MAY 2021 (BLUE) Our Town Gwinnett Monthly Magazine for Gwinnett/NE DeKalb

MAY 2021 Gwinnett/NE DeKalb Community & Family Magazine

Our Town GWINNETT

Lawrenceville Snellville Lilburn Stone Mountain Tucker

Up Close with Simply Green Lawn Care, see story on page 5.

8 9 14 19

Scan to Read Digital Edition6

Hometown Brag: Catching Up with William Murphy A Certain Lad Ministries: Helping Gwinnett & Beyond Up Close with Liberty Books: Find Your Reading Freedom Community Member Spotlight: Meet Kristen Eleveld

The Village Corner

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H e a lt H y • B e a u t i f u l • i n s p i r e d PAGE 2

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Our Town GWINNETT

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May ’21 Our Town Gwinnett

On the Cover: Get Your Green on This Spring

By Kristen Eleveld

The flowers are blooming, the birds are chirping, the pollen count is climbing – it all adds up to spring in Georgia! And since you will be out enjoying your yard anyway, it might be time to ask yourself an important question: is your yard as healthy as it can be?

If you’re not sure or don’t know how to tell, we have great news. There is a local company in Lilburn that can keep your lawn healthy all year long. Those local to Gwinnett may have already heard of this incredible company that is quickly rising to the top of its industry, but you may not realize just how

valuable the services are at Simply Green Lawn Care.

“Healthy lawn and healthy landscapes – that’s what we’re all about,” said Mary Thompson, who is the Sales Manager at Simply Green. “We want to provide you with solutions that can help.”

While the company focuses on the health of your yard, it does so while keeping customer service as its first priority. Simply Green has a long history of putting its clients and community above everything else. They have continued to collaborate with Parkview High School, donating their services to keep the ballfields at the high school healthy and ready for teams to use them any time they’re needed.

This year, Simply Green had the chance to become even more involved with the community it has served for years. They were able to donate their time and services to a local Lilburn Co-op, giving those in need expert lawn care. They also adopted a section of Five Forks Trickum Road and are committed to keeping the road clean and maintained.

“We want to serve the community we live in,” said Mary.

Beyond the dedication to their customers and community, Simply Green is also excited to offer a new service this year: mosquito control. Anyone who has lived in Gwinnett for even one summer has likely dealt with these unpleasant pests, and the team at Simply Green has a plan in place to make your mosquito troubles go away. Much like their regular lawn program, they offer mosquito control through multiple treatments during the year.

And, as with everything they do, Simply Green’s mosquito control program is tailored to ensure that your yard will remain healthy, and so will any kids or pets in the area. For instance, Simply Green never sprays flowers that are currently in bloom, and they focus on specific breeding sites in your yard to ensure that they cut off the mosquito problem at its source.

Any way you look at it, the team at Simply Green is the best of the best, and they are ready to serve you year-round. Visit them on Facebook, head to their website, or give them a call.

No matter how you reach out to them, you are sure to speak to a real person who can help you right away.

“It’s a great place to work,” said Mary of the team atmosphere. “We all love it here.”

Finding a team of experts that loves what they do and is excited about helping each customer they speak with is the perfect combination to give you a healthy, happy yard. Don’t wait any longer. Reach out today to learn what Simply Green can do for you!

More information at www.simplygreenlawncare.com or call (770) 923-0387

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PAGE 5

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Our Town Gwinnett/NE DeKalb Community & Family Magazine

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Our Town Gwinnett is published and direct mailed to select homes in the Gwinnett /NE DeKalb area. Opinions expressed by the writers and staff are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Our Town Gwinnett reserves the right to edit and/or reject any editorial or advertising content. Our Town Gwinnett is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the cost of the space or for the validity of claims made by advertisers.

Entire contents copyright 2021 by Our Town Gwinnett. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden in any media without written permission from the publisher.

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IN THIS ISSUE 5 On the Cover: Get Your Green on This Spring 7 From the Publisher: Ryan’s Remarks 8 Hometown Brag: Catching Up with William Murphy 9 A Certain Lad Ministries: Helping Gwinnett County and Beyond 9 Are You Nurturing Your Dog’s Fear?

10 Fleur De Lish – Baking from Cajun Country – OoooWhee!

10 Why Small Churches Still Matter 12 To Infinity and Beyond: Bringing Outer Space into Education 12 Spring Cleaning: Don’t Forget the Medicine Cabinet 14 Up Close with Liberty Books: Find Your Reading Freedom 15 One Man’s Opinion: Addition, Versus Subtraction, Along with Compromise 16 One Man’s Opinion: Sharing Means MORE Than Caring Weddings & receptions, holiday 17 Travel Tales: Westward Ho! parties, anniversary celebrations, 17 Meet Dr. Cassandra Baker: Gwinnett Tech’s Instructor of the Year sweet 16 parties, corporate events 18 Leaders Are Human, Too and more!

19 Community Member Spotlight: Meet Kristen Eleveld (770) 972-6540 • www.vecoma1.com 22 Gwinnett Commissioners: New Vision, Mission, and Values Statement PAGE 6 Become an Advertising Partner: Email Info@OurTownGwinnett.com or Call 678-825-2049 May ’21 Our Town Gwinnett

Ryan’s Remarks

1988

Eddie’s Automotive Service

‘

From the Publisher:

By Ryan T. Sauers

@RyanSauers

@RyanTSauers

How are you? I hope and pray each of you is safe and well. I sure look forward to this summer and some semblance of normal.

I can feel it starting to happen and man does “somewhat normal” feel good. I hope you are looking forward to reconnecting with people or things you have missed this past 14 months. Yes, over a year. WOW. As a student of human behavior, I predict this quarantine and social distance time will impact us for years to come. In fact, it will likely take years to understand this period we have all lived through. For now, I want us to focus on three “P” words to reflect on as we move forward.

First, is Purpose. What is your purpose? Have you had a chance to think about it and your legacy in this world? For me it is about helping people in as many ways as I can. I have been reminded that none of us will live forever, and thus how we conduct ourselves and treat others is of utmost importance. We should try and hear God’s voice and remind ourselves that we are not fully in control of any situation.

Second, is Passion. Americans are tough and resilient. We can take a punch or two. I have seen passionate business owners, non-profits, government leaders, and more “pivot, pivot, and repivot” over the past 14 months. The resilience has been amazing to watch. I have had the great opportunity during this time to connect with so many people in my life I had not talked to in a while. I view this period as a great “reset” and treat. The passion and energy from most everyone have been incredible. Simply said, I think we all realize just how much we miss and need each other. Zoom is a super tool – but human beings are created in God’s image and meant to have relationships with each other (and in the flesh).

