About The times. (Gainesville, Ga.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 28, 2018)
LOCA^STATE The Times, Gainesville, Georgia | gainesvilletimes.com Wednesday, November 28, 2018 5A Political group sues Ga. over election procedure Abrams-backed organization says state officials grossly mismanaged’vote Associated Press ATLANTA — A political organi zation backed by Democrat Stacey Abrams filed a federal lawsuit Tues day challenging the way Georgia’s elections are run, making good on a promise she made as she ended her bid to become the state’s governor. State elections officials “grossly mismanaged” the 2018 election in a way that deprived some citizens, particularly low-income people and people of color, of their right to vote in violation of their constitutional rights, the lawsuit says. It was filed by Fair Fight Action against interim Secretary of State Robyn Critten den and state election board mem bers in their official capacities. “The general election for gover nor is over, but the citizens and vot ers of Georgia deserve an election system that they can have confi dence in,” said Lauren Groh-Wargo, Abrams’ campaign manager who’s now CEO of Fair Fight Action. More than 40,000 people called to report problems they faced when they tried to register or vote, and their stories bolster the allegations in the lawsuit, Groh-Wargo said. In a fiery speech ending her cam paign Nov. 16, Abrams announced a lawsuit would be filed against Georgia “for the gross misman agement of this election and to protect future elec tions from unconstitutional actions.” As secretary of state, Abrams’ opponent, Repub lican Gov.-elect Brian Kemp, was the top elections official until he declared himself the winner and resigned two days after the elec tion. On the campaign trail, Abrams repeatedly called Kemp “an archi tect of suppression,” an allegation that Kemp vehe mently denied. The lawsuit was filed against Crittenden, who was appointed by Gov. Nathan Deal after Kemp stepped down, but it clearly targets Kemp. In response to a request for comment on the lawsuit, Kemp spokesman Ryan Mahoney said in an email that the governor-elect “is focused on building a safe and pros perous future for Georgia families.” Abrams RIVERSIDE ■ Continued from 1A physical abuse continued to occur against L.A., her son,” according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit also alleged the two cadets’ abuse “was reported by plaintiff’s teachers to one or more Riverside defendants.” Eventually, the roommate was removed and replaced with another for the plaintiff, who withdrew in April 2013. The lawsuit is alleging “negligent failure to protect” the plaintiff from the abuse. “On one occasion R.R. was told, ‘You know how boys are. Sometimes they fight.’ Or, ‘boys will be boys,”’ according to the lawsuit. The complaint does not clarify who made those comments to the plaintiff’s mother. The lawsuit is seeking “compensatory damages in a sum in excess of $100,000,” punitive damages and a refund of tuition paid, which was $32,588 for 2012 and 2013. SEWAGE ■ Continued from 1A public works director. The leak was discovered on Nov. 17. The pipe broke when it shifted because of erosion from heavy rains that week, when the Reunion subdi vision received about 4 to 5 inches of rain. Water in the creek has been tested at two sites, one 50 yards upstream from the spill site and the other 1,000 yards downstream. The morning of Nov. 18, the water upstream had a fecal con form count of 180 parts per 100 mil liliters, according to county testing data. That number downstream was much higher, at 5,700 parts per 100 milliliters. The next day, on Nov. 19, the upstream count was 220, while the downstream count was 310, a num ber that Shahbazaz said is not espe cially high. Counts have been declin ing since then, and on Sunday morn ing, levels were at 119 upstream and 118 downstream. Rearden said data from before the spill was not available because the county had not been required to test Sherwood Creek regularly. According to state regulations, for water used for recreation such as fishing, fecal coliform levels should not exceed a geometric mean of 1,000 parts per 100 millili ters between at least four tests over a 30-day period between November and April, when water activities are less likely to be occurring. County officials reported the spill to the EPD when it was discovered. Sherwood Creek flows into the Oconee River and is not connected to Lake Lanier. Drinking water was unaffected. PARKS ■ Continued from 1A facilities and upgrades for the next decade. The last master plan was completed in 1999 and updated in 2009, so now officials want to take a fresh look at what can be improved or added based on feedback from the community. Residents can attend one of three remaining public meetings or take an online survey to tell officials about their experiences and