ross COfficial newsletter R ads of the August 2011

20/20 Vision Strategic Plan Process readies for deeper conversations; community roundtables to take place through fall

Approximately 350 people were expected to share their input and ideas through the 20/20 Vision Open House over the five-week period it was “in business” through July 28 at Town Center. (By the time this newsletter was being written in mid-July, some 250 people already had visited the Open House.) With the initial community input phase of Suwanee’s 20/20 Vision strategic planning process complete, the City of Suwanee is shifting gears, still seeking input and ideas, but in a more in-depth fashion. Small-group roundtable discussions are expected to take place throughout the fall. Suwanee area residents are encouraged to be part of these potentially com- munity-changing conversations. Sign up is available at www.suwanee2020.com and at City Hall. These facilitated conversations in groups of 10-12 people could begin as early as late August. Those who sign up will be assigned to a group, and each group is expected to meet for about two hours at a time with approximately four meet- ings anticipated through the fall. “This is an opportunity for community members to get together for rich discussions about important topics regarding Suwanee’s future,” notes Assistant to the City Manager Jessica Roth. “The groups are designed to allow residents a chance to get to know one another, to feel safe, and to come to understand one another’s passions.” Stonecypher resident Scott Auer is one of 27 community members serving on the 20/20 Vision steering committee. He applauds the City’s ambition and open-mindedness in trying to involve as many community members as possible in the strategic visioning process without having preconceived answers. Auer says that he knows from his corporate experiences that when strategic planning is approached without “a rubber stamp,” ultimately really “cool ideas” will come forward. “This is a very open, democratic process,” Auer says. “There are no preconceived answers. Whatever answers there are are out in the community. “The roundtables are where some amazing ideas are going INSIDE THIS ISSUE… to come out,” he adds. “All of a sudden…there will be a gem there, a really neat nugget that got overlooked previously Special delivery because we were all talking to the same people all the time. I

Y OF Suwanee from NYC…p. 5 THE CITYCIT OF 24330 NDER 300 TE S L IS NOT LEGA THIS ND PRIVATE TS, PUBLIC A FOR ALL DEB think we’ll get some really out-of-the-box ideas that will be interesting and worth pursuing.” 24330 S 300 Director of Finance City Manager If you’re interested in hosting/facilitating a roundtable Money Vote for discussion group, please contact Jessica Roth at jroth@suwa- matters…p. 2 People’s nee.com. Training will be provided to facilitators. Choice…p. 6 Continued on page 3 Page 2 August 2011 www.suwanee.com Suwanee begins 2012 with slightly smaller budget The City of Suwanee began fiscal year 2012 on July 1 with an $11.8 million operating budget, which is about $420,000 less than the THE CITY OF Suwanee THIS IS NOT LEGAL TENDER adjusted FY2011 budget. The adopted capital improvements budget for FOR ALL DEBTS, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE S 30024330 2012-16 stands at $24.9 million and provides for 24 equipment and vehicle, facilities, recreation, transportation, water, and stormwater projects. S 30024330 “We’re pleased to be able to hold the line on operational expenses during City Manager Director of Finance this sustained economic downturn, all while continuing to provide high service levels for our citizens,” says City Manager Marty Allen. “I’m proud to report that the City of Suwanee remains stable and fiscally strong for the coming year, in large measure, thanks to Suwanee’s history of careful and conservative fiscal policies and practices.” Allen notes that City’s historically strong financial position and solid eco- FY 2012 General Fund Proposed Revenues FY 2012 General Fund Proposed Revenues nomic foundation were considerations in Standard & Poor’s upgrade of the City’s rating from AA- to AA this past April. While the City of Suwanee has planned for an overall slight decrease in revenues, it does expect a modest increase in two areas. Suwanee’s 76% population growth from 2000 to 2010, as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau, will account for an increase in revenues from state and local allocations in certain categories (excise taxes on insurance premiums, for exam- ple). Also, says Allen, Suwanee is seeing evidence that development will be compa- rable to pre-bubble (pre-2005) levels, pro- viding a small increase in building permit income over the previous couple of years. Some of the new expenditures covered in Suwanee’s 2012 general fund budget include: • one new full-time position, a budget analyst in the financial FY 2012 General Fund Proposed Expenses services department, and one new part-time position, a dis- patcher in the police department, as well as 12 additional hours/week for part-time custodi- al services • a 2.5 percent merit cost of living adjustment for employees • $75,000 for the 20/20 Vision strategic plan (total cost for the plan is budgeted at $150,000; $75,000 was included in the 2011 budget) • four new police vehicles and a new truck and mowing equip- ment for public works. August 2011 Page 3