Third, is Perseverance. Let us face it, as this past year plus went on, we all came to realize this was not some extended vacation. Many things we took for granted have/were taken away. We have been/were separated from dear friends and family for longer than ever. We have gotten used to working from home. Simply said, things have been strange, yet we have persevered. Together!

I am so proud of our community and of people picking each other up and helping each other out.

As you know, it is not normal for most of us to wear masks and physically distance ourselves from each other. Long term passion and perseverance make up a powerful theory known as GRIT that I am using as the conceptual framework of my doctoral dissertation in leadership. Stay GRITTY my friends!

If we learned anything during this period, it was that slowing down a bit was nice. We have been and are all in this together. We must remain positive, patient, passionate, and purposeful. We have been persevering together and will come through the finish line side by side. Just remember, one step at a time, one punch at a time, and one round at a time. You are an excellent community and inspire me each day. Keep the faith. We shall prevail. Thank you, as always for your support and continuing with me on the journey of my town, your town, OUR TOWN.

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PAGE 7

Hometown Brag: Catching Up with William Murphy

By K. Coats Snellville has changed a lot since 2001 when William Murphy graduated from South Gwinnett High School (SGHS). The high school has had a couple of new additions, new shopping centers have popped up, and popular ones are now vacant. Even the intersection at 124 and 78 has morphed into something new. But that’s okay by William. Change is something he’s used to and has embraced. Now living in Fort Mill, South Carolina, he is a Lead Reactor Systems Engineer at Catawba Nuclear Station.

His responsibilities in this position are every bit as daunting as one would imagine. “I am the lead reactor engineer for one of two 1,100 megawatt (electric) pressurized water nuclear power reactors just outside of Charlotte, North Carolina,” William explains. “I am responsible for engineering interface with the Operations staff, implementation of new fuel cycle designs, and performing periodic tests on the reactor as required by federal regulation, including reactor startup testing.

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calculations and writing instructions/procedures), I frequently directly interact with plant equipment to measure reactor core behavior over the 18-month lifetime of its nuclear fuel cycle. I also serve as the lead system engineer for the station’s spent fuel storage operations.”

One of his proudest accomplishments is also related to his field and involved going into uncharted territory. “From 2010 to 2013, I led my power station in transitioning the technology we use for storing spent nuclear fuel to a new, never-before-used, highly efficient design,” he explains. “Consisting of a team of nearly a hundred people, the project was completed on-time, under the multi-million-dollar budget, and without any injuries or major complications.” This accomplishment for William led to it being implemented in other areas as a result of his success. “Following our lead, four other power stations nationwide have deployed this technology, with a fifth in the works,” he adds. “This project was the most stressful and time-consuming undertaking of my career to-date, and I remain exceedingly proud of the work the entire team accomplished.”

When not blazing trails in spent nuclear fuel storage, William has hobbies that require patience and also a large amount of attention to detail. He describes himself as “an amateur propmaker with a focus on replicating screen accurate costumes and props from movies and television,” where he explores both old and newer methods. “I principally use 3D printing to create my props,” he explains, “though I have also used more traditional methods (i.e., resin casting).” William was also lucky enough for his hobby and career to cross. “This hobby has bled into my career,” he says.

“I have made 3D printed scale models of the equipment used to store spent nuclear fuel.” These models have been used in training new employees as nuclear fuel is not a trial-and-error profession.

Long before he was exploring new paths in 3D models and nuclear fuel storage, William’s time at South Gwinnett High School showed his proclivity for detail-oriented tasks. An orchestra (violin) and German club member, he also participated in Scholar’s Bowl. When not in class, his hobbies kept up the same style. William remembers, “I enjoyed gaming of all sorts – board games, video/computer games, and tabletop roleplaying games (Dungeons and Dragons).” And the gaming trends of the time were especially appealing. “The collectible card game phenomenon was at its zenith in the late 1990s,” he adds. “I spent considerable time on weekends at local gaming stores participating in Star Wars collectible card game tournaments.”

As a student, William remembers one teacher as especially influential. “Though I chose a technical path through university and my career,” he says, “my favorite high school class was Advanced Placement United States History in my Junior year (1999-2000), instructed by Mr. [Warren] Sutherland.” He credits Mr. Sutherland’s course with having a lasting impact on him. He states, “One cannot effectively navigate life, regardless of profession or creed, without an objective and comprehensive insight into one’s past. This course (and specifically, Mr. Sutherland’s instruction) ignited in me a lifelong love for history, particularly that of our nation.” He also credits the rigor of Mr. Sutherland’s course with helping to prepare him for the expectations of his coursework at Georgia Tech.

Continued on page 14

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A Certain Lad Ministries: Helping Gwinnett County and Beyond

By Kristen Eleveld Everyone needs a little help sometimes. But it’s hard to know where to turn to find the resources and information you need, especially if you or a loved one are dealing with the additional challenges of job loss, homelessness, special needs, and other obstacles that life throws your way. But there is one local group that is stepping up to the plate to help those in need take the first steps to creating a new life.

In 2004, Cory Marshall was enjoying a dinner at his Harlem, New York home when he suddenly had a thought. He realized that while he was warm and well-fed, there were thousands of other people who were in desperate need of basic life necessities, like water, clothing, and regular meals.

“It was a moment that kind of jolted me,” said Marshall. “Suddenly I was more aware of what we were up against in our community, and I wanted to help people.”

Marshall was already working as a deacon in his local church, so he contacted his pastor and asked if he could set up a table in front of the church to serve people in need. The pastor agreed, and Marshall asked a few friends to help him get set up and serve.

The rest is history.

Marshall decided to call his ministry “A Certain Lad,” which references the Bible story in which one young man gives the little food he has to Jesus and offers to let the hungry crowds nearby eat, even though the food is barely enough for one. But the food is miraculously able to feed the crowd of over 5,000 people with leftovers to spare. This story inspired Marshall to think how if everyone just gave what they could, it would make a big difference.

Much like the boy in the story, A Certain Lad Ministries (ACLM) started with very few resources and limited services. Now, as their ministry has grown and changed, they are able to offer a wide range of services, including job placement, resources for people and families of people with special needs, veteran assistance, and so much more.

“We do it all,” said Marshall, who moved to Georgia in 2010. “We want to do anything we can to help get people stabilized and functioning in society.”

Perhaps one of the most valuable resources that A Certain Lad Ministries offers is information.

If they aren’t able to address a need directly, they can help you find the right resource through the vast network of contacts they have cultivated over the years. Thanks to their efforts, they now serve people in Gwinnett, Dekalb, Newton, and Rockdale Counties, along with a portion of Fulton County.

Though there is no certain requirement someone has to meet before they can receive help from ACLM, the ministry generally focuses on those who may not have the support to help themselves.

They work to provide housing to veterans and people with special needs, support and resources for victims of domestic violence, and support for families who need help learning about the next steps they can take to find shelter or food. If there is a need, ACLM can either fill it or find someone who can.

