Progress 2015

Progress

A publication of

YOUTH | Sunday, march 29, 2015

What kids learn

As the state aims to provide a better education, curriculum standards keep changing. PAGES 2-3 The lasting effects of parenting styles In the age of helicopter parents, where do you draw the line?

PAGE 4

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Education gets more specific

Photos by SCOTT ROGERS | The Times

Science teacher Brett Farkas leads a biology class recently at North Hall High School in Gainesville.

Curriculum revisions through the years are meant to produce better graduates

BY KRISTEN OLIVER

Common Core with the Georgia Performance Standards, we got away from the integrated at that time,” Barron said. “We went more to the Common Core, which is closer to traditional courses. The most recent revision the state has made pulled us even closer to traditional courses.”

Barron said she first proposed this change when she was working at the state department in 2005.

“The superintendent at the time didn’t want to do it,” she said. “So I’m kind of proud that the option would be there for systems to make the decision. I think that’s where the decision should be.”

koliver@gainesvilletimes.com Parents, students and teachers alike know how much curriculum has changed in Georgia over the past several decades, and the changes are no doubt a headache for some.

Since 1985, statewide curriculum standards have changed and been revised repeatedly, most recently with the adoption and multiple revisions of the Common Core State Standards.

Eloise Barron, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, came to the Hall County School District in July 2006 after 27 years with the Georgia Department of Education.

“I have seen, from not having any state curriculum, to our first attempt at anything like a state curriculum, to basic curriculum content,” Barron said. “It wasn’t until 1985 that we came out with the first statewide, uniform curriculum.”

Barron said curriculum standards have become more specific over the years.

“We’ve gone from trying to teach everything in a course in the different grade levels to focusing on what is developmentally appropriate and manageable,” she said.

Standards in each grade level have to be a step up from those the year before. For example, in mathematics students cannot learn multiplication and division until they have learned addition and subtraction.

“Curriculum was a mile wide and an inch deep,” Barron said. “So we’ve tried to make it not cover so much, but what we do in a course is content we can teach in depth so that students understand and can relate their knowledge.”

Local standards

North Hall students work on science problem during at biology class recently.

State standards Barron served as the director of curriculum and instruction with the state when the first statewide curriculum, Quality Core Curriculum, was developed.

Over the next 20 years, this statewide curriculum would be revised several times. By 2005, the new Georgia Performance Standards for all content areas were completed under Barron’s direction.

“Since I left DOE to join Hall County, the state has adopted the Common Core Standards in English/language arts and mathematics and actually combined GPS with CCS in the two content areas to create the Common Core Georgia Performance Standards.”

As recently as this month, the state department agreed to rename the standards the Georgia Standards of Excellence and made additional revisions in the process.

With each of these statewide changes came revisions to statemandated testing.

“Any time the content standards change, it’s all about opportunities to learn,” said Melissa Fincher, state deputy superintendent for assessment and accountability. “You don’t want to assess a student on content

North Hall’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Math curriculum challenges students to improve their competitiveness in future technology development.

he or she has not had an opportunity to learn, particularly when there are stakes associated with it.”

Over the past 20 years, there have been more than five changes to statewide assessments, but the state department is trying to simplify that.

“We’re trying to streamline the assessment. We want to reduce the amount of testing and still give people the information they’re needing and that they want.”

Fincher said it’s still important for people to know how their students compare to students nationally and how well a student has learned Georgia content standards, for example.

Common Core Because Common Core Standards so far exist only for English/ language arts and math, other sub-

ject areas are still determined by the state and local school districts.

“Social studies is still the Georgia Performance Standards that I directed,” Barron said. “We’re still using that same curriculum that was used in 2005 statewide.”

Barron said settling on a Common Core curriculum in science and social studies will be difficult.

“They’re working on the standards in science,” she said. “I think it’ll be even longer to get anybody to agree on social studies nationwide, because there’s so much controversy about what’s important in that area. It’s not an easy area to develop, because you have so many mixed feelings.

“You have economists in the room, geography majors, history majors, civics majors — all these different areas of social studies that

you have to pull down to a workable number of standards per grade level. It’s hard to do.”

Deciding which math to teach has been complicated on a state level as well. The state had begun teaching “integrated” mathematics, or math courses that don’t focus on just one type, like algebra, but integrate different types of math.

Integrated math courses include coordinate algebra or analytic geometry, instead of traditional algebra and geometry courses.

Then the state infused Common Core into its curriculum.

Because of statewide discomfort with integrated math and the changes to Common Core, the state recently agreed to let school districts choose between integrated or traditional mathematics.

“Truly, when we infused the

In Hall, there won’t be an immediate change to all new traditional math courses.

“The way we have handled curriculum all this time, our teachers have added standards that are important to add, so we have not had the integrated as much as others,” Barron said. “We’ve been a little more specific. So I don’t think anybody is going to see us throw the baby out with the bathwater because we’ve been kind of doing it all the time.”

In Gainesville City Schools, there will likely be a more dramatic revision toward traditional mathematics.

According to Sarah Bell, chief academic officer for Gainesville City Schools, teachers in the district recommend traditional math.

“There will be some changes to our high school math course offerings,” Bell said. “We anticipate these will be good changes for our students, and our teachers are very pleased with the opportunities that are before us.”

All these changes have required patience and flexibility on the part of students, teachers and parents.

Wanda Creel, Gainesville City Schools’ superintendent, said her district is aware of this and working with families to clear up any confusion.

“I think we’ve got something very exciting that will begin at the end of March,” Creel said. “We will have individual meetings with students and their families to discuss what their course offerings will be for the following year. People have been diligently working to identify ... what it is that needs to be in place for our courses for next year.”

Creel said she thinks the key is meeting with teachers, administrators and counselors to determine what students need. Gainesville school officials will approach student courses with either a six-year or four-year plan from the middle school level or high school level “We’re making sure everyone understands, ‘These are the courses that are required, these are the pathways and this is how they all connect in order to identify your career,’” Creel said. “Tremendous work is taking place with this and we are excited about the opportunities in front of us.”

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A timeline of curriculum changes A statewide curriculum was first developed in the 1980s and since then the state has revised and implemented new standards multiple times, realigning testing and retraining teachers as changes are made.

1985 Ga. develops Quality Core Curriculum.

2004

1/2015

New Georgia Performance Standards were implemented for English/language arts. The standards for other content areas were phased in over the next few years.

State Board of Education adopts revisions to CCGPS in English/language arts and math.

1996-97 2010 State Board of Education adopts revisions to QCC.

Georgia adopts Common Core Standards in English/language arts and mathematics and combines it with Georgia Performance Standards.

2/2015

State Board of Education votes to change the name of the standards to Georgia Standards of Excellence.

Source: State Department of Education

Times file photos

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Parenting methods change with society

BY KRISTEN OLIVER

koliver@gainesvilletimes.com A group of small children play on a playground, slipping down slides and climbing across monkey bars.

Some parents watch from the sidelines. Others hold their children’s backs as they climb.

Still others keep their children at home, fearing the potential dangers a playground poses.

Nearly all parents have a method. Whether it’s strict or lenient, faith-based or militaristic, very few parents approach child rearing with a “plan as we go” mentality.

The methods of parenting have changed and evolved slowly over the years, with advancements in technology and science playing a part.

Different styles Parenting styles include quite a range.

David Broad, sociology professor at the University of North Georgia, said helicopter parents hover over their children at just about any age.

“Helicopter parents we see sometimes here at the university, showing up on campus and being present at times when, historically, young people are supposed to be trying their wings and being independent,” Broad said.

Broad noted that though many might consider a home schooling parent to be helicopter parents, they don’t necessarily fall in the same category.

“One thing that’s not helicopter parenting but is an interesting type of parent involvement is the home schooling phenomenon,” he said.

“This is something distinct from helicopter parenting, but it kind of relates. It’s the desire for parents to be more in control of what their children experience at times when historically they would have been at school.”

Terri Cote, who homeschools her four sons Jacob, 12, Jaron, 9, Jonah, 6, and Justus, 4, said she considers herself and her husband “extremely conservative Baptists.”

“We use a Christian curriculum to teach our children,” she said.

“I guess most people would say I’m very overprotective of my children.”

Cote said she and her husband are very strict for the sake of their children.

“They are hardly allowed to watch anything on television,” she said. “They can’t have soda. I guess you could call them sheltered, but we tell them about the things in the world we don’t approve of, and tell them why we don’t live that way and that we try to live according to the Bible.”

Kimberly Pils, who homeschools her daughters Lydia, 10, and Julia, 7, said she considers herself a parent with high standards.

“Another kind of parent is the parent with very high performance expectations,” Broad said.

“I happen to have a set of parents like that in my own family. They insist on providing very challenging academic opportunities for their children and expecting them to perform at a very high level.”

Pils said it is important to her and her husband to set high standards that are still attainable.

“I am of the school of thought that children will rise to the expectations set forth in front of them,” Pils said. “I would say, I know I have high expectations, but I keep them reasonable.”

Pils said she thinks an individual’s personality type affects their parenting style. She said she has a “Type A” personality and therefore has high standards and expectations in most things.

She said even when her daughters spend the night at a friend’s house, she “can’t stand” hearing that the other parents coddled or waited on her child.

“I am definitely not a helicopter mom, because I am teaching them a lot of independence and trying to allow them to do tasks on their own,” Pils said. “I want them to know they need to do certain tasks on their own and function independently or they won’t be able to do certain things when they are out in the real world.”

On the opposite end of the spectrum is “permissive parenting,” according to Broad.

“Permissive parents are kind of the opposite of the types I’ve described,” he explained. “They really let their kids go and let them kind of fend for themselves, bump into challenges on their own.”

Parenting over time Broad said, in the past, parenting methods were most often influenced by books.

“In 1946, Dr. Benjamin Spock published a book, ‘Baby and Child Care,’” he said. “This was a hugely influential book, and it challenged some of the parenting ideas of the 40s and 50s, including providing a very structured environment for your child.”

Broad said prior to the book’s publication, it was widely accepted that infants and children needed

Photos by SCOTT ROGERS | The Times

Lydia Pils, 10, works a 4-H project for an upcoming state-wide competition at her home during school. Pils’ and her sister Julia are both homeschooled by their mother, Kimberly.

strict schedules with regular times for sleeping, napping, eating, etc.

Most parents believed they should allow their children to cry themselves to sleep, and many even believed children should be picked up as little as possible.

“Spock said something quite different from that,” Broad said. “He said you should let children’s inner clock determine their schedules, that you should pick them up and hug them, and that this would not spoil them but give them a sense of security.”

Spock’s philosophy, when followed to an extreme, became the foundation of the more permissive parenting seen in the ’60s and ’70s.

The role of the parent in the home is undoubtedly changing as well, according to a study by the Pew Research Center.

“The way mothers and fathers spend their time has changed dramatically in the past half century,” stated a report from a 2013 Pew study. “Dads are doing more housework and child care; moms more paid work outside the home.

Neither has overtaken the other in their ‘traditional’ realms, but their roles are converging.”

According to the study, mothers in 1965 spent 32 hours per week on housework, 10 hours per week on child care and 8 hours per week on paid work, on average. In 2011, mothers spent 18 hours per week on housework, 14 hours on child care and 21 hours on paid work.

Pils said the important thing for all parents is finding a balance and doing what is reasonable.

“I think we have to remember we all need a little carrot at the end of each day,” she said. “For adults, that’s a paycheck. But we have to remember our children need it too, and it’s our jobs as parents to give them something for their hard work, be it free time, tech time, or whatever the case is for each family.”

Kimberly Pils is firmly in charge of her two daughters education as she teaches them at home. Lydia, 10, works on an upcoming project for a statewide 4-H competition.

‘I want them to know they need to do certain tasks on their own and function independently or they won’t be able to do certain things when they are out in the real world.’

Mother Kimberly Pils Pils quizzes daughters Lydia and Julia, 7, left, on United States geography during a recent day of school at their home.

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Meeting world-class standards Upgrades aim to make Olympic venue more appealing to visitors

BY BILL MURPHY

bmurphy @gainesvilletimes.com Construction will begin soon in hopes of making one of Hall County’s landmarks a venue appropriate for water sports enthusiasts to enjoy the sparkling waters of Lake Lanier.

Divided into different phases, the Lake Lanier Olympic Venue will be upgrading plaza and tower amenities in preparation for the 2016 Pan American Championships next May. The Pan American Championships will be a prominent time to show the new features aimed at making the Clarks Bridge Park venue more accommodating for the 1,000 expected visitors for the Olympic qualifying event May 19-22, 2016.

The master campus plan to be implemented

by Millard Inc. Architects will include renovations to the boathouse, plaza-side stands and a renovation to the service building on the back side of the plaza, said Gainesville-Hall ’96 board Chairwoman Mimi Collins.

At the plaza, plans call for a new multiuse room that will be used for dropoff and delivery items, as well as an expanded concessions area.

Another point of emphasis is to make the park more accessible to visitors with physical disabilities. Also to improve the logistics of the facility, plans call for providing a water source to the tower and installing restrooms.

Cost for this phase of the project comes to $600,000, according to Collins, but will make the venue a more attractive option to host everything from canoe/ kayak functions to meetings, business gatherings and concerts.

“We want this project to be a good capital investment,” said Collins. “The natural beauty we have here at Lake Lanier is incredible, and we want everyone to be able to enjoy it.”

Already, an underground tunnel has been created to connect both sides of the park to avoid congestion with pedestrians and athletes crossing busy Clarks Bridge Road.

From a competition standpoint, venue manager Morgan House said he is excited about new possibilities that upgrades can bring to the site of the 1996

Photos by ERIN O. SMITH | The Times

Ethan Skarda, 13, places his kayak in the water before paddling practice March 12 at the Lake Lanier Olympic Venue in Gainesville.

‘We want to make the venue the best it can possibly be.’

Morgan House Lake Lanier Olympic Venue manager canoe and kayak events in the 1996 Summer Olympic Games.

House, who has paddled for the Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club since he was a child, said one of the venue’s best assets is its potential.

“We want to make it to where the venue meets

world-class standards,” said House. “We want to make the venue the best it can possibly be.”

Landing the Pan American Championships is the latest of many high-profile events to come to the Lake Lanier Olympic Venue.

After House submitted the bid to host, the venue won

Lisa Swenson, 14, and Maddie Cole, 13, adjust their kayak before getting out on the water before paddling practice.

against bids from Montreal and Curitiba, Brazil. In the past, the venue has played host to the American Collegiate Rowing Association Championships, the USA Canoe/Kayak National Championships and Atlanta Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival.

Collins said these improvements wouldn’t be possible without tremendous support from the city and Hall County.

She said it is everyone’s goal to maintain Lake Lanier’s Olympic Venue as a treasure every resident can take pride in and all visitors can enjoy.

Alec Wilson, 13, waits March 12 for other teammates to make their way out onto the dock before practice at the Lake Lanier Olympic Venue. The new dock was one of the recent renovations made to the venue.

Will Ward and Austin Gibbs talk with their coach Jim O’Dell as they get their boat situated before paddling practice.

Colleges, universities buck national enrollment trends

BY KRISTEN OLIVER

koliver@gainesvilletimes.com While colleges and universities across the nation are struggling with enrollment, Northeast Georgia’s are not.

