ross COfficial newsletter R ads of the August 2009

Suwanee makes ‘Money’s’ Summer doldrums? best places to live list – Suwanee’s got the again ‘Tonic’ and more

Once again, Money maga- Two bands with huge hits in the mid to late 1990s zine has found life in Suwanee and early 2000s will rock Suwanee with free concerts in to be sweet. Suwanee is includ- August and September. ed in the magazine’s 2009 list of America’s 100 best places to live. A regional model for open space preservation and creation of parks as well as smart- growth development, Suwanee was ranked number 35 in Money’s 2009 list of best small towns. “We’re so proud to have our community recognized nationally,” says Suwanee Mayor Dave Williams. “As a community, we’ve Concert in the Park undertaken some bold measures, that through collaboration and diligence, have helped to create an outstanding quality of life. We’ll Following a several-year hiatus, Grammy-nominated, continue to build on this momentum to ensure that Suwanee platinum-selling Tonic is back on tour and will headline remains a great place to live.” Suwanee’s annual Concert in the Park on August 15. “If You Could Only See,” from the band’s debut In compiling this year’s best places list, Money paid particular album Lemon Parade was the most-played song of attention to economic-related factors. Other data that Money used in 1998. In 2003, Tonic received two Grammy nomina- its consideration of more than 2,400 small towns with populations tions for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group Continued on page 4 for “Take Me as I Am” and for Best Rock Album for Head on Straight. Tonic founders singer/songwriter Emerson Hart and INSIDE THIS ISSUE… guitarist Jeff Russo, childhood friends, are joined by Sowing community Dan Lavery on bass. The band recently released A garden seeds…p. 6 Casual Affair: The Best of Tonic and is scheduled to release a new studio album this fall. Atlanta-based Sunset Love Affair will open the free concert at 7 p.m. Bring chairs, picnics, friends, and neighbors. Food and beverages, including beer and wine, will be avail- able for purchase, but no alcohol may be brought into Shades of Town Center Park. Paddle in green…p. 8 the park…p. 5 Continued on page 4 Page 2 August 2009

www.suwanee.com Suwanee’s 2010 budget is balanced; no tax increases proposed At $11.3 million, the City of Suwanee’s operating budget for fiscal year 2010 is approximately $1 million, or 8 percent, less than last year’s adopted budget. The City began operations under the 2010 balanced budget on July 1. No increases in any City tax rates are proposed. City Council is expected to set the millage rate at its August 25 meeting. “Suwanee remains economically strong and fiscally sound,” says City Manager Marty Allen. “We did have to make a few concessions to economic conditions in our 2010 budget due to an anticipated decrease in revenues. We were able to balance the budget by decreasing expenditures and delaying some worthwhile purchases and programs. At this time, there is no need for any tax increases. We’re pleased to avoid passing along to our citizens any additional hardship during these difficult times.” Expenditures will focus largely on maintaining current service and staffing levels, implementing the 2030 Comprehensive Plan, and funding needed capital projects. Annual bond payments of approximately $1.62 million – for Suwanee’s award-winning open space initiative and new City Hall – account for 13.5 percent of the City’s expenditures. New general fund expenditures in FY2010 include: Marty Allen • $189,000 in additional expenses for operation of new facilities, including City Hall and a new public works facility • about $12,000 to continue operation of a digital records conversion and storage initiative • $61,800 for state-mandated stormwater requirements. One of the measures taken to offset an anticipated $482,000 decrease in revenues, due largely to declining proper- ty tax values and slower business growth, is a Citywide salary freeze. In addition, cost-saving changes to the City’s healthcare benefits package were made. Staffing levels are expected to remain the same; no new positions were added. Suwanee’s budget relies on anticipated rev- Where the money goes… enues; no fund balance will be used for operating expenses. However, a total of $591,200 Culture & Recreation ($287,450 from the general fund balance and 2.7% $303,750 from the water fund) is allocated for capital improvements to the City’s water system. The City has applied for federal grant dollars that Housing & Development may reduce the City’s contributions. 10.3% Public Works Suwanee’s general fund balance of about $7.3 17.6% million provides for approximately seven months of operating expenditures. “Due to sound finan- cial planning and controlled quality growth,” Debt Service says Allen, “the City of Suwanee has been able to 13.5% establish an appropriate ‘savings account’ and maintain financial stability.” In addition to its $11.3 million operating budget, the City has a proposed five-year capital General projects budget of more than $26 million, to be Government utilized to complete or undertake some 36 proj- Public Safety 17.6% Other Financing Uses ects. Among the capital projects funds are a 32.9% 2.4% remaining $1.1 million in voter-approved open space bond funds, part of which will be used to create a community garden in 2010, as well as

