July, 2007

A Note from Mike

Hello, Everyone:

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer, and is taking advantage of the somewhat slower pace before school starts again. Halfway through the year, I'm happy that the county has made a lot of progress on the goals I set back in December. As you'll read below, some of my top priorities—including public safety, improving the quality of life in our community, and bringing some balance to the annexation of county land by cities—have been accomplished.

One of the best parts of being a county commissioner is having the ability to recognize the achievements of our young people. In May, I presented the South Gwinnett Girl's Basketball team with a certificate of recognition honoring their second place finish in statewide competition this year. I was also honored to recognize members of the Gwinnett Student Leadership Team at a recent Commission Meeting, and DECA scholarship winners Morgan Blouin from South Gwinnett High School and Marcus Hodges of Brookwood High School at the Snellville Commerce Club. While I can't recognize each District 3 student individually, I congratulate all our 2007 graduates, and wish them success as they move on to the next step in their lives.

I was very glad to meet many of you during the Tour of Neighborhoods I conducted this spring. Over 300 people took the time to stop by to share their concerns, and learn about what the county is doing in their area. If you didn't have a chance to attend, I invite you to stop by one of my Meetings with Mike, or to contact me by email at mike.beaudreau@gwinnettcounty.com. You can also call my office at 770-822-7003. I hope to hear from you soon.

Mike

Commission Passes Bill Requiring Contractors to Hire Legal Residents

The County Commission passed an ordinance last month requiring county contractors to verify the legal status of their employees. The new law lets county auditors verify that workers for businesses with county contracts are in the United States legally. Companies or subcontractors that hire illegal aliens can be banned from doing county work in the future.

Explaining his vote, Commissioner Beaudreau emphasized the measure was designed to create a level playing field for everyone bidding on county projects, which include everything from paving roads to providing services at the jail. "It's not fair for companies doing their best to comply with employment law to not get a contract because some less scrupulous company can bid at a lower price by hiring illegal labor", he said.

County Quality of Life Unit Opens New Headquarters

Late last month, the county opened the new headquarters for the Quality of Life Unit, which is responsible for investigating and enforcing code violations throughout the county. The new almost 8,000 square foot facility is located on Oakbrook Parkway in Norcross and for the first time allows all the county staff working on improving the conditions of our neighborhoods to work out of the same building.

"The new headquarters completes an effort that began two years ago with Operation Fixing Broken Windows." Commissioner Beaudreau noted. "The initial program was well-received by residents, and I worked with the other commissioners to bring officers from the police department and planning and zoning into one department that could improve our enforcement capabilities, and make it easier for citizens to get their complaints addressed."

Mike also noted that the county has made it easier for residents to submit requests for county services, including action from the Quality of Life unit. By going to the new Citizen Self Service Request Center on the county website, people can start and track requests, which will be directed to the department responsible for servicing them.

US 78 Reconstruction Contract Awarded

After years of planning by the county, the Evermore Community Improvement District, and the state DOT, a contract for construction was signed to remove the reversible lane system between Stone Mountain and Snellville, and convert the highway to a six lane road with a median. Construction will be in phases, beginning at the Stone Mountain end, and concluding at Scenic Highway in Snellville in about 2 years.

At the same time the contract was signed, Commissioners signed an agreement appropriating $1.75 million from the county's local option sales tax program to fund additional improvements to make it easier for the almost 65,000 people traveling the route daily to access businesses and shops with a minimum of congestion. These improvements include side roads to allow cars to move between shops without having to re-enter US 78, upscale street signage, a pedestrian bridge over the Yellow River, and sidewalks in the area.

"I think that residents and commuters are going to be pleased when this project is completed", Commissioner Beaudreau said. "The Evermore CID, state officials, county staff, and I have worked to make sure that the project not only improves the road, but adds to the quality of life in South Gwinnett".

County Adds Additional Police and Fire Capacity

County officials recently opened two new fire stations in District 3, and opened a new Police Training Complex just outside Lawrenceville. The openings reinforce the County Commission's determination to improve and expand the county's public safety facilities.

On June 19th, new fire stations on Old Fountain Road near Dacula, and on Brannan Boulevard in Grayson were opened with ribbon cuttings. The new Station 27 will allow firefighters and paramedics to provide a faster response in the Dacula and Hamilton Mill areas, while the Grayson station replaces an older facility that had to be moved due to the Highway 20 widening. Also in June, the county added an additional ambulance at Fire Station 9, serving the Flowers Crossing/Five Forks area.

A week later, county officials gathered to celebrate the opening of the new 88,000 square foot Police Training Complex in Lawrenceville. The new facility includes indoor firing ranges, fitness training areas, classrooms, and an outdoor area for driver training.

Commissioner Beaudreau said, "The new Police Training Complex will ensure that the officers protecting the county have the best preparation possible for what they might find as they do their jobs. It will also make it easier to attract the best qualified candidates to fill open police positions." Mike noted that the county hired 133 new police officers in 2006, and is actively recruiting for more positions, many of which will be located in South Gwinnett.

New Zoning Classification Will Help Preserve the County’s Character

Lesser developed areas in the eastern part of the county will benefit from changes to the county's zoning ordinances. The new zoning classification, R-LL, was created specifically to transition between semi-rural, large lot properties, and more traditional R-100 single family neighborhoods. It requires larger front, side and back yards, a minimum of 125 foot wide lots, and homes that have at least 2,000 square feet of living space.

"Before this new zoning classification went into effect, Planning Commissioners and the County Commission were limited in the options they could offer when developers wanted to build in parts of the county that were primarily agricultural, or held estate homes on multi-acre lots," Beaudreau explained. "Property owners adjacent to the proposed development did not like typical subdivisions being constructed next to them. The R-LL designation allows us to address their concerns while still allowing for appropriate growth."

Fair Annexation Act Protects the Rights of Counties and Landowners

On the last day of the recent General Assembly session, both the Georgia House and Senate passed the Fair Annexation Act, and it was signed into law by Governor Perdue in May. The new law allows counties to challenge annexations of county land by cities when the annexation, and the rezoning to a more dense use which typically followed, would place a burden on the county's ability to provide public safety, transportation, or educational services.

Commissioner Beaudreau was a strong supporter of the measure, and worked with groups representing Georgia's cities and counties to create a bill that was acceptable to both. He was also asked to testify before a House commmittee holding hearings on the bill this spring.

Mike said, "The new law gives county officials the ability to better manage land use and county resources. It also allows us to represent the interests of property owners near the proposed annexation who previously had no voice on annexation proposals. I worked hard for two years to get this legislation passed because of its benefits for Gwinnett residents, and would especially like to thank State Senator Renee Unterman for helping to see the measure through to its final passage".

Talk to Your Commissioner at ‘Meetings with Mike’

From the first month he took office Commissioner Beaudreau has held monthly sessions where district residents can speak one-on-one with him about county issues affecting him. These meetings are a way for you to get your opinion heard or your questions answered, and for Mike to learn about the issues most important to his constituents.

In July, Meetings with Mike will be held on Saturday the 14th from 10 AM until Noon at his office on the second floor of the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center on Langley Drive in Lawrenceville. Mike will also meet with residents on August 11th and September 8th.

Meetings don't require appointments, and are first-come first served.

Note: Dates and times for Meetings with Mike may change. Check www.MikeBeaudreau.com for late revisions.

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