Last year, enrollment at postsecondary institutions in the U.S. was down for the third consecutive year, decreasing 2.2 percent, according to a report from the National Student Clearinghouse.

Meanwhile, the University of North Georgia, Lanier Technical College and Brenau University are seeing upticks in enrollment, thanks in part to alternative learning options.

“UNG is student-focused and data-driven,” said Jennifer Chadwick, associate vice president for enroll-

ment management, in a news release. “To make college more accessible, we expanded online course offerings, provide affordable pathways through a choice of associate or bachelor’s degree tracks and guide students through the enrollment process. Additionally, we have implemented a tuition payment plan and established a Student Money Management Center to help students budget for college and other expenses.”

This increase in online course offerings led to an 18 percent increase this semester at UNG over spring 2014 in online courses. Meanwhile, enrollment in e-Core, an online core curriculum course partnership with the University System of Georgia, is up 57 percent since

this time last year.

Lanier Tech is seeing a similar trend, according to President Ray Perren. This year, there are approximately 4,700 students enrolled.

“Over the past few years, we’ve increased,” Perren said. “In fact, spring of 2013 until this semester, we had five consecutive semesters of enrollment growth.”

Perren said he believes Lanier Tech has seen such steady enrollment growth because more people are learning the value of a technical education.

“We’ve done, I think, a really good job of matching our programs with what business and industry are telling us they need,” he said. “I think that’s one of the reasons for our growth

— that students are able to come here, leave basically debt-free and get a job.”

Nearly 20 percent of Lanier Tech students take all courses online, and upward of 60 percent of the college’s students take at least one course online.

Ray Tatum, vice president for enrollment management at Brenau University, said the private university has more than 700 students online and anticipates nearly 3,000 in total enrollment this year.

“The big thing that’s different at Brenau that we’re doing in enrollment management is we’re having to cast a wider net to more than just Georgia or the five contiguous states,” Tatum said.

“We’re expanding ourselves outside of markets to dif-

ferent regions completely.

And the work we’re doing in evening and weekend programs, not just our other locations but nearing 1,000 online students, too, tends to allow Brenau to continue the work we do with the women’s college.”

The women’s college, with about 800 students, is the identity of Brenau, but these other programs and locations are necessary support for it.

Lanier Tech also has seen dual enrollment grow. In 2014, the college had the largest number of students dually enrolled ever in its history, according to Perren.

Last year, UNG had an 83 percent increase in dual enrollment since spring 2014. Part of that growth is due to the expansion of dual

enrollment to other Northeast Georgia counties.

Finally, the biggest factor in enrollment management at any university is simply good marketing, according to Tatum. This has changed in some ways today, including use of social media and things like Pandora Radio advertisements, but the most successful tool is the most traditional one.

“Campus visit programs are integral to success,” he said. “They may not have heard of Brenau, but they get our material or an email blast, or a letter that we bought their SATs. But getting them to campus, the feeling that they belong and the sense of history and tradition here is critical.”

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Progress

A publication of

Business | Sunday, march 29, 2015

Moving on up Homes are selling quickly as the housing market climbs back toward prerecession levels. PAGE 2

INSIDE Plenty of poultry news

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■■ A poultry media specialist shares about consumers’ disenchantment with the industry’s image. PAGE 3 ■■ A broiler production outlook and where beef fits in the picture. PAGE 4 ■■ People are eating more eggs. PAGE 4 ■■ Egg, poultry exports set records in 2014. PAGE 6

Chick-fil-A CEO speaks about his father, founder Truett Cathy “I’ve realized in a new, fresh way how much I had been living in the shade of an incredible, giant oak tree ... And now that that oak tree is gone, in a sense, I am another oak tree for the next generation, learning what it’s like to see blue sky and learning what it’s like to weather all the strong winds that can come along in life.” PAGE 6

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Out of the recession

Top 10 priciest lake homes These lake homes were listed on the market as of March 2 and represent the most expensive ones for sale in Hall County at that time.

$8.5 million

Photos for The Times

Bedrooms: 6 Bathrooms: 8 full, 4 half Location: Northwest Hall Special features: Space to land a helicopter, elevator, two-story foyer with double wrought iron staircase, terrace level with state-of-the-art theater, pool with spa and slide, two-story guest house, tennis court, 13 acres

$3.9 million Bedrooms: 6 Bathrooms: 6 full, 2 half Location: Southwest Hall Special features: Seven-car, temperature-controlled parking, workout facility with sauna and steam room, saltwater pool, tornado shelter, cedar greenhouse Photos by SCOTT ROGERS | The Times

$3.9 million

Keller Williams Realtor Teresa Smith, right, prepares to show Damaris Rivero a lake home for sale in Oakwood.

Area housing market bouncing back from downturn

BY JEFF GILL

jgill@gainesvilletimes.com With the Great Recession fading in the rearview mirror, homes, including the pricier ones on Lake Lanier, are beginning to sell.

“If (a home) is priced right and conditions are right, it’s going to sell very quickly,” said Teresa Smith of Keller Williams Realty. “I got one under contract the other day before we even put it on the market.

“Things are coming up in value and it’s only going to get better,” she added.

Generally, real estate agents agree that the downturn in the housing market, which helped fuel much of the 2007-09 Great Recession that pounded Americans, is now rebounding, although perhaps not to the go-go level of the early 21st century, when subdivisions were springing up everywhere.

“We have enjoyed a slight gain in pricing,” said Celeina Houston, broker with Bella Realty Group and 2015 president of the Hall County Board of Realtors.

“Home prices should continue to rise in 2015 but perhaps at a tempered pace as the market approaches a sense of balance. We are finally experiencing a normal market as prices are stabilizing and foreclosures declining.”

Houston said housing should get a boost “as we expect to see a movement on housing finance reform (in Congress) later in the year.”

Much of the economy’s plummet involved public policy concerning the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., or Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, respectively.

Both operated to buy mortgages from lenders and repackage them as securities for investors.

“The new 3 percent down payment products coming from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac should have a positive impact on the market as they enable more first-time buyers who have good credit but limited assets,” Houston said.

The 2014 housing market report released in February by the Georgia Association of Realtors showed that inventory is down and sales prices are up.

“It has been another recovery year in 2014, but not the same as 2013,” the report states. “With a broad pattern of rising prices and a stable-to-improving inventory, the market has shifted from being drastically under-supplied to approaching equilibrium.”

New listings increased 5.1 percent across the state in December, with pending sales up more than 22 percent. Interest rates also remain low.

The average sales price for homes across the state last year increased 12.6 percent to about $208,000, according to the report.

The median sales price jumped 14.2 percent to about $164,000.

Bedrooms: 7 Bathrooms: 6 full, 3 half Location: South Hall Special features: Elevator, nine fireplaces, 186 feet of shoreline, 100-foot ramp and boat launch, beveledglass hall of mirrors leading to master suite

$3.5 million Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 5 full, 2 half Location: Northwest Hall Special features: Six-car garage, 6 acres, private gravel road to lake

$3.3 million Keller Williams Realtor Teresa Smith, right, and prospective buyer Damaris Rivero take a tour of a lake home for sale recently in Oakwood.

Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 5 full, 4 half Location: West Hall Special features: Martha’s Vineyard Nantucketinspired design by noted Atlanta architectural firm, 600 feet of shoreline, pool with waterfall, three-car garage with carriage porch, guest house

$2.2 million

Damaris Rivero, right, and Keller Williams Realtor Teresa Smith look out the windows to Lake Lanier as they tour a lakefront home for sale in Oakwood recently.

Home sales and prices trickled up in 2014 across Hall County, but those figures are also still catching up to pre-recession levels.

The median sales price in 2007 was $179,000 versus just $170,000 in 2014, according to local listings. And the average sales price in 2007 was $243,000 versus $216,000 in 2014.

Other challenges are still facing the market.

“Factors such as inadequate mortgage liquidity, stagnant wage growth and student loan debt have served as impediments to both first-time and move-up buyers,” the report states.

All in all, however, Realtors said they believe 2015 will be the best year for home sales since the recession ended.

“The metrics to watch in 2015 include days on market, percent of list price received and absorption rates, as these can offer deeper and more meaningful insights into the future direction of housing,” the report states.

According to statistics provided by Houston, 125 homes were sold in Hall County in February, compared to 107 for February 2014.

And the average sales price rose to $243,296, compared to $214,986 in February 2014. Also, the average list price rose to $254,717 from $225,291.

Other good news: “We are seeing a trend of the average

days on the market continue to drop.”

Gainesville-based real estate executive Frank Norton Jr., who gives an annual economic forecast, said Hall County has seen the most growth over the past three years in retirement home construction, with prices ranging from $150,000 to $400,000.

He noted the housing boom in such developments at Cresswind at Lake Lanier off Ga. 347/Browns Bridge Road in Gainesville and Village at Deaton Creek off Ga. 347 in South Hall.

Also, some older adults are buying homes in Mundy Mill off Mundy Mill Road in Gainesville.

“We’re becoming a retirement mecca,” Norton said.

Fueling that distinction is Hall’s recreational features, including Lake Lanier, and its many health care options.

The area has many specialists in “heart (care), hip replacement and things you tend to need as you age,” Norton said. “And we are going to get more and more folks moving here because of that.”

Lake Lanier is a market unto itself, containing some of Hall’s most extravagant homes, with prices in the millions.

Mary Thompson of Lanier Appraisal Service said that values, on average, have been rising 5 to 8 percent per year.

Average prices hover

around $500,000-$600,000, she said.

“All indicators are that values will continue to rise over the next several seasons, barring anything unusual or unexpected,” Thompson said.

Lake levels staying at or above full pool of 1,071 feet above sea level for the past couple of years are helping sales.

“That is always good for Lake Lanier sales,” Thompson said.

Homeowners with property on Lake Lanier got quite the sticker shock in 2014 when Hall County targeted them for reassessment.

Property taxes went up on about 90 percent of lakefront homes, and more than 5,000 appeals were made.

The average increase in assessed home value was 39 percent, or about $104,000, equaling to a more than $1,000 hike in taxes, on average. However, the appeals process drove down assessments on thousands of lakefront properties by an average of 19.26 percent.

“Some people have been put in a position to have to sell,” Thompson said.

“Many appealed and many won their case, but most have had some sort of increase that they are having to deal with,” she said.

“As time goes on, the lake market will truly be for the ‘Rich and Famous’ as the lower-priced homes creep up and up.”

Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 5 full, 2 half Location: Northwest Hall Special features: Four levels with elevator, master suite spans upper floor with multiple fireplaces and walk-in cedar closet room, home theater, multiple wet bars, gym with shower, whirlpool tub and sauna, two twocar garages with courtyard entry

$2.1 million Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 5 full, 2 half Location: West Hall Special features: 350 feet of shoreline, heated Gunite pool, spa and outdoor fireplace, home theater, second-floor family suite

$2 million Bedrooms: 6 Bathrooms: 5 full, 3 half Location: Southwest Hall Special features: Five-car garage, in-law suite

$2 million Bedrooms: 6 Bathrooms: 7 full, 2 half Location: Northwest Hall Special features: Reclaimed hand-hewn beams, putting/chipping green with sand trap

$1.7 million Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 5 full, 3 half Location: Northwest Hall Special features: In-law suite, outdoor grill and fireplace under covered porch, infinity pool, upper level nanny suite, screened porch spanning most of rear

Source: First Multiple Listing Service

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Poultry may have image issue

Media specialist notes consumers’ lack of trust in food system

By Barbara Olejnik

bolejnik@poultrytimes.com ATLANTA — Food animal production faces a tougher time today than previously and will be even harder for the next generation, stated Andy Vance, agricultural communications and media specialist for Penton Farm Progress Livestock Group.

Vance presented this view at the Market Intelligence Forum sponsored by the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association and the National Poultry & Food Distributors Association during the recent International Production & Processing Expo.

He noted that “consumers are more passionate about food than at any time” but do not understand modern agriculture. “We are responsible to a significant degree as to how people see farmers.”

“We have a problem,” Vance said.

He pointed out that only 22 percent think agriculture is transparent and 4 in 10 consumers have lost trust in the food system.

“Why does everyone hate us?” Vance questioned.

Reasons, he said, include undercover videos, a perception of the poultry industry that included caged birds and social media.

“Words have consequences” and can “make a huge difference as to how we are perceived,” he said.

Vance said the industry needs to have better communication with the public regarding how and why animals are bred and housed.

The industry operates in three worlds, he said.

“The world outside our door that doesn’t understand the industry, the world inside our barn and the world inside our boss’ office.”

Paul Aho, economist, Poultry Perspectives, presented an overview of

domestic and global drivers for 2015.

While there is a “whiff of global deflation” due to falling commodity prices, rising value of the dollar and financial instability, “poultry will do relatively well.”

Aho stated.

The current situation in the U.S. includes economic growth, lower grain prices and a food service rebound due to oil. Additionally total poultry per capita consumption will exceed red meat this year.

Poultry indicators for 2015 include: ■■ Weekly chick placement in 2015 is running 4 million to 5 million more than 2014, a 4 percent increase.

■■ D e b o n e d b r e a s t prices are rising due to food service. The number of deboned chickens has risen from 0.4 billion in 1985 to 3.7 billion in 2015 with an increased weight of 5 pounds.

■■ Leg quarter prices won’t do as well this year.

Price is dependent on the world economy, U.S. production levels, the value of the dollar and trade policies.

■■ Exports are a roller coaster. Russia is out of the picture, and industry must find other places to sell its product.

Aho concluded that feed prices are likely to remain low for 2015-2018; chicken prices will be lower than last year but profitable; and that turkey and egg products should both be profitable.

Mike Donohue, vice president for Agri Stats, said he expects poultry and egg production to rebound, and credits the genetic industry as well as management and veterinary care.

There should be some relief from feed costs, but it will depend on a bountiful harvest, Donohue said. There should also be some stability in the export market.

Barbara Olejnik | Poultry Times

Speakers at the Market Intelligence Forum during the International Production & Processing Expo presented viewpoints on the outlook for the agriculture industry. Moderated by Paul Pressley, far left, executive vice president of industry programs with the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association; the panel included, left to right, Andy Vance, Penton Farm Progress Livestock Group; Mike Donohue, Agri Stats; and Paul Aho, Poultry Perspectives.

‘We are responsible to a significant degree as to how people see farmers. ... We have a problem. ... Words have consequences (and can) make a huge difference as to how we are perceived. ’ Andy Vance Agricultural communications and media specialist for Penton Farm Progress Livestock Group

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Poultry production increasing

By Mike Brown

Special to The Times WASHINGTON — At the National Chicken Council’s 60th Annual Conference, held in Washington, D.C., in late October, we heard a panel of industry leaders predict that both domestic and international demand will continue to grow for U.S. chicken, as chicken companies begin to increase production in both broiler numbers and weights.

Most market analysts and U.S. Department of Agriculture forecasts predict chicken MIKE BROWN companies will expand production in 2015, but a continued decline in the U.S. cattle herd will keep beef prices up and prolong chicken’s position as the most economical animal protein, especially if grain prices remain low.

Average U.S. retail beef and pork prices both hit record highs in September, according to USDA data. We are especially aware that increased chicken production in 2015 would be appreciated by consumers.

