Latest News

Snellville residents looking for exercise and fresh air during the days of the COVID-19 quarantine don't have to look further than T.W. Briscoe and Oak Road parks.

Snellville's two city parks offer miles of safe and clean walking trails through scenic terrain, the perfect way to exercise and enjoy the outdoors.

Snellville Parks and Recreation staff members are still hard at work during the Coronavirus shutdown to keep the parks clean and safe.

SPD Director Lisa Platt said while the park offices, playgrounds and pavilions have been closed, the walking trails are open to visitors and are quite popular. From 5 – 9 p.m. over a 10-day period since the state's Emergency Order has been put in place, more than 100 people enjoy the trails each weeknight. That number doubles on weekend nights.

"And those numbers are only people using the sidewalk/fitness trail," Platt said. "Some are in parking lots with their kids riding bikes. Those are pretty large numbers and just shows that people still need to get out. Our staff is present to make sure people are keeping the social distancing rules. We will of course continue to serve our citizens in any way we can, even in these unprecedented times."

Even though visitors have access to the trails and open fields, they should still follow CDC guidelines and remain six feet or more apart.

T.W. Briscoe Park is located at 2500 Sawyer Parkway. Oak Road Park is located on Oak Road near Mountain View Road. Both parks are open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

SNELLVILLE – Last week the Community Garden @ Snellville was awarded a 2020 Food Well Alliance Community Garden Improvement Grant of $1,500.

"We are extremely appreciative to the Food Well Alliance for their financial backing to community gardens throughout the Atlanta metro area," said Master Gardner Wes Nettleton, who was instrumental in securing the grant. "Through this effort we can support the local area and expand our opportunities to educate both young and old about the environment."

The garden, sandwiched between T.W. Briscoe Park and the city's Recycling Center on Marigold Road, will use the funds needed for equipment, such as hoses, hose nozzles, shovels and another wheelbarrow. It will also be used to add gutter, a downspout and rain barrel to pavilion for water conservation; for lighting in the greenhouse, including general illumination and LED grow lights; for temperature sensors to monitor and maintain temperatures needed in the winter for cold-intolerant plants; to supplies needed to grow plants in the greenhouse, including seeds and organic fertilizer; and to build another demonstration bed in the garden to be used for teaching purposes.

While the garden is on city land, it is fully self-supporting through garden rental fees from users and twice annual plant sales. The $1,500 will go a long way to help promote urban gardening and a strong Snellville community, according to garden organizer and Councilwoman Gretchen Schulz.

"We have many neighborhoods in the city that are quite wooded, which means those homeowners have a difficult time growing vegetables and flowers that require full sun," Schulz said. "The garden provides a place where those homeowners who enjoy gardening can grow sun-loving plants. The garden also provides a source of physical exercise as well as a relief for the stresses and anxiety of daily life. People are often happier when in a surrounding with plants and nature. It's hard not to feel happy when at the Community Garden surrounded by colorful plants as well as bees and butterflies flying from plant to plant. I feel the garden is one of Snellville's hidden jewels."

The Community Garden @Snellville was created in 2012 when the City Council took a former all-purpose field and installed 10 garden beds. Today the Community Garden has expanded to 48 raised beds rented on an annual basis and manages a 40-by-20-foot greenhouse. The garden grows vegetables, flowers and herbs in their greenhouse and offers them for sale at nominal rates at both spring and fall plant sales in conjunction with the Snellville Farmers' Market. The garden grows and donates vegetables on a weekly basis to the Southeast Gwinnett Co-op. The garden also provides educational seminars and events for young people, including classes from South Gwinnett High School.

The Food Well Alliance is a collaborative network of Atlanta area metro leaders working together to build thriving community gardens and urban farms. Since 2015, the Alliance has invested $185,000 directly into 90 community gardens across Clayton, Cobb, Dekalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett counties through its Community Garden Grant.

For more information on the Community Garden @Snellville visit www.snellvillecommunitygarden.com/

Gov. Brian Kemp's Shelter In Place FAQ. Click here.

Gov. Brian Kemp's Executive Order - April 3, 2020. Click here.

