that you would take on a challenge such as this — and that you wanted to walk even more miles. As you said yourself, it is amazing!” Inspired by the UK’s Colonel Tom Moore, a fellow veteran whose walk raised more than $40 million for the country’s National Health Service, Private Hammond set out to do the same for healthcare workers across the African continent. — From wire reports

Virginia city removes 800-pound slave auction block after years of deliberation By Ellen Kobe CNN

The city of Fredericksburg, Virginia, has removed an auction block marking the spot where African Americans were once displayed and sold as slaves. The 800-pound slave auction block was removed from a downtown corner Friday morning after nearly two years of deliberation among City Council, months of legal action that threatened to keep the stone in place, and weeks of postponement due to the state’s

MUST READ coronavirus restrictions. “The institution of slavery was central to the community prior to the Civil War,” said John Hennessy, chief historian of Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park. “The trauma involved in that passed through generations. The block became an embodiment of the present and past pain in this community.” Local tradition, records, and statements by African Americans themselves have identified the

elevated stone as a place where slaves were sold. “There is no direct quote noting that a slave stood on the block to be sold, but there are statements made in the post-Civil War years by African Americans stating they were sold on that corner,” the city notes on its website. Other similarly contentious sites that have been the subject of nationwide debate are being removed amid protests foldovetail cultural Resource group lowing the recent deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor The 800-pound slave auction block is removed by workers in Frederand George Floyd. icksburg, Virginia, on June 5.

A4 ♦ Sunday, June 14, 2020 ♦ gwinnettdailypoSt.com COLUMNIST I KEITH ROACH

WEATHER WATCH

Abdominal aneurism size governs best treatment

TODAY

84 62

EAR DR. ROACH: I just found out that my dad has an abdominal aortic aneurism that measures 4.7 centimeters. I know you’ve covered the relationship between size of an aneurism and treatment, but can you go Roach over that again? Also, he has stage 4 COPD. If the size of his aneurism makes him a candidate for surgery, how would the COPD affect that decision? How worried should we be? — A.A. ANSWER: The aorta, the largest blood vessel in the body, is subject to dilation and weakening in some people, especially men with a history of smoking. Rupture of the aneurism is a feared complication because it is almost always fatal. Elective repair is considered when an aneurism is found. Discussions about all medical procedures should include as clear as possible answers to these two questions: What are the likely outcomes if I do the procedure, and what are the likely outcomes if I don’t do the procedure? At 4.7 cm, your father’s aneurism is considered “medium-sized,” and has a low risk of rupture. Only 1.6% of aneurisms this size rupture. In older studies, which used open repair, the 30-day mortality rate from the difficult and dangerous surgery was 5.5%. AAA repair is generally not considered until the aneurism is greater than 5.5 cm. At this size, there is a benefit to surgery because the risk of rupture exceeds the risk of surgery. However, the individual characteristics and preferences of the patient must be considered — patients at higher risk might benefit only when the aneurism is larger, while a few otherwise healthy patients might elect for surgery even if the aneurism wasn’t quite 5.5 cm. Because of your dad’s severe COPD, his risk is higher than the average person. A prudent surgeon would be slow to recommend surgery. Moreover, a surgeon would be very likely to recommend endovascular repair. The 30day mortality is much lower. Death rates with endovascular surgery are in the 1% to 2% range, compared with 4% to 5% in the open surgery group. Even at this point, medical management can reduce the risk of the aneurism enlarging or at least slow progression. If your dad stills smokes, quitting would be by far the most important thing he could do for his health. Regular moderate exercise is highly recommended, but he should avoid heavy weight lifting. Control of elevated blood pressure and cholesterol is probably of benefit as well. DEAR DR. ROACH: My wife is 65, and I am 62. We have the same gastroenterologist. Several years ago, my wife was diagnosed with diverticulosis. The doctor told her to refrain from eating hard-to-digest foods such as nuts, corn and seeds. A year ago, the doctor told me that I have diverticulosis. He informed me that the recommendation to stay away nuts and seeds is no longer needed. The doctor did not explain why his recommendation had changed. Please provide some guidance on dietary recommendations for patients who have diverticulosis but are not currently experiencing problems with it. — S.O. ANSWER: Diverticulosis is the presence of small pouches in the colon. These can become inflamed, causing pain and fever, a condition called diverticulitis. Nuts and seeds were once thought to precipitate diverticulitis by becoming lodged in the pouches. There was never good evidence to support the recommendation against eating seeds and nuts, and the recommendation has changed because nuts and seeds are generally a healthy addition to diet, and because there is some evidence that eating these may actually reduce the risk of developing diverticulitis.

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

50%

20%

40%

20%

10%

74 59

78 61

10%

HOROSCOPES

79 61

82 63

LAKE LEVELS

SOLUNAR TABLES the gwinnett daily post (upSp 921-980, iSSn 1086-0096) is published wednesday, Friday and Sunday by Scni, 725 old norcross Road, lawrenceville, ga 30045. periodical postage paid at lawrenceville, ga 30044. poStmaSteR: Send address changes to gwinnett daily post, p.o. Box 603, lawrenceville, ga 30046-0603.

88 69

86 66

the solunar tables for lakes are based on studies that show fish and game are more active at certain times during the lunar period. MAJOR 8:38-10:38 a.m. ......... 8:58-10:58 p.m. MINOR 2:35-3:35 a.m.............. 2:45-3:45 p.m.

POLLEN COUNTS trees: none weeds: none grass: Very High

LOTTERY

Lake

Full

Yesterday

allatoona .............(840.0) ..... 840.65 Blackshear .......... (237.0) ..... 236.78 Blue Ridge.........(1690.0) ....1687.59 Burton...............(1865.0) ....1865.12 carters..............(1072.0) ....1072.93 chatuge ............ (1927.0) ....1926.15 Harding ............... (521.0) ..... 520.70 Hartwell ..............(660.0) ..... 660.34 Jackson...............(530.0) ......528.71

Lake

Full

Yesterday

lanier.................(1071.0) ....1071.36 nottely...............(1779.0) .... 1777.27 oconee ...............(435.0) ..... 434.90 Seminole................(77.5) ........77.43 Sinclair ................(339.8) ..... 338.60 thurmond ...........(330.0) ..... 330.34 tugalo ................. (891.5) ..... 889.38 walter F. george...(188.0) ..... 189.64 west point...........(635.0) ..... 635.66

TODAY IN HISTORY

Saturday cash 3 midday: 1-4-4 cash 4 midday: 1-3-5-6 ga. 5 midday: 5-4-3-9-8 Friday cash 3 midday: 1-2-0 cash 3 evening: 1-2-8 cash 3 night: 3-9-3 cash 4 midday: 8-9-6-5 cash 4 evening: 5-7-8-5 cash 4 night: 9-2-0-1 ga. 5 midday: 7-1-3-4-1 ga. 5 evening: 1-5-9-6-6 Fantasy 5: 08-12-27-38-39 mega millions: 09-14-57-67-70, mega Ball: 02 cash 4 life: 01-15-20-34-56, cash Ball: 02

TODAY’S HISTORY: in 1775, the u.S. army was established. in 1777, the continental congress adopted the Stars and Stripes as the national flag. in 1900, Hawaii became a territory of the united States. in 1982, argentine troops surrendered their last stronghold in the Falkland islands to the British, ending the Falklands war. in 2007, palestine’s Fatah-Hamas unity government was dissolved after Hamas took control of the gaza Strip. TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS: Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811-1896), author; alois alzheimer (1864-1915), physician; Burl ives (1909-1995), singer/actor; ernesto “che” guevara (1928-1967), revolutionary leader; donald trump (1946- ), 45th u.S. president; pat

Summitt (1952-2016), basketball coach; Boy george (1961- ), singer-songwriter; Steffi graf (1969- ), tennis player; diablo cody (1978- ), screenwriter; Kevin mcHale (1988- ), singer/actor. TODAY’S FACT: the highest rank in the army, general of the armies, was created for John pershing in 1919. the rank was awarded posthumously to george washington in 1976. TODAY’S SPORTS: in 1987, the los angeles lakers defeated the Boston celtics in game 6 of the nBa Finals, earning the franchise’s 10th nBa championship. TODAY’S QUOTE: “Sublime is the dominion of the mind over the body, that, for a time, can make flesh and nerve impregnable, and string the sinews like steel, so that the weak become so mighty.” — Harriet Beecher Stowe, “uncle tom’s cabin”

READER’S GUIDE

Gwinnett Daily Post editor – todd cline main office – 770-963-9205

Who To Call

the gwinnett daily post invites your input. Here are some guidelines to help you communicate with us. Subscription Rates: Subscription rate is $99 plus sales tax for one year, limited delivery areas. call 770-3395845 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

monday through Friday to start your subscription. Classified Ads: classifieds can be placed at the main office 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; phone lines open 24 hours, seven days a week by calling 770236-9988. email: classified@ gwinnettdailypost.com Legal Notices: Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., mon.-Fri. the fax number is 770-339-8082. Reach the legal resource center at 770963-9205, ext. 1161 or 1162.

