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By PATRICK FOX
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Friday, January 30, 2009

About 40 residents turned out Thursday evening for the second of five public hearings to discuss the future of Gwinnett County’s solid waste plan. The meeting, held at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center in Lawrenceville, was overseen by the special committee appointed to draft recommendations for a trash-hauling ordinance.

During a 45-minute open forum, the panel discussed whether any portion of the meetings should be closed.

Several committee members agreed, and a measure was adopted to provide for 45 minutes of public comments, then deliberations in full view of the public.

During the open forum, comments ranged from those opposing government involvement in garbage service to those seeking relief from truck traffic in neighborhoods.

Topics included whether the plan should include provisions to charge each homeowner for collection, whether the house is occupied or not; whether to grant exclusive franchises to reduce truck traffic in neighborhoods; and how a comprehensive plan could be devised that allowed customers the right to protest inadequate service.

One issue the panel appeared to resolve was that putting the issue to a county-wide vote would be impractical. There was little hope, the committee concluded, of developing an ordinance that a majority of voters wouldn’t find something wrong with.

The next committee meeting will be Thursday (02/05/09) in Snellville. The time and place have not been set.

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By PATRICK FOX
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Friday, January 30, 2009

Gwinnett dog owners will be required to keep a closer ear on their best friends if a draft resolution under consideration becomes law.

The county’s citizen Animal Advisory Council is considering changes to the animal control ordinance that sets more specific limits on how long and how loud a dog can bark. It also expands the description for tethering of animals.

The biggest change is the definition of “intermittent” barking, which would be defined as any vocalization by an animal for a continuing period of 30 seconds or more on five or more occasions in any 30-minute period. The current ordinance does not define intermittent, but only states that such barking cannot go on for more than 30 minutes.

The draft proposal also defines as a nuisance any vocalization plainly audible to a person of ordinary hearing ability not located on the same property as the animal. The proposal would excuse barking “given as a warning to the presence of a person trespassing on the property” where the animal is located.

The proposal has generated some chatter on local blogs, but county officials dismiss some of the criticism as preposterous.

Karen Thomas, director of the county attorney’s office, which is helping draft the ordinance, said the advisory council is addressing the issue because of concerns raised in the community.

“It’s the whole balancing thing of if you have an animal, then you should care for the animal,” she said. “It’s to help make sure there is no mistreatment of animals.”

Penalties include up to a $1,000 fine and six months in jail. The proposal, in its infancy, is not scheduled to be heard by the County Commission any time soon.

Advisory council chairperson Gail LaBerge would not comment on the specifics of the ordinance, saying only that its under review.

Randy DeCarlo, a frequent critic of the animal control ordinance, said there is a more sinister motive behind the effort.

“The main crux of the problem with the animal ordinance on barking is they allow anybody to file a criminal complaint against you, without any investigation from any policing agency,” DeCarlo said. “If you own one dog, you face six months in jail. That’s absurd. You don’t put people in jail because their dogs bark.”

DeCarlo added that the ordinance may curtail adoptions at the animal shelter, resulting in more animals being put down.

“I can’t remember the last time we impounded a dog for barking,” said shelter manager Mary Lou Respess.

The new ordinance, she said, actually makes it tougher to prosecute an owner because it ultimately takes two neighbors - not one - to swear out a barking complaint.

“People don’t say ˜I’m not going to adopt a dog because it might bark,” Respess said. “It just doesn’t come up.”

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A Note from Mike

Hello, Everyone:

It’s that time of year when many businesses start their annual review cycle, examining the performance of each employee, and setting out goals and objectives for the new year. I’ve done the same thing with my role as county commissioner, and wanted to share the results with you in this newsletter.

Beyond setting and reviewing goals, I wanted to let you know about two issues I am working on. The first is the county budget. The Commission passed an interim budget at the first meeting of the year, which largely sets spending at 2008 levels. We were able to reduce spending by $26.1 million by postponing some planned projects and cutting expenses.

