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December 2008
Your presence counts!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I am going to end this year giving some of you what you asked for, but not exactly what you wanted to hear.
It all started with my blog last year
I basically issued all you haters out there a challenge on dealing with illegal immigration.
See back in June 2007, your whining and complaining had reached all new highs about illegal immigration and the county commission was in process of implementing a new ordinance where contractors hired by the county had to verify that their employees could work legally in the United States.
All my challenge asked of you was to show up in numbers for that commission meeting and prove to me you really want something done.
Not a whole lot to ask I don’t think. After all, your purpose was two fold… prove me wrong that you really give a damn.. and show the commission you wanted things to change as well.
As I recall, there was an OK turn out for that particular meeting… though I wasn’t overly impressed.
Recent events, however, have shown me I had very good reason not to be blown away.
You could learn something from the Holy Vietnamese Martyrs Catholic Mission and surrounding area businesses off Beaver Ruin Road. They did exactly what I expected you all to do last year.
See Lancaster Enterprises, LLC is trying to obtain rezoning so they can build a waste transfer station in Norcross. Their latest target site is 9 acres right in their immediate vicinity.
I have a lot of questions about this transfer station that I am currently trying to get some answers to and I’ll post a blog about it later.
What did they do that was so impressive?
They showed up. They showed up in impressive fashion.
They left a major impression as well based upon the reaction of those I have surveyed about the turnout for the meeting. Some said the largest they have ever seen in attendance for a commission meeting.
They had so many people there that they had to ask some to leave due to fire code. They put on a show and pulled out all the stops. Hell even I was even shocked and it served as proof that for all the talk and complaining I have to put up with… you don’t really care as much as you lead me to believe.
Yes… the ordinance passed. Yes… 287g is now a reality. I know.
However, they showed you how it is really done and how you make a definitive statement. There is no way the commission can ignore the public will of that magnitude.
Did we learn a lesson?
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Can you be thankful in hard times?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Several weeks ago in preparation for Thanksgiving I was asked to pick two things that I am thankful for.
I had as hard of a time deciding that as I am trying to decide how anyone can possibly feel any “comfort” or “joy” right now.
We’re in the middle of an energy crisis and people are lighting up their homes like they are on the Las Vegas Strip.
1.2 million jobs have been lost in three months time, 533,000 of those in November alone. Just last week, Bank of America announced they are cutting 35,000 jobs, and Delta is looking to reduce its workforce by 75,000. Here is the scary part - we probably haven’t seen anything yet in terms of job losses.
The economy, along with our 401k’s and other investment portfolios, is eroding faster than Congress’ approval ratings.
Foreclosures are at an all time high and I would be willing to bet that there is at least one foreclosed home in every Gwinnett neighborhood.
Gwinnett County is now home to the 24th U.S. bank failure as Haven Trust Bank has been seized and will open its doors December 15th as BB&T. I remember a time when many “experts” would say that regional and local banks were a “good investment”. Glad I didn’t listen.
I know that the big bah humbug is all about the spirit of giving, but why does it seem like this is the only time of year most people find a reason to do something nice for their fellow man. There are 365 days in a year.. and only one or two days we “get in the spirit”?
I know, I sound like I am spiraling, have a case of the holiday blues or in full panic mode. Not the case. True, I am not a big fan of the big bah humbug and … well most holidays. I even came up with rules of the big bah humbug for you all to follow.
This is supposed to be the “happiest time of the year” and, yes, I personally have plenty to be both thankful for and happy about, but I don’t feel like celebrating. We have nothing to be joyful about right now when, by all appearances, we are on the verge of what seems to be total collapse.
I understand that everyone feels like they need something positive in their lives right now, but all this pageantry is nothing but a façade. What in the hell do we have to feel so good about right now?
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Get on board with recycling
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
There is nothing better than reading the Vent section of the AJC. Some of the comments make you wanna roll around laughing, some make your eyes pop out of your skull.. while others just leave you scratching your head saying “huh?”.
Such as this one:
“A $500 fine for not recycling????What is this the garbage gestapo? Who elected Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful anyway??!!??”
O.K., lets everyone relax and quit freaking out and as my good friend, Jack, would say: “breathe in with anger, out with love.”
There, feel better now?
Good.. because based on this Vent and some other comments I have heard here and there around town there is a huge misunderstanding about this whole deal.
I spoke with Connie Wiggins, fellow Gator fan and Executive Director of Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful, about the recycling program being implemented.
First things first - even though I believe it SHOULD be mandatory… it is VOLUNTARY. So in other words if you are eligible to participate you should, but you can continue to do as you do today and burden the environment.
One thing Connie asked me to make absolutely clear is participating in this program will not cost anyone more than they were already going to pay. So in other words cost cant be your excuse to not do the right thing. After all the programs major intention is to encourage recycling and more importantly, make it more convenient. There is a possibility it could eventually lower your costs too.
If you choose to participate in the program you will receive two wheeled bins like you probably use today. In one will go your paper, plastic, and glass that you would normally recycle. The other bin will have everything else that you would normally throw out (food, etc).
I know what your next question is. “Okay Woody… then what is this whole $500 fine all about?”
To dispel the biggest myth of this entire misunderstanding… you will not be fined $500 if you do not participate. The fine is for those who commit the most egregious misuse of the recycling bins.
For example: Lets say someone reports someone misusing the recycling bins and after an investigation it turns out that the perpetrator (consistently) put a LOT more in the recycle bins than recyclable material. Then the perpetrator MAY be fined $500. These are not gonna be handed out like speeding tickets. If you happen to put a pizza box with one slice of pizza in the recycle bin… you will NOT be fined $500.
Also, if you live in a condominium or apartment complex, call Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful at (770) 822-5187 and they can help you determine if your community is eligible to participate in this program.
This is a good program for Gwinnett, and even better for the environment. Get on board.
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Q&A with Omar Hunter
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Woody Bass interviews Omar Hunter, a former Buford High School and current Florida Gator defensive tackle.
What was the defining moment that led you to know that you had to be a Gator?
After I met with Coach Meyer and especially Coach Mickey Marotti (strength and conditioning coach), I knew this was the place for me. Once I met Coach Mick, I knew how hard he was going to push the team and he would be able to put us in a position to win championships, so that’s why I came here.
How many times did you hear the words “Omar Hunter Watch” and how did you initially react when you first heard it?
Ha, ha I heard it a couple times but really didn’t pay too much attention to all of that. I thought it was pretty cool.
Is being a Gator everything you thought it would be? Any surprises?
Not really too many surprises. I love it down here and it is probably better than I thought it would be. I love my teammates and everyone gets along really well so its real cool.
What is the best thing about being a Gator?
Best thing is just to say that I’m a Gator. Everyone knows about Florida so I like being a part of it. I also like being around all my teammates. It’s like a family away from home. Everyone spends time together and we hang out with the coaches and their kids so its just really cool. I love it here.
What is the biggest challenge you have had to face since becoming a college student?
Balancing time with football and school is pretty tough - a lot different than high school. I’ve had to adjust to that but the Office of Student Life does a great job keeping on top of it for us. I have tutors and people to help me make sure I’m doing good.
What is the one thing you want to accomplish before you graduate?
Our goal is always to go to Atlanta and compete for the SEC Championship. I’d like to do that a few times and even go on to win the big one.
How will it feel returning to Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game - especially as a Gator?
It’s going to be real cool. My family will be there and some of my friends so I’ll feel really proud to be a part of the Gators.
Anything you want to say to all your friends and fans here at home?
If you ain’t a Gator, you must be Gator Bait.
No wonder Urban Meyer said “We had to have him”.
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