Judicial voter-approved SPLOST (Special Purpose Local 3.0% Option Sales Tax) funds. August 2009 Page 3

The City of Suwanee anticipates $2.3 mil- lion in new SPLOST revenues over the next Where the money comes from… 12 months, which will be used for police Investment facility enhancements, Suwanee Creek Income Contributions Greenway renovations and extension, road 1.7% 0.8% resurfacing and repairs, and a Sims Lake Trail connector. Miscellaneous Charge “Voter-approved SPLOST funds continue Fines & Forfeitures 0.1% for Services 9.8% to provide relief for the general fund and 1.3% allow the City of Suwanee to undertake proj- Other Financing Sources 0.0% ects that might otherwise not be accom- Regulatory Fees plished,” notes Allen. 0.7% Licenses & Permits 1.7% Penalty & Interest “Due to sound financial planning and 0.1% controlled quality growth, the City of General Property Suwanee has been able to establish an Business Taxes 59.9% appropriate ‘savings account’ and main- 11.1% tain financial stability.” – City Manager Marty Allen

Selective Sales & Use 12.8%

Three Council posts on November ballot A Citywide election is scheduled to be held November 3 to elect three City Councilmembers. Candidates who wish to run for election may qualify from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday, August 31, through Wednesday, September 2, at City Hall, 330 Town Center Avenue. The qualifying fee is $270. The Council posts up for election and the Councilmembers currently serving in those positions are: • Post 3 – Kevin McOmber • Post 4 – Jace Brooks • Post 5 – Dan Foster Each post is elected Citywide. In order to run for For up-to-date City Council, candidates must be a resident of the municipal limits of the City of Suwanee, registered to information about vote, and at least 18 years old. The election will take place from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. community events, November 3 at City Hall. Absentee voting will be available begin- ning October 12. The deadline to register to vote in this election is October 5. Voter registration is available online at www.sos.ga.gov, or forms are available at City Hall, meetings, Gwinnett County Public Library branches, or the Gwinnett County Elections and Voter Registration Office. and more, visit Pollworkers are needed. Contact City Clerk Elvira Rogers at [email protected] or 770/945-8996 for more information. www.suwanee.com Page 4 August 2009

www.suwanee.com

Best places to live…continued from page 1

between 8,500 and 50,000 related to schools, crime rate, home affordability, and other quality of life factors. In a write-up about Suwanee on its website, Money/CNN says that the community “works hard to be family friendly.” “The City of Suwanee has the whole package,” wrote Francena Maloney on Suwanee’s Facebook page. “We have parks, greenspace, award-winning schools, an involved and caring police force and a city government that is on the cutting edge.” “I have been in Suwanee 11 years and have watched it grow into an amaz- ing city,” Lynda Spencer wrote on Facebook. “Town Center is charming, the parks are wonderful, the schools are terrific – it's a great place to live and play!” Suwanee’s two Money magazine rankings [in 2007, Suwanee was ranked number 10] confirm results released earlier this year of the National Citizen Survey. The independent survey of residents was con- ducted collaboratively through the National Research Center, Inc. and the International City/County Management Association. Ninety-seven per- cent of respondents said Suwanee was an excellent or good place to live. Other Georgia cities on Money’s 2009 list of best places to live are Peachtree City at number 8 and Martinez at 63.