The big question for 2015 is how sharp of an increase in broiler production will we see, and if it is too sharp, will it flood the market and depress profit margins?

Let’s take a look at the broiler production outlook for 2015, consumption trends and some of the issues in Washington that could affect all of our bottom lines.

Broiler production outlook The biggest challenge in 2014 fell on the supply side — processors rebuilding their hatchery supply flocks. The market has for months

been sending signals to step up production, but the industry until the fourth quarter of 2014 hasn’t been able to respond due to the strain on the parent and grandparent flocks of our broilers.

In its weekly report ending Nov. 8, 2014, USDA reported both egg sets and chicks placed rose by 3 percent, an indication that 2014’s breeder productivity and supply issues have improved.

Cumulative placements from Dec. 29, 2013, through Nov. 8, 2014, were 7.73 billion, up 1 percent from the same period a year earlier. As these breeder supplies are built back to appropriate levels, we should be able to see a production increase in 2015 that is more in line with historical levels, what most analysts predict around 3 percent.

Part of that increase will be due to heavier birds coming to market.

Young chickens slaughtered during October 2014 averaged 6.07 pounds per bird, up 1 percent from October 2013.

During the past year, average big bird weights have averaged 8.2 to 8.6 pounds. In 2005, “big birds” were 5 percent of the market; today, they are more than 20 percent.

In addition to more and heavier birds, as of print, plans were underway for two new processing plants to come on line in the near future.

And once the breeder problems of 2014 have completely subsided, plants will be looking to operate close to 100 percent capacity.

In terms of the “flooding the market” question, hopefully the constraints in the beef and pork sectors will help continue to command strong prices for chicken even as more and heavier birds come to market in the year ahead.

As agriculture economist Chris Hurt recently explained, favorable income prospects at that time will be based on feed prices resetting

to lower levels, continued reductions in drought affected pastures, strengthening of domestic incomes, rising per capita consumption and growing export demand.

Chicken consumption USDA estimates total chicken consumption for 2014 at 83.5 pounds a person. This is up about 2.5 pounds since 2009, and up 0.4 pounds over last year; 2006 is still the high mark for chicken consumption at 87.7 pounds per person.

Why has it decreased since 2006?

A few reasons: modest production increases due to the strain on the corn market caused by ethanol production and the 2006 Renewable Fuels Standard; growth in the U.S. population; people eating out less because of the recession of 2007-2009; and increased poultry exports. Still, those 83.5 pounds stack up favorably against the other proteins: beef 53.8; pork 45.9; and turkey 15.6.

According to NCC’s annual 2014 consumer survey, the average number of meals or snacks that contained chicken eaten by survey respondents in the two weeks prior to the survey was 6.1. This is up from 5.2, or 17 percent, from the 2012 findings.

Millennial respondents (18 to 34 years old) remain the most likely to eat chicken meals or snacks frequently (7.7). The survey was commissioned by the NCC and conducted online by PKS Research Partners May 29 to June 1, 2014, among 1,019 adults.

Turning to eating out, 1 in 5 respondents are likely to buy more chicken at restaurants and other food service establishments. This indicates a net gain in purchasing among 9 percent of the population.

The 12-month outlook for the grocery segment looks even more promising with a net of 24 percent saying they will be eating more

chicken. This is more than three times the proportion previously noted.

The primary reasons for eating more chicken from a grocery store are health/nutrition (34 percent) and taste (32 percent). These are trailed by cost (17 percent).

New animal welfare guidelines In 1999, NCC developed the NCC Animal Welfare Guidelines and Audit Checklist, which have been widely adopted by chicken farmers and processors to ensure all U.S. chickens are being properly cared for and treated humanely.

Periodically revised, the guidelines cover every phase of a chicken’s life and offer the most upto-date, science-based recommendations for the proper treatment and humane care of broilers.

The U.S. national broiler flock is incredibly healthy and is the envy of the world. Mortality and condemnation rates for broilers, the most sensitive indicators of the health and well-being of any flock, are at historical lows.

Building on that success, the 2014 update of the NCC Animal Welfare Guidelines has more substance and incorporates new parameters to improve bird welfare.

The new guidelines include a whistleblower protection, more assistance for training programs for proper handling, more documentation and monitoring of various practices and a more streamlined auditing tool for ease of auditing.

Inside the D.C. Beltway The state of the industry, at least for those surviving firms, is good in terms of net margins, but the industry continues to be frustrated by the results of an inflexible ethanol policy and program.

The often-dismissed fact, espe-

cially today as grain prices have moderated, is that the Renewable Fuels Standard has inflicted deep and sustained damage to chicken production, especially to our parent and grandparent stocks.

And with nearly 40 percent of our corn crop still mandated to be blended into our gasoline supply, we’re at the point again where one extreme weather event could be disastrous for chicken producers.

There is good news. A majority in the U.S. House of Representatives — 218 members from both sides of the aisle, representing communities across the nation — have spoken out against the current RFS and called for reform. Twenty-three U.S. senators co-sponsored legislation last year in the Senate to repeal or reform the RFS. Repealing the RFS will be a top priority for NCC in 2015.

There are a number of other challenges and opportunities in 2015 confronting chicken producers and processors.

Chief among these issues are the need for immigration reform, especially a strengthened and more reliable E-verify system that allows employers to better secure a legal workforce; the need for a much better rail transportation system that has a greater capacity to more adequately and efficiently move grain, oilseeds, and other feedstuffs with rail rates that are fair to both the transporter and the rail transportation user; increased poultry exports that would result in more jobs in the poultry industry and more family farmers growing poultry; and the need for greater oversight and foresight regarding the supply of propane and related gases, especially during times of unusual cold weather conditions.

Mike Brown is president of the National Chicken Council, based in Washington, D.C.

American Egg Board notes strong retail sales

By Joanne C. Ivy

■■ Increase egg category sales at retail 2 percent (versus same period year ago) during partner promotions.

PARK RIDGE, Ill. — Looking forward to the new ■■ Generate approxiyear, I’m always struck by mately 750 million positive how much we at the Amerimedia impressions for eggs can Egg Board continue, via public relations efforts year after year, to meet (increase of 100 million). our Measurable Objectives, ■■ Generate about 70 mildespite constantly setting lion impressions via social our benchmarks higher networks (increase of 20 and higher. And million) 2015 promises ■■ The Egg increased results Nutrition Cenand new, innovater continues a tive programs, all robust research designed to continue program, funding to drive demand more than $2 miland increase sales lion annually, and of eggs and egg reaches a wide products. range of health At AEB’s Novem- JOANNE C. IVY professionals with ber board meeting, messages that both Chairman Paul Sauder eventually reach consumers. and I enthusiastically shared Next year, these Measurable USDA’s most recent Per Objectives will guide ENC’s Capita Consumption figure of outreach efforts to health 261 eggs for 2014. This is the professionals: highest per capita consump■■ Invest in research in at tion has been since 1983, and least three strategic target this figure is projected to areas and secondary areas increase again next year. I’m that promote ENC’s health/ thrilled at the role AEB connutrition agenda tinues to play in promoting ■■ Achieve an 80 percent the Incredible Edible Egg to or better publication subvarious audiences. mission rate among funded The latest retail egg sales research grants within one data show a 2.4 percent year of filing final report increase through Sept. 27, ■■ Serve as a relevant while egg prices continued resource for HPs and HP to rise. The fact that the egg organizations by generating industry has not seen sales at least three new educadrop off due to high egg tional offerings to ensure prices confirms the fact that that HPs are infused with the consumers, food manufacmost current nutrition news turers, food service operaand information tors, health professionals and ■■ Track insights from others realize the value and HPs at least three times nutritional powerhouse that throughout the year to assess eggs provide. AEB’s meseffectiveness of programs sages reach each target audi■■ Build and maintain ences with slightly different existing relationships with approaches, but the overall key HP experts/associations; goal is the same: to drive develop and foster at least demand and sales of eggs one to two new partnerships and egg products.

■■ Maintain or increase Throughout 2014, we’ve the percentage of HPs that been saying, “Protein is recommend five or more the New Black,” and this eggs/week trend doesn’t show signs of ■■ Increase visibility and weakening soon. Another awareness of relevant ENCemerging trend rests with funded published studies consumers opting for more with HPs via trade media meatless meals, specifioutreach and direct-to-HP cally at dinner, as the price communications; generate of other protein sources 40MM media impressions increase.

■■ Enhance ENC’s online In 2015, AEB’s programs visibility with HPs via optiand approaches will be mized digital outreach and guided by the Strategic Plan. platforms; increase traffic to Within Consumer MarketENC website over 2014 ing, AEB’s 2015 Measurable The Foodservice and Egg Objectives include: Product Marketing Commit■■ Increase eggs’ share of tee continues reaching food breakfast. service professionals, food ■■ Increase consumer formulators and manufacturknowledge about the benefit ers about the benefits of real of eggs by 5 percent versus eggs. Areas of focus in 2015 2014. include: ■■ Maintain positive consumer attitudes toward eggs by generating at least 80 Food service percent agreement with key ■■ Continue to utilize nutritional statements. strategic elements such Special to The Times

as Incredible Breakfast Trends, Breakfast Beat and editorial content to generate more than 1.7 million impressions.

■■ Increase engagement at 10 key national account targets in QSRs, C-Store and Fast Casual segments focusing on the lunch/dinner day parts.

■■ Increase egg servings by 10 million through innovation and promotion with the QSR chains AEB works with.

■■ Continue to increase egg/egg product servings in school nutrition programs by reaching 80 percent of the school nutrition directors in the top 500 school districts.

■■ In college and universities, develop a pilot program with one of the major food service management companies focusing on menu development and promotion.

Egg product marketing ■■ Conduct educational workshops with targeted food manufacturers and further processors, providing as-needed support that creates solutions to marketing, research and technical issues.

■■ Develop strategic approach to focus on new research studies intended to solve manufacturer usage problems.

■■ Expand AEB’s media presence by 20 percent, despite a 7 percent decrease in ad spending, to attain a more visible and compelling voice in the fight against egg replacers.

■■ Work with a product development company to develop food concepts that increase usage of egg products.

■■ Increase editorial mentions of AEB resources and/ or benefits of formulating with egg products in trade publications by 10 percent.

AEB’s Industry Programs Committee includes the Good Egg Project, State Support and Industry Communications. Next year’s objectives include: ■■ Generate 115 million media impressions for the project, increase of 10 million.

■■ Increase total audience or the Discovery Education Virtual Farm field trips by 20 percent.

■■ Increase use of AEB educational materials by 10 percent ■■ Increase consumer agreement on key project measures by 10 percent.

■■ Encourage and guide active states to participate in

new, creative marketing programs and outreach, including five states that will use new programs pulled from AEB’s best practices list.

As you can clearly see, AEB is not content with delivering status quo results.

Each year, we strive to deliver more and better results to maximize egg producers’ dollars and reach as many as possible with the incredible benefits of the Incredible Edible Egg. If you would like more information

on AEB programs or recent results, please contact me at 847-296-7043 or jivy@aeb.org.

Joanne C. Ivy, CAE, is president and CEO of the American Egg Board with offices in Park Ridge, Ill.

CHANCES ARE SOME OF THE BEST CHICKEN YOU’VE EATEN WAS OURS! That’s because grandmothers, delis, fast food stores, and restaurants everywhere choose fresh, plump, juicy Mar-Jac chicken. From our fully integrated operation in Gainesville, we produce, process and deliver over 2 million chickens weekly...coast to coast and overseas.

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Greg Tench, Director of Marketing Tommy Francis, Sales Manager Faye Hayes, Sales Rep Scarlett Wood, Sales Rep Kevin Grindle, Food Service Sales Rep Nathan Vaughan, Sales Rep

Aviation Blvd. • P.O. Box 1017 Gainesville, GA 30503

770-536-0561 1-800-226-0561

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Climbing business mountains

David B. Strickland | Poultry Times

Dan Cathy, CEO of Chick-fil-A, was the keynote speaker at the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association’s Harold E. Ford Foundation executive luncheon at this year’s International Production & Processing Expo in Atlanta. Cathy addressed the importance of facing and conquering business obstacles as if they were mountains being climbed.

Chick-fil-A leader addresses his father’s legacy, goals for company’s future

By David B. Strickland

dstrickland@poultrytimes.com ATLANTA — “Mountains have always been a challenge for mankind,” said Dan Cathy, CEO of Chick-filA. “Overcoming obstacles, things that are challenging to us, lessons that can be learned and conquered; these are challenges that daunt us in our lives both professionally and personally.”

Cathy addressed the importance of facing current problems and looking toward innovations in the future during his keynote address at the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association’s Harold E. Ford Foundation executive luncheon during this year’s International Production & Processing Expo in Atlanta in January.

He noted a personal mountain he has had to climb in recent months with the passing of his father, Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy.

“I’ve realized in a new, fresh way how much I had been living in the shade of an incredible, giant oak tree that provided shade not only for me and my family but for many other people as well,” Cathy said. “And now

that that oak tree is gone, in a sense, I am another oak tree for the next generation learning what it’s like to see blue sky and learning what it’s like to weather all the strong winds that can come along in life.”

He added, with another analogy, that with his father’s death, it was just the closing of the first chapter of the company’s story and it is now beginning to write what will become the company’s second chapter.

“What an opportunity it is for us to pick up a pen and begin to select the words, craft the sentences and paragraphs and build the story of what Chapter 2 of our company will be about,” Cathy said.

In overcoming business obstacles, he obtained his mountain climber viewpoint and inspiration also from Truett Cathy, and a painting in his office of a mountain climber with the inscription, “No goal is too high if you climb with care and confidence.”

“My dad always talked about the importance of goal setting,” he noted. “”My goal today as the leader of Chickfil-A is to help define what these goals might be — goals

that create a challenge, and harmony and morale within the organization.

“As leaders we must work toward challenging goals that we personally set for ourselves. Dreams that are so frightening that it scares us even to think about them, and even more perilous to share with other people, that we wonder are these really possible.”

But like the statement on the painting, he added that climbing these mountains must be done with care and confidence.

“Over the years I have always thought of care as caution,” Cathy said. “But recently I have begun to think about care in other ways.

Care as being thoughtfulness and the time we spend thinking about these great mountain obstacles; and what would it take for us to conquer these great mountains.

The importance is strategy.”

“How important it is for all of us to guard the culture of our organizations and the timeless elements that are important that really yield businesses to be more competitive,” he added. “I am the guardian of the timeless elements and culture of our

business in the incredible changing world we live in.”

Setting important goals and looking to solve them in creative ways also have the ability to attract employees who will rise to the occasion and help form victories in both life and the marketplace, Cathy said.

Thinking differently “Our line of thinking (at Chick-fil-A) is a little different than conventional thinking as it relates to several aspects,” Cathy said. “Our mission at Chick-fil-A is just two words: Be remarkable.”

“We want to be a brand that people buzz about. We want our individual performance to be one that is notable, that people talk about.

Every visit on every occasion, what would it take to make this experience remarkable?

Featuring something that people will talk about is a very high goal to have.”

As an example of a buzzcreating feature, he noted a “rainy day” service.