To Report a News Item: Hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., mon.-Sat. call 770-339-5850. editor todd cline is at 770-9639205, ext. 1300; Sports editor will Hammock is at 770-9639205, ext. 1310. to request a photo, call 770-963-9205, ext. 1327. Administration/Finance: Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., mon.-Fri. call 770-963-9205. Delivery Problems: your satisfaction is our no. 1 priority. if we miss delivery, call our circulation department customer service line, 770-339-5845, or email the circulation department at circulation@gwinnettdailypost.

com between 6:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. wednesday through Friday and between 8 a.m. and noon Sunday. if your paper delivery is missed, we no longer redeliver on each delivery day. we only redeliver on Sunday. all other delivery days that are missed, we will have this paper delivered with the next day paper delivery at the request of the customer. Honored as a newspaper of General Excellence

2018

COLUMNIST|AMY DICKINSON

Politics leads to Facebook ‘unfriending’

EAR AMY: I recently “unfriended” my dear older sister on Facebook because some of our political views differ — so rather than see her postings that differ from my views, I decided to eliminate that tension. Before the unfriending, I tried to “unfollow” her, but then I’d miss her posts about other things, so I’d check her page and eventually see more politics. I just can’t stop offering my opinions when she posts, and then I feel chastised when she defends her point of view. We don’t hang out a lot, but when we are together we don’t normally talk politics; and if something uncomfortable (for me) comes up, I change the subject. My sister says, “OK, fine. We’ll just live in a world of unicorns and rainbows.” She is obviously not happy that I unfriended her. She says everyone has differing opinions, and that’s OK. Is she right, am I living in a fantasy world by trying to keep the tension out of our relationship? Am I oversensitive? — Little Sister DEAR SISTER: My take on this is that you do seem sensitive and very protective of your point of view. But (speaking as a “little sister” myself), the age differential between siblings often conveys a lifetime of dominance. Your less-sensitive older sister feels comfortable staking her claim and then defending it when you offer your own views. You interpret this as “tension,” but she seems to see it as a back-and-forth. She may also enjoy needling you regarding your sensitivity.

I suspect that after two weeks of being disconnected on social media, your blood pressure will stay down, you will stop feeling guilty and you will enjoy not being reactive and trigDickinson gered by your sister’s postings. The next time she teases you about living in a fantasy world, I suggest you demonstrate that you are unruffled. Send her a GIF of a unicorn leaping over a rainbow with the statement: “Life in my fantasy world is even better than I imagined. Love you, sis — let’s talk soon.” DEAR AMY: I feel betrayed by a friend of 20 years. We live close by, but rarely get together because she spends almost all her time with her husband. They don’t entertain or get together with friends or family. I don’t know why that is, but it is obviously a very personal decision and not my business. Every day, “Jane” and I emailed back and forth several times a day, discussing every imaginable subject, including some extremely personal things. I have told her things that I have never told anyone else. I recently joined a senior dating website. Every so often, I would share some emails men had sent me, and she would write back her comments. This has been fun. Last week she wrote to ask me to stop sharing any dating-related emails. She said that when her husband reads those messages, he misunderstands that they are to me and not to her, and he freaks out. (Jane is in her 70s and her husband is in his 80s.) I feel devastated to know that her

husband has been reading our emails for 20 years and I did not know it. I am reminded of an old saying: “The saddest thing about betrayal is that it never comes from your enemies.” How can I get over this? — Devastated DEAR DEVASTATED: You don’t know that “Jane’s” husband reads all of her emails — and has for 20 years. Her husband could have cognitive (or other) problems that have brought this on recently. The fact is, as intimate as your friendship with Jane is, you don’t seem to know much about her situation. The way to get over this is to try to understand it. You should tell Jane that you are surprised and concerned that her husband reads her email and ask if she could give you a call so you two could talk about it. DEAR AMY: Here’s another suggestion for how to get someone to stop interrupting: Many years ago when I obviously interrupted a friend, the friend stopped me dead in my tracks by saying, “I bet you thought I was finished.” I was unaware of my tendency to interrupt people until it was so vividly pointed out. It was a lesson learned and was a great way to teach me and the others who were there a lesson that I never forgot. — Grateful DEAR GRATEFUL: I love this phrasing (and expect a loved-one to use it on me very soon). You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: ASKAMY@amydickinson.com. Readers may send postal mail to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @ askingamy or “like” her on Facebook.

listen carefully and make decisions based on what’s current and factual, which will help you take the path that leads to your long-term goals. Stay on track this year, and rewards for your tenacity will be yours down the road. Honesty will play a role in the future — truth matters. GEMINI (may 21-June 20) — your charm will come in handy when you want things done your way. make sure you have mapped out a workable plan before you enlist the help of others. CANCER (June 21July 22) — pay attention to what others do, and it will inspire you to use your skills diversely. How you express what you want will determine what you receive. use your imagination. LEO (July 23-aug. 22) — Join a group you admire and a chance to take part in something that excites you will come your way. a relationship will flourish if you share ideas and plans. VIRGO (aug. 23-Sept. 22) — use your assets, appeal and connections to excel, but don’t promise something you can’t deliver. initiating a change will pay off. Stick to the truth and be practical. LIBRA (Sept. 23-oct. 23) — you’ll have the courage and stamina to pursue your goals. a personal relationship will need an adjustment if you plan to maintain equality. personal improvement and romance are in your best interest. SCORPIO (oct. 24-nov. 22) — a lifestyle change will excite you. Say what’s on your mind to deter anyone from interfering with your plans. Someone you least expect will ask to tag along. SAGITTARIUS (nov. 23-dec. 21) — time spent with someone you love will be eye-opening. a joint venture won’t turn out as anticipated. Someone will mislead you regarding a money matter. an adjustment at home will improve your life. CAPRICORN (dec. 22Jan. 19) — Shake things up a bit. the changes you make won’t please everyone, but they will help you recognize who is heading in the same direction as you and who isn’t. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19) — update your resume. Redirect your skill and experience to fit current trends. pampering will help you relax and encourage you to focus on the people and things that are important to you. PISCES (Feb. 20-march 20) — take note of what others are pursuing and whether or not you want to participate or do your own thing. Helping others will lead to future favors that will come in handy. ARIES (march 21-april 19) — leave nothing to chance. do your homework and the preliminary tasks to ensure that you are ready to present what you have to offer without a hitch. Romance is favored. TAURUS (april 20-may 20) — if change is what you desire, plan your strategy and discuss your intentions with anyone who will be affected by your choices. obtaining permission is the smartest way to avoid interference.

gwinnettdailypost.com ♦ sunday, June 14, 2020 ♦ A5

Gwinnett County commissioners continue to debate whether to include heavy rail in transit referendum By Curt Yeomans

curt.yeomans@gwinnettdailypost.com

Gwinnett County commissioners may be at an impasse about what to do concerning a county transit referendum. It isn’t a debate over when to have the referendum. Most of the commission appears to be in agreement about looking at putting it on the ballot for the general election in November. The question is whether heavy rail should be part of the proposal at this time. “My proposal is we call a referendum for (three-quarters of a penny) tax this fall that does not include rail, but includes the other projects,” commission Chairwoman Charlotte Nash said. “That would allow us to move forward on those and defers the decision on rail such that

HOSPITAL From A1 “Theres a lot of people here today who have been working extraordinarily hard under very difficult circumstances over the past three or four months,” Lee Echols, vice president of marketing at Northside Hospital, said. “This is a way to not only acknowledge the work they’re doing, but it’s to celebrate the fellowship and community that we have here at Northside Gwinnett. I think that’s pretty obvious today.” As hospital workers approached the front of the lunch line on Friday, they smiled from under their masks and thanked the volunteers serving them. The volunteers returned the gratitude for the work they’ve been doing to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. “They seem very appreciative, and we’re happy to be here,” Franklin Johnson, executive director of Bicycle Ride Across Georgia, said. “Northside is a big

CHIEF From A1 for excellence and community policing.” West, who joined the Gwinnett County Police Department as a police officer in 1991, said he looks forward to leading the department of 878 sworn officers and nearly 300 support personnel. “I am humbled by the confidence instilled in me by county leadership and by the men and women who dutifully serve and protect every day,” West said. “Together we will continue to uphold the highest standards of law enforcement services to Gwinnett County residents, businesses and visitors.” As deputy chief, West most recently oversaw the administrative bureau consisting of two divisions and operational

a future board could come back after further analysis of the rail aspect and make a decision as to how to use that (one-quarter of a penny) of the new transit tax that is reserved in effect for future decisions.” Transit has long been a hot button topic among Gwinnett leaders and residents as the county grapples with the issue of addressing growing demands on its transportation system. That effort led to last year’s failed MARTA vote, which in turn led to county leaders going back and looking at revisions to their plans. As for what to put on a transit referendum, there appears to be at least two camps within the commission. One is to put a vote on a threefourths of the penny transit tax this fall, without including heavy rail, and allow county leaders to

come back at a later date and hold another referendum on adding the remaining one-fourth of a penny to add heavy rail to the project list. Nash is in that camp and Commissioner Marlene Fosque appeared to at least be open to it during a called meeting on Thursday. Fosque said there is a misnomer that, because one option was called “No Rail,” that it meant rail would never be built. “People honestly think that the only decision that we have on the table is ‘Heavy Rail’ or ‘No Rail’ and one of the reasons why is because started calling ‘No Rail’ ‘No Rail’ instead of maybe a ‘Deferred Rail,’” Fosque said. “I don’t think we’re saying we’re never going to have rail. The option that we were talking about was that it wasn’t going

to be the first thing that we did. There were so many other things that we could do in Gwinnett.” The other camp is interested in going with a referendum on full penny transit tax with heavy rail included. Commissioner Jace Brooks is in that camp and Commissioner Ben Ku appeared to be leaning that way as well during the meeting on Thursday. Brooks said he felt there was “no advantage” to not including heavy rail, or to asking voters to pass two referendums. “I remain convinced that the full penny with heavy rail is the best option,” Brooks said. “It’s had the most input, the most vetting, the most vetting from consultants as well as the public, it has the most support from the public. That’s what I see right now.