Summer doldrums?…continued from page 1 Suwanee Day concert Blessid Union of Souls’ 8 p.m. performance on September 19 will punctuate the Suwanee Day entertainment line-up. Blessid Union of Souls (BUOS to fans) produced three albums in the mid to late 1990s and a string of hits, including its two biggest: 1995’s “I Believe” and 1999’s “Hey Leonardo (She Likes Me for Me).” At Suite101.com, reviewer Craig Sanders describes the band’s music as “country- Suwanee Day spiced alternative rock.” will entertain you Originally formed in Cincinnati, BUOS recent- The Suwanee Day festival offers ly has changed up management companies, record labels, and band members. a full day of free entertainment, not Performing in Suwanee will be BUOS faithfuls Eliot Sloan, songwriter and lead to mention arts and crafts, food, singer, and bassist Tony Clark along with musical veterans guitarist Bryan children’s activities, a parade, fire- Billhimer and drummer Shaun Schaefer. The band’s most recent album is Close to works, and loads of family fun. the Edge, which was released late last year. Visit www.suwaneeday.com as the In a concertlivewire.com review of a BUOS performance in Chicago earlier September 19 annual celebration of this year, Andy Argyrakis praised BUOS’s intensity and “ability to blur genre community approaches for more lines.” He also deemed Sloan’s “underrated but exceptional songwriting” as “the information and a complete enter- most socially conscious songwriting to come out of the last decade.” tainment schedule. Please note that alcohol may not be brought into Town Center Park nor will it be available for purchase during Suwanee Day. August 2009 Page 5

www.suwanee.com Police department to establish DUI task force The Suwanee Police Department will begin operation of a permanent DUI task force within the next couple of months. Two of Suwanee’s existing 36 sworn officers will be assigned full time to stopping impaired drivers and enforcing DUI laws. Don’t drink and drive Such specialized task forces are common for communities of Obviously your personal safety and that of others is the size to which Suwanee has grown. And with more than 50 the most compelling reason not to mix drinking and establishments within the City limits licensed to sell alcoholic driving. But if you need further motivation, be aware beverages, says Capt. Cass Mooney, there’s a need for this type that DUI penalties can be stiff. of dedicated effort in order to help ensure the safety of citizens. Those convicted of DUI, face: The police department has received a $16,000 grant from • jail time (2-10 days or more) the federal Department of Justice to help cover equipment • community service requirements expenses associated with the program. The officers selected for • fines that begin at $916 and can go as high as $3,811 the task force will receive specialized training. “The laws relat- • risk-reduction classes ed to and prosecution of DUI have become so complex,” notes • probation Mooney, “that there’s a need for officers who are specially • alcohol and drug evaluation and treatment trained in the field.” • random drug screens In Georgia, drivers with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 or • suspension of driver’s license higher are considered legally drunk, whether or not they feel • the possibility of having photo and conviction intoxicated. In 2008, Suwanee officers made 112 DUI arrests. published in local newspapers.

Home occupation modifications strive for live-work balance

At its June 25 meeting, City Council adopted mod- ifications to the City’s Zoning Ordinance that are designed to preserve the integrity of residential areas while creating a regulatory framework that provides for home-based business incubation. “The goal,” says Planning and Inspections Director Josh Campbell, “is to balance the needs of small home-based business owners with consideration for their neighbors. Our previous ordinance provided lit- tle guidance for home-based businesses. This new ordinance is a performance-based code that allows for home-based businesses that do not adversely impact Paddle in the park residents in the neighborhood. This ordinance Want to experience Sims Lake Park in a whole new respects small business owners willing to respect their way? The City of Suwanee is teaming with Up the neighbors.” River Outfitters to allow kayaking on the lake for one The new ordinance, Campbell adds, makes clear weekend only. what standards home-based occupations are expected From 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, August to meet and narrows the gap between home-based and 29 and 30, one- and two-person kayaks will be available off-site businesses. Last year, 374 home-based busi- to rent at the park on a first-come, first-served basis. nesses were licensed in Suwanee. The fee is $10 per person for a 30-minute rental. Life To view the revised ordinance, see section 616 of vests will be provided. the City Zoning Ordinance, available on the Sorry, no fishing will be allowed nor may personally Economic Development/Reports & Regulations page owned kayaks be used. at www.suwanee.com. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to enjoy some time on Sims Lake! Page 6 August 2009

