Norcross.Talk

By Bob

November 17, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this

Mr Bass,

Bars and restaurants are shutting down. So are a lot of other busineses.

At present, the best remaining tavern on Indian Trail is a tossup between The Dumpster and The Zoo.

To say that,* “The Village” area obviously doesn’t meet every qualification Whole Foods is looking for,”* is an understatement.

Whole Foods had a store here for years, but left to pursue what the referred to as, “a better class of customer” closer to John’s Creek and Alpha-Milton.

Upscale businesses have all but abandoned, “The Village of the Damned.” Ordinary businesses are closing as well. Its getting worse, not better.

Until a lid can be put on crime, gangs, graffiti, low-life’s.., the over-build and abandon cycle supported by the County fathers can be arrestred, AND the general economy picks up, talking about how to gentrify the JCB Corridor is like arranging deck chairs on an infamous luxury liner.

Code enforcement at gunpoint and confiscatory noise ordinances would be a good start, but I’m not going to hold my breath.

By Michael H. Smith

November 17, 2008 5:27 PM | Link to this

Ah c’mon Bob… you saying we can’t build a bigger better iceberg!?

By ResonantNiteowler

November 17, 2008 5:41 PM | Link to this

Thanks Bob!! Gwinnett Village residents who have been fighting to save our neighborhoods for years agree with you & we could not have stated it better.

By C

November 17, 2008 6:13 PM | Link to this

More upscale bars and clubs…are you kidding? Hooters closed up shop in there. How can you have an upscale educated crowd when the blue collar-football watching Hooters crowd even bails. Yikes!

By LT5000

November 17, 2008 8:03 PM | Link to this

I know what Gwinnett Village needs less of. Illegal Immigrants.

Jimmy Carter is nothing more than a suburb of Mexico City. Complete with violent Mexican Gangs.

If you want to go to a nightclub like Los Recuerdos or Primer Impacto, you take your life into your own hands.

However, you can dance with the hot Latinas for only $5.00.

Until Gwinnett county cleans up these vermin and sheds it’s image as a crime-riddled barrio full of Mexican mob drug fueled violence there really isn’t much hope.

LT5000

By Bob

November 17, 2008 8:35 PM | Link to this

OK. Now lets see what Bruce has to say.

By Jeff

November 17, 2008 9:02 PM | Link to this

Ditto to LT5000. Clean up the illegals that stand on most corners of Jimmy C, and their residences. LT5000 was being nice to call “Gwinnett Village” a suburb of Mexico City, heck it IS Mexico City.

The name of “Gwinnett Village” is akin to calling cheap apts “Luxury”,”Premier”, and “Newly Renovated”. Let’s face it— every community or society has the ‘have-nots’, the only difference is these have- nots shouldn’t be here and have brought their crime here with them. And, it’s spreading up I-85 to all Gwinnett Communities.

By Cindy

November 17, 2008 9:14 PM | Link to this

My ditto goes to LT5000 also. The illegal immigrant arguement is not a red-herring, it’s simply the root to most of Gwinnett’s problems. That and the BOC who’ve put our money towards their priorities, not the county’s.

And to quote Michael H Smith… Saxby 08 :)

By nana

November 17, 2008 9:23 PM | Link to this

I agree with LT5000 on this one. There’s no way Whole Foods could/would want to move into that area. JCB is a very scary area during broad daylight. Until Gwinnett County gets the illegals out of here it’s not going to happen. I’m not holding my breath either.

By Michael H. Smith

November 17, 2008 9:47 PM | Link to this

OOOOOoooooooooo that was sweet.

One more time.

Saxby 08

Don’t forget the scalawags that employ the illegal aliens, Cindy.

Interesting story on the front page of the Gwinnett Section. Have you read it?

By Cindy

November 17, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this

If you mean about the Macy’s “incident”, yes,I called that one accurately Friday night. It was really a no-brainer wasn’t it? But the part I didn’t consider was that he was just 15. Was bad enough when he was 16.

OSHA needs to tear Demon Demo a brand new one. This can’t happen in Gwinnett County though, because they’re checking all this stuff…right? Yeah, right.

15 years old. Gone. No reset button. No re-do. No hardhat, no safety harness. Some things are common sense. Doesn’t matter now though. And the family has the audacity to be angry. At who, is the real question.

I’d be hard pressed to be angry at anyone but myself if my son couldn’t abide with social norms at school and I let him go to work illegaly instead.

By roska

November 17, 2008 10:05 PM | Link to this

LT is, of course, on the right track.

But we could also just have hard core law enforcement, period. Even if it isn’t deporting simply towing off every car that’s dumped, jailing those with outstanding tickets, aggressive DUI patrols in the evenings, enforcing code violations on buildings, all these would help a lot.

But I expect that everything will now be fine because Charles Bannister said he’d get us more cops and would deport all the illegals. Now that he’s not campaigning anymore let’s see what he’ll actually do.

Anybody want to bet that Mr. Bannister won’t do SQUAT about law enforcement in the Village? He will, however, have extra cops at Bert Nasuti’s ballpark.

By roska

November 17, 2008 10:10 PM | Link to this

Cindy and MHS:

The Macy’s building is owned by George Thorndyke who is a developer that has contributed lavishly to Charles Bannister and Shirley Lassiter.

I guess Mr. Bannister is really against illegals unless they’re the ones working for his political buddies?