“There was so much work put into (the Connect Gwinnett transit plan) and since it did wind up having some flaws, the (transit review committee) put an immense amount of time and effort in as well in addition to the consultants with an excellent plan. They had a lively debate over rail or no rail and they agreed to recommend to us the rail version.” Ku said there is support for heavy rail as well. “Polls have shown Gwinnett wants rail,” Ku said. “I really do feel like we should let them vote on this in November.” Commissioner Tommy Hunter listened to the debate, as well as a presentation from consultants on transit plans, but said little and did not give any indication as to which way he was leaning on the transit referendum issue.

proponent and supporter of the Bicycle Ride Across Georgia, and we know they are going through a difficult time with the COVID situation so we decided to solicit support from all our community members to see if we could help them out a little bit.” Bicycle Ride Across Georgia is a 40-year-old nonprofit, Johnson said, that organizes five different bicycle tours each year. However, their biggest event is a bicycle ride across the state the first week of June every year with about 1,200 participants. Johnson said this was Bicycle Ride Across Georgia’s first time serving Northside Hospital employees. “A big thanks to Northside for supporting the community during this pandemic,” he said. Echols added that the event was reflective of the outstaff photo: chamian cruz reach all of the hospitals in the area have been getting A partnership of local organizations treated Northside Hospital Gwinnett healthcare workers to lunch on Friday, June 12. from local companies, resline workers. right now, and the families Echols said. “No one saw tooled their role in their lives taurants and organizations “We often overlook the per- they go home to at night COVID coming and the way to take care of others is really who want to give their time sonal sacrifices that they’re are struggling through this these people have reacted remarkable, so they really and donations to help frontmaking to provide healthcare just as their patients are,” and trained and kind of re- deserve this today.” areas that include professional standards, fiscal management, emergency management, human resources, the training academy, property and evidence, records, facilities, fleet and E911. He also has commanded the administrative services division, support operations division, uniform patrol division, West Precinct and Police Academy during the span of his career. His experience also includes special operations, traffic, K-9 and criminal investigations. West holds a Master of Public Administration from Columbus State University and has logged nearly 3,200 hours of specialized training, which includes graduating from both the 247th Session of the FBI National Academy in 2011 and Class XV of the Georgia Law Enforcement Command College in 2005.

COVID From A1 double digit daily positivity rates at testing sites, particularly the new one that opened last month in Lilburn. Gwinnett makes up the overwhelming bulk of cases seen in the three-county health district. “Since the time in May, the end of May, that we’re talking about, we’ve seen a steady increase,” Arona said. “Some days 10%, somedays 8%. In Lilburn, somedays we’d have 20%. One day in Lilburn, we had a 27% positivity rate, so our overall positivity rate has increased to where it’s actually 8.3% now.” By comparison, Arona said the large-scale testing days that were done in April at the Infinite Energy Center in Duluth and the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers saw positivity rates of 4% to 5%. As of 3 p.m. Saturday, there has been a total of 5,141 COVID-19 cases reported in Gwinnett, which has the highest case total in the state. There have been 152 deaths in the

RACE From A1 marches, the violence and things like that.” Johnson holds a bachelor’s degree in humanities: languages and literatures from La Universidad del Sagrado Corazon in San Juan, Puerto Rico; a master’s degree in public affairs from Columbia University; another master’s degree in business administration from Emory University; and a doctoral degree in educational leadership and management, with a focus on multicultural and multilingual education, from Capella University. She said there are several things she would like to tackle as a school board member, from a policy and curriculum standpoint. One is revising the district’s student discipline policy to ensure it is applied equitably to students. “We know, and I’ve seen data al-

WEEKLY INCREASES IN NEW COVID-19 CASES IN GWINNETT FROM MAY AND JUNE May 4: 476 May 11: 455 May 18: 149 May 26: 619 June 1: 588 June 8: 773 source: gwinnett, newton and Rockdale Health departments and georgia department of public Health county so far during the pandemic, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health. There have also been 772 hospitalizations in the county. The county has had an incidence rate of 529.38 cases for every 100,000 residents. “Within the last week, some days we saw well over 20% positivity, and then the last couple of days, we’ve seen 10%, 11% positivity,” Arona said on Friday afternoon. The weekly comparisons of new cases is based on numbers culled

from the weekly reports that are issued by the Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale Health Departments each Tuesday. From the last week of April through May 11, there were just over 450 new COVID-19 new cases reported per week in Gwinnett before the sudden drop to only 149 new cases between May 11 and May 18. There were 619 new cases reported between May 18 and May 25 and 588 new cases between May 25 and June 1. Arona said health officials can’t pinpoint what exactly is causing the increased number of new cases seen each week, other than more testing and a new testing site. “It’s impossible to put your finger on any specific event,” she said. “I know there’s been a lot of attention, saying ‘Oh are these cases related to Memorial Day?’ but you can’t really put your finger on any particular event.” But, she said the new testing site in Lilburn was chosen because the health department had been seeing higher incidences rates in that part of the county, and because it

ready, that has shown a disproportionality of black and brown kids (being disciplined),” Johnson said. She would also like to see the district offer a course in indigenous American and African-American history and require diversity training for administrators. Johnson said the training would be part of an anti-racism policy she would like to see implemented for administrators and students, along the lines of anti-bullying policies. “The same fervor we put around anti-bullying policies should be the same fervor we put around antiracism,” Johnson said. She would also like to see policy changed so Jewish and Muslim students — Johnson is herself Jewish — can have holidays to observe their religious holidays. Another change she would like to see made is an increase in the community’s ability to have digital access to school board meetings. Radloff said her hope is for whoever is elected to serve on the school is a more densely populated area with access to transit. The greater density of that part of Gwinnett makes it easier to spread COVID-19, Arona said. “We think the reason we’re seeing more cases is because we’re doing more testing (and) we’re also testing in area now with more dense populations, in areas where there’s more multifamily, multigenerational living conditions,” she said. “That plays a big factor.” Meanwhile, Arona said neither the hospitalization rate or the death rates has increased, despite the increase in the positivity rates. In fact, the hospitalization rate is now around 16%, which is down from 20% in April and then 18% in late April and May. At the same time, the median age of people diagnosed with COVID-19 in the area has gotten younger as well. “Our median age, for awhile, used to be 55, 57, 58, and now our median age is 44,” Arona said. In response to the increase in new cases seen each week, local health officials are urging residents to follow guidelines recommend-

board in this year’s elections will be guides for the community for the next four years. “I think across the board, all I’m hoping for is whoever gets elected are people of quality, people who understand the critical roles they serve and they give it the time that it needs to have for this county to continue in the best economic situation,” she said. In the Board of Education District 1 Democratic Party primary, Segun Adeyina and Karen Watkins remained in a tight race to determine who will face Republican incumbent Carole Boyce in November. As of Friday night, Watkins had received 50.41% of the 19,141 votes that had been counted up to that point. There were no contested primaries in the Board of Education District 3 race. Republican incumbent Mary Kay Murphy will face Democrat Tanisha Banks in November. All results are unofficial until certified by elections officials. ed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. Arona explained that Gwinnett residents should act as if they already have COVID-19, or that everyone around them has it. “Despite businesses opening, and despite larger numbers being able to congregate, the big message is to protect yourself, take personal responsibility, respect others by social distancing, wearing a mask — especially when social distancing is harder to,” Arona said. “A big message is to stay home when you’re sick and stay away from others who are sick.” Statewide, there has been a total of 56,801 COVID-19 cases, and 2,446 deaths from it, seen in Georgia. There have also been a total of 713,085 swab and antibody tests administered, 9,224 hospitalizations and 2,029 ICU admissions. Fulton County has had the second highest number of cases in the state, with a total of 5,100 cases and 284 deaths, followed by DeKalb County (4,303 cases, 145 deaths), Cobb County (3,557 cases, 215 deaths) and Hall County (2,740 cases, 55 deaths).

