All News Releases

WHAT: The Department of Water Resources’ Stormwater Management Division, in partnership with the Gwinnett Cooperative Extension Service will host a free workshop for residents to learn how to build a rain garden. Rain gardens help improve water quality by reducing pollution and erosion caused by stormwater runoff.

(Lawrenceville, Ga., March 6, 2012) - Tax Commissioner Richard Steele announced that the deadline for all homestead exemptions for tax year 2012 is April 1 and urges homeowners to apply.  

(Lawrenceville, Ga., March 6, 2012) – The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners awarded two construction contracts today for pedestrian safety improvements and road widening on Old Norcross Tucker Road in the Norcross area and pedestrian safety improvements on Johnson Road in Sugar Hill.

The project on Old Norcross Tucker Road includes widening for the addition of a center turn lane and sidewalks from South Norcross Tucker Road to Guilford Drive/Payton Way. While the widening will end at Guilford Drive/Payton Way, the sidewalks will continue to Britt Road. The $1.7 million construction contract was awarded to CMES, Inc., the lowest of eight bidders.

The north side of Johnson Road will get sidewalks from Riverside Elementary School to Settles Bridge Park and from Settles Bridge Park to Suwanee Dam Road. The project also includes curb and gutter and improvements to the roadside shoulders. Triscapes, Inc., the lowest of 12 bidders, will perform the work for $219,457.

Funding for these projects comes from the 2009 Sales Tax Program. The Old Norcross Tucker Road work is expected to be completed by early 2013, while the work on Johnson Road should be complete by this fall.

(Lawrenceville, Ga., March 6, 2012) – Today commissioners accepted a $158,766 federal grant for the Get in Gear medical transportation program for disabled individuals 18 years and older who have no other transportation options. This marks the second year Gwinnett has received funding for the program through the Federal Transportation Administration’s New Freedom Act.

The required local match of $98,754.50 will come from program participant copayments and private donations from the nonprofit Friends of Gwinnett County Senior Services (Friends) organization. During the first six months of operation, Get in Gear provided vouchers for 593 trips that covered more than 10,000 miles. This new grant will increase the program’s capacity by 25 percent.

Gwinnett Health and Human Services Director Pat Baker said, “Testimonies from Get in Gear recipients speak volumes about the benefits and excellent service provided by the transportation program. We are pleased to serve the needs of the transportation-challenged Gwinnett disability community."

Friends is a volunteer-governed nonprofit organization that was incorporated in 1999 to raise funds to supplement select Gwinnett County Senior Services programs, including the home-delivered meals program. In the past three years, Friends has sponsored a total of 51 homebound, elderly clients for the meals service, making a significant dent in the waiting list. Since its inception, Friends has donated six fully-equipped vehicles and other equipment to the home-delivered meals program.

Baker said, “We are thankful for groups like Friends and the opportunity to receive federal dollars to help us meet the needs of our growing senior population."

Gwinnett County Senior Services operates three active senior centers in Lawrenceville, Norcross and Buford and offers in-home services that include meal-delivery, respite care and light housekeeping. For more information, visit www.gwinnettseniorservices.com or call the Senior Helpline at (678) 377-4150.

(Lawrenceville, Ga., March 7, 2012) – The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners approved a contract with the Georgia Department of Transportation on Tuesday for $2.5 million in state funds for the Sugarloaf Parkway extension from Campbell Road to State Route 316.

WHAT:Gwinnett County District 3 Commissioner Mike Beaudreau will host his monthly constituent meeting.

(Lawrenceville, Ga., March 7, 2012) – Bethesda Park Senior Center is hosting a Girl Scout Reunion Tea in support of the 100 Anniversary of the founding of the Girl Scouts of the USA. This event will be on March 12 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., and is open to any women who were Girl Scouts prior to 1969. Light refreshments will be served and there will also be a special showing of the 1918 film, The Golden Eaglet. Attendants are encouraged to share stories and photos from their years as a Girl Scout. The cost to attend is $5 per person and pre-registration is required by calling 770-564-4680 or visiting www.gwinnettparks.com.

The newly renovated Senior Recreation Center at Bethesda Park offers seniors ages 50-up a wide variety of special events as well as recreational and educational classes. The 159-acre Bethesda Park also features three adult sports fields, a football/multi-purpose field with lighted walking track, six soccer fields, indoor shuffleboard court, indoor aquatic center with leisure play pool and instructional pools, playgrounds, pavilions, outdoor basketball courts and horseshoe pit, and 1.5 miles of paved multipurpose trails.

Lawrenceville, Ga., March 8, 2012) – Gwinnett Fire Chief Bill Myers had good news for commissioners Tuesday when he reported on the results of an inspection by the Insurance Services Office (ISO), a leading independent source of information about property/casualty insurance. Despite a 41 percent increase in population since the last ISO visit in 1996, Gwinnett County retained a Class 4 rating for its fire suppression capabilities.