By BW

November 17, 2008 10:15 PM | Link to this

Who cares about Whole Foods, one store does not a neighborhood make. They took over Harry’s and hit the road for just the right people, screw them.

First we have to really correct the traffic problem, something the state and county promised for years.

Second, most of the JCB area was build up before the county even knew what a master plan was. Sidewalks in surrounding neighborhoods, no, parks, no, traffic flow no. Figure it out professional planners, which cost the county millions, when all you have to do is ask “The People” of the area of what they need.

We missed a great chance on a mixed-use project because we could not use TAD funds and at about the same time we missed the chance to have the stadium built there because the Braves, instead of our commissioners, decided it wouldn’t be right to have it at I-85 and JBC.

If everyone keeps running from the problems and moving, those folks in a few years it will be yours. I am afraid in this economy right now (sorry the only one that doesn’t realize we are in a recession is LT), nothing much will happen.

Bob how was that and the The Zoo has been at Indian Trail and Dickens for years now, the entire old shopping center, where The Zoo was should be mowed down and turned into a park.

By Cindy

November 17, 2008 10:23 PM | Link to this

Roska, You’ve got to be kidding…but you’re not are you? That must be why the county doesn’t enforce the illegal immigration act for employers. :(

By Michael H. Smith

November 17, 2008 10:34 PM | Link to this

OSHA normally doesn’t check unless they are called. You’ve got alot of this picture Cindy but there is a great deal more. Even though this family is not exactly innocent they might have some legal recourse. If they do I hope they pursue it. Just from having the info of the story in hand I’d say OSHA has plenty they could go after the GC and Demon on, though, they might escape through a loophole that should be slammed shut. Where the real problem lies and what should be done by the state to correct this type of occurrence, would be to require an occupation and trades licensing law ( with stiff penalties and hard enforcement) that would just about close off illegal aliens from working and assure to a far greater degree that everyone who works a job in this state will have proper occupational safety training. As the old adage says a little education goes a long ways and the ounce of prevent if worth a pound of cure.

The cost of cheap labor has a high price tag, does it not?

By Michael H. Smith

November 17, 2008 10:45 PM | Link to this

What we need is the state to pass a carbon copy of The Legal Arizona Worker Act. Then every county and city in this state could enforce the law against employers that hire illegal aliens, Cindy.

Put that with an occupation and trade license requirement in order to work in this state and that would just about put an end to illegal immigration here.

By Cindy

November 17, 2008 10:52 PM | Link to this

If the family does have legal recourse I’m going to just puke. It’s bad enough that the crapbird of a business would even work illegals when there’s so many legal people who need the job and would gladly do it…heck I would do it.

But for something to happen with a 15 year old whose own stepdad was there to show him the ropes, and they STILL didn’t abide by work standards, to be monetarily compensated for THAT. GRRRRRRRRRRRR.

To be on a legitimate worksite, where hardhats are required, I hope OSHA crawls all over each and every construction site in Gwinnett County and sends folks scattering.

Yep I know OSHA doesn’t generally come a checking unless they’re called or unless it’s a State, Federal or County project. I’m a little bit versed in this stuff…but not a whole lot.

And yes Michael, in no way was that cheap labor cheap.

By Michael H. Smith

November 17, 2008 11:10 PM | Link to this

The itch under my skin says wrongful death suit. The escape to that may be in the use of contract or sub-contract labor which was the loophole mentioned previously. Believe me I agree with you no teenager has any business on a construction job site and these adults cannot tell me they didn’t know any better. The hard hats is an automatic and the least of the violations I seen from reading the story. Even these workers seen and admitted they had NO “COMPETENT PERSON” supervising them. If they had, who knows for sure but most likely this would never have happened. Because all the safety violations that contributed to this event would have been addressed.

By Cindy

November 17, 2008 11:39 PM | Link to this

well yeah…but even if I’m going down my driveway, I wear my seatbelt. Well…it’s a long driveway, haha, but it makes me feel protected and steady in my seat, to give me more control of my vehicle.

At Six Flags, even if the bar would hold me in, I still use the seat belt when available. Any safety measure available.

I’m the geek who wears safety glasses when I weedeat. Nobody told me to do it. But if I have common sense, I know that my eyes need protected. Especially after a big poke-salad looked stalk flung green goo in my eyes one time. I didn’t afford it a second time. Those big green and purple weeds have a hollow stalk but they’re filled with stuff that will burn the hell out of your eyes, Michael.

If there was a pile of hardhats there, most people would notice the way a shoe is designed to go on feet, the hat goes on the head. And why didn’t they have the shaft crated around? Or at least blocked with caution tape. Heck when they mop they use the cuidado signs. Safety isn’t something that language barriers can’t cross. But this kid went to school here before he got kicked out, or referred to a disciplinary panel. That’s not generally a first step either…you gotta cause some trouble to get referred to that. It’s the paper trail they use to get rid of you when you’re a danger to the school.

The fact that the workers say nobody told them to use safety equipment is a big fat slap in the face. If they truly devalue their own lives THAT MUCH, what do you think they contribute to their community?

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.

By Michael H. Smith

November 17, 2008 11:54 PM | Link to this

You might be surprised on the universality of safety and language barriers. Things are far different South of the Border and in many other countries overseas too. America has some very good standards on the books. But like it is said the book stinks but nothing stinks worse than once you see the limp bloody body of a dead worker because they didn’t follow the stinking book.