“Say it is a rainy day and one of our employees pops out with an umbrella and escorts people inside,” Cathy said. “I guarantee, no matter how good the chicken is, no

matter how hot the waffle fries are, no matter how fast the service is, they are guaranteed to talk about that young man or woman that met them in the parking lot on a rainy day and escorted them inside.

“Differentiated thinking leads to differentiated results,” he said. “Thought leaders become market leaders.

“You want to be in the business of creating fans that love to buzz about you,” Cathy added. “With technology and social media, all you need is a smartphone and you can have an audience.”

Fostering graciousness “We want to be a brand where good meets gracious,” he said. “A brand where great food intersects with incredibly gracious people. I love what Ben Franklin said: ‘The handshake of the host affects the taste of the roast.’”

Cathy added that the word “restaurant” itself is taken from the French language and means a place of restoration.

He noted that to provide this restorative effect, companies need to care on a personal level.

“We strive to communicate to consumers that we really care about you personally,” he said. “And through new initiatives, we wish to communicate this as time goes on.”

He also pointed out the importance of choosing the right people.

“People selections are the most important decisions that any of us make, and they need to reflect the character, the values, as well as the competencies that we all expect,” Cathy said. “If there is any hallmark at Chick-fil-A, it’s the talent that has come our way.”

He added that, “True north for us as an organization is best expressed in this statement, our purpose for being in business — to glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is trusted to us, and have a positive influence on all we come in contact with.”

In looking ahead to the business horizon, Cathy also gave credit to the free enterprise marketplace.

“It is the cornerstone of society itself,” he said. “It’s full of opportunities to influence people’s lives not just with jobs and training, but with good meaningful work

US poultry, egg exports set new records in 2014 For The Times

Despite the loss of the Russian market for the fourth quarter, U.S. poultry export quantity in 2014 set a new record for the second consecutive year.

The value of those exports was the second highest in history, according to year-end trade data released by the Foreign Agricultural Service.

Exports of U.S. poultry in 2014 reached 4.1 million metric tons, 0.4 percent ahead of 2013, while value fell 0.3 percent to $5.501 billion.

The record exports came even after Russia enacted an embargo last August on most imports of food and agricultural products from the West in response to economic penalties enacted by the U.S., Europe and others over Russia’s activities in Ukraine.

“This record year demonstrates that the U.S. industry has become much more diversified and is no longer dependent on one or two export markets,” said Jim Sumner, president of the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council, which promotes U.S. poultry and egg exports through its network of 14 international offices.

“Only a few years ago, losing a market like Russia would have been devastating. Now, it barely caused a ripple.”

The combined value

of U.S. poultry and egg exports for 2014 came within less than one percentage point of the previous record, also set in 2013, reaching $5.838 billion, down just 0.2 percent, the FAS data show.

Also, 2014 was a record year for exports of U.S. eggs. Combined exports of table eggs and processed egg products, measured in shell-egg equivalents, increased by 1 percent to 352.7 million dozen, while their value inched up 0.4 percent to $336.75 million.

U.S. broiler meat exports (excluding chicken paws) dipped by 0.6 percent last year to 3.3 million tons, while value fell by 4 percent to $4.063 billion. Top markets last year were Mexico, up 9 percent to 696,230 tons; Russia, down 48 percent to 143,942 tons, thanks to the embargo; Angola, up 12 percent to 231,717 tons; and Canada, down 4 percent to 162,699 tons.

Other key broiler markets in 2014 were Cuba, 143,582 tons, up 3 percent; Iraq (including transshipments via Turkey), 147,774 tons, down 10 percent; China, 117,887 tons, down 10 percent; Taiwan, 115,407 tons, up 20 percent; Hong Kong, 105,445 tons, up 47 percent; and Georgia, 87,368 tons, up 1 percent.

Exports of U.S. chicken paws last year reached 312,851 tons valued at $441.9 million, up 4 and 19

percent, respectively. Hong Kong accounted for 72 percent of total U.S. shipments of paws, while China accounted for 25 percent.

Paw exports to Hong Kong were up 122 percent and shipments to China fell by 48 percent.

U.S. turkey export quantity in 2014 was the secondhighest ever, rising by 6 percent to 364,915 tons, surpassing the 2012 record.

Export value, meanwhile, set a new benchmark, up 11 percent to $766.8 million.

Key markets included Mexico, 230,990 tons, up 24 percent; China, 27,573 tons, down 36 percent; Canada, 10,336 tons, up 2 percent; Benin, 6,570 tons, up 11 percent; and Hong Kong, 6,352 tons, up 12 percent.

The top five markets for U.S. turkey — Mexico, China, Canada, Benin, and Hong Kong — captured 77 percent of total export shipments in 2014, with Mexico alone accounting for 63 percent.

For table eggs, exports in 2014 were 196.9 million dozen valued at $198.39 million, up 5 and 8 percent, respectively, thanks largely to increased shipments to Canada.

Exports reached an alltime high in both quantity and in value.

Shipments to Canada increased by 103 percent to 79.8 million dozen. Other key markets were Hong Kong, 49.5 million dozen,

down 4 percent; Mexico, 43.9 million dozen, down 29 percent; the European Union, 4.8 million dozen, down 44 percent; and Trinidad and Tobago, 3.9 million dozen, up 39 percent. The top five markets accounted for 92 percent of the total table egg ship-

Since 1947

by Toby Moore

ments last year.

Exports of processed U.S. egg products dropped by 9 percent last year to $138.36 million. Export sales to Japan decreased by 19 percent to $40.73 million, accounting for 29 percent of U.S. exports of egg products. Although

exports to Mexico fell by 11 percent to $33.64 million, shipments to Canada shot up by 40 percent to $20.11 million.

Toby Moore is Vice President of Communications for the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council.

Proud to be a part of the Hall County Community for over 60 years.

Our company has been active in the poultry and egg industry since 1947.

We are committed to providing top quality eggs and feed to our customers.

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Erin O. Smith | The Times

Mario Luna looks on as Luis Bocos moves dirt in order to finish installing a manhole earlier this year at the site for a relocated Chick-fil-A on Dawsonville Highway. Construction has since progressed to laying foundation for the restaurant.

Restaurant business improving for many

BY NICK WATSON

nwatson @gainesvilletimes.com

After a decade in the restaurant business, the bottom fell out for 2 Dog restaurant owners Tim and Tina Roberts in 2008, during the Great Recession.

“When that recession hit, we went down to nothing basically,” Tina Roberts said. “We went through our savings, went through any retirement, canceled all life insurance, canceled all health insurance, stripped everything.”

The hard hits came two years after moving the restaurant to its current

location on Spring Street in Gainesville. Two options were available, Roberts said: going bankrupt or “putting on blinders” to work strenuously.

After years of the latter, Roberts said the business saw an uptick two years ago.

While their savings are still drained, she said they now can afford insurance.

The restaurant business in general has started to look up. In the past year, new restaurants continue to pop up, including plans for popular chains like Chickfil-A and Chipotle.

“We’re really pleased to see the local restaurants and the national restaurants

do well,” said Tim Evans, Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce economic development vice president.

Chick-fil-A plans to relocate its Gainesville location to Dawsonville Highway from Pearl Nix Parkway.

Chipotle plans are not confirmed, but a sign at the site of the planned Academy Sports on Dawsonville Highway west of McEver Road also includes a Chipotle logo.

The marriage between retail expansion and restaurant industry growth spells good fortune, Evans said, with the appearance of some of the bigger national brands around Hall County.

“I think that Chick-fil-A has been a great restaurant bellwether over the years for retailers,” he said.

“Retailers often look for where are Chick-fil-A’s and where are Wendy’s and certain other types of fast food for indicators on the type of markets they look for.”

Roberts said she believes Gainesville has become a bit too franchised and would like to see originality of local food options.

“I’d like to see a little more personality in the area, but it’s hard to make it, so I get it,” she said.

During this economic upswing, increased incomes and more spending money

for eating out have helped some businesses previously hurt by the recession.

“I think the higher-pricepoint restaurants, with the economy improving and people’s incomes maybe looking a little better certainly does help them,” Evans said.

With climbing auto sales, Evans said the area’s dealerships make Gainesville the weekend spot to find a new vehicle and stay a while, requiring grabbing a bite to eat.

The chamber calculated the primary trade area to include 462,000 people, according to the 2010 census. The area stretches from

Serving the Poultry Industry for over 60 years. www.wilheit.com

Hall County to Hiawassee and encompasses several nearby counties.

“In many cases, they don’t have the range of restaurants that we’ve got in Gainesville, so they can combine their trip and make it a destination and do a lot of things in one trip,” Evans said.

For Roberts, she said her financial goals include trying to have money for retirement, but her primary concern is the strength of 2 Dog in the community as a local restaurant option.

“Financial is kind of secondary for me, I guess, but you have to pay the bills, right?” she said.

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A publication of

Community | Sunday, march 29, 2015

Complex problem Almost 20 percent of Hall residents live in poverty.

Many work to help but there’s no easy fix. PAGE 2 New look of health care ■■The Affordable Care Act reshapes patient care. PAGES 6-7 ■Northeast ■ Georgia Medical Center’s new Braselton campus built for patient satisfaction. PAGE 8

CMYK 2

Sunday, March 29, 2015

The Times, Gainesville, Georgia |

Community

gainesvilletimes com

Many residents face poverty, others aim to help

BY JOSHUA SILAVENT jsilavent@ gainesvilletimes.com

The roots of poverty are varied and call for many approaches, many goals and many solutions.

It all begins with work ethic, though, one of the prevailing qualities Americans value.

“I believe that in America, if you work hard, you can overcome,” said Thomas Ramirez, an immigrant and longtime Gainesville resident who directs shelter operations at Good News at Noon. “But you have to have a commitment to really want to get out of poverty.”

Who are the poor?

The figures can be jarring.

In Gainesville, an estimated 32 percent of residents were living below the poverty line between 2009 and 2013, compared to a statewide average of just 18 percent, according to census figures.

For a family of four, that equates to less than $24,000 a year in income in 2013.

And the median household income was slightly above $37,000, while the statewide average is above $49,000.

Across Hall County, those figures fared slightly better during the same timeframe.

The median income was about $51,000, while less than 19 percent of residents were living below the poverty line, according to census figures.

Areas such as Flowery Branch in the southern part of the county help make up the difference, evidenced by wealth pouring into planned communities like Sterling on the Lake.

In many ways, the economic recession expanded the definition of poor.

For example, nearly five years of consecutive monthly job growth across the nation doesn’t change the fact that the majority of jobs lost during the recession have been replaced with lower-skill and lower-paying work, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Moreover, income inequality threatens recent economic gains and job growth, according to a recent report by the credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about 56 percent of the most populous 818 counties in the nation have less income inequality than Hall County.

The growing gap between the haves and the have-nots is evident in statistics that reveal income gains since the recession have funneled mostly to the wealthiest of Americans, while middleand low-income workers are playing catch up.

Ninety-five percent of inflation-adjusted per family income trickled to the top 1 percent of earners between 2009 and 2012, while the remaining 99 percent of Americans saw their income grow less than 1 percent, according to U.S. income tax data and census figures.

Meanwhile, corporate profits have rebounded sharply since the recession, reaching a 50-year high in 2012, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. As a percentage of gross domestic product, corporate earnings stand at 9.7 percent.

But personal wages and salaries haven’t fared as well. They sit at just 42.6 percent of gross domestic product, a 50-year low.

Niurka Peña, who heads up the local Salvation Army chapter with her husband, Arnaldo, said the organization serves individuals and families across nearly every demographic, not just the homeless or unemployed, helping to feed the hungry and pay rent or energy bills.

“It’s every level of working-class society,” she added.

Poverty is often concentrated, and this is certainly evident in Hall County and Gainesville.

The city’s working-class identity is sculpted in the industrial neighborhoods opposite downtown, and along corridors like Atlanta Highway.

“I have seen a tremendous amount of change” Ramirez said.

Lionel Castro, 40, knows just what it’s like to live paycheck to paycheck.

On a recent winter night,

Photos by SCOTT ROGERS | The Times

Eustolia Arce Cordova sits on a couch under the Queen City Parkway bridge, where she lives, while a homeless man picks up trash nearby. Unhappy that she’s also homeless, she said she would like to be able to help other women in the same situation.

tional housing for those in need.

While governments fill a large void, it is nonprofits, charities and shelters that truly serve as the backbone for poor communities.

Habitat for Humanity of Hall County, the Salvation Army, the Georgia Mountain Food Bank, Good News at Noon and shelters for victims of domestic violence each fill specific needs.

In an effort to maximize resources, many local charities work closely together to ensure services are not duplicated, Peña said.

Moving forward

Neighborhoods between Jesse Jewell Parkway and Pearl Nix Parkway are some of the poorest in Hall County.

How we help

Money distributed in Hall County by United Way of Hall County through its Community Investment process.

2010: $1,303,500 2011: $1,342,600 2012: $1,342,600 2013: $1,647,356 2014: $1,557,490 United Way supports many charities that combat the effects of poverty. Donate at www. unitedwayhallcounty. org.

Volunteer

A homeless woman plays with two dogs under the Queen City Parkway bridge where she spends a lot of her time sharing cigarettes and hanging out with the other residents.

In Gainesville, 32 percent of residents live in poverty In Hall, 19 percent live in poverty Castro was wiring money to his wife in Mexico.

“It’s a really difficult situation right now,” he said, speaking through a Spanishlanguage interpreter.

For 18 years, Castro has earned a living laying carpet. He relocated from Athens to Gainesville in the past two years.

His wife had made her home here, too. But when she returned to Mexico recently to care for her ailing father, who later died, she got caught in a limbo familiar to Latino immigrants.

Castro sends a portion of his earnings to his wife every two weeks or so.

“There’s little hope,” he said.

It’s people like Castro that in many ways define the modern civil rights movement.

The Rev. Matthew Little, president of the Interdenominational Black

‘...You have to have a commitment to really want to get out of poverty.”

Thomas Ramirez, Director of operations at Good News at Noon shelter Ministers Alliance, spoke about the need to address economic disparities during Gainesville’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day rally in January.

Economic opportunity was a message equally as important to King’s cause as racial equality. After all, the civil rights icon was assassinated in Memphis after traveling there to support striking black sanitation workers.

Little said fully addressing the economic component to equality still serves as a call to action today.

Addressing the here and now Poverty does not discriminate. But its effect can seem that way.

In Gainesville and Hall County, poverty comes in all stripes: the down-and-out homeless, the immigrant chicken plant worker, the

nuclear family living off a father’s disability benefits, senior citizens living on a fixed income.

Government has an important role to play in addressing poverty.

For example, the Georgia Department of Labor provides various job training and resume building programs at its career workforce office in Gainesville.

And the GainesvilleHall County Community Service Center provides volunteer income tax preparation assistance, helping low-income residents file their annual tax returns to ensure they receive the greatest possible return.

At the local level, housing programs can be critically important to addressing both short- and long-term poverty.

Gainesville Housing Manager Chris Davis said low-income families may qualify for home repair pro-

See page 8 for opportunities with area organizations, some of which work with lowincome individuals and families.

grams, which can help save on energy costs.

The city also funds area nonprofits to assist with and prevent homelessness.

“These agencies also help program participants find employment to help their situations,” Davis said.