www.suwanee.com 20/20 Vision Strategic Plan… continued from page 1

Idea factory The five-week 20/20 Vision Open House provided residents with 10 engaging and sometimes quirky activities that allowed them to, among other things, determine community spending priorities, share what they liked about Suwanee and areas they thought needed improvement, and offer their “big idea.” “I learned a lot working in the open house,” says Ruby Forest resident Alliese Owenby, who also serves on the steering committee. “One thing that really popped out was the intersec- tion of Lawrenceville-Suwanee and the interstate. Wow, people are really concerned about that particular area.” Another appar- ent area of concern is historic Old Town. Here’s a sample of information Open House participants shared about their favorite areas in Suwanee and the areas that they believe need enhancement: • Get more parks. • I love Sims Lake Park. We just took family pics there! • Need more in Old Town Suwanee. • My favorite place in Suwanee is either Town Center or Bruster’s. • The trail is our favorite and we would like to see it longer! • Place to improve: The exit/entrance ramp to I-85. Exit #111! Many of the thoughts and ideas generated through the open house will fuel the upcoming roundtable discussions. When those discussions are completed by the end of this year, Interface Studio, the planning consultant working with the City on the strategic plan, will begin pulling together data from the open house and roundtables and will draft a plan. Through early next year, the community will have ongoing opportunities to offer input on the plan before it is finalized and adopted. “A lot of citizens in other places don’t get this kind of oppor- tunity,” Owenby says. “Someone may have an idea that no one else has thought of. Put it out there. We want to hear what it is.” Page 4 August 2011 www.suwanee.com Blue-ribbon officers In May, the Suwanee Police Department honored 10 of its own for exemplary service. Ofc. Kevin Skinner was voted Officer of the Year by his colleagues, who noted his helpfulness to them and citizens. A Suwanee area resident and North Gwinnett High School graduate, Skinner first came to the Suwanee Police Department as an intern from North College and State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He was hired by the depart- ment in 2007 as a dispatcher; he’s been a patrol officer for nearly three years. Lawrenceville resident Gwen Franklin was voted Civilian of the Year. A U.S. Army veteran who served in the Middle East, Franklin is the police Ofc. Kevin Skinner department’s evidence/records technician. Sgt. Nick Jacobs and Sgt. Robert Thompson received the Chief’s Award, which is presented each year to officers who distinguish themselves day in and day out through their professional- ism and strong work ethic. A 10-year Suwanee veteran, Jacobs was recognized for his work last year as head of Suwanee’s selective enforcement unit and special events liaison as well as for his leadership. Thompson, a Lawrenceville resident and Detroit native, received the award based on his leadership role in the department’s attainment of an automatic license plate reader system. Jacobs, who lives in Bethlehem, also received the highest score in the department’s annual fir- Gwen Franklin ing range competition and was named Top Gun. Several officers received Merit Awards for exemplary service on specific calls or initiatives: • Capt. Clyde Byers for developing and maintaining systems that have enabled the department to better track spending. • Lt. Dan Clark for his management of the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies national accreditation process. Clark also received a Hardin Watkins Star Award from the City for his accreditation efforts. • Ofc. Elton Hassell for his role in securing a $10,000 grant from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. • Cpl. Susan Roetzer and Ofc. Michael Troutman for their investigation of a methamphetamine lab, which resulted in two arrests. • Ofc. Robert Stewart for pulling two adults and a 3-year-old child from a burning car.