After this is all said and done it might just give these CID and TAD re-developers a reason to re-evaluate their bottom line$.

By BW

November 18, 2008 12:15 AM | Link to this

The two of you are ignorant, Cindy and MHS, it makes me sick. Cindy are you that much of a space not to realize that it is cheaper to hire that cannot complain.

Man you have nothing more than slaves, a slave who can not say anything or else be punished.

Oh well, instead of talking about “The Village”, the Cindy and MHS show takes over and blames everything on illegals, man you two get boring.

By BW

November 18, 2008 12:42 AM | Link to this

Oh MHS, the idea that OSHA normally doesn’t check unless is laughable, anytine there is a serious injury or death they are there, believe me. But being the South it maybe different down chere.

I had the terrible experience during my career as a firefighter of industrial accidents, falls, loads falling on workers and the worst, those caught in machines. But we did our job, illegal or illegal, Mexican, Black, Asian or White.

Until all people realize that everyone bleeds red and suffers the same pain as some elitist whites on this site we’ll never get anywhere. To me it seems conservatives need, need to hate someone, in the 15 years I’ve been down here I have never figure that out?

Sad indeed.

By Michael H. Smith

November 18, 2008 1:13 AM | Link to this

The two of you are ignorant

Here we go, look who starts with the anger the insults and lies because it just upsets his tummy that anyone would dare to decry illegal aliens.

There was plenty written about the employers by the two of us, guess that part was overlooked. Only me and Cindy complained about the illegals all the time. No need for a head count but BW appears to be the only one that supports illegal immigration so far on this blog.

They are slaves to what? No one brought them over in chains. In fact we spend a good deal of money to try and stop them from coming into this country illegally.

Anyone force illegal aliens to break the law by taking a job? Use false ID and the Social Security numbers of others to commit fraud?

These illegal aliens are suppose to be willing workers, whatever happened to that claim? Slaves are forced to work. They can walk off the job at any time. In fact walk right back out of this country of their own free will, if they want.

I realize better than you BW what goes on in the construction and I’ve seen illegals complain a plenty. In fact a police chief in Duluth even welcomed any illegal alien that felt they were cheated to come tell him and he would go after the wrong doers. Never seen that kind of public declaration made by any police chief to a U.S. Citizens that felt they were cheated.

Now tell us what really bothers you BW? Cindy and me getting all over this illegality like ducks on June-bugs? That would in fact offer protection to legal immigrants?

Oh no it might cause someone to actually put an end to this crime. The illegals would have to go home if they can’t make any money, can’t get jobs. Only legal immigrants would be able to remain and the 12 million illegals in this country probably would never be able to make it back legally.

I’m sure LT 5000 will have a better suggestion for your tummy problem but until then this is about the best I can do.

Brother bought a coconut, he bought it for a dime His sister had another one, she paid it for a lime. She put the lime in the coconut, she drank them both up She put the lime in the coconut, she drank them both up She put the lime in the coconut, she drank them both up She put the lime in the coconut, she called the doctor, woke him up, And said, “Doctor, ain’t there nothin’ I can take, I say, Doctor, to relieve this belly ache? I say, Doctor, ain’t there nothin’ I can take, I say, Doctor, to relieve this belly ache?” “Now let me get this straight “, Put the lime in the coconut, you drank them both up Put the lime in the coconut, you drank them both up Put the lime in the coconut, you drank them both up Put the lime in the coconut, you called your doctor, woke him up, And say, ‘Doctor, ain’t there nothing I can take, I say, Doctor, to relieve this belly ache? I say, Doctor, doctor, ain’t there nothin’ I can take, I say, Doctor, dooooctor, to relieve this belly ache?’ Put the lime in the coconut, drink them both together, Put the lime in the coconut, then you feel better, Put the lime in the coconut, drink them both up, Put the lime in the coconut, and call me in the morning Wouh wouh wouh wouh wouh Brother bought a coconut, he bought it for a dime His sister had another one, she paid it for a lime. She put the lime in the coconut, she drank them both up, She put the lime in the coconut, she called the doctor, woke him up, Say “Doctor, ain’t there nothin’ I can take, I say, Doctor, to relieve this belly ache? I say, Doctor, ain’t there nothin’ I can take, I say Doctor! let me get this straight”. You put the lime in the coconut, drink them both up, You put the lime in the coconut, drink them both up, You put the lime in the coconut, drink them both up, Put the lime in the coconut, you such a silly woman!, Put the lime in the coconut, drink them both together, Put the lime in the coconut, then you feel better. Put the lime in the coconut, drink them both down Put the lime in the coconut, and call me in the morning Woo Woo, ain’t there nothin’ you can take, I say Woo Woo, to relieve my belly ache, You say woo woo ain’t there nothin’ I can take, I say Woo woo, to relieve your belly ache, You say yah yah, ain’t there nothin’ I can take, I say Waah waah, to relieve this belly ache, I say doctor!, ain’t there nothin’ I can take, I say doctor!, ain’t there nothin’ I can take, I say doctor!, ain’t there nothin’ I can take, I say Doctor!, you such a silly woman!, Put the lime in the coconut, drink them both together, Put the lime in the coconut, then you feel better, Put the lime in the coconut, drink them both up, Put the lime in the coconut, and call me in the moooooorning,

By BW

November 18, 2008 2:11 AM | Link to this

MHS, by your childish antics you have destroyed yet another column.