gwinnettdailypost.com ♦ sunday, June 14, 2020 ♦ A7

PERSPECTIVES

Gwinnett Daily Post www.gwinnettdailypost.com

Todd Cline,

Editor and SCNI Vice President of Content todd.cline@gwinnettdailypost.com

COLUMNIST|MARC THIESSEN

Want to purge bad cops? Fix collective bargaining

n the wake of the brutal death of law enforcement, it’s similar to what we George Floyd, the radical left is de- found in education. Just about everymanding that we “defund the police.” body knows who the bad actors are, but That is insanity. The vast majority of because of union rules, they were conpolice officers are honorable men and stantly protected and reassigned.” women who risk their lives every day He says good cops have an interest in to protect our communities. eliminating the provisions that protect We don’t need to “dismantle” bad ones. “The overwhelming mathe police; we need to purge our jority of people in law enforcement police departments of bad cops. are exceptional,” he says. “But I And that will require doing somealso believe that bad actors are a thing Democrats have long opthreat to them. As we see [in the posed — reform collective barcase of George Floyd], they get gaining. tarnished by the bad actions of a Just as teachers unions make very small percentage of people it nearly impossible to fire bad in the profession, and it makes Thiessen teachers, police unions make it their already dangerous jobs that nearly impossible to fire bad cops. much more dangerous.” One recent study in the Duke Law JourWalker notes that there are other ways nal examined 178 police union contracts to protect good officers from false accuand found that “a substantial number . . sations of misconduct. “In Wisconsin, I . unreasonably interfere with or other- signed a law that says, if there’s an offiwise limit the effectiveness of mecha- cer-related death, that an independent nisms designed to hold police officers review has to be done. It can’t be done accountable for their actions.” The con- by the sheriff’s department or the distracts often “limit officer interrogations trict attorney, it’s got to be an indepenafter alleged misconduct, mandate the dent review.” But, he says, the “union’s destruction of disciplinary records, ban interest is not necessarily a fair process, civilian oversight, prevent anonymous it’s in protecting their members.” civilian complaints, indemnify officers That has proved true in Minneapoin the event of civil suits, and limit the lis, where the head of the local police length of internal investigations.” Anoth- union, Lt. Bob Kroll, has defended the er study found that “collective bargain- officers involved in the killing of George ing rights led to a substantial increase in Floyd. In a letter to union members, violent incidents of misconduct.” he said Floyd had a “violent criminal If we want to eliminate violent police history,” complained the officers were misconduct, then we need to eliminate “terminated without due process” and collective-bargaining protections that promised the union was working “to shield bad cops. And there is a model for fight for their jobs.” But anyone who doing so. In 2012, then-Gov. Scott Walk- watched the video of Floyd’s gruesome er, R-Wis., passed Act 10, a law that re- death knows that the officers involved formed collective bargaining for teachers should be in prison. Derek Chauvin, unions and other public worker unions the officer seen with his knee pressed in his state. (Disclosure: I co-authored a down on Floyd’s neck, had at least 15 book with Walker on his collective-bar- complaints against him, most of which gaining reforms.) Like police unions, the were closed without discipline. Had it Wisconsin teachers unions had negotiat- not been for collective-bargaining proed agreements that tied the hands of su- tections, perhaps he might have been pervisors in disciplining chronically bad taken off the streets long ago, and Floyd performers. Instead of being removed, might still be alive today. bad teachers were moved around from If we want to stop police misconduct, school to school. Act 10 allowed school the answer is not to defund the police. We officials to hire and fire based on merit need more good cops, not fewer. But for and pay based on performance. Good the left, it is much easier to go after the teachers got rewarded while bad teach- police as an institution — or the presiers got the boot. dent, who has no role in setting local poWalker exempted police unions from lice policies — than the local Democratic Act 10 because he could not afford the political leaders and union officials who risk of a police strike during the fight over enter into collective-bargaining agreethe bill (which turned out to be prescient ments that shelter bad cops. when 100,000 protesters occupied the state capitol). But he says the time has Marc Thiessen is a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and the former chief come to reform collective bargaining for police as well: “I’ve got to believe that in speechwriter for President George W. Bush.

LETTERS TO THE EDITORT|YOUR OPINION

U.S. Military bases should be named for African American patriots, not white supremacists

DEAR EDITOR: It’s obscene that 10 U.S. military bases are named for Confederate officers. Confederate leaders were crystal clear about their motivation for secession. They wanted slavery, which they considered a “positive good,” to expand so that it would last forever. To achieve this, they blew up their country. Some of the bases’ namesakes murdered Union prisoners in cold blood. Some become Klan leaders. All were avowed white supremacists. Many weren’t even good generals. Asking African-American service members to serve at bases named after these

men is like asking Jewish Americans to serve at bases named after Nazi war criminals. What does it say about us that we name more bases for white supremacists than for African-American patriots? It’s time we renamed these bases for AfricanAmerican heroes who fought to preserve their country and its ideals, rather than subvert them. For starters, why not rename a base after civil rights icon Medgar Evers, who fought white supremacists in Normandy before being assassinated by one in Mississippi? Steve Babb Lawrenceville

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS: EmAil: letters@gwinnettdailypost.com mAil: 725 Old Norcross Road Lawrenceville, Georgia, 30046

COLUMNIST|KATHLEEN PARKER

The New York Times’ self-inflicted fiasco

hen the New York Times’ leadership recently apologized to the paper’s staff for running an op-ed by Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., the enemies of “fake news” high-fived and Free Speech collapsed from embarrassment. Heaven forbid an opinion on a newspaper’s op-ed page should offend someone. It’s one thing to disagree on the merits of an opinion; it’s quite another to have published an opinion column, then criticized the column and then made a senior personnel decision in part because the column was published in the first place. The Times’ editorial page editor James Bennet, once a potential executive editor candidate, resigned over what should have been a blip on the continuum of lessons learned. This unnecessary spectacle isn’t only disappointing but portends the gradual shrinking of the free marketplace of ideas. Rather than defending a U.S. senator’s right to speak his mind, the Times bowed to outrage — an overindulged emotion in the age of safe spaces and trigger warnings. So many Times’ staffers were appalled by Cotton’s op-ed endorsing military intervention to quell unrest that they, in part, succeeded in pressuring the paper into

issuing an apology and then makvalues, to turn our military on our ing a change in its editorial leaderown people. ship. And on a related note, the top The angry staffers also claimed editor at the Philadelphia Inquirer that the op-ed was inflammatory and also resigned over the weekend for “contained assertions debunked as a headline that read, “Buildings misinformation by the Times’ own Matter, Too.” reporting.” They pointed to Cotton’s It is important to note here that claim that Antifa, a self-described Parker the events of the year have many anti-fascist movement opposed to people, including those working in the far right that can seem sort of the media, on edge. An impeachment, a fascist in its disruptive tactics, was behind pandemic and then disturbing incidents of the unrest. The piece should have been police brutality and worse have Americans more carefully edited to make it clear that upset, their emotions frayed, and people the evidence behind Cotton’s claim about of color in particular feel worried about Antifa’s role is not very convincing. While the safety of their families. his piece was far from perfect, Cotton tried Cotton’s essential argument was that an to draw a distinction between violent ac“overwhelming show of force” was needed tors and peaceful protesters. as the protests unfolded and that PresiThere are many reasons and ways to dent Trump should invoke the 200-year- disagree with Cotton’s ideas and the way old Insurrection Act to “restore order to he presented them without censorship as our streets.” Bad idea, Tom. See how easy prequel or apology as sequel. It is sadly that was? I for one am glad to know what’s ironic that the Times ultimately aided and inside Cotton’s cerebral cavity. I disagree abetted Cotton’s larger goals. The Arkansas with his thinking for the same reasons senator’s presidential ambitions are wellraised by others, including former secre- known and, thanks to the Times, have been tary of defense and retired general James well-served. Already, Cotton has added at Mattis. As a member of the Kent State gen- least $200,000 to his coffers and made an eration, it’s against my remaining liberal instant name for himself in those quarters sensibilities, not to mention American of the Republican party where it is never

bad politics to do harm to the media. Here’s his schadenfreude-drenched tweet: “How is everyone at the @nytimes doing this morning? Did you have a late night trying to come up with an excuse to pretend you didn’t cave to the woke mob?” Bennet’s mistake was in not reading the Cotton op-ed before running it, to which he has admitted. He likely assumed it had been sufficiently vetted by other editors who have said they fact-checked and approved it. Bennet’s deputy editor James Dao tweeted that he “oversaw the acceptance an review” of the op-ed. He, too, has been removed from the masthead but has moved to another position in the newsroom. It is probably telling that the Cotton protest largely took place on Twitter, where it was sure to gain momentum. It doesn’t take much courage to join a gang and cancel an opinion — or ruin a career. It does take great courage, on the other hand, to stand alone against a tide of pitchforkwielding Twitter tyrants and defend a free exchange of ideas, even if some of them are bad. Kathleen Parker is a columnist for the Washington Post.

gwinnettdailypost.com ♦ sunday, June 14, 2020 ♦ A11

CLOSE TO HOME

John McPherson

FAMILY CIRCUS

Bill Keane

Today’s Solution

BEETLE BAILEY Mort & Greg Walker

BLONDIE Dean Young & John Marshall

DILBERT®

Scott Adams

HAGAR THE HORRIBLE Chris Browne

Zits Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman

PEANUTS

GARFIELD Jim Davis

POOCH CAFE Paul Gilligan

Charles M. Schulz

PICKLES Brian Crane

Sudoku is a number-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same numSolution to today's Sudoku ber only once.

WHATZIT SOLUTION:

Today’s Answer: Grandchildren

sports

gwinnettdailypost.com

PAGE A12 ♦ SundAy, JunE 14, 2020

Taylor, Radcliff picked in MLB draft From staff reports

After spending two years at Virginia Tech, former Greater Atlanta Christian standout Carson Taylor was drafted in the fourth round, 130th overall, in the 2020 MLB draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers Thursday night. Viewed by many as a catching prospect, the switch hitter performed well in his two years at Virginia Tech. After hitting .290 as a freshman, Taylor was off to a great start this past season hitting .431 with seven doubles and two home runs before the coronavirus pandemic ended his season. With the selection, Carson became the 12th player in Virginia

Tech history to get drafted. Former Norcross two-sport star Baron Radcliff, who later took his talents to the baseball diamond at Georgia Tech, was drafted 146th overall in the fifth round Thursday night by the Philadelphia Phillies. Listed at 6-foot-4, 228 pounds, the left-hander’s raw power intrigued many teams in this year’s draft class. Radcliff launched 12 home runs last season for the Yellow Jackets. This marks the second time Radcliff has been drafted. He was origiAnthony Walsh nally drafted out of high school in the Virginia Tech Athletics 40th round in 2017 by the hometown Georgia Tech outfielder Baron RadAtlanta Braves, but chose to attend cliff during a game against Georgia Greater Atlanta Christian School graduate Carson Taylor swings during a Virginia Tech game. Tech at Foley Field in Athens. Georgia Tech.

Peachtree Ridge Head Coach Sutton wins big award By Colin Hubbard Staff Correspondent

Grace College Athletics

Gwinnett native Dan Davis cheers his Grace College women’s basketball team on during a game last season.

