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SNELLVILLE – If you cut down a tree without permission in the city, expect to pay a heavy price in the near future.

That's the word from city officials who, following two tree-cutting sprees committed by shopping plaza owners, are in the process of adding more teeth to an already existing ordinance designed to prevent unwarranted tree removal by commercial property owners.

"In spite of Snellville's long-standing ordinances prohibiting the arbitrary removal of trees, we have recently had some violations of those ordinances," said Councilman Dave Emanuel. "While some violators plead ignorance, I believe they were in fact subscribing to the philosophy that it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission. It may be easier, but it will become a lot more expensive."

Currently the fee for cutting down trees without permission is a minimum of $356 per tree per day. Under the new measure, which still awaits formal review and approval, violators would pay $995 per tree per day. Also under the proposed ordinance removal of any tree without the approval from the city's Planning Director is prohibited.

"I've proposed raising the fine to $995 per tree per day, for any tree removed prior to the Planning Director approving a tree removal permit," Emanuel said. "We will also be updating all business property owners of our revised tree removal requirements and fine amount. Our intent is not to raise revenue, but to preserve our trees."

If you think a commercial business is cutting down a tree without permission, call the Snellville Planning Department at 770-985-3513.

SNELLVILLE – The Towne Green will be the site of a celebration to remember all those who have served our country and paid the ultimate price to ensure our freedom Saturday, May 27.

Beginning at 4 p.m., on the lawn in front of the Veterans Memorial, 2342 Oak Road, attendees 9 years old and older can learn how to make corn husk dolls, candles and corn cob darts like they did in Colonial Times. If you want to participate in the program and you are 9 years of age or older, meet the Button Gwinnett Militia near the Veterans Memorial at 4 p.m. and learn the Manuel of Arms. A Revolutionary War encampment will be on display, weather permitting. The almost 50-piece Gwinnett Community Band will be playing patriotic music starting at 4:30 p.m. and throughout the program honoring our veterans.

"Each year our Memorial Celebration gets bigger and better and I am looking forward to this year's event," said U.S. Navy Veteran and Mayor Tom Witts.

The Memorial Day program starts at 5 p.m. The Button Gwinnett Chapter Militia will be firing muskets throughout the program.

A large silent auction benefiting the Veterans Memorial will take place from 4 to 8 p.m.

At 6 p.m., all eyes will turn to the Towne Green stage as the Ultimate Eagles Tribute - ON THE BORDER will take the stage. Food, beer and wine will be available on site. At 6 p.m., the Lincoln Fill Station will tap a one-of-a-kind beer called the Snellville Memorial Summer Ale especially made for the Snellville Memorial Celebration by the Lincoln Fill Station and Southern Brewing Company.

"We are very excited about having the Ultimate Eagles Tribute - ON THE BORDER back in Snellville to rock the Towne Green," said STAT Executive Director Kelly McAloon.

For more information visit www.SnellvilleEvents.com.

SNELLVILLE – Can't make it to the beach? No problem. Snellville Tourism and Trade is bringing the beach to you.

The 6th annual Beach Blast will take place from 2 to 7 p.m., Saturday, May 20 on the Towne Green in front of City Hall, 2342 Oak Road.

More than 70 tons of sand will cover Oak Road for visitors to play in. There will be a Mascot Parade around the Green, fun and games with DJ Lee, a rock wall, a bungee jump, inflatables, a trackless train, the Big Kahuna Water Slide and a 9-hole mini golf course. An all-day pass is $10. Individual tickets are also available.

The Gold Standard Band will rock the Green from 5 to 7 p.m.

"We are looking forward to our 6th annual Beach Blast and having fun in the sun in 70 tons of sand," said STAT Executive Director Kelly McAloon. "Join us for great music, great food, shop with our vendors and have a lot of family fun on the Towne Green."

For more information visit www.SnellvilleEvents.com.

SNELLVILLE – Two area students nearly took home the top prize in the Gwinnett Chamber Shark Tank Tuesday.

Emma Hearn and Morgan Hongkham, both of Brookwood High School, placed second and third respectively in the countywide competition that rewards students for their entrepreneurial prowess. Hearn pitched her photography business, These Moments Captured, while Hongkham, wowed judges with his Smokey Mountain Cutting Boards.

Hearn, who was also named Best Young Entrepreneur of the Year in Snellville, and Hongkham, the runner-up, were two of more than a dozen students from Brookwood, Grayson and South Gwinnett high schools who took part in the Snellville Shark Tank program created by the Snellville Entrepreneur Council. The program, based on the popular television show, asks students to create an actual business and compete to win seed money after pitching their business to a panel of judges.

"The Shark Tank is always an awarding opportunity for the students, jury members, and me," said Economic Developer Eric Van Otteren. "To see our young people stand in front of a jury of local business men and women and pitch their business idea impacts all involved for a long time."

