CorinthHills.org

EVERMORE COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT REGULAR BOARD MEETING

DATE: Wednesday, March 23, 2011
TIME: 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM

Stone Mountain Tennis Center
5525 Bermuda Road
Stone Mountain, GA 30087

(770) 979-5800
Fax (770) 979-0712

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Yesterday, by a 4-3 vote, the Evermore CID eliminated David Stedman’s position of economic development director. Board member Dwight Harrison had declared that he had gathered enough signatures to also initiate recall proceedings against fellow board members Emory Morsberger and Don Robison.

Stedman had been heading a project called the Stone Mountain Athletic Recreational and Training (SMART) Center which would turn the empty Olympic facility into a destination tennis center. Adjacent properties would be used for sports recreation, training, retail, office and multifamily development. Transportation improvements were included the plan. Many of the developmental partners attended the meeting and left questioning the project’s status.

This is the second time Stedman has been fired by the Evermore CID. Stedman, who was originally hired in 2008, was fired at the end of that year by the CID’s former executive director, Brett Harrell. The board rehired Stedman in May 2009 during a meeting in which Harrell was fired.

More:
• Evermore CID story archives

3 Responses To “Evermore CID Eliminates Director Position”

1. CorinthHills.org Says:
   November 30th, 2010 at 7:06 PM

   REALLY?!!! The economy is in shambles, our community is at risk and this is the best we can do?

2. bwilson Says:
   December 14th, 2010 at 7:52 AM

   Gary Custar and Jimmy Norton, two appointed members of the CID board have agreed to step down as soon as replacements can be found for them. Emory Morsberger had requested last month that all of the seven board members resign.

3. j.q.public Says:
   January 26th, 2011 at 8:09 AM

   Dwight Harrison has tendered his resignation effective April of 2011. I believe that this make five that have already left or will soon be gone. Custar, Norton, Morsberger, Robison and now Harrison. They just added Garry Lapides by appointment from Snellville.

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Reposted by request.

Duncan Creek Park Gets Artificial Turf Field

(Lawrenceville, Ga., March 17, 2010) - Gwinnett commissioners on Tuesday awarded a construction contract for $835,000 to install an artificial turf multi-purpose field at Duncan Creek Park in northeast Gwinnett County. The project includes renovating the existing multi-purpose field and warm-up area (approximately 140,000 square feet) with the installation of artificial turf, including permanent striping for football and soccer, with corners for lacrosse.

Following the lead of a number of Atlanta area schools and parks that have converted sports fields to artificial turf, the County will save on annual field maintenance costs and provide an opportunity for these fields to be used year-round. Natural turf fields maintained by Gwinnett County typically require closure for full or partial re-sodding every summer due to the high use of the fields.

“With our current budget concerns, initiating this pilot program to convert two multi-purpose fields to artificial turf makes good economic sense,” said District 4 Commissioner Kevin Kenerly. “This will allow Gwinnett County time to evaluate the cost and playability of the new fields and consider extending the program to other parks.”

In addition to savings, new technologies provide for a much safer playing surface. Synthetic (artificial) turf fields are made of polyethylene fibers simulating grass stabilized with rubber pellets for cushioning. Underground drainage systems also increase the playability of fields after heavy rains.

The general contractor for the Duncan Creek Park project is East Tennessee Turf and Landscape and the turf supplier/installer is Deluxe Athletics of Marietta. Construction will begin in April with completion by mid-July. The multi-purpose field is one of two targeted in the County as a pilot project that was included in the 2010 Parks and Recreation Capital Budget funded by the 2005 SPLOST. Cemetery Field in Norcross will be the second field to get artificial sod.

• Original Gwinnett County press release

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Fox 5 television has obtained a copy of the grand jury’s presentment, or summary report, which a judge has sealed until November 2nd. Among the details that have leaked out is that the special grand jury elected not to indict Bannister for perjury in exchange for his resignation rather than let his future depend on the outcome on a criminal trial. Additionally, ALL commissioners were admonished for not doing their due diligence with respects to the land valuations. According to the Fox 5 report, former Superior Court judge James Oxendine negotiated for a property owner selling land to Gwinnett County. Oxendine pressed the county to increase its offer. The report noted that no Gwinnett County staffer recorded any reservations about negotiating with a then sitting judge. Judge Oxendine, former gubernatorial candidate John Oxendine’s father, was removed from the bench a year ago after this issue came to light.

