Courtesy Costar.com
Johns Creek Distribution Bldg, Sells for $2.9 Million
By Ashley Willis
November 11, 2009
Sofo Foods, an entity of Antonio Sofo & Son Importing, acquired 3910 Lakefield Drive in Suwanee, GA, from Mound Investment LP for $2.9 million or $25 per square foot. Built in 1995 at Johns Creek building park, the Class B industrial building is on 13 acres in the North Fulton/Forsyth County Industrial submarket. The building is 114,412 square feet and includes freezer/cooler components. Chris Cummings, Elizabeth McSweeney and Bill Buist of Colliers Spectrum Cauble represented Sofo Foods. Mike Spears and Ryan Sawyer, also of Colliers, represented the seller. For additional information, please refer to CoStar COMPS #1792373.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Federal stimulus money helps traffic flow in Gwinnett
Courtesy http://www.theweekly.com
Lawrenceville, Ga., (July 21, 2009) – Fiber optic traffic signal controls will be added to sections of Buford Highway and Sugarloaf Parkway using the federal stimulus funds Gwinnett Commissioners appropriated on Tuesday. The equipment to be installed over the next 18 months will add 12 more miles of remote-control capabilities to the current system.
The Board awarded a $2.58-million contract to Infrasource Underground Construction Services, LLC. The funds will come from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that Congress passed earlier this year.
The controls on Buford Highway will be installed between Global Forum Boulevard and Sugarloaf Parkway. The Sugarloaf Parkway project will run from Peachtree Industrial Boulevard to State Route 20/Grayson Highway.
The new equipment will allow Gwinnett’s Traffic Control Center to monitor traffic using live video cameras and make adjustments to traffic signal timing by remote control. The Georgia DOT will also use the cameras as part of their Georgia Navigator system.
“This equipment really helps us move traffic, spot congestion or malfunctioning signals, and monitor detours,” said Gwinnett DOT Director Brian Allen. “We are grateful for these federal funds to help us expand our traffic monitoring system.”
Lawrenceville, Ga., (July 21, 2009) – Fiber optic traffic signal controls will be added to sections of Buford Highway and Sugarloaf Parkway using the federal stimulus funds Gwinnett Commissioners appropriated on Tuesday. The equipment to be installed over the next 18 months will add 12 more miles of remote-control capabilities to the current system.
The Board awarded a $2.58-million contract to Infrasource Underground Construction Services, LLC. The funds will come from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that Congress passed earlier this year.
The controls on Buford Highway will be installed between Global Forum Boulevard and Sugarloaf Parkway. The Sugarloaf Parkway project will run from Peachtree Industrial Boulevard to State Route 20/Grayson Highway.
The new equipment will allow Gwinnett’s Traffic Control Center to monitor traffic using live video cameras and make adjustments to traffic signal timing by remote control. The Georgia DOT will also use the cameras as part of their Georgia Navigator system.
“This equipment really helps us move traffic, spot congestion or malfunctioning signals, and monitor detours,” said Gwinnett DOT Director Brian Allen. “We are grateful for these federal funds to help us expand our traffic monitoring system.”
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Authorities trying to identity skeletal remains
Courtesy http://www.ledger-enquirer.com
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. -- Gwinnett County police say they are trying to identify the skeletal remains of a man found in woods near Georgia 316.
Police spokesman Cpl. David Schiralli said Tuesday the cause of death also isn't known.
Schiralli said employees of a tree service were working in some woods near the Barrow County line when they found the scattered bones on Monday.
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. -- Gwinnett County police say they are trying to identify the skeletal remains of a man found in woods near Georgia 316.
Police spokesman Cpl. David Schiralli said Tuesday the cause of death also isn't known.
Schiralli said employees of a tree service were working in some woods near the Barrow County line when they found the scattered bones on Monday.
Authorities trying to identity skeletal remains
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. -- Gwinnett County police say they are trying to identify the skeletal remains of a man found in woods near Georgia 316.
Police spokesman Cpl. David Schiralli said Tuesday the cause of death also isn't known.
Schiralli said employees of a tree service were working in some woods near the Barrow County line when they found the scattered bones on Monday.
Police spokesman Cpl. David Schiralli said Tuesday the cause of death also isn't known.
Schiralli said employees of a tree service were working in some woods near the Barrow County line when they found the scattered bones on Monday.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Memorial Day 2009 in Suwanee: Speaking with 'Greatest Generation'
by Todd Sorenson / Appen Newspapers
May 21, 2009 10:36 AM
Bob Taubenheim is a cheese head. He was born in 1920 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. He, like each of his 10 siblings, was born at home. This was the norm in the early 20th century, particularly in rural areas and small towns.
As WWII began, the three of Bob's four older brothers who were of draft age, were all drafted. Two weeks after Pearl Harbor, at age 21, Bob volunteered because, "It was the right thing to do." His brothers Walter and Bill both served in Europe, and survived the war. His brother Harley was killed in Africa in July 1943.
Bob scored well on the AGCT (Army General Classification Test), which resulted in assignment to the Army Air Corps and 6 months of training in aircraft mechanics. His first duties were in support of an observation squadron, which flew submarine and ship watching missions along the east coast. After one of his first (2 week) furloughs, he returned to base to discover that his unit had moved from Tennessee to Rhode Island. In those days, before cell phones and instant communication, and in the midst of the hectic early days of the war, such things were not unusual. Bob ended up having to hitchhike up the east coast to rejoin his group.
Eventually he became a mechanic and crew chief for B-25 bombers. When he found out that there was a 50 percent pay premium for flying, he signed up. Practice runs were performed at tree top level, as the twin engine B-25, a strafing and skip bombing aircraft. In spite of a year of training on the B-25, Bob flew only one combat mission on that aircraft. One day in October 1943 he was promoted to Tech Sergeant and informed that he was now a gunner and engineer on a heavy bomber B-24, for which he had received no prior instruction. Such was the on-the-job training program in the middle of the WWII.
His first exposure to the newly assigned aircraft came on the flight from the east coast to San Francisco, then on to Port Moresby, New Guinea. Amazingly, at a stopover camp in Australia, Bob recognized a fellow driving a passing truck as someone from his home town of Sheboygan. He greeted the driver, and was told, "I'm sorry about your brother." This was how Bob found out that his brother Harley had been killed in action. Little had Bob known that a chance dinner together with Harley a few months earlier, would be the last time anyone in their family would see Harley alive.
As a crew member of the one of the "Jolly Rogers" 90th Bomber Group, Bob flew 55 missions aboard the B-24 "Kay-O" based in Port Moresby. Many sorties were flown at night to avoid Japanese fighter plane attacks. Amazingly, through all of those 10-12 hour evening flights, through often intense anti-aircraft flak, and through daytime raids that frequently met with significant Japanese fighter resistance, Bob was never wounded.
They came close to disaster on many occasions. Once, a gas cap blew off and a stream of gas floated from the gas tank back into the plane, filling it with highly combustible fuel. On one run, the bomb rack mechanism jammed. While standing on a narrow piece of steel, with several thousand feet of empty space between them and the water below, Bob and another crew member worked feverishly to manually un-jam it (which they managed to do). Another time, an anti-aircraft round ripped all the way through the fuselage and exploded a short distance outside of the plane. Had the timed explosion occurred a fraction of a second earlier, it would have detonated inside the plane, killing everyone on board. Bob does not question the reasons for the divine hand of protection in his case, he is just thankful for it.
Life in the oppressively hot and humid camp in New Guinea was filled with insects, snakes, passing bands of tribal natives, and other things not found in small town Wisconsin. That included seeing many comrades suffer from "the New Guinea crud," a skin infection contracted by prolonged exposure to the tropical conditions. At times, USO entertainers came through, including Jack Benny and Gary Cooper (the latter of which always seemed to be drunk).
By war's end, Bob had earned the Air Medal with 2 oak clusters. In late 1944 he had earned enough "points" for discharge. He headed home. While there, he met Mary Ellen Greene. Mary Ellen taught at a nearby school, and frequented the restaurant where Bob was working.
After a couple of years in Sheboygan, amidst uncertain job prospects, Bob decided to rejoin the Air Force. He and Mary Ellen were married on April 17, 1948 at Camp Kilmer in New Jersey. Just days after the ceremony, Bob was sent to Germany, where he was involved in supplying engines for the aircraft that flew the great Berlin airlift at the beginning of the Cold War.