Continued on page 13

Pet Perch: Are You Nurturing Your Dog’s Fear?

By Terie Hansen When someone we know gets frightened of something, our first impulse as humans is to comfort him or her. We might say, “Everything will be okay,” or “Don’t worry about it.” We might put our arm around this person, give him or her a hug, or hold his or her hand, all in an effort to make him or her feel better. We can use reason and logic with a human (well, with most).

When a dog is fearful of something (people, other dogs, an object, etc.) what is your first impulse? To do what you know, right? That is because we are human! Funny thing, though, the dog IS NOT HUMAN! So, when you stroke, pat, hug, kiss, and talk in soothing tones to your dog when he is in a frightened state of mind what he hears is, “I like you being frightened,” and “Keep on feeling that way.” You are nurturing the very behavior you don’t want. Clearly this is not your intention. So how do you help to relieve his fears? That which he is afraid of, he needs more of.

With some things your dog is afraid of, such as fear of an object in his environment, you can help him on your own. Common things are vacuum cleaners, trashcans, bicycles, cars, different floor surfaces, and the sound of things like power tools. You’ll probably need a professional trainer to help you with things like separation anxiety, fear-based aggression towards people or dogs, and other serious cases.

A slow gradual desensitization program is best for most things. Have your dog be near that which he is frightened of and don’t allow him to flee (by using a leash), but rather walk him back and forth past the object until he walks by like it’s not there. You empower him to learn that nothing bad happened! Socializing and exposing your dog to any and all things in his environment makes for a happy, well-adjusted dog that you can take anywhere. Now isn’t that what having a dog is all about?

Terie Hansen is Owner of Good Dog! Coaching & Pet Care. More information at www.gooddogcoaching.com

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PAGE 9

Fleur De Lish – Baking from Cajun Country – OoooWhee!

Why Small Churches Still Matter

By Beth Volpert Johansen

By Traci Sanders

Bakeries, baked goods, baking, icing, filling, cake, cookies, macarons, and more invite memories of celebrations and better days. Even as the current pandemic took her restaurant job, Fleur De Lish Sweets owner Dana Clement looked straight at her future and claimed she would rise above and make the best of the situation for her family. Now, as the owner of this fastgrowing bakery, Dana says, with her signature Cajun accent, “We don’t sugarcoat nothin’ but the cookies!” And she hasn’t let herself sugarcoat the truth about how hard it would be to start a business in 2020.

One of the perks of the role as feature writer is that you are lucky enough to get a taste test of those delicacies of which you write. And boy did I! The macrons (macaroons) are as light as air and melt on the tongue with the perfect mix of almond and confection giving way to sounds not normally heard when crunching down on pre-packaged goods. These bite-sized drops are heavensent by way of a sassy earth-angel from the Bayou.

Like many cooks and bakers, Dana learned the language of food from an early age. Schooled by watching and admiring the hands of her grandmother, Dana became intrigued by the delicacies of the kitchen. “I grew up in a Cajun house with a humble grandmother who taught me how to make her tried and true Southern recipes like banana pudding, sweet potato pie, and meringues,” says Dana. “Boy! I knew better than to open that oven when she had meringues in. She said it would ruin them, and she was right!”

Dana gets a dreamy look when reminiscing about her childhood in St. Charles Parish, Louisiana.

Her most secret recipes were developed as she learned to cook and bake by her grandmother’s side.

“The tea cookies and divinity…Oh! My grandmother could make those just melt away in your mouth,” Dana says. “You have to be for real! She would tell me, ‘Come in the kitchen. Mama gonna cook something for you.’”

Continued on page 20

Some might argue that small churches are antiquated and becoming obsolete, but others say there’s something about showing up on a Sunday morning in a place where nearly everyone knows your name, your children’s names, and even sometimes your grandchildren’s names; a place where people miss you when you don’t show up and call to check on you when you or someone in your family is ill.

Potluck dinners, Easter Sunday services, and prayer-request lists are still alive and well in many small churches throughout the community, but they are slowly becoming few and far between due to the rise of the megachurches.

Many of today’s remaining small churches are segregated and populated mostly by elderly members. However, one of our very own small local churches is offering members and attendees real intimacy and a diverse community. Snellville Christian Church (SCC) was founded in 1972, with the first service held at Britt Elementary School. The congregation has been meeting since 1974 at 2485 S. Scenic Highway in the heart of Snellville. Today SCC has a 19-acre campus with a staff of five, a beautiful worship hall, family-life center, and a multitude of classrooms. It serves the community in many ways including its own SCC Clothing Closet – which provides free clothes to those in need – and a partnership with the Gwinnett County Co-Op ministry.

Long-time members Roy and Cherie Zeh moved to Snellville in 1992. Next year they will celebrate thirty years at SCC. First as a deacon and today an elder, Roy has witnessed a lot of ups and downs with the membership. Over the last fifteen years, many members have gravitated away from SCC and to the many megachurches popping up in the area.

The attraction to these types of churches could be the energy, the convenient service times, and the amenities for the adults and kids. However, being an integral part of their church for three decades, Roy and Cherie know the importance of the intimate, community feel that smaller churches provide over larger ones. In 2009 when this couple went through difficult times, SCC Continued on page 16

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JUNE 4

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PAGE 11

To Infinity and Beyond: Bringing Outer Space into Education

By Kristen Eleveld When John Brackett was a little boy, he was fascinated with all things related to outer space. Since the NASA shuttle program began when he was ten years old, he grew up experiencing the excitement of manned missions and seeing the wonders that our solar system held.

Now, as a parent himself, his love for exploring worlds beyond our own is still going strong, and he is spreading that joy to the community around him through NASA’s Solar System Ambassador (SSA) program. This program, which is designed to give more people an opportunity to learn about the International Space Station and other exciting endeavors related to space flight and the information learned from our explorations over the last several decades, focuses on making NASA more accessible to communities around the world.

Brackett was uniquely qualified for this SSA program, which is made up of volunteers with backgrounds in science, education, and engineering. He has spent much of his professional life analyzing imagery and data for various missions into space, like probes and weather satellites. Most recently, he analyzed imagery sent back by Juno, the space probe currently orbiting the planet Jupiter, for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. These skills made Brackett a perfect candidate for becoming a Solar System Ambassador.

It’s not easy to make it into the SSA program. One has to endure a lengthy application process and go through interviews and tests to ensure that he or she has the knowledge and skills required to educate the community about the programs under NASA’s direction. For Brackett, the appeal was in the opportunity to begin the education process young, as his own daughter became interested in Brackett’s job and skills.

“My daughter told me that learning about space was for boys,” said Brackett. “I showed her photos of two women who were on the International Space Station at the time, and her mind was blown.”