As far as OSHA, everytime a rig rolled and a worker was injured seriously, we or I would have to report it to OSHA, file a report to OSHA and answer to OSHA.

You and your “I know construction”, BS, you don’t know what I had to do after the inccident. Course that was up North, who knows what is required down chere.

By Katie

November 18, 2008 5:21 AM | Link to this

Less Hispanics, that’s what we need in Gwinnett village. Sorry, but true. No more laundry businesses, less fast food restaurants and no more asian and mexican grocery stores.

By Michael H. Smith

November 18, 2008 5:34 AM | Link to this

You silly little peed off thing what did I say about OSHA coming to a job site? They don’t come until they are called and that is usually as the result of serious injury or a death occurring. Otherwise, unless there is a tip-off of something suspicious going on they don’t routinely come out on a job-site. I don’t care about your rolling rig BS. That’s not my department, just like construction is not yours. What’s required on a job site after an accident you sure don’t know about and I’m not going to teach you. I’d just as soon keep you dumb. LOL

Now go take something for your miserable bellyache.

By Michael H. Smith

November 18, 2008 6:28 AM | Link to this

On a serious note Woodrow to answer your questions, Bob told you what you don’t need and LT touched on something, though it was buried beneath description that will have to change. It was written about in an article that appeared in this section concerning the Mexican drug traffic relative to the population supplying a cover for the operations. This is one of the things I complained about before in calling it an ethnic lump, which has pros and cons: In this case more cons than pros. Some which way or another the people in this community will have to either change or disperse. The area will not be a retirement community that’s for sure. Young probably, family oriented not likely. The pattern may have to follow what Rudy did in New York. But the illegals will have to go because corruption breeds corruption, illegal breeds’ illegality and that was one thing Rudy confronted head on first. Best advice: Plan on a long haul. What you don’t want to see is anymore revitalization construction deaths involved in these CIDs or TADs. Especially the ones you know could be avoided, which only adds to the public opinion negatives of the entire project.

By dude

November 18, 2008 6:40 AM | Link to this

Do you know what is funny? Food Network declared one of the farmer’s markets on JCB as the best place to get special ingredients for cooking. No mention of Whole (Paycheck) Foods or other upscale groceries. How come that isn’t mentioned? “Code Enforcement by Gun”? My house is targeted 6 times because I didn’t mow my grass once a week while the empty foreclosed houses are never mowed and never receive a notice (as a telecommuter I can watch the code trucks in my neighborhood). There are businesses on JCB that haven’t fixed code issues I have complained about in 6 months. I might tolerate code enforcement if it wasn’t about enforcing coeds on the few of us that are left.

By LB

November 18, 2008 8:08 AM | Link to this

If Gwinnett Village could expand to all of Gwinnett then there might be hope. It needs to be English speaking with all business signs in English. Get rid of all the night clubs and bars that attract trash and have only clubs that are attractive to people who go for the fun and socializing. Have more intervention by the Chamber of Commerce who provide outings where people can network for their businesses. Provide great senior living and nursing homes and maybe a golf course or two. Tear down vacant buildings and grow trees and establish parks. Do not allow any of these countries within our country where there are blocks of stores with signs and no English interpretation or the interpretation is so small you have to go up to the store to see it. If these countries keep setting up their small empires in Gwinnett, pass some laws to have the signs put in English or make them leave. Outlaw any loophole that keeps allowing anchor babies. Make Gwinnett County schools enforce English and no longer provide these ESOL social clubs they call classes within the schools where the kids view these classes as a party and the teachers who teach ESOL become arrogant because they speak two languages. Make ESOL community classes mandantory for non English speaking people to learn English before they can enter a public school. High school drop outs and or kick outs for behavior should not be hired under any circumstances to do work. My list goes on and on but you get the general idea. Just clean up. It can only happen if laws are inforces and people start standing up.

By Al

November 18, 2008 8:15 AM | Link to this

Whole Foods will never precede an area’s redevelopment, they will only move in after the fact. You’ll have to find another pioneer in the revitalization efforts of the Village. I suggest real, honest-to-goodness, no-holds-barred, Actual. Code. Enforcement. The rules are in the books, and they’re there for a good reason. Now enforce them. The legal, hard-working, honest, property-value-respecting, tax paying Gwinnett citizens (of ALL races) deserve nothing less than that.

By Bob

November 18, 2008 8:19 AM | Link to this

Bruce. I was wondering when you woiuld arrive.

You may or may not recall that The Zoo moved to its current location from its previous home at Jimmy Carter and Singleton because the neighborhood got too bad. (Too rough for a Biker Bar?) Oh Well.

That shopping center certainly isn’t “The Forum Lilburn” Nor is The Dumpster in “The Avenues at Burns” Regardless, they are head and shoulders above the blight on JCB from I-85 to Britt Rd. In terms of tearing stuff down, JCB is a better starting place. It would be more efficient . Start at one end and clear to the other.

By Cindy

November 18, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this

**The two of you are ignorant, Cindy and MHS, it makes me sick. Cindy are you that much of a space not to realize that it is cheaper to hire that cannot complain.

Man you have nothing more than slaves, a slave who can not say anything or else be punished.

Oh well, instead of talking about “The Village”, the Cindy and MHS show takes over and blames everything on illegals, man you two get boring.**

Bruce, you’ve GOT to be kidding…but really, you’re only kidding yourself with the whole “Those who can’t complain” statement. Everybody wants to be a victim.