• Full text of the 2009-2010 Gwinnett County Special Purpose Grand Jury Presentment (PDF document)

Excerpts from the grand jury findings:
• From the presentment intrduction:
“…under oath, every single sitting County Commissioner testified that they had not reviewed any of the readily available documents prior to their testimony. This failure to prepare in even the most basic way for their appearance resulted in a lack of recall about most important facts of each transaction. It is the Grand Jury’s opinion that this failure to prepare for their appearance in any meaningful way is not only an insult to the Grand Jury but is consistent with the way in which decisions are made involving millions of taxpayer dollars.”

• Concerning the Lakes Parkway property transaction:
“First, it was a stunning revelation to the Grand Jury that no member of the county staff expressed any reservations about being involved in a real estate transaction where a sitting Senior Superior Court Judge is acting as the seller’s agent. If the Commissioners who testified are to be believed, it is inconceivable that this information was not disclosed prior to any vote to purchase. Leaving aside questions of fees and negotiating a land deal in a judge’s office in the courthouse, the sheer impropriety of this representation should have been a warning sign. Second, despite testimony to the contrary by County Commissioners,
they were presented with information regarding the cost of the pedestrian bridge prior to the vote to purchase. The evidence is clear on that fact. They weren’t paying attention.”

• Concerning Commissioner Lasseter’s role in the Lakes Parkway property transaction:
“Commissioner Shirley Lasseter testified about her recollection of the events which led up to this property acquisition. After observing her demeanor and hearing her testimony the Grand Jury specifically recommends the following:
1. That Commissioner Lasseter develop at least a basic understanding of the land acquisition process;
2. That Commissioner Lasseter become more engaged in issues which affect her district and the entire county;
3. That Commissioner Lasseter must understand her role as a policy maker and decision maker rather than relying on the county staff to do her work for her.”

• Concerning the Givens Road property transaction”
“Chairman Bannister stated that he decided to “take the lead” on this particular purchase because of “so many no votes” coming from Commissioner Mike Beaudreau. He stated that getting this land transaction passed was to get Mr. Beaudreau’s attention. To quote his testimony, “It was pure politics.” He testified that this purchase was an object lesson to Commissioner Beaudreau.”
“Kenerly stated he witnessed a heated discussion between Chairman Bannister and Commissioner Beaudreau and therefore he stated that he believed that Chairman Bannister was pushing the acquisition to “stick it to Mike”.”

• Regarding SPLOST funding:
“The Grand Jury has found that SPLOST funds have been used for a variety of purposes from land acquisitions outside the Parks Master Plan to settlement of litigation. The Grand Jury is of the opinion that these actions have placed the passage of future SPLOST votes in jeopardy. SPLOST funds should be used for clearly delineated purposes approved by the voters, not as a general pot of money to be used for various purposes based upon a commissioner’s desire.”

• From the presentment conclusion:
“Based upon the evidence gathered during the course of our investigation, the Grand Jury, as a group of citizens, has been increasingly concerned about the path that Gwinnett County government is on. We have seen decisions involving millions of dollars made with little or no information or for the most venal reasons.”

More details to be posted here…

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A special purpose grand jury has indicted Gwinnett County Commissioner Kevin Kenerly on one count of bribery and two counts of failing to disclose a financial interest in properties up for county rezoning.

More:
• AJC - Commissioner Kenerly indicted by Gwinnett grand jury
• Fox 5 Atlanta - Gwinnett Co. Commissioner Kevin Kenerly Indicted
• Kenerly news archive

3 Responses To “Kenerly Indicted”

1. fwy545 Says:
   October 20th, 2010 at 6:02 PM

   What about the developers? Were they indicted? Can’t Kenerly now drop a dime on his fellow commissioners to save himself a little time in jail?

2. BG Says:
   October 22nd, 2010 at 8:00 AM

   By law all commissioners are given land appraisals prior to voting. Ipso facto, all commissioners are either complacent to or in collusion with Kenerly.

3. BG Says:
   October 22nd, 2010 at 8:51 AM

   In August of this year Gwinnett County laid out one million dollars to install artifical turf at Duncan Creek Park.

   Commissioner Kenerly, who coaches football at Duncan Creek Park, points out that the maintenance money comes from the county’s general fund, made up primarily of property taxes, while the turf project was funded by the county’s special purpose sales tax.