“We also fund agencies that provide financial wellness classes.”

And the Georgia Department of Community Affairs is currently tallying the results of a homeless count in cooperation with the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, as well as the regional Ninth District Opportunity Inc. Estimates of the state’s homeless population are based on this survey, which is then used to help determine federal funding for local homeless assistance programs.

Shanna Cotton, a coordinator with Ninth District and the Hall County Community Resource Center, said the count is “crucial” to obtaining government funding for housing projects.

Don Watt, director of the state Office of Homeless and Special Needs Housing, said Georgia receives millions of dollars annually through the emergency solutions grants program, an effort to provide permanent and transi-

It might sound cynical if it weren’t true: eradicating poverty is a pipe dream.

Ramirez, for example, said he knows there will always be role for Good News at Noon in the local community.

Pamela Stokes, an activist in the local African-American community and a board member of the Newtown Florist Club in Gainesville, said wage subsidies, small manufacturing grants and tax credits for minorityowned businesses are a few things governments can do to address poverty.

Education and economics coincide, she added, and so a need for more early education and career training programs are in store.

“Explain to them what the future means,” Stokes said.

Meanwhile, Democrats in the state legislature are pushing for a raise in the minimum wage, while both parties work to restore funding to public schools.

A major concern is looming for the area’s poor, however.

Georgia’s poorest residents will pay a larger share of their income this year in state and local taxes than the wealthiest earners, according to a new study from the Institute on Taxation & Economic Policy, a nonprofit Washington think tank.

And that burden may grow as Republican lawmakers in the state legislature have endorsed a plan to lower income tax rates and offset lost revenues with increases in sales taxes.

There is also a need to counter public opinion.

At Randolph’s Barber Shop on Athens Street in Gainesville, workers and patrons said people on welfare are sneered at and considered useless to society.

They want people to know about the many benefits that working-class neighborhoods bring to the larger community, including strong families, hard work and faith.

“The people that call the shots, that make the rules, we never see them,” said barber Alan Sturdivant said.

Still, the area does have certain unique opportunities that make it a better place for the working poor than most urban centers, such as a strong manufacturing base and lower cost of living.

“For some reason, people believe that Gainesville has more chances ...” Ramirez said.

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The Times, Gainesville, Georgia  |

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Sunday, March 29, 2015

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CMYK 4

The Times, Gainesville, Georgia |

Sunday, March 29, 2015

gainesvilletimes com

Community

SCOTT ROGERS | The Times

Latino-owned businesses line Atlanta Highway serving an area of Gainesville that is predominantly Hispanic.

Challenges, opportunities await area Latinos Where to begin

BY JOSHUA SILAVENT jsilavent@ gainesvilletimes.com

Mexico. Guatemala. South America.

Immigrants come from many places, with many names and many faces, each one leaving something behind, each one searching for a new home.

It just so happens that in Gainesville and Hall County, they come mostly from “south of the border.”

It’s not a madeup cliche to say that many wind up on the other side of the railroad tracks. Or right alongside it.

Latino neighborhoods are densely populated with working-class families, squeezed into the industrial heart of the city, the old mills and new chicken plants billowing nearby, and vacant graveyards of steel and rust lying dormant for years.

But there are also small businesses and bodegas and ethnic restaurants lining city thoroughfares and street corners. There are churches and community centers for socializing.

Though a few diverse and mixed communities lie scattered in the city, the lines are all too stark between African-American, Latino and white neighborhoods.

The unmarked boundaries, however, can only hold for so long.

After all, minorities may be the majority soon.

It would be an otherwise futile effort to address the unique challenges and opportunities that Latinos face in Hall County, be they financial, legal or cultural, without acknowledging the politically charged nature of the immigration debate.

After President Barack Obama announced a unilateral plan last year to expand protections and shield an estimated 5 million undocumented immigrants from deportation, bypassing Congress in the process, a small group of protesters took to the downtown streets with posters and chants to express their opposition.

Meanwhile, a group of more than 20 local Latino students and activists gathered at a Mexican restaurant, welcoming the news and the impact it would have on their lives.

While accounting for this divide in public opinion, the immigration debate is only one aspect and one issue that defines Latinos.

After all, many are here legally. Even more, it seems, were born here.

In Gainesville, an estimated 42 percent of the population is now Latino or Hispanic, according to census figures.

Culture and stigma For Maria Palacios, breaking down “cultural barriers” begins with the power of knowledge

Gainesville

Hall County

26.5% Hispanic

42.1% Hispanic

73.5% Non-Hispanic

57.9% Non-Hispanic

Non Hispanic

1.1% Multi-racial

Hispanic

3.5% Asian

11.8% Other 16.1% Black

and understanding.

“I think it all starts with education,” said the University of North Georgia student.

Born in Mexico, Palacios, 25, has permanent resident status and will soon apply for citizenship.

Two older siblings, however, remain in limbo, stuck in Mexico since 2009 as they await permission to return to the United States.

Palacios said ending the stigma associated with Latino immigrants — namely, that they are all in this country illegally — is critical in order to address economic and social disparities.

For a younger generation of Latinos, the American way is the only way they know. Some grow up never speaking Spanish. Some don’t even know their legal status.

Moreover, many local Latinos were simply born in the United States, with all the rights and privileges afforded any and every American.

But changing perception remains a challenge on many levels.

“The biggest obstacle is the language barrier,” said Gainesville police investigator Danny Adames.

And it’s a barrier that can have legal and financial consequences, spinning the cycle of poverty into the distant future.

There are solutions, however.

66.2% White

1.8% 6.7% 1.6% 0.4% Asian Other Multi-racial Hispanic American Indian 7.5% Black 82% White Non-hispanic

1.2% American Indian White

White

Black

Black

American Indian

American Indian

“When I first came to America, I went to work in the chicken plant,” said Thomas Ramirez, shelter director at Good News at Noon on Davis Street.

But Ramirez eventually grew tired of hanging live chickens day after day, routinely suffering bites and scratches, he said, having realized that his options for work would remain limited if he didn’t do something about it.

“I thought to myself, I

need to learn English,” he said. “So I push myself to learn in order for me to try to get a different job.”

Other challenges, however, are more systemic and require many solutions.

“There is still a shocking lack of integration in our community,” both geographically and in the workforce, said Arturo Corso, a Gainesville criminal defense lawyer. “There is still a very clear delineation of where immigrants live ...”

Minority and immigrant neighborhoods are not hard to spot in the city. Opposite downtown, they hug the industrial corridor.

“There are large pockets of African-American families that literally live on the other side of the railroad tracks from downtown,” Corso said. “So (Latino immigrants) are just like other minority groups that have come before ...”

■■Please see LATINOS, 5

CMYK Community

The Times, Gainesville, Georgia |

gainesvilletimes com

Sunday, March 29, 2015

Photos by SCOTT ROGERS | The Times

Gainesville Police investigator Danny Adames watches as Rosas Hernandez prepares a plate of hot food at the El Maguey supermarket on Atlanta Highway and Industrial Boulevard in Gainesville.

LATINOS ■■ Continued from 4C

Law enforcement Police officers are on the front lines of community relations, and Corso believes attitudes toward immigrants are changing in the criminal justice world.

Compared with 10 years ago, opinions are much more enlightened, he added, and it’s also becoming more politically incorrect to openly speak out against immigrants.

Changes in federal law that defer deportation for some immigrants have played a role, Corso said.

So, too, have relations with law enforcement.

Born in the Dominican Republic, Adames quickly became a go-to officer on the Gainesville police force because of his bilingual speaking skills.

The ability to converse in Spanish became particularly important when Latino and Hispanic-affiliated gangs first established themselves in Gainesville.

But Adames sees his role not just as an enforcer of the law. It’s also about connecting on a more human level.

Law enforcement agencies in Latin American countries are notoriously corrupt, Adames said.

In Mexico, for example, drug cartels have bribed police to look the other way.

So many immigrants are inherently distrustful of authority, never having had a good reason to make contact with police, Adames said.

And because some immigrants lack the proper legal documentation, Latinos often want nothing to do with law enforcement here, either.

When they hear sirens or see flashing lights, it’s a warning that deportation could come at any time.

“That’s always in the back of their minds,” Adames said.

Take Freddie, for example, an illegal immigrant from Guatemala who spoke with The Times on a recent winter night as he walked home with a bag full of groceries from a nearby bodega.

Freddie has lived in the United States for 12 years, working in chicken plants and scraping by. He sends money home every month to support his ailing father.

Freddie said he has no family here to support.

Most of his days are spent working and at home. He said he fears for his safety walking the streets alone at night without legal documentation.

And this is where discretion becomes the better part of valor.

Adames said it’s important to consider when issuing citations is appropriate, and when another avenue best serves the interests of the community.

As an example, Adames said he would rather issue a warning to an immigrant father driving his family home from Sunday church without a license than to take him to jail, which would only exacerbate the problem and potentially lead to worse crime.

Services Social services are often the backbone of immigrant communities. Charities and nonprofits help cover the basics, while connecting individuals with people in similar situations, with similar backgrounds.

Corps Officer Lt. Arnaldo Peña, who heads up the local Salvation Army chapter with his wife, Niurka, said many Latinos come to a place like

We Have Always Been Local At Jaemor Farms

Shoppers enter the El Maguey supermercado at the corner of Atlanta Highway and Industrial Boulevard in Gainesville.

Gainesville from povertystricken countries because of the good job prospects and wages.

They work in industries some say Americans never would, such as hospitality, farming and construction.

“That will be one of the main points for them to come to the United States,” Peña said.

And those who work but lack legal status contribute to payroll taxes, such as Social Security and Medicare, while spending their money at local businesses, Peña said.

Peña said that about 82 cents of every dollar donated to the Salvation Army goes directly to “clients,” with just 18 cents going to support overhead and operations costs.

Peña said that money goes to support people across nearly every demographic, not just the homeless or unemployed, helping to feed the hungry and pay bills for the working poor.

Churches, particularly of the Catholic persuasion, also help unite Latino immigrants. Many offer English language training.

And there’s organizations like Good News at Noon, which provide shelter, meals and clothing to those in need.

Ramirez said that while people of all races seek support from Good News, the shelter is often a first stop for newly arrived immigrants.

“For some reason, (immigrants) believe that Gainesville has more chances...”

Ramirez said.

Business Salvador Reyes is the kind of man you go to if you want information.

In fact, if you were a tourist seeking out locals for the inside scoop, Reyes, the owner of Tienda Los Alacanes, a bodega in the heart of Gainesville’s Latino community, would be a good place to start.

Reyes hears the stories of local immigrants on a daily basis — the trials and triumphs, the latest gossip and political debates.

Immigrants from Mexico and Guatemala routinely come in to send money to family in their native countries via Western Union or MoneyGram, an act known as remittances.

It’s a big business at bodegas like his.

Reyes said between 50 and 60 immigrants come in each week to send money to family members.

Remittances to Mexico from the United States surpassed $17.5 billion in the first nine months of 2014, a better than 7 percent increase compared to the same time period in 2013, according to the Mexican Central Bank.

Meanwhile, more than $5 billion in remittances were sent to Guatemala in 2013, accounting for about 10 percent of that country’s GDP. Remittances are the secondlargest source of foreign exchange in Guatemala.

Beatriz Trejo, who works at the El Maguey grocery in Gainesville, said most people who come into the store to wire money are sup-

porting their wives, children and parents in Mexico. They typically make transfers on paydays and weekends, she added, sending a few hundred dollars at a time.

And it’s immigrant business owners that often act as “ambassadors” for the police department, working alongside officers in youth outreach and educational programs.

Gainesville police spokesman Kevin Holbrook said reaching out to Latinos takes effort and constant communication.

“Those are some of the best relationships we have in the community,” Holbrook said.

Looking ahead As the local Latino population grows, it is likely to become more politically engaged. And with political involvement comes more influence.

Palacios said Latino students at UNG work closely with the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials to register voters and educate immigrants about the voting process.

“In our countries, (the voting process) is very different, and sometimes very corrupt,” Palacios said.

Palacios said there is also a big push to enroll more immigrants in higher education.

“I would really say it comes down to those two things,” she added. “I feel like the … second-generation is going to be more (politically) active.”

But it will take some time.

Wages and job opportunities are likely to remain depressed for several years to come, Corso said, and this remains an obstacle to influence.

Still, in 20 years time, Corso said he expects to see a Latino mayor of Gainesville, while immigrants fill other important roles in elected office, as well as in legal circles.

Non-Hispanic whites will make up less than 50 percent of the population by about 2050, according to census projections. That means the United States will one day be a majority minority country.

And this demographic change is already showing itself as immigrants step further out of the shadows.

“Undocumented students nowadays, they’re not as afraid as they used to be,” Palacios said. “Growing up, I always thought if you were undocumented, you kind of had to keep that hush from the world for fear of being deported. But I see a lot of undocumented students in the community who are very vocal about it ... they’re actively engaged in a lot of things.”

Latinos also have some advantages that will surely empower immigrant communities in the years to come. Opportunity seems to come naturally. It may be a stereotype, but it’s better than most. “(Latino immigrants) don’t care what kind of job they get,” whether in chicken plants or simply emptying trash cans, Ramirez said. “They’re here to work.”

We began selling peaches on the side of Old Cornelia Highway in 1912. One hundred and three years and five generations later, the ‘Echols’ farm, ‘JAEMOR’ (which is an acronym of the owners’ initials) is still family owned and operated. The farm and market has progressed from just selling peaches to now offering a very vast variety of fresh homegrown and local produce in addition to numerous homemade fried pies, ice cream, cakes, savory breads, jams, jellies, sauces and more.

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Taste the Difference Family Makes!

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DEC

5

CMYK 6

The Times, Gainesville, Georgia |

Sunday, March 29, 2015

gainesvilletimes com

Community

Doctors grapple with new health care rules

BY JEFF GILL

jgill@gainesvilletimes.com Dr. Andrew Reisman of Oakwood finds it surprising that, despite all the news about health care reform over the past few years, people are still in reaction mode when it comes to their personal health care.

He throws himself into the group, having been surprised about costs he personally experienced.

Doctors and health care officials say consumer confusion is commonplace in the wake of the Affordable Care Act, President Barack Obama’s signature legislation, and that’s trickling down to physician offices and clinics.

Reisman recalled one longtime patient who had been jobless for a while and had just secured a policy through the national Health Insurance Marketplace, or exchange, set up as part of the new law, which is colloquially and often derogatorily referred to as “Obamacare.”

“He was expecting we were going to cover him and then we found out that he wasn’t on our plan,” said Reisman, a family practitioner with The Longstreet Clinic.

“I still have a reasonable percentage of patients who self-pay, who have not acquired health insurance,” he said. “I haven’t seen a huge change in that, but I have seen patients who have informed me they have insurance through (the exchanges).”

The law’s controversial, court-tested individual mandate requires every American to have health insurance or face a tax penalty.

Those without insurance face fees of 1 percent of yearly income or $95, whichever is higher, when they file their 2014 federal taxes.

The fee rises each year. By 2016, the penalty is 2.5 percent of income or $695 per person, whichever is higher.

“I think that some people that don’t have insurance are starting to realize the financial consequences,”

‘I still have a reasonable percentage of patients who self-pay.’