www.suwanee.com Plans for community garden growing like a ...radish Planning for Suwanee’s community garden is off to a productive start. Indeed ideas and plans are sprouting like, well, a radish, one of nature’s fastest-growing vegetables. A community garden was one of the recommendations suggested in the recently crafted Downtown Master Plan. The garden, to be located on a 7-acre former farm site situated between Buford Highway and White Street about one mile south of Town Center, is expected to be ready for planting in spring 2010. Over the past couple of months: • A team of design consultants has been hired. • A community kick-off meeting was attended by about 60 area residents. • City Council appointed 17 individuals to the Founders Committee, which will help guide design of the communi- ty garden and establish initial operating rules and policies. • Founders Committee members, consultants, and City staff participated in a design charette to brainstorm concept plans for the garden and uses for the existing barn. “We’re thrilled with the response so far,” says Jessica Roth, assistant to the city manager and lead staff person on the community garden project. “The community is very excited and supportive. The project is already bringing peo- ple together, which is one of our goals.”

Team Agro-Engineers The City received 15 proposals in response to its request for design and construction management services for the community garden. City Council approved a contract with Team Agro-Engineers not to exceed $42,700 at its May 26 meeting. Team Agro-Engineers includes: • Farmer D Organics – Described as the “Ty Pennington of organic gardening” by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Daron “Farmer D” Joffe has developed and managed organic farms and community gardens all over the country, but says that it’s rare to see a city lead such initiatives. Joffe will serve as the project “expert.” • SEI (Southeastern Engineering, Inc.) – Marietta-based SEI offers civil engineering, landscape architecture, land planning, land surveying, and seismic/subsurface investigation services, with specialty services in “green” design. • I.C.S. (Irrigation Consultant Services) – I.C.S. will provide assistance in irrigation design. • Michael P. Landry – This is a small architecture firm experienced in private and public projects, including public park facilities.

“Team Agro-Engineers and Farmer D are passionate about organic and community gardening, sustainability, and our park site,” says Roth. “We feel confident that they’re the right team to help us get the community excited about this project and to help us figure out a way to take community gardening to the next level.” Planting the seeds Sean Murphy, landscape architect with SEI, welcomes attendees to the June 10 community garden kick-off meeting. August 2009 Page 7

www.suwanee.com Gauging interest About 60 people with a wide range of gardening experience attended the initial community meeting on June 10. At that meeting, Sean Murphy, landscape architect with SEI, described the property, purchased by the City in 2003 through the voter-approved open space program, as three fields with wooded areas that included many hardwoods and with significant water sources. While the site likely will require some grading, the soil, he says, “is perfect for what we want. You couldn’t ask for better [soil] in this part of Georgia.” Bobby Wilson, president of the American Community Garden Association, told those gathered that another impor- tant ingredient in the garden’s success would be community support. “The most successful gardens are community-driv- en,” he says. “The key will be community ownership.” Once it’s operational, the City plans to turn over daily oversight and management of the garden to a Community Garden Board. “This is a different kind of park,” says City Manager Marty Allen. “The concept is for it to be essentially self-sus- taining and any necessary maintenance to be done by those using the park, the gardeners.” Farmer D, who was born in South Africa and raised in Sandy Springs, assured the group that there are many differ- Garden guru Community gardening expert Daron Joffe, aka ent ways to achieve community gardening. However the Farmer D, chats with Founders Committee members at the details work out, he says, community gardening is “a great June 24 design charette. source for fresh food and an opportunity to get outside with the family to do something wholesome. It brings the commu- Founders Committee nity together and becomes a social activity.” In June, City Council appointed 17 people to the A park for gardeners Community Garden Founders Committee. The commit- Founders Committee members, City staff, and the com- tee will work through the spring with consultants and munity gardening consultants met June 24 for a design staff to help guide design of the garden as well as establish charette. The group brainstormed elements for the garden operating rules and policies for the garden’s spring 2010 and uses for the existing barn, generating three concept plans opening. Committee members, who range from novice for the garden and surrounding property. to master gardener, include: “If there was a Bob Ames Beth MacDonald theme that emerged,” notes Roth, “it was Allison Cain Evette Parker that we’d like to cre- Chantéz Daya Michelle Pauly ate a park for garden- Dahlys Hamilton Phil Roberts ers. The group was Carol Hassell Gina Smith interested in having Kelli Johnson Kim Thompson trails, preserving a lot Patricia Joseph Deborah Thornton of the natural eco- Boo Kirsch Rosalie Tubre system, and creating Sara Kleinfeld an educational, inter- pretive nature park. We want to create a park that will be of interest to the wider community, but centered on people who enjoy nature and organic living.” From ideas generated through the charette, the designers will create an overall master plan for the property. The preliminary master plan was sched- uled to be presented during a July 22 public meeting, as this newsletter was going to press. After the master plan is adopted, the Founders Committee will help determine exactly which elements will be constructed during Phase 1 in order to be ready for the spring 2010 opening. The City anticipates that construction of the garden will begin late this fall. Remaining open space funds will be used for construction. Page 8 August 2009

