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Woody’s Online Town Hall
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s time for yet another edition of “Woody’s Online Town Hall Meeting”.
This time, the objective is for the leaders of both major political parties of Gwinnett County to make their case as to why their presidential candidate is better for Gwinnett County.
Just like in the last debate, three questions on three very hot topics on the minds of Gwinnettians were submitted. Unfortunately, the Gwinnett Republicans were unable to respond in time for the blog to be published, however, both parties have an open invitation to be active participants in the ongoing discussion.
Since Gwinnett is predominantly Republican anyway.. I’m more than sure many of my readers can step up and supply their version of what the response should be.
And now on to the questions with the Democrats’ responses.
Obviously neither candidate can control the weather, but what can your candidate do to solve Georgia’s water woes and end the aquatic battle between the states?
Mike Berlon/Democrats: The allocation of water is critical to Georgia and the southern economy. This is not a new problem. The Bush administration has done nothing to solve it. Barack Obama brings a fresh approach that will evaluate all relevant factors in this dispute and actively encourage a resolution.
Republicans: n/a
Gwinnett County appears to be more welcoming to the idea of mass transit, considering Gwinnett Transit’s increased ridership, the recent results of the ballot questions in July and traffic, which has always been a headache. Is mass transit on your candidate’s radar as a part of their solution to energy or environmental concerns?
Mike Berlon/Democrats: Generally, people opposed to mass transit don’t use it or don’t need it. Conserving energy and protecting the environment are two key issues for Barack Obama. Increasing mass transit will be of the major keys to cutting energy consumption, increasing fuel efficiency and reducing dependency on foreign oil. Republicans: n/a
Residents of Gwinnett County have spoken pretty loud and clear on the issue of illegal immigration. How does your candidate’s position and policies best fit what the majority of Gwinnettians seem to expect?
Mike Berlon/Democrats: Barack Obama recognizes the significant problems that exist with illegal immigration. The highlights of his immigration policy are to crack down on employers that hire illegal workers, fix the bureaucracy and streamline the citizenship process. Obama’s plan would greatly benefit Gwinnett County and law enforcement by helping with federal resources.
Republicans: n/a
Who would you like to see in future editions of “Woody’s Online Town Hall”? What would you ask them?
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The message from Olympics is “pride”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Forgive me for staying on my soap box again this week… but I think I finally pinpointed the problem.
It once ran in abundance. It was once revered. It was once treasured.
It has instead been replaced by laziness, apathy and greed.
I have been an Olympic junkie for as long as I can remember and was ecstatic when the 1996 Games rolled into Atlanta.
I was sure that many people around me would be just as excited the 2008 Games in Beijing started and water cooler discussions would follow in abundance each day of the games. Afterall, there was and is plenty to discuss.
I was shocked when that didn’t happen.
That is when I thought about it at great length and it hit me about what the missing piece of the “puzzle” was. We have hundreds of property owners that are members of their Home Owners Associations, yet only a small percentage actually show up for their meetings or participate in community events.
Don’t get me started on the commercial and residential property owners who all they care about is making another buck while they let their properties curb appeal decay. How these owners can allow some of the conditions of these properties and actually admit “I own that” is amazing.
We have people who just toss and dump litter and all sorts of garbage all along roads and neighborhoods, and in some cases where a dumpster or trash can is about 5 to 15 feet away.
27,000 Gwinnettians show up to vote in the July primary… out of a county of 770,000 plus residents.
People complain about how jobs are being lost overseas when we handed them over and not fighting (enough) to take them back.
Norcross, Gwinnett County, and this nation has a list of issues to deal with that could probably circle the earth a couple of times but none can be resolved if we don’t fix the common denominator between them all.
Chris Collinsworth of NBC Sports was absolutely right when he said “You know every once in a while somebody will make a comment to me about young people and this country today, but these young Olympians have represented our country so magnificently I think we should all be very proud.”
The problem is those US Olympic athletes in Beijing represent everything this country was once best known for including hard work, perseverance and the most important of them… Pride.
We have no one to blame for a lack of pride but ourselves.
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Learn from the mistakes of others
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Our children, from every corner of the county, are apparently not being taught - or not getting the message - about making the right choices in life.
Growing up, one thing I more or less mastered was learning from other’s mistakes. I also learned (sometimes the hard way) not to repeat my own mistakes a second time.
I think the problem with many children today is… exposure and the costly effect of bad choices.
The AJC Gwinnett News recently reported a whole host of issues in various middle and high schools, including students’ arrests for crimes ranging from drugs and alcohol to weapons charges to reckless and disorderly conduct.
I remember, it was either first or second grade, we took a class trip to the Orange County Jail in Orlando for a tour. We got the typical be “good or else” talk, but what they did at the end was what left a lasting impression. They took my class down into the jail itself, opened up one of their larger cells with a few beds, a toilet out in the open and a bench, shut the door and walked away for a good 30 minutes with true inmates just a few cells down from ours.
The message was you act up and this is where you’ll end up. I’ve never been arrested.
