ross COfficial newsletter R ads of the September 2008

INSIDE THIS ISSUE… Trek or treat…p. 10

A cold-blooded A new look at Old Town, suspect…p. 10 Town Center…p. 3 2009 SPLOST could have big impact in Suwanee Voters will make several important decisions when they cast their ballots this Suwanee’s 25th November. Perhaps the one with the greatest local impact will be whether or ‘Celebration of Community’ not to extend the Gwinnett County SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Saturday, September 20 Sales Tax). When the 2005 SPLOST comes to a 10 am-10 pm close in April 2009, the City of Suwanee will have received about $6.6 million to Town Center Park fund transportation, recreation, and public ~ arts & crafts ~ safety capital projects. Among the SPLOST-funded projects undertaken in ~ free entertainment ~ Suwanee are the Big Splash fountain, play- ground at Sims Lake Park, police commu- Suwanee signature Mayor Dave ~ children’s activities & rides ~ nication equipment, pedestrian bridge over Williams signs the 2009 SPLOST ~ fabulous food ~ Suwanee Creek, and several sidewalk and agreement with Gwinnett County. street resurfacing projects. “Little Penny. ~ Ricochet & The Lost Trailers ~ Big Impact.” signs have been installed around the City to give residents a better idea of the local impact of the one-penny sales tax. ~ parade ~ “Through SPLOST,” says Assistant to the City Manager Jessica Roth, “we’ve ~ fireworks ~ been able to make long-term improvements for the community much sooner than would have been possible through the operating budget.” Schedules and more details The SPLOST program before Gwinnett County voters in November is a beginning on page 4. five-year program. If approved, the City of Suwanee is expected to receive more than $12.8 million between April 2009 and March 2014. Continued on page 2 Page 2 September 2008

www.suwanee.com

SPLOST…continued from page 1

City Council has designated that 2009 SPLOST funds would be spent in the following areas: Roads and bridges – $5.9 million (46%) Recreation – almost $2.4 million (19%) Parking facilities – $2.5 million (19%) Public safety – $1.9 million (15%) Administrative facilities – $150,000 (1%) While 2005 Suwanee transportation projects tended to concentrate on sidewalks, trails, and pedestrian connections, plans for the 2009 SPLOST focus more on vehicle-related improvements. “City Council wants to focus on road enhancements – such as improving intersections or adding turn lanes – that will improve traffic flow,” says Roth. One road that could see multiple improvements for non-vehicular traffic, though, is Peachtree Industrial Boulevard. The City’s Capital Improvements Program calls for enhanced crossings in multiple locations Project funded in part by along the busy road. Other road projects could include resurfacing, more sidewalks, and storm drainage improvements. SPLOST funds would be allocated for a parking facility at Town Center. Roth notes that several communities working to improve their downtown areas have identified a parking facility as an important capital improvement in 2009 SPLOST plans. Recreation funds would cover a variety of projects associated with the Suwanee Creek Greenway. The largest of those projects would be reha- bilitation of the oldest section of the greenway from Martin Farm Road to Suwanee Elementary. In order to address the frequent flooding along that section, the existing trail would be replaced with boardwalk material. Other recreation projects would include installing an irrigation well at Town Center Park, extending the greenway to Smithtown Road, adding additional soft surface trails, and installing a connector trail at Sims Lake Park. The 2009 SPLOST also would fund a police substation in the Suwanee Gateway area. With the expected renova- tion of the Gateway area as a vibrant business, commercial, and visitor center, additional police presence will be need- ed. The geographical make-up of Suwanee with the I-85 artery running through the Gateway area also makes a precinct in that area desirable, notes Roth. Finally, the small admin- istrative facilities allocation City of Suwanee Proposed Funding Categories for 2009 SPLOST would be for office and secu- rity-related renovations of the Parking Facility Crossroads Center, which 19% when the new City Hall opens, will function solely as Admin. Facilities Roads & Bridges the municipal court facility. 1% 46% Since the mid-1980s, Gwinnett County voters have approved a series of SPLOST programs. Suwanee and other Gwinnett County cities began receiving a larger per- centage of SPLOST funds, Public Safety based on population, with passage of House Bill 709 in 15% Recreation 19% 2004. September 2008 Page 3