Showing kids that they can have a future in the aerospace industry has become a passion of Brackett’s, and he now spends much of his time as an SSA talking to kids in classrooms about what NASA and other private and public entities are doing to expand their knowledge of the world beyond Earth.

Brackett’s presentations are always interactive, with a combination of videos, visual aids, and a time for him to answer any questions the kids may have. He has also partnered with the Space for Art Foundation, founded by astronaut Nicole Stott. Through this program, kids can submit drawings that will be transferred onto a spacesuit that will be flown into outer space, brought back to the museum, and displayed for people to visit at locations across the country.

While the COVID-19 pandemic changed the format of Brackett’s presentations, he was still able to share with classrooms and others across the Gwinnett area through video presentations, as well as materials he was able to send to classrooms and other places to ensure that everyone was able to continue the learning process.

It seems impossible that Brackett would have any free time at all, but he managed to make time to write a book for young readers about what astronauts have to do to train and get ready to go into space. His book, Mission Go, is available on Amazon and has been a popular choice for young readers who want an introduction into what it means to go into outer space.

“Working with kids is one of my favorite things,” said Brackett, who was given an honorary title of Lieutenant Colonel by former governor Nathan Deal for his work with the Juno probe. “Seeing their reaction when they realize a space station is floating one hundred fifty miles above them is really cool,” he said.

Brackett plans to continue serving as a Solar System Ambassador and hopes to be back in person for his presentations soon. In the meantime, he has compiled an impressive list of resources and educational tools on his personal website, jmbrackett.com.

“It’s my job to make NASA exciting,” said Brackett.

Indeed, he is certainly accomplishing his goal of encouraging everyone around him to literally shoot for the stars.

More information at www.solarsystem.nasa.gov/solar-system-ambassadors

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May ’21 Our Town Gwinnett

Spring Cleaning: Don’t Forget the Medicine Cabinet

A Certain Lad Ministries Continued from page 9

By Our Town Gwinnett Staff

Marshall is especially excited about the ministry’s Supportive Employee Program, which offers job placement services and job training. While veterans and people with special needs are the main focus of the program, Marshall says that they are ready to help anybody, anywhere, anytime.

“I love making a difference in someone’s life and a difference in the community,” Marshall said.

“It’s not just a job. It’s a calling.”

This calling doesn’t just extend to Marshall himself. His wife of eleven years and his three children have all joined in to help. This team effort has created even more opportunities for people to take advantage of all that ACLM has to offer.

If you also feel the calling to help those in your community, ACLM is taking volunteers and accepting support from anyone who is willing and able. The ministry is currently working on buying a building in Snellville, and hope to use this location as another opportunity to reach more people in Gwinnett.

More information at www.acertainlad.org

With your mind on the changing season, you may be purging closets, vacuuming floors, and washing windows. But there’s one crucial area of the house to keep in mind: your medicine cabinet. Every year unused prescriptions and expired over-thecounter medicines clutter bathrooms, kitchen cupboards, and drawers, posing a danger to everyone in your household. Now is a great time to clear out this safety hazard from your home and do it in a way that is environmentally responsible.

The dangers of unused medications: Americans are prescribed billions of medications, but according to Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, approximately two-thirds of those pills go unused. Leaving unfinished prescriptions in your home poses a danger not only to children, but also to adults or teens who may be tempted to try the medications or give or sell them to others. Nearly half of adolescents 12 and over who report misusing prescription pain relievers took or received the drugs from a friend or relative.

Over-the-counter medications also pose a hazard, especially to children. The Center for Disease Control reports that approximately 60,000 young children are brought to the emergency room each year because they accessed medicines that were within reach or not disposed of properly. Make sure medications and supplements are safely stored up and away in child-proof containers. Check all medications, including vitamins and supplements, for expiration dates, as expired medications may not only be ineffective, but potentially unsafe.

Safest disposal methods: There is a lot of misinformation about how to dispose of prescription and over-the-counter medications without causing harm to people or the environment. Some counties sponsor drug take-back days or offer drop boxes that allow you to bring in medications that you want to discard.

Unfortunately, not everyone has access to a drop-off site. That’s where at-home disposal is a useful option. If you want to discard old medications and render them harmless at the same time, Deterra Drug Deactivation System Pouches are the only at-home medication disposal system that permanently deactivates over the counter and prescription medications safely and easily. The pouches use activated carbon and tap water to render any medications inactive.

Environmentally sound disposal methods: Concerned about the environment while you clear out your prescriptions? In the past, some thought disposing of medications by flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash was acceptable. However, it is clear that many ingredients in medications can pollute water and soil. Activated carbon is organic and chemical-free, and once used, it makes medication safe for disposal in normal household trash. Plus, it prevents harmful medications from contaminating landfills and water systems. Deterra pouches themselves are USDA-certified biobased, made from 50% or more plant-based material and manufactured in a factory using 100% wind generated power. When you’re discarding your medications, don’t forget the bottles. Check containers for a recycling symbol and consult your local recycling service for guidelines. Remove or obscure Continued on page 15

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PAGE 13

Up Close with Liberty Books: Find Your Reading Freedom

By Kristen Eleveld If you love reading and are looking for a local resource to feed your bibliophilic habits, we have good news – your search is over. It’s time for you to visit Liberty Books, located right in the heart of downtown Lawrenceville.

With over 50,000 used books in stock at any given time, Liberty Books has become a staple of the Lawrenceville community. Previously, the bookstore was located in Buford under the name Books for Less, where it did steady business as a premier supplier of great books at a discounted rate. Now in Lawrenceville, the store continues to offer its incredible supply of books that run the gamut from out of print to newly released.

One of the main ways the store is able to keep such a wide variety of books is through their trade program. Liberty Books offers customers the opportunity to bring in books in any condition in exchange for credit and discounts in the store. This means that all of the old books you’ve been storing in your closet can find a new home – and you can find some new books to take their place.

Because the store receives so many different books through the trade program, they are also often home to books that are no longer in print or that are difficult to locate in other stores. And while the store takes books in any condition, they have high standards for the ones they put out for purchase.

“A lot of people don’t believe we are a used bookstore because of how careful we are about which books we put on the shelves,” said manager Kelsey Underwood. “It’s incredibly organized in the store, and a lot of people think all of our books are brand new.”

Liberty Books will even take your college textbooks off your hands, often paying cash for textbooks that college and university bookstores won’t buy back from you. The store is also working to stock textbooks that are being used at the local Georgia Gwinnett College, which means those students looking for books have a much higher chance of finding them for a better price at Liberty Books.

Beyond the world of literature, Liberty Books is also committed to make a difference in its

community. Through their partnership with a local organization that fights human trafficking, the bookstore donates a portion of its proceeds to this organization and other ministries in the hope that they can help end human trafficking for good.

For Kelsey, the best part of her job is all about the books she discovers as she helps customers trade in books or as she researches potential new books to stock in the store.