You mistakenly keep thinking this is amount immigrations when it’s not. It’s the illegal immigration we’re sick and tired of. But you are more than welcome to coddle them and hold their little hands if you so desire, just not on the Gwinnett tax dollar. Not on the Georgia tax dollar. And not on the federal tax dollar. Go to their country of origin illegally and see how you’re received. I’m sure they’ll be glad to have you. You are, after all, usually most pleasant until you get all self-righteous and pretend you’re the only one here with any humanity left.

And your little dig about me being that much of a space please, save it for someone who’s here to have a battle of wits and snippy comebacks. I’m not your chump today. And tomorrow’s not looking any better.

By LT5000

November 18, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this

For BW, a perennial dumbass under any name.

Recession - A period of general economic decline; specifically, a decline in GDP for two or more consecutive quarters.

*Real gross domestic product — the output of goods and services produced by labor and property located in the United States — decreased at an annual rate of 0.3 percent in the third quarter of 2008, (that is, from the second quarter to the third quarter), according to advance estimates released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. *

*In the second quarter, real GDP increased 2.8 percent. *

Not yet Brucie, but keep trying. This could be your lucky quarter.

You may be able to lure those young boys in front of Quik Trip into your car for a few dollars and a Taquito.

LT5000

By BW

November 18, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this

Bob, I think The Zoo and the Dumpster are out of the Gwinnett Village, could be wrong, but I think they strattle the line.

As I pointed out and not one comment on is the traffic, it was terrible in 93’ before the rush of illegals.

Bert’s Field of Dreams taken over, our tax monry, by the Braves who did’t want it on I-85 and JCB. Just imagine what a shot in the arm it would be for that area.

But no, it’s all the illegals fault, they brought the traffic, they decided where the stadium should be build and they forced our commissioners to ignore the area for years. You have to give them credit, they did all this since 2000.

Cindy I don’t care if it was a Smurf that fell to his death at the age of 15, the value of a life is more important then your little fears.

By Cindy

November 18, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this

I never minimized the importance of his life or my level of compassion for his folks. Don’t assume to know what I think.

I’ve voiced no little fears either. Personal responsibility and common sense are two totally different things than little fears.

Little fears is encountering spiders. Little fears is being nervous before speaking publicly.

Don’t try to be self-important by attempting to wipe his blood on my hands just because I can see the problems created by him not being where a regular 15 year old should’ve been, and making it his and his parents responsibility.

I didn’t create the situation. But that doesn’t mean I can’t see the results.

By Woody Bass

November 18, 2008 5:01 PM | Link to this

dude - and anyone else with similar issues: If you will get me a list of those code violations your referring to I can follow up on them for you.

By What're you an idiot

November 18, 2008 8:54 PM | Link to this

And yes, I’m talking to you LT, you macroeconomic dumbass.

Everyone except for Barbara Bush, Krusty the Clown, and you recognize that we are in a recession.

http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2008/11/17/daily14.html

“The National Association for Business Economics said Monday that 48 of 50 economic forecasters it surveyed said the recession – traditionally defined as two or more consecutive quarters with a shrinking gross domestic product – is under way. Half of the economists indicated the downturn started in the fourth quarter of 2007 or first quarter of this year, months before the freezing of credit markets spilled over into the general economy.”

Stupid

By dude

November 19, 2008 6:35 AM | Link to this

Woody: Thanks for the offer. I could tell you some interesting stories off-line as a former planner, including some interesting and recent emails about my code concerns from the county. The CID was more helpful and willing to work with me, as a non-paying resident, than the “bureau-crazy”; I would much rather work with Chuck and his staff than talk to the county. Maybe we could incorporate into a new town?

By Bob

November 19, 2008 8:20 AM | Link to this

@Bruce & All

D&Z are both in “The Village.” The link to the map is is at the bottom.

The Illegals actually started swarming the Pre-Village in in 1990, so it started on Wayne Hill’s watch. For those who like to give blame/credit to US Presidents for this sort of thing, that would be during the presidency Bush-41

By Bob

June 18, 2008 11:32 PM | Link to this

@ Tim

You are smoking something, or the comments are hitting too close to home. Maybe you’re referring to the “crap the invaded Norcross” starting after 1865. Too bad. We’re staying.

What - Is Wayne your Dad or your Uncle?

We’re too stupid? We’re not the one’s who decided it was a good idea to intersperse section 8 housing with decent neighborhoods. That was done by Wayne, the Feds and the rest of the boys.

If Code Enforcement were handled by Police on the spot, we wouldn’t have half the problems we have. The Norcross Marshals with badges and guns were a great idea. Too bad it got torpedoed. I have no love for the government of “The City of Norcross,” which conveniently Gerrymanders my neighborhood outside the city limits. I have no love for Ms. Webb, who’s elder care center conveniently blocks the natural extension of Beaver Ruin Road to connect with PIB.

I could give a flying fig about the city’s position on liquor licenses. I’m not concerned about the folks at the Norcross Tavern nor at Dominic’s

I am concerned about the human garbage, Barrio << Gee, that’s not kind! - whatever - starting at US23 going east to US29 south of Beaver Ruin.

JCB was like Holcomb Bridge in Roswell 20 years ago. Thanks George Bush 41. Thanks Bill Clinton. Thanks George Bush 43. Thanks local government. The area is like South DeKalb now. Do you want to improve the area? Tear down the rental housing and enforce codes at gun point. Don’t try to build night clubs or new restaurants till the blight is gone. An ornate exit at Jimmy Carter and I-85??? That’s like putting silk stockings on a pig.