www.suwanee.com City to take closer look at Old Town,Town Center through downtown master plan process The focus of Suwanee’s next master planning effort will be its historic Old Town and newly developed Town Center areas. The City begins this month the process of updating its 2002 Old Town Master Plan, expected to take 6- 9 months. “We want to find a way to merge these two areas,” says Planning Director Josh Campbell. “Our desire is that both of these areas – these two sides of downtown Suwanee’s personality – be compatible and tied to one another.” The City has hired Ecos Environmental Design, an Atlanta-based landscape architecture, urban design, and plan- ning services firm, to lead the downtown master planning process. Throughout the process, Ecos will collaborate with other firms: Market & Main will focus on housing; URS will concentrate on transportation issues; and architectural firm Smith Dalia also will consult. The cost for the master plan update will be about $85,000. As this newsletter was going to press, the City planned to appoint 12-15 residents, business own- ers, and other stakeholders to form a downtown master plan steering committee, which will brain- storm, raise issues, and provide feedback to staff and consultants. The steering committee is expected to begin its work this month. The first of five community meetings is antici- pated for October. Community meetings will be open to Suwanee residents and downtown stake- holders. These meetings, notes Campbell, will offer opportunities for citizen involvement through review and input. A survey will be conducted at the first meeting. Check www.suwanee.com for a schedule Town Center of community meetings. “We need to explore future development in Old Town while respecting the unique character of the City seeks citizens for area,” says Campbell. Another delicate balancing act to be explored planning boards vacancies through the Suwanee Downtown Master Plan process The City of Suwanee is accepting applications from resi- will be meeting transportation needs while providing dents who would like to serve on one of the City’s planning pedestrian-friendly access to and connections between and zoning boards. sections of downtown Suwanee. The Planning and Zoning Commission hears all planning “Buford Highway bisects downtown Suwanee,” says and zoning matters, including all rezoning and special use Campbell. “Ideally, Buford Highway could function permit requests, and makes recommendations to City Council more like a local road, a road that pedestrians would on these matters. feel comfortable walking along and crossing. The Zoning Board of Appeals considers and rules on all “Despite the variance requests, which are required when a developer or success of Town property owner wishes to do something not ordinarily allowed Center,” he adds, by the City’s zoning ordinances or when the City's zoning “we have some chal- ordinances create a hardship. Decisions of the Appeals Board lenges in our down- are not subject to the review of City Council and can only be town area. The appealed to Gwinnett County Superior Court. master planning Both groups meet on a monthly basis, and the five mem- process will help us bers of each board are appointed by City Council to two-year identify strategies terms. Appointees must reside in the City of Suwanee. for addressing these To request an application, contact Planning Director Josh challenges and Campbell at [email protected] or 770/945-8996, ext. embracing new 229. Applications will be accepted through September 30. Old Town opportunities.” Page 4 September 2008

www.suwanee.com Suwanee Day September 20, 2008 • Town Center Park Free shuttle transportation from off-site parking begins ~ 9 am Parade ~ 10 am Arts & crafts exhibitors ~ 10 am – 5 pm Inflatable rides, children’s activities ~ 10 am – 7:30 pm Free entertainment ~ 11 am – 10 pm The Lost Trailers ~ 7 pm Ricochet ~ 8:30 pm Fireworks ~ 9:45 pm Free shuttle transportation to off-site parking ends ~ 10:30 pm

