SPLASH ON THE BIG SCREEN, 7C
‘Nemo’ sequel ‘Finding Dory’ arrives in theaters.
HORSESHOE SOUTH Ohio State’s Urban Meyer holds football camp at Central Gwinnett. • Sports, 1B
Gwinnett Daily Post Friday, June 17, 2016
www.gwinnettdailypost.com
75 cents ©2016 SCNI
Vol. 46, No. 159
911 fEES
Attorneys spar over $52M suit
By Joshua sharpE
joshua.sharpe@gwinnettdailypost.com
Pondering about the park
LAWRENCEVILLE — Lawyers traded jabs in court Thursday morning over lawsuits filed on behalf of Gwinnett and Cobb counties accusing telecommunications companies of doing a shoddy job collecting 911 fees. The counties, represented by former Gov. Roy Barnes’ Marietta firm, are seeking a total of $52 million in the case, which involves 16 Roy Barnes lawsuits. Barnes told the court the money at stake is owed to the counties and is necessary to avoid using taxes to upgrade the emergency calling systems and keep up with rapidly changing technology. The hearing in Gwinnett Superior
See 911, Page 8A
Testimony: Men slowed by stick shift Debate ongoing about best use of Simpsonwood after killing A Gwinnett County citizens review committee is discussing what to do with Simpsonwood Park amenities such as its great lawn, above. At top are the entrance sign to Simpsonwood and one of the park’s deer. (Staff Photos: Curt Yeomans)
By Curt yEomans
to a nature preserve along the lines of the Chattahoochee River National Forest. Another group that is starting to come together is the Simpsonwood Preservation Alliance. “They’re trying to make it everything for everybody, and sacrificing what is special about that area,” Adams said.
curt.yeomans @gwinnettdailypost.com
Peachtree Corners resident Chris Adams looked far and wide for a place to live when she moved to metro Atlanta, but it was a quiet, wooded area known as Simpsonwood that ultimately led to her settling down in Gwinnett County. While much of the metro area has been developed as residential or business space over the years, the 222-acre Simpsonwood property along the Chattahoochee River in Peachtree Corners has remained a nature area. Families of deer wander around the property while a large variety of birds, including heron that patrol the banks of the river, call it home. “You have all of this concrete, and you get more and more concrete, and it’s just cut, cut, cut, cut,” Adams said. “Then you have this habitat, and it’s next to the river. Where else in metro Atlanta are you going to find that?” The park’s future is the subject of an ongoing discussion among residents while
A citizens steering committee listens to a presentation on possible redevelopment of Simpsonwood Park in Peachtree Corners on Thursday night at Simpsonwood United Methodist Church. The committee is tasked with coming up with a final plan for the park’s future.
Gwinnett County tries to plan for future development. A citizens steering committee has been convened to put together a plan for the future. Meanwhile, people like Adams are part of groups arguing for a natural park. Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation Project Administration Director Grant Guess said, at the heart of the matter, everyone wants the same thing for the park. That is to build
on the park’s existing assets to ensure its a quality amenity for the community, although county officials point out all county residents should be able to enjoy it. “Their view and our view really aren’t that far apart,” Guess said. One group calls itself Save Simpsonwood, which is pushing back against some proposed amenities and calling for something more akin
Simpsonwood has long been a hot topic Simpsonwood is a sensitive topic for residents who live near it. Two years ago, the focus of their fight was to stop the North Georgia Methodist Conference from selling the land to a developer and turning it into a neighborhood. In November, more than 100 people attended a public meeting to volunteer to serve on a steering committee that would come up with a master plan for the park. Some residents who attended that meeting told the Daily Post at the time that they wanted Simpsonwood preserved as it is. County Commissioner Lynette Howard told the Daily See pArk, Page 10A
By Erika WElls
erika.wells@gwinnettdailypost.com
LAWRENCEVILLE — The two men charged in the murder of a homeless Snellville man hit an obstacle when they tried to take the victim’s car but could not drive a stick shift, a detective testified Thursday. Tremaine Washington, 18, and Tye Stewart, 25, both of Snellville, were Jesse in court at the GwinPurcell nett County jail for a preliminary hearing in the case of Jesse Purcell’s death. Purcell, 40, a well-liked See testimony, Page 2A
Gwinnett police Cpl. John Cleland testifies Thursday during a preliminary hearing on the murder of a homeless Snellville pizza restaurant worker. (Staff Photo: Joshua Sharpe)
Delta CEO shares his secrets to success at Chamber event By Erika WElls
erika.wells@gwinnettdailypost.com
When Delta CEO Ed Bastian graduated from college, he had never set foot on an airplane. Now, Bastian leads one of the largest airlines in the world. “I didn’t know I was going to eventually land here,” he said. “This tells you about keeping your focus and your mind open to opportunities. When you see a shot, take it. Have confidence in yourself.”
“
It’s our employees that we focus on because if I do a better job with our employees, they will serve our customers better.” — Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Air Lines
Bastian, one of nine children, grew up in upstate New York where he learned principles he applies today. “Life was a lot simpler for me back then,” he said. “It was about values and doing the right thing the right way with
integrity, transparency, honesty and working hard and seeing where it goes.” The Gwinnett resident earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Saint See deltA, Page 8A
gwinnettdailypost.com
INSIDE Classified .......6B
Horoscope .....4A
Nation ........... 5A
Sports ............1B
Comics...........5B
Local ............. 2A
Obituaries ......8A
Weather .........4A
Crossword .....5B
Lottery........... 4A
Perspectives ..6A
Weekend........1C
Stay connected with the Daily Post online, where you can submit news tips, browse photo galleries and sign up to receive headlines digitally at gwinnettdailypost.com/newsletter. Send us engagements, wedding, births or anniversaries under “Submit your news” on the home page.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian speaks at the first session of Gwinnett Chamber’s Executive Insights series Thursday. (Special Photo)