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The Snellville Police Department and the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety are asking all motorists to make this summer a safe travel season by buckling their seatbelt before every trip, whether sitting in the front or back seat.

The Snellville Police Department is joining sheriff’s offices, police departments, and the Georgia State Patrol to enforce seat belt, speeding, DUI, distracted driving, and all traffic laws during the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s annual “Click It or Ticket” seatbelt enforcement and awareness mobilization from May 17 - June 6.

The annual “Click It or Ticket” seatbelt mobilization takes place during the Memorial Day holiday weekend when many people are taking their first trip of the summer.  According to NHTSA, almost 25 percent of the state’s yearly traffic deaths over a five-year period from 2015-19 happen during June, July, and August.

“Our officers see too many people who were not wearing seatbelts, die or be seriously injured in traffic crashes.  Accordingly, they concentrate on enforcement of Georgia’s primary seatbelt law daily,” Chief Roy Whitehead said.  “The more people who choose to wear a seatbelt means fewer families to be notified a loved one has been killed or seriously injured in a traffic crash.”

According to NHTSA, there were 9,466 unbuckled people riding in passenger vehicles who were killed in crashes in the United States in 2019.  Of the young adults aged 18 to 34 who were killed in passenger vehicle crashes in 2019, 57 percent were completely unrestrained. 

The belief that people do not need to wear a seatbelt sitting in the back seat of a vehicle is false.  In 2019, 58 percent of persons sitting in the backseat killed in crashes were not wearing a seatbelt as were 45 percent of front seat passengers killed in crashes.

There were also more people killed in passenger vehicle crashes in rural areas than urban areas in 2019.  According to NHTSA, there were 11,971 passenger vehicle fatalities in rural areas in the United States and 10,187 fatalities in urban locations.  

“With more vehicles expected on the road during the summer, it is important for everyone to wear their seatbelt on every trip and for kids under eight to be in a properly installed child safety seat as required by law,” Governor’s Office of Highway Safety Director Allen Poole said.  “No one knows what will happen when we are traveling, but a properly worn seatbelt offers the best protection in the event of a traffic crash.”

The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety and the Snellville Police Department offer these safe driving tips:

1. Drive the speed limit.  Speeding only increases the chances of being in a crash.
2. Do not try to make up time by speeding.  Studies show speeding does not get you to your destination faster.
3. Keep your focus on the road by avoiding distractions such as the electronic devices, conversations with passengers, eating, grooming and daydreaming.
4. Set mirrors and navigation devices before getting on the road.
5. Do not drive after drinking.  Pass the keys to a sober driver.

NHTSA also recommends having your tires checked at least once a year to make sure they are properly inflated and have sufficient tread.  One out of every four cars on the road has at least one tire that is significantly underinflated. Tires should be rotated most vehicles every 5,000-8,000 miles. Proper tire maintenance may not only save lives, but it can also save about 11 cents per gallon of fuel.

More information can be found at gahighwaysafety.org.

CITY OF SNELLVILLE
PUBLIC HEARING
FY-2022 BUDGET

On Monday, May 24, 2021 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 2021-2022 budget.  All citizens are urged to attend this Public Hearing on May 24th 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 2022 budget on Monday, June 14, 2021 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

The results of the 2021 Snellville Entrepreneurship Alliance’s Shark Tank student entrepreneur contest are in.

Malcolm Frandsen, of Brookwood High School, was awarded $1,300 to fund his lawn care business; Trase Lee, of South Gwinnett High School, was awarded $1,000 for his photography business; Noila Rahimjon, of BHS, was awarded $400 for her skin care line; and Lena Tata, of Grayson High School, was awarded $300 for her clothing business.

The contest, based on the popular TV show “Shark Tank,” encourages local students to create a business and “pitch” it to a group of local business professionals who divvy up a pile of money to give the student businesses a boost.

The judges for this year’s Shark Tank were: Renea Johnson, owner of Get Stranded Hair; Chris Turner, representing Sunrise Rotary Club; former Councilman Bobby Howard; Shark Tank veteran Kathy Emanuel, former Mayor Tom Witts; Snellville Tourism and Trade Executive Director Kelly McAloon; Ashley Franklin of Walton EMC; and Greater Eastside Chamber of Commerce President Marianatte Refour.

The Shark Tank took place May 6.

“The past nine months have been difficult for many entrepreneurs,” said Snellville Economic Development Director Eric Van Otteren. “But what if you are in high school launching a startup business? A select group of Snellville young entrepreneurs overcame the many obstacles and pitched at the 2021 Snellville Shark Tank Pitch completion for startup money. I believe that one of the key moments of the 2020-21 school year for 10 young entrepreneurs was their nine minutes in the Tank."

One of the four students will be named Entrepreneur of the Year at the May 24 meeting of Mayor and Council.

Construction is expected to begin next week on installation of the sewer extension that will serve Phase 2 of The Grove at Towne Center and the Eastwood Drive neighborhood.