Festival vendors offer A-Z Richard Shivers • A Measure of Clay array of gotta-have items What he makes: Functional wheel-thrown and hand-built pottery that is food-safe. Lots of earth They’re an eclectic, tempting lot. The tones. And lots of bowls, from cups for soup to 4- nearly 100 arts and crafts exhibitors at the 25th quart serving bowls. Suwanee Day will offer an array of handmade What you can expect to pay: $7-65. items that are sure to make that perfect gift or that just-have-to-have-it object for yourself. His day job: Music teacher at Riverside Elementary. Between them all, the 2008 Suwanee Day How he got interested in pottery: “It’s just one of those life-long desires,” Shivers vendors offer a veritable alphabet of items from says. “It was something I always wanted to learn how to do. I thought I’d have to artisan jewelry to yard art, baskets to tutus, retire before I could get to it.” Shivers began taking pottery lessons at the Hudgens baby trinkets to university logo wear, and Art Center four years ago. everything in between: bird feeders, bracelets, What he enjoys about his art: “The whole process is fun. I like the fact that I’m chimes, folk art, handbags, mosaic items, neck- creating something useful that also is a piece of art. It’s just satisfying when you laces, painted signs, pottery, Raggedy Anns, make something that’s worthwhile.” whimsical décor…and much more! For many exhibitors, this is their first Suwanee Day, and for some it’s their very first Lori Kennedy and Christy Holland • The Spotted Daisy festival ever. While several others have come back for more. What they make: These neighbors and business partners make whimsical home “We love Suwanee Day,” says Lori décor, including wall signs, shadowbox window picture frames, and magnetic bul- letin boards. Kennedy of The Spotted Daisy, who along with partner Christy Holland, is returning for How they got into the business six years ago: The former special education teach- her fifth Suwanee Day festival. “It’s very well ers both became stay-at-home moms in search of a creative outlet and adult com- organized. We get repeat customers each year, pany. As teachers of students with learning disabilities, Kennedy says, they were and we’ve noticed that the festival continues to “accustomed to thinking outside the box, to doing things in different manners, to being grow.” creative in life.” Also, among those returning exhibitors is Gertrude Thomas. Affectionately known as What you can expect to pay: As little as $5 Miss Gertrude, she’s been at every Suwanee for Christmas ornaments. $20-$25 for signs Day celebration since 1984. She’ll be there painted with quotes. $90 for windows. again this year at the Festival Information tent With the tough economy, Kennedy and Holland have adjusted their prices slightly. selling her mouth-watering peanut brittle. Here’s a sample of a couple of other artists What they say about Suwanee Day: and craftspeople you might meet – and shop “It’s just an all-around positive, happy with – at the festival. experience.” September 2008 Page 5

www.suwanee.com Suwanee Day goes a little bit country With some help from 94.9 The Bull, the Suwanee Day festival is going a little bit country this year. Ricochet will headline the entertainment line-up with a free performance at 8:30 p.m. The Lost Trailers will kick off the evening entertainment with a 7 p.m. performance. One of the most popular vocal groups in country music, Ricochet has been going strong since being named The Academy of Country Music’s Top New Vocal Group in 1996. The Ricochet five-member band Suwanee Day 2008 plays hundreds of live shows each year and is the first country group Entertainment Line-Up to ever chart with the “National Anthem” on Billboard’s Top 40. Ricochet’s hits include the number-one single “Daddy’s Money” as Everett Brothers – 11 am well as “Love is Stronger than Pride,” “Ease Medieval Times – 11:30 am My Troubled Mind,” “He Left a Lot to be Shadowbrook Station Band – noon Desired,” and several others. Karate World – 12:20 pm The Lost Trailers are enjoying the frenzy Jordan Humphrey – 12:45 pm generated by their top-10 hit “Holler Back” Sugarloaf Performing Arts – 1 pm from their first major label CD of the same name. “Holler Back” was number 10 on NGHS Drumline – 1:45 pm Billboard’s country charts the week of Suwanee Academy of the Arts – 2:30 pm August 23. Also a five-member band, The Suwanee Academy of the Arts’ ‘Aladdin’ – 2:50 pm Lost Trailers have headlined clubs all over Swagger – 3:15 pm The Lost Trailers the country and opened in massive arenas TaVeren – 4:30 pm for established stars such as Sugarland, Victor Hodge Band – 5:30 pm Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bentley, and Kenny Chesney. Like all of the Suwanee Day entertainment performances, the The Lost Trailers – 7 pm evening concerts are free. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, and your cow- Ricochet – 8:30 pm boy boots for these evening concerts; alcoholic beverages will not be Fireworks – 10 pm available for purchase, nor may they be brought into the park. Michael Phelps is parade grand marshal No, not the Michael Phelps of Beijing Olympic lore. Although, this Michael Phelps does a lot of laps – and even faster than that other famous fellow – and is pretty special in his own right. The Suwanee Day parade grand marshal is the Michael Phelps who is a 19-year-old Suwanee area resident, Auburn University student, and up-and-comer on the NASCAR race circuit. Driving the number 45 Bowen Family Homes and Cunningham Motorsports car, Phelps currently competes in the ARCA RE/MAX Series as well as the USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series. 2007 Suwanee Day parade Phelps will lead off the 10 a.m. parade, which also will include local organizations, high school bands, businesses, and schools. Celebrating the festival’s roots, this year’s parade theme is “Totally ’80s.” Parade partici- pants have been encouraged to decorate their entries in accordance with either a 1980s or Roads will be closed during parade silver/25th celebration theme. If you must be somewhere other than the Suwanee Day parade on September 20, For the first time this year, cash prizes be aware that several roads around Town Center will be closed from approximately will be awarded in several categories includ- 9:45-11 a.m. Please plan accordingly. ing best in show, most creative, best reflec- Roads affected include: tion of theme, and most entertaining. • Buford Highway from McGinnis Ferry to Suwanee Dam The 1.25-mile parade route begins at Russell Road and Buford Highway, travels • Suwanee Dam westbound between Buford Highway and Peachtree Industrial Blvd. north on Buford Highway by Town Center • Main Street Park and then onto Suwanee Dam and south Parade line-up begins along Stonecypher Road around 7:30 a.m. along Main Street, where it ends at Pierce’s Corner. Page 6 September 2008 www.suwanee.com