Above: Dr. Lajos Toth wraps up a wellness visit with patient Edward Oakle at The Longstreet Clinic in Gainesville. Left: Dr. Katie Dudas, left, and assistant Julie Smith study patient data at the Northeast Georgia Physicians Group on Thompson Bridge Road.

Dr. Andrew Reisman Oakwood Reisman said.

He has even found himself as a financial counselor, telling one man bucking the individual mandate, “You might want to talk to your accountant and see what that’s going to mean for you.”

One particular issue also

Photos by SCOTT ROGERS The Times

■■Please see Health, 7

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Sunday, March 29, 2015

7

HEALTH ■■ Continued from 6 hitting consumers’ wallets are ever-increasing insurance deductibles.

“That really changes the makeup of how we handle and work with patients,” said Mimi Collins, Longstreet CEO. “We have to learn how to communicate with and work with our patients on what their out-of-pocket exposure will be. It also means that patients have a higher investment, right off the bat, in health care choices.

“So, we’re seeing a more consumer-driven market.

People are really making careful decisions about how they are going to spend their money.”

Also, “we’re making sure our patients know, when they are making a choice about the exchange, that they need to look at who the physicians are and what the products are ... to make sure they have access to preferred hospitals and physician groups,” Collins said.

Northeast Georgia Medical Center has seen about $30 million in charges for patients covered by exchange plans, said Carol Burrell, president and CEO of the Gainesville-based Northeast Georgia Health System.

“As is the trend for many Dr. Katie Dudas prepares for patients at her office at the Northeast Georgia Physicians Group Thompson Bridge. insurance plans, even among those offered com- program to Physician Qualmercially, the plans sold ity Reporting System. on the exchange tend to “It had been voluntary,” have high deductibles and Collins said. “Now it’s out-of-pocket expenses, becoming a requirement, which can present chal- and if you don’t participate, lenges for patients trying to then you get a fee reduction pay their deductibles or co- from Medicare. And if you insurance,” she said. don’t meet certain valueGenerally, Collins said, based purchasing require- Donald J. Palmisano Jr., executive director of the Medical Association of Georgia much of what is changing ments, a physician could see to some administrative bur- years for the new era of dinate care, Burrell said. or driving changes in the a reduction in fees.”

NGHS’s version health care industry are Donald J. Palmisano Jr., dens that ... have intensified health care in which hospiAffordable Care Act require- executive director of the because of the Affordable tals will no longer be paid of that is known as according to how they treat HealtheConnection. ments and “policy and direc- Medical Association of Geor- Care Act,” he said.

The health system also “And there’s a bunch of a patient, but rather paid tion changes happening gia, said that because of the (beforehand).” law, “we’re seeing a consoli- different federal regula- based on quality and the is treating patients using a tions they have to comply patient’s outcome from that team approach led by the “One of the things that dation of the marketplace.” primary care physician. we and physician practices “I think that’s been with to receive payments or treatment.”

One aspect of the law The goal is to provide betare facing” is a pay-for- pretty evident with more they get penalized. So, what reporting incentive program and more physicians going you’re seeing is it’s easier, that should benefit patients ter health care access and set up by the federal Centers into employment settings, based on economies of scale, and providers is a comput- improve the patient’s overfor Medicare and Medicaid whether it be with a health (for doctors) to get into a erized health information all health, Burrell said.

“This care model will exchange, in which patients Services in 2007. system, a hospital or a multi- group setting.” (also) help us ... actively can access medical records Burrell said NGHS has specialty group,” he said.

The Affordable Care Act Gville Progress Ed_JEMC 3/20/15 10:02 AM Page 1 “I think a lot of that’s due been “preparing for many and doctors can better coor- manage the health and wellchanged the name of the

‘I think (consolidation of the market has) been pretty evident with more and more physicians going into employment settings, whether it be with a health system, a hospital or a multispecialty group.’

SCOTT ROGERS | The Times

ness of an entire population of people, not just provide episodic care to individuals,” she said.

The Northeast Georgia Physicians Group practices are actively working toward “patient centered medical home” certification from the National Committee of Quality Assurance, and one practice, NGPG Thompson Bridge in Gainesville, has already achieved it, Burrell said.

“We are in a transformation in health care, one that we believe will benefit patients and improve our community’s overall health, and NGHS is seeking to be at the forefront of that transformation for the betterment of the regional community we serve,” she said.

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Community

Volunteer opportunities This list details volunteer opportunities submitted directly to The Times. Contact these agencies for additional information.

Affinis Hospice. Volunteers needed to help around the facility, sit with hospice patients to relieve family members, shop, clean, do yard work or run errands for patients.

Training is provided by Affinis.

No experience needed. Flexible scheduling. Contact Volunteer Coordinator Tanya Seabolt at 678-989-0981 or tseabolt@ affinishospice.org for more information.

American Cancer Society.

Drivers to transport cancer patients to and from treatment centers. Call 770-297-1176.

American Red Cross.

Volunteers needed to assist in administrative services such as fundraising, public relations, translating, interpreting and office support. Call 770-5328453.

American Red Cross. Blood services needs registration and canteen volunteers at the donor center and mobile blood drives in Hall County.

Contact Volunteer Manager Kathy Pollock, Kathy.Pollock @redcross.org or at 706-5460681 ext. 221.

Autumn Breeze Assisted Living.

Help residents stay active with activities such as bingo, indoor horseshoes and music. Call Amy Hunter, activities director, 770-297-1100.

Boys and Girls Clubs. Help with general supervision of children, tutoring, art and physical education programs.

Need coaches and referees.

Help needed after 2 p.m.

Monday-Friday. Call 770-5328102.

CASA. Court-Appointed Special Advocates are needed to advocate the best interests of abused and neglected children. Volunteers are trained, screened and supervised. New volunteer training begins Aug. 12. Contact Lisa McCarthy, 770-531-1964 or casaofhall@ bellsouth.net.

Center Point Mentor Program.

Mentor Hall County and Gainesville City students.

Time requirements include a two-hour training session and a commitment to meet with your student one hour a week (this includes travel time) for the duration of the school year. Trainings are offered throughout the year. Contact Staci Tunkel 770-535-1050, or mentoring@centerpointga.org.

Challenged Child and Friends.

Work in classrooms with children 6 weeks old to 6 years old at Northeast Georgia’s Early Intervention Center.

Background check required.

Contact Robyn Shoaf, 770535-8372, ext. 120 or robyn@ challengedchild.org.

Crossroads Hospice. Visiting with patients in health care facilities and in homes or assisting Crossroads with clerical duties. Free orientation and ongoing training. Flexible hours. Students volunteers 16 and older are welcome to join this summer. Contact Monica, 678-638-4332 or Monica. laguaite@crossroadshospice. com.

Disability Resource Center.

Help people with disabilities remain independent through peer support, advocacy and helping with independent living skills. Also, volunteers needed to build ramps and make other home modifications. Call Bob McGarry, 770-534-6656.

Disabled American Veterans Transportation Network. Drive veterans between Gainesville and the VA Medical Center in Atlanta in the organization’s van. Call 678-315-1165.

Embracing Hospice. Visit with patients in homes, read to patients, write letters, provide transportation, run errands, prepare meals, provide hair care and light housekeeping. Contact 678570-7363 or patrice.harrison@ americanhospice.com.

Family TIES Gainesville.

Looking for board members/ volunteers. Call Dee Dee Mize at 770-287-3071.

Feed My Sheep The Grace of Christ Ministries. Seeking volunteers for maintenance and administrative. Call Eric Johnson, 678-622-1458.

Gainesville Action Ministries.

Answer phones, schedule appointments, greet clients, help with building maintenance and entertain children while parents are being counseled.

Will train volunteers to work with clients if desired. Bilingual volunteers needed. Call Terri Armour 770-531-0144 ext. 3.

Gainesville-Hall County Alliance for Literacy. Tutor in basic literacy class serving adults up to a fourth-grade reading level. Math tutors needed to help students prepare for the GED exam. Call Dorothy Shinafelt, 770-5314337.

Gateway House. Work with children who have witnessed or experienced domestic violence. Call Shelby Kinsey, 770-539-9080.

Georgia Mountain Food Bank.

8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

Call Kay Blackstock or Randi

Dyer at 770-967-0075 or sign up online for volunteer opportunities.

Good News Clinics. Need Spanish-speaking interpreters, medical assistants, dental assistants and hygienists, nurses, physicians, nurse practitioners and volunteers to assist with administrative duties for the hours of 9 a.m. to noon or 1-5 p.m. MondayFriday. Contact Jean Peeples, 770-503-1369 or jpeeples@ goodnewsclinics.org.

The Guest House Adult Care Center. Talk with clients, help with activities and crafts.

Contact Margie Ticehurst at 770-535-1487 or activities@ theguesthouse.org.

Habitat for Humanity of Hall County. Mondays through Saturdays. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Volunteering opportunities include help with building homes, store inventory, organizing displays, data entry, carpentry work, repurposing items, and more. Call 678-4505998 to volunteer today.

Hall County Animal Shelter.

Volunteers needed to walk and play with animals, assist at Rabies Clinics and off-site mini adoption events. Call Cindy Langman at 678-450-1587 or 770-531-6831.

Happy Tails Pet Therapy Inc. Need volunteers 18 and older and their pet dogs, cats or rabbits to brighten patients’ days at local health care facilities. Orientations held periodically. Call 770-7408211.

Helen Arts and Heritage Center.

Volunteers needed for several areas, including front sales desk, committees, events, and grants. No experience necessary, training provided. helenartshc@gmail.com or 706-878-3933.

Homestead Hospice.

Volunteers needed throughout the Gainesville area for patient companionship, community outreach, clerical support, clinical support, special skills/ therapies and bereavement.

Free training. Contact jarpdunham@homesteadhospice. net or call 706-548-8444; www. homesteadhospice.net.

Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center. Sit with terminally ill patients in their homes, run errands and provide relief for family members in Banks, Barrow, Dawson, Forsyth, Franklin, northern Gwinnett, Habersham, Hall, Jackson, Lumpkin, Stephens, Union and White counties. Also need help with clerical work in hospice office. Free office support volunteer training is available from 12:30-4:30 p.m. second Tuesdays at the hospice office.

Call Carol Jewell, Hospice of NGMC volunteer coordinator, at 770-533-8888 or 888-5723900.

Humane Society of Northeast Georgia. Play with and walk shelter adoption pets, assist with special events. Options no matter how much or how little time available. Call Kelley Uber, 770-532-6617.

Interactive Neighborhood for Kids. Supervise exhibits, lead story time or teach arts and crafts activities on a one-time or ongoing basis. Call 770-5361900.

J.A. Walters YMCA. Greeters, maintenance, clerical, child care and after-school program volunteers needed.

Contact Sue Adams at 770344-9345 or sue.adams@ gamountainsymca.org.

Judicial citizen review panel.

Review the circumstances of children in Hall County who are in the custody of the State Department of Family and Children Services and work to ensure they are being properly cared for and are given the opportunity to be placed in a permanent home. Twoday training period required along with one morning a month thereafter. Call Lorena Marceleno, 770-531-6928 or 770-531-4930, or email lmarceleno@hallcounty.org.

Junior Achievement of Georgia: Northeast District. Present lessons to students in grades kindergarten-12th that inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy.

Using hands-on experiences, JA brings the real world to students, opening their minds to their full potential by bridging the business and education communities. Materials and training provided. Serving 14 counties in Northeast Georgia.

Contact Lee D. Highsmith, 770-297-1222 or lhighsmith@ georgia.ja.org.

Keep Hall Beautiful. Assist with administrative duties, make phone calls, do outside presentations or litter pickups.

Contact Kelly Norman, 770-531-1102 or kelly@ keephallbeautiful.org.

Lanierland Civitan Club. Help people with developmental disabilities and work on area projects. Meet at 4:30 p.m. first and third Thursday, Gainesville Bowling Center, 2317 Browns Bridge Road, Gainesville. Work With Special Olympics bowling team at 5:30 Call Randy Owens 678-617-9025.

Legacy Link. Help Medicare recipients getting prescription

drugs and other services.

Need clerical help and outside speakers. Training provided.

Call 770-538-2650.

LifeLink of Georgia. Assist with educational programs pertaining to organ and tissue donation and transplantation in North Georgia and other areas of the state. Call 800-5446667.

Make-A-Wish Foundation of Georgia and Alabama. Create, design and implement wishes in North Georgia. Contact 888517-9474, ext. 4.

Meals on Wheels. Deliver meals within the city of Gainesville. Routes take approximately one hour; training provided. Call Milon Christman, 770-503-3330.

Mended Hearts of Northeast Georgia. Visit with heart patients and their families at Northeast Georgia Medical Center. Volunteer in Ronnie Green waiting room or attend meetings at 10:30 to noon the third Thursday of each month. Must be former heart procedure patients or spouses.

Training provided. Call Peggy Vardeman, 770-532-2326.

Mentor Me North Georgia.

Volunteer for one-on-one and group setting programs with at-risk youth. Call Karen at 678-341-8028 or email karen@mentormenorthga.org.

For information, visit www. mentormenorthga.org.

Northeast Georgia History Center. Provide assistance with day-to-day tasks — greet visitors, answer telephones, prepare mailings, help with special events, guide tours, serve on standing committees.

770-297-5900 or www.negahc. org.

Northeast Georgia Medical Center. Assist with non-medical duties and provide comfort and support to patients, family members and visitors. Also need help with clerical work in hospice office and with special projects. Free volunteer training is provided and required.

Contact Carol Jewell or Karla Brookreson-Owens at 770219-8888 or 888-572-3900 or carol.jewell@nghs.com or karla.brookreson-owens.com or www.nghs.com/hospice.

Gentiva Hospice in Gainesville and Athens. Volunteers are needed to provide support and companionship for patients and families. Free training required; no minimum time commitment. Also seeking administrative support in our office. Training is provided. Call Hope Senador at 770-5334422. Email hope.senador@ gentiva.com.

The Phoenix Society of Gainesville. Raise funds to support local service organizations. Meetings at 7 p.m. third Thursday of every month at the Gainesville Civic Center. Contact Deanna Fawcett, 770-532-4641, DDFawcett@aol.com.

Randy and Friends. Assist and be a friend to an adult with a significant disability. Meet from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday in the coffee and gift shop at The Roosters Perch. Or volunteer to help with clerical work, making phone calls and being an instructor.

Contact Marty Owens at martyowens@randyandfriends. org or 678-617-5527.

Rape Response. Respond to hotline phone calls. Training and support is provided, and on-call volunteers can maintain their own schedule while using a supplied cellphone to respond. Contact the volunteer coordinator, 770-503-7273 or advocate@raperesponse.com.

RSVP: Retired & Senior Volunteer Program. Looking for volunteers 55 and older to help at the following sites in Hall County: Center Point, mentors for public school children; Keep Hall Beautiful, event volunteers; Hall County Senior Life Center, computer teachers and scrapbooking teachers; Meals on Wheels, delivery drivers and phone reassurance volunteers; and Hall County Emergency Management, CERT and website volunteers. Call Terry Shuler, RSVP director (Legacy Link Inc.), 770-538-2650.