Passing an interim budget allows the county to meet state requirements, while giving the Commission some more time to examine possible expense reductions, and to evaluate changes in the economy that will affect the county’s tax receipts. The commission is expected to pass a final budget in March.

Prior to passing a final budget, I will be examining the budget, and determining appropriate expense reductions, while trying to maintain the essential services that the county provides.

The other big issue I am working on is the county’s solid waste plan. As you probably know, the original plan did not go into effect at the beginning of the year after being blocked in court. Since the adoption of the original plan, many county residents have contacted me and the other commissioners with possible changes to the plan, and we are listening.

I have established a committee of fifteen county residents who will help collect and recommend ideas for changes to the solid waste plan. This committee has begun to meet, and will hold several public meetings over the next few months around the county to hear from residents. Its findings will be presented to the commission in anticipation of adopting a new plan sometime later this year.

I am always interested in the opinions of District 3 residents. If you have any concerns you think I should know about, come by one of my “Meetings with Mike,” (see the schedule below), contact me by email at mike.beaudreau@gwinnettcounty.com, or call my office at 770-822-7003. I hope to hear from you soon.

Mike

Looking Back at 2008 Accomplishments

The Gwinnett Board of Commissioners and senior staff members held our annual retreat in December to discuss plans for the county in 2009. While much of the discussion was centered on balancing the county’s budget during these uncertain financial times, there was also the opportunity for each commissioner to establish goals the county should try to accomplish in 2009.

Before I talk about ideas for next year, let’s review the progress made on the goals I proposed for 2008. I proposed several ideas for improving our road system to make commutes easier, including extending Ronald Reagan Parkway to I-85, building an interchange at I-85 and Gravel Springs Road and studying traffic patterns along Sugarloaf Parkway.

In August, the county began soliciting bids for a public-private partnership to build the Reagan Extension. We were able to complete the widening of Gravel Springs Road this year, and are working with state and federal officials on widening the bridge. The widening would be constructed to accommodate the interchange once funding becomes available. Commissioners also approved funding to install cameras and sensors along Sugarloaf Parkway that will let the DOT control the traffic signals and monitor traffic on this busy road.

I proposed changes in Georgia law allowing the transfer of development rights in order to preserve green space, and to require owners of rental property to name a local agent the county could work with to solve quality of life issues. The legislature approved the proposal for TDRs last spring, and I will continue to push for the property agent proposal in 2009.

On the county level several of my goals were accomplished. Next week, the Commission will consider a new cell tower ordinance, which will resolve many of the concerns homeowners have with these structures in their neighborhoods. Over the summer, the Animal Control department started the Paws for Seniors program, which lets seniors adopt pets from our animal shelter at reduced cost. And, the county sponsored a “Foreclosure Summit” this year to help property owners explore options for refinancing their homes.

Goals for 2009

Knowing that 2009 was going to be a challenge financially, I decided to propose a number of goals that would be relatively inexpensive, while benefiting county residents.

These goals include:

• Improving public safety by creating a task force to assist victims of home burglaries. At present, many burglary victims are left with a police report and not much else. This task force could provide additional assistance to burglary victims. I would also like to explore providing a better police presence in the Centerville area, either with a storefront sub-precinct, or through some sort of mobile presence.

• Exploring the possibility of using local funds to match federal funds for construction of new roads in the county. Most federal transportation funds require a state match. With the state short of money this year, we might be able to leverage local dollars to complete critical transportation improvements more quickly.

• Encouraging the Georgia Legislature to pass a law requiring a local contact for all property owners. This will help our Quality of Life unit enforce regulations for rental housing with out of town owners. This is the third consecutive year I have pushed for this legislation.

• Working in partnership with Georgia Gwinnett College to develop an indoor aquatics center with a competition pool. This could be used by the college and by the county’s swim teams.