FUN FOR EVERYONE Suwanee Day offers a bit of something for everyone – and this year the fes- tival has made a special effort to include activities designed especially for tweens and teens. Thrill-seeking young children seem to appreciate most about the festival the rides that provide hours of bouncing, climbing, and tumbling fun. Suwanee Day will offer plenty of that! The children’s area will fea- ture eight activities provided through Fun Fare. A $10 fee per child provides all-day access to these rides. Several other activities are available for small additional fees. These activities include a rock wall, spider crawl, train ride, basketball hoop, fast pitch baseball, and remote-controlled race cars.

For teens and tweens – OK, maybe for some photo by BillThee grown-ups, too – Suwanee Day offers for the first time an Interactive Gaming Experience tent. There, the nimble-fingered can test for free their skills at a variety of Nintendo, PlayStation, and Wii games. A Guitar Hero III contest will be staged during the day; pre-registration will be limited and is available at the gaming tent, located near the shuttle drop-off point. The winner will receive a $100 gift card. Most rides and activities will be open from 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m.

For more information on Suwanee Day activities, visit www.suwaneeday.com September 2008 Page 7

www.suwanee.com Two ways to help at Suwanee Day Every year the Suwanee Day festival relies on hundreds of volunteers with a heart of gold to lend a hand. These volunteers handle a variety of tasks, from exhibitor set-up and load out to watching over off-site parking lots, from keeping folks out of the road during the parade to running any number of errands – and we couldn’t do without them! This is a fun way to get involved and support the community. Please apply online by September 12 at www.suwaneeday.com. All volunteers receive a free Suwanee Day t-shirt. Suwanee Day attendees can also help out – the environment, that is. Through a partnership with Allied Waste, Suwanee Day is going green this year. Paper, plastic, aluminum, and cardboard will Suwanee Day Keepsakes be recycled. Please help us help the environment by putting waste and recyclable materials in the appropriate containers.

Official Festival T-Shirt $10 each

Reduce fuel use – take the bus 25th Celebration Commemorative Poster Hop on the free Suwanee Day shuttle at convenient off-site $10 each parking areas and avoid the potential congestion and parking hassles around Town Center Park. Shuttles will operate from Created by local artist Melody Orr 9 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. Festival parking and shuttle pick-up/drop-off are available at: Shadowbrook Baptist Church 4187 Suwanee Dam Road Shawnee North Business Center 305 Shawnee North Drive (at Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road) 2008 Art on a Limb Southeastern Freight Painted Gourd 3655 Windsor Park Drive at Buford Highway and McGinnis $25 each Ferry Road (enter from Buford Highway) Created by local artist Ingrid Bolton Limited parking for visitors with motor scooters or wheel- chairs will be available at Suwanee City Hall. Additional park- Items available at Festival ing for those with disabilities will be available at Shadowbrook Information Booth. Baptist Church; a wheelchair-accessible bus will be available for T-shirts also will be available at transportation to Town Center Park. City Hall beginning September 8. Page 8 September 2008