Qualifying for Council posts in August; Nov. elections to include Sunday alcohol sales The mayor’s position and two City Council posts will be up for election on November 8. Those wishing to run for election must qualify the last week of August. The mayor’s position is currently held by Dave Williams. The Council seats up for election are posts 1 and 2, currently held by Jimmy Burnette and Dick Goodman, respectively. Candidates must be registered voters and have lived within the City limits for 180 days. Qualification will begin on Monday, August 29, and continue from 8:30-a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily at City Hall through Wednesday, August 31. The fee for qualifying for the mayor’s position is $450; for Council posts, the fee is $270. Recently, City Council amended the City charter to allow for elections by majority, rather than plurality. This means that those elected must capture more than 50 percent of the vote or a run-off will be required. Also on the ballot November 8, will be the question of whether or not to permit off-premises alcoholic beverage sales on Sundays within the City limits. The Georgia General Assembly approved earlier this year a bill that provides local jurisdictions with the authority to submit the question of Sunday package sales of alcoholic beverages to qualified voters. If approved by voters in November, packaged alcoholic beverages could be sold in Suwanee by retailers from 12:30-11:30 p.m. on Sundays. Elections will take place at City Hall, 330 Town Center Avenue. Early/absentee voting will be available at City Hall beginning October 17. Poll workers are needed. For more information or to apply, contact City Clerk Elvira Rogers at [email protected]. August 2011 Page 5

www.suwanee.com World Trade Center artifact to be unveiled at Sept. 10 event The City of Suwanee will commemorate the 10th anniversary of 2001 terrorist attacks on New York and the Pentagon and the additional loss of lives in a rebel- lious airplane crash in Pennsylvania with a commemorative event on September 10 at Town Center. At the event, the City will unveil a nearly 8-foot steel artifact from the World Trade Center, obtained through the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Hundreds of communities across the nation requested World Trade Center arti- facts through the program, and Suwanee’s piece, which weighs 1,638 pounds, was delivered to the City last month. Remembering loss…courage… Suwanee’s artifact is described as the lower one-third of three columns. It was resilience The City of Suwanee has among 236 pieces studied by National Institute of Standards and Technology to obtained a 1,638-pound piece of determine causes of the post-impact collapse of the World Trade Center towers. steel from the World Trade Center. The piece has been partially identified as an exterior column from the 101st- This photo is a close-up of a section 104th floors of either the North or South tower. of the piece, which will be unveiled The City anticipates obtaining proposals from artists who will use the roughly to the community at a commemora- 90 inches long by 89 inches wide by 55 inches tall section of twisted steel as the tive ceremony at Town Center Park. centerpiece for a public artwork. Additional aspects of the 9/11 commemorative event are currently being planned. More information will be available in the September issue of CrossRoads and at www.suwanee.com.

Suwanee’s first female Councilmember In memoriam: Loretta Roberts Loretta Roberts, the first woman elected to Suwanee City Council, died on May 16. Roberts, who most recently resided at the Parc at Duluth, was 97. Roberts served on City Council from 1981-84, after retiring in 1979 following a lengthy teaching and nursing career. As a Councilmember, she played a key role in establishing the Suwanee Day festival in 1984. “It was just us home folks,” Roberts remarked several years ago, recalling how the festival got started. A lot of people were beginning to move to Suwanee and didn’t know what the City did, Roberts noted, adding that, “I suggested that we have a ‘show and tell,’ some kind of event where people could demonstrate their talents or skills. The focus was on getting people involved in the City.” Roberts also worked to establish the Good Timers seniors group and a Suwanee chapter of the Gwinnett Historical Society as well as helped organize the Gwinnett Alliance Theater group. Roberts’ family roots in Suwanee extend way back. Her ancestors built their home in 1820 on land that now is home to the Ruby Forest subdivision on Buford Highway. For many years, after her retirement, Roberts resided in historic Old Town. She earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Vanderbilt University and a master’s degree in public health from the University of Minnesota. After teaching in Cobb and Gwinnett County public schools for six years, she served as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps. Then she taught at the University of Texas School of Nursing and Emory University School of Nursing. She was executive director of the chapter of the Visiting Nurse Association for 10 years. Roberts earned other firsts as well, becoming the first community health nurse to be appointed to the Georgia Board of Nursing and the first woman to be named to the Georgia Regional Medical Program steering committee. Says Roberts’ niece Carolyn Hill: “Aunt Loretta loved her hometown. No matter where her career took her, Suwanee was always home and she used her many talents to keep it a great place to live. She was a visionary leader who had a gift for planning projects and involving many people to carry them out.” Page 6 August 2011