   No worries, it’s just money. We’ve got tons of money, everyone is happily rolling in the dough. Well at least Kenerly is (was). And how much of his bribery money went into laying the artificial turf? None of course, that’s what taxpayer money is for.

   Now stop reading this and get back to work, you have taxes to pay. I’m sure that one of the remaining commissioners has plans to use it on something very special. And if there’s not enough tax money in the coffers, they’ll just vote in a tax increase.

   Get back to work.

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The Parkview High School PTSA is presenting a 2010 candidate forum on Tuesday, October 26, 2010 at the Parkview High School theater beginning at approximately 7:00 PM. The public is invited. Parking and admission is free.

As of October 14th, the following candidates have agreed to attend:
Senate District 9
Don Balfour - R (I)
Dr. Rashid Malik - D

House District 102
BJ Pak - R

Board of Commissioners, District 2
Robert Byers - D
Lynette Howard - R

Board of Education, District 4
Dr. Robert McClure - R (I)
Mark Williams - D

U.S. Congress, 7th Congressional District
Doug Heckman - D
Rob Woodall - R

Candidates will answer questions from Parkview High School students as well as audience members.

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A Mayor’s Update Meeting, focusing primarily on the proposed Big League Dreams project, will be held on Thursday, October 21 at 7 PM in the City Hall auditorium. This meeting will include updates about the market analysis, financial feasibility and engineering studies.

An excerpt from the proposed sports complex fact sheet:

• What is included in the proposed sports complex?
The sports complex would be primarily a ball park for softball and baseball travel leagues consisting of six replica fields, restaurant(s), concessions and an indoor sports/event facility. The complex would be owned by the City of Lilburn and operated by a company called Big League Dreams (BLD). BLD would return a percentage of the profit to the City. After 30 years, the operating agreement would end and the City could operate the park. The park would host tournaments on the weekends and league play during the week. The park fields and indoor facility could also host concerts and community functions. The park would be open free to the community during the weekdays before 6:00 p.m. Admission to the park evenings and weekends would be $3.00 for patrons thirteen and older.

• Where would the sports complex be located?
The complex would be located on Indian Trail Road on the site of the current Jackson Creek Water Treatment Plant, which is scheduled to close September, 2011.

More:
• Complete Sports Complex Fact Sheet (PDF file)
• Lilburn Sports Complex News Archive

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Friday, September 17th marked the beginning of early voting in Gwinnett County which will continue through Friday, October 29th. Voters may cast their ballots for the November 2nd general election.

Where and when:
The Gwinnett County Voter Registration and Elections Office
455 Grayson Highway
Lawrenceville, GA 30046
678.226.7210
Monday through Friday 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM

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November 2nd general election sample ballots may be retrieved by clicking here and logging in to the Georgia Secretary of State “My Voter Page”. The MVP site also has information and forms for absentee voting and voter registration.

More:
• GwinnettCounty.com - Early Voting
• Proposed Constitutional Amendments and State-Wide Referendum (PDF document) It’s suggested that you take an aspirin first before attempting to digest…

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Over the past week or two I’ve received several emails from local citizens concerned about the squabbling that seems to be ever-present within the ranks of the Evermore CID.

A little research yielded the following:
An open letter from the Evermore chairman, Dwight Harrison dated 08/30/10 states, “We are poised for more great accomplishments. Unfortunately, a currently divided board has stymied the CID’s efforts. Critical and time-sensitive issues have been on the board’s agenda in July and August with only four of eight board members attending. A minimum of five board members is necessary for the board to conduct business.”

The Gwinnett Daily Post reported Harrison stating on 09/10/10 that “Whether you feel like (Executive Director Jim Brooks) is doing a good job or a bad job, you are appointed or elected to show up and vote,”. “I welcome the 22nd. Hopefully, their comments will be aired and hopefully we can move forward.”

In a letter presented at the meeting, the four absent members — Gary Custar, Emory Morsberger, Jimmy Norton and Don Robison — blamed Harrison for the discord.

In 2009 the board was involved in a stalemate over the fate of former executive director Brett Harrell, which ended when two board members were recalled. Since then bylaws were changed to allow votes that end in a tie twice to be brought before the property owners that participate in the CID. Harrison said the lack of a quorum has stopped that option.