Sautee Nacoochee Community Association. Meet and greet visitors at the History Museum of Sautee Nacoochee and the Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia. Contact 706-878-3300.

Toys for Tots. Volunteers needed to collect toys and sort toys for Hall County Toys for Tots. Call 770-967-9266 for more information.

United Hospice. Provide companionship, family support and respite for caregivers in homes and nursing facilities.

Training provided. Call Janet Stewart, Hospice volunteer coordinator, 770-297-1970.

Vietnam Veterans of America.

Help create a network for the local families of soldiers who will be overseas next Christmas and plan a party for next Christmas. Call Ron Kelner, 770-534-2509, or Dave Dellinger, 770-718-7676.

Willowwood Nursing Center.

Adopt a grandparent, spend free time with residents. Call Tina Gipson, 770-967-2070, ext. 20.

Courtesy Northeast Georgia Health System

Rooms at the Northeast Georgia Medical Center’s new Braselton campus, which opens Wednesday, are 370 square feet and equipped with touchscreen tablets.

Braselton hospital campus features spacious rooms, latest technology

BY CARLY SHAREC

csharec@gainesvilletimes.com Eight.

It was eight years ago in May 2007 when the Georgia Department of Community Health approved the building of a new hospital in South Hall.

Two. It was two years ago in February when construction actually began.

100.

That’s the number of patient beds the hospital will have when the doors open, including 12 in the intensive care unit.

Seven.

The South Hall hospital is home to seven operating rooms, along with 26 prep and recovery bays.

351,000 square feet on 119 acres.

833 parking spaces. More than 800 employees.

And for Northeast Georgia Medical Center’s Braselton location, it all boils down to one moment: 7 a.m.

April 1.

“Everything is in and complete and beautiful and ready for our patients,” said Beth Downs, public relations manager for the hospital’s second location. “The supplies are all stocked. The equipment is all here. We are geared up and ready.”

The hospital, at 1400 River Place off of Ga. 347, has held multiple training simulations and a community open house in preparation for its opening Wednesday. Emergency rooms will open for patients at the beginning of the 7 a.m. shift that day, Downs said.

The key focus of the new hospital is on patient comfort and satisfaction, some of that provided by offering large room space and no real limitations on visitor access.

“The majority of hospitals restrict (both) the number of people who can be in the room with you in ICU, and the hours which you have access to be with that patient. We don’t restrict that here,” Downs said. “We have built in … beds that turn into sofas during the day, and we also have fully reclining chairs in the room.

No. 1, for the patient to be able to get up and sit in a different place and No. 2, so that if you have a second family member that would like to stay with you, there are sleeping accommodations for two family members in the room.”

The larger room spaces, at 370 square feet per patient room, also enable more services to be accomplished in one place. For example, a technician can bring in a portable X-ray machine rather than having the patient transported to a different part of the hospital.

The room sizes are larger than many standard hotel room spaces.

“They try very hard to keep you in a space that you’re comfortable with,” Downs said about the hospital.

There’s also an emphasis on being as streamlined as possible, with the bonus of being more efficient for staff and less time-consuming for patients. For example, many medications — with the exception of narcotics — will be at the patient’s disposal in their room. The idea is that they shouldn’t have to wait on a nurse to be able to take their prescribed medication, or to use a bandage.

And for those who need a narcotic, the pharmacy should be able to respond to that request much more quickly.

“Most other requests that would be coming in and backing up the queue, they’re already in the room,” Downs said.

Also, all patient rooms are equipped with touch-screen tablets utilizing the Responder 5 and AeroScout systems, two programs to improve communication between patients and staff. Staff members should also be able to communicate more efficiently with each other.

“We are doing some things techno-

logically that are not being done (at the) Gainesville (hospital location),” Downs said.

“You can pull it up and it will let you immediately get in touch with whatever care provider you need,” she went on to explain about Responder 5. “The buttons have been customized for each space. So for instance, in the (operating room) the buttons are for anesthesia and blood and things that you would need in an OR. In a patient room, they are to get in touch with housekeeping or a nurse or a tech. They let the nurse turn on a fall-risk light so that they can notify all the people up and down the hall that the patient is at a risk for falling and they need extra attention.”

AeroScout acts as an employee locator, emitting a signal alerting where an employee is at all times.

“They wear a special badge,” Downs said. “It knows who you are when you’re wearing it, and it knows what your job is. So if you’re a nurse and somebody in a room has pushed the nurse call button, then you would walk into the room. The system knows you walked into the room and turns off the alarm.

“There are also lights in the hallway ... and those lights turn on and off in particular colors so that if a nurse is in the hallway and she’s looking for a physician or a tech or another nurse, she can look up and down the hallway and the light indicates what kind of person is in the room with that patient.”

The same light system serves in giving directions; for example, if a patient is going into cardiac arrest, the lights up and down the hallway will flash directing caregivers to that particular room.

There’s also a focus on cutting down the time it takes to communicate. Every employee is equipped with an iPhone that only functions on the hospital campus, providing patient notifications. For example, a nurse will receive an alert when their patient has arrived in a room, or if a patient has gone for other services in another area of the hospital.

“From a patient perspective, it cuts down on their wait time,” Downs said. “When you’re in the hospital, it seems like you’re just endlessly waiting. A lot of that waiting is completely eliminated with this technology.”

There are 100 patient beds in the hospital, with a bit of room to grow with an obstetrics unit set to be built by 2017.

Along with two cesarean section units, 10 rooms will be added to accommodate everything an expectant mother will go through — from labor and delivery to recovery and postpartum care.

“The mothers and babies and fathers ... will stay in that space for their entire stay,” Downs said.

Along with offering a broad range of emergency and outpatient services, specialty care will be provided in many areas including cardiology, oncology, orthopedics and neurosciences.

Alongside the hospital, which serves as the campus’ A building, is an attached Medical Plaza B, featuring specialty practices and services.

There is also a nearby Medical Plaza 1. Plans call for an eventual Medical Plaza 2, as well as for C and D buildings.

After multiple simulations and training exercises, hospital employees and officials are ready to open those doors to the community. There are a few more items to take care of, like signage and some minor issues, but all construction is complete.

“It’s just like when you move into your house,” Downs said. “You continue to tweak and you live in the space a little bit, and you realize ‘Oh, that phone works better if it’s over here on this wall.’ So it’s just kind of part of the ever-evolving nature of a building. It’s never really done.”

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Community

Progress

A publication of

government | Sunday, march 29, 2015

Gadgets in government Some departments use tablets and apps, others are working to move paper records online. PAGE 2

CMYK 2

Sunday, March 29, 2015

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Government

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Photos by ERIN O. SMITH | The Times

Records clerk Ronda Fortson works on deposits at the end of the day at the Hall County Sheriff’s Office in Gainesville.

Officials play technology catch-up

BY NICK WATSON

nwatson@ gainesvilletimes.com While parts of Hall County are entering the era of smartphones, certain areas still feel as slow as dial-up.

As Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch puts it, “we’re in a state of catchup.” Areas like that of 911 communications and the sheriff’s office are waiting on major upgrades, with money approved March 17 by voters to upgrade the 911 system.

Equipment needs and wants are balanced with budgetary concerns to supply officers with in-car terminals, a new records management system and the latest craze for body cameras.

In a time when everybody is constantly scrolling, clicking and flicking on tiny screens, some progress has been made in reaching residents in that capacity.

In total, Hall County has 1,100 computers running on Windows 7.

The time of the tablet Hall County unveiled its new website in the final months of 2014, creating a responsive design for devices of varying size. Hall County public information officer Katie Crumley said an accompanying app is expected to be out in the first half of this year.

“The mobile app will just sort of continue to enhance those features,” she said.

The app, which was included in a $70,000 package for a website redesign, content migration and maintenance fees, will be free and take users directly to the hallcounty.org website.

Hall County Schools months before released a similar concept, which is available on Android and Apple devices.

In a similar move toward touch screens, the Gainesville City Council swapped papers for iPads in an effort to have paperless meetings.

“Certainly there’s been value in moving away from the paper and not having our staff walk paper through the process or do interoffice mail,” said City Clerk Denise Jordan.

Jordan said in the nine months or so since the change, meetings have been much tidier with no real problems related to the technological change.

Spinning new records The records management system for the Hall County Sheriff’s Office originated in the late 1980s. It has been updated multiple times with the help of in-house programmers.

‘Around here we’re in line with a lot of the agencies in the area ... The whole country is a digital country, and we have to be that way also.’

Carol Martin Gainesville police chief

“Even with those upgrades, we’ve pretty much exhausted the capabilities of our current program,” Couch said.

The functionality of the system is of vital importance to city law enforcement working with the county, Couch said. Because of the connection to 911 dispatch, the Hall County Jail, the court system and other law enforcement agencies, the system must be compatible for free flow of information.

Down on Barber Road — where the Hall County Jail, the Hall County Correctional Institute, Hall County Animal Control and fleet maintenance all are housed — the county is looking at the option of running fiberoptic cable down the road.

“It’s hoping to make the service down there a lot better, a lot quicker,” Couch said.

He added, “In the world we live in, everything’s gotta be quick.”

In Gainesville, the police department unveiled two major developments in the past six months: a digital records management system and a batch of body cameras.

The new system went live in December, allowing officers on patrol to fill out reports in the car terminals and have them approved faster.

“Coming up will be C2P — citizens to police — with certain reports they can file online, say if they lose their cellphone and need a report,” said Gainesville Police Chief Carol Martin.

In addition to the records management system at the sheriff’s office, Couch said there is a need to hire additional programmers in developing the Comprehensive Justice Information System at the courthouse.

The CJIS system is available in the confines of the courthouse, with the possibility of future Internet accessibility.

“It has been discussed about people looking up records online,” said crimi-

nal division supervisor Michelle Meeks. “Hopefully in the future that will happen.”

The most recent update, Meeks said, in terms of CJIS, was the creation of a new front page to ease the search for basic offender information.

“Rewriting CJIS is an ongoing process,” Meeks said. “When we need something, our IT people are great to get that implemented with trying to run reports or trying to get a better way of retrieving some records.”

Equipment: Some old, some new At the 911 communications center, $13 million is allocated as a SPLOST project, on a list approved by voters March 17.

Jimmie Taggart, the communication systems manager, said equipment is reaching the end of its usable life and needs to replaced.

In terms of county equipment for the Hall County Sheriff’s Office, Couch was blunt.

“We’ve fallen behind in this county in technology,” he said.

No patrol cars in Hall have in-car computer terminals, which connect to the records management system. These items carry a $2,000-$3,000 price, which Couch hopes will be included in the purchase of some patrol cars.

“My goal is eventually that every one of our cars would have one,” he said.

The Sheriff’s Office has researched pricing for body cameras, Couch said, but no bids have been put out.

“Some of the aspects of current Georgia state law that pertains to where you can use a camera and where you can’t, that needs to be fully explored, I believe, before we make a purchase,” he said.

In the same month as the new records management system, a dozen body cameras from Digital Ally arrived for Gainesville police to add to the 10 already in use.

“Around here we’re in line with a lot of the agencies in the area, such as Gwinnett, Forsyth, going with this system and with the cameras,” Martin said. “The whole country is a digital country, and we have to be that way also.”

The younger generation expects those advances to be in place.

“I mean, I have a little bit harder time with some of the newer apps and all that, but my grandson can pick up an iPad and go to town on it,” Martin said. “I don’t know where they get it.”

Records clerk Lydia Cantrell works on investigative reports at the Hall County Sheriff’s Office in Gainesville.

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Government makes way for development Retail, manufacturing spaces springing up around Hall County

BY JOSHUA SILAVENT

jsilavent@gainesvilletimes.com First you see the fencing go up, a way to protect against erosion.

Then come the bulldozers, clearing and grading the land. Eventually, there is an announcement, and with great fanfare a shiny new retail store rises from the ground, its shelves get stocked and doors are ready to open.

At the national, state and local level, commercial development is springing up in the early months of 2015.

Of course, in Hall County, it’s not just retail. Manufacturers are expanding, too. And residential, office and mixed-use developments are also breaking ground.

“Gainesville-Hall County has strong appeal to businesses that want headquarters talent and a highly skilled workforce for their production operation,” said Tim Evans, vice president of economic development at the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce. “We are seeing a trend of businesses that are adding national or divisional headquarters functions to their existing manufacturing and production facilities, and we are seeing more inquiries for business office space.”

The trend lines have been positive for most of the last year.

For example, there were 237 business permits and 1,026 residential permits issued in unincorporated Hall County for 2014. In comparison, those numbers were 422 and 2,533 in 2006, respectively.

After a dip from 2006 through today, the trend appears to be going back up, but Hall County Board of Commissioners Chairman Richard Mecum stressed caution during his State of the County speech in January.

“We’re trying to really hold the line on our budget,” Mecum said.

“We’re trying to hold the line on what funds we have coming in.

Again, I don’t know where this economy’s going. Over the next two years, it’s anybody’s guess.”

Meanwhile, Gainesville set a new record in 2014 for the number of home permits issued, according to Community Development Director Rusty Ligon.

By December, the city had

Hall County By the numbers Business permits issued

2006 2014

422 237

Residential permits issued

2006 2014

2,533 1,026

Population

2006 173,256 2014 190,761

SCOTT ROGERS | The Times

Earth movers are on site along Dawsonville Highway in preparation for a development that will be anchored by an Academy Sports + Outdoors.

issued 258 permits for new homes.

The previous record, set in 2007, was 239 new home permits.

The record low of just one new home permit was set in 2010, as the city was emerging from the recession.

By comparison, the city processed 208 new home permits in 2013, Ligon said.

The city also issued permits for new commercial buildings last year, the most in about five years.

Overall permits, which include new construction, additions, remodels, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, surpassed 1,900 last year.

“With all of the projects that have been approved over the past couple of years, we believe construction will remain strong into 2015,” Ligon added.

According to the local chamber of commerce, capital investment in new and expanded industries in Gainesville topped $50 million last year, creating over 500 jobs.

Moreover, merchants in the downtown square invested nearly $3 million in their businesses last

year and created 30 new jobs.

And the city’s hotel/motel tax revenue is on track to surpass all previous records in the current fiscal year.

Whether along Dawsonville Highway, where an Academy Sports, Chipotle Mexican Grill and Hobby Lobby are going in, or north along Thompson Bridge Road, where the Riverbrook Villages mixed-use project is finally getting going, new development is popping up in 2015.

“Health care, employment, retail, education and professional services are all economic benefits Gainesville-Hall County enjoys from being a regional commercial center for Northeast Georgia residents,” Evans said. “It’s becoming more common that residents of the 14-county region of Northeast Georgia are planning their trip to Gainesville to go car shopping, see their doctor, do some (retail) shopping and go out to dinner. There are many good things that come from that for our community.”

But with commercial develop-

ment picking up, residents are squaring off, in some cases, not just against developers, but also local government.

Collaboration is certainly nothing new. But so-called “publicprivate” partnerships are more common than ever, and with greater frequency comes stronger opposition.

“Partnerships, both public and private, are very important to the success of our community,” Gainesville Mayor Danny Dunagan said in his State of the City speech earlier this year. “We work with the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce to provide economic development support for our city.”

As Hall County and its municipalities grow, government involvement in managing new growth becomes all the more important.