www.suwanee.com Vote for SculpTour favorite

Will it be the yellow sun at which people are snapping photos with heads peeking through the hollow middle? Could it be the totem pole made of car bumpers, which some think is a subliminal safe driving message? Perhaps it will be the free-spirited lady whose open arms many have imitated. Suwanee residents and visitors now may vote for their favorite art piece among these or one of a dozen other sculptures that comprise the inaugu- ral Suwanee SculpTour. The sculpture with the most votes at the end of the exhibit in March will be deemed the “People’s Choice” and purchased for permanent display. “We’re really excited about the conversations that the variety of sculptures is generating,” says Suwanee’s Economic and Community Development Director Denise Brinson. “People are talking about which ones they like and which they don’t. The Public Arts Commission is going to buy one of these sculptures for the City’s permanent art collection so we really encourage people to vote for their favorite.” Residents and others may vote for their favorite ‘Amne’ by Harry Zmijewski sculpture in a variety of ways: • Visit www.suwanee.com/whatsnew.sculptour.php and click on the green “People’s Choice Vote for Me” button beside the description of your favorite sculpture. Those viewing the exhibit also may share com- ments about the sculptures via the same webpage. • Those with smart phones and, if necessary, a free downloaded applica- tion, may access the website and vote via QR codes printed on the signs on each sculpture. • Paper ballots are available in a box just outside City Hall on Charleston Market Street. The completed ballots should be placed in the adjacent secure silver drop box. A printed guide/map of the exhibit is available at City Hall as well as in the box on Charleston Market Street and at Ippolito’s Italian Restaurant. Suwanee resident Chris Dolgetta sent an email to the City of Suwanee in June, stating: “I absolutely LOVE seeing all the pieces! I didn't realize what a nice effect the sculptures give – it's a beautiful added dimension to our ‘Sunset’ by Gus and Lina Ocamposilva already amazing Town Center.” City officials are encouraged to note that the SculpTour pieces are indeed getting noticed, provoking reactions, and drawing attention to the Suwanee community. “It’s really cool to see people of all ages going up to the sculp- tures, studying them, imitating them, and having their picture taken with the art,” says Brinson. “Through programs like SculpTour, what we’re building is Suwanee’s unique tourism draw. Combined with our interactive fountain, community garden, greenway, and Town Center, Suwanee is really becoming a destina- tion, offering fun, educational, outdoorsy, and cultural amenities. “We’ve got enough great things going on now that Suwanee makes not just a great place to live or to come for special events but also a great weekend getaway for people in the region.” No City tax funds were expended to bring the 2011 Suwanee SculpTour to the community. The exhibit is funded by generous private sponsors, including Georgia Natural Gas, Law Offices of Richard Yoon, and Peoples Bank & Trust. ‘Mother & Child’ by Eluisa Altman August 2011 Page 7