“Getting a trade from a customer is like going on a treasure hunt,” said Kelsey. “I love to come across a new book.”

If you also love coming across new books and want to find some amazing deals, it’s time for you to head to Liberty Books in Lawrenceville. This Christian-based store has managed to maintain a veritable library that encompasses all generations without stressing your wallet. In fact, you might just come out ahead in the deal.

More information at www.libertybooks.us

Hometown Brag: William Murphy Continued from page 8 Looking ahead, William isn’t done with forging new paths. He is currently attending graduate courses at the University of South Carolina where he will earn a Master’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering. “Between the rapid growth in the private space sector (i.e., SpaceX, Rocket Lab, Masten Space Systems) and the development of practical personal air vehicles (i.e., air taxis),” he explains, “I feel that we are nearing a quantum leap in air and spaceflight not seen since the first half of the 20th century.” One day, perhaps, William can also “boldly go where no man has gone before.”

But before he leaves our atmosphere, William would like to give credit where he feels it is due.

“Though it’s been nearly twenty years since I graduated from SGHS,” he says, “I remain grateful to those teachers who instilled in me a passion for perpetual learning. Their names and lessons echo in my life to this day.” And he continues to extend his gratitude to current teachers as well. “To all of the present-day instructors in Gwinnett County,” William adds, “I thank you for instilling that same passion in the next generation of our community’s scholars.”

Thank you for your support, Mr. Murphy. You are, and always shall be, our friend. You make us proud, sir, and we look forward to seeing more of your accomplishments.

William Murphy is a Lead Reaction Systems Engineer at Catawba Nuclear Station. More information at https://digitaleditions.nuclearplantjournal.com/JA14/files/assets/common/downloads/ page0054.pdf.

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One Man’s Opinion: Addition, Versus Subtraction, Along with Compromise

By Bill Crane For centuries it was a sacred Indian burial ground. Later, it was the site of one of the most commercially viable granite quarries in the nation, with its granite now forming the steps of the US Supreme Court, one side of the US Capitol building, and the walls of Fort Knox. And since 1958, the world’s largest granite out-cropping has been a Georgia State Park and Confederate Memorial.

Stone Mountain Park in east DeKalb County and its vast 3,400 acres of green space, is Georgia’s most visited destination, and in more recent years a site of seemingly never-ending controversy and debate.

The combination of COVID-19 and heated debate over all Confederate symbology have taken a business toll on the park. During 2019, park revenues were $49 million, and by 2020 they were down to $22 million, a decline of 56 percent. The pandemic took out Snow Mountain, crowded spring and summer festivals, and days at the park, and the Confederate controversy cost long-standing corporate sponsors and partnerships including CocaCola, Delta Air Lines, and Humana Healthcare. In 2022, Herschend Family Entertainment, the Master Franchisor who manages parks attractions and restaurants, will also be leaving the park, as will global hotelier, Marriott.

Cognizant of those hard business facts, as well as the real pain and visions of white supremacy and racism which some associate with all aspects of the Confederacy, a rebalancing is needed, at the very least, to make the park more welcoming and attractive to a broader cross-section of Georgians and visitors from around the world.

The Stone Mountain Memorial Association (SMMA) is a gubernatorial appointed state authority of nine volunteers who oversee and manage the infrastructure and public safety aspects of Stone Mountain Park. Governor Brian Kemp recently promoted one member to chair and appointed a new member. Both are African American. The Reverend Abraham Mosley becomes Chair officially at the board’s first meeting since November 2020, due to the pandemic, and Christopher Sanders, the Executive Director of the East Metro CID, will also take his seat. Previous Black members of this board include Hank Aaron, William Chapelle, Gregory Levett, and DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond. From his first board meeting on Monday, April 26, 2021, a state holiday formerly known as Confederate Memorial Day, it would appear that Reverend Mosley is coming to the table with a plan.

In August of 2020, the SMMA board tasked its CEO, Bill Stephens as well as park staff, to come back to them with research and data on viable updates, upgrades, and potential re-branding concepts for the park. The board has now received that report, including a lengthy list of proposed additions to the park: • Consolidation of the Confederate memorials and aspects of the park into 40-50 acres surrounding Memorial Hall and the carving Continued on page 22

Spring Cleaning Continued from page 13 personal information on prescription labels, then rinse and dry containers to remove any residue before recycling.

A campaign to get rid of unused medications – for good: Since 2020, Deterra has partnered with SAFE Project – a national nonprofit working to end addiction – on the Gone for Good campaign, a pouch giveaway to help prevent medication misuse and increase access to at-home disposal resources. Admiral James and Mary Winnefeld founded SAFE Project after the tragic loss of their 19-year-old son Jonathan to an accidental opioid overdose. “It’s so important for families to be aware of this issue, and to do whatever they can to keep family members safe,” said Admiral Winnefeld. “Regularly removing substances that could potentially be misused is one way to help protect everyone in your household from this very real danger.”

The goal of the April 2021 Gone for Good campaign was to distribute 20,000 free at-home drug disposal pouches to US households. (BPT) More information at DeterraSystem.com/SAFE

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One Man’s Opinion: Sharing Means MORE Than Caring

By Bill Crane With all the challenges we face as a nation, I find myself often debating with others the merits of foreign assistance, aid, and US foreign policy. As I try to explain and remind folks, it is not really unlike your own business and social networks. Nations support and do favors for the countries and neighbors who support and assist them.

But as it relates to a global pandemic, sharing information and other resources means more than caring. When the novel coronavirus of COVID-19 was first being identified, China did share the genome data of the COVID-19 as early as January of 2020 with the United States and other global health organizations. That early access to genetic coding of the virus allowed researchers across the globe to get a jump start on vaccines as well as anti-viral treatments.

Giving credit where due, President Donald Trump’s Operation Warp Speed anticipated that several global pharmaceutical giants might be successful with different versions of vaccines emerging from multiple expedited Clinical Trials. But at that time, there was little way to know which vaccine might be most effective, which would emerge first from Clinical Trials, or which would clear the regulatory hurdles of even Emergency level approvals by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). And with three vaccines now in use across the nation – two-stage vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, and a one-dose vaccine from Johnson & Johnson – at least two more are awaiting final FDA approval in the wings. The federal government pre-ordered and purchased nearly 900 million of the final approved doses. This is, of course, enough doses (depending on which vaccine) to inoculate most of our nation, twice.

Why the over-supply, particularly given ongoing vaccine hesitancy among millions? As of midApril, approximately 28% of eligible Americans (more than 100 million) have been vaccinated. By mid-May, the White House is forecasting that vaccines will be available for inoculation by EVERY American age 16 and over who are willing or wanting to be vaccinated. Where demand may currently exceed supply in urban areas and under-served populations and communities, there are also areas of the United States at present where vaccine supply is in abundance, and the takers are few.

