GBJ Staff

Derail scammers

It’s a sad fact. Times are tough. The American way is to use ingenuity to find work, earn money and stay afloat financially. It’s also an unfortunate reality that a bum economy inspires some folks to cheat, lie and steal. Among this lot is the scam artist who tends to take us by surprise or prey on the vulnerable and naïve in our midst.

Lilburn Police Chief Bruce Hedley offers this friendly reminder, “Anyone selling door to door in Gwinnett County is required to wear a solicitor’s badge-with-photo.”

Chief Hedley shares characteristics of a decades-old scam that has recently re-emerged in Gwinnett communities. An older gentleman is on your doorstep. He says he has been doing work in the area and has extra supplies. For a minimal charge, his crew will (take your pick)…pave the driveway…paint the house…repair the fence…cut down a tree…replace the roof…fertilize your lawn. You’re lured out of the house – a diversion that allows other members of the crew to go inside and take valuables. The ruse may take other forms, many of which seem on the surface to be quite professional.

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GBJ Staff

Gwinnett officials comment on SDS settlement

Four new service districts will be established by January 2013 and the consent order outlines the funding mechanisms for Fire and Emergency Medical Services; Police Services; Loganville Emergency Medical Services; and Planning, Development, Zoning and Code Enforcement Services.

Chief Superior Court Judge David Barrett of the Enotah Judicial Circuit signed a consent order approving the settlement reached by Gwinnett County and Gwinnett cities on Feb. 7, 2012. This action marks the end of the Service Delivery Strategy (SDS) litigation and finalizes a SDS agreement that is required of all 159 Georgia counties and their respective cities.

“The issues involved in funding and operating a major metropolitan county with 15 cities are incredibly complex,” said Commission Chairman Charlotte Nash. “I would like to thank everyone who had a role in resolving these issues – all of the mayors, council members and city staff, as well as our district commissioners and County staff. Without their commitment to resolving these issues, a settlement could not have been reached.”

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GBJ Staff

Qualify for paralegal jobs in eight weeks with class at UGA Gwinnett Campus

Jobseekers can prepare themselves for a career in the legal industry by taking an eight-week Paralegal Certificate Course© at the UGA Gwinnett Campus from Feb. 3 through Mar.  24, 2012.

The class meets on Fridays from 6-9:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is offered by the Georgia Center for Continuing Education in partnership with the Center for Legal Studies.

“Our mission to provide quick, intensive, low cost programs has never been more relevant than it is today,” said Center for Legal Studies President Gary Knippa.

The paralegal field is growing faster than the national average for all occupations. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projected that the number of paralegal jobs in 2018 will be 28 percent higher than a decade earlier. The national median earnings for paralegals are currently $44,480, and freelance paralegal professionals can earn significantly more.

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GBJ Staff

Yes, you need an employee manual

An employee manual is an essential tool to communicate the company’s values, needs and expectations. Plus, if you have 15 or more employees, the law requires that you have one.

According to Eadoaoin Waller with the Corporate Group of Anderson, Tate & Carr, P.C., there are two principal legal reasons an employee manual is a necessity for businesses with any number of employees. The first is to reduce the company’s exposure to risk by implementing ‘safe harbor’ policies recommended by the courts and the second is to minimize and manage the legal obligations imposed on your business by law by having well-drafted policies.

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GBJ Staff

Build a business plan you can execute

by Mike Levengood

As the New Year’s dawn is starting to fade on the horizon, now is as good a time as any to review your existing business plan and to set your goals for success in 2012.

Like many resolutions and other good intentions, however, your plan will only be as good as your execution.

  • Focus on what you’ve been doing for the past year and your objectives for the year ahead.
  • Identify where you’re headed. 
  • Address the challenges and market opportunities that you face.
  • Think about the assets you bring to these challenges and opportunities.
  • Describe your existing customers and business relationships.

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Mary Rennie

Don’t be a victim of negligent security!

Your safety and security is the number one priority, and many people are unaware that business owners, landlords and other property owners have an obligation to provide adequate security for their customers and guests. It is their duty to keep the premises safe by implementing measures to protect against violent crimes. This could include measures such as installing video cameras and appropriate door locks, providing adequate lighting and running background checks on tenants or employees.

Did you know that Gwinnett County had more than 23,000 crimes committed in 2010, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation? From 2009 to 2010, there was a 15 percent increase in rape crimes.

 
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GBJ Staff

Gwinnett Chamber unveils 2012 local legislative agenda

The Gwinnett Chamber announced it’s legislative agenda at the annual Legislative Kick-Off event, unveiling Gwinnett’s 2012 strategy in a comprehensive 12-page summary emphasizes key policies that will influence a pro-business, job-creating environment in the upcoming year.

Among the numerous areas of focus for Gwinnett are regional transit governance, venture capital attraction and regulatory process reform. The agenda also outlines support for the core objectives of education, water and job creation, showcasing the community’s unique collaborative nature that continues to drive success.

“Gwinnett’s 2012 Legislative Agenda is unlike any other that this community has put together,” stated District 51 Representative and Chairman of the Gwinnett House Delegation Tom Rice. “It unifies the entire community – from business and education to process reform and infrastructure – this year’s agenda definitely shows that Gwinnett is on the same page as one community.”

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GBJ Staff

Small business tax and compliance reminders

Year-end brings into focus those important topics left on the back burner from previous planning exercises. Seek the advice of your financial advisor to confirm that you are optimally positioned for 2012.

Sole proprietorship vs. incorporation: Earnings from a sole proprietorship are subject to self-employment taxes. In a corporation, only salaries are subject to such taxes, while profits are not. Which is the best fit for your business?

Corporations and LLCs: Keep personal and business expenses separate. Submit an annual report or statement on time as required by the state. File for foreign qualification if your business operates in any state other than the state of incorporation.

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GBJ Staff

Protect your intellectual property

by Rob Hassett

Figuring out the right preventative measures for protecting intellectual property can be tricky. Taking an informal attitude and neglecting legal requirements will come back to haunt those who are about to receive investment funding, are selling their business or plan to take their business public.

Legal counsel, responsible for making sure that the company owns the intellectual property they claim to own, represents the interests of the investors, purchasers or underwriters. If all is not in place, the owner will have to scramble to establish ownership of the intellectual property – which may not be successful.

There are two important steps to take when transferring intellectual property:

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GBJ Staff

One day, one trial option approved for Gwinnett jurors

Thanks to a recently approved “one day – one trial” option, jury service in Gwinnett County will now be a little easier – and even less expensive for the County. Last month, Gwinnett County trial judges approved a pilot project with the goal of reducing juror costs and making jury service more convenient for citizens.

“Judges were attempting to deal with two issues in creating the pilot project,” said Court Administrator Phil Boudewyns. “The first goal was to save unnecessary inconvenience to the jurors and the second consideration was to save money when jurors were not actually needed for a trial.”

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