The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 22nd, 2:30 PM at the Stone Mountain Tennis Center
5525 Bermuda Road
Stone Mountain, GA 30087
(770) 979-5800

Sources:
• GPD - Evermore CID stalled again by no-shows
• Dwight Harrison’s open letter to the CID membership
• Evermore CID archive

3 Responses To “Evermore CID Infighting Continues”

1. CorinthHills.org Says:
   September 23rd, 2010 at 11:51 AM

   Yesterday’s executive meeting proved to be yet another stalemate with 4-4 votes on a couple of key issues including the executive directors contract. This impasse means that Jim Brooks who was hired a year ago will not be back as his contract will expire prior to the tie-breaker vote of the CID property owner membership. This bylaw was added after a similar issue occurred with Brett Herrell last year. It was not foreseen that opposing members of the CID board could stall the process by not attending meetings and voting on the issue.

   Another issue left deadlocked by a 4-4 vote was the renewal of Russell Landscape’s maintenance contract. The major concern being that Russell exceeded its contract with the CID by $15,000.

2. CorinthHills.org Says:
   September 30th, 2010 at 1:13 PM

   A NEW recall effort has been established targeting Emory Morsberger and Don Robison who were elected by the CID membership. Recall petitions are being circulated throughout the CID membership. 20% of the approximately 480 property owner membership would have to sign in order to proceed. Dwight Harrison, CID chairman expects to have the required number of signatures by the end of October.

3. CorinthHills.org Says:
   October 1st, 2010 at 7:52 AM

   Jim Brooks, the now former executive director of the Evermore CID, had his contract with the board expire last night. The CID is now operating without an executive director.

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Gwinnett County District Attorney Danny Porter said he won’t pursue criminal charges against any of the deputies involved in the Charles Bannister DUI arrest because there is no reason to suspect that Bannister was the victim of entrapment. Porter said “the idea to consume alcohol and operate a vehicle did not come from a law enforcement agency.”

“The Chairman has to explain why he was drinking alcohol and driving a county car,” Porter said. “And the Sheriff has to explain why he expended so many resources on a DUI case. But that’s not my explanation to give.”

Bannister declined to comment at a commission meeting Tuesday.

The GBI report had a few revelations. For one, Bannister is no tee-totaler. He admitted to GBI investigators that he did have “a little better than two beers” that night.

• AJC

One Response To “Gwinnett DA Won’t File Charges In Bannister Case”

1. CorinthHills.org Says:
   August 18th, 2010 at 12:43 PM

   This smells from every angle.

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Gwinnett County is repossessing Collins Hill Golf Course which is currently 1.8 million dollars in debt. Charles Bannister states that the $1.8 million will be paid from existing tax reserve funds.

The course was originally purchased by the county in 1988 for $3.4 million because local golfers whined that it was too inconvenient to drive elsewhere to play. It was a controversial decision even way back then, but the board of commissioners said it was a great deal.

The story then becomes somewhat convoluted and mired in minutia,… the AJC does a great job of detailing the timeline of events, just suffice it to say that the property has never made money and continues to hemorrhage cash, but now the county taxpayers are on the hook for its medical and rehab bill.

• Gwinnett to repossess golf course, pay its $1.8 million debt - AJC

3 Responses To “Gwinnett Repos Golf Course And $1.8M In Debt”

1. BG Says:
   August 17th, 2010 at 10:04 AM

   Gwinnett County is becoming quite the sports Mecca. We should all go play a round of golf, then take in a Gwinnett Braves game and finish by taking a swim in the debt that all of this foolishness has created.

2. j.q.public Says:
   August 18th, 2010 at 12:45 PM

   Meanwhile my property tax assessment remains obscenely high.

3. bwilson Says:
   September 17th, 2010 at 5:58 PM

   “PAID FROM EXISTING TAX RESERVE FUNDS”? WHAT RESERVE FUNDS? MY PROPERTY TAXES KEEP GETTING JACKED UP FOR WHAT? TO PAY FOR GOLF COURSES? BOY, THE EMERGENCY SERVICES SECTOR MUST BE PISSED OFF - CAN’T GIVE THE COPS OR FIREMEN A RAISE FOR RISKING THEIR NECKS, BUT WE CAN BUY GOLF COURSES THAT ARE IN THE RED. THIS COUNTY IS GOING TO HELL!

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Gwinnett County Commission Chairman Charles Bannister was arrested Monday night by a Gwinnett County Sheriff’s deputy on the suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. He reportedly failed a field sobriety test administered by the deputy on scene.

6 Responses To “Bannister Arrested on Suspicion of DUI”

1. CorinthHills.org Says:
   June 29th, 2010 at 11:40 AM

   According to reports, Bannister blew a .000 on the breathalizer, but submitted blood for testing. Results are pending.