COVAX is a plan for vaccine distribution across the developing world with 92 member nations. During this pandemic, nearly 38-million vaccine doses have been administered in more than 102 nations via COVAX. That is the good news. The bad news is that these nations have a combined population of well over one billion.

Vaccine shortages are also not solely the province of poor and under-developed parts of the globe. To our north, Canada has no domestic production facilities for manufacturing the vaccines needed. With a population closing on 40 million, predominantly clustered along and within 100 miles of the US/Canadian border, Canada is finding the global market in short supply. And despite Canada’s vaunted single-payer health care system, a shortage of all vaccines is impacting almost every province. British Columbia and Montreal are becoming hot spots for a Brazilian variant of COVID-19, which some of the vaccines have already been found to be less effective at limiting transmission of that mutation.

The Center for Disease Control has issued a US travel advisory against travel to all Canadian provinces. COVID-19 variants in Canada will soon become a US problem, whether we like it or not. As troubles have been festering on our southern border, particularly with the arrival of record numbers of unescorted children, virus infection rates are also spiking there. Mexico received several million doses of the Astra Zeneca vaccine from the US, a vaccine still awaiting FDA approval.

It also received a return promise of additional assistance with the crowds gathering at our Mexican government border. Good neighbors help good neighbors.

To reach herd immunity here in the United States, we will need higher rates of vaccination. To corral this virus and its variants, we need to do more to stop the spread to host bodies across the globe. And THAT will mean sharing vaccine supplies. As Mom always used to say to me as a child, “sharing means caring,” in this instance, it also means LEADING. Though this virus’s origin remains a subject for debate, China clearly led the world into this. Let’s be the United States of America we all aspire for us to be, and help lead the world OUT of this darkest day and night.

Crane is the senior political analyst with WSB Radio and TV and owns the full-service communications firm CSI Crane. More information at www.CSICrane.com

Why Small Churches Still Matter Continued from page 10 carried them through the great recession with love, compassion, community connection, and even financial support.

Snellville Christian Church remains a Bible-based loving community where they teach others to Love God and Love People. That’s why Roy and Cherie, along with other elders of Snellville Christian Church, are passionate about getting the message out that small churches still have an important place in the community!

More information at https://snellvillechristian.net/.

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May ’21 Our Town Gwinnett

Travel Tales: Westward Ho!

Lawrenceville!

By Pam Walker Believe it or not, there used to be a hotel by that name out West. It is not there today, but it seems that the West is one of the most popular destinations for a getaway from the pandemic. There are so many bookings to the Grand Teton/Yellowstone Park area that it is a good idea to enlist the help of a good guide to make these trips exceptional.

Driving yourself during this busy year can be frustrating.

Teton Science School/Wildlife Expeditions in Jackson, Wyoming is actually a center for education for all types of wildlife learning and outdoorsmanship. They offer classes to all ages of students, for short and long weeks the entire year long. They even do touring on the side to help support the school.

In March, the first grizzly bears peek out of their winter dens in both Yellowstone and Grand Teton. It must be great for them to catch a whiff of fresh meat after not eating for four months.

Moose are a lot more visible and come out of the tree and shrub cover and into the open. Elk herds that have been there all winter are now having babies and growing their numbers. There is a great deal more wildlife this year as so many people have “hibernated” in their homes due to COVID. Summer brings a new type of wildlife, especially this year. So many people are visiting the parks that the traffic is already a problem. A trip that would take a tourist in a rental car 5 hours can now prove frustrating as the drive is much longer. As people ogle these animals, you can be stopped for hours. These drives can be much more enjoyable if you have a knowledgeable guide or teacher from the school who knows where to go and when.

If you plan to do the Westward Ho expedition this year, be careful and make sure you stay safe. Learn about the bears and the abundance of wildlife. Our National Parks are a true wonder. Be glad we have them and the knowledgeable folks that know how to keep you safe.

Pam Walker is a Virtuoso Travel Advisor. More information at pam@walkeradventures.com

Meet Dr. Cassandra Baker: Gwinnett Tech’s Instructor of the Year

By Our Town Gwinnett Staff Dr. Cassandra Baker, Business Management instructor at Gwinnett Technical College, was recently named the Gwinnett Technical College Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year. The Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction began in 1991, and is designed to recognize and honor technical college instructors who make significant contributions to technical education through innovation and leadership in their fields.

“To represent Gwinnett Tech as Instructor of the Year means that I am the current torchbearer for excellence and innovation in teaching,” Dr. Baker says. “It means that I have earned the trust and respect of my peers and the administration, and I am an ambassador for Gwinnett Tech and technical education. I am truly honored and humbled to represent Gwinnett Technical College and be an ambassador for Georgia’s Technical College System.”

When asked what inspires her, Dr. Baker says, “Teaching the next generation of leaders. I feel like I am part of something greater than myself. People are in school to become better; the process inspires me. It is a humbling experience.”

Dr. Baker’s love for teaching, her skills as a mentor, and her ability to relate to her students earned Baker the title of the 2021 Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction.

This award is a statewide program initiated by the Technical College System of Georgia to honor outstanding instructors at the system’s twenty-two colleges. Baker will now compete against the winners from Georgia’s other technical colleges at the regional level.

Dr. Baker holds a Ph.D. in Organization and Management from Capella University, a Master of Business Administration from Brenau University, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Shorter University. Prior to joining academia, Baker spent fifteen years with Ford Motor Company and Volvo Cars of North America. Baker resides in Sugar Hill.

More information at GwinnettTech.edu.

May ’21 Our Town Gwinnett

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PAGE 17

Leaders Are Human, Too

By Jeanet Wade Leading a business is a challenge under any circumstances. It’s a juggling act of managing strategies, projects, and teams. It’s tracking the moving parts and changing priorities, and it’s supporting and up-leveling people. In a year that has dished up one rollercoaster after another, it’s natural for us to feel that we have to do more, be more, and take more than ever onto our already full plates.

I see so many leaders who are rising to that challenge in astonishing ways. They’re taking care of business and the people their business depends on, using every feature of technology and every ounce of creativity they can corral.

Some of my clients have even commented that this remote work thing isn’t all bad. In fact, it can be super-productive. Their teams are head-inthe-game focused, rising to the challenge of using technology to cover the functions that their shared workspaces once filled, and joking about the one-minute commute from bedroom to office and the new “business on top, party on the bottom” dress code.

But I believe that this pandemic is going to prove – perhaps faster and more definitively than I expected when I first read it – that what John Naisbitt wrote in Megatrends: Ten New Directions Transforming Our Lives will be absolutely prophetic: “The most exciting breakthrough of the 21st century will occur not because of technology, but because of an expanding concept of what it means to be human.”

