Latest News

The mandatory pre-bid meeting will be rescheduled to Monday, September 18th at 10:00 a.m. Please see the addendum on the bid page for more information.

Please visit our bid page for more information.

NOTICE OF ELECTION CANCELLATION

Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 21-2-291, notice is hereby given that the City of Snellville General Election scheduled for November 7, 2017, is cancelled. The following candidate has qualified for office and is unopposed:

For Council Post 3: Cristy L. Lenski

For Council Post 4: Gretchen Schulz

For Council Post 5: Barbara A. Bender

The above unopposed candidate shall be deemed to have voted for him/herself.

This the 6th day of September 2017.

Melisa Arnold
Election Superintendent
City of Snellville

NOTIFICACION DE CANCELACION DE ELECCION

Acabo de O.C.G.A. § 21-2-291, se pone en conocimiento del público que la Elección General para la Ciudad de Snellville programada para el 7 de Noviembre 2017es cancelada. Los siguientes candidatos están calificados para los puestos y no tienen oposición.

Para Miembro de Concejo Puesto 3: Cristy L. Lenski

Para Miembro de Concejo Puesto 4: Gretchen Schulz

Para Miembro de Concejo Puesto 5: Barbara A. Bender

Los candidatos sin oposición por encima serán considerados que han votado por él/ella mismo.

El 6to día de Septiembre 2017.

Melisa Arnold
Superintendente de Elección
Ciudad de Snellville

SNELLVILLE – There will be more housing options locally for those 55 and over in the near future.

The Mayor and Council approved a measure making way for a 130-lot age restricted singlefamily detached subdivision on a more than 36-acre tract of property located at the intersection of Ridgedale Road and Pinehurst Drive.

The development will be gated and will have ingress and egress points on both Pinehurst Drive and Ridgedale Road, city officials said.

Plans call for a density of approximately 3.59 units per acre. In addition to the home sites, the development will include walking trails, a clubhouse and other open space and amenities for residents of the subdivision.

The proposed development is bordered on all sides by low-density residential land uses.

SNELLVILLE – As an entrepreneur during the last eight years, Josh Sweeney spent each day growing Atcore Systems, a software consulting firm.

As the startup company grew to 15 employees and went through multiple offices, Sweeney said he felt first hand, the challenge that work space plays on a small business.

"As we grew, we had to start looking at office space," he said. "This led to the search for a temporary sub-lease space that matched our current size, but also offered an easy termination for when we reached maximum capacity. Once we outgrew this space, the only option was to move into a traditional leased office space. Companies that lease out traditional office space require multi-year commitments and also want assurances of the business's longevity."

In the business's early days, working from home presented multiple challenges. Sweeney says a home office didn't present the level of professionalism that he needed to attract the best talent. If the entrepreneur was not able be home, the employee had to work at another location which inhibited collaboration and organization. Plus an entrepreneur and/or spouse may not feel comfortable with outside employees coming in and out of their home.

From these struggles came GarageWorx, a new business incubator located at 2385 Clower St., Suite B near City Hall.

GarageWorx recently partnered with the Snellville Downtown Development Authority to help defray the cost of the venture at the city-owned building. Mayor and council established a fair lease rate for the space involved.

The partnership came to fruition when Sweeney was volunteering at the Grayson Tech Program at Grayson High School and presented to Heather Kishuns' entrepreneurship class. From there he was introduced to Snellville Economic Developer Eric Van Otteren, who has been looking to create an accelerator locally to grow businesses.

"I wasn't sure exactly what form it would take, but after a few months, I had the vision," Sweeney said. "Within a short time after, I received a call from Eric informing me that the DDA had an opportunity for us to build a proof of concept. Within 30 days of the discussion, we had launched GarageWorx and were open for members."

GarageWorx currently has three services with a fourth service in the works. An entrepreneur can get a single "Hot Desk" to work from, a permanent "Dedicated Desk" or a "Private Office" inside GarageWorx. Inside the confines of GarageWorx, entrepreneurs can be around other like-minded business owners in confines which includes internet and Wi-Fi access, snacks and restrooms.

"Being around other driven entrepreneurs and witnessing their achievements, gives you the energy and drive to succeed," Sweeney said. "The other benefit is collaboration. GarageWorx is an open forum for 'needs and leads.' Daily conversations can often result in the exchange of wisdom, useful contacts and laughs."

Eventually, Sweeney said he wants to offer a formal accelerator and accountability program that anyone can join (members and non-members). The goal is to use a proven peer-to-peer platform to help businesses grow faster and get the mentoring they need.