• Establishing a planning district for the Highway 316 corridor. This could help promote the goals of the 2030 Unified Plan and the Chamber’s Partnership Gwinnett to establish a high-tech corridor along the highway. Participants could include Gwinnett Technical College, Georgia Gwinnett College and Cisco, along with the Chamber and the county.

• Studying the options for expanding or improving service at the county’s Briscoe Airport. With plans for developing a Biotech Crescent along the 316 corridor, we should make sure the airport is providing the services needed to promote this effort.

• Reducing the euthanization rate at the county’s Animal Control Center, I would like to establish a volunteer group there that would work to find more homes for stray animals, and work to reunite lost pets with their owners in a more efficient manner.

• Expanding the number of bike lanes in the country. When the county widens or repaves an existing road, we should examine the cost of adding bike lanes, and add them if possible.

• Creating a citizen’s committee to help guide implementation of the county’s 2030 Plan. There are many details to be worked out in order to make the plan successful. One example is establishing maximum densities and defining sending and receiving areas for transfer of development rights. A citizen’s committee can work with our planning department and the commission to help define priorities and identify any changes that might need to be made.

• Providing more information in property tax bills that shows where tax money is going. By breaking the bill down to line items, including public safety, parks and recreation, roads, etc. and showing the dollar amount included in the bill, each taxpayer would see how their money is being spent.

• Improving commuting options for county residents. The county should develop and maintain a website residents could use to post and find van pools and ride sharing opportunities, especially for in-county commutes. The county should also explore how we can use our bus system to meet the needs of residents who work in the county.

In 2009, county government will need to tighten its belt and focus on the essential services it must provide to its residents. These tough economic times won’t last forever. I hope the goals I have set, while they won’t cost much, will provide a foundation for responsible growth once conditions improve.

Meetings with Mike Winter Schedule

One of the successes of Mike’s first term was his monthly “Meetings with Mike,” which provide an opportunity for residents to have a private conversation with Commissioner Beaudreau once a month on Saturday mornings. During his second term, “Meetings with Mike” will continue on the second Saturday of each month at his office in the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center. If you have a have a question about or an issue with the county or its government, you are welcome to share it with Mike.

In February, Mike will have office hours from Noon untiil 2 PM on the 14th. Mike will meet with residents from 10 AM until Noon on March 21st and in April, Meetings with Mike will be held on the 18th from 10-Noon. Meetings don’t require appointments, and are first-come first served.

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

Subscribing/Unsubscribing Information

This newsletter is published by the Committee to Elect Mike Beaudreau. Feel free to pass it along to anyone you think would be interested in the information it provides. If you would like your own subscription, please visit www.mikebeaudreau.com/subscribe.htm.

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A couple of neighbors contacted me regarding an incident involving a Tru Check meter reader crew and the Gwinnett County Police last Friday, January 23, 2009. I contacted Walton EMC regarding the incident and the following is their response:

Last Friday a customer saw two people going through his back yard and did not know who they were so he called Gwinnett County Police to check it out. After arriving they found that it was Walton EMC’s meter reading contractor Tru-check. The officers talked with the readers and checked them out for identification to be sure that they were legitimate. There were two readers. One was a reader and the other was a meter reader trainee. After everything was checked out and verified everyone went on there way.

Thanks,
Roger Harrison
Meter Reading and Revenue Recovery Supervisor
Phone # 770-266-2335

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At a special called meeting on January 15, the Gwinnett County Board of Education named the new principal for Parkview
High School, David Smith.

GCPS Employment:
2008-Present: Assistant Principal, Parkview High
1998-2008: Assistant Principal, Brookwood High
1994-1998: World History and Economics Teacher, Brookwood High

Education:
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration - Wake Forest University
• Master’s degree in Educational Leadership - University of Georgia
• Specialist’s degree in Educational Leadership - University of Georgia

Mr. Smith takes the helm at Parkview High as Principal Dr. Charles “Buck” Buchanan assumes his duties with the new Archer High, scheduled to open in August. Mr. Smith’s appointment is effective immediately.

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