2. bwilson Says:
   June 29th, 2010 at 12:10 PM

   Can you imagine the copious amount of egg on Butch Conway’s face if those blood results come back under limit?

3. CorinthHills.org Says:
   July 1st, 2010 at 10:39 AM

   Bannister’s blood test results have returned negative as reported by his attorney.

4. bwilson Says:
   July 2nd, 2010 at 7:09 AM

   Boy this raises a stink that will take years to clear, not only between Bannister and Conway, but all of the doubt cast upon the sheriffs office in general as well as the DUI testing process.

5. j.q.public Says:
   July 4th, 2010 at 7:42 AM

   The gang who couldn’t shoot straight arrested the leader of the gang who couldn’t legislate straight. Holy sh*t! The will live on forever in Gwinnett political folklore. I hope everyone realizes that in spite of the fact that Bannister ADMITS to drinking at least two beers and driving a county vehicle that you and I bought, that he now will be more empowered and emboldened in his means of governance.

   Look up “cluster f—” in the dictionary and see if it doesn’t provide this stunt as an example.

   But at least the GBI is investigating, whatever that is supposed to accomplish.

6. Gwinnett Recall Committee Says:
   July 19th, 2010 at 6:39 PM

   Citizens of Gwinnett,

   My sympathies to Mr. Bannister and his family for his poor judgement related to these actions.

   My sympathies and support to Mr. Cummings for having the courage to do the right things when concerned citizens witnessed a criminal act and then acted to protect Mr. Bannnister and any innocent person he might have injured.

   My sympathies and support to the witnesses who had the courage to act when seeing a criminal act being committed by someone that might endanger our fellow citizens. Most people just do not wish to get involved because it might mean they have to decide where their principles really lie.

   I find it very interesting that while we buy into thousands of Georgians being convicted for DUI and have drank far less without anyone willing to witness their actions and being convicted. That we now believe that 0.00 trumps five witnesses; two of whom are trained law enforcement officers and that this 0.00 whether by breathalyzer or blood analysis now exonerates the suspect. When will we be re-instating all the Gwinnett County employees,with back pay, who were teriminated because of the zero tolerance policy? Who were the other persons drinking with Bannister, which he confessed, that night and what was on their tabs? When you get those answers and the statements of the other witnesses, please let me know by sending me a message at www.gwntrecall.com.

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When: Saturday, June 12, 2010 11:00AM
Where: Outside the old courthouse in downtown Lawrenceville - 185 East Crogan Street
Organizers: Four Corners Tea Party, Freedom Works, Gwinnett Citizens for Responsible Government

Organizers of this event intend to demand that commissioners reconsider the plan that will bill 185,000 households in unincorporated Gwinnett $321 each for 18 months of trash service paid in advance. This bill will be included in property tax statements that go out later in July.

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More:
• Four Corners Tea Party Facebook page
• AJC article
• CorinthHills.org article archive

One Response To “New Garbage Plan Protest Planned”

1. fwy545 Says:
   June 12th, 2010 at 7:58 AM

   “unless the taxpayers wish to change their minds and replenish some of the lost funding we have encountered, the only option is to reduce spending, and that’s the direction we’re going.”
   - Charles Bannister (open letter to Gwinnett County)

   Translation: We, the BoC screwed up and got called on it. The legal system agreed with our accusers, so either pony up a tax increase to pay for our mistakes or go with this “new” plan, Constitutionality be damned.

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Friday marked the beginning of early voting in Gwinnett County which will continue through Friday, July 16th. Voters may cast their ballots for the July 20th primary.

Where and when:
The Gwinnett County Voter Registration and Elections Office
455 Grayson Highway
Lawrenceville, GA 30046
Monday through Friday 9 AM - 4:30 PM

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The following are links to Georgia elections information:

• Preliminary List of Qualified Candidates on the July 20, 2010 General Primary Election Ballot

Primary ballots specifically for the Corinth Hills area:
Precinct 049
LUCERNE BAPTIST CHURCH
4805 STONE MOUNTAIN HWY
LILBURN, GA 30047
• Republican Primary Ballot (PDF)
• Democrat Primary Ballot (PDF)

Others may retrieve their specific primary ballots by visiting the Georgia Secretary of State “My Voter Page (MVP)”.

• Application for absentee ballot (PDF)

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