"Many people are surprised at the amount of value that comes from working in an incubator," Sweeney said. "They discover that it's not just about a desk. At first people equate the membership with the cost of the desk. Later they realize that the culture, the motivation, and the energy from being around others is far more valuable than just the desk. They are building their business, building relationships and building a future.

City officials are excited about the venture and hope it spurs business growth locally.

"GarageWorx is a great way to pilot business development in Snellville with the help of the city and DDA," said DDA Chairman Buddy Scott. "This is a program that will yield great business opportunities for years to come."

Van Otteren added: "GarageWorx is a next step in growing an entrepreneurial mindset in Snellville and is a significant effort between city leaders and the Downtown Development Authority of Snellville to turn the tide on the city's daytime exodus to jobs in other places. The City of Snellville is known as an entrepreneurial community. GarageWorx is focused on growing suburban entrepreneurship through high paying jobs here in Snellville."

For more information, visit https://garageworx.co/

PHOTO 1:From left, Josh Sweeney of GarageWorx and Snellville Economic Development Director Eric Van Otteren.

PHOTO 2: Josh Sweeney of GarageWorx shows off one of the offices inside the Clower Street business.

SNELLVILLE – The city's police department placed second in its category at the 18th Annual Governor's Challenge Awards last week in Savannah.

The strong showing in the category for agencies with 26-50 officers was the highest the Snellville Police Department placed in recent years in the competition hosted by the Governor's Office of Highway Safety. SPD placed third in 2016, 2015 and 2014. Snellville's finest placed first in 2013.

"Our department takes pride in being a partner with the Governor's Office of Highway Safety in keeping our roadways safe," Chief Roy Whitehead said. "Our classification received the most entries so receiving this award is an honor and a testament to the hard work and quality of the men and women of the Snellville Police Department."

The awards program is designed to highlight outstanding achievements in highway safety enforcement and education, according to the GOHS website. The awards program recognizes agencies for the approach and effectiveness of their overall highway safety programs. Agencies are evaluated not just for enforcement initiatives, but for innovative problem-solving in their communities, using public information activities and creating departmental policies that support their traffic enforcement campaign efforts.

"We have placed in our category in 11 of the 18 years that the Governor's Challenge has taken place," said Lt. David Matson. "I compiled the data and submitted our application again this year. Our application focused on the areas of occupant protection, impaired driving, speed awareness, distracted driving and underage alcohol prevention."

More information about the Governor's Challenge can be found on the GOHS website at http://www.gahighwaysafety.org/sitemap/governors-challenge/ or on its Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/GAHighwaySafety/.

PHOTO 1: Governor's Office of Highway Safety Deputy Director Jim Andrews presents the Snellville Police Department's second place award to Lt. David Matson. Photo courtesy of the Governor's Office of Highway Safety.

PHOTO 2: The Snellville Police Department's second place award in the 2017 GOHS Georgia Governor's Challenge.

SNELLVILLE – Retired city police officer Linda Nixon will have her art featured at Cobble Creek Studios Sept. 30.

This free event is open to the public and is from 6 to 9 p.m. at the studio at 2257 Scenic Highway.

Nixon's art will be on display with pieces by John R. Duke a watercolor artist and art instructor.

Nixon began working with the Snellville Police Department in 1996 as an officer in the Uniform Division. She served 10 years on the road then moved into the Detective Division. In February of 2016, she retired after reaching 20 years of service to return to her artwork and gardening. She is now a member of the Southern Heartland Art Guild and has completed the classroom training required to become a Georgia Master Gardener Extension Volunteer through the University of Georgia Extension.

"Over the years I had taken photos of flowers, old barns, animals and places that I wanted to paint one day when I had time again," she said. "I had been painting in oil and drawing since high school. But painting had to take a back seat to my career and family. Just before reaching retirement, I met John R. Duke, a watercolor artist and instructor at Cobble Creek Studios in Snellville. John introduced me to ink-based watercolors as his student and has been quite an inspiration. So, I've been painting since and am really excited to be able to show my work."

Kriss Johnson has been a familiar face in Snellville for a while now. Most know her as the beauty pageant queen who sings the National Anthem at events.

Aside from her pageant crown, Johnson is also wearing the hat of the Snellville Arts Commission chairman these days.

After a rough patch in recent years, SAC is now re-focused under Johnson's leadership.

Here's what she had to say about the Commission's new start.

Q: You've worn a lot of hats in Snellville recently. You've represented us on the pageant stage and are unofficially the National Anthem singer for our events. Now you're heading up SAC, why so many hats?