what they would like to see. Mack Cain, a senior land scape architect at Clark Pat terson Lee who is leading the master plan, said the goal is to be finished with the plan by April. It will be reviewed by parks staff and the parks advisory board, then go to the Hall County Board of Commissioners for approval. On Tuesday, Jose Torres said the county could pursue more partnerships with col leges and universities so stu dents can get out of the class room and learn in the parks, particularly on the lake. Tor res teaches at Lanier Tech nical College. “Parks are for sports, but they can be educational,” he said. “With the colleges and universities, there could be a good partnership.” Torres also said he would like to see county parks take advantage of the natural beauty of Lake Lanier and showcase the lake. Cain said that is a goal moving forward, but private own ership of lake land and the U.S. Army Corps of Engi neers’ control of the lake limit availability of land on the lake. Beverly Brinson said she would like to see county staff and resources allo cated more equally around the county. East Hall Park needs more scoreboards, but other parks have them, she said. The county also has only two coordinators for athletics programs, which is not enough when parks are spread out around the county, she said. “All the facilities in the county are not equally rep resented,” Brinson said. For Steve Patterson, trails are a priority. He said he wants to see trails con nected to form a path from downtown Gainesville to Lanier Tech, which would make the county more walkable. “I’d think we’d have the opportunity for some busi nesses along there,” he said, noting the Beltline in Atlanta could be used as a model. The Gainesville-Hall Met ropolitan Planning Organiza tion is finishing a trail study to look at locations for multi use trails in the county, and officials have said they hope to connect existing trails to form a larger trail network. Cain said trails have become a top request for parks systems. Larry Poole, a Gillsville councilman, said he would also like to see more trails, especially in North and East Hall. “I realize this all boils down to funding, and I know how difficult that is, but until we get that in the plan ning process and the master overview of what we need, it’s going to be more difficult to get it done,” he said. Poole also said he wants parks to reflect the charac ter of the areas where they are located. “(Designers) tend to level everything and build a park. It takes away a lot of the beauty that you could other wise enjoy,” Poole said. Cain said Hall has great opportunities for parks because “your land is not spoiled yet.” “It’s not overrun with all kinds of other develop ment,” he said. Other needs planners anticipate include increased interest in soccer as the area diversifies, Cain said. Cricket could also become more popular, he said. Cain said changes have been coming as baby boom ers age and communities’ expectations adjust. “I grew up with football, baseball and basketball. That was it,” Cain said. “... What’s happening with baby boomers’ children, which are the millennials, they’re not engaging in sports as much as our generation did.” But both millennials and baby boomers like trails, he said. 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Ackerman, Jr., M.D. and Advanced Eye Center are pleased to announce the addition of Centrael "Sonny" Evans, M.D. as a new ophthalmologist with the practice. Dr. Evans completed his undergraduate degree at Brigham Young University, his medical degree from Emory University of Medicine and his ophthalmology degree from the State University of New York- Buff alo, where he served as Chief Resident. Dr Evans was nominated by faculty and peers into the Richard Sarkin/Emeritus Faculty Chapter of the Gold Humanism Honor Society. The review process of the society is by a Selection Committee for qualities of extraordinary compassion, empathy, altruism, and professionalism. He also received the Evan Calkins, MD, Fellowship for Community-Based Research, to support his research into improving outcomes for patients with ophthalmological emergencies. Dr. Evans is a comprehensive ophthalmologist trained in the medical, laser and surgical management of a wide variety of eye diseases such as Cataract, Glaucoma, Diabetic Eye Disease, Macular Degeneration, Traumatic Eye Injuries and more. An Athens native and Jefferson resident, Dr. Evans enjoys spending time with his family, hunting, restoring vintage muscle cars and cheering for the Dawgs. He will be joining the team at Advanced Eye Center on December 10,2018. Dr. Evans is now accepting New Patients Call 770-532-0292 to schedule your appointment Centrael "Sonny" Evans, M.D. AovancedEyfCenter 625 South Enota Drive • Gainesville, GA 30501 • 770-532-0292 www.aeceyecare.com William C. Ackerman, Jr., M.D. Board Certified Ophthalmologist
