Beaudreau Welcomes Support of Community Leaders, AJC

Lawrenceville, GA July 10, 2004 – District 3 Commission candidate Mike Beaudreau today welcomed the endorsement of four more community leaders. Former Planning Commissioners Diane Kesler and Teresa Cantrell join south Gwinnett homeowner advocates Frances Smith and Brenda Lee in supporting Mike's candidacy. Mike has also received the endorsement of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Dacula resident Teresa Cantrell is a former Gwinnett County Planning Commissioner, an appointee of "homeowner-friendly" County Commissioner Marcia Neaton. Cantrell was a highly-respected "managed growth" advocate during her tenure on the panel. Cantrell proposed several initiatives to address higher-density development in Gwinnett's overcrowded school districts.

"I believe Mike has both the creative abilities to present innovative solutions to managing growth here in Gwinnett and the political will to do so. While he will listen to all parties who have a stake in the Commission 3 decisions, he has not obligated himself to favor developers over homeowners. He will be fair."

Diane Kesler is also a former Neaton representative on the Planning Commission and co-founder of the Gwinnett Place Neighborhood Alliance. Along with Cantrell, Kesler is a staunch advocate of growth policies that protect homeowners from bad development in their communities. Kesler also managed Neaton's 2000 District 1 campaign.

"Mike is clearly the best District 3 candidate to further homeowner interests on the Commission," said Kesler. "We have made great strides over the past four years and have a golden opportunity in this year's Commission races. Now is not the time to lose ground by electing yet another developer-backed Commissioner with no vision and no political backbone."

Kesler recalled that she met with Mike and his neighbors on several rezoning cases during her tenure, and that she was impressed by his detailed knowledge of growth and development issues.

"Mike has an excellent understanding of the tough issues facing Gwinnett and was not afraid to voice that concern to the Planning Commission on behalf of his neighbors," said Kesler. "It was obvious that Mike knew what he was talking about."

Frances Smith shares Mike's commitment to revitalization in District 3's aging areas, especially along Hwy. 78. Four years ago, the Stone Mountain activist spearheaded a community effort to convince mega-retailer Wal-Mart to renovate its Stone Mountain Festival store rather than move. Today, she is an energetic advocate of District 3 revitalization efforts through her involvement with the Corinth Hills Homeowners Association.

"Mike shares my belief that revitalization is key to maintaining a high quality of life for homeowners in Gwinnett's older areas," said Smith. "I look forward to working with Mike; it is clear to me that he understands the concerns of south Gwinnett."

Southern Gwinnett Neighborhood Alliance founder Brenda Lee has seen bad politicians come and go. During her eight years as an activist in the Brookwood school cluster area, Lee has rallied homeowner opposition to bad development across south Gwinnett. According to Lee, Mike epitomizes the experience and principled leadership that is sorely needed to champion homeowner concerns in District 3.

"The people of District 3 are fortunate to have someone of Mike's experience and caliber seeking this position," said Lee. "When I evaluate candidates, I want to know what type of experience they have. Mike is the only candidate who has been 'in the trenches,' side by side with me and our fellow homeowners battling irresponsible growth in our neighborhoods. None of the other contenders can bring that kind of experience to the Commission seat."

Mike said that he welcomes the support of these community leaders as recognition of his promise to give homeowners a voice in the Gwinnett's future.

"For too long, District 3 residents have had to suffer from an unresponsive Commissioner," said Mike. "For too long, the Commission has ignored the Land Use Plan and approved one higher-density residential development after another, putting more children in already-overcrowded schools and more cars on congested roads."

Said Mike, "I share the belief of these knowledgeable community leaders that we must act now to preserve a higher quality of life in District 3. I have the commitment and the plan to do just that."

After interviewing all of the candidates in the District 3 race, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution published this assessment on Friday:

"In the Republican primary for Commission District 3, incumbent John Dunn has unfortunately met the low expectations of some observers when he took office. The most promising of the alternatives is clearly Mike Beaudreau, a bright political newcomer."

Last month, Mike received the endorsements of Snellville Planning Commissioner John Desselle, Loganville City Council member Sara Bacon and former Snellville City Councilman Joe Anderson. All three have expressed their support for Mike's plan to promote responsible development.

Mike has also received the endorsement of The Greater Gwinnett Group of the Sierra Club, which characterized Mike as a "breath of fresh air to the political environment in Gwinnett County." The Sierra Club recognized that Mike is the only District 3 candidate to propose an honest plan to preserve trees and protect our streams and water resources.

About Mike Beaudreau

Mike Beaudreau is a National Accounts Manager for Ricoh Corporation, and has been a Gwinnett County resident for the past five years. Mike is a graduate of the Atlanta Regional Commission Community Planning Academy. He is past president of his homeowner's association, and served as second vice chairman of the Gwinnett Republican party. He graduated from Clemson University in 1997, and has completed additional studies at Georgetown University. He and his wife Tegwen live in the Grayson/Lawrenceville area of the county.

For further information on the Beaudreau for Commissioner campaign, visit www.mikebeaudreau.com.

Contact: Mike Beaudreau
770-466-3504

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