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SNELLVILLE – One by one, 25 South Gwinnett and Shiloh high school students came forward to get nametags at Monday night's council meeting.

The nametags not only had their name on it, but also a new title – Youth Commission Ambassador.

In front of friends and family, the students became the first ambassadors of the newly created Snellville Youth Commission. The group is designed "to prepare our young adults for a lifetime of public and community service (and) to instill a leadership mindset in young adults who will enhance and contribute to the growth of our Snellville community."

Councilwoman and SGHS teacher Cristy Lenski spearheaded the creation of the organization after inspiration from Mayor Tom Witts and said the group has been charged with "forging tomorrow's leaders today."

The ambassadors will learn the ins and outs of local government, be groomed as future community leaders and prepare for a lifetime of public and community service. They will also advise city leaders on issues affecting young people.

"In all your actions, you will be looked at as a part of the city," Witts told the ambassadors after they were sworn in. He told them they will be representatives of the city, the council, residents and the neighborhoods they live in.

The community will get a first-hand look at the ambassadors in action Saturday and Sunday at the city's premier event, Snellville Days, where they will be helping distribute city information.

SNELLVILLE – A Saturday ceremony will officially open the new Towne Green, followed by the annual Beach Blast and the first concert of the season.

City officials will gather for a ribbon-cutting and a city sign reveal at 2 p.m. on the new Towne Green in front of City Hall.

The Towne Green underwent a makeover in recent months. Improvements include a protective, knee-high wall that doubles as seating around the Green. In the center is a sundial that tells those who stand on it the time. There is also new foliage, signage, electrical outlets and a dog-friendly three-tiered water fountain.

"The Towne Green provides Snellville with a safe community gathering space that further promotes a walkable, engaging Towne Center," said Eric Van Otteren, city Economic Development director.

After the ribbon-cutting, stay for fun in the sun and 70 tons of sand on Oak Road for the Beach Blast.

There will be a water slide, inflatables, bungee jump, train rides, food and water runners to keep attendees busy all day. There will be games for kids with DJ Lee from 2 to 5 p.m. The Gold Standard Band will take the stage from 5 to 7 p.m.

Say "Hi" to STAT the CAT and celebrate his second birthday. Chopper of the Gwinnett Braves and some other mascot friends will also be there to celebrate.

There is a threat of inclement weather. Should it rain, check the city's Facebook page for updates.

SNELLVILLE – For 43 years, the annual Snellville Days Festival has entertained and delighted residents.

On Saturday and Sunday, the festival will do just that at T.W. Briscoe Park.

The free event will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and from 12 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the park located at 2500 Sawyer Parkway and Lenora Church Road.

There will be free entertainment, arts and crafts, vendors, food and kids' activities.

"We are celebrating the 43rd Annual Snellville Days Festival this year," said Parks and Recreation Director Lisa Platt. "There have been many changes over those 43 years and I think that is what has allowed the event to continue to be one of the best events in our area. We continue to adapt to trends, we've made changes and enhancements to our entertainment each year, and yet we also are proud to keep the 'hometown' feel."

Where else can you find racing pigs, alligator wrestling, stilt walkers and puppeteers?

"Our quality of ground acts, food vendors and crafters continue to rise, but we also are very hands on when interacting with sponsors and those local civic groups that are the foundation of Snellville," Platt said. "We will continue to keep the festival fresh with entertainment and ideas, while always making sure we are connected to our community."

On Saturday, event officials said it is strongly recommend those coming to the festival use the free shuttle from Snellville First Baptist church, 2400 Main St. E. It will run from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The shuttle will let you off and pick you up from the main gate at Briscoe Park. On Sunday the shuttle will be running to and from City Hall to the park from noon to 5 p.m.

For more information visit www.snellvilledays.com.

The City of Snellville has a job opening for a Maintenance Worker (Public Works).

Visit the Job Openings page for information.

SNELLVILLE – Quick thinking by a Parks and Recreation employee helped nab two would-be thieves Monday night.