www.suwanee.com Volunteers, sponsors essential ingredients in successful Suwanee Day festival 2008 Suwanee Day The idea is that the Suwanee Day festival will appear that it is a well-oiled machine with all its parts working seamlessly with one another – with buses pick- Sponsors ing up and delivering attendees to Town Center Park and off-site parking loca- Signature tions, quality entertainment groups and all of their equipment appearing onstage Primrose Schools of in a smooth sequence and on schedule, trash cans being magically emptied, and Suwanee and other hundreds of vendors getting set up in their local locations, spots by 9 a.m. the day of the festival. In including Buford, reality, it requires a dedicated planning 2008 Suwanee Day Lawrenceville North, committee and hundreds of volunteers the and Dacula at Hamilton Mill day of the festival (as well as a little cooper- Planning Committee ation from Mother Nature) to pull off a Melissa Fernandez, Chair Gold successful festival. Allied Waste A heartfelt “thank you!” to all of our Entertainment Charter Communications Suwanee Day volunteers, and especially to Allison Cain Gwinnett Daily Post the citizens who serve on the planning Scott Dovel Wild Wing Café committee. Scott Snead Festival sponsors make up another “we Donna Wilkes Silver couldn’t do it without you” group. Each BB&T year, generous, community-minded busi- Exhibitors Burnette Insurance Agency nesses make it possible for the Suwanee Chantal Anderson Chandler, Britt, Jay & Beck Day festival to continue to grow and offer Mark D’Angola Costco an expanding, exciting menu of activities. Herb Godfrey DeVore & Johnson of Suwanee Please be sure to show your appreciation by Jewell Jefferson Digital Entertainment Associates patronizing Suwanee Day sponsors. Heather Millott Rosie Rainieri Direct Satellite TV Dixie Homecrafters Marketing Dr. Rhonda Hogan Todd Renner Elements for Women EverDry Waterproofing Parade Gwinnett Gladiators Hockey Club Cathy Bergwall Ippolito's Drew Bergwall Karate World Ryan Neilan La Ti Da Sponsors Level Creek Wealth Management C. Kay Fuino Pre-Press to Printing Rhonda Hogan ProLending Bill Thee Road Atlanta Run, Suwanee, Run BodyPlex Fitness Suwanee Sports Academy Transportation Adventure’s Suwanee Day Classic is set to Taylor Construction take off once again from Town Center Benita Marshall The Eddy Group at Smith Barney Park on Saturday, September 13. Rhonda Oakley The Goddard School However, this year for the first time, run- Doug Schwendy Toyota Mall of Georgia ners will have their choice of races: either Volunteers XXI Century Entertainment a 5K, 10K , or both. The 5K route goes Marcia Massey through historic Old Town; the race begins Bronze Kim Towne at 7:30 a.m. The 10K route will include Clark Patterson Lee Design Professionals the Suwanee Creek Greenway and begins At-Large Assistance Georgia Higher Education Savings Plan at 8:30 a.m. On-site registration at Town Thomas Coffin Opus South Corporation Center Park begins at 6:30 a.m. Valerie Ernst Robins, Eskew, Smith & Jordan, CPAs September 2008 Page 9

www.suwanee.com Police, businesses to form PACT in Suwanee Gateway Suwanee police officers have become “honorary residents” in neighborhoods throughout the City. Since 2002, through the PACT (Police and Citizens Together) program, officers have served as liaisons and resources to residents wishing to address crime prevention and other quality-of-life issues in their communities. Now Suwanee officers and business owners are teaming up to bring the relationship-rich PACT program to the Suwanee Gateway, the commercial area surrounding Suwanee’s I-85 interchange. “We’re hoping to duplicate the success of the residential PACT program in the Gateway area,” says Economic and Community Make a pact to be there! Development Director Denise Brinson. “This is a great opportunity for Initial Suwanee Gateway PACT Meeting businesses to develop relationships with one another as well Tuesday, September 16 – 10 am as with the City.” Suwanee’s residential PACT program is designed to Courtyard Marriott, 310 Gwinco Blvd. build relationships between citizens and the police depart- ment and to resolve quality-of-life issues before they become Open to all businesses criminal problems. Neighborhoods meet with their PACT in the Suwanee officer three times each year, and officers are always available Gateway area to “their” residents via phone and e-mail. Last year, more than 1,000 residents attended some 78 PACT meetings. The same strategies will be applied to the approximately 400 businesses in the Gateway area, with Sgt. Chris Robinson and the three detectives in Suwanee’s criminal investigation department – Lt. Dan Clark, Sgt. Det. Shane Edmisten, and Det. Rob McCoy – serving as Gateway liaisons. The first Gateway PACT meeting will be Tuesday, September 16. Six meetings will be offered each year with participating businesses required to attend at least three of those meetings. Because of the heavy traffic and large number of businesses in the Gateway, more calls for police services come from this area than from residential neighborhoods. Through PACT, officers hope to build better relationships with business owners and employees, which, they believe, will result in reduced criminal activity. And when criminal issues do arise, the relationships established through PACT will allow officers and businesses to more effectively resolve those issues. Police will have established avenues for sharing information, alerts, and crime prevention tips. “This is a win-win situation for us,” notes Clark. “By forging these relationships, businesses will come to know us, develop a level of trust, and have a means to share information with us and with one another, which ultimately will help us to be better able to solve and prevent crimes.”