www.suwanee.com New parks in Old Town Imagine…many of the children now swinging, climbing, sliding, and romping around By the PlayTown Suwanee weren’t born when the super playground was constructed over five days Numbers in June 2004 by some 1,200 community volunteers. Said Volunteer Pat Montgomery in 2004 of the enormous task that she and so many oth- PlayTown Suwanee ers took part in: “On Wednesday morning, I walked onto the site. A huge patch of dirt with holes dug in it and piles of supplies greeted me. I thought, ‘Oh my God, we’ve made a huge 425 Main Street mistake. How can we possibly do this?’….Someday I will bring my grandchildren here to play and [to] show them what grandma did. I will also teach Built over 5 days in June them not to be complacent, but to stretch…beyond what they believe they can reach. I can now teach them this lesson 2004 by 1,200 mommies, in a very tangible way here at PlayTown Suwanee.” daddies, grandparents, football Today, six of Montgomery’s 13 grandchildren, those who players, businesspeople, live in the area, have enjoyed the playground that she helped friends, neighbors, and other build. Ten-year-old Gracie used to ask to go to “Grandma’s Park” and recently the extended family – including five grandchildren ages 5 and younger – enjoyed a fun-for-all birthday assorted volunteers party at the park. “It has turned out just as we envisioned so many years ago – can it be seven already?” says 10,000: square footage Montgomery today. “I am so proud of myself for being smart of the playground and the enough to take part in it. In fact, when I see others wearing number of cumulative the build T-shirt, it feels like we are in a special fraternity of volunteer hours dedicated sorts, and I feel a kinship with them.” This year, the City of Suwanee is commemorating the to the project 10-year anniversary of the historic open space bond referen- dum vote that has made PlayTown Suwanee and five other Some of the materials used to life-enhancing, community-enriching parks possible since construct PlayTown: 1,950 2001. pieces of lumber, 642 pounds PlayTown Suwanee sits on a portion of a 24-acre property purchased from the DeLay family for $1.8 million in 2003. of nails, 56,788 screws, The remainder of the tract has not yet been programmed as 14 tons of sand Hardy and Wally DeLay were granted a life estate and Mrs. DeLay continues to live on the property. Suwanee’s other community-built – at least partially so – Harvest Farm at park also is in historic Old Town. The seven-acre property, which sits between White Street and Buford Highway, was a former farm, an appropriate predecessor for its current use as an White Street Park organic community garden. Following a master plan process in 2009, community volunteers spent more than 500 hours over a long weekend in April 2010 constructing 76 garden plots. 752 White Street Harvest Farm at White Street Park opened in June 2010, the most recent and final park to be constructed using open space bond Property purchased in 2003 funds. for $365,170 In addition to Georgia’s largest organic community garden, the park features a Opened May 2010 looping trail, au naturale amphitheater constructed by Suwanee’s public works The 76 plots make Harvest staff late last year, a red barn that includes Farm Georgia’s largest organic a gardening library, two chickens, and a 2,500-gallon cistern donated by Metal community garden Products. Suwanee’s community garden, notes Used to construct garden Harvest Farm managing board chair Chantéz Daya, not only provides a place for community plots: more than 500 members to grow their own healthy, organic produce, it also offers a place for the communi- volunteer hours, 2,940 ty to gather, socialize, relax, and play. “It has become a gathering place for families and friends and the community as a whole,” linear feet of lumber, 912 Daya says. “We’re thrilled when we hear the garden described as an awesome and wonderful bolts, 3 tandem loads of soil place to frequent and visit.” Page 8 August 2011 www.suwanee.com Get ready to celebrate community, Suwanee-style