After leaving the service, the couple returned to the States and settled in the Milwaukee area, where Bob went to work in HR, and where their three daughters were born. Eventually, the Taubenheims moved to Reno, where they lived for many years, and where Bob retired in 1986. When grandkids started arriving in the mid 1990's, Bob and Mary Ellen decided to move to the Atlanta area to be closer to the two daughters and families who live in Gwinnett County.
Bob was reluctant to pontificate about his philosophy of life. I did press for his insights about 61 years of marriage (as of April), parenting, and life's lessons. Bob stressed the importance of a higher education. Each of his three daughters completed college—one continuing on to receive a Masters, and another a Doctorate.
He advised that managing money well is a key to successful living.
In his 88 years, he said that there had been only one time that he had bought something on credit (other than mortgages), and in that case he and Mary Ellen had paid off their debt in two months. Imagine how the economic picture in this country might look if millions of people had followed the simple principal that if you cannot pay cash for something, you cannot afford it.
Concerning marriage, Bob pointed out that while it is not always easy, it is simple: a lifetime vow is a lifetime vow. Mary Ellen quoted the council of her father: "If you pick a lemon in the garden of love, you darn well better make lemonade."
Whatever their recipe for marital success, the Taubenheims obviously have one.
May 21, 2009 10:36 AM
Bob Taubenheim is a cheese head. He was born in 1920 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. He, like each of his 10 siblings, was born at home. This was the norm in the early 20th century, particularly in rural areas and small towns.
As WWII began, the three of Bob's four older brothers who were of draft age, were all drafted. Two weeks after Pearl Harbor, at age 21, Bob volunteered because, "It was the right thing to do." His brothers Walter and Bill both served in Europe, and survived the war. His brother Harley was killed in Africa in July 1943.
Bob scored well on the AGCT (Army General Classification Test), which resulted in assignment to the Army Air Corps and 6 months of training in aircraft mechanics. His first duties were in support of an observation squadron, which flew submarine and ship watching missions along the east coast. After one of his first (2 week) furloughs, he returned to base to discover that his unit had moved from Tennessee to Rhode Island. In those days, before cell phones and instant communication, and in the midst of the hectic early days of the war, such things were not unusual. Bob ended up having to hitchhike up the east coast to rejoin his group.
Eventually he became a mechanic and crew chief for B-25 bombers. When he found out that there was a 50 percent pay premium for flying, he signed up. Practice runs were performed at tree top level, as the twin engine B-25, a strafing and skip bombing aircraft. In spite of a year of training on the B-25, Bob flew only one combat mission on that aircraft. One day in October 1943 he was promoted to Tech Sergeant and informed that he was now a gunner and engineer on a heavy bomber B-24, for which he had received no prior instruction. Such was the on-the-job training program in the middle of the WWII.
His first exposure to the newly assigned aircraft came on the flight from the east coast to San Francisco, then on to Port Moresby, New Guinea. Amazingly, at a stopover camp in Australia, Bob recognized a fellow driving a passing truck as someone from his home town of Sheboygan. He greeted the driver, and was told, "I'm sorry about your brother." This was how Bob found out that his brother Harley had been killed in action. Little had Bob known that a chance dinner together with Harley a few months earlier, would be the last time anyone in their family would see Harley alive.
As a crew member of the one of the "Jolly Rogers" 90th Bomber Group, Bob flew 55 missions aboard the B-24 "Kay-O" based in Port Moresby. Many sorties were flown at night to avoid Japanese fighter plane attacks. Amazingly, through all of those 10-12 hour evening flights, through often intense anti-aircraft flak, and through daytime raids that frequently met with significant Japanese fighter resistance, Bob was never wounded.
They came close to disaster on many occasions. Once, a gas cap blew off and a stream of gas floated from the gas tank back into the plane, filling it with highly combustible fuel. On one run, the bomb rack mechanism jammed. While standing on a narrow piece of steel, with several thousand feet of empty space between them and the water below, Bob and another crew member worked feverishly to manually un-jam it (which they managed to do). Another time, an anti-aircraft round ripped all the way through the fuselage and exploded a short distance outside of the plane. Had the timed explosion occurred a fraction of a second earlier, it would have detonated inside the plane, killing everyone on board. Bob does not question the reasons for the divine hand of protection in his case, he is just thankful for it.
Life in the oppressively hot and humid camp in New Guinea was filled with insects, snakes, passing bands of tribal natives, and other things not found in small town Wisconsin. That included seeing many comrades suffer from "the New Guinea crud," a skin infection contracted by prolonged exposure to the tropical conditions. At times, USO entertainers came through, including Jack Benny and Gary Cooper (the latter of which always seemed to be drunk).
By war's end, Bob had earned the Air Medal with 2 oak clusters. In late 1944 he had earned enough "points" for discharge. He headed home. While there, he met Mary Ellen Greene. Mary Ellen taught at a nearby school, and frequented the restaurant where Bob was working.
After a couple of years in Sheboygan, amidst uncertain job prospects, Bob decided to rejoin the Air Force. He and Mary Ellen were married on April 17, 1948 at Camp Kilmer in New Jersey. Just days after the ceremony, Bob was sent to Germany, where he was involved in supplying engines for the aircraft that flew the great Berlin airlift at the beginning of the Cold War.
After leaving the service, the couple returned to the States and settled in the Milwaukee area, where Bob went to work in HR, and where their three daughters were born. Eventually, the Taubenheims moved to Reno, where they lived for many years, and where Bob retired in 1986. When grandkids started arriving in the mid 1990's, Bob and Mary Ellen decided to move to the Atlanta area to be closer to the two daughters and families who live in Gwinnett County.
Bob was reluctant to pontificate about his philosophy of life. I did press for his insights about 61 years of marriage (as of April), parenting, and life's lessons. Bob stressed the importance of a higher education. Each of his three daughters completed college—one continuing on to receive a Masters, and another a Doctorate.
He advised that managing money well is a key to successful living.
In his 88 years, he said that there had been only one time that he had bought something on credit (other than mortgages), and in that case he and Mary Ellen had paid off their debt in two months. Imagine how the economic picture in this country might look if millions of people had followed the simple principal that if you cannot pay cash for something, you cannot afford it.
Concerning marriage, Bob pointed out that while it is not always easy, it is simple: a lifetime vow is a lifetime vow. Mary Ellen quoted the council of her father: "If you pick a lemon in the garden of love, you darn well better make lemonade."
Whatever their recipe for marital success, the Taubenheims obviously have one.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Commission to hold public hearings on proposed tax increase
Courtesy www.theweekly.com
Lawrenceville, Ga., (May 19, 2009) – The Gwinnett County Commission today announced plans to conduct a series of public hearings on a proposed increase in the county’s property taxes.
The public hearings will be held at 4:30 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. on May 26 and at 10:30 a.m. on June 2 in the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center (GJAC) at 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville. Citizens are also encouraged to attend public information forums that will be conducted one hour before each hearing. The commission is expected to act on the proposal following the final public hearing on June 2.
The commission’s consideration of the tax increase follows its adoption earlier this year of a $1.7 billion 2009 budget that reflected needed increased staffing in the county’s police, fire and emergency services departments, efficiency in government service and long-term financial stability. Over the past 12 years, the Board of Commissioners has rolled back property taxes by a total of 3.98 mills. The rollback was possible in part because the county’s rapid growth generated sufficient tax revenues to cover the cost of expanding service needs. In recent years, however, the county’s growth rate has begun to slow.
“We are undergoing a natural and unavoidable transition from high growth to maturity, and that change holds implications both for the services we provide and the way we pay for them,” said County Administrator Jock Connell. “We have been projecting for several years that 2009 would be the year when service demands would exceed revenues produced by natural growth in our tax digest. I should add that the current economic situation compounds our challenges, but it is not a primary cause.”
The County’s situation is complicated by the fact that the Service Delivery Strategy negotiations with Gwinnett County’s 15 municipalities will require the county to dramatically alter its millage rate and accounting structures. The new rate structure will add four new service districts in order to segregate funding for municipal and unincorporated EMS, fire and police services. The 2009 tax structure will decrease the general fund levy, but an increase in the recreation levy, coupled with the new funds, will result in a 2.87 – 3.31 mill increase depending on where in the county a property is located.
“We recognize that the increase is significant and that it comes at a difficult time economically,” said Connell. “But we would also point out that even with this proposed increase, the owner of an average $200,000 home in Gwinnett County would be paying about $2.50 a day for the full array of county government services, including police, fire and EMS protection; transportation; parks and recreation; libraries; the sheriff’s department and county courts; and health and human services.”