Amazing Grace |

Gwinnett native Dan Davis enjoying latest coaching stop

By Jack Leo

Staff Correspondent

Just an afternoon’s drive from Lake Michigan and almost 300 miles north of the nearest Bojangles sits Winona Lake, a small Indiana town home to about 5,000 people. Like many small towns, Winona Lake is united by one thing inside it. For this town, it’s Grace College basketball. Led by head coach Dan Davis, the Grace women’s basketball team placed third in the NCCAA’s National Championship tournament in Davis’ first year, something it had not done in almost 50 years. He credits the success to a change in mentality and building relationships with his players. “It’s the little things. From conditioning to how we practice to the style of play, we’re gonna look like a team,” Davis said. “It’s not about the ‘me’, it’s about the ‘we’. We have them over to the house once a month and spend time doing devotions and praying with them.” Davis, a South Gwinnett High School alumnus who coached basketball at Grayson High School and Providence Christian Academy, took over the head coaching position just two years ago and has already made a huge impact on his team, school and community. He was previously a successful head women’s basketball coach at AuburnMontgomery. “I knew of Grace from watching a friend play in the NCCAA tournament up here that we

Grace College Athletics

Gwinnett native Dan Davis reacts during a Grace College women’s basketball game. host. I saw the facilities and how nice they were,” Davis said. “I came up to Grace for the interview and I fell in love with this place. The thing that’s so amazing up here that’s never changed is our people.” Davis and his team started their second season red hot, going 8-2 in their first 10 games. Soon after, though, the Lancers began to slow down, dropping four of their next eight games. “I think part of the reason we struggled was because we had a lot of success early and had a lot of big wins,” Davis said. “Part of the culture thing is understanding that to sustain that success, you have got to keep doing things day in and day out to continue to win games. Others were just single digit losses to really good teams.” Heading into the NCCAA

Midwest Regionals, Grace was riding a four-game skid. The Lancers were preparing for a matchup against Concordia, which had beaten them earlier in the year. This time, however, the Lancers flipped the script with a 19-point win, making them the second overall seed in the NCCAA National Championship tournament. “I feel like our girls got our mojo back,” Davis said. “We made some changes and tweaked some things and we had a lot of momentum headed into the tournament after that win.” Not long after, Davis had to inform his team that due to the coronavirus outbreak, the tournament was canceled. “This is a tournament that our community puts on. It’s a big deal,” Davis said. “We felt good about our bracket and our matchups. It was tough

to hear that for everyone.” Davis, true to his belief in the value of relationships, has continued to contact his team virtually. “We have been doing Zoom meetings every week,” Davis said. “The cool thing about these meetings is that we can have our incoming players join in with us as well. The girls are also using the virtual meeting to keep each other accountable with the offseason workouts. We keep telling them ‘don’t let the circumstances control you. You control the circumstances.’” Davis has also been using technology to recruit players from afar. “You’re watching a little bit more film on kids, but the biggest thing is having conversations with kids even if it can’t be in person,” Davis said. “With recruiting, it never turns off.”

Georgia’s Jenny Bae finishes runner-up at Georgia Women’s Open From staff reports

DAHLONEGA — Current and former Georgia golfers notched three top-10 and five top-25 finishes at the Georgia Women’s Open, which concluded on Tuesday at Achasta Golf Club. Rising junior Jenny Bae led the impressive showing by the Bulldogs, finishing as runner-up. Bae fired rounds 67 and 68 to wrap up the 36-hole tournament at 9-under 135. She was two shots off the pace of Taylor Totland on the leaderboard. In addition,

Jillian Hollis finished fifth, Bailey Tardy, a Norcross grad, tied for eighth, Alison Crenshaw tied for 13th, Caroline Craig finished 25th and Zoe Walker placed 59th. Bae’s performance followed a third-place showing at last year’s Georgia Women’s Open, a PGA Section of Georgia event featuring both professional and amateurs. Bae, who is from Suwanee, Ga., and attended Collins Hill High School, recorded 15 birdies over the two-day event, the most by any of the 64 golfers in the field. Hollis and Tardy are UGA graduates who

helped lead the Bulldogs to 10 team wins while capturing a combined six individual titles during their careers with the Bulldogs. Hollis finished the Open at 4-under 140, while Tardy shot 2-under 142. Crenshaw, a rising senior on the Georgia roster, wrapped up play at 2-over 146, while Craig, a rising sophomore, and Walker, who will be a redshirt junior, recorded tallies of 150 and 165, respectively. Louise Yu, a Peachtree Ridge grad, finished in a tie for 10th after shooting a 1-under 143.

Ryan Sutton is no stranger to success during his 12-year run at Peachtree Ridge as the school’s head boys soccer coach. With more than 100 career wins under his belt and numerous trips to the state playoffs including a state semifinal appearance in 2018, Sutton and his Lions were back on track for another shot at a state title this past season before their chances were cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Lions finished the season 8-1 and were the No. 6 ranked boys team in the nation. Their last two wins came in dominating fashion against Brookwood (a 2-0 win) and Parkview (5-0). Nearly two months removed from learning the disappointing news that Sutton and his Lions would be unable to finish out their season following the spring sports cancellation in mid March, the veteran head coach received some exciting, unexpected news via email. For the first time in his career, Sutton was named the United Soccer Coaches Georgia Coach of the Year for large public schools, an honor he never saw coming. “I was humbled and completely caught off guard with it,” Sutton said. “I’m just extremely thankful and blown away. It was a surprise. I honestly had no idea I was even nominated for it.” Along with selecting a coach of the year, the United Soccer Coaches Organization also selects player awards. At first, Sutton thought the email sent to him had something to do with his senior goalkeeper, David Aguilar, who was up for an all-state selection. “I had already submitted all of the stuff for his award, so I thought it was just a reminder,” Sutton said. “I ended up opening it up and noticed that it had my name on it for Georgia high school coach of the year for large schools.” This marks the fourth time in recent years that Sutton has received a coaching award. He was named the Region 6-AAAAAAA Coach of the Year in 2017 and was named the Gwinnett Daily Post Coach of the Year in 2018. He was also named the Gwinnett Goal Club Coach of the Year in 2017. Sutton, like most coaches would do in his situation, credited his players for helping him win this prestigious award. “Without good players, coaches don’t win awards,” Sutton said. “I’m obviously not going to take all of the credit for that. Every award I’ve gotten is completely based on my players ability and how good they’ve been. I’ve been blessed to have teams that are coachable and they listen to our instructions and follow our lead. I’ll be starting my 13th year in the fall and I’ve had so many talented players come through there.” Sutton also gave a shout out to his coaching staff who helped cultivate their team success just as much as he did, he said. “I have one heck of a coaching staff that we’ve pieced together,” Sutton said. “As soon as I saw the email, I texted my two assistant coaches and congratulated them because it was just as much about them as it was for me. They see things I don’t see and hear things I don’t hear.”

Photo: Will Hammock

Peachtree Ridge head coach Ryan Sutton addresses his team before the state playoff match with Forsyth Central.

gwinnettdailypost.com ♦ sunday, June 14, 2020 ♦ A13

A14 ♦ Sunday, June 14, 2020 ♦ gwinnettdailypoSt.com

DOTTY DEFINITIONS ACROSS 1. Sobbed 5. In __; worried 10. Spring months: abbr. 14. Midafternoon 15. European language 17. Outdoor shrine 20. Nacho cheese? 23. Shameful mark 24. Ace, at times 25. Conviction 26. Slowpoke 28. Snakelike fish 29. Printer s need 31. Tchaikovsky s “Symphony in __ Major” 34. “Gloria in excelsis __!” 35. Lucy s man 36. Digit 39. Bobs and buns 40. Belgrade native 41. Spoiled milk? 48. Cupid s projectile 49. Preacher s spot 50. Musical speed 54. Grain planted 55. Colorful shawl 58. Strong solution 60. __ firma; solid ground 61. Glum 62. Tic-__-toe 63. French I verb 65. Poorer 67. Go over again 70. “Dele” writers 72. Grand player 75. Urgent letters 77. Doll first sold in 1961 78. Family member 81. “...and on that farm __ a pig...” 82. Linden, for one 84. Finch & others 86. Place a-hummin 87. __ blank; be unable to remember 88. Wolflike 90. Most popular transports in China 91. Subordinate Clauses? 97. Get a glimpse of 100. __ Gershwin 101. British cars 102. Bit of electricity 103. One day __ time 104. Period of time 106. Hope, for one 107. __ Gatos, CA 110. Puccini opera 112. Concluding part 117. Speck 119. Knot-tying words 120. Psychopath?

125. 126. 127. 128. 129. 130.