By Bruce Wilcox

June 19, 2008 1:21 AM | Link to this

Bob, you have somes points, but when the commissioners could care less about the area, code enforcement is a joke.

Commissioner Bert, yes the “Field of Dreams” man himself, was going to introduce an ordinance like Cobb counties that would increase the living space to 400 sq. ft. plus per person. Do the math, it would return the normal single family home to what it was designed to be instead of a tenement. Instead we got his stadium and his promise was forgotten.

The Quality of Life unit, all the photo-ops are over and they rode off into the sunset. I’ll bet they’ll ride back into town to save the day for the damsel in distress just before the election.

Hard to get rid of the blight when new codes are promised, then forgotten, where strict enforcement faded as fast as an old newspaper photo.

But when you get rid of one hole it has to be replaced quickly with something that will show some promise, otherwise you’re back at square one.

Look at downtown and how many neighborhoods have come back because of the traffic, now with the gas prices, moving closer in makes sense, the Village could be the answer.

By Bob

June 19, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this

Here is the map.

http://gwinnettvillage.com/alliance/images/PDFs/GwinnettVillageMap.pdf

By Michael H. Smith

November 19, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this

MARTA “sold” track and rail cars purchased with federal money and then leased them back for 20 to 25 years, a clear ruse to borrow about $110 million from the future for current consumption. The Internal Revenue Service subsequently disallowed the scheme. From taxpayers’ standpoint it was an immoral transaction because what MARTA sold to banks and investors was tax avoidance. Lenders could depreciate the rail cars. MARTA needs relief because the failed insurance giant AIG guaranteed lease payments and without the guarantee, the cost to MARTA and other transit agencies that did the same thing soared. Transit agencies, including MARTA, want the federal taxpayers it tried to hoodwink with the depreciation scheme to replace AIG in guaranteeing payment.

MARTA ain’t SMARTA

By BW

November 19, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this

Thanks for the newer map, the old one was hard to figure out. Looks like Lilburn is the boarder around The Zoo and the Dumpster.

Bert told me the same thing when the stadium was under wraps, seems the stadium took up all of his time and he must have forgot. Bert said something about the problem that really made laugh, he said most of the problems come from the apartments! I asked Bert who approved the apartments, naturally he passed the buck to the commissioners would were on the board at the time.

I agree about people moving in closer, plus we have the Hindu Temple, something to actually see in this area.

I just get fed up with people blaming it all on illegals, JCB was on it’s way down long before the illegals arrived enmasse.

By Michael H. Smith

November 19, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this

Oh, and Bob, I still have that bridge in Brooklyn up for sale.

By BW

November 20, 2008 3:47 AM | Link to this

MHS, I have the deed, don’t mislead anyone.

By Edex

November 20, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this

What does Gwinnett Village need? AMERICANS.

By Michael H. Smith

November 20, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this

If you have the deed for all the illegals then keep them over at your place and perhaps then we won’t complain so much about “your illegals” all the time for everything. Besides it will make things easier for I.C.E. to pick all “your illegals” up after we call them BW.

By BW

November 20, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this

“By Edex November 20, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this

What does Gwinnett Village need? AMERICANS.”

We have Americans, North Americans and South Americans.

By Joan

November 21, 2008 7:48 AM | Link to this

Gwinnett can get better if Code Officers were allowed to give hefty fines on the spot.Would someone please explain to me what happens when a homeowner goes to court for over crowding.I’ve lived across the street from a house with 3-4 families for the last several years.I’ve reported it and so has others and nothing happens!WHY? We can’t enjoy our front yard because of a dozen screaming kids.We have to watch cars come and go.Trucks picking up people,people crawling into windows instead of using the front door.The corn lady selling food from the trunk of her car and other crap. I sure could use some help!!!!!!

By Joan

November 21, 2008 7:49 AM | Link to this

Gwinnett can get better if Code Officers were allowed to give hefty fines on the spot.Would someone please explain to me what happens when a homeowner goes to court for over crowding.I’ve lived across the street from a house with 3-4 families for the last several years.I’ve reported it and so has others and nothing happens!WHY? We can’t enjoy our front yard because of a dozen screaming kids.We have to watch cars come and go.Trucks picking up people,people crawling into windows instead of using the front door.The corn lady selling food from the trunk of her car and other crap. I sure could use some help!!!!!!

By BW

November 21, 2008 10:21 PM | Link to this

Joan, I agree completely, but I believe the Judge, if not a former commissioner, is still well connected and can not handle the job.

She well be in in the same position as far as I know, a Mr. Paul Allen commented a great deal of her incompetence on the complaints you mentioned before Greene loss the primary.

By Paul

November 25, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this

Judge Muise is an apointee, and it’s possible that she’ll not be re-appointed for another term. Given the current decline in Gwinnett politics, however, I’m not betting on it. Patti Muise has mistaken herself for a Social Worker and generally gives little more than slaps on the wrist. Yes, I went so far as to file a grievance with her boss, Judge Mock, all to no avail except to make me feel better.

What worries me more lately is that we now have our 287(g) in place, but the Feds have said “whoa - not yet - too many illegals in Gwinnett - let us staff up and get back with you.” Government at its worst.

By Paul

November 25, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this

Almost forgot - since the runoff election the Quality of Life Unit has been scaled back a bit as well. In case anyone is paying attention, the bad guys won the runoff - getting the picture yet?

By BW

November 25, 2008 10:18 PM | Link to this

What the Gwinnett Village needs is a Transfer Station set by a church on Shackelford Road. I imagine the smell will not bother the children too much attending the school there.

I know one commissioner that studied the subject before voting no on the one planned for JCB. I hope he hasn’t been too busy with the stadium to have forgotten.

From what I read the cuts are across the board, plus it didn’t seem like the QOL units were around all that much to begin with.

By Ralph

November 26, 2008 8:58 AM | Link to this

What does Gwinnett Village need? A better class of residents.

By Paul

November 26, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this

Yea verily, the QOL had a huge impact upon the core problems in these areas. The huge difference between they and P&D (that used to do the same work) was that, being uniformed police, they didn’t work and play terribly well with the public. P&D communicated openly with us, while the QOL never did, but things actually got fixed considerably faster with the latter.

I guess we do indeed need a better class of residents - like those running the meth labs and brothels in Sugar Hill, perhaps.

By BW

November 26, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this

Overall I have noticed an improvement, I was kind of hoping that some were finally catching on to our values, could be when the QOL units hit one home, word spreads, whatever the combination is, slowly it’s working. It took many years to get this way, it won’t comeback over night.

One item that be of major concern will be the rash of foreclosures, we may end up with worst conditions then we had.

Hope you don’t mind me mentioning your name to Joan, but I know you follow her court.

Ralph, we do have a better class of citizens, you apparently do not reside here.

By Mark

November 27, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this

What does Gwinnett village need? Less wetbacks and n****.

By Tim

November 30, 2008 8:42 PM | Link to this

Gwinnett Village needs a dedicated D9 Bulldozer. Take out anything that resembles an apartment, duplex, or blighted strip shopping center. Rebuild with million dollar homes.

By Scarlet

December 1, 2008 1:53 AM | Link to this

Dad blame it, Woody. You don’t think we need another grocery store??? I live in downtown Norcross IN Gwinnett Village off Buford Highway, just across the wrong side of the RR tracks. There is NO grocery store nearby on Jimmy Carter, on Buford Highway, not even a decent one on Langford or Beaver Ruin. We have to drive to Peachtree Corners, Lilburn, or Duluth to buy food unless we want to shop at QuikTrip. Whole Foods would be great but no one could afford it or would want to shop there except for the people who are within walking distance of the square in downtown Norcross & those folk would say that Whole Foods or any grocery store is a threat to the integrity of the quaintness, charm & old Victorian homes. This is by & large a lower middle class neighborhood. Unless there is attractive and affordable housing that is NOT built by CCV Homes for middle class young professionals and safe suburban ammenities the neighborhood will not change. It’s not safe to go through the drive through at Sonic or Wendy’s near QuikTrip on JCarter and eat the food in your locked car. You’ll be approached by some con-artist who wants money, food, to sell you drugs or get free sex……and all that BEFORE dark. If you live across the RR tracks it isn’t safe to walk to downtown though that’s why many of us bought homes here. Quaint shops are good & we have a CVS & Rite Aide, just no grocery stores or other safe middle class suburban conveniences. And no the laws are not enforced regarding hiring illegals or loitering. Residents are by & large day laborers and you say Whole Foods. Just give me a Publix and I would smile for a solid month! A traditional grocery store if kept clean and policed would draw a HUGE clientelle and if they closed some of the all night pool halls & the “tittie bar” spa next to the library that might help our imagine & the crime rate too. With empty houses & foreclosures all over the area & the economy tanking I’d support Whole Foods but I don’t think it’s a very rational argument you make because most of my neighbors in Gwinnett Village couldn’t afford Whole Foods or wouldn’t be interested.

By Scarlet

December 1, 2008 2:19 AM | Link to this

And BTW go to the polls & vote Jim Martin on Tuesday, 12/2! Vote for Saxby if you want someone to play golf with Tiger Woods in Augusta rather than meet in committee or vote on bills. Vote for Saxby Chambliss if you approved of the bail-out & you belong to a Whites Only Country Club. I’m not an African American but OMG, Chambliss told the NYTimes that “the other folks are voting,” that blacks always vote early but this time “his side” was assured of a win because all the African American voters scared the Republicans and increased the turnout of their base. He said he needs North GA turnout for him in a BIG, BIG Way (knows he can’t win in Metro Atlanta, because we are too diverse and NOT Ultra-Conservative. Don’t forget Saxby is the unethical SOB who ran a campaign ad with a photo of Osama bin Laden, Saddam Hussein, and Vietnam Vet Max Cleland a who lost 3 limbs in the war. Chambliss called Cleland a wuss who who was a threat to National Security. JOHN McCAIN said Saxby’s ad against Cleland “was beyond bad taste it was REPREHENSIBLE!” If you love Geo Bush & want a Senator who will do nothing but try to STOP progress and change by Filibustering, then you should be all means vote for Chambliss. Vote 4 Jim Martin if you want someone to govern FROM THE CENTER!

By Buffy

December 1, 2008 2:35 AM | Link to this

I agree with Scarlet. I’m voting 4 Martin. He’s not a phony. Chambliss said Martin didn’t understand how important fighting crime was. Yeah right you Good Ole South GA BOY, Martin’s daughter was kidnapped when she was 4 years old and he WENT TO FIGHT IN VIETNAM while you hid behind your “bum” knee. Jim Martin is an extremely hard working affable gentleman who’s been married to the same woman all his life, who sacrificed for his country, doesn’t live a flashy lifestyle and DID NOT vote in tax cuts for the wealthiest of the wealthy. He will be engaged in governing not just smiling and talking big on those commercials, but Martin will be working hard for white collar workers even when the cameras of the Senate are turned off. Go Jim Martin. Meet us at the steps of the GA Capital on Tuesday, 12/2, 5:30 pm with Congressman John Lewis, Ludacris & the winner, Jim Martin himself…………..GO, JIM!

By Bob

December 1, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this

Vote for Saxby unless you want to loose more of your rights and lots more of your money.

JCB is the pits. But Jim Martin won’t fix that. He’ll aslo break a whole lot more.

Scarlett - If you don’t want to go to Little Giant (Beaver Ruin/Indian Trail) take Mitchel Rd to Brook Hollow. Turn Left on Brook Hollow and right on Indian Trail. Publix will be on your right ( on Campus Dr) before you get to Singleton. Based on where you say you live you can get to either of these in under 10 minutes . You can probably get to the Publix/Kroger Center at the Peachtree Parkway split quicker than that. Don’t see what your problem is there.

Anyone who doesn’t understand the danger of giving either party a filibuster proof majority in the senate, should not vote.

By Bob

December 1, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this

Woody,

To circle back to your original question, all you need is a time machine. Roll the clock back to 1984-1989 and the area was teaming with young professionals, full office parks, busy restaurants….

A little thing called the Internet killed the high tech distribution along the JCB/Oakbrook corridor. Local PC shops became irrelavant with Dell Direct Gateway and others. Dennis Hayes went chasing unneeded technologies instead of focusing on his core businesses. DCA stopped being meaningful as 3270/5250 tubes and cards became software. The AT&T>Lucent (now OFS) fiber plant was the only profitable business unit in the old AT&T when they sold it to OFS for badly needed cash. Circuit City used to be in that wasteland of a shopping center at Oakbrook & Jimmy Carter.

Our build, abandon and move on government and developers aggravate the situation.

Aggressively enforcing loitering and public nuisance ordinances would go a long way to making things better.

“No - you don’t have a right to be a belligerent thug. Come with me to jail. I oh so hope you resist arrest. 140 grains of lead administered at 2200 FPS. Problem solved.”

By Michael H. Smith

December 1, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this

But, but, Bob… you don’t seem to understand. No build, abandon and move on government and developers means no redevelopment, block grants, CIDs, TADs’ and, and, all that money needed to reinvent, Development 2.0.

By Scarlet

December 1, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this

Bob, Thanks for the Publix off Brook Hollow info! Still, I don’t understand why there is NO GROCERY STORE ON BUFORD HIGHWAY within 10 miles of my house. I’d like to buy groceries in my own neighborhood without going to a SuperMercado or giving money to the already wealthy Peachtree Corners area, but that is the safest place to shop now, esp. after dark and for the record Publix is much safer AT NIGHT than Kroger on Peachtree Parkway. I speak with much experience! I shop there at Kroger, but not late at night. Gwinnett & the City of Norcross have ceeded Buford Highway and JCB into a no man’s land. I hope rumors that the Norcross City Council plans on changing that along Buford Highway are TRUE!

By BW

December 2, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this

Scarlet there is a BJ’s just around the corner from you, it’s a membership fee store but well worth it. Best meats around, we travel over from Lilburn to shop at it. JCB just before Peachtree Industrial.

By dude

December 3, 2008 6:23 AM | Link to this

Scarlet - I shop at the Kroger at Chamblee Tucker and I-285; it is closer, cleaner and easier to access via 1-85 from my house on JCB than either the Peachtree Parkway or Singleton stores. Only bad part is my sales tax money goes to Dekalb. That could be fixed, however, with a store built as you suggest on or near Buford Hwy and JCB.
As for redevelopment, the old Circuit City center is an excellent candidate for a mixed use redevelopment but no one wants to drop that kind of money. It would turn an eyesore into a gateway to JCB and even offer an opportunity to fix the intersections. the old AT&T site could be redeveloped; the county should propose to use the abandoned rail spurs for a transit corridor and linear greenspaces to connect to real transit in Dekalb Co before the developers rape the land. DOT never notices the real problem with the JCB and I-85 interchange; the grade approaching the interchange. Trucks can’t easily accelerate and the fact is only one lane is useable in each direction across the bridge. Create a large traffic circle from Center Way on the north and the overpass north of Pleasantdale. Create enter/exit ramps where the land is more level to connect to the existing access roads on the both sides of I-85 and remove the current I-85 interchanges to improve traffic flow. Additional lanes will not help unless the bridge is widened, which costs more than my plan.

By Lisa

December 22, 2008 8:53 PM | Link to this

Give me a break with this “I can’t shop at the Mexican Market because it’s below me” stuff. I happen to live right off N. Norcross Tucker and have shopped at the SuperMercado. Amazingly, I came out unscathed. I’m not denying that it is dangerous in this area at night, but show me any place where you shouldn’t be on your guard. I even shop at the Farmer’s Market on Buford Hwy near 285. Great place with lots of diversity.

I begin to wonder why people travel to other countries to experience culture when you are living around other cultures.