(Lawrenceville, Ga., March 6, 2012) – Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation will host a Grand Reopening Celebration at Rhodes Jordan Park to kick off Spring Break on Sat. March 31 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. The event, held rain or shine, will highlight recent park renovations and is free to the public. Activities will include giant inflatables, carnival games, a bike safety rodeo, live music, human gyroscope, softball and baseball games by the youth athletic associations, crazy hair, trolley rides, a yard sale and other activities. Food concessions will be available for purchase.  

Rhodes Jordan Park is a partnership between the City of Lawrenceville and Gwinnett County that dates back to 1991 when the two groups entered into a long-term lease agreement. Conveniently located in the county seat, this newly renovated park now sports three new soccer fields, horseshoe pits, basketball courts, renovated pavilions and additional parking. These renovated amenities complement existing features at the park that include a scenic lake surrounded by trails, pavilions, benches, playgrounds, a football field, baseball and softball fields, a seasonal outdoor pool, tennis center, and community recreation center. Rhodes Jordan Park is also the home of the Lawrenceville Senior Center.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held Tue., March 20 at 11 a.m. to mark completion of renovations to the park. The $7.3 million project was funded through the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST).

(Lawrenceville, Ga., March 20, 2012) – The County will use state and federal funds to buy and demolish 11 homes that were damaged in the floods of 2009. Commissioners on Tuesday accepted a federal grant for $2.1 million to cover three-quarters of the cost plus $212,546 in state funds. The property owners involved will contribute the remaining 15 percent. The county will use the properties as open greenspace to restore natural floodplain functions.

(Lawrenceville, Ga., March 22, 2012) – Elementary school students are getting a hands-on lesson about bullying from a team of dedicated teachers and volunteers. The Hands Are Not for Hitting program is a series of interactive puppet shows aimed at teaching Gwinnett County kindergarten through second graders non-violent solutions for resolving conflict. The program is sponsored by the Gwinnett County Solicitor’s Office in partnership with Gwinnett County Retired Educators Association.

(Lawrenceville, Ga., March 23, 2012) - Gwinnett County Administrator Glenn Stephens has appointed two employees to key senior management positions within the organization. Bryan Lackey will be the new director of the Department of Planning and Development while Kim Conroy will be the new director of the Department of Transportation. Both men had been leading their respective departments in an interim capacity.

N. Stanley Gunter, Executive Director of the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia, announces the following:

(Lawrenceville, Ga., March 27, 2012) - Gwinnett County Administrator Glenn Stephens has tapped Ron Seibenhener to serve as the director of the Department of Water Resources for the next 24 months. The Board of Commissioners ratified the employment agreement on Tuesday. His first day of work will be April 16.

(Lawrenceville, Ga., March 29, 2012) – In celebration of 25 years as a countywide park system, Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation (GCPR) is creating a documentary featuring park patrons who have played an important part of the park system, as well as those wanting to share interesting memories of the last 25 years. Patrons are asked to bring photos, videos, and oral histories to be used in crafting this documentary titled 25 Years of Memories.

Memorabilia can be brought to the designated community recreation centers during the months of April through May, and interviews can be scheduled by calling 770-614-2060.
In addition to the film documentary, GCPR is hosting a series of 25 Year Silver Anniversary Celebration events throughout the year.  The Silver Anniversary events include:  Play for a 1987 Quarter at selected GCPR gymnasiums; Blast from the Past an 80’s themed dance; Hot Rods and Hot Wings a 1987 model car show, as well as many other themed events. For a complete listing of events visit www.gwinnettparks.com.

Drop off your memorabilia anytime or call to schedule an interview at these locations:
Bogan Park Community Recreation Center, 2723 North Bogan Road, Buford – 770-614-2060
Rhodes Jordan Park Community Recreation Center, 100 East Crogan Street, Lawrenceville – 770-822-5414
Bethesda Park Senior Center – 225 Bethesda Church Road, Lawrenceville – 770-564-4680
George Pierce Park Community Recreation Center, 55 Buford Highway, Suwanee – 770-831-4173

(Lawrenceville, Ga., April 6, 2012) – Gwinnett County celebrates National County Government Month this month to highlight essential county government services and programs it provides to those who live, work and play here. The County is observing this year’s theme of Healthy Counties, Healthy Families with many free and fun events throughout the month of April. Most of the activities are designed to help residents learn about healthy living choices.

(Lawrenceville, Ga., April 6, 2012) – Gwinnett County property owners will get the official assessment of their property’s value soon. Chief Appraiser Steve Pruitt said the County mailed approximately 257,000 residential and 14,000 commercial annual notices of current assessment on April 6.

WHAT: The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners will host a ribbon cutting ceremony for the official opening of the auxiliary lane on SR 316 eastbound from I-85 to Sugarloaf Parkway.

WHAT: Gwinnett County District 3 Commissioner Mike Beaudreau will host his monthly constituent meeting.

(Lawrenceville, Ga., April 17, 2012) – Gwinnett’s new Yellow River Water Reclamation Facility has replaced six old, inefficient treatment plants. On Tuesday, commissioners learned the actual cost of construction, $245 million, is $5 million less than planned.