Spit Space mission Glue maker Make bootees Low carts Hideouts

DOWN 1. Early invention 2. Before 3. 100 centavos 4. More minute 5. __ Wednesday 6. Piece of concrete 7. Carry 8. Corrupt 9. “What __ thinking?” 10. Insurance co. rep. 11. Snoop 12. Perch 13. Floor 14. Shakespeare s “you” 16. Part of the leg 18. Occupation 19. Willow 20. File drawer, perhaps 21. Present, for example 22. Not on the job 27. Bowl clumsily 30. Youngster 32. One whose wife looked back 33. Poisonous creature 35. Drops in the morning 36. Hairpieces 1

37. 38. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 51. 52. 53. 55. 56. 57. 59. 64. 66. 67. 68. 69. 71. 72. 73. 74. 76. 78. 79. 80. 83. 6

10 16

62 67 73

40 47

88 91

103

120

121

125

107

108

109

106 113

114

115

116

122

117

118

123

119 124

126 128

102

105 112

94 101

111

104

110

100

39 46

49 55

31 36

35 43

25 29

85. Sympathy s partner, in title 86. Stylish 89. Spray introduced in 1959 90. Lunch order, for short 92. Cold sore site 93. Underground find 94. Poet Benét s monogram 95. Parka features 96. Nudged 97. Polish off 98. Puts away 99. Turkish governor 104. Glossy fabric 105. Judy s eldest 107. Preferences 108. Smell 109. Boy 111. Fill cracks: var. 113. TV s “__ Blue” 114. Gets an __ effort 115. Ms. Glaudini 116. __ May Clampett; Jethro s cousin 118. Word with fairy or old wives 121. Virgil s 106 122. Betrayer 123. Decks, for short 124. Encycl. volume, perhaps

Young hooter Sixth sense, for short Mounts Go by Region Sitcom horse Stir-fry morsel Expert accountant, for short Used WD-40 Complete Diagnostic test, for short Prefix for fix Boatman s need Holy mlles. One of the planets Letters on some TVs Go into Follows St. John the Baptist s advice Ages and ages Sort of Of the waves Ankle Presidential nickname Professor s deg. Suffix for boss or grump “Caughtcha!” Impersonating Amplifier Finished Difficult situation “Our Gang” character

by Calvin R. & Jackie Mathews

127 130

129

Dotty Definitions

T C H D E E E P A S S

A R E A

P I H E D R E S A T T O W S

W E P T A H R E E S E E S E T H E O N E L I N K D E S I M P E R E D R OW E D S E R D T A C I T E R A A N I S T H A D H A AW A L A L L O F P Y I R A A S P E L S C A F H A T C R A A L I V A K N I T

S L A B

T O T E

E V I L

T O C OW P U L A P E E T T E A S A L P U P I S A N M G L I N A Z Y F A P O D R

W A K S N O I E F E F E D S O U P I T L Y R E E D I P K E T E N E T A S S V B L E O L K L L O A Y S

A P R S G R O T T Y O U S N L A T O S S T P U T T E E T E N E E D T O R S E N R S H B I H E L P O L T O B D O T S W A L E L M D E N

T R A D E

O S I L E O R B

M P O R R A I E R M I K E

O V E R

M E S S

L I K E S

O S D O O N R

gwinnettdailypost.com ♦ sunday, June 14, 2020 ♦ A15

Students lead protest in Snellville calling for end to police brutality By Chamian Cruz

chamian.cruz@gwinnettdailypost.com

Students are continuing to lead the way in raising awareness about police brutality in America following the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, whose names have been heard in protests nationwide. More than 500 protesters marched from First Baptist Church Snellville to the Towne Green Wednesday afternoon in an event organized by South Gwinnett High School students and recent graduates. Carrick Henry led the event and worked with city officials such as council members Cristy Lenski and Solange Destang, as well as the Snellville Police Department to keep the event safe, organized and peaceful.

“

i would really encourage you all to be involved. my door is always open. if you’d like to come in and talk, i’d love to have a conversation with you.” Snellville mayor Barbara Bender

“We are very proud of these young people and their commitment to raising awareness about critical issues affecting our society,” City Manager Butch Sanders said. “Snellville celebrates its diverse community and we are going to work to keep our neighbors together and continue to support minority-owned businesses.”

The event featured speeches from students and others including Gwinnett County School Board Member Everton Blair and South Gwinnett High School Principal Dorothy Jarrett. It was capped off when Mayor Barbara Bender and the city council presented the event organizers with a proclamation condemning racism. Bender encouraged those at the

special photo

More than 500 protesters marched from First Baptist Church Snellville to the Town Green Wednesday afternoon in an event organized by South Gwinnett High School students and recent graduates. rally to stay involved in the community and to come to the city with any concerns or issues. “I would really encourage you all

to be involved,” Bender said. “My door is always open. If you’d like to come in and talk, I’d love to have a conversation with you.”

Lawrenceville man tries to run over Walton County deputy By Chamian Cruz chamian.cruz@ gwinnettdailypost.com

The Walton County Sheriff’s Office arrested 30-year-old William Long, of Lawrenceville, Monday on charges of aggravated assault, trafficking an illegal substance, obstruction and interference with government property after authorities said he tried to run over a deputy. Deputies pinned his Ford Mustang convertible with their patrol cars in the parking lot of a Loganville Kroger around 4 p.m. Monday. He was apprehended after making multiple attempts to flee the scene. The deputies recovered 4.5 ounces of meth and $16,570 cash from the Mustang, as well as inside a fanny pack Long had on him at the time of the incident, according to the sheriff’s office. A deputy said in the incident report that, earlier that day, authorities received information Long would be in the area of the Kroger gas pumps in possession of illegal narcotics. Once Long arrived at the scene, authorities approached his vehicle with their lights on and positioned their patrol cars to prevent him from escaping. However, Long accelerated and hit one of the patrol cars.

Long continued to accelerate before coming to a final stop, the incident report said. Long then got out of the car and began to flee on foot as one of the deputies warned him that he would release K-9 Zoso if Long didn’t stop. The deputy refrained from releasing the K-9, William however, due Long to heavy vehicle and foot traffic in the area at the time. Meanwhile, according to the incident report, another deputy tripped Long, causing him to stumble to the ground. That’s when several deputies tried to secure Long in handcuffs, but were unable to do so until they tased him. Again, Long tried to flee on foot while handcuffed. “The amount of strength Mr. Long possessed caught me by surprise, as the four deputies attempting to arrest him are all in good physical conditioning,” a deputy said in the incident report. Finally, a deputy tackled Long, gaining control of him, and he was placed inside a patrol car and treated by EMS for his exposure to the taser. Long was transported to a nearby hospital for a precautionary evaluation.

“(Monday), a male subject was arrested and charged with trafficking of an illegal substance and also aggravated assault due to his determination to escape even if it meant running over a deputy,” the sheriff’s office wrote on Facebook. “Remember, we might be a rural county, but have committed and very well-trained deputies. Also, thanks to LPD for their assistance. And by the way, he was wearing a mask for his health.” Long is being held without bond in the Walton County jail.

YOUR CARE FROM ANYWHERE.

Police searching for missing 57-year-old man from Snellville By Chamian Cruz chamian.cruz@ gwinnettdailypost.com

A local family is searching for 57-year-old Douglas Sanders, who disappeared from his personal care home in Snellville and has not been seen since March. The Gwinnett County Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating Sanders. Police said the family tried contacting the owners of the House of Ezra Ministries, located at 2219 Tullamore Circle, but have not received cooperation on what happened to him. Sanders had several medical conditions which require him to be under constant medical care. Sanders is approximately 6 feet tall and 240 pounds. He has a distinctive cyst on his forehead. If anyone has any information to share in this case, contact Gwinnett County

special photo

Gwinnett County police are searching for Douglas Sanders who has not been seen since March. police detectives at 770513-5300. To remain anonymous, tipsters should contact Crime Stoppers at 404-577TIPS (8477) or visit www. stopcrimeATL.com. Crime Stoppers tipsters can receive a cash reward for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case. The case number is 20-042564.

Call 770-963-9205 or visit www.gwinnettdailypost.com to subscribe to the

Gwinnett Daily Post.

Whether you’re stuck at home or constantly on the go, you can still get the expert health care you count on. Northeast Georgia Physicians Group and The Heart Center of NGMC now oﬀer video visits. That means you can interact directly with your care team from anywhere, so you get the help you need to feel your best. To learn more or to request an appointment, visit nghs.com/video-visits.

A16 ♦ Sunday, June 14, 2020 ♦ gwinnettdailypoSt.com

Police: Man fires gun during attempted check-cashing robbery By Chamian Cruz chamian.cruz@ gwinnettdailypost.com

Gwinnett County police say a masked man walked into a local check-cashing business in unincorporated Norcross June 4 and fired his gun over a customer’s head before fleeing on a bicycle. Though the suspect didn’t get any cash, detectives are seeking the public’s help in identifying the man for firing his gun during the robbery at 6101 South Norcross Tucker Rd. Officers assigned to the West Precinct were dispatched to a robbery call June 4 after 2 p.m., which is when witnesses say a masked man walked into the business holding a firearm. According to the police report, the suspect pushed

a customer away from the shirt and dark pants. police detectives at 770teller window and then pointIf anyone has any infor- 513-5300. ed his gun at her. The cus- mation to share in this case, To remain anonymous, tiptomer was able to shove two contact Gwinnett County sters should contact Crime envelopes with cash to the other side of the teller window before she followed the suspect’s orders to kneel on the ground. In surveillance video released to police, the customer is heard saying, “Please don’t kill me” in Spanish over and over again. Meanwhile, the suspect also shoved a folded brown paper bag at the teller and told her to put all the money in the bag. However, the employee behind the safety glass hid under her teller station and activated the panic alarm, leading the suspect to flee, the report said. The suspect appeared to be a Hispanic male. He wore a black ski mask, a flannel

Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477) or visit www.stopcrimeATL.com. Crime Stoppers tipsters can receive a

cash reward for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case. The case number is 20-041566.

L A U T R R I U V TO .

ou the y gree. s e e d v i e g g d e able an our-year coll d r o f f a f llege is igh-quality, o C t t e h n earn a a Gwin i o g t r o d e e e G n you n o i t n e t at more! n r a e l o l tour t a u t r i v Take a EXPLORE THE ENTIRE GGC CAMPUS ONLINE AT:

photo: gwinnett county police department

www.ggc.edu/virtualtour

Gwinnett County police are searching for the suspect of an attempted robbery in unincorporated Norcross who fired his gun over a customer’s head June 4.

Mark Findley

Premier Residential Builders

comfort

GUARANTEED

“ I believe in the Jackson EMC Right Choice™ program so much that I built one for my own family. Energy Efficient Homes. Guaranteed.

I’ve been a big believer in building energy-efficient homes for a long, long time. It’s always made good sense to me.

jacksonemc.com/rightchoice

And I think this Right Choice program is one of the best things to come along in our industry over the last 10 years.” – Mark Findley Watch our video series at jacksonemc.com/rightchoice.