Isaiah Jackson, creator of Dragon's Bread Pudding, and Brandy Star Merriweather, owner of Elite Services, both of GHS, were also invited to compete at the Gwinnett Chamber Shark Tank after wooing the judges during the two-day Snellville Shark Tank event May 2 and 3.

A special award - "Most Likely to Have a Business in Support of the Towne Center Plan" - went to Jackson who developed a business which would be a good fit for the Towne Center project.

"The 6th annual Shark Tank will award the 2017 Young Entrepreneur of the Year certificate and prize money at the Regular Meeting of Mayor and Council on May 22," Van Otteren said. "This year there is a special award to an amazing aspiring chef that embodies the spirit of Snellville: Where Everybody is Proud to Be Somebody, and engages the concept of The Towne Center at Snellville."

Those who participated in the Snellville Shark Tank are as follows:

Tuesday, May 2 Pitches to the Shark Tank

Malika Kapasi

Paradise Bracelets

award $100

Brookwood HS

Casey Newel

Hidden Streetwear

Brookwood HS

Morgan Hongkham

Smokey Mountain Cutting Boards

award $600

Brookwood HS

Zarian Anderson

Sneak Peak

South Gwinnett HS

Kimberly Sams

Grafi-Schal

award $100

South Gwinnett HS

Emma Hearn

These Moments Captured

award $1,000

Brookwood HS

Nadine Leggett

Nadia's Naturals

award $100

Brookwood HS

Tajauna Aliquekwe

Tixouava

South Gwinnett HS

Jahbrea Troxier

BrainLane

award $100

South Gwinnett HS

Delora Schmidt

Journey Boards

Brookwood HS

Wednesday, May 3 Pitches to the Shark Tank

Sydney Roney

Sydney

Grayson Tech/Grayson HS

Patrice Smith

Blurred Waves

Grayson Tech/Grayson HS

Ariayanna Centeio/Kalan Burton

Fresh-N-Go

Grayson Tech/Grayson HS

Angela Salinass

The Salinass Bakery

South Gwinnett HS

Akeyjah Charles

The Key Images

award $300

South Gwinnett HS

Isaiah Jackson

Dragon's Bread Pudding

award $500

Grayson Tech/Grayson HS

Brandy Star Merriweather

Elite Services

award $500

Grayson Tech/Grayson HS

Ariyana Wallace

Tier Fest

award $200

Grayson Tech/Grayson HS

Kemba Alexander

KemCakes

South Gwinnett HS

Judges

Tom Witts, Mayor of Snellville

Leslie Trimmer, Webb, Tanner & Powell

Rob Gannaway, Steppingblocks

Josh Sweeney, Atcore Systems

Kelly McAloon, Snellville Tourism and Trade

Mike Burns, Sunshine Rotary Club

Doug Adams, Greater Eastside Chamber of Commerce

Rebecca Kay Sapp, Sapp Law Firm

Kathy Emanuel, businesswoman

Jamey Toney, Country Financial

Barbara Bender, Bender CPA, Mayor Pro Tem, City of Snellville

Sandra Hill, professional life coach

SNELLVILLE – If you have a criminal record that is preventing you from getting a job, there is help for you thanks to a new program spearheaded by the Snellville Police Department and Gwinnett County District Attorney's Office.

At 10 a.m., June 3 at the South Gwinnett High School Auditorium, 2288 Main St. E., Snellville, there will be a presentation on how to clean up a criminal record, as certain criminal history records can be "restricted" for non-criminal justice purposes such as apply for better employment opportunities or getting licenses.

"The purpose of this presentation is to assist people who may have had youthful indiscretions or other issues resulting in arrests and convictions that inhibit obtaining gainful employment," SPD Chief Roy Whitehead said. "This is especially true for employment in criminal justice, but is applicable to any employment opportunity. The partnership with the Gwinnett District Attorney's Office will begin the process of improving one's criminal history affording the participant the possibility of obtaining a good or better job."

For more information call the SPD at 770-985-3555.

CITY OF SNELLVILLE
PUBLIC HEARING
FY-2018 BUDGET

On Monday, May 22, 2017 the Mayor and City Council will hold a Public Hearing at 7:30 p.m. to give its citizens the opportunity to provide written and oral comments on the proposed Fiscal Year 2018 budget. All citizens are urged to attend this Public Hearing on May 22, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Snellville City Hall, located at 2342 Oak Road, Snellville Georgia.

The proposed budget is available for inspection at Snellville City Hall, 2342 Oak Road, Snellville, Georgia during regular business hours from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. or on the City website at www.snellville.org.

The Mayor and City Council will consider adoption of the Fiscal Year 2018 budget on Monday, June 12, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Snellville City Hall, 2342 Oak Road, Snellville, Georgia.

Melisa Arnold, City Clerk
City of Snellville

FY 2017-2018 Budget - 1st Read

The Snellville Commerce Club awarded two students $1,000 during the annual FBLA/DECA scholarship luncheon Tuesday.