www.suwanee.com Suwanee going green-er Goodbye, paper Suwanee already has an award-winning open space initiative and its Through its document imaging efforts, the City of new City Hall was designed to become only the second public facility Suwanee has converted nearly three-quarters of a mil- in Gwinnett County to earn LEED (Leadership in Energy and lion documents into digital files. That’s the equivalent Environmental Design) certification. Now the City is taking its com- of 375 file drawers or 100 filing cabinets worth of mitment to going green to the next level. paper documents. Suwanee City Council adopted at its June 25 meeting several poli- Suwanee has worked with the DRS Group of cies that should help the City earn certification through the Atlanta Georgia over the past eight months to scan the paper Regional Commission’s (ARC) Green Communities Program. files and convert them into electronic images. The “We’re not attempting to re-tilt the world,” says Wes Rogers, scanned documents, previously housed in three sepa- Suwanee’s senior environmental planner. “In many ways, Suwanee is rate buildings, have been reduced to about 50 already a green city. We’re simply taking it to the next level and megabytes on a single server. The project cost approx- acknowledging that there are some things that we can do to use our imately $52,000 and came in under budget by about environmental resources more efficiently. These new policies are meant $13,000. to change the way that City employees think and encourage us to In addition to reducing paper use and expense, the modify some of our daily behaviors.” document imaging and records management project Established in 2008, the ARC Green Communities Program is also allows for easy search and retrieval of electronic designed to encourage local governments to reduce their environmen- files. tal footprint through policies and practices and, in turn, encourage cit- The City will continue its imaging project in- izens and businesses to do the same. Several other metro communities, house with the purchase of additional scanners and including Roswell, Dunwoody, and Norcross, also are working toward software licenses. Moving forward, Suwanee also is certification. working to adopt new policies and procedures that The new sustainable-practices policies adopted by City Council will minimize the volume of paper required to con- include: duct City business. For example, the planning depart- ment has revamped some of its processes to require • No Idling – When not in operation, City vehicles should be turned submittal of documents electronically or via CD. off (with exemptions for public safety purposes). • Green Fleet – When purchasing new vehicles, the City will make efforts to consider and purchase alternative energy, hybrid, or low-emission vehicles. • Lights Out/Power Down – Office equipment not in use should be turned off when employees leave their offices for extended periods, and equipment that is not used fre- quently should be unplugged. • Community Bicycle Facilities – Suwanee will provide bicycle racks at City-owned facili- ties, promoting bicycling as an alternate mode of transportation that helps to reduce traf- fic and emissions. • Environmental Preferable Purchasing – Shades of green When purchasing prod- The City of Suwanee has several well-established green, ucts, the City will con- Green fleet Public Works Supervisor environmentally friendly policies and practices: sider environmental Rodney Beck stands beside one of • A recycling program. impact as well as cost. Suwanee’s hybrid trucks. • City Hall is designed to be LEED (Leadership in Energy The new policies, notes Rogers, aren’t meant to be and Environmental Design) certified. written in stone, but rather serve to encourage City staff – • Ordinances that progressively address environmental issues. and residents – to be aware of how our decisions and • Suwanee has been a Tree City USA for 19 years. actions have a real impact on the environment. An • Five new parks have been created to date through the important component of Suwanee’s green community award-winning Open Space Initiative. commitment will be to share information with citizens • Farmers Market. through the City website (www.suwanee.com) and edu- • Work is underway to establish a community garden. cational materials. • The City enforces Georgia’s energy codes, which promote The City of Suwanee hopes to attain Green efficient use of energy. Communities certification by later this year. • Through its ongoing document imaging program, the City Says Rogers: “We’re working to make Suwanee, literal- has made a commitment to reducing paper use and storage. ly, a cooler place to live.” August 2009 Page 9