Brought to you only by

gwinnettdailypost.com ♦ sunday, June 14, 2020 ♦ C3 ART BEAT|HOLLEY COLMES

Ife Williams ‘fired up’ about life after the Hudgens Center

lthough Ife Williams strengthening community loved her job as exec- partnerships,” Williams said. utive director at DuIn 2019, after four years luth’s Hudgens Cenas executive director ter for the Arts, she of the Hudgens Cenis even more “fired ter, she took a step up” about her current back to reevaluate situation as a fullher life, influenced time artist. Throwing by the death of Gwinclay on the wheel and nett arts mentor Barfiring pieces in the bara Howard and the kiln delivers a unique story behind ColumIfe Williams satisfaction that the bus Cook’s Hudgens boardroom couldn’t exhibition. match. “Having the time to do, “At the Hudgens, my great- begin, fail and pursue new est joys came from being solutions is what it takes surrounded by the creative to be an artist. I now have energy of our students while that time,” she said of her working with staff to devel- new “job.” op new arts programs and Williams holds a visual

arts diploma from Interlochen Arts Academy, a BFA from University of Michigan and an MFA from Syracuse University. It is no wonder that with such a background, the studio has the stronger appeal. And, the recent COVID-19 quarantine gave Williams the alone time to pursue her visual arts ideas. Her current lifestyle has proved artistically productive. “Over the last five months, I have been able to focus on my artwork,” Williams said. “I set up a personal studio space and began to develop a cohesive body of work, making larger forms and refining glaze choices.

“I currently create organic porcelain pieces that are thrown on a wheel and altered. Most of my work begins as a fat, squatty pot. The individuality of each organic form comes when I press into the wet clay in a calculated and controlled way. “The final pieces are composed of abstracted lines inspired by the movement and contours of the female figure. Some are functional cups, vases and teapots while others are purely decorative wall mounted and tabletop sculptures. The surfaces are covered by an alphabet of symbols I developed to add texture

and meaning to my work.” The ceramicist also enjoys company. “Collaboration can be inspiring,” she said. But with COVID-19 impeding travel and meetings, Williams meets fellow artists in a different way now. “I spend a little time everyday online, discovering artists I would like to work with in the future,” Williams said. “I am in conversation with an amazing poet in California about placing her words on the exterior of my forms. “I am also working with a choreographer to create a large wall installation with

clustered forms working together to capture the movement of a modern dance composition. I have connected to a local dance company that will allow me to capture movement studies once they return to the studio.” Williams welcomes everyone to visit her social media and follow her evolving works of art to see what happens next. Her Instagram address is @thecarvingstudio. Holley Calmes is a freelance writer and public relations consultant specializing in the arts. Email her at hcalmes@ mindspring.com.

Dinosaurs return to Gwinnett’s parks with scavanger hunt By Chamian Cruz chamian.cruz@gwinnettdailypost.com

The dinosaurs are back. Their appearance in Gwinnett County is part of the “Meet Me in the Park” program, which is meant to encourage families to use parks for fitness and exploration. Statues of eight dinosaurs will be placed in Gwinnett County parks, and clues to their locations will be shared on Facebook and Instagram. Park patrons are encouraged to take selfies with the dinosaurs and share them with the hashtag #MeetMeAtThePark. Prehistoric dinosaurs such as the Citipati, Daspletosaurus, Maiasaura, Pachycephalosaurus, Pterodactyl, Dilophosaurus and Stegasaurus may be seen. The dinosaur scavenger hunt

is expected to last throughout the summer. Those visiting the parks are encouraged to follow the guidelines set by the Centers for Disease and Control and to practice social distancing. The “Meet Me at the Park Play Spaces” grant program is a collaboration between the National Recreation and Park Association and the Walt Disney Company. The grants are awarded to park and recreation agencies that submit the best ideas to help make outdoor play accessible to children and families in underserved communities. Follow @GwinnettParksandRec on Facebook and Instagram for clues on the locations of the eight dinosaur statues. A map of Gwinnett’s parks can be found at GwinnettParks.com.

File photo

Students spent two weeks being mentored by PCOM Georgia medical students during the school’s Opportunities Academy program now known as the Summer Math & Science Academy last year. This year, the program will be hosted online.

PCOM Georgia hosting virtual STEM+ camp By Chamian Cruz chamian.cruz@ gwinnettdailypost.com

The free Summer Math & Science Academy two-week program at PCOM Georgia will be hosted virtually this year. The program, which will take place June 8-19, was previously known as the Opportunities Academy and is for high school students who are interested in science and the healthcare professions. Designed to foster STEM+ interest in underrepresented students, the academy features interactive lectures, research and professional entry skills. Students will have a chance to virtually engage with current medical and healthcare professional students, faculty and practitioners. There are approximately 33

high school students attending the camp. They are students at Berkmar High School, Lanier High School, South Gwinnett High School and Buford High School, among others. They aspire to be dentists, surgeons, anesthesiologists, pediatric oncologists, psychologists, veterinarians, an airline pilot and even a zoo owner, a PCOM Georgia spokesperson said. The camp is organized and run by PCOM Georgia’s pharmacy, the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program and biomedical sciences students. It is overseen by faculty members and the Office of Diversity and Community Partnerships. If interested and to receive more information, contact Aisha DeBerry, director of diversity and community partnerships, at aishade@pcom.edu.

Lilburn Daze Arts and Crafts Festival accepting vendor applications By Chamian Cruz chamian.cruz@gwinnettdailypost.com

The Lilburn Daze Arts and Crafts Festival is now accepting vendor applications for its 47th edition. The event will be held on Oct. 10 at Lilburn City Park with more than 200 arts and crafts vendors, a variety of food vendors and free art activities, a train ride, family golf and more. It will be hosted by the Lilburn Woman’s Club and cosponsored by the city of Lilburn. For more information, visit www.lilburndaze.org.

Statues of eight dinosaurs will be placed in Gwinnett County parks throughout the summer as part of the “Meet Me in the Park” program which encourages families to use parks for fitness and exploration. ♦

special photo

C4 ♦ Sunday, June 14, 2020 ♦ gwinnettdailypoSt.com

LIFESTYLES

COLUMNIST|JENKINS

What if your campus doesn’t reopen in the fall?

ationwide, the debate online components. The same over whether to re- is true for most of the state’s open college private institutions. campuses this fall rages Figuring out what to on. According to a surdo about dormitories vey by The Chronicle and dining halls is a of Higher Education, little dicier, but they’re about 68 percent of working on it. And institutions are planwhether or not we’ll ning for an “in-person” have sports and other fall semester, while 16 activities is anybody’s Jenkins percent expect to be guess (although the fully or partly online and SEC keeps saying they inanother 16 percent remain tend to play football). undecided. But what if you attend or Here in Georgia, the uni- plan to attend an institution versity system has announced in another state that decides plans to hold classes on cam- not to reopen its campus pus, albeit with significant in August? Or you’re going

to school in-state but don’t want to pay all that money — tuition, room, and board — for a college experience you might not actually get to have? In that case, though understandably disappointed, you still have several options. For one thing, you could take a semester or a year off from school and just work. With the economy rebounding, you should be able to find a decent job, perhaps even one that is tangentially related to your major or future profession. Even if it’s just grunt work, at least you can

make some money. That could be a great experience — allowing you to develop discipline, sharpen your work ethic, and perhaps gain a greater appreciation for your education and the doors it will eventually open. Plus, the money you set aside while working and living at home (ugh) will help pay for that education, thus reducing your student debt. Another option would be to work part-time and take classes part-time online. I mean, if you’re going to have to go to school online, anyway, you might as well

live at home and save some money. Or you could live at home and take classes online fulltime, whether you work or not. What you probably shouldn’t do is pay full price at some expensive university to sit in your house and take classes — not unless you’re a junior or senior and need specific courses for your major that only your home institution offers. Otherwise, you can find most of the classes you need much cheaper. For example, Perimeter College, which is part of Georgia State University, is widely rec-

ognized as a national leader in online education, and tuition is only about $150 per credit hour. (Full disclosure: I teach at GSU-PC, though not normally online.) Personally, I hope you’re able to be on campus this fall. I hope I’m able to be on campus. But if not, don’t let that derail your plans. There’s more than one way to prepare for your future. Rob Jenkins is a college professor. The views expressed here are his own. You can email Rob at rob.jenkins@ outlook.com.