The annual Suwanee Day festival is a mere flip of a monthly calendar away. This year’s “celebration of community” will be held from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, September 17, at Town Center Park. As always, this community festival will feature nearly 100 arts and crafts exhibitors, bouncy and breath-taking rides for children and teens, all-day entertainment on both the main stage and, this year, a children’s stage, and yummy festival food. Miss Georgia Kaylin Reque will be the parade grand marshal, and the headline entertainment is The Lovin’ Spoonful. This Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band will take the stage for a free 8 p.m. concert. Look for a lot more details about Suwanee Day, one of the Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 events, in the September issue of CrossRoads, and consider being a part of the festival in one of the ways described below. Run, Suwanee, run On your mark, get ready, get set…to run in the 11th annual Suwanee Day Classic. This event is two races in one: You can run either the 5K course or the 10K course – or run both! The BodyPlex Suwanee Day Classic will be run on Saturday, September 10, begin- ning and ending at Town Center Park. Registration is available online via www.suwa- needay.com/race.html through Thursday, September 8. The fee is $20 for the 5K, $25 for the 10K, and $30 for both races. Participants receive a race t-shirt. Help, Suwanee, help Each year, the success of the Suwanee Day festival depends on the support, energy, and hard work of a cadre of vol- unteers. The festival is in particular need of support from adult volunteers. If you’d like to tell people where to go…park, assist exhibitors in setting up and tearing down their booths, or put a smile on a festival-goer’s face thanks to your kind assistance, please register online at www.suwaneeday.com/volunteer.html. Volunteer shifts are approxi- mately two-four hours. It’s a great way to make a BIG impact on your community in a short period of time. March, Suwanee, march The 10 a.m. parade is the traditional kick-off to Suwanee Day. The parade is open to all area community organizations and groups, but pre-registration is required. Complete the application form at www.suwaneeday.com/parade.html. In celebration of the 10-year anniversary of the open space bond referendum vote that made Suwanee’s distinctive parks possible, the theme for this year’s parade is “Parks Perfect the Place.” Suwanee Day provides cash prizes to parade entrants who are the best in a variety of categories, including best reflection of theme, most entertaining, most creative, and best in show as determined by a distinguished panel of judges. Join, Suwanee, join Join Club 30024 to help support Suwanee’s annual celebration of community – and you can reap the benefits. For a $100 family membership to support Suwanee Day, Club 30024 members receive a variety of VIP benefits, including two limited-edition commemorative pins, two all-day ride wristbands or t-shirts, and special access to the shade tent. Find more information and an application at www.suwaneeday.com/club30024.html. August 2011 Page 9

www.suwanee.com ‘Better Than Ezra’ to rock Suwanee Additional Alternative rock trio will provide the “rock” and area teams will provide the “jocks” for Suwanee’s Rock & Jock Festival on Saturday, August 13. upcoming events This free annual summer concert event will serve as a pep rally of sorts for local high school teams as well as provide an energetic line-up of musical per- Toast @ Town Center formances. Festivities begin at 5 p.m. with the music cranking up at 6. August 25 – 6-10 pm Known for putting on a high-energy live show every time they hit the stage, Town Center Better Than Ezra will headline the evening, taking the stage about 8 p.m. Based in , Better Than Ezra’s biggest hits include , In the Blood, , and Skylar’s Run* Good. August 27 – 8 am Making music since 1988, Better Than Ezra includes Town Center Park front man , bassist and backing vocalist Tom For more information, email Drummond, and drummer . [email protected]. Musical performances will begin at 6 p.m. with Gasoline Bros., an Atlanta-based band that offers classic Suwanee Day Classic country with great stories and played with the hammer September 10 – 8 am down. , a Memphis-based rock trio, will play Town Center Park at 7 p.m. Register via In addition to local high school teams, the event will www.suwaneeday.com/race.html. include appearances by college and professional teams. Bring chairs, blankets, friends, and neighbors; however, no alcohol may be Town Center Cinema brought into Town Center Park. Food and beverages, including beer and wine, Movie Night* will be available for purchase. Despicable Me Limited parking is available in Town Center and historic Old Town, which is September 10 – 8 pm accessible via a pedestrian tunnel. Town Center Park For more information, ‘Iron Man 2’ coming to Suwanee call 678/714-2036. 9/11 Commemorative Ceremony big screen September 10 – TBD B at the Movies when B98.5 FM, Publix, Town Center and the City of Suwanee bring Iron Man 2 to the extra large screen at Town Center Park on Toast @ Town Center Saturday, August 20. This free movie will September 22 – 6-10 pm begin at dusk, but festivities and food vendors Town Center will be ready to go at 7 p.m. In this sequel, which was in theaters last Festa della Pasta summer, Robert Downey, Jr., who portrays billionaire Tony Stark and superhero September 30 – 6 pm Iron Man, collaborates with characters portrayed by Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Main Street, Historic Old Town Cheadle, Samuel L. Jackson, and Scarlett Johansson to save Stark from himself Tickets are $10 and will be available and the world from villians portrayed by Mickey Rourke, Sam Rockwell, and a at City Hall beginning September 1. host of weaponized drones. The film, which won an Oscar for Best Achievement in Visual Effects, is *Denotes events that are privately spon- rated PG-13 for intense sci-fi action and violence as well as some language. sored and not associated with the City of Says Movie Talk Critic Jason Best of the film: “Robert Downey, Jr. squeezes Suwanee, but use of City facilities has back into…Tony Stark’s incredible suit…and his charismatic presence gives the been approved. All events are free and movie a bigger boost than his character’s jet-propelled boots.” open to the public unless otherwise noted. B at the Movies is presented by Publix. Bring chairs, blankets, and snacks, but no alcohol please. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Page 10 August 2011 www.suwanee.com Police department receives grant YIELD The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) awarded the Suwanee Police Department a $10,000 small agency incentive grant. Suwanee earned SIGNS the grant by participating in and reporting on a variety of GOHS traffic safe- ty enforcement programs (e.g., Click It or Ticket, Georgia HEAT) through- out the year. The police department used the grant to equip its motorcycle enforcement unit with a video camera as well as tablet computer and electronic printer in order to produce electronic tickets. “All of this equipment,” says Capt. Cass Mooney, “will make our motorcycle traffic enforcement unit more effec- tive. We appreciate the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety for providing assistance to our agency.” Summer help Two college students joined the City of Suwanee team this summer as interns. Le Doan, a graduate student at the University of Georgia, is working in the city manager’s office, assisting with the 20/20 Vision strategic plan among other projects. A rising senior at the University of West Georgia, April Radford returns to the City this summer as an intern in the economic and community development department, where she is assisting primarily with events and communications projects. Planning Commission appointee At its June meeting, City Council appointed Pierce Pointe resident Doug Ireland to the Planning Commission to fill an unexpired term previously held by Joy Mitchell. The term expires at the end of this year. Ireland owns Freeland Painting and Construction, a full-service roofing and painting company.