On Thursday, April 2, 2020, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed an Executive Order issuing a Statewide Shelter in Place to Stop the Spread of COVID-19. The Order will become effective at 6 p.m. on April 3, 2020 and stay in place at least through Monday April 13, 2020. The Order can be extended at any time by the state. The Governor's Order specifically suspends all City Emergency Orders which the Snellville Mayor and Council had previously put in place. The specific guidelines of the State Order will, as long as it is in effect, now govern the actions of all businesses and individuals throughout the state of Georgia.

We have attached a link to the full State Order for your review and guidance. You will also find an informative information sheet, also put out by the state, that will hopefully help to answer many of the questions you may have concerning what is and is not allowed under the Order.

The interpretation and enforcement of these new restrictions and guidelines is now the responsibility of the State of Georgia. The Governor just this afternoon has authorized County Sheriff Departments to enforce critical portions of his Order. There are still numerous clarifications we as a City are seeking from the state and we are certain you will have further questions also. In that regard, you may contact the Office of the Governor at:

gov.georgia.gov,

covidcomments@georgia.org

or call at 404-656-1776

We hope this helps explain where we as a citizenry now stand with respect to critical public health measures that will undoubtedly keep us all safer and healthier. As the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 continue to increase at an accelerated rate, it is essential that we all follow the recommended guidelines. With a statewide order, we are now bound together with people from all over Georgia and have an even greater responsibility to follow the guidelines to Stay Home, Stop the Spread and Save Lives.

SNELLVILLE – Snellville Tourism and Trade's first Food Truck Friday and Beach Blast have been canceled due to concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Sadly, with the unknown nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the decision has been made to cancel the first two Snellville Tourism and Trade events of the season," STAT Executive Director Kelly McAloon said. "However, when the risk to our vendors, staff and residents is over, our family friendly events will be back for everyone to enjoy. We look forward to putting on these events and are excited to do so as soon as possible."

Food Truck Friday was originally planned for May 1 and the Beach Blast was scheduled for May 9. All COVID-19 health recommendations have ended large gatherings such as the thousands that visit Snellville for these events. Given the long-term planning and complex logistics needed to stage the events, a back-up date for both is not feasible for 2020.

The next Food Truck Friday event is still planned for June 5 on the Towne Green from 4 to 8 p.m.

Visit SnellvilleEvents.com and Snellville.org for information about other event cancellations and COVID-19.

SNELLVILLE – The city's popular two-day event Snellville Days has been canceled due to concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

"With so many festival vendors and participants closed or limited due to virus-related restrictions it became unlikely we would be able to stage a festival with the normal number of activities we like to offer at Snellville Days," said City Manager Butch Sanders. "At this point in time, April 1, we have no idea how much longer citizens will be impacted by COVID-19 and we cannot take any chances with putting people at possible risk. That is why the city had to make the unfortunate decision to cancel Snellville Days for this year."

The Festival was originally planned for May 2 and 3, but all COVID-19 health recommendations have ended large gatherings such as the thousands that visit Snellville for the festival. Given the long-term planning and complex logistics needed to stage the event, a back-up date is not feasible for 2020.

Visit Snellville.org for information about other event cancellations and COVID-19.

One Snellville company has revamped its business model during the COVID-19 pandemic, a move that could potentially save lives and the business itself.

FAM USA is a local manufacturer of fashion and athletic apparel, located on Fountain Drive in Snellville, has supplied athletic uniforms and manufacturing needs for large- and small-scale fashion brands for more than 29 years. But once the global pandemic of COVID-19 began to reach the U.S. and the large-group athletic events FAM USA would normally supply with apparel were postponed, the leadership at FAM USA immediately began thinking of ways to switch gears and help fight the pandemic.

In less than 24 hours, FAM USA created prototypes of medical masks using a material that filters particles similar to N95 masks and fabric. FAM USA CEO Torey Rose reached out to several people in her network and was put in contact with U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler.

"After working with Sen. Loeffler, she helped to move forward the (Centers for Disease Control) and (Food and Drug Administration) approval of their mask prototype for emergency use," Rose said. "Over the past week our production has completely shifted to focus the majority of the work flow on creating these masks. As a small business and onshore manufacturer, FAM USA is striving to keep our staff working through the difficulties of the pandemic."

FAM USA have sold more than 3,000 masks and receives new orders every day including inquires for orders of 35,000-plus masks.

Many medical establishments are requesting donations and the demand is great.