I included that quote when writing The Human Team, which is about the importance of bridging the gap between nature and nurture, before I’d ever heard of COVID-19. As the pandemic has unfolded, I’ve watched the effects on leaders and teams and have seen how true those words are in this emerging business environment.

Here’s what leaders have to remember, especially now: just because you’re the leader doesn’t make you less human. And to harness the brilliance of your team, you have to embrace your own humanness as well. You have your own unique brilliance, and if you aren’t bringing that full and authentic brilliance to the team, you’re making yourself the weakest link in the chain. But to do that you have to take care of more than the business and the people who make the business possible.

You have to take care of you.

Now this isn’t an article about self-care, and I’m not going to recommend that you make sure you eat good food, take long walks, and sit in a bubble bath with a glass of wine or a cup of tea now and again. Self-care is important, physical health is important, and if you love bubble baths, please enjoy them liberally. But just as I discovered after nearly a decade as a Certified EOS Implementer® and more than 500 sessions in my “Business Laboratory,” employing nurturing activities in the workplace won’t serve any purpose if the team’s basic human needs aren’t being met, and no amount of nutrition, exercise, and relaxation will keep a business leader at his or her peak performance if one’s needs aren’t being met as well.

As we seek to master “remote leadership,” it is easy to become isolated and to give up our peer group meetings or the happy hour time with other entrepreneurs and business leaders. We might find ourselves pouring all our energy into our work – clients and team – without giving ourselves

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permission to ask, “Who am I, where am I, who are my peers, what is it going to take for me to be my best, and how are my needs being met?”

I’m finding that The Six Facets of Human Needs™ – which is how I’ve defined those universal human needs that, much as Maslow’s Hierarchy illustrates the requirements for an individual to self-actualize, provide a framework for the requirements of a group of people to realize their potential as a business team – are just as applicable to business leaders as they are to the teams they lead. So, before you put on those tennis shoes or pour your glass of wine or cup of tea, give some thought to this list of needs and how you can make sure you’re meeting them for yourself as well as your team.

1. Clarity We need to be clear on the bigger vision, the expectations, and the requirements. Without clarity we feel uncertain and confused. Give yourself focused time to get clear on your core values and priorities and what part you need to play in the business to move forward most easily and powerfully.

2. Connection We need a sense of belonging, solidarity, and community. Without connection we’re isolated, insecure, and easily threatened. Plug into your support network and find ways to connect at a human level to your peers and team.

3. Contribution We need to feel that what we do matters. Without contribution we feel insignificant and disengaged. Finding ways to contribute to your community as well as to projects within your business can bring it home for you just how important your unique brilliance really is.

4. Challenge We are wired to strive for something greater. Especially in crisis, we need structured and healthy challenges. This might be the perfect opportunity to learn a new skill or to take over a project in an area where you will have the encouragement and support to succeed.

5. Consideration Everyone needs to be seen and regarded as a whole person. Without consideration from others, we feel invisible. Regardless of their role and status, leaders need to surround themselves with people who honor their humanity and recognize their inherent worth. Hopefully you have the consideration of your team, but ensure that you’re building a peer “tribe” of people who value you just for who you are.

6. Confidence Confidence gives us the ability to trust ourselves and the world around us and to move through, even embrace, risk and failure. It’s natural that you’ll doubt yourself sometimes, but make a daily practice of being grateful for both successes and failures, acknowledging your gifts, and allowing yourself to celebrate your unique, brilliant, human self.

In crisis or any other time, to be a truly effective leader, and to get the best out of those you lead, you can’t be afraid to be fully human, embracing both your unique brilliance and your universal human needs. I remind myself and my clients more often than ever that it’s okay to be human. In fact, the most important thing we can be right now is human. Just remember that you are a human being, not just a human doing, and to be your best self requires more than nurture or self-care. It demands that the needs that come with being human are being met for you as well as for your team.

Jeanet Wade is the ForbesBooks author of The Human Team: So, You Created a Team But People Showed Up! More information at www.thehumanteambook.com

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PAGE 18

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Community Member Spotlight: Meet Kristen Eleveld

By Beth Volpert-Johansen

There exists a certain kinship among freelance writers. We all have a story behind why we choose to chase the feature. For the most part, it is purely for the joy of writing. But, mixed in the recipe for what makes Our Town Gwinnett Magazine features writer Kristen Eleveld tick is equal parts: faith, love, and family.

The joyful lilt in Kristen’s voice translates directly to the page. When given an assignment, Kristen clearly digs into the research and interview processes with a positive slant. “Writing is something I love,” she says. “It is always interesting to discover what motivates people to do their job every day.”

Motivation is key to the unique balance required to freelance. For Kristen, motivation is provided by her family. Married to Daniel, the couple have two beautiful children who take center-stage in their lives – along with their yearold “cat-pack.” “Getting kittens for my daughter’s birthday last year was one of those times that you have to make good on a promise,” Kristen says with a laugh. “If you asked me a year ago if we would have cats, I would have said you were crazy!” Just like many parents who imagine their child will never live up to the requirements they set forth for the brass ring of a birthday kitten or puppy, Kristen and Daniel did not anticipate their six-year-old daughter’s determination. However, in a year of COVID-19, what do you do to make a birthday memorable? You grab a pair of kittens instead of the promised single pet.

A year later, as COVID is still with us, the Eleveld household is filled with the endearing vision of their daughter loving on her kittens and the bonus entertainment of watching their son with special needs find joy in “cat training” escapades. “Our lives are filled with therapy and doctor appointments where he has to work hard,” says Kristen. “At home, he can just be a happy cattraining little boy.”

It is the children for whom Kristen and Daniel chose their current work situations. Having left traditional full-time work, after trying to be “SuperMom,” Kristen found herself turning to her faith, as she has always done in both times of joy and times of need. “I have attended church at Shadowbrook since I was nine years old,” says Kristen. “When a job at the preschool chapel became available, I took it because it matched my kids’ schedules.” Whether the job matched Kristen’s schedule or not, the work is an obvious source of joy for the young mom. “I get to jump

up and down like an idiot with puppets and hope the kids learn something about Jesus!” says Kristen. And that’s the thing, most of Kristen’s quotes could end with “laughs or chuckles or joyfully said.”

Adding to her two-day-a-week preschool gig is the freelance writing. Again, Kristen’s faith was strong as she sought to add to her website content development work. “I just put it out there on social media that I was looking for work as a freelance writer,” says Kristen. “Someone tagged me in a post that Ryan (Sauers) had made asking for interested local writers. In true Ryan fashion, he answered in like twelve seconds!”

Ryan Sauers is the publisher/owner of the two Our Town Gwinnett/Walton Community and Family Magazines. Finding features and contributing writers who love the area as much as he does is high on his list. Connecting with Kristen has brought a decidedly positive flair to the publication. “Kristen is one the most talented, hardworking, dedicated writers we have ever had in Our Town Gwinnett Magazine,” says Ryan. “It is an absolute pleasure to work with her each month.”