NGMS students create benches for park As the previous school year was coming to an end, some 600 eighth grade students at North Gwinnett Middle School (now rising freshmen) undertook a community service project: the creation of six stone and mosaic-style benches, three of which were donated to the City of Suwanee. The colorful benches were presented to City Council on June 21 and have been installed at PlayTown Suwanee on Main Street. Located beneath a tree beside the pavilion at PlayTown, each bench features a different word: unique, visionary, remarkable. These characteristics, along with “Suwanee quality,” serve as Suwanee anchor points (those qualities by which City Council and staff weigh significant decisions). The eighth-grade class project was organized by parents Heather Thomas and Joni Baraban as well as North Gwinnett Middle School art teacher Jennifer Droske. Each student created a small colorful clay tile that adorns the tops of the six benches. Suwanee’s three curved benches are now part of the City’s perma- nent public art collection and have been included on the Suwanee SculpTour, a walkable exhibit of outdoor sculptures and permanent public art pieces. The other three benches created by students are located at the school. At the same June Council meeting, the Harvest Farm Managing Benchmark North Gwinnett Middle School eighth- Board presented the City with a painting of Harvest Farm by graders created three benches for the City of Suwanee, Suwanee resident Carol VanDyck, who created it during the North which were presented during the June 21 City Council Gwinnett Art Association’s April plein air event. The painting was meeting. From left, are Mayor Pro Tem Jace Brooks, presented in celebration of the Harvest Farm managing board’s sec- parent project organizer Heather Thomas, NGMS art ond anniversary. teacher Jennifer Droske, parent project organizer Joni Baraban, and NGMS Principal Wanda Law. August 2011 Page 11

www.suwanee.com

for business

The following businesses received their licenses from the City of Suwanee in May and June:

Alta Cucina* Fairy’s Folly Peachwave Frozen Yogurt 3635 Burnette Park Drive 553 Buford Highway 1039 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Bluefern Spa and Salon From Signs SageGardens 335 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard 1038 Industrial Court 1018 Industrial Court ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Brisket Bisket* Golden Seven II Samba Flavor* 3635 Burnette Park Drive 320 Town Center Avenue 3635 Burnette Park Drive ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Builders Floor Covering & Tile Henry B. Staley, Attorney At Law Sell Your Gold 3641 McGinnis Park Drive 3459 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road 3463 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––– CM Academy Integrated Medical Management Group Spray Foam 2855 Rolling Pin Lane 3131 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road 3640 Burnette Park Drive ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Crepe Cottage* Jaeo Properties Thai Bowl 3635 Burnette Park Drive 4320 Suwanee Dam Road 3429 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Cutie Pies Baking* JNS Metals *Businesses rent kitchen facility 3635 Burnette Park Drive 530 Highland Station by the hour. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Dress-Up Boutique Kutz Remix Barber Shop 320 Town Center Avenue 2855 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road

Businesses added to CrossRoads mailings The City of Suwanee’s CrossRoads newsletter is printed six times each year and delivered to every residence within the City limits of Suwanee. For the first time, the City has added commercial businesses within the municipal limits to its mailing list. We hope that you enjoy receiving the newsletter! If you have comments about A winning squeal This April 2011 photo of Buttercup Hirschmann in the Big CrossRoads, please email them to Splash interactive fountain at Town Center Park was a winner for photographer Editor Lynne Bohlman DeWilde Kate Awtrey. The photograph took third place in the National Press Photographers at [email protected]. Association’s monthly photo contest. Awtrey, a correspondent for SuwaneePatch.com, calls this photo “Spring Time Suwanee Style.” PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID SUWANEE, GA PERMIT NO. 242

330 TOWN CENTER AVENUE SUWANEE, GA 30024

CrossRoads – Your Official City of Suwanee Newsletter

August September 2 Suwanee Farmers Market (TCP) 4-7 pm 1 Public Arts Commission 7 pm 2 Planning & Zoning Commission 6:30 pm 3 Suwanee Farmers Market (TCP) 4-7 pm 4 Public Arts Commission 4 pm 6 Planning & Zoning Commission 6:30 pm 6 Suwanee Farmers Market 8 am-noon 10 Suwanee Day Classic 5K & 10K (TCP) 8 am 10 Suwanee Business Alliance 6 pm 10 Suwanee Farmers Market 8 am-noon 11 Millage Rate Public Hearing/ 10 9/11 Commemorative Ceremony TBD City Council Workshop 5:30 pm 14 Suwanee Business Alliance 6 pm 13 Suwanee Farmers Market 8 am-noon 15 City Council Workshop 5:30 pm 13 Rock & Jock Festival (TCP) 5 pm 17 Suwanee Day (TCP) 10 am-10 pm 16 Downtown Development Authority 7:30 am 20 Downtown Development Authority 7:30 am 16 Zoning Board of Appeals 6:30 pm 20 Zoning Board of Appeals 6:30 pm 20 Suwanee Farmers Market 8 am-noon 22 Toast @ Town Center 6 pm 20 B at the Movies (TCP) 7 pm 24 Suwanee Farmers Market 8 am-noon 23 Millage Rate Public Hearing 6:30 pm 27 City Council Meeting* 7 pm 23 City Council Meeting* 7 pm 30 Festa della Pasta (Old Town) 6 pm 25 Toast @ Town Center 6 pm 27 Suwanee Farmers Market 8 am-noon City of Suwanee, Georgia Meetings and events subject to change; check www.suwanee.com for updated information. MAYOR: DAVE WILLIAMS ...... 678/923-7898 Unless otherwise noted, City of Suwanee public meetings are at City Hall, COUNCIL: JACE BROOKS ...... 770/831-0499 330 Town Center Avenue. Location for Suwanee Business Alliance meetings JIMMY BURNETTE ...... 770/945-3492 varies monthly. DAN FOSTER ...... 678/404-9641 DICK GOODMAN ...... 678/446-7520 * Public hearing begins 6:30 p.m. KEVIN MCOMBER ...... 770/271-5427 CITY MANAGER: MARTY ALLEN ...... 770/945-8996 Let’s be City Hall-to-wall friends. POLICE CHIEF: MIKE JONES ...... 770/945-8995 NEWSLETTER EDITOR: Like City of Suwanee on Facebook. LYNNE BOHLMAN DeWILDE ...... 770/945-8996