COLUMNIST|RICH

Remembering those lost in the Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is final talked about it.” He shrugged. column of a four-part series. “I don’t know why but we nevlmost 40 years passed er mentioned it again. Never without Dwain Eas- talked about it at all.” ley and his friends ever Probably because it was too mentioning to each other difficult to relive. And what they had experiwhy discuss it? They enced in that Missisknew who lived and sippi swamp on Oct. who died. They knew 20, 1977. who carried out which Now, it seems a bit lifeless bodies through peculiar to them that the swamp and creeks they never discussed to ambulances. it again. “The first thing I re“We saw each other Ronda Rich member was the sounds, all the time,” says Easwith the people callin’ ley, a man so seemingly kind for help.” He shook his head, and gentle that you wouldn’t sadly. “I saw a hand moving think he’d have the temerity up and down, out of the wreckto face down the kind of blood age and heard, ‘Get me out.’” and suffering he witnessed the Under the scarce light of night that Lynyrd Skynyrd a half moon and armed with band’s plane crashed behind whatever flash lights they could his house. “We’d see each other find, they pulled out 20 surviat church, high school football vors and six dead bodies, ingames, the store but we never cluding band leader, Ronnie

Van Zant. Van Zant was born and raised in Jacksonville, Fla., as were other band members. According to one of the group’s backup singers in an interview for a documentary aired on Showtime – “If I Leave Here Tomorrow “ — years prior to the crash, Ronnie took to calling himself, “This ol’ Mississippi boy.” One day she asked, “Why do you call yourself a Mississippi boy? You’re from Jacksonville.” He just smiled mysteriously. Then, it would come to be that Ronnie Van Zant, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Mississippi would be linked forever. As the 40th anniversary of the crash approached, enough time had passed that the community of heroes began talking about what happened. The

Mississippi Blues Trail Commission rejected a request to put a marker near the crash site, saying that Lynyrd Skynyrd didn’t qualify as a blues band. The rejection drew the big-hearted heroes into united action, just like that fateful night in 1977. Bobby McDaniel took on president of the Lynyrd Skynyrd Monument Project board to organize the fund-raising and development efforts. Dwain Easley and his wife, Lola, volunteered a piece of their 77acre farm for the tribute site which is situated a short distance from the 1830 farm house built by Dwain’s ancestors and 400 yards from the crash site. The group raised $64,000 from 17 countries, cleared the under bush from the Easley land and commissioned Dave Pace of Brookhaven Monument

to design several astoundingly beautiful, black granite markers to memorialize the ones who died with individual monuments etched in the likeness and story of that person as well as other storytelling monuments. Many were involved. I was blessed to meet only a few – Easley, Brenda Martin, Mike McDaniel (Bobby’s brother) and superfan, Krystina Anderson who, aside from volunteering overall, regularly brings six yellow roses in tribute. All agree that it meant so much to see the band’s crew and family, including Van Zant’s widow, Judy, attend the unveiling to celebrate the lives and accomplishments of those who perished. There will be ongoing costs to keep the landscaping neat and the monuments scrubbed

and shining. Since the tribute site is free, the upkeep will depend upon contributions – they plan to place a drop box at the site – which can be made at gofundme.com by typing in Lynyrd Skynyrd or to the Southwest Medical Foundation, P.O. Box 1307, McComb, MS 39649. It’s quite a story, all of this. Among what remains, though, is the same community of brave, caring, solid folks who did everything they possibly could on October 20, 1977. They’ve become even stronger and more compassionate over time. Ronda Rich is the bestselling author of Let Me Tell You Something. Visit www. rondarich.com to sign up for her free weekly newsletter.

COLUMNIST|DALY

Hanging baskets add color and interest to the garden

anging baskets are an sweet potatoes are excellent attractive and prac- choices. Examples include tical way to add col- coleus, caladiums, ferns, and or, interest, and beauty to chameleon plants have atoutside areas, such tractive foliage as patios, decks, and Plastic hanging basterraces. kets are inexpensive. Years ago, hanging Often called “potting baskets contained only soil,” the best potting one type of plant, but mix doesn’t contain in recent years, those any soil. Regular topwith several different soil usually doesn’t plants have become have the qualities necDaly popular. This “instant essary to support good garden” look appeals to be- plant growth in containers, ginning gardeners and long- and it may have diseases time hobbyists alike. and weed seeds. An excelBegonias, impatiens, ge- lent potting or soilless mix raniums, pansies in winter, is well-drained and aerated and countless others are well and holds moisture and nusuited to hanging baskets. trients well. Trailing plants, such as ivy, Such blends may contain petunias, and ornamental peat, bark, perlite, and ver-

COLUMNIST|MCLEOD

miculite in various proportions. Make sure the bottom of the baskets has a few holes to allow for drainage. Fill the basket with potting mix to within a few inches of the rim. If using a waterretaining agent, mix it with the media before you plant. Windy sites are not suitable for hanging baskets since the air movement will cause them to dry out faster, increasing the need for more frequent watering. The increased stress will cause the plants to suffer. For places that get four to twelve hours of sunlight per day, select plants for full sun to partial shade. For those that get two to four hours of early or late sunlight per

day, choose plants for partial to full shade. When choosing the plants for your hanging baskets, combine those with similar water, light, and nutrition requirements. Select healthy, high-quality plants. Inspect the foliage and flowers for any signs of pests or diseases. Take the plant from the pot and examine the root system, which should be white and well-developed. Avoid root-bound plants. Ensure your baskets have adequate amounts of water and fertilizer to keep them in optimal condition throughout the growing season. As the weather warms and plants grow, though, their water and nutrition requirements

increase. Container-grown plants need fertilizing about once every other week. If using a liquid plant food, make sure the potting mix is moist, because if it is dry, the fertilizer salts could damage the plant roots. Regular removing spent flowers encourages new ones to develop. Pruning and trimming the plants stimulates new growth. Thoroughly examine them regularly for pests and diseases. Carefully check the flowers and foliage for pests and damaged, deformed or discolored leaves or flowers. You may have to part the foliage to examine the center of the plants closely. Avoid increasing the stress on your plants by not properly

Why work teams don’t collaborate

recently spoke to a CEO, firm revenue and potentially who expressed frustration damaged their rapport with with the lack of coopera- a major client. tion in his organization. Most companies One incident in parhave their own stoticular stood out. A ries about silos; be it smaller product group between two product within his firm landdivisions, HR and Fied a new client. Afnance, or Operations ter the deal closed, it and IT. The larger the was revealed that anorganization, the worse other (larger) product it gets. It stymies innoMcLeod group was calling on vation and has a chillthe same client. ing effect on morale. Instead of collaborating, Longer-term it can plummet both teams pursued the busi- customer engagement and ness on their own. While the brand reputation. niche product group did close In my experience, a lack of business, the larger team did cooperation and silos are rarely not. The result was a rela- rooted in malice or even turf tively small sale, a lot of in- defending. Emotionally and ternal he-said-she-said, and psychologically, humans are a less than united company hardwired for collaboration in the eyes of the customer. and connection; we simply Had the two teams col- cannot survive (in any sense laborated, they could have of the word) alone. Being a provided a more robust so- human is a team sport. lution, behaved as joined More often, a lack of colforces, and potentially won a laboration is the (unintendmuch a larger deal. The client ed) result of bad systems. even commented, “Don’t your Leaders who want to break people talk to each other?” through silos to create coWhy didn’t the two teams operative, united, purposecommunicate? After all, they driven organizations, must work for the same company, address the root causes. In and they could have increased most large organizations: their scope and reputation. ♦ Systems point people toFailure to collaborate cost the wards people inwards, con-

cerned about themselves, instead of outwards, towards teammates and customers. ♦ Systems reward individual achievement instead of collective impact. ♦ Systems push the immediacy of financial results instead of steadfastness of purpose. Self-oriented systems don’t occur by design, they happen by default. There are three key barriers. We’ll start with the most obvious and move to the more insidious. Compensation drives self-orientation A team that gets compensated only on their own product line is hardly set up to collaborate. The same is true for any team that is commissioned or bonused solely on department-based metrics. For example, in the situation described above, if the team was compensated for overall company performance (in addition to individual performance) they may have been more incentivized. But there’s another, less obvious sign on self-oriented compensation in the earlier story: the sales team was exclusively paid when the deals

closed. There was no incentive for client retention, referrals, client satisfaction, or even the effective use of the solution. This drives the team’s mindset to think self-first. What to do instead: In addition to individual performance compensation, add group performance and customer retention into the compensation mix. Discuss these shared objectives as often as you do individual targets.

Metrics are internally focused When success or failure is defined by internal-only metrics, customer-impact is absent from the conversation. When a team or individual thinks: How can we hit our targets? they look inward. When leaders ask, How can we make a difference to customers? people think more holistically. Inserting the impact on customers a lens for decisionmaking broadens the horizon, instead of each group focusing on their own metrics, the entire group is working towards helping customers. What to do instead: Include customer success metrics as part of the organizational nar-

rative. Here’s the difference: Internal metrics are things like revenue, profitability, conversation rates and pipelines. Outward looking metrics are things like customer satisfaction, net promoter scores (NPS) and customer retention. Make these outward looking measures as present and important as internal sales, financial and production targets. Short-term success is prioritized over longer-term impact One reason people don’t cooperate is because they don’t feel like they have time. An organization that defines itself by the team’s ability to hit quarterly targets is always going to feel the urgency of the short term. Organizations that define success by the ability to make a sizable, lasting impact on their customerbase thinks in the long-term. What to do instead: Tether the team to a belief in something bigger than themselves. Belief that customers are out there, and need your company to seize opportunity, grow their businesses, reduce risk etc. prompts more innovative and noble think-

watering or fertilizing them, which will reduce pest issues. Planting healthy, high-quality plants is a good start. With to keep them robust and attractive, you also will need to provide the best growing conditions. Try hanging baskets. They will add color to your home landscape and are easy to plant and maintain. Check out my blog “Gardening in Gwinnett” at http://gardeningingwinnett.blogspot.com/ Timothy Daly is an Agricultural and Natural Resource Extension Agent with UGA Extension Gwinnett. He can be contacted at 678377-4011 or tdaly@uga.edu.

ing than the drumbeat of today’s metrics alone. Improving cooperation is an increasingly urgent challenge for leaders. When location-based teams left the office to work remotely, social interactions that may have once fostered collaboration, or at the least the opening for collaboration, evaporated. Here is a truism I’ve seen play out many times in the last couple of decades: a lack of collaboration doesn’t happen by design. It happens by default. The traditional framework and language of business points us inward, towards short term self preservation. But here’s what we know: Organizations that point themselves outward, who declare bold impact as a North Star and foster the purpose driven cultures to make it happen, get better results. They’re more innovative, they have better customer advocacy, they’re better places to work, and ultimately, better financial results follow. Lisa McLeod is the author of the best-sellers “Selling with Noble Purpose” and “Leading with Noble Purpose.”