With an engaging manner, Kristen brings a personal touch to her stories.

As a public relations/journalism major at Berry College in Rome, Georgia and Georgia State University, Kristen learned that there is more to writing than just the research and words. “My interview style includes asking a few questions along the way and, most of the time, interviewees just go for it!” says Kristen. “I do have questions to ask in order to cover ‘dead air’, but, for the most part, people will talk about their passions.”

Writing for and about the residents of Gwinnett has been more than a simple job for Kristen. Each month holds something different, which keeps the writing fresh and fun. “Learning about other people and getting to go back and talk with them at a later date is one of my favorite things,” says Kristen. “There have been a couple of instances where I get to interview someone who is starting out as a single person with a passion for their own business. I love to interview people who love what they do!”

In what counts as “spare time,” Kristen and her family love to be outside. “Daniel loves to obsess about the length of the grass in the lawn,” she says, “and I love to sit in the beautiful yard reading a book.” Spending vacations at the beach is a bonus with in-laws who live at the coast. “Yes, I love writing about my community, but the beach is my happy place,” says Kristen with a smile. “All the stress just melts away as you get tanner!”

Continue to watch for Kristen’s work here at Our Town Gwinnett. She will keep you in the loop and smiling, too!

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PAGE 19

Fleur De Lish – Baking from Cajun Country – OoooWhee!

The lessons certainly paid off. As soon as Mr. Johansen and I tasted the samples Dana left for us, we felt compelled to share the delights. English teachers at Berkmar High School fairly swooned over the macrons and mini cupcakes, remarking on the delicate, airy nature of the cake and the light frosting of the cupcakes. The real praise was for the macrons. “I have never had anything like this before,” says one teacher. “They absolutely melt in your mouth!” says another.

Aside from the talent that Dana credits to her Maker, this baker has a huge heart and big plans. Determined to leave a COVID world in her wake as she looks to the future, Dana has been studying business models and parsing together what a post-Covid business should include. “It isn’t like it was before; mostly hard work,” remarks Dana. “It takes study right now to make sure that I build a sustainable business for a long future.”

A very important part of Dana’s future plans involves the idea that every child

Continued from page 10

should have a special birthday cake. In an emotionally wavering voice, Dana says, “They should have a cake that will make them remember that day. They need to know you are happy that they are here on earth, no matter the situation.”

As far as the future of her family and business, Dana’s attitude is much the same. “Don’t sell anyone or anything short,” says Dana. “You have to be authentic – use real butter and cream – and then, whatevah! It is all worth the calories.

I make it so.”

Dana adds with enthusiasm, “I could not do this without this Cajun Spirit I got in me. That and being a good Christian grounded in faith and trust in God. He made me to be my authentic self.” Dana’s authentic self comes out of her without apology to wrap up and embrace those around her while providing food for the body and soul.

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PAGE 21

Gwinnett Commissioners: New Vision, Mission, and Values Statement

By Our Town Gwinnett Staff The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday to approve updated statements intended to guide their actions from now on. The commissioners developed the vision, mission, and core values statements during their annual planning session held in Athens, Georgia last month. The vision statement says, “Gwinnett is the preferred community where everyone thrives!”

The mission statement reads, “Gwinnett proudly supports our vibrantly connected community by delivering superior services.”

The core values statement includes, “Integrity: We believe in being honest, building trust, and having strong moral principles. Accountability: We believe in stewardship, transparency, and sustainability. Equity: We believe in fairness and respect for all. Inclusivity: We believe in engaging, embracing, and unifying our communities. Innovation: We believe in continual adaptation of

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technology, process, and experience.”

Chairwoman Nicole Hendrickson said that with three new board members, now is the time to declare their common purpose, goals, and values to use moving into 2021 and beyond. “We spent considerable time discussing these ideas based on the local economy, population and demographics, election results, technology trends, and many other factors,” said Hendrickson. “Then we distilled our thoughts into three specific statements as part of our desire for transparency and accountability to the residents of Gwinnett County. I really believe the mission and vision statement reflect who we are today.”

District 1 Commissioner Kirkland Carden said, “We have laid the groundwork for Gwinnett County for many years to come. We laid a template for what we want Gwinnett County to be.

When we strive to reach that mission and vision statement, we can be a model county that shows good governance.”

District 2 Commissioner Ben Ku stated, “I’m really proud of what we came up with together.

We worked together to hear every single one of the commissioners’ ideas and desires for the county to create these values. I think they provide good, clear direction to staff, possibly for decades to come.”

District 3 Commissioner Jasper Watkins said, “It is good and appropriate for the vision and mission statement to be reviewed and updated from time to time. The county changes, and the Board of Commissioners’ direction changes. These statements are living documents that should evolve and grow to reflect the public and the new board’s goals and objectives. I think the new vision and mission statements accomplish that.”

District 4 Commissioner Marlene Fosque added, “We would like every resident to thrive. It may sound aspirational, but we believe every Gwinnett resident can do just that – thrive. I’m so excited about our new vision, mission, and values that will help guide the county now and in our future.”

More information at https://www.gwinnettcounty.com/web/gwinnett/departments/boardofcommissioners/

One Man’s Opinion Continued from page 15 • Securing and relocating the Confederate Flag Plaza, now at the foot of the walk-up trail, to Valor Park, under the southeast corner of the carving • A museum exhibit in Memorial Hall, giving an honest re-telling of the history of the mountain carving, acknowledging the early involvement of the Klu Klux Klan • Construction of a Faith & Freedom Chapel atop Stone Mountain • Renaming of the offices of the SMMA, now Confederate Hall, as Heritage Hall ª Renaming several park roadways, paths and trails, ponds and lakes, and other assets in the honor of a wider array of prominent Georgians in history • A new logo for the SMMA, featuring the mountain silhouette and natural setting, instead of the carving and Confederate leaders.

Significant subtractions at the park or the complete removal of memorials would likely only reopen deep wounds and further the re-litigation of the Civil War. I do not know how the final choices will land, and if all aspects of this plan will stand, but I do know that Stone Mountain itself is not going anywhere, nor its nearby smaller siblings of Arabia and Panola Mountains. You can see that park users on any given day enjoy walking, jogging, biking, hiking, or recreating with friends and family. A visit to this great green space, the largest in metro Atlanta, will tell you on most any day that the battle is raging outside the park, not inside it.

We wish the Reverend Mosley, SMMA Board, and Mr. Stephens the best of luck as well as our goodwill, and hope you will consider doing the same. We could all use a bit more common ground and compromise to stand on, as well as the common sense to appreciate the value in that.

Crane is the senior political analyst with WSB Radio and TV and owns the full-service communications firm CSI Crane. More information at www.CSICrane.com

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