Suwanee on the go Grey Brinson, 7-year-old son of Economic and Community Development Director Denise Brinson, proudly wears his Suwanee t-shirt and mimics Teddy Roosevelt’s mus- tache as he stands in front of Mt. Rushmore dur- ing a family trip this summer. Where have your Suwanee shirts and other items traveled? Send us a photo from your travels of you or a family member sporting a City of Suwanee item. We’ll publish some of the best photos in CrossRoads or online at www.suwanee.com. Page 10 September 2008 www.suwanee.com Police job not always what it’s ‘croc’d’ up to be Police officers, Suwanee’s included, can never be sure what kind of situations they may encounter on the job. The call that came from the Settlers Cove neighborhood in the early evening of August 17 sounded particularly “wild.” When a family on Colony Point Drive checked on their dogs who were barking like crazy in the front yard, they discovered that the dogs had cornered an alligator. They called Investi-gator the police. It was a first Trek or Treat for the Suwanee Police Department. Eventually, four officers responded and were able to wrangle the Superheroes, princesses, two-foot alligator into a large dog kennel provided by the property and goblins alike are all owners. The American alligator, named Investi-gator by Suwanee offi- invited to come Trek or cers, was retrieved from the police department the following day by Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) personnel. Treat along the Suwanee DNR staff members say that while it’s still uncommon, they are Creek Greenway on coming across alligators in North Georgia more frequently. Suwanee’s Saturday, October 25. was the third alligator picked up in the metro area over a three-week The annual Trek or Treat period. Licensed nuisance alligator agent-trappers annually remove about event will take place from 400 alligators throughout the state, according to the DNR website. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Suwanee “It’s likely that someone had [the Suwanee alligator] as a pet and dumped him rather than this being an expansion of their natural Creek Park and includes range,” notes Todd Nims, a DNR wildlife biologist. fun fall festival activities. He added that Suwanee’s alligator would likely be donated to a Come dressed in your licensed exhibitor. Halloween costume. It’s a If residents should come across an alligator in their yard, they can howling good time! contact the DNR Tip Line at 1-800/241-4113 or, if it’s under four foot, a nuisance wildlife agent. Visit the DNR website at http://www.georgiawildlife.org for more information.

for business

These companies received business licenses from the City of Suwanee for the first time in July:

Adams & Pcescod…Allied Home Mortgage Capital…AutoZone… Changing Lives Day Center… Elite Wealth Management…EuroStyleCab Showroom… Global Preferred Solution…Ilyang Logistic USA… Kacey International Buffet…Komolo GA…Living on the Edge with Chip Ingram…Lowe’s… Michael Banks Agency…Peniel Solutions…Psychotherapy Care…Southeast Transitions… Southern Senior Services…Subway…3-Mentors…TMJ4THQTR…Tracy Hyder McClung September 2008 Page 11

www.suwanee.com It’s that time…again Tax bill time. We know that it’s not anyone’s favorite time of year, but this time the City of Suwanee has tried YIELD to make it a little easier. Before tax bills arrive in October, residents and business owners may pick up the SIGNS Understanding your property tax bill flyer at City Hall. This flyer has useful information explaining property tax bills and provides information about who to call if you have questions. The flyer also is available at www.suwanee.com. Residents and business owners can always call the finance department at 770/945-8996 with any questions. Dates to remember: Tax bills will be mailed October 1. Taxes are due December 20.