www.suwanee.com ‘Groovy’ design selected for Suwanee Day festival Suwanee resident Shannon Scheels has been attending the annual Suwanee Day festival every year since her son was born 8 years ago. This year she’ll have additional motivation to attend the community celebra- tion: Her design has been selected as the official 2009 festival logo. Scheels’ retro, 1960s-style design was among 81 entries from 62 individuals submitted through this year’s design competition. “The selection panel loved the bright colors and tie-dyed lettering in Shannon’s design,” says Suwanee Shannon Scheels Events Coordinator Amy Doherty. “Her design reflects the energy and celebratory nature of Suwanee Day.” Want a free t-shirt? Volunteer! A stay-at-home mom of three (ages 8, 5, and 2), Scheels had planned As a small “thank you” to its wonderful com- already to begin online design courses this summer through the Art munity volunteers, the Suwanee Day planning Institute of Atlanta. committee provides free t-shirts to those who “When I entered the contest,” she says, “I really did it as a challenge put in a few hours of time and muscle to help to myself. I never thought in a million years that I would win. Winning make the festival run smoothly. Please consider this contest affirmed my decision to move forward with school and gave volunteering – it’s a great way to give a little me a lot more confidence in my skills. It’s such a thrill to be an integral something back to the community. This year, part of this year’s celebration of community.” the festival particularly needs adult volunteers. Scheels’ Suwanee Day design will be printed on t-shirts provided to Sign up at www.suwaneeday.com. Suwanee Day volunteers and available for purchase at the festival.

City receives ARC grant to study Buford Highway The City of Suwanee has received a $20,000 grant from the Atlanta Regional Commission for a Buford Highway transportation feasibility study. The grant is expected to cover approximately half of the cost for a study designed to identify potential transporta- tion improvements that will support objectives of the recently adopted Downtown Master Plan. “Buford Highway was designed as a rural highway,” says Planning Division Director Matthew Dickison. “It no longer fits the way that the area around it has developed as a suburban/urban activity center. We hope through this study to develop strategies that will help connect historic Old Town and Town Center and encourage pedestrian uses along the corridor.” The study, expected to get underway this fall and take about six months to complete, is to consider Buford Highway from McGinnis Ferry Road to George Pierce Park with the goal to create a context-sensitive roadway that accommodates multiple modes of transportation. “Context-sensitive” is a planning buzz word that denotes an awareness of how an area is developed and used. The study will consider traffic volume, intersection improvements, turn lanes, new intersections, speed limits, pedestrian amenities, streetscaping, and signage, among other factors. Recommendations are expected to be presented in the spring at a com- munity meeting where residents will be able to offer feedback. “Proper execution of the strategies recommended through this study,” says Dickison, “will go a long way toward achieving goals iden- tified in the 2030 Comprehensive Plan and the Downtown Master Plan in bringing about pedestrian connectivity between Town Center and historic Old Town.”