The millage increase to be decided on June 2 applies only to the county government’s portion of the property tax bill, which is slightly less than one-third of the total bill. The remaining two-thirds of the bill that funds Gwinnett County Public Schools will be unaffected by the proposed increase.At each of the public hearings, Gwinnett County citizens will be given an opportunity to express their views about the proposed tax increase.
Lawrenceville, Ga., (May 19, 2009) – The Gwinnett County Commission today announced plans to conduct a series of public hearings on a proposed increase in the county’s property taxes.
The public hearings will be held at 4:30 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. on May 26 and at 10:30 a.m. on June 2 in the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center (GJAC) at 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville. Citizens are also encouraged to attend public information forums that will be conducted one hour before each hearing. The commission is expected to act on the proposal following the final public hearing on June 2.
The commission’s consideration of the tax increase follows its adoption earlier this year of a $1.7 billion 2009 budget that reflected needed increased staffing in the county’s police, fire and emergency services departments, efficiency in government service and long-term financial stability. Over the past 12 years, the Board of Commissioners has rolled back property taxes by a total of 3.98 mills. The rollback was possible in part because the county’s rapid growth generated sufficient tax revenues to cover the cost of expanding service needs. In recent years, however, the county’s growth rate has begun to slow.
“We are undergoing a natural and unavoidable transition from high growth to maturity, and that change holds implications both for the services we provide and the way we pay for them,” said County Administrator Jock Connell. “We have been projecting for several years that 2009 would be the year when service demands would exceed revenues produced by natural growth in our tax digest. I should add that the current economic situation compounds our challenges, but it is not a primary cause.”
The County’s situation is complicated by the fact that the Service Delivery Strategy negotiations with Gwinnett County’s 15 municipalities will require the county to dramatically alter its millage rate and accounting structures. The new rate structure will add four new service districts in order to segregate funding for municipal and unincorporated EMS, fire and police services. The 2009 tax structure will decrease the general fund levy, but an increase in the recreation levy, coupled with the new funds, will result in a 2.87 – 3.31 mill increase depending on where in the county a property is located.
“We recognize that the increase is significant and that it comes at a difficult time economically,” said Connell. “But we would also point out that even with this proposed increase, the owner of an average $200,000 home in Gwinnett County would be paying about $2.50 a day for the full array of county government services, including police, fire and EMS protection; transportation; parks and recreation; libraries; the sheriff’s department and county courts; and health and human services.”
The millage increase to be decided on June 2 applies only to the county government’s portion of the property tax bill, which is slightly less than one-third of the total bill. The remaining two-thirds of the bill that funds Gwinnett County Public Schools will be unaffected by the proposed increase.At each of the public hearings, Gwinnett County citizens will be given an opportunity to express their views about the proposed tax increase.
Memorial Day Ceremony honors Gwinnett's military heroes
Lawrenceville, Ga., (May 21, 2009) – The public is invited to Gwinnett County’s Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 25, 2009, at 1 p.m. at the Gwinnett Fallen Heroes Memorial in Lawrenceville. This event is held each year to honor the county’s past and present military heroes and public service personnel.
Board Chairman Charles Bannister, District 1 Commissioner Shirley Lasseter and County Administrator Jock Connell will lead this year’s ceremony. Honor guard units from the Gwinnett County Corrections, Fire and Emergency Services, Police and Sheriff’s Departments and the Lawrenceville Police Department will also take part in the event. Guest speaker Brig. Gen. Daniel J. Kaufman will give this year’s keynote address. No new names will be added to the memorial this year.
The ceremony will be televised on May 25 at 7:30 p.m. on TVgwinnett. Gwinnett cable customers can access TVgwinnett on cable channel 23 or 25, depending on the cable provider. TVgwinnett programming is also available streaming and on demand atwww.tvgwinnett.com, where viewers will also find a program guide.The Fallen Heroes Memorial, located on the grounds of the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center at 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville, honors all Gwinnett residents who died in the line of duty in military or public service.
The memorial opened in 2003 and was built with funds from private donations and Gwinnett County government. For additional information about the Fallen Heroes Memorial, visitwww.gwinnettfallenheroes.com.
Board Chairman Charles Bannister, District 1 Commissioner Shirley Lasseter and County Administrator Jock Connell will lead this year’s ceremony. Honor guard units from the Gwinnett County Corrections, Fire and Emergency Services, Police and Sheriff’s Departments and the Lawrenceville Police Department will also take part in the event. Guest speaker Brig. Gen. Daniel J. Kaufman will give this year’s keynote address. No new names will be added to the memorial this year.
The ceremony will be televised on May 25 at 7:30 p.m. on TVgwinnett. Gwinnett cable customers can access TVgwinnett on cable channel 23 or 25, depending on the cable provider. TVgwinnett programming is also available streaming and on demand atwww.tvgwinnett.com, where viewers will also find a program guide.The Fallen Heroes Memorial, located on the grounds of the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center at 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville, honors all Gwinnett residents who died in the line of duty in military or public service.
The memorial opened in 2003 and was built with funds from private donations and Gwinnett County government. For additional information about the Fallen Heroes Memorial, visitwww.gwinnettfallenheroes.com.
Friday, May 15, 2009
USGA Qualifier Preview - U.S. Open Local Qualifier
Courtesy http://www.theweekly.com
The River Club Suwanee, Georgia Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Format and Schedule
The second of two local qualifiers for the 2009 U.S. Open will be conducted by the Georgia State Golf Association on Tuesday, May 19. The River Club in Suwanee hosts 126 players competing over 18 holes for eight spots and two alternate positions in sectional qualifying. The first local qualifier was held at Marietta Country Club in Kennesaw on May 11. Sectional qualifying will consist of 36 holes of stoke play to be conducted at two international sites on May 25 and 13 locations around the country on June 8, including Hawks Ridge Golf Club in Ball Ground.Host Club: The River ClubThe River Club, a Greg Norman design, is one of 112 local qualifying sites which are taking place May 6-25.Directions to The River Club – I-85 to Exit 111. Turn west on Hwy. 317 Suwanee. Go 3 miles and turn left at the light on Peachtree Industrial Blvd. Continue south 1 mile to first traffic light at Moore Road. Turn right on Moore Road and go 1.4 miles; then turn left at The River Club sign. Address is 1138 Crescent River Pass, Suwanee, 30024. Golf shop phone number is (770) 271-2582. Web site is www.theriver-club.com
The River Club Suwanee, Georgia Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Format and Schedule
The second of two local qualifiers for the 2009 U.S. Open will be conducted by the Georgia State Golf Association on Tuesday, May 19. The River Club in Suwanee hosts 126 players competing over 18 holes for eight spots and two alternate positions in sectional qualifying. The first local qualifier was held at Marietta Country Club in Kennesaw on May 11. Sectional qualifying will consist of 36 holes of stoke play to be conducted at two international sites on May 25 and 13 locations around the country on June 8, including Hawks Ridge Golf Club in Ball Ground.Host Club: The River ClubThe River Club, a Greg Norman design, is one of 112 local qualifying sites which are taking place May 6-25.Directions to The River Club – I-85 to Exit 111. Turn west on Hwy. 317 Suwanee. Go 3 miles and turn left at the light on Peachtree Industrial Blvd. Continue south 1 mile to first traffic light at Moore Road. Turn right on Moore Road and go 1.4 miles; then turn left at The River Club sign. Address is 1138 Crescent River Pass, Suwanee, 30024. Golf shop phone number is (770) 271-2582. Web site is www.theriver-club.com
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Service dispute heads to mediation
By Camie Young
Senior Writer / Gwinnett Daily Post
DULUTH - City and county leaders will meet with a court-appointed mediator today as part of a second try to find a solution to the service delivery dispute that has wound up in court.Suwanee Mayor Dave Williams, a leader in the negotiations said the issues, which revolve around services such as police and transportation and how residents are taxed, were not resolved Wednesday.
Leaders from Gwinnett's 15 cities are seeking a lower county millage rate for their residents, who pay city taxes for similar services."It's tough to say where we are," Williams said Wednesday. "We are still working intensely on this. We're hoping for a breakthrough."
The state-mandated service delivery strategy expired at the end of February, when county officials sued the cities to force mediation on the issues. Dozens of elected officials from the 16 governments met with a mediator last month, as the negotiations began. After three days with the mediator, officials remained in touch but did not reach an agreement before Wednesday, which was reserved for another meeting with the court-appointed intermediary.