“This county’s getting ready to go,” Mecum said. “Whether you’re ready or not.”

Mecum said the population of Hall County will be about 645,000 by 2060. Census numbers released this

‘This county’s getting ready to go.

Whether you’re ready or not ...

Getting ready for this, realizing it is coming and preparing for it — that’s the biggest challenge that we’ve got today.’

Richard Mecum Hall County Board of Commissioners chairman month show the 2014 population at just more than 190,000.

“Planning is the most important part of what we have,” he added. “Getting ready for this, realizing it is coming and preparing for it — that’s the biggest challenge that we’ve got today.”

Among the many ways local governments spur and finance new development, four big initiatives stand out.

■■Please see GROUND, 5

Thanks Gainesville & Hall County for

Less than a year after Peach State Bank & Trust opened for business in April 2005, we honored the “Founding Fathers” of community banking in Gainesville-Hall County. Hundreds of local residents turned out to display their love and respect for Ed Wayne, Ray McRae, James Mathis, Heyward Hosch, Jr., and Pierce Hancock (pictured left to right).

The big crowd was sending a message, and we were too. Peach State Bank & Trust would not operate business as usual in the big bank era. Instead, we would take the lesser worn path, returning to the tradition of community banking practiced by these five remarkable bank leaders from a generation ago.

Ten years later, our “progress” and success are strong evidence that Gainesville and Hall County still value a home-grown bank.

And we look forward to continue growing home for many years to come.

325 Washington St SW | Gainesville, GA 30501 | 770-536-1100 | www.peachstatebank.com 0007 PEACH Times Progress half page.indd 1

3/23/15 9:19 AM

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GROUND ■■ Continued from 4

Gateway Industrial Centre Perhaps the clearest example of public financing of private industry can be seen at the Gateway Industrial Centre off Ga. 365 in North Hall.

For example, the Hall County Board of Commissioners approved a rezoning needed for the estimated $100 million expansion of Kubota Manufacturing of America into the industrial park late last year.

But several buffer requirements and other standards outlined in the Gateway Corridor Overlay District were removed in order to approve the rezoning of about 180 acres to heavy industrial, which will accommodate Kubota’s new facility.

County officials also approved spending up to $3 million for the construction of a public road accessing Kubota’s new facility, with funding to come from special purpose local option sales tax revenue. That’s in addition to a previous $10 million financial commitment from the county to help build out the industrial park, which includes laying sewer lines.

County officials justified the expense based on Kubota’s assertion that it will create an estimated 650 new jobs, paying an average wage and benefits package of about $54,000 annually, and will include about $33 million in construction-related investment.

The move into the park will generate about $2.5 million in upfront cash for the county as part of its share of lot proceeds from the approximately $5.67 million ($31,500 per acre) sale of land to Kubota, according to county and chamber officials.

An additional $70 million to $80 million investment will be made in outfitting the facility.

The company currently employs about 1,300 workers in Gainesville.

Tim Evans, vice president of economic development at the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce, said three local suppliers to Kubota will also benefit financially from the manufacturer’s expansion into Gateway.

Tax allocation districts The Gainesville City Council approved new policies and procedures last year for the ways redevelopment projects seeking Tax Allocation District financing are evaluated and approved.

Photos by SCOTT ROGERS | The Times

Road construction is complete inside the new Gateway Industrial Centre. The Georgia Poultry Lab is the first occupant of the new industrial area.

Gainesville has two tax allocation districts – the midtown area and Lakeshore Mall – wherein increments in property taxes resulting from new growth are reinvested in properties.

The county participates in the midtown TAD, but not the Lakeshore TAD. After establishing a baseline of property taxes owed, any increments resulting from an increase in property value is pumped into the TAD account funds and reinvested in improvements. But only the growth in property tax revenue is funneled to the fund.

According to the city’s website, “In simple terms, the increased property taxes that would be generated by a development’s improvements are temporarily used to fund those improvements.

Once the improvements are paid for, a development’s taxes are then distributed traditionally.”

The Atlantic Station development in Atlanta is one of the more prominent examples of the use of

TAD funding in the state, which proponents say inspire a “halo effect,” wherein the renovation of one property spurs redevelopment elsewhere.

Critics, however, charge that TADs are unwise use of taxpayer money that represent little more than corporate welfare.

The new policies regarding TAD funding outline the types of eligible redevelopment projects, including public works; telecommunications infrastructure; street improvements; parks improvements; transit facilities upgrades; pedestrian amenities; and site preparation.

All projects must generate sufficient tax increments to pay back the city’s debt, and should help reduce service costs, attract private investment and encourage new construction, according to the new policies.

In addition, projects that receive TAD funding must include a minimum $100,000 private investment.

■■Please see Ground, 6

Lakeshore Mall is part of a tax allocation district, wherein increments in property taxes resulting from new growth are reinvested in properties.

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GROUND ■■ Continued from 5 All projects are subject to financial review and applicants may be charged fees associated with securing financing.

Based on the recommendations of the TAD Advisory Committee, in January the City Council approved its own request for $69,480 to help complete the second phase of the Midtown Greenway trail.

The project will extend the current trail south from Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to Industrial Boulevard and north from Parker Street to Main Street.

The council also approved up to $192,500 for demolition efforts as Chastain Janitorial Supply plans to build a new office and showroom at 1630 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Finally, the council approved $62,035 in funding to Looking Glass Surveys for its conversion of an old Pure Oil Station at 131 Green St. into an office building.

Meanwhile, owners of the Lakeshore Mall in Gainesville have pulled their request for nearly $2 million in tax subsidies to support ongoing renovations.

Garrison Investment Group, the mall’s owner, had asked for about $1.842 million in TAD funding to help pay for continued upgrades to the mall.

The company has committed nearly $21 million to redeveloping Lakeshore, which was purchased for $6.5 million in 2010 and now features four anchor stores: Belk, J.C. Penney, Sears and Dick’s Sporting Goods.

The request could come up for debate again later this year.

If approved, TAD funding would account for about 9 percent of the total investment.

Photos by SCOTT ROGERS | The Times

Above: Dawsonville Highway is preparing for more development as Academy Sports + Outdoors will anchor a new retail development at the southeast corner of the highway at Ahaluna Drive. Left: Georgia Power crews meet at the site of the future Riverbrook Village mixed-use development on Thompson Bridge Road at Ga. 136/Price Road. The project will entail retail shopping, restaurants and a gated apartment community on an 83acre property.

UNG partnership City officials worked closely with students at the University of North Georgia over the past year to build a business inventory map that allows users to scroll over locations and find details about vacant building space in the downtown Gainesville square.

The interactive, web-based tool lets prospective business owners see available property and its surroundings rather than relying on building specifications and other data, said Michael Marshall, communications specialist at UNG. Moreover, the virtual tour provides contact information, usage information and square footage of properties, and also allows users to see a street view.

More info

UNG partnership: www. gainesville.org/buildinginfo SPLOST allocation, PAGE 8

City officials said the map is an economic development tool that can help market local businesses, and recruit others to the city.

SPLOST Local government officials have repeatedly said that without a new round of special purpose local option sales tax, or SPLOST VII, property taxes would increase.

Officials said SPLOST is a fairer mechanism for funding infrastruc-

ture projects because the cost is spread among residents and visitors, and it appears voters heeded these warnings.

SPLOST VII was approved at the ballot box on March 17.

There were many obstacles to passage, however, and officials said they hope the 1 percent sales tax revenue will be better managed this time around.

Some costs related to the Glades Reservoir, as well as funding for the purchase of a new fire truck

to replace one involved in an accident that injured three firefighters in July, are two examples where SPLOST money was used for purchases never specifically approved by voters.

The latest revenue projection for SPLOST VII stands at $158 million.

Hall County’s take of the projected revenue is close to $97 million. Local municipalities, meanwhile, will split about $37.4 million.

An additional $22.9 million will be swiped off the top to pay for

projects that have a purported countywide impact, such as upgrades to the emergency 911 system and renovations to the main library branch in Gainesville, as well as the Senior Life Center.

But every project, in one way or another, is meant to bolster the next.

Whether widening Spout Springs Road or laying new sewer lines, private industry is one of the biggest benefactors of SPLOST spending.

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Photos by SCOTT ROGERS | The Times

Pharmacy Manager Justin Holland works inside the Hall County Family Health Center, which features his pharmacy, On Site Rx Inc.

County clinic mirrors private firm programs Hall County Government Family Health Center

BY JOSHUA SILAVENT jsilavent@ gainesvilletimes.com

With each passing year, calls for government to operate more like private industry are growing.

And Hall County has taken that charge in a new direction, opening its own health clinic and pharmacy for employees in January.

County officials said the move was made to save on health insurance costs — about $500,000 in the first year, according to estimates — and is based on a model that many private businesses, such as Fieldale Farms, are incorporating into their benefits portfolio for workers.

With an approximately $60,000 budget, inmate labor and the services of the public works department, Hall County renovated the old East Hall library branch to make way for the clinic and pharmacy.

The HCG Family Health Center, at 2434 Old Cornelia Highway in Rabbittown, serves all county employees, retirees and their dependents covered by Hall’s health plans.

The county has 1,132 active employees covered by its medical plan, and 2,802 total members when including dependents. Retirees and their dependents account for an additional 389 members.

Opening the clinic and pharmacy also coincides with changes to the county’s health plans.

Purported savings related to the clinic could stem from a reduction in the number of urgent and emergency care visits to the hospital by county workers.

County officials expect to be able to purchase and distribute prescription drugs at a lower cost for employees on its health plan.

The out-of-pocket cost for a generic drug will be just $4 at the county pharmacy but will cost $20 at a retail pharmacy.

In an effort to encourage and incentivize county employees to use the clinic and pharmacy, Hall officials have approved increases in PPO deductibles for both in-

Employee participation Clinic

Jan. Feb.

Number of operating days

21 19 Appointments

246 256 Average number per day

11.7 13.5 Number of unique patients

213 225

Pharmacy Number of new prescriptions

1,607 1540 Number of refill prescriptions

3 195 Generics used

80.3% 81.7%

‘We have some things to work out but now that we’ve got our legs under us, we are looking to expand the use of both facilities.’

Bill Moats, Hall County Human Resources director network and out-of-network visits, while also increasing copays for emergency room and urgent care services.

Moreover, there will be no copays for visits to the county clinic, while the copay for a visit to a primary care doctor remains $20. Visits to a specialist will rise to $40.

Employees will not see any change in their overall medi-

The former East Hall branch of the Hall County Library is now the Hall County Family Health Center serving active county government employees and retirees who are covered by the county’s medical insurance. The center also features a pharmacy.

cal premiums as the county will absorb the expected 2.9 percent increase.

The county has shifted its pharmacy benefit manager to Cigna, which Human Resource Director Bill Moats said will save the county about $1.7 million over the next three years.

But the move was not without its critics.

Representatives of local retail pharmacies, as well as some private physicians, have expressed

SPLOST VII projects Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax VII will start July 1, and is projected to bring in $158 million over the five-year life of the tax. The money will be spent on infrastructure improvements in the county and its cities, which divide the proceeds. Major projects include upgrades at the 911 Center, renovations at the main branch of the Hall County Library System in Gainesville and right-of-way purchases to widen Spout Springs Road in South Hall.

Countywide Tier II Projects: $22,910,000 ■■ Ambulances & QRVs: $4,598,000 ■■ 911 System Upgrade: $13,000,000 ■■ Cardiac Monitors: $522,000 ■■ Main library branch renovations: $2,500,000 ■■ Gainesville-Hall County Senior Center: $1,500,000 ■■ Public safety vehicles: $790,000 Road Improvement Projects:

$46,650,000 New road construction ■■ Right-of-way purchase for Spout Springs Road: $20,000,000 Intersection Improvements Hog Mountain Road at Cash Road: $2,350,000 Culvert/Bridge Replacements ■■ Various Culvert Replacements: $1,900,000 ■■ Joe Chandler Bridge Replacement at North Oconee: $1,000,000 ■■ Hubert Stephens Bridge

Replacement at Wahoo Creek: $1,000,000 Base & Paving: $2,500,000 Resurfacing: $16,900,000 Traffic Safety Improvements: $1,000,000 Water/Sewer System Projects: $21,835,795 ■■ Mulberry Creek Regional Sewer-Pump Stations/ Force Main/Gravity Sewer: $10,400,000 Water/Sewer Projects: $11,435,795 Solid Waste/Landfill:

concern about the county opening its own clinic and pharmacy for employees, arguing local government should not compete unfairly with the private sector.

An effort to get the city of Gainesville to partner in opening the clinic and pharmacy was rejected, with city officials saying they intend to keep operating their own clinic off West Ridge Road.

Now, county officials are looking to expand services at the clinic and pharmacy as more

$3,250,000, Phase II Cell III construction Building Renovation/Capital Improvements: $3,850,000 IT infrastructure: $2,000,000 in technology upgrades Park & Leisure Projects: $4,900,000 ■■ Various Park Projects: $4,400,000 ■■ Shoreline Protection: $200,000 ■■ Elachee: $300,000 Public Safety/Sheriff: $2,785,379 in capital equipment upgrades Fire Department Projects: $12,400,000 ■■ Fire Apparatus/Vehicle Replacement: $3,770,000 ■■ Replacement of Station No. 1: $2,700,000 ■■ New Fire Stations Nos. 17 and 18, including buildings, vehicles and equipment: $5,700,000 ■■ Technology upgrades/ additional technology: $230,000

and more employees begin using the health center for immediate medical needs.

“We’re evaluating what the next transitions will be, such as using the pharmacy for workers compensation prescriptions, and the clinic for new-hire physicals,” said Moats. “We have some things to work out but now that we’ve got our legs under us, we are looking to expand the use of both facilities.”

Clermont: $657,888 ■■ Roads, Streets & Sidewalks: $157,888 ■■ Parks: $150,000 ■■ Municipal Buildings: $350,000 Gillsville: $155,624 ■■ Roads and Streets: $116,718 ■■ Park Improvements: $38,906 Lula: $1,954,752 ■■ Roads, Streets & Trails: $654,752 ■■ Water & Sewer Infrastructure: $1,000,000 ■■ Public Safety Equipment: $300,000 Oakwood: $2,984,678 ■■ Roads, Streets, Bridges & Trails: $1,684,678 ■■ Sewer Infrastructure: $1,000,000 ■■ Public Safety Equipment: $300,000 Flowery Branch: $4,269,587 ■■ Administrative Building and Plaza: $1,616,652 ■■ Roads, Streets and

Bridges: $1,113,935 ■■ Water & Sewer Infrastructure: $1,308,000 ■■ Public Safety Vehicles: $231,000 Gainesville: $25,414,482 ■■ Public Safety: Fire Station Construction/ Replacement of Fire Vehicle/Apparatus: $5,500,000 ■■ Roads, Bridges, Stormwater: $12,914,482 ■■ Youth Sports Athletic Complex, Phase 1: $6,750,000 ■■ Park Improvements: $250,000 Braselton: $1,270,589, for streets, sidewalks and stormwater Buford: $711,249 ■■ Roads and Streets: $111,249 ■■ Sewer Infrastructure: $600,000

Total cost: $158,000,000

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The Anatomy of Exceptional Animal Care.

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