Every student should be required to make such a trip, every year if necessary.
In a 2006 entry, I wrote about AID Gwinnett and mentioned how two 15 year olds had tested positive for HIV about two months prior to my report. Many young people do not even know they are carriers of the disease.
Those cases, and hundreds more like them across the US, could have been avoided through real sex education beyond teaching abstinence. Teens need to see the true results of risky sexual behavior and not the fallacy of Abercrombie and Fitch type models that adorn some drug companies’ advertisements.
I have seen the impact that HIV/AIDS can have on a person. I’ve lost friends to the disease.
They told me how they got it, and went out of their way to make sure I didn’t repeat their mistakes. I listened.
Our youth need exposure to all the harsh realities of life. So many parents and schools go out of their way to protect them from those realities when, really, by doing so, does them more harm than good.
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A chance to honor those who serve
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
As I write this, I am sitting in the James A. Haley Veterans Administration Hospital in Tampa Bay, Fla. trying to get my mind off of my father’s surgery.
I’m focusing instead on my surroundings, particularly the people. I’m listening to their stories and think about their present situations and the lessons they teach us.
It is a reminder that we should all be proud of who we are and what we have accomplished. There are at least three people who are probably not as fortunate and who have worked harder and given up far more.
I have had considerable interaction with current soldiers and Vets my entire life whose eras of service range from World War II through Operation Iraqi Freedom and the war on terror in Afghanistan. I have a very clear understanding and deep appreciation for what was done and given up in the name of freedom.
I grew up listening to war stories from both my maternal grandfather and my father. My grandfather served in both World War II and the Korean War - in addition to almost every branch of the military (it’s a long story Ill share another time). Of course, there is my Dad who served in Vietnam in the US Army Company D, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment (1966-67), and was wounded during battle and received a Purple Heart.
As I interact with these brave men, my thoughts turned to the countless soldiers currently serving and those whose lives were lost in Iraq and Afghanistan, including the recent tragedy of Snellville’s Cpl. Jon Ayers, and their families.
I had a - very, very dear friend - who served in Iraq. I know what it is to be a loved one safe here at home while a loved one is off in the midst of hell. I went out of my way to support that friend and sent off care packages as often as I could. I’ve had the sleepless nights, the nightmares, and the natural fear I might wake up to terrible news.
I will never forget that.
Fortunately, I didn’t have to deal directly with tragedy. Honestly, I am not sure I could handle it, but my heart goes out to those who have and will.
While I haven’t personally served in the military or experienced war, I’ve been surrounded buy several lifetimes of people who have. I listened to what they went through and what they had to say. They understood. I understood.
We, and generations yet to come, should all remember, honor, cherish and never take it for granted.
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Woody’s Online Town Hall Debate
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Welcome to my first “Online Town Hall Debate”.
On August 5, Republicans will decide which of the two candidates will (probably) lead Gwinnett County into the future: District 1 Commissioner Lorraine Green and incumbent Gwinnett County Chairman Charles Bannister.
In their own words:
Woody — As you know, there are three Community Improvement Districts (CIDs) in Gwinnett County. How important, in your eyes, are the CIDs to Gwinnett County and how will they play a role in your administration should you be elected?
Green: The CID’s have been valuable in reviving communities and have highlighted the needs of their particular areas to county officials. I envision them becoming an intricate part of the revitalization efforts in the county, particularly in regards to developing new programs and revising existing regulations to spur redevelopment.
Bannister: While in the legislature, I introduced the legislation to create the CIDs. In 2004, I made revitalization a top priority in my campaign. As chairman, I’ve budgeted funding for the CIDs. My opponent opposed CIDs by cutting their funds. I will continue to work to improve all of Gwinnett, including the CIDs.
Woody — Gwinnett was recently labeled as a “hub for drug cartels”. It is also no surprise that crime throughout the county is a great concern to its citizens. What do you feel is the root cause and how would you, as chairman, go about tackling the issue?
Green: The causes are lack of police presence and manpower; an attitude of denial of the problem; and illegal immigrants. I intend to dramatically increase in the number of police officers in the high crime areas of the county and stress cooperation with drug task forces across the metro area.
Bannister: Under my leadership we have added nearly 263 police officers; created the anti-gang and drug task force. I will continue to add more police, increase visibility and surveillance, continue to stem the tide of illegal immigrants, and with funding, create a new sub-station in the southern end of the county.
Woody — As a candidate to lead Gwinnett County into the future, what do you see as Gwinnett’s three largest challenges that must be addressed in the next four years? How will you address them?
Green: The three largest challenges are traffic, crime and financial. I believe that a new tax structure will allow us to deal with the financial crisis ahead and provide additional funding to address the crime and transportation issues. We must balance our budget - but not on the backs of homeowners.
Bannister: Reduce traffic congestion by bringing new roads (i.e. Ronald Reagan Pkwy. Extension) and new transit options (i.e. commuter rail). Further reduce crime by adding new police and continue to fight illegal immigration. Reduce property taxes through the Local Option Sales Tax plan by working with municipal and state governments.
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