Citizens Can Expect Changes for the Better

The following editorial by Mike Beaudreau appeared in the January 2, 2005 edition of the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

This year, Gwinnett County begins a new era of government. With a new Chairman, two new Commissioners, and a new County Administrator, citizens are probably going to see some changes in the way the county works. I certainly expect that they will be for the better.

As I talked to District 3 residents over the past year, one of the strongest concerns they had was the increasing crime rate, and the perception of increased gang and drug related activity. As a commissioner, my goal is to reduce the county’s crime rate, and keep the county a safe place to live.

We can achieve this goal in several ways. To start with, the county needs to raise the starting salaries of its public safety staff. Doing this will allow us to better recruit and retain qualified police officers to respond to crimes when they occur.

In addition to providing more resources for our public safety officers to respond to crime, we must also work to minimize the conditions that allow crimes to occur. This can particularly help in reducing drug-related and gang activity. By putting more resources into enforcing the county’s zoning ordinances, and working to increase citizen involvement in improving the quality of life in our neighborhoods, we can create an environment where it will be more difficult for crime to take root.

My experience as president of two homeowners associations taught me that the county needs to take a more balanced approach towards growth, development, and redevelopment. In my district, we have the Dacula and Harbins areas, which regularly see open land claimed for new housing, as well as the US 78 corridor, which, because it was developed much earlier, has revitalization challenges.

We can keep Gwinnett a great place to live by making zoning decisions that work to benefit the neighborhoods where development takes place. By making sure that the roads and schools in the area of proposed development have the capacity to handle the demands of the new construction, we can avoid adding to the problems of school overcrowding and traffic gridlock. By requiring new development to match the construction standards and character of surrounding neighborhoods, we can maintain and improve home values.

We can also work with developers to promote redevelopment that will keep the older parts of the county from declining. Many of Gwinnett’s cities have begun projects to revitalize or create downtown areas that promote a sense of community and provide a place for residents to gather. As the county becomes more densely populated, we should look to reconstruction of declining areas as an opportunity to create neighborhoods where residents can work, live, and play.

One of the reasons that I ran for commissioner was because I felt that the county was frequently not accessible or accountable to its citizens. I want District 3 residents to know that I plan to maintain an open door policy.

Beginning on Saturday, January 8th, and continuing on the second Saturday of each month, I will be in my office on the second floor of the Justice and Administration Center in Lawrenceville from 10 AM until 2 PM. I will be available to any resident who wants to stop by to raise concerns, make suggestions, or offer compliments. There’s no need to make an appointment; simply come by.

Last year, Gwinnett citizens decided that it was time for a change of direction in running the county. I am honored that District 3 residents selected me to represent them in the County Commission. I pledge to honor that trust, and to work to ensure that Gwinnett remains great.

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