October, 2007

A Note from Mike

Hello, Everyone:

It's the middle of the very busy fall season, with school and fall sports in full swing, and the holidays just around the corner. As I write this, I'm planning for the annual county commission retreat in early November, where we will get a look at the 2008 budget, and set goals and priorities for the upcoming year. While you'll hear more about them in the near future, I wanted to let you know about some of the things that have been going on in the county recently.

First, I wanted to let you know that after much consideration, I have decided to run for reelection in 2008 for a second term as your commissioner. I made a formal announcement on October 2nd at the Justice and Administration Center, and outlined some of the goals I have for a second term. You can watch a video of my announcement here.

While I think that much has been accomplished over the past few years, there are many more things that can be done to make Gwinnett and District 3 a better place to live. They include expanding and adding to the county park system, improving public safety services, including police, fire, and emergency medical services, managing the county's growth rate and providing for responsible development, and working to reduce taxes by controlling spending.

I'll be talking more about these issues over the next year, and I welcome your feedback and suggestions on these ideas. You can stop by one of my Meetings with Mike, or 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

What Gwinnett is Doing About the Drought

The reality of the drought affecting north Georgia hit home for many Gwinnett County residents in late September. After a year of less than normal rainfall, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division declared level four watering restrictions, virtually eliminating outdoor water use by homeowners in the counties hardest hit by the drought, including Gwinnett.

Beyond supporting the watering restrictions, and hoping for rain, there isn't much the county can do in the short term about the drought. However, ensuring an adequate supply of water for county residents in the long term is a priority of the Commission, and there are some steps we are taking towards that goal.

The county recently signed an agreement with the US Army Corps of Engineers that represents the final step in a plan to return about ten million gallons per day of highly treated wastewater to Lake Lanier from the Wayne Hill Water Resources plant near Buford. This will help the lake maintain water levels, especially during droughts. The pipeline needed for the project is expected to be completed by late 2009.  Officials are also working with large water users to get them to switch from using drinking water to using treated wastewater, where appropriate. For example, reuse water will go to the Mall of Georgia for irrigation under an agreement Commissioners approved in July. This allows the county to withdraw less water from the lake for treatment.

The county recently changed its policy for conversion of properties from septic tank to sewer to include commercial properties as well as residential ones. Eliminating septic tanks reduces environmental damage and improves water quality and property values. Being attached to the public sewer has the additional benefit of allowing used water to be returned to its source, Lake Lanier and the Chattahoochee River. This is a concern in Gwinnett, because our geography naturally drains into three separate river basins.

Finally, the county recently reassigned Frank Stephens from his position as head of the Water Resources department to a role that allows him to pay more attention to the county's future water needs, and to work with state government and the regional water planning authorities to make sure Gwinnett’s needs are represented in the development of state and regional water policies.

While most of these changes aren't apparent to county residents, they represent responsible planning and stewardship of our water supply that will help in making sure that Gwinnett's water needs are met in the future.

Recreation Options Expand for District 3 Residents

In the past few months, the county opened several new park facilities in District 3, and acquired land for additional greenspace in the future. On August 11th, residents in the Stone Mountain area celebrated the grand opening of Deshong Park, The new facility includes trails, a play area, and a skate park. Also in August, a new skate park, playground, and volleyball court opened at the site of the former Mountain Park pool at Mountain Park Park.

Recently, the county acquired 16 acres of property near the Yellow River on Five Forks Trickum Road in the Brookwood/Parkview area. Adjacent to both the river and the Yellow River Water Reclamation Facility, the plan is to open the facility as a passive park, similar to Ronald Reagan Park. While the purchase was funded by the 2005 SPLOST, development of facilities and the opening of the park is expected to be funded in the future.

The county also acquired additional nine acres for South Gwinnett Park in Snellville through a land exchange. Commissioner Beaudreau commented, "Residents in South Gwinnett have had fewer park facilities than other areas of the county, and the lack of available land makes adding facilities difficult. I have been committed to adding additional greenspace when it becomes available, and will continue to do so."

Road Construction Moves Along

District 3 residents will be able to travel more easily around the county thanks to several road construction projects, both underway and planned. The Georgia Department of Transportation held a ceremonial "Cord Cutting" to celebrate the start of construction of additional lanes and a median along US 78 on September 14th, and crews have begun work on the section between East Park Place and Stone Drive. The entire project, which runs up to Scenic Highway in Snellville, should be completed in November, 2009.

On Five Forks Trickum Road north of Ronald Reagan Parkway, work has begun on a project that will add a center turn lane that should reduce delays as people turn left into the many subdivisions along the road.

A project to widen State Route 124 in the Hamilton Mill area got a boost recently when Gwinnett DOT Commissioner Brian Allen, Chairman Bannister, and I met with Georgia DOT Commissioner Harold Linnenkohl. We were able to secure $1.5 million in state aid to begin construction. Additional SPLOST funds, and fees paid as a condition of area rezonings will be used to pay for the remaining portion.

The county selected E.R. Snell to construct the first part of the Sugarloaf Parkway extension between Route 20 and New Hope Road. With the final land acquisition just about wrapped up, construction should begin by the end of the year.

"Route 124 carries a lot of traffic to and from the Hamilton Mill area, and is an important alternative to using I-85 and Buford Drive," Mike noted. "Obtaining this money allows the county to build the expansion more efficiently."

Grand Openings and Groundbreakings

On September 25th, the county opened its new Animal Shelter at 884 Winder Highway in Lawrenceville. The new facility is approximately twice as large as the previous facility on Hi-Hope Road, and offers better conditions for its dog and cat residents, as well as more room for future pet owners to look at the pets they might adopt. You can learn more about the new facility and see some of the pets available for adoption at the Animal Shelter website.

Residents in the Snellville/Loganville area of the county will receive improved fire and emergency medical protection when the county opens a new fire station sometime in 2008. Commissioners held groundbreaking ceremonies at the new location on Rosebud Road in September.

Commissioners also approved the design contract for a new library in the Hamilton Mill area. The new library will be located at Braselton Highway and Pine Road, next to the new Duncan Creek Park, which will open in 2008. Construction of the library should begin late 2008, with the library opening in 2009.

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 November, Meetings with Mike will be held on Saturday the 10th from 8 AM until 10 AM 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 December 8th and January 12, 2008.

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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