"It's a blessing that local manufacturing company, FAM USA in Snellville, can keep doors open and employees working, while helping to produce the much needed medical masks for hospitals in need," said Snellville Tourism and Trade Executive Director Kelly McAloon.

For more information on FAM USA's effort, email info@yssathletics.com or call at 770-982-9913.

SNELLVILLE – The Mayor and Council have issued a stay at home order as a means to protect the health, safety and welfare of city residents. This move is being made in a coordinated fashion with Gwinnett County and all of its 16 cities in order to slow the spread of COVID-19 and to preserve the community's capacity to provide essential governmental and healthcare services.

"As the mayor of Snellville, I implore you to take these directives seriously," Mayor Barbara Bender said. "The City of Snellville would like to thank the public for their cooperation so far, but this is a serious measure we all must respect and adhere to. Those who have not heeded pervious warnings about the dire nature of COVID-19 must do so now."

Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chairman Charlotte Nash said emergency circumstances that exist as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic require extraordinary and immediate corrective actions to protect the health, safety and welfare of the residents of Gwinnett County.

"We are all navigating uncharted waters as we respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency, and I am grateful to each of the cities for their decisive actions," said Nash. "The district commissioners and I would like to express our deep appreciation to all of our residents and businesses for making temporary sacrifices for the good of our communities as our hospitals, healthcare workers, and first responders prepare for a rapidly growing caseload."

Gwinnett Municipal Association President Kelly Kelkenberg said Gwinnett's 16 cities recognize the value of consistent directives for all residents in Gwinnett County during this critical time.

"The cities have worked to align their emergency decisions with the directives of Gov. Kemp, guidance from the public health department, and Gwinnett County's local emergency orders," said Kelkenberg, who also serves as mayor pro-tem for the city of Duluth. "Our residents need to understand the extreme danger and seriousness of the coronavirus, to which no one has immunity. We are acting in unison to stem its spread, to keep from overwhelming our medical facilities, and to save lives."

Residents may leave their homes to conduct activities that are essential to their own health and safety and that of family/household members, partners, significant others, and pets. Essential activities include, but are not limited to, obtaining food, medication and medical supplies, household consumer supplies and healthcare services or caring for a family member or pet in another household. It is also permissible to engage in outdoor activity, like walking, hiking, running or bicycling, as long as individuals comply with social distancing requirements.

The local emergency order also mandates all non-essential businesses that operate in Snellville to cease all activity except for the minimum necessary activities to maintain the value of the business' inventory, ensure security, process payroll and employee benefits, and related functions. This directive applies to for-profit, nonprofit or private educational entities; it excludes essential businesses. Businesses consisting exclusively of employees or contractors who work from home may continue to operate.

All essential businesses are strongly encouraged to remain open while adhering to social distancing requirements. Such businesses include healthcare, grocery stores; certified farmer's markets; organizations that provide food, shelter and social services to those in need; news agencies; gas stations, auto supply and auto repair shops; banks; and restaurants that offer delivery, takeout or drive-thru service. For a complete list, please refer to the order.

Individuals who work to provide essential services or essential products may leave their places of residence to carry out these activities.

The order also makes exceptions for essential governmental functions and essential infrastructure, meaning public works construction, private construction and related activities, utilities, telecommunications and solid waste services. First responders, emergency management personnel, 911 dispatchers, court personnel, law enforcement personnel and others who perform essential services, such as healthcare workers, are exempt from the order.

This local emergency order will be in effect from 12:01 a.m. on March 28, 2020, through 11:59 p.m. on April 13, 2020, or until it is extended, rescinded, superseded or amended in writing by the mayor.

###

Stay Safe. Stop The Spread. Save Lives.

IF YOU NEED A COVID-19 TEST - call Gwinnett/Rockdale/Newton Public Health Department at 770-513-5631.

Review Gov. Brian Kemp's executive orders here.

Click here for REGULARLY UPDATED CITY INFORMATION REGARDING SERVICES, FACILITY CLOSURES AND EVENT INFORMATION.

Please continue to check cdc.gov for information regarding the virus. For local information visit Gwinnett/Rockdale/Newton Public Health Department for updates at gnrhealth.com/covid-19-info/.

Gwinnett Cares is an excellent resource for people looking to help others during this time. Give Hunