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JohninSuwanee

JohninSuwanee 5 months, 1 week ago on POLITICAL NOTEBOOK: Congressman apologizes for comment

POLITICAL NOTEBOOK: Congressman apologizes for comment

This guy is an embarrassment to Georgia. I've seen him speak twice and I found myself cringing throughout each of the speeches. I made it very clear to those who were with me that he didn't represent the district that I lived in.

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JohninSuwanee 6 months, 1 week ago on Trash plan to be argued in front of Ga. Supreme Court

Trash plan to be argued in front of Ga. Supreme Court

The county claimed that this service would not (on average) cost more than residents were paying before. I'm not sure what others were paying, but not only is the calculated monthly charge higher for my basic service, but when you factor in how Advanced Disposal charges for lawn waste (grass clippings, leaves, etc.), it comes out significantly higher in my case. Also, the level of service is significantly less than with the service I was getting before. Another poster mentioned the issue of trash outside the bin. I've had the same issue. My previous trash service would pick up anything left at the curb. Advanced will only take what's inside the bin and will drive off leaving everything else behind. I'm not at all happy with the new plan. I'd like my old service back!

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JohninSuwanee 6 months, 2 weeks ago on Ex-Gwinnett football star charged with DUI

Ex-Gwinnett football star charged with DUI

I really hate to see how this young man has fallen so far the past few years. He was so promising as an athlete and everyone that I’ve talked to who knew him in high school indicated that he was a solid young man all around. I hope for his sake he’s able to find some way to turn it around, because he seems to be quickly heading for very low places if he continues on the path he’s on now.

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JohninSuwanee 6 months, 2 weeks ago on Ex-Gwinnett football star charged with DUI

Ex-Gwinnett football star charged with DUI

Although I would never "push" my son to play football, he has chosen to do so and I'm proud of him for it. The discipline and personal commitment required to excel in the sport of football is without equal and does build aspects of a young man's character unlike just about anything available to children today. The transgressions shown by King are not about football itself. They are the result of his failure as a person. Football can often be an “enabler” of certain individuals’ demise (due to their success), but not the cause. Let’s not blame a sport that has had such a positive influence on so many peoples’ lives for the failures of some of those who may have played it.

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JohninSuwanee 6 months, 2 weeks ago on Charter amendment passes

Charter amendment passes

Regardless of who fills these positions (current or new), it will have the effect of eliminating the State BOE's group. The fact that this measure was even proposed coupled with the fact that the State Superintendent opposed it so much is clear indication that the State BOE was not being objective in this appeals process. Now that this commission is independent and not answering to the State BOE, decisions will be more objective. In any case, all ot these arguments have already been had and the voting citizens of Georgia voted overwhelmingly in favor of it, so it's all quite moot at this point.

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JohninSuwanee 6 months, 2 weeks ago on Trio re-elected to school board

Trio re-elected to school board

As I see it, the only ones who don't have much right to complain are those who did not vote. I voted, so I will complain all I want, even if the person I voted for is the one I'm complaining about.

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JohninSuwanee 6 months, 2 weeks ago on Trio re-elected to school board

Trio re-elected to school board

On the whole, I believe that Gwinnett's school system is a good one. As such, I would not advocate sweeping changes to the BOE as some have indicated here. I have no firsthand knowledge of corruption of these individuals, so I will not speak to that aspect. However, I do believe that it would greatly benefit the BOE and the system as a whole to get some new thinking into the mix and someone who challenges the status quo. I cannot help but believe that “group think” (everyone starts thinking similarly) has to be an issue with this board. Also, based on some specific instances I’ve personally seen at public board meetings, I believe that the board likely does not challenge Wilbanks enough. I’d love to see a new face or two on that board after the next round of elections in 2014.

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JohninSuwanee 6 months, 2 weeks ago on Charter amendment passes

Charter amendment passes

Unfortunately, the "us/them mentality" originates with the people who are OPPOSED to charter schools. As I've stated before, I'm all for public education and improvement of the public school system (and have no intentions of removing my children from public schools.) However, I'm also all for having choices when the public school system fails (and yes, it does fail sometimes...see the post from ptcconcerns above.) Most people in public education are adamantly opposed to charter schools because it creates competition for a system that’s had little competition before. So, if I discuss charter schools with educators, most almost shut down and won’t even consider that there are benefits. I, on the other hand, agree that “public” education should be redefined to include both regular and charter schools. So, who’s the one proliferating the” us/them mentality” again?

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JohninSuwanee 6 months, 2 weeks ago on Charter amendment passes

Charter amendment passes

I've read the amendment (A1) in its entirety more than once, so no need for you to get into the language for me...same with TSPLOST. In terms of amendment 2, although I appreciate the spirit of what you are saying here, if you omit the phrase about reducing operating costs, you don’t effectively convey the intent of the measure. In legal documents (contracts, legislation, agreements, etc.) the intent of the action or measure is perhaps the most important aspect of it. Without it, you leave it wide open to future interpretation about why the measure was passed to begin with. In this case, perhaps the ballot question would have been better stated, “Shall the constitution of Georgia be amended so as to allow the General Assembly to authorize certain state agencies to enter into multiyear rental agreements [only] when it is determined that doing so results in a reduction of operating costs?" Then the body of the amendment could outline what “determined” means.

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JohninSuwanee 6 months, 2 weeks ago on Charter amendment passes

Charter amendment passes

Although the amendment was more about the process of getting charter schools approved than it was about having charter schools in general, this is a fantastic example of the benefit of having alternatives! In this case, it isn’t about “rich” people sending their children to some exclusive school. It’s about concerned parents having an alternative to a public school that apparently has serious issues that are impacting their children’s ability to learn. I agree that these issues are not the fault of the teachers or the school, but they exist and aren’t being solved in public school. Ivy Prep may have its issues, but it certainly sounds better than the picture of the public school painted by this poster.

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