Mayor, manager take on GMA roles Two Suwanee officials recently have been appointed to Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) committees. Mayor Dave Williams has been appointed to the Georgia Municpal Association’s Legislative Policy Council. The council is responsible for proposing the association’s legislative platform and engaging other city officials in the legislative process in order to help advance GMA’s platform. Says GMA Executive Director Jim Higdon: “Mayor Williams has extensive knowl- edge of both municipal issues and the legislative process, making him an outstanding candidate for the Legislative Policy Council. The leadership he provides will be an asset to cities in his area of the state throughout the legislative process.” Dave Williams City Manager Marty Allen has been appointed to GMA’s City Managers Advisory Marty Allen Group. He will serve on the advisory group with 20 other city managers from around the state. GMA provides legislative advocacy, educational, employee benefit, and technical consulting services to more than 500 municipal governments throughout the state. Road resurfacing ahead Between now and the end of the year, the City of Suwanee will resurface about 1.2 miles of roadway on Dollar Circle, Rising Fawn Trail, and Swiftwater Park Drive. The City has contracted this project with C.W. Matthews Contracting Company, Inc., of Marietta, for just over $300,000. About $56,000 from Georgia DOT’s Local Assistance Resurfacing Program will be applied to the project. Nominate a ‘wow’ project for Swan-ee Award The deadline for nominating new construction, renovation, landscape, and other impressive projects for a 2008 Swan-ee Award is October 17. Applications are available online at www.suwanee.com or by contacting Toni Shrewsbury at 770/945-8996. Swan-ee Awards recognize projects within the City of Suwanee that have achieved aesthetic excellence and enhance the overall attractiveness of the community. Georgia SPCA seeks volunteers The Georgia SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) Adoption Center at 1175 Buford Highway is a pet- and people-friendly facility with volunteer opportunities. The free-roam cat room provides a haven for cats and volunteers to play and lounge, while dogs enjoy the attention of volunteers who come to walk or bathe them. To volunteer or for more information about the Georgia SPCA, call 678/765-2726 or visit the organization’s website at www.georgiaspca.org. Volunteers under 13 must be accompanied by a parent. Your choice, your voice, your vote National, state, and county elections are Tuesday, November 4. Information about registering to vote, the voting process, polling locations, sample ballots, and more are available at www.gwinnettcounty.com; follow the link to election information or find “elections” under departments. Deadline for registering to vote in this election is October 6. No City of Suwanee elections are slated for November, thus City facilities are not polling sites for any of this year’s elections. PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID SUWANEE, GA PERMIT NO. 242

373 U.S. HWY. 23 SUWANEE, GA 30024

CrossRoads – Your Official City of Suwanee Newsletter

Calendar September November 4 Planning & Zoning Commission 6:30 pm 4 Public Arts Commission 5:30 pm 6 Public Arts Commission 5:30 pm 10 Suwanee Business Alliance 6 pm 12 Suwanee Business Alliance 6 pm 11 City Council Workshop 5:30 pm 13 City Council Workshop 5:30 pm 13 Suwanee Day 5K/10K Classic 7:30 am/8:30 am 18 Zoning Board of Appeals 6:30 pm 13 Suwanee Farmers Market (TCP) 8 am-noon 20 Downtown Development Authority 7:30 am 16 Zoning Board of Appeals 6:30 pm Clark Patterson, 350 Town Center Ave. 20 Suwanee Day 10 am-10 pm 25 City Council Meeting* 7 pm 23 City Council Meeting* 7 pm 27-28 Thanksgiving Holiday: City Hall Closed 25 Downtown Development Authority 7:30 am Clark Patterson, 350 Town Center Ave. Unless otherwise noted, public meetings are at Crossroads Center, 323 Buford Hwy. Location 27 Suwanee Farmers Market (TCP) 8 am-noon for Suwanee Business Alliance meeting varies from month to month. * Public hearing begins 6:30 p.m. TCP=Town Center Park October 2 Public Arts Commission 5:30 pm City of Suwanee, Georgia 3 Suwanee Smooth Jazz 107.5 Concert (TCP) 7 pm MAYOR: DAVE WILLIAMS ...... 770/831-1530 4 Suwanee Farmers Market (TCP) 8 am-noon COUNCIL: JACE BROOKS ...... 770/831-0499 7 Planning & Zoning Commission 6:30 pm JIMMY BURNETTE ...... 770/945-3492 8 Suwanee Business Alliance 6 pm DAN FOSTER ...... 770/614-5750 11 Final Suwanee Farmers Market (TCP) 8 am-noon KEVIN MCOMBER ...... 770/271-5427 16 City Council Workshop 5:30 pm JEANNE RISPIN ...... 404/375-6095 21 Zoning Board of Appeals 6:30 pm CITY MANAGER: MARTY ALLEN ...... 770/945-8996 23 Downtown Development Authority 7:30 am POLICE CHIEF: MIKE JONES ...... 770/945-8995 Clark Patterson, 350 Town Center Ave. NEWSLETTER EDITOR: 25 Trek or Treat in Suwanee Creek Park 11 am LYNNE BOHLMAN DeWILDE ...... 770/945-8996 28 City Council Meeting* 7 pm