Kriss Johnson: I don't think it is so much about how many hats I wear, it is the fact that I love my city. I am proud of what has been done in Snellville since I moved here almost 20 years ago. It is a city of much pride and I am proud to represent Snellville in any way I can.

As far as SAC is concerned, I have always had a love of the arts. I have been on stage both as a vocalist and actress throughout my life, have lived in the entertainment capital of the world, Hollywood and worked for Universal Studios, Universal Pictures and Universal Music. I have seen it all and I have seen what arts can do for a city. I am also a firm believer that as we grow up, we need to keep our minds and hearts active. As long as I live and breathe I will never slow down.

Q: What are the goals for SAC in the next year?

KJ: The goals first and foremost is to bring the arts back to Snellville. For the past year or so the commission has fallen down in its obligation to the city and its citizens. The arts bring color and vibrancy to a city. We all need lots of color in our life. Music and theater are important to everyone especially with the recent closing of our only theater company. Our goal is to bring that color and vibrancy back to Snellville for all ages. We want to have programs that everyone will enjoy, as well as be a part of the Snellville Tourism and Trade events. There are a lot of talented artists in our community as well. We need to bring them forward to show what Snellville has. In addition citizens have asked us to share our talents in the form of lessons. We hope to have lessons in different mediums for our citizens to enjoy.

Q: For the SAC to remain successful, what has to happen?

KJ: In order for us to remain successful, we need to have programs and art outlets that will bring the citizens out to enjoy. Showcases, classes, events, are all important to our success. We have a terrific group of commissioners now with fantastic ideas of how to bring back the spark to the art commission. I am very excited to see what all we can do to make the organization successful and meet our mission statement. The talents of all seven commissioners is amazing. We have artists, musicians, actors and more. All will lend their talents in a wide array of blended color. Snellville will be amazed at what is about to explode in the art community.

Q: Why is a successful arts commission important to the city?

KJ: We not only want to involve the citizens of Snellville but we also want to involve the entire county in the hopes of bring more economic growth to businesses. It is a known fact that when people join for an event, they will also visit at least one other business while here. We want to be a part in building our city and getting people excited about the new city center that is being planned.

Q: Anything else you'd like to add?

KJ: It is my hope as commission chair that we can get excitement back to Snellville for the arts. With the team we now have I know this is possible. Our meetings are open to the public and I strongly invite anyone who is interested in seeing the arts grow to attend our meetings, voice your desires and become involved in our commission. Let us know what YOU would like to see. We always welcome volunteers and new members to become a part of our team. Visit our website at www.snellvillearts.com where our meetings, agendas and minutes are posted. One day we hope to have an Arts Center in Snellville, but we can't do this without the support of the city residents. Visit us on our Facebook page as well, or feel free to email your comments to me at kjohnson@snellvillearts.com. I welcome any comments good or bad. That is how we will grow.

The Snellville Arts Commission is:

Debra Pennington

Kriss Johnson

Summer King

Kerry Hetherington

Leroy Banks

Alisa Boykin

Nikki Toombs

SNELLVILLE – Members of the city's Police Department will be out in force hosting the annual Snellville Public Safety Night Sept. 26.

This successful event is a great opportunity to meet and ask questions of local police officers. A Flag Ceremony will kick off the event at 5:30 p.m. on the Towne Green in front of City Hall.

SPD vehicles with anti-crime accessories, tactical equipment and weapons and the Snellville Police Special Response Team will be on hand. The Air-Evac Lifeteam Helicopter, Gwinnett County Fire Department equipment and personnel, Gwinnett Animal Control, the Gwinnett County Bomb Squad's van, emergency medical service and first responders are all scheduled to attend.

Numerous exhibitors will be providing information on personal safety, road safety for adults, teens and young children, gun safety and training, financial security, home security and pet security. Members of the Snellville Citizens Police Academy will be available with information of the popular group. Information on the free emergency notification system of Code RED will be available.

And one of the highlights of the event, the Snellville Police K-9 officers will give two demonstrations throughout the evening along with a "How to manage a traffic stop" demonstration. Also the animal mascots, lead by our own STAT the Cat, will have a skit for the kids on "Being Safe." Fingerprinting of kids will be available.

Bring the family for some fun and get some great information on protecting yourself, your family, your pets, your home and business and your personal identity. The event is free and all are encouraged to attend.

For additional information contact Kathy Emanuel (Snellvillle Citizens Police Academy Alumni) at kae10@bellsouth.net, or Tom Martin (Snellvillle Citizens Police Academy Alumni) at twmartin50@yahoo.com.

Please visit our bid page to see details.