A Note from Mike

Hello, Everyone:

Now that we're past the Labor Day holiday, it's time for one of my favorite seasons of the year: Fall. College football, cooler weather, the County Fair, and all the fall festivals sponsored by many of our cities make Gwinnett County a great place to be this time of year.

Before I talk about some of the things the Commission has done over the summer, and what we are going to be working on this fall, I want to take a minute to express my concern and condolences to the people of Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi who suffered from Hurricane Katrina. The county is doing what it can to provide assistance to those affected. Many members of the county Sheriff's department, including Chief Butch Conway, have gone to Louisiana to assist with the cleanup, and the county has set up a special section of its website to provide information on relief efforts.

I encourage everybody to do what they can to assist the victims of this tragedy, and to keep these Americans in your thoughts and prayers.

Over the summer, we launched our Operation Fixing Broken Windows initiative to help improve the quality of life in Gwinnett, particularly along the US 78 commercial district, near Gwinnett Place Mall, and along Jimmy Carter Boulevard. Initial results have been successful, and the commission is now considering changes that will allow easier and better enforcement of our initiatives. We approved changes to the Conservation Subdivision Overlay zoning (see below) that will give citizens a bigger voice in new development in their neighborhoods. We also began work on our budget for 2006.

I would like to hear your opinion on the issues facing the county. You are welcome to visit with me in my office when I hold "Meetings with Mike," (see the schedule below), or contact me by email at mike.beaudreau@gwinnettcounty.com. I hope to hear from you soon.

Mike Beaudreau

Commission Passes New Standards for Conservation Subdivisions

The county commission has enacted several changes that were proposed by Commissioner Beaudreau to the Conservation Subdivision Overlay ordinance. The ordinance provides for homes to be built on smaller lots if the developer is willing to preserve a portion of the land in its natural state.

The changes include a requirement that conservation subdivisions be approved at a public hearing prior to the start of construction, and that home exteriors are constructed from brick, fiber-cement siding, stone or stucco.

"I had heard from many District 3 residents that new subdivisions were being constructed near them without a chance for a public hearing, and that the quality of these homes didn't match existing homes in the neighborhood", Mike said. "The changes to the CSO ordinance allow for public input, as is required for other zoning classifications."

County Purchases Parkland in South Gwinnett

Residents of the Snellville, Lilburn, Centerville, and Stone Mountain areas will soon be able to take advantage of additional greenspace recently purchased by the county. In August, commissioners authorized the purchase of 68 acres of land along the Yellow River south of US 78 known as the Vecoma property.

"The purchase of this property provides several significant benefits for South Gwinnett residents", commented Commissioner Beaudreau. "First of all, it provides for a large, passive-use park for people in that area of the county to enjoy. Second, it will help the Highway 78 Community Improvement District's effort to revitalize the area. And, finally, it will provide protection for the floodplain on both sides of the river."

The county hopes to eventually connect the newly purchased parkland with additional county-owned property on the other side of US 78.

Commissioner Beaudreau Reviews First Months in Office

It's hard to believe that Mike's first year as District 3 commissioner is more than half over. He took some time recently to review his accomplishments during his first six months, and posted his thoughts on his website. You can read what he had to say here.

Summer Groundbreakings Will Provide Improved Facilities for District 3 Residents

The county began construction of several improvements that will benefit District 3 residents this summer. In June, commissioners and other officials held groundbreaking ceremonies for the new Eastside Police Precinct on Alcovy Road in Dacula, and for a combination fire station and tag office on Lenora Church Road in Snellville.

In July, construction for the long-awaited Grayson branch library got underway on Grayson Parkway. All four facilities are being paid for by sales tax money generated by the SPLOST.

Meetings with Mike Fall Schedule

If you have a concern about the county or its government, you are welcome to share it with Mike at one of the popular "Meetings With Mike", held once a month on Saturday mornings. Over 120 people have stopped by to have a private discussion with the commissioner.

In September, Mike will meet with citizens from 9 AM until 11 AM at his office in the Justice and Administration Center on Saturday the 17th, one week later than normal.

In October, Mike is planning a special event. Everyone is invited to come to Ronald Reagan Park on Five Forks Trickum Road to meet the commissioner from 10 AM until noon.

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

Upcoming Public Events

Mike will be making many special appearances this fall. You are welcome to visit with Mike at any of these events:

• Meetings with Mike, GJAC, 9 AM through 11 AM, September 17th
• Stone Mountain Rotary Club Meeting, September 20th at Noon.
• Police Graduation Ceremonies, Gwinnett Center, October 7th, 7:00 PM
• Meetings with Mike, 10AM through Noon, October 8th
• Address to Gwinnett Neighborhood Leadership Institute, 2 PM on October 15th at the State Capitol in Atlanta
• Police Graduation Ceremonies, Gwinnett Center, November 10th, 7:00 PM

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

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