The project, conducted by the Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources, will take place along Eastwood Drive and connect through to the back of Olde Hickory Village subdivision. The contractor, Dickerson Group, will start next week with the installation of environmental protections and the installation of a waterline following Eastwood Drive. The next step will be tree removal along the surveyed installation route from Eastwood Drive to the back of Olde Hickory Village. The purpose of this project is to bring adequate sewer service to the highly anticipated development located in the heart of Snellville. There are no lane closures anticipated in the next three to four weeks. Continue to follow the City of Snellville’s website for updated information.

In the future, work generated by this project will result in an in-place two lane detour around the construction site. There will be potential road closures and flagging of traffic when construction activities require road closure and diversion of traffic.

County officials said construction should be completed in November 2021.

The Snellville Police Department received a $209,816.76 grant from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety in October, 2020. The funds were designated to help establish and support the SPD Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic Unit.

“We are grateful for the grant and the opportunity it provides to reduce accidents, injuries and fatalities keeping our roadways safe,” said Chief Roy Whitehead.

Halfway through the grant period, SPD HEAT has been hard at work.

Two officers are designated as HEAT officers and they focus on reducing injuries and fatalities from traffic accidents through education and enforcement efforts. In the course of its duties, the SPD HEAT unit has participated in 13 educational events for the community, 12 joint operations with other agencies and one statewide Thunder Task Force mobilization. The HEAT officers have completed training for child protective seat inspection and installation and worked four events to ensure child safety seats are being properly installed and used. One of the HEAT officers has completed a 160-hour course of instruction to become a Drug Recognition Expert, which is an advanced certification to recognize drug impairment in drivers.

The SPD HEAT unit has conducted 142 investigations of suspected impaired drivers. They have stopped 267 violators for child safety seat and seatbelt violations. They have also stopped 985 violators for speeding in identified hot spot locations.

The SPD HEAT unit will continue its efforts through the remainder of the year and beyond. They will continue to focus on violations related to impaired driving, occupant protection, and speeding to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities caused by traffic accidents. The HEAT unit will also continue to participate in educational events and multi-agency efforts to keep our highways safe.

Covid-19 vaccines will be available at First Baptist Snellville, 2400 Main Street East on Wednesday, May 12, from 2-7 p.m. A medical professional will be on hand to administer the first dose of the Moderna vaccine.

Those who receive their first shot on May 12, will be scheduled to receive their second Moderna shot on Wednesday, June 9.

All vaccines are no charge to the patient.

To register for your vaccine, please call 770-978-7000 between the hours of 8:30a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday or 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Fridays.

TO PREPARE FOR YOUR VACCINE:

• PRINT and COMPLETE this form and bring it with you to your scheduled appointment time.
• BRING A COPY of the front and back of your Driver's License and copy of Prescription and Medical Insurance Cards (including Medicare Part B cards when applicable)
• Vaccines will be administered just inside our East Commons Entrance (Golden Crust/Britt Elementary side)
• Please wear masks inside the facility

SNELLVILLE — A 90-unit townhome development has been approved for construction on a 14.75 acres site on Scenic Highway on the city’s south side.

By a vote of 5-1, with Councilwoman Cristy Lenski dissenting, Mayor and Council approved the development following compromises accepted by developers which reduced the amount of units at 2465 Scenic Highway South from 101 to 90 and making accommodations for increased landscape buffers, guest parking spaces and better-looking garage doors among others.

The original proposal was tabled the last time it was heard before Mayor and Council so the developers could address concerns from nearby residents and city officials.

“The site plan also pulls the development further back from Lanier Forest,” said Planning Development Director Jason Thompson. “The applicant concurrently provided revised front elevations with enhancements made to the garages to make them more aesthetically pleasing.”

Members of Council praised the applicant Meritage Homes for its willingness to work with residents and city officials about their concerns and ultimately voted to approve the plan to make way for the development.

SNELLVILLE — Atlanta-based Place Maker Design has been tapped by Mayor and Council to design the Mercantile building, a unique city market planned for The Grove at Towne Center.

By 6-0 vote, Mayor and Council agreed to pay the firm $118,500 for its services to create a signature, 25,000-square-foot, two-floor building which will be a centerpiece of The Grove. Place Maker Design has designed prominent buildings in Woodstock, Alpharetta and Atlanta, among other locations.

"The group that we settled on got it," said Mayor Pro Tem Dave Emanuel. "They seemed very open. They seemed sincerely concerned about what we wanted. So I think we all came to the same conclusion that they were the best suited for what we needed and really understood (our goal)."

Costs cover schematic design, design development and construction document services of the $6 million project. Also included are architectural, civil engineering, structural engineering, mechanical, plumbing and electrical engineering services as well as administration services.

The design will be completed by late summer in time to start construction this fall. It is scheduled to open in September of 2022.

A city market concept will be offered on the first floor, while event space will be offered on the second level.

The Grove at Towne Center's first phase will include over 50,000 square feet of retail, restaurant, office and entertainment space, and approximately 262 multi-family luxury apartments. In addition, the new Elizabeth Williams Library will be constructed and include a second-floor business development/accelerator space.

SNELLVILLE – Events on the Towne Green are back!

After a hiatus due to Covid-19, the popular concerts on the lawn in front of Snellville City Hall return May 8 – a "Mom's Night Out" – with the ever-popular Shag music group The Swingin' Medallions. The show starts at 5:30 p.m. and the first 100 mothers in attendance will receive a free rose.