Park Facility Coordinator Jillian Bouchard said she was leaving T.W. Briscoe Park at about 5 p.m. Monday night when she saw two young boys "acting kinda weird" around the new softball field concession stand. Last year, the pool area was burglarized so Bouchard decided to wait to see what the kids were up to.

"So I pulled into the soccer parking lot (across from the softball field) and stopped so I could get a good view of them," Bouchard said. "Sure enough, one of the two started throwing a huge rock and kicking the roll up concession window."

Bouchard reached the Snellville Police Department through the non-emergency line (770-985-3555) and spoke to dispatcher Jasmina Hodzic.

"I stayed on the phone with dispatch and within three or four minutes, Snellville PD was there," she said. "I had the best view. It was like watching a live-action movie."

Police went around the opposite side of the building and caught them in the act.

"Seriously, I didn't do anything," Bouchard said. "All thanks goes to Snellville PD and Snellville Dispatch. (Hodzic) was efficient. She was nice. She was personable. Just completely on top of her game."

The two juvenile suspects were charged with burglary.

SNELLVILLE – Funding for a sidewalk leading to Oak Road Park was approved by Mayor and Council last week.

A sidewalk will connect Scenic Highway at the RaceTrac gas station to the 5-acre passive park and then to Mountian View Road. The sidewalk will be built by Multiplex, LLC using $738,000 in 2014 Special Local Option Sales Tax funds.

Construction is expected to begin mid-May and a pre-construction meeting for interested parties will take place at 6:30 p.m., May 3 in City Hall.

This is the first of two sidewalk projects funded with 2014 SPLOST dollars, according to City Manager Butch Sanders. The other sidewalk project will be built in front South Gwinnett High School and travel east to Rockdale Circle.

Construction began on Phase 1 of the park which was purchased in 2003 with Governor's Green Space Program Funds in December 2013.

The park was part of the city's original master plan completed in 2006.

"This project is part of a bigger plan," Mayor Tom Witts said. "As most of you know, in 2003, Oak Road was promised a passive park. Not much was done until 2014. This is the last step, the last hurdle, to complete our passive park – 13 years after its inception. The park is coming."

SNELLVILLE – Newly appointed Assistant Police Chief Greg Perry attended the Chief Executive Training Class for newly appointed chiefs of police and heads of law enforcement agencies at the Dr. Curtis E. McClung Training Center in Duluth April 4-13.

The 60-hour course, administered and provided by the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police, is required by state law for all newly appointed heads of law enforcement agencies.

The curriculum is designed to give newly appointed law enforcement administrators and command staff personnel training on police management, as well as inform them of laws and policies affecting their departments.

"The Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police is pleased to provide executive level training for the professional development of Georgia's new law enforcement leaders." said GACP President George Turner of the Atlanta Police Department.

Perry was among 50 law enforcement administrators attending the course.

SNELLVILLE – The Snellville Police Department has received a $10,000 grant from the Governor's Office of Highway Safety to help finance equipment for traffic safety operations and law enforcement activities.

There were 25 small agency incentive grants given across the state including SPD's. These grants are awarded based upon the partnership with the Governor's Office of Highway Safety in helping to reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities across the state.

The grant will continue through September of 2016.

"The Governor's Office of Highway Safety is committed to keeping everyone safe on our roads and highways, from the smallest precious cargo to the most seasoned drivers," said GOHS Director Harris Blackwood.

"The Snellville Police Department is honored to receive the funding from GOHS to improve our traffic safety activities, and look forward to working with GOHS in the future," said Chief of Police Roy Whitehead.

SPD will continue its efforts to protect and serve by using effective and proven standards of excellence, with a positive and progressive attitude in every aspect of public service.

For more information on the Snellville Police Department's award, contact Lt. David Matson at 770-985-3555, dmatson@snellville.org. For more information on GOHS and its highway safety programs visit www.gahighwaysafety.org.