Saturday, May 11, 2013
FAA chief makes an announcement on funding.
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Saturday, May 11
The control tower at Gwinnett County-owned Briscoe Field will remain open at least through September, according to a Federal Aviation Administration announcement Friday (May 10). FAA Director Ray LaHood said in a statement: ... the recently enacted Reducing Flight Delays Act of 2013 will allow the FAA to transfer sufficient funds to end employee furloughs and keep the 149 low activity contract towers originally slated for closure in June open for the remainder of fiscal year 2013. The federal government's fiscal year ends Sept. 30. Briscoe Field's control tower, which is maintained by the FAA, had been among 149 towers nationally that were slated to be closed under federal budget cuts known as sequestration. Citing economic and safety …
Thursday, May 9, 2013
The city is offering more than 100 items in a surplus auction.
Citizens have several more days to get their bids in for more than 100 items in a surplus auction by the City of Suwanee. The city of Suwanee opened bidding on May 3, and it closes in the evening of May 13. Items available include police vehicles; police equipment, such as prisoner transport seat and prisoner cages; and even a chicken coop. The minimum bid for each police vehicle is $500. For other items, bids may start as low as $5. To view available items and to make a bid, click here.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Improvements at North Gwinnett High and a multi-use path for pedestrians are approved.
The Gwinnett Board of Commissioners approved Tuesday (May 7) two transportation-related projects for the Suwanee area, one in cooperation with City of Suwanee officials. Commissioners OK'd funding for a multi-use path along Suwanee Dam Road, part of which will be paid for by the city. Also, commissioners approved for North Gwinnett High a new parking lot entrance and an extended-turn lane from Suwanee Dam Road northbound onto Level Creek Road. The multi-use path will run from Peachtree Industrial Boulevard to Buford Highway, near Town Center. Suwanee already had agreed to pay about $30,500 of the cost (esimated at $440,000) to upgrade the material from asphalt to concrete. Work is expected to be completed by the end of the year. -- How …
Saturday, May 4, 2013
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Friday, May 3, 2013
The April 30 town hall meeting in Suwanee had a large turnout.
The Gwinnett Board of Commissioners held a town hall meeting at the George Pierce Park Community Center in Suwanee on April 30 to offer residents a chance to discuss issues and get to know the new Board a little better. Jace Brooks, a former Suwanee City Council member, hosted the event. "It's great to see some friendly faces here," he said before the meeting kicked off, "and some folks who I've known for quite a while." Brooks is new to the Board of Commissioners, replacing former District 1 Commissioner Shirley Lasseter in late 2012. Other commissioners include Tommy Hunter (District 3), Chairman Charlotte Nash, Lynette Howard (District 2) and John Heard (District 4). The following questions and comments were brought before the Board of …
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Calling the FAA's decision 'unlawful,' Gwinnett leaders go the legal route to try to keep the facility's control tower operating.
The Atlanta airport -- the world's busiest -- would be affected by the closure of the FAA-maintained control tower at Briscoe Field, according to Gwinnett officials. Gwinnett leaders announced this week that they are seeking to join a legal matter that was initiated by Spokane, Wash., that is pending before the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Airports in both areas face the loss of their control towers due to cutbacks that have been mandated by federal budget cuts known as sequestration. County officials said Briscoe Field "diverts a meaningful amount of traffic" from Atlanta's airport. That relief would not be possible if federal officials follow through with closure of Briscoe's tower. -- How do you feel about Briscoe Field's tower …
it's an election year in Suwanee. How are things shaping up?
Just when you thought elections were behind you. In 2013, Suwanee will again crank up the election system. Things will be busy -- three City Council posts will be up for grabs -- fully half of the six-member mayor/council setup. The early word is that at least two incumbents will defend their posts. Dan Foster, the second-longest serving council member, said recently that he intends to run again. Also, Beth Hilscher, who is serving out the term that was vacated by Jace Brooks in 2012, said she intends to seek a full term. Kevin McOmber, who was elected to the council in 2007, said he is undecided about running again. Hilscher is an Old Town business owner, and so has been heavily involved in the city's attempt to establish a national …
The next session by the Gwinnett Board of Commissioners will be Tuesday at George Pierce Park.
It'll be a homecoming of sorts for Jace Brooks on Tuesday night. Brooks, who is in his first full term as Gwinnett District 1 commissioner, will be part of a Gwinnett Town Hall meeting in Suwanee on Tuesday (April 30). The event, part of a series of town halls, will be from 6:15-8:30 p.m. at the George Pierce Park Community Center, on Buford Highway. The open house will be at the start of the program, with questions and comments beginning at 7 p.m. Brooks was a Suwanee City Council member from 2002-12, before leaving to run for commissioner. He actually was sworn in late in 2012 to fill the term vacated by Shirley Lasseter. District 1 includes Suwanee, Duluth and Sugar Hill. Already in 2013, Brooks has had an effect. Such transportation …
Monday, April 29, 2013
For safety and financial reasons, the county wants to join an existing legal matter with Spokane, Wash.
Citing economic and safety concerns, Gwinnett County officials are seeking to join an existing legal effort that would keep Briscoe Field's control towers from being closed. Officials announced Monday (April 29) that they have filed "a motion to intervene" in the Spokane (Wash.) Airport Board's legal action vs. the FAA. The case, which is before the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, seeks judicial review of the FAA’s decision to defund federal contract towers. “Gwinnett County is seeking to join in this action as our interests are aligned with those of Spokane and other similarly situated airports with contract towers. While we are seeking to join in the Spokane action, we are also reviewing and monitoring the Reducing Flight Delays Act…
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
The light at the busy intersection will be suspended by mast arms.
The Suwanee City Council approved extra funds Tuesday to display a planned traffic signal at a busy intersection on McGinnis Ferry Road. Officials OK'd a maximum of $25,000 to help construct mast arms to display the signal at McGinnis Ferry Road and Scales Road. The intersection has been the focus of much frustration from nearby residents, especially since a double-fatal accident there last November. Gwinnett County officials, who maintain the road, agreed to place a light at the intersection after conducting a study of traffic patterns. The signal is expected to be installed by the summer. The intersection also sits at the crest of a hill, which limits visibility in both directions. And traffic has increased along McGinnis Ferry Road …