Masks and social distancing is encouraged and there will be plenty of sanitizing stations placed throughout the lawn for these free events. Centers for Disease Control and state guidelines regarding Covid-19 will be in effect. Organizers ask everyone to be courteous and keep their distance from the people next to them as they want to ensure a safe environment for everyone to enjoy the event.

"We are excited to bring back the events that Snellville residents and visitors have come to know and love," said Mayor Barbara Bender. "While precautions are in place, we will still offer the same fun-filled evenings friends and family have enjoyed over the years while attending an event on the Towne Green. We hope to see you soon!"

The Live! on the Lawn Concert Series is as follows:

6-9 p.m., May 29 – The Wildflowers – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Tribute

The Ninth Annual Snellville Memorial Celebration will take place in front of the Veterans Memorial from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

6-9 p.m., July 24 – The Ray Howard Band – Earth, Wind and Fire Tribute and Motown Favorites

7-9 p.m., Aug. 21 – 20-RIDE – Zac Brown Tribute

6-9 p.m., Sept. 18 – Purple Madness – Prince Tribute and Timeless Tina – a Tribute to Tina Turner

Attendees can reserve a table at a concert for six people for $125. Tables are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information visit www.experiencesnellville.com.

"We are so happy that we are able to bring our concerts back to the Green this year," said Snellville Tourism and Trade Executive Director Kelly McAloon. "Join us for a rocking good time in Snellville!"

Food Truck Fridays are also back on the Towne Green. The events take place from 4-8 p.m. and are set for May 7 and June 4.

From left, Councilman Tod Warner, Mayor Pro Tem Dave Emanuel, Mayor Barbara Bender and councilmembers Cristy Lenski, Gretchen Schulz and Solange Destang break ground on The Grove at Towne Center.

Snellville, GA — The City of Snellville, along with co-developers CASTO and MidCity, is pleased to announce that Mid Cast Snellville has commenced demolition and broken ground on The Grove at Towne Center. The ceremony initiated The Grove's $85 million first phase, which is scheduled to begin to deliver in 2022.

The city of Snellville and Mid Cast team have been working for more than three years to plan and design the project. The groundbreaking event commemorated the first visible progress of the highly anticipated town center project. Attendees heard from key leaders of the project, including Mayor Barbara Bender, and witnessed a ceremonial groundbreaking. There was also a surprise presentation of a $500,000 donation from the Snell Family Foundation. A portion of the funds are expected to go toward a public art statue of City founders James Sawyer and Thomas Snell.

"We're ecstatic to begin visible progress on this long-awaited project," said Snellville Mayor Barbara Bender. "This is a momentous occasion for the City and its residents."

The Grove at Towne Center will be a large scale, mixed-use town center property, comprising 18 acres between Oak Road, Wisteria Drive, North Road and Clower Street, in downtown

Snellville. The Grove at Towne Center's first phase will include over 50,000 square feet of retail, restaurant, office and entertainment space, and approximately 262 multi-family luxury apartments. In addition, the new Elizabeth Williams Library will be constructed and include a 2nd floor business development/accelerator space.

For more information and updates on the Grove at Towne Center project visit www.snellville.org/the-towne-center-snellville.

The Snell Family Foundation donated $500,000 to project. A portion of the funds are expected to go toward a public art statue of City founders James Sawyer and Thomas Snell.

ABOUT CASTO

CASTO, a fully integrated real estate organization since 1926, is a recognized leader in the ownership, management, acquisition and development of multifamily residences, mix-use properties, commercial shopping centers and office buildings. CASTO's growing portfolio currently includes more than 26 million square feet of commercial property and more than 5,000 residential units located throughout the midwestern and southeastern United States. CASTO is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, and serves a variety of clients from five offices in Florida, North Carolina and Ohio. To learn more about CASTO, visit www.castoinfo.com.

ABOUT MidCity Real Estate Partners

Founded in 2009, Atlanta based, MidCity Real Estate Partners acquires, repositions, and develops office, and mixed-use properties. MidCity is known in the Atlanta market for their work on Alpharetta City Center, which was named a 2018 Development of Excellence for Exceptional Merit for Context-Sensitive Town Center Development, by the Atlanta Regional Commission. Through MidCity Realty Corporation, an affiliate real estate brokerage company, MidCity offers a full range of advisory services. MidCity is the successor company to The Griffin Company, a 35-year-old full service commercial real estate development and construction company headquartered in Atlanta, GA. To learn more about MidCity, visit www.midcitypartners.com.

ABOUT SNELLVILLE

Snellville's convenient Gwinnett County location, approximately 18 miles east of Atlanta and 45 miles west of Athens, has allowed it to prosper as a hub of commerce and retail in Northeast Georgia. Snellville's roots extend to 19th century London when two friends traveled to America and later started Snellville's rich history of commerce with stores of their own. Snellville is home to the award-winning Snellville Farmers' Market, a world class Veterans Memorial and one of the most decorated police departments in the state. Snellville is known for its dedicated volunteers and its celebrated diversity.

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