About The times. (Gainesville, Ga.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 2, 2018)
HOME: Available in today’s edition for subscribers. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2018 | $2.00 | GAINESVILLE, GEORGIA | gainesvilletimes.com Nonprofits busy despite new rules Groups continue serving homeless amid Midtown ordinances banning urban camping BY MEGAN REED mreed@gainesvilletimes.com Two months after Gainesville passed an ordinance banning urban camping, and almost a month after the city banned 30 uses in the midtown area, including new home less shelters, local nonprofits that serve the homeless community say their work has been unaffected by the changes so far. Most of these organizations are in Gaines ville’s midtown and downtown areas to be closer to the population they serve. Brandee Thomas, executive director of My Sister’s Place, a shelter for women and children, said the homeless population is concentrated toward the city center because that is where they can access the resources they need. “I think it’s more of a default concentra tion, in that there are some areas where you are likely to see fewer homeless people because there aren’t any resources there,” Thomas said. “So, transportation would be one, access to jobs would be another, access to emergency services would be another.” The shelter, which can fit up to 16 people, sees people from all over Northeast Georgia because there are a limited number of beds in the area for women and children, Thomas said. But the people that come to My Sister’s Place are often coming from areas where they have access to public transportation, she said. “The majority of them don’t have vehi cles, so we don’t see a lot from Flowery Branch, because there’s no public transpor tation that goes down there,” Thomas said. “We don’t see a lot from the Cleveland or Clermont areas, because typically that’s not a walkable distance.” Thomas said the new ordinances, which ban sleeping or living in public spaces, as ■ Please see HOMELESS, 4A New conference center a Leaders react to death of former boon for Lanier Tech, Hall SCOTT ROGERS I The Times Lanier Technical College Hall conference center director Jeff Pruitt points out the historical content on artwork, Wednesday, Nov. 28, inside the lobby. This year’s Eggs & Issues Breakfast will take place at the new conference center on Dec. 13. College getting ready to host Eggs &c Issues breakfast on Dec. 13 BY JEFF GILL jgill@gainesvilletimes.com Smaller groups are breaking in Lanier Technical College’s new 40,000-square-foot conference center, which sits atop a hill overlooking the equally new campus off Ga. 365 in North Hall. But the real coming-out party is set for Dec. 13, when the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce conducts its annual Eggs & Issues breakfast. For the event, the school will open up the center’s 20,000-square-foot New conference center Where: Lanier Technical College’s new campus off Ga. 365 Size: 40,000 square feet, including 20,000-square-foot ballroom Accommodates: Seats up to 780 for a banquet and as many as 1,500 in theater-style More info: www.laniertech.edu or 770-533-7060 ballroom, which can seat up to 780 for a banquet and as many as 1,500 theater-style. The debut has college officials excited about the center’s potential. “The whole purpose of this confer ence center and the one (at the cam pus) in Forsyth is economic develop ment,” Lanier Tech President Ray Perren said while giving The Times a tour of the new center last week. “It will allow us to bring groups in, provide training and such, but because it is so nice, we can use it for a variety of things. People will get married here.” Perren added: “We’ve already got events booked for 1,500 people, so it’ll be used.” ■ Please see LANIER, 7A Bush president Bush BY LAYNE SALIBA lsaliba@gainesvilletimes.com Local leaders reacted Saturday with grati tude for the service of George Herbert Walker Bush after learning of the former president’s death. The 41st president of the United States, who served from 1989 to 1993, was 94. “President George H.W. Bush was an honor able man and a proud American whose char acter and generous spirit helped to change our nation indelibly and for the better,” Gov. Nathan Deal said on Twitter. “His devotion to the country he nobly fought for and led was matched only by his profound love of family.” A funeral for Bush will be held at Washington’s National Cathedral, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said. President Donald Trump directed all American flags be flown at half-staff for 30 days to honor Bush’s memory. Bush, a World War II hero who also presided during the collapse of the Soviet Union and the final months of the Cold War, died late Friday night at his Houston home, said Jim McGrath, the family’s spokesman. His wife of more than 70 years, Barbara Bush, died in April. “America and the world will miss and mourn the life and service of George H.W. Bush,” Sen. Johnny Isakson said in a statement. “Presi dent and Mrs. Bush were and always will be an unforgettable first family.” Bush’s son and namesake, George W. Bush, who was elected the nation’s 43rd president just eight years after his father’s term ended, said in a statement Bush “was a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for.” His father had a form of Parkinson’s disease, which led to him using a wheelchair or motor ized scooter in recent years. Even so, leaders from around the state didn’t hesitate to offer their thanks for the former president’s commitment to the country through out his life. “President Bush dedicated his life to serving our country,” Sen. David Perdue said in a state ment. “He was a skilled leader who showed tire less dedication to our nation during some of our most trying times. George and Barbara Bush’s sacrifice, service, and love for our country was unmatched.” ■ Please see BUSH, 6A INSIDE WEATHER 2A DEATHS 2C 0 4 0 9 01 06825 Advice 2E Business 1D Calendar 2A Classified 1F Comics Inside Kitchen 2C Life 1E Lottery 2A Opinion 2D Our Region 1C Sports 1B Viewpoint 3D High Low ‘-f'rV’70 50 Lake Lanier level: 1,070.32 feet Full pool 1,071. Down 0.01 feet in 24 hours Hugh Brown, 63 Charles Barton, 69 Lilly Hood, 100 John Humphries, 91 Pilan Jones, 42 Mary Kapise, 70 Gretta Shore, 83 Mary Wright, 70 Find your orthopedic expert today at nghs.com/complete-ortho 770-637-1030 complete orthopedic &c sports medicine (for reeling in the memories) •=$5^ Northeast Georgia Medical Center