FBLA/DECA member Brandon Kang is the Brookwood High School recipient for 2017. Brandon has served as president of DECA and has won many awards including the AMY award, placing second in the FBLA State Conference in Marketing and second in DECA State Conference in Hospitality and Tourism. Recently accepted to the University of Georgia, he plans to peruse an MBA in Business Administration; principally in the marketing field with aspirations of owning his own digital marketing firm one day. Brandon also received recognition in Scholastic Achievement in Marketing in his High School career and has served on many community projects such as the Wounded Warrior Project, Adopt-A-Road/March of Dimes and spent many hours volunteering at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Brandon also served as a marketing Intern at Ecolink, Inc.

South Gwinnett High School's Commerce Club Scholarship recipient is Abby Cleek who is a member of FBLA and DECA and serves as vice president of FBLA. She has been accepted to Georgia Institute of Technology where she plans to pursue a major in Business Administration. Abby is a recipient of the UGA Certificate of Merit and the Volunteer of the Year Nominee from South Gwinnett High School. She was awarded the Junior Language Arts Student of the Year and Scholar Athlete throughout her high school career. Abby has volunteered at the Southeast Gwinnett Co-Op, mentored seventh grade students at Grace Snell Middle School and directed the planning of Gwinnett County's Middle School Special Olympics. Abby is currently the first Student Mayor of the Snellville Youth Commission, where her driving purpose is to unite the community.

"It's no surprise to see another generation of motivated and focused achievers among Snellville's youth," said Commerce Club Member Jimmy Norton.

"We are proud of both winners and wish them success in their academic endeavors and future careers," said Snellville's Tourism and Trade Executive Director Kelly McAloon.

For more information on the Snellville Commerce Club's mission and philanthropic history, visit www.SnellvilleCommerceClub.com.

SNELLVILLE – Saturday's National Drug Take Back event at the Snellville Police Department netted 300 pounds of unwanted prescription drugs

"We collected 300 pounds during Saturday's event," said Lt. Andre Sullivan. "In the fall of 2011, we only collected 35 pounds at the first event that SPD participated. Since then the community has responded tremendously each and every time and, as a result, we have collected over a ton of medication!"

Sullivan said the event had netted a total of 2,049 pounds following the event last fall but he did not realize the take back event had reached the 1-ton mark until Saturday.

"This brings our grand total to 2,349 pounds!" he said. "Again a ton. The partnership with The Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine-Georgia Campus has also allowed the pharmacy students to interact and provide information to participants on proper disposal."

The SPD Reserve Officer Unit volunteers its time to man the drive-thru-and-drop-off event and will continue to do so as it is no cost to taxpayers to facilitate it.

"I would like to thank the Snellville and surrounding communities, PCOM PharmD students, my reserve officers and the DEA for making this event a success," Sullivan said.

PHOTO 1: From left, Lt. Andre Sullivan, Brad Allgood, Linda Nguyen, Officer Darius York and Wesley Fischer.

PHOTO 2: From left, Wesley Fischer, Donna Pickett (dropping off medicine), Lt. Andre Sullivan and Linda Nguyen.

SNELLVILLE – The city police department will add another four-legged member to its force thanks in large part to more than $10,000 in funds raised during the Snellville Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association's annual golf tournament last week.

Snellville Police Department Chief Roy Whitehead said the money from the golf tournament will cover most of the $14,000 cost for the K-9 and training for the officer slated to work with the dog. Training could take place in February, Whitehead said.

The golf tournament drew more than 100 participants, officials said.

The SPD K-9 Unit currently has three teams - Lt. David Matson and K-9 Jax, Sgt. O.J. Concepcion and K-9 Aron, and Sgt. Rain Nieddu and K-9 Cezar. The unit was designed to have four teams.

"With the retirement of one team, our goal is to return to full staff," Whitehead said. "Officers indicated their interest in being the next handler. Officer Jacob Callaway has been selected to undertake this new responsibility."

The K-9 Unit searches for narcotics and tracks and apprehends offenders. The K-9s protect their handlers and track missing children and adults to safely return them home.

"Our teams have been responsible for numerous arrests, found significant quantities of narcotics, located missing persons and property and many other services that keep our community safe," Whitehead said.

The SCPAAA is a 501-C-3 organization founded in support of the SPD. The members complete the Citizens Police Academy and then join the alumni Association. They serve as ambassadors in the Snellville community and assist the department by providing necessary equipment in addition to the normal budgeting process.

City officials and residents were proud to take part in the Atlanta Regional Commission Workshop for Walk and Bike Friendly Communities Wednesday.
The workshop was part of the ARC's effort to make Atlanta-area cities more walkable and bike friendly.
While Snellville has more work to do to better walking and biking conditions, the Livable Centers Initiative sidewalk project downtown was cited as a major achievement toward reaching that goal.
The city will now take recommendations collected from the workshop and begin to implement them.