This phase of negotiations, taking place at the Duluth City Hall, will continue through Friday. Williams said he did not know what would happen if an agreement is not reached in that time. "The cities are prepared to do what it takes," he said. "It's important for all the citizens of the county."
Senior Writer / Gwinnett Daily Post
DULUTH - City and county leaders will meet with a court-appointed mediator today as part of a second try to find a solution to the service delivery dispute that has wound up in court.Suwanee Mayor Dave Williams, a leader in the negotiations said the issues, which revolve around services such as police and transportation and how residents are taxed, were not resolved Wednesday.
Leaders from Gwinnett's 15 cities are seeking a lower county millage rate for their residents, who pay city taxes for similar services."It's tough to say where we are," Williams said Wednesday. "We are still working intensely on this. We're hoping for a breakthrough."
The state-mandated service delivery strategy expired at the end of February, when county officials sued the cities to force mediation on the issues. Dozens of elected officials from the 16 governments met with a mediator last month, as the negotiations began. After three days with the mediator, officials remained in touch but did not reach an agreement before Wednesday, which was reserved for another meeting with the court-appointed intermediary.
This phase of negotiations, taking place at the Duluth City Hall, will continue through Friday. Williams said he did not know what would happen if an agreement is not reached in that time. "The cities are prepared to do what it takes," he said. "It's important for all the citizens of the county."
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Jonathan Krohn to Visit Suwanee
Courtesy www.talkgwinnett.net
Submitted by David Hancock
Monday, 11 May 2009
Conservative prodigy and Duluth resident Jonathan Krohn will speak in Suwanee on Tuesday, May 12, 7:15 pm at the North Gwinnett High School Auditorium.
Suwanee community activist David Hancock, who is coordinating the event, said, "I have met this young man and he is remarkable. Certainly he is a great example of success for our kids, but he is also an encouragement to adults. Jonathan's book, Define Conservatism, gained him national recognition but he has really made a name for himself with his subsequent personal appearances."
On May 12 he will be at North Gwinnett High School talking about what it means to be a conservative - a timely message especially considering what is happening in our country. Unfortunately many of our children think they are alone if they hold to traditional conservative values, and Jonathan certainly lets them, and us, know that is not the case.
Jonathan has been nominated as one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people in 2008. More recently, he gave a speech at CPAC; has been on Fox and Friends and the Today Show; and was a key speaker at the Atlanta Tea Party. He is also working on his second book.
What: Jonathan Krohn When: Tuesday, May 12, 7:15pm Where: North Gwinnett Auditorium Cost: $5 Adults, Students are Free
For more information, contact David Hancock, 770-605-7817
Submitted by David Hancock
Monday, 11 May 2009
Conservative prodigy and Duluth resident Jonathan Krohn will speak in Suwanee on Tuesday, May 12, 7:15 pm at the North Gwinnett High School Auditorium.
Suwanee community activist David Hancock, who is coordinating the event, said, "I have met this young man and he is remarkable. Certainly he is a great example of success for our kids, but he is also an encouragement to adults. Jonathan's book, Define Conservatism, gained him national recognition but he has really made a name for himself with his subsequent personal appearances."
On May 12 he will be at North Gwinnett High School talking about what it means to be a conservative - a timely message especially considering what is happening in our country. Unfortunately many of our children think they are alone if they hold to traditional conservative values, and Jonathan certainly lets them, and us, know that is not the case.
Jonathan has been nominated as one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people in 2008. More recently, he gave a speech at CPAC; has been on Fox and Friends and the Today Show; and was a key speaker at the Atlanta Tea Party. He is also working on his second book.
What: Jonathan Krohn When: Tuesday, May 12, 7:15pm Where: North Gwinnett Auditorium Cost: $5 Adults, Students are Free
For more information, contact David Hancock, 770-605-7817
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank COO To Talk Economy At Suwanee Church
By Deanna Allen Staff Writer Gwinnett Daily Post
SUWANEE - The chief operating officer for the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta will give a presentation and answer questions from the public at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Suwanee on Tuesday evening. Pat Barron, a member of the church's congregation, will discuss the role of the Federal Reserve System and its recent actions and give a brief economic outlook. "At this time with the recent stock market gyrations and how volatile the economic system is, there's a lot of interest and curiosity about how the Fed is actually going to respond to help curb this and provide opportunity for Americans to rebound," said Frank Waugh, faith formation coach for the church. "Pat Barron ... understands not only the kind of economic situation that most Americans face, but he also is plugged in with the national ... agenda for how the Fed is perched to address the situation."
Following his presentation, Barron will open the floor for questions from those in the audience. "The Q&A is an opportunity for all Americans here in Gwinnett County and around to really go to the source and ask whatever questions they have," Waugh said. The event is free and open to the public. The Suwanee church is at 1350 Peachtree Industrial Blvd.. "For us (at Epiphany Lutheran Church), this is a community service," Waugh said, "a way for us to help kind of the folks in our immediate area to understand what's going on and what can be done."
SUWANEE - The chief operating officer for the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta will give a presentation and answer questions from the public at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Suwanee on Tuesday evening. Pat Barron, a member of the church's congregation, will discuss the role of the Federal Reserve System and its recent actions and give a brief economic outlook. "At this time with the recent stock market gyrations and how volatile the economic system is, there's a lot of interest and curiosity about how the Fed is actually going to respond to help curb this and provide opportunity for Americans to rebound," said Frank Waugh, faith formation coach for the church. "Pat Barron ... understands not only the kind of economic situation that most Americans face, but he also is plugged in with the national ... agenda for how the Fed is perched to address the situation."
Following his presentation, Barron will open the floor for questions from those in the audience. "The Q&A is an opportunity for all Americans here in Gwinnett County and around to really go to the source and ask whatever questions they have," Waugh said. The event is free and open to the public. The Suwanee church is at 1350 Peachtree Industrial Blvd.. "For us (at Epiphany Lutheran Church), this is a community service," Waugh said, "a way for us to help kind of the folks in our immediate area to understand what's going on and what can be done."
Suwanee's Next Council Meeting At City Hall
by Tana Suggs / Appen Newspapers January 30, 2009 02:03 PM
The next city council meeting will be in a brand new facility.The Suwanee City Council said farewell to the Suwanee Crossroads Center.Suwanee City Councilmember Dan Foster announced the January City Council meeting would be last one held at Suwanee Crossroads Center. The next meeting planned for Feb. 24 will be the first meeting held in Suwanee's new city hall.In other business, the following action was taken at the Jan. 27 Suwanee City Council meeting.* City Councilmember Jimmy Burnette was selected by city council members to serve as Mayor Pro Tem.
Burnette is a native of Suwanee and has served on the Suwanee City Council since 1996.* Council members appointed Julie Purdue to serve on Suwanee's Downtown Development Authority.* City officials voted to adopt the 2030 Comprehensive Plan. For details of the plan, visit www.suwanee.com.* The city of Suwanee will participate in the 2009 Arbor Day celebration on Feb. 20 and city officials voted to adopt the Arbor Day Proclamation.* The Suwanee Police Department and city officials recognized Three Bridges community and several Suwanee Gateway Businesses for their participation in the PACT program, Police And Citizens Together.Suwanee Mayor Dave Williams called the program a "shining star" in the community.* A vote for a special use permit for AJC Construction LLC, regarding National Guarantee Insurance was postponed until the next meeting due to an error in advertising.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Gwinnett Teen Accused of Rape, Beating
Courtesy WSBTVTuesday, January 27, 2009 – updated: 5:13 pm EST January 27, 2009
GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. -- The Gwinnett County Sheriffs Fugitive Unit said they arrested a man wanted out of Valdosta for aggravated battery, kidnapping and robbery from an August 2008 incident that left a man severely injured following a beating and robbery.
Austin Evan Dalton, 18, of Lawrenceville was arrested Monday after Valdosta Police contacted Gwinnett Sheriffs Fugitive investigators about a Lawrenceville address where they believed Dalton might be residing. He was located at the residence and taken into custody on the outstanding Valdosta warrants without incident.
Dalton was also wanted on a rape charge out of Glynn County.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Suwanee Accomplishes Much With Residents Help
by Bob Pepalis / Appen Newspapers
January 23, 2009 10:46 AM SUWANEE – The city will bounce back from an uncertain economy, said Mayor Dave Williams in his first State of the City address. He was the guest of the Suwanee Business Alliance in a meeting that overflowed the conference room at the Gwinnett Public Library on Main Street.Suwanee is well on the path for recovery, but the "challenge for each of us is to do our part to make Suwanee better," he said."Our families deserve that. We do need to support each other," Williams said. "This group does that."
Williams said the City Council is committed to become a strong partner with neighborhoods and businesses. Everything it does is to make Suwanee the most outstanding city in the nation and the world.From 2005 through 2007, the city had a period of super growth.
"While they are gone forever, we believe normal growth will return," the mayor said.Overall growth has been slower, and the city has increasing vacancy rates. The industrial vacancy rate actually was a little bit lower, a good sign. Previously approved projects are progressing more slowly, however.A slowdown in revenues and possible cutbacks by other government entities, including the county, the state and even federal agencies could cause impacts in Suwanee, Williams said. Talk in the General Assembly includes ending the Homestead Tax Relieve Grant, putting a bigger burden on the city.
The statewide road funding program could be severely cut, leaving the city with more costs to pick up for its roads.Suwanee will continue to tighten its belt. Some large purchases have been delayed, while vacant positions are not always being filled."But at the end of the day, Suwanee will continue to be a state and a regional leader," he said."I do not think 2009 will be a scary time for Suwanee," Williams said.
The mayor laid down a challenge to those present at the meeting to continue to do the things they do to make the city great, and to get as many of their neighbors and business associates involved. As he looked out over the room in the library, Williams said he saw restaurateurs, web developers, insurance agents, bankers, printers, an incredible variety of people whom he asked to tell the city about ideas that could help it achieve its goals.
As he ended his State of the City address, the mayor offered up a campaign that he said the Suwanee Business Alliance might want to make its own: Shop Suwanee!"If retailers begin to fail, that's going to have an incredible impact on commercial property owners," Williams said.Sticking with Suwanee businesses will keep the city's economy running strong.
City accomplishes much with residents' help
Past year exceeds accomplishments of 2007 SUWANEE – Mayor Dave Williams said 2008 was a busy year."When I took office a year ago, I had not idea how many good things were in store for us," he said.In 2007, Suwanee was named one of the top 10 communities in the nation."So the bar was set pretty high, yet I believe we exceeded that," Williams said.One of the accomplishments was the work more than 100 residents and city staff did for the 2030 Comprehensive Plan that should be completed this year. It won't manifest itself for years."But rest assured, the payoff will come," he said.Suwanee also completed many capital projects. New city hall construction began. The pedestrian underpass connecting the Town Green with the historic Old Town area is near completion. Sims Lake Park opened in October and has been the city's most popular park. Eva Kennedy Road reconstruction, a new public works facility, sidewalks and trails also were part of the capital projects.Voters approved a special local option sales tax, or SPLOST. Collection begins in April in Gwinnett County. Suwanee's share will be between $10 million and $12 million over a five-year period."I'm a firm believer that we can pick our own future. We can decide whatever we become," Williams said.The Suwanee Gateway, Old Town, Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and Satellite Boulevard corridors and the Town Center will be the areas of greatest change, he said."The success of the Suwanee Gateway area, which is the area around the interstate, is critical to Suwanee's overall branding success," he said.A Downtown Suwanee Master Plan will provide the vision for downtown, both new and Old Town, with plans to connection the two. Residents have told the city they need to preserve the existing establishments and residential areas in their current state, he said."Change will not happen overnight, but we are laying the groundwork. Already businesses are noticing the difference," he said.A change can be noticed on Suwanee's streets also. With 83 fewer accidents in 2008 than the previous year, the city has had a 7.5 percent decrease in traffic accidents. Criminal investigators for the Police Department solved six out of six bank robberies, making nine arrests. National accreditation of the department might be announced by next year's State of the City address, Williams said.
January 23, 2009 10:46 AM SUWANEE – The city will bounce back from an uncertain economy, said Mayor Dave Williams in his first State of the City address. He was the guest of the Suwanee Business Alliance in a meeting that overflowed the conference room at the Gwinnett Public Library on Main Street.Suwanee is well on the path for recovery, but the "challenge for each of us is to do our part to make Suwanee better," he said."Our families deserve that. We do need to support each other," Williams said. "This group does that."
Williams said the City Council is committed to become a strong partner with neighborhoods and businesses. Everything it does is to make Suwanee the most outstanding city in the nation and the world.From 2005 through 2007, the city had a period of super growth.
"While they are gone forever, we believe normal growth will return," the mayor said.Overall growth has been slower, and the city has increasing vacancy rates. The industrial vacancy rate actually was a little bit lower, a good sign. Previously approved projects are progressing more slowly, however.A slowdown in revenues and possible cutbacks by other government entities, including the county, the state and even federal agencies could cause impacts in Suwanee, Williams said. Talk in the General Assembly includes ending the Homestead Tax Relieve Grant, putting a bigger burden on the city.
The statewide road funding program could be severely cut, leaving the city with more costs to pick up for its roads.Suwanee will continue to tighten its belt. Some large purchases have been delayed, while vacant positions are not always being filled."But at the end of the day, Suwanee will continue to be a state and a regional leader," he said."I do not think 2009 will be a scary time for Suwanee," Williams said.
The mayor laid down a challenge to those present at the meeting to continue to do the things they do to make the city great, and to get as many of their neighbors and business associates involved. As he looked out over the room in the library, Williams said he saw restaurateurs, web developers, insurance agents, bankers, printers, an incredible variety of people whom he asked to tell the city about ideas that could help it achieve its goals.
As he ended his State of the City address, the mayor offered up a campaign that he said the Suwanee Business Alliance might want to make its own: Shop Suwanee!"If retailers begin to fail, that's going to have an incredible impact on commercial property owners," Williams said.Sticking with Suwanee businesses will keep the city's economy running strong.
City accomplishes much with residents' help
Past year exceeds accomplishments of 2007 SUWANEE – Mayor Dave Williams said 2008 was a busy year."When I took office a year ago, I had not idea how many good things were in store for us," he said.In 2007, Suwanee was named one of the top 10 communities in the nation."So the bar was set pretty high, yet I believe we exceeded that," Williams said.One of the accomplishments was the work more than 100 residents and city staff did for the 2030 Comprehensive Plan that should be completed this year. It won't manifest itself for years."But rest assured, the payoff will come," he said.Suwanee also completed many capital projects. New city hall construction began. The pedestrian underpass connecting the Town Green with the historic Old Town area is near completion. Sims Lake Park opened in October and has been the city's most popular park. Eva Kennedy Road reconstruction, a new public works facility, sidewalks and trails also were part of the capital projects.Voters approved a special local option sales tax, or SPLOST. Collection begins in April in Gwinnett County. Suwanee's share will be between $10 million and $12 million over a five-year period."I'm a firm believer that we can pick our own future. We can decide whatever we become," Williams said.The Suwanee Gateway, Old Town, Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and Satellite Boulevard corridors and the Town Center will be the areas of greatest change, he said."The success of the Suwanee Gateway area, which is the area around the interstate, is critical to Suwanee's overall branding success," he said.A Downtown Suwanee Master Plan will provide the vision for downtown, both new and Old Town, with plans to connection the two. Residents have told the city they need to preserve the existing establishments and residential areas in their current state, he said."Change will not happen overnight, but we are laying the groundwork. Already businesses are noticing the difference," he said.A change can be noticed on Suwanee's streets also. With 83 fewer accidents in 2008 than the previous year, the city has had a 7.5 percent decrease in traffic accidents. Criminal investigators for the Police Department solved six out of six bank robberies, making nine arrests. National accreditation of the department might be announced by next year's State of the City address, Williams said.
Alleged Trafficing Victims Leave Country
Courtesy www.upi.com
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga., Jan. 22 (UPI) -- Investigators say four dancers at a Georgia nightclub may have been pressured to return to India to keep them from testifying in a human trafficking case.
The four were among the eight alleged victims in the case, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. The owners of the Mehfil Nightclub in Norcross allegedly lured the victims from India under false pretenses and kept them imprisoned in a house when they were not working.
A judge found probable cause Wednesday to charge Shifiqat Muhammad Ali of Birmingham, Ga., Vijay Kamal Bannerjee and Govino K. Vishwa, both of Lilburn, Ga., and Farrukh Khan, of Hoover, Ala., the Gwinnett Daily Post reported.
Gwinnett County District Attorney Danny Porter said that his office will investigate allegations that the defendants wanted to get the women out of the country. Lilburn Detective Matt Lake said that on Saturday a man offered the women $850 and a ticket to India, saying that anyone who wanted the money had to leave for the airport right away.
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga., Jan. 22 (UPI) -- Investigators say four dancers at a Georgia nightclub may have been pressured to return to India to keep them from testifying in a human trafficking case.
The four were among the eight alleged victims in the case, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. The owners of the Mehfil Nightclub in Norcross allegedly lured the victims from India under false pretenses and kept them imprisoned in a house when they were not working.
A judge found probable cause Wednesday to charge Shifiqat Muhammad Ali of Birmingham, Ga., Vijay Kamal Bannerjee and Govino K. Vishwa, both of Lilburn, Ga., and Farrukh Khan, of Hoover, Ala., the Gwinnett Daily Post reported.
Gwinnett County District Attorney Danny Porter said that his office will investigate allegations that the defendants wanted to get the women out of the country. Lilburn Detective Matt Lake said that on Saturday a man offered the women $850 and a ticket to India, saying that anyone who wanted the money had to leave for the airport right away.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Gwinnett Water Usage, Revenues Down in '08
Courtesy Accessnorthga
By Staff-->
LAWRENCEVILLE - In response to the drought and continuing water restrictions imposed by the state, Gwinnett residents and businesses cut their water use by 17.2 percent last year, a drop of more than five billion gallons, compared with 2007. But revenues for Gwinnett's Department of Water Resources were down only 5.4 percent.Acting Director Lynn Smarr says that's because they anticipated the reduction and took steps to mitigate its effects. "Our shortfall would have been $35.5 million, but our staff has improved our collection rates, updated our fee structure, and implemented a summer surcharge that is required by the North Georgia Water Planning District," said Smarr.A rate increase that went into effect in January 2008 raised an additional $11.1 million. Reinstituting late fees brought in $7.4 million while other fees including the summer surcharge, an account activation fee and other billing adjustments made up the rest of a $24.4 million total of new revenues in 2008. The County received only $9.4 million development-related revenue in 2008, a drop of 73 percent since 2006.Recent rains have raised Lake Lanier's level and, at the County's urging, the Corps of Engineers has reduced the releases from Buford Dam during the winter months. Smarr points out that more water in the lake benefits North Georgia and improves drought protection for all downstream neighbors.
By Staff-->
LAWRENCEVILLE - In response to the drought and continuing water restrictions imposed by the state, Gwinnett residents and businesses cut their water use by 17.2 percent last year, a drop of more than five billion gallons, compared with 2007. But revenues for Gwinnett's Department of Water Resources were down only 5.4 percent.Acting Director Lynn Smarr says that's because they anticipated the reduction and took steps to mitigate its effects. "Our shortfall would have been $35.5 million, but our staff has improved our collection rates, updated our fee structure, and implemented a summer surcharge that is required by the North Georgia Water Planning District," said Smarr.A rate increase that went into effect in January 2008 raised an additional $11.1 million. Reinstituting late fees brought in $7.4 million while other fees including the summer surcharge, an account activation fee and other billing adjustments made up the rest of a $24.4 million total of new revenues in 2008. The County received only $9.4 million development-related revenue in 2008, a drop of 73 percent since 2006.Recent rains have raised Lake Lanier's level and, at the County's urging, the Corps of Engineers has reduced the releases from Buford Dam during the winter months. Smarr points out that more water in the lake benefits North Georgia and improves drought protection for all downstream neighbors.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Suwanee Man Arrested For Marijuana Possession
By Bryan Williams Staff / AccessnorthGA
GAINESVILLE – Hall County authorities arrested a Suwanee man on Friday attempting to sale two pounds of marijuana.Agents with the Multi Agency Narcotics Squad, Gang Task Force, FBI, and the Gainesville Police Department arrested 33-year-old Jeremy Brad Davies during the course of a drug investigation.“Davies was delivering two-pounds of marijuana to a pre-determined location for re-sale,” said Lt. Scott Ware with the Multi Agency Narcotics Squad.Ware estimated the street value of the drugs at approximately $4,000.00.Davies is currently being held at the Hall County Jail, charged with Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Distribute.
GAINESVILLE – Hall County authorities arrested a Suwanee man on Friday attempting to sale two pounds of marijuana.Agents with the Multi Agency Narcotics Squad, Gang Task Force, FBI, and the Gainesville Police Department arrested 33-year-old Jeremy Brad Davies during the course of a drug investigation.“Davies was delivering two-pounds of marijuana to a pre-determined location for re-sale,” said Lt. Scott Ware with the Multi Agency Narcotics Squad.Ware estimated the street value of the drugs at approximately $4,000.00.Davies is currently being held at the Hall County Jail, charged with Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Distribute.
Elementary Schools Face off in Relay For Life Charity Game
Courtesy Gwinnett Daily Post
By Heath Hamacher Staff Writer SUWANEE - In 2007, staff members from Sycamore Elementary School were tossing around ideas of possible fundraising events for the school's American Cancer Society Relay for Life team when the notion of a little friendly competition between schools came up. That notion eventually became the annual school-versus-school charity basketball game, which will see its third installment at 2 p.m. Saturday inside the old gym at North Gwinnett High School.
"There will be concessions and things, kids normally make signs," said Mark Lukehart, a third-grade teacher at Sycamore and its Relay for Life coordinator. "It is a very festive high-school, college-type atmosphere ... good community awareness for Relay for Life." The first two years, Sycamore played Sugar Hill Elementary, with each school claiming one win. Saturday, Sycamore will face off against a new opponent, Suwanee Elementary School. Lukehart said Sycamore's squad will be made up of teachers and parents while staff members and their spouses will suit up for Suwanee.
The contest has all the makings of a big-time game. There will be a rendition of the national anthem and the North Gwinnett High School Junior Air Force ROTC will present the colors before tipoff. Both squads are practicing, Lukehart said, and will hit the court in uniforms.
It's all for a good cause, but competition is competition. Each school's principal will even get involved when Wanda Law and Dr. Kimberly Smith go head-to-head in a best-of-five free throw shooting contest. Friendly rivalries aside, coordinators believe the game will draw its biggest crowd ever, a win-win situation for everyone. "It's still the same people working for the same cause," Lukehart said. "All the money goes to the Relay for Life Fund ... it all goes to the same place." Tickets will be available in the lobby of both schools and will cost $3 for adults and $2 for children. Tickets will also be sold at the gates for $4 and $3, respectively.
By Heath Hamacher Staff Writer SUWANEE - In 2007, staff members from Sycamore Elementary School were tossing around ideas of possible fundraising events for the school's American Cancer Society Relay for Life team when the notion of a little friendly competition between schools came up. That notion eventually became the annual school-versus-school charity basketball game, which will see its third installment at 2 p.m. Saturday inside the old gym at North Gwinnett High School.
"There will be concessions and things, kids normally make signs," said Mark Lukehart, a third-grade teacher at Sycamore and its Relay for Life coordinator. "It is a very festive high-school, college-type atmosphere ... good community awareness for Relay for Life." The first two years, Sycamore played Sugar Hill Elementary, with each school claiming one win. Saturday, Sycamore will face off against a new opponent, Suwanee Elementary School. Lukehart said Sycamore's squad will be made up of teachers and parents while staff members and their spouses will suit up for Suwanee.
The contest has all the makings of a big-time game. There will be a rendition of the national anthem and the North Gwinnett High School Junior Air Force ROTC will present the colors before tipoff. Both squads are practicing, Lukehart said, and will hit the court in uniforms.
It's all for a good cause, but competition is competition. Each school's principal will even get involved when Wanda Law and Dr. Kimberly Smith go head-to-head in a best-of-five free throw shooting contest. Friendly rivalries aside, coordinators believe the game will draw its biggest crowd ever, a win-win situation for everyone. "It's still the same people working for the same cause," Lukehart said. "All the money goes to the Relay for Life Fund ... it all goes to the same place." Tickets will be available in the lobby of both schools and will cost $3 for adults and $2 for children. Tickets will also be sold at the gates for $4 and $3, respectively.
Friday, January 16, 2009
$1 Million Cash Discovered During Gwinnett Traffic Stop
Courtesy Wsbtv
Friday, January 16, 2009 – updated: 6:11 pm EST January 16, 2009
GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. -- A traffic stop made by Gwinnett County deputies Friday morning led to the discovery of more than $1 million in cash.
Deputies said they stopped Santiago Valdovinos-Moreno Friday on Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road after he failed to maintain his lane of travel. While they were speaking with him, he pushed a deputy and fled on foot, police said.
He was captured and charged with obstruction of a law enforcement officer.
When deputies searched his vehicle, they discovered the large sum of cash inside a duffel bag. The cash was seized and Valdovinos-Moreno was booked at the Gwinnett County Jail where he was held on a $1 million cash only bond.
Friday, January 16, 2009 – updated: 6:11 pm EST January 16, 2009
GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. -- A traffic stop made by Gwinnett County deputies Friday morning led to the discovery of more than $1 million in cash.
Deputies said they stopped Santiago Valdovinos-Moreno Friday on Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road after he failed to maintain his lane of travel. While they were speaking with him, he pushed a deputy and fled on foot, police said.
He was captured and charged with obstruction of a law enforcement officer.
When deputies searched his vehicle, they discovered the large sum of cash inside a duffel bag. The cash was seized and Valdovinos-Moreno was booked at the Gwinnett County Jail where he was held on a $1 million cash only bond.
Parks, Greenspace High On Priority List For Suwanee Mayor
By Carole Townsend
Staff Correspondent
Gwinnett Daily Post
SUWANEE - Mayor Dave Williams addressed the Suwanee Business Alliance on Wednesday, delivering his first state of the city address to a packed room filled with Suwanee business owners and interested citizens.Williams began his address with a look back at 2008, a year that he deemed a critical planning year as well as a year in which several projects were completed. The mayor pointed to the new city hall building, Sims Lake Park, Eva Kennedy Road construction and the new public works facility as highlights of last year.
The new city hall building will be open for business next month, and a grand opening ceremony is scheduled for March 28.With the voters' decision in November to continue the special local option sales tax, Williams predicted that the estimated $10 to $12 million in revenue generated for Suwanee will ensure continued progress.Parks and greenspace, pedestrian traffic in key areas within the city and continued planned development are high on Suwanee's list of priorities in 2009, according to Williams.
And while the mayor acknowledged that the economy has impacted Suwanee's growth, he stressed that cautious navigation through the uncertainty will keep the city "well positioned to bounce back.""I'm a firm believer that we have the opportunity to pick our own future," said Williams of his city, which was named one of the top 10 best cities in the country in which to live last year. The Suwanee Gateway area, Old Town, the Peachtree Industrial Boulevard corridor and Town center will be the areas of greatest change in the coming years, based on plans laid out in the city's 2030 Comprehensive Plan.In short, according to Williams, "the state of our city is strong, and getting stronger."
Staff Correspondent
Gwinnett Daily Post
SUWANEE - Mayor Dave Williams addressed the Suwanee Business Alliance on Wednesday, delivering his first state of the city address to a packed room filled with Suwanee business owners and interested citizens.Williams began his address with a look back at 2008, a year that he deemed a critical planning year as well as a year in which several projects were completed. The mayor pointed to the new city hall building, Sims Lake Park, Eva Kennedy Road construction and the new public works facility as highlights of last year.
The new city hall building will be open for business next month, and a grand opening ceremony is scheduled for March 28.With the voters' decision in November to continue the special local option sales tax, Williams predicted that the estimated $10 to $12 million in revenue generated for Suwanee will ensure continued progress.Parks and greenspace, pedestrian traffic in key areas within the city and continued planned development are high on Suwanee's list of priorities in 2009, according to Williams.
And while the mayor acknowledged that the economy has impacted Suwanee's growth, he stressed that cautious navigation through the uncertainty will keep the city "well positioned to bounce back.""I'm a firm believer that we have the opportunity to pick our own future," said Williams of his city, which was named one of the top 10 best cities in the country in which to live last year. The Suwanee Gateway area, Old Town, the Peachtree Industrial Boulevard corridor and Town center will be the areas of greatest change in the coming years, based on plans laid out in the city's 2030 Comprehensive Plan.In short, according to Williams, "the state of our city is strong, and getting stronger."
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Police: AK-47 Bandit In Custody
By Josh Green
Staff Writer
Gwinnett Daily Post
LAWRENCEVILLE - Thanks to a tip, police have in custody an alleged AK-47-wielding robber who allegedly hit a Suwanee gas station on Christmas Eve, authorities said.
Steven Everett Sanders, 21, of Lawrenceville, faces charges of armed robbery, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
Gwinnett County Sheriff's Department deputies, accompanied by the department's SWAT team, arrested Sanders at a friend's Sugarloaf Parkway apartment Monday after investigators received word he was holed up there, authorities said. He surrendered without incident.
Police believe Sanders robbed a BP Connect gas station at 2890 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road using the assault rifle, said Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Stacey Bourbonnais.
Sanders allegedly left with about $400 in cash. He remains at the Gwinnett County Jail without bond.
Staff Writer
Gwinnett Daily Post
LAWRENCEVILLE - Thanks to a tip, police have in custody an alleged AK-47-wielding robber who allegedly hit a Suwanee gas station on Christmas Eve, authorities said.
Steven Everett Sanders, 21, of Lawrenceville, faces charges of armed robbery, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
Gwinnett County Sheriff's Department deputies, accompanied by the department's SWAT team, arrested Sanders at a friend's Sugarloaf Parkway apartment Monday after investigators received word he was holed up there, authorities said. He surrendered without incident.
Police believe Sanders robbed a BP Connect gas station at 2890 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road using the assault rifle, said Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Stacey Bourbonnais.
Sanders allegedly left with about $400 in cash. He remains at the Gwinnett County Jail without bond.
Forget The Cab, Take A Shuttle Flight
By Michael A. Schwarz, USA TODAY
ATLANTA — Traffic in the city once dubbed "the poster child of sprawl" is notoriously bad. But hopping a flight from the suburbs to the airport to avoid gridlock? C'mon!
That's exactly what a small regional airline is going to offer. Starting next month, Lawrenceville, Ga.-based Wings Air will have four 15-minute flights a day between Gwinnett County Airport-Briscoe Field and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world's busiest.
Wings Air President Charlie Mintz says the service targets business people with early-morning flights out of Hartsfield who don't wish to get up "at 3 or 4 a.m." to avoid the region's unpredictable traffic when trying to get to a 9 a.m. flight. "I call this the ultimate HOV (high-occupancy vehicle) lane," he says. "You fly over the traffic."
The flights, on Piper Navajo Chieftain planes that seat 7-9 passengers each, will cost $79 each way, which Mintz says is competitive with taxi fares for the 43-mile one-way trip. "Plus, nowadays if you miss your flight because of traffic, the airlines charge $75 to catch the next flight," he says.
Traffic-congestion experts cite the problem of unpredictability: When people don't know which day they'll experience an hour-long delay, they have to build in that extra hour — wasted time when traffic flows smoothly.
Tim Lomax, a researcher at the Texas Transportation Institute, says it isn't surprising that businesses respond to that reality. "If your time is at all valuable, you certainly think about issues like what this airline is reacting to," he says. "It's another one of these congestion industries."
David Castelveter, spokesman for the Air Transport Association, which represents the nation's major airlines, says it's not uncommon for passengers to fly from one airport to another in the same metro area. He cites Allegheny County Airport, which feeds Pittsburgh International Airport; Van Nuys Airport and Los Angeles International; and Scottsdale Airport and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
Those are all busy feeders: Allegheny County Airport is the fifth busiest in Pennsylvania; Van Nuys is the world's busiest general aviation airport and Scottsdale was the nation's second-busiest single-runway airport in 2004, according to their websites.
Gwinnett County-Briscoe Field now has no scheduled flights, says Matthew Smith, the county's airport division director. Mintz says his will be the only scheduled air shuttle service from metro Atlanta to Hartsfield-Jackson.
ATLANTA — Traffic in the city once dubbed "the poster child of sprawl" is notoriously bad. But hopping a flight from the suburbs to the airport to avoid gridlock? C'mon!
That's exactly what a small regional airline is going to offer. Starting next month, Lawrenceville, Ga.-based Wings Air will have four 15-minute flights a day between Gwinnett County Airport-Briscoe Field and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world's busiest.
Wings Air President Charlie Mintz says the service targets business people with early-morning flights out of Hartsfield who don't wish to get up "at 3 or 4 a.m." to avoid the region's unpredictable traffic when trying to get to a 9 a.m. flight. "I call this the ultimate HOV (high-occupancy vehicle) lane," he says. "You fly over the traffic."
The flights, on Piper Navajo Chieftain planes that seat 7-9 passengers each, will cost $79 each way, which Mintz says is competitive with taxi fares for the 43-mile one-way trip. "Plus, nowadays if you miss your flight because of traffic, the airlines charge $75 to catch the next flight," he says.
Traffic-congestion experts cite the problem of unpredictability: When people don't know which day they'll experience an hour-long delay, they have to build in that extra hour — wasted time when traffic flows smoothly.
Tim Lomax, a researcher at the Texas Transportation Institute, says it isn't surprising that businesses respond to that reality. "If your time is at all valuable, you certainly think about issues like what this airline is reacting to," he says. "It's another one of these congestion industries."
David Castelveter, spokesman for the Air Transport Association, which represents the nation's major airlines, says it's not uncommon for passengers to fly from one airport to another in the same metro area. He cites Allegheny County Airport, which feeds Pittsburgh International Airport; Van Nuys Airport and Los Angeles International; and Scottsdale Airport and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
Those are all busy feeders: Allegheny County Airport is the fifth busiest in Pennsylvania; Van Nuys is the world's busiest general aviation airport and Scottsdale was the nation's second-busiest single-runway airport in 2004, according to their websites.
Gwinnett County-Briscoe Field now has no scheduled flights, says Matthew Smith, the county's airport division director. Mintz says his will be the only scheduled air shuttle service from metro Atlanta to Hartsfield-Jackson.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
County Donates 40 Acres To College
By Heather Darenberg Staff Writer Gwinnett Daily Post
LAWRENCEVILLE - On behalf of Georgia Gwinnett College, the University System of Georgia's Board of Regents on Tuesday accepted a donation of 40 acres of land from Gwinnett County.
"Georgia Gwinnett College is most appreciative of this gift of land," GGC President Daniel J. Kaufman said after the Board of Regents' monthly meeting. "We are grateful to Chairman (Charles) Bannister and the commissioners for recognizing the need to expand our campus."
Georgia Gwinnett College opened in 2006 on the site of the former Gwinnett University Center in Lawrenceville.The two tracts of land - 23.33 acres on the northwest side of the campus and 17.1 acres located on Collins Hill Road - will be used for various purposes, including green space and future recreational purposes, according to a news release.
"These parcels are outstanding additions to our campus," said Eddie Beauchamp, the college's vice president of business and finance. "As we grow, expansion of our campus boundaries will be necessary, and this is an important beginning."
The land has been surveyed and an environmental study has been completed - both conditions for accepting the land grant from the county, the news release states."Georgia Gwinnett College is a vital asset to the Gwinnett community, and we will continue to support its growth and development as a first-class educational institution in any way we can," Gwinnett Commission Chairman Charles Bannister said.
LAWRENCEVILLE - On behalf of Georgia Gwinnett College, the University System of Georgia's Board of Regents on Tuesday accepted a donation of 40 acres of land from Gwinnett County.
"Georgia Gwinnett College is most appreciative of this gift of land," GGC President Daniel J. Kaufman said after the Board of Regents' monthly meeting. "We are grateful to Chairman (Charles) Bannister and the commissioners for recognizing the need to expand our campus."
Georgia Gwinnett College opened in 2006 on the site of the former Gwinnett University Center in Lawrenceville.The two tracts of land - 23.33 acres on the northwest side of the campus and 17.1 acres located on Collins Hill Road - will be used for various purposes, including green space and future recreational purposes, according to a news release.
"These parcels are outstanding additions to our campus," said Eddie Beauchamp, the college's vice president of business and finance. "As we grow, expansion of our campus boundaries will be necessary, and this is an important beginning."
The land has been surveyed and an environmental study has been completed - both conditions for accepting the land grant from the county, the news release states."Georgia Gwinnett College is a vital asset to the Gwinnett community, and we will continue to support its growth and development as a first-class educational institution in any way we can," Gwinnett Commission Chairman Charles Bannister said.
Four Time Olympic Gold Medalist Teresa Edwards Joins Suwanee Sports Academy Basketball Staff
Suwanee, Ga. (PRWEB) January 14, 2009 -- Suwanee Sports Academy has announced the addition of four-time Olympic Gold Medalist Teresa Edwards to its basketball development staff. The only U.S. basketball player, male or female, to compete in five Olympics, will focus her attention at the Sports Academy on the continued growth and development of basketball for girls in metro-Atlanta.
"We are excited to have Teresa join our basketball development staff not only because of what she accomplished in her basketball career but even more importantly because of the character and values she brings to us as a person," commented Kevin Cantwell, VP of Basketball Development at Suwanee Sports Academy. "When you think of women's basketball in the United States, you think Teresa Edwards and her success as an Olympic athlete. Her ability to work with our girls basketball players and help them develop the skills and self-confidence to succeed on and off the court will certainly be an asset to our organization."
Edwards will play an advisory role to Suwanee Sports Academy's professional coaching staff as well as providing on the court instruction for the Sports Academy's suite of basketball programs. The former University of Georgia All-American will hold the initial Teresa Edwards Gold Medal Camp at SSA the first week in June.
"I'm very happy to have this opportunity to provide young players with the skills training that is lacking throughout the game of basketball right now and have an impact on girls basketball players in the Atlanta area," expressed Edwards, who holds U.S Olympic career records for assists and steals. "I have become very familiar with the training philosophies of Suwanee Sports Academy and On Court Player Development® and I realized that this really is something special. Now, to be able to be a part of it is great."
The Cairo, Georgia native has been a member of 19 Team USA basketball teams, winning 14 Gold Medals. Edwards led the University of Georgia to four NCAA tournament appearances and two Final Fours during her collegiate career and finished her career playing for two seasons in the WNBA for the Minnesota Lynx.
About Suwanee Sports AcademySuwanee Sports Academy's whole player approach to training gives athletes the physical, emotional, and mental tools to succeed on the court. And off. The Sports Academy headquarters, located just outside Atlanta, is the largest privately owned facility in the country for basketball and volleyball training and competitive events. The facility is 100,000 square feet and includes seven NBA regulation basketball courts and 11 volleyball courts. Offerings include a variety of training programs, leagues, tournaments and camps. National competitions and evaluation events are also routinely held at the Sports Academy. For more information, visit www.ssasports.com. Suwanee Sports Academy is a portfolio company of Blue Magnet Partners. For more information, visit www.bluemagnetpartners.com
"We are excited to have Teresa join our basketball development staff not only because of what she accomplished in her basketball career but even more importantly because of the character and values she brings to us as a person," commented Kevin Cantwell, VP of Basketball Development at Suwanee Sports Academy. "When you think of women's basketball in the United States, you think Teresa Edwards and her success as an Olympic athlete. Her ability to work with our girls basketball players and help them develop the skills and self-confidence to succeed on and off the court will certainly be an asset to our organization."
Edwards will play an advisory role to Suwanee Sports Academy's professional coaching staff as well as providing on the court instruction for the Sports Academy's suite of basketball programs. The former University of Georgia All-American will hold the initial Teresa Edwards Gold Medal Camp at SSA the first week in June.
"I'm very happy to have this opportunity to provide young players with the skills training that is lacking throughout the game of basketball right now and have an impact on girls basketball players in the Atlanta area," expressed Edwards, who holds U.S Olympic career records for assists and steals. "I have become very familiar with the training philosophies of Suwanee Sports Academy and On Court Player Development® and I realized that this really is something special. Now, to be able to be a part of it is great."
The Cairo, Georgia native has been a member of 19 Team USA basketball teams, winning 14 Gold Medals. Edwards led the University of Georgia to four NCAA tournament appearances and two Final Fours during her collegiate career and finished her career playing for two seasons in the WNBA for the Minnesota Lynx.
About Suwanee Sports AcademySuwanee Sports Academy's whole player approach to training gives athletes the physical, emotional, and mental tools to succeed on the court. And off. The Sports Academy headquarters, located just outside Atlanta, is the largest privately owned facility in the country for basketball and volleyball training and competitive events. The facility is 100,000 square feet and includes seven NBA regulation basketball courts and 11 volleyball courts. Offerings include a variety of training programs, leagues, tournaments and camps. National competitions and evaluation events are also routinely held at the Sports Academy. For more information, visit www.ssasports.com. Suwanee Sports Academy is a portfolio company of Blue Magnet Partners. For more information, visit www.bluemagnetpartners.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
