Politics & Government
Lasseter Sits a Spell in Suwanee
Gwinnett commissioner meets a resident and firefighters in Suwanee.
It was more of a cozy gathering than anything else, but Gwinnett District 1 Commissioner Shlrley Lasseter still had plenty to say when she made a visit to Suwanee last weekend.
Suwanee's representative on the Gwinnett Board of Commissioners held what she calls a listening session at Fire Station 13 on Buford Highway, across from Town Center. Other than the fire personnel on duty at the time, a Duluth resident was the only attendee.
But the commissioner touched on a number of timely topics, such as the fiscal year 2012 budget, which is due for a vote in January, and the just-issued Briscoe Field RFP.
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"We (the county) aren't making squat on the airport," Lasseter said. "I don't believe Gwinnett County needs to be running an airport. ... This is a big county," she added, noting her preference for emphasis on public safety. "It's like having three children or 13."
The one visitor was Marty Dorfman from Duluth, and contrasts quickly emerged between the contiguous cities.
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Dorfman noted his preference for older commercial structures, such as those that are common in Duluth's downtown area. "If you want new buildings, you can come to Suwanee," he said.
"Both Duluth and Suwanee have come a long way," added Lasseter, a resident of and former mayor of Duluth. "I remember when I first moved here (more than 30 years ago) ... there was nothing here then, not Gwinnett Place Mall or anything."
Lasseter acknowedged the county government's continuing struggle with revenue, and that some budget cuts still will be necessary even after the 2012 budget is passed.
"The only thing I can tell the public is that it's like your budget at home ... if you have to cut $10,000, you have to cut it," she said. "When I first started (as commissioner), we had (approximately) a $54 million deficit. They told me, "Welcome ..."
"We don't want to cut their children's school, we don't want to cut police and fire. (Residents) deserve that."
The current budget plan is for $1.3 billion, including the use of reserve funds, and is due for a vote by commissioners in January.
And the question of job growth in the county comes up with budget discussions. Said Lasseter, "I keep seeing that businesses are moving here and bringing X number of jobs, but I don't see the unemployment rate go down.
"In government, we have to be ahead of the curve. We have to plan ahead to be sure the citizens have what they need."
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