A better Buford Highway The transportation feasibility study of Buford Highway will consider how best to improve the roadway and encourage pedestrian uses. Page 10 August 2009

www.suwanee.com Five staff members complete training program Five City staff members completed the YIELD highly regarded Management Development Program (MDP) in June. MDP is a training SIGNS program for local government employees offered in cooperation by the Carl Vinson Institute for Government at the University of Georgia and the Atlanta Regional Commission. The three levels of MDP address core leadership and management skills including problem-solving, coaching, con- flict, ethics, information-gathering, and oral and written communication skills. A requirement of the third level of MDP is development of a project that brings about a positive, measurable change to an organization. Suwanee’s most recent MDP graduates (and their MDP III projects) are, from left to right in photo: • Mariza Abdeljawad, court services administrator: implementation of software that will allow Suwanee’s municipal court to go paperless • Aimee Nobs, human resources manager: new employee orientation program • Sgt. Jeff Dickens with the police department: a fuel-conservation program for fleet vehicles • Jessica Roth, assistant to the city manager: analysis of Suwanee’s fee structure. • Tammy Hiler, public works administrative assistant: public works employee recognition program

Councilmembers achieve training milestone Suwanee City Councilmembers Dan Foster and Kevin McOmber received Certificates of Recognition from the Georgia Municipal Training Institute during the Georgia Municipal Association’s (GMA) 76th annual convention, held in Savannah in June. Also during the GMA conference, Mayor Dave Williams moderated a presentation for elected municipal officials from across the state entitled “Tweet, Friends, Blogs, Oh My! Dan Foster Becoming @ Ease with Social Media.” Mayor Pro Tem Jimmy Burnette chaired the GMA Kevin McOmber Awards Committee. SBA awards scholarships to two Peachtree Ridge grads The Suwanee Business Alliance (SBA) is giving a helping hand to two 2009 Peachtree Ridge graduates. In May, the SBA presented scholarships to Evan Gilchrist and Andrew Schrichte. Gilchrist plans to study biology/pre-medicine at the University of Georgia this fall while Schrichte will be attending Cornell University where he will major in applied econom- ics and management. With nearly 150 members, the SBA is an association of local businesses that aims to facili- tate business relationships and support local community activities and charitable organiza- tions. The alliance awards two scholarships annually to local high school seniors based both Oh, the places you’ll go The SBA pre- on academic and non-academic achievements, references from school and community men- sented scholarships to two 2009 tors, and community and volunteer activities. Peachtree Ridge graduates. From left are Dr. David Richardson, SBA vice president; graduate Andrew Schrichte; Annandale athletes excel Dr. Kevin Tashlein, Peachtree Ridge at state Special Olympics principal; graduate Evan Gilchrist; Fifteen Annandale Villagers brought home a total of 31 medals and ribbons from the and Barry Coates, SBA scholarship Georgia Special Olympics State Summer Games held at Emory University in May. The committee chair. Annandale teams won seven gold medals, four silver medals, 11 bronze medals, four fourth- place ribbons, four fifth-place ribbons, and one participation ribbon. Annandale Village is a community for adults with developmental disabilities located in Suwanee. August 2009 Page 11

www.suwanee.com Police officers, planner make the grade Lt. Dan Clark graduated magna cum laude in May from Georgia Gwinnett College with a bachelor’s degree in psy- chology. In June, Det. Sgt. Shane Edmisten completed the Professional Management Program through the Georgia Chiefs of Police Association. Planning Division Director Matthew Dickison received his AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners) certifi- cation in May. Loaned sculpture on display at Sims Lake Park Butterfly Girl, a 4-foot, bronze sculpture by Cumming artist Gregory Johnson, was installed at the end of June under a shade tree near the top of the stone streamscape at Sims Lake Park. The sculp- ture, on loan to Suwanee for four months through The Arts Council, Inc. of Gainesville, a regional Grassroots Agency, and in cooperation with the artist, exemplifies Suwanee’s efforts to promote public arts throughout the community. Suwanee established last year a City Council-appointed, seven-member Public Arts Commission to encourage the display of art in public spaces. “We’re thrilled to have this statue on loan and on display at one of our community’s most popular parks,” says Denise Brinson, economic and community development director. “This is a realization of the kind of public visibility of art that we hope to foster throughout the City.” The sculptor Gregory Johnson has created public art works that are located in com- munities across Georgia. In addition, his artwork is included among numerous museums and corporate and private collections throughout the United States, Europe, Costa Rica, and the Middle East. On his website, Johnson notes that his work “reflects the strong European tradition of a softly detailed surface quality, while expressing the energy and vitality of contemporary life.” Butterfly Girl is available for purchase for $7,500. Sims Lake Park is located at 4600 Suwanee Dam Road. Installation of the sculpture was made possible through a grant to The Arts Council, Inc. of Gainesville through the Grassroots Arts program, which is supported, in part, by the Georgia Council for the Arts through appropria- tions provided by the Georgia General Assembly. The Georgia Council for the Arts is a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. The Public Arts Commission also has commissioned a large suspended sculpture to be created by Seattle artist Koryn Rolstad for the City Hall lobby. The two-piece, multi-tiered sculpture, entitled Shimmering Echoes, is expected to be installed at City Hall by the end of the year.

for business

The following new businesses were issued licenses by the City of Suwanee during May and June:

Affairs By Dierdre Henderson Academy 108 B Event Catering Asian American Resource Foundation Hiser Orthodontics Shri Matic Blu Apple Gals Ideal Commercial Properties Starvista Distributing Chay J's New Orleans Candies Independent Dealer's Advantage TDK Engineers Children's Health Care of Suwanee JD Edwards Department Store Treats & Sweets Comfy Cakes Jeffries Jones U-Store-It D-Lux Custom Lighting Love ’N Cupcakes Ultimate Ice Wraps Everdry Roofing Millennium Roofing & Construction Village Slice Pizza FGFoods North America Outdoors Yonsei Tour USA Corporation Good N Gracious North Atlantic Ventures 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

Calendar September August 1 Planning & Zoning Commission 6:30 pm 3 Public Arts Commission 5:30 pm 1 Suwanee Farmers Market (TCP) 8 am-noon 4 Majic 107.5/97.5 Concert Series (TCP) 7 pm 1 Suwanee Performing Arts presents 5 Suwanee Farmers Market (TCP) 8 am-noon Beauty & the Beast (TCP) 8 pm 9 Suwanee Business Alliance 6 pm 4 Planning & Zoning Commission 6:30 pm 10 City Council Workshop 5:30 pm 6 Public Arts Commission 5:30 pm 12 Suwanee Day Classic – 5K & 10K (TCP) 8 am 7 Majic 107.5/97.5 Concert Series (TCP) 6:30 pm 12 Suwanee Farmers Market (TCP) 8 am-noon 8 Suwanee Farmers Market (TCP) 8 am-noon 15 Zoning Board Appeals 6:30 pm 12 Suwanee Business Alliance 6 pm 17 Downtown Development Authority 7:30 am 19 Suwanee Day (TCP) 10 am-10 pm 13 City Council Workshop 5:30 pm 22 City Council Meeting* 7 pm 15 Suwanee Farmers Market (TCP) 8 am-noon 26 Suwanee Farmers Market (TCP) 8 am-noon 15 Concert in the Park (TCP) 7 pm 18 Zoning Board of Appeals 6:30 pm City of Suwanee, Georgia 20 Downtown Development Authority 7:30 am 22 Suwanee Farmers Market (TCP) 8 am-noon MAYOR: DAVE WILLIAMS ...... 770/831-1530 25 City Council Meeting* 7 pm COUNCIL: JACE BROOKS ...... 770/831-0499 JIMMY BURNETTE ...... 770/945-3492 29 Suwanee Farmers Market (TCP) 8am-noon DAN FOSTER ...... 770/614-5750 29 Paddle in the Park (Sims Lake Park) 10 am-7 pm KEVIN MCOMBER ...... 770/271-5427 30 Paddle in the Park (Sims Lake Park) 10 am-7 pm JEANNE RISPIN ...... 404/375-6095 CITY MANAGER: MARTY ALLEN ...... 770/945-8996 POLICE CHIEF: MIKE JONES ...... 770/945-8995 Unless otherwise noted, City of Suwanee public meetings are at City Hall, 330 NEWSLETTER EDITOR: Town Center Avenue. Location for Suwanee Business Alliance meeting varies LYNNE BOHLMAN DeWILDE ...... 770/945-8996 from month to month. * Public hearing begins 6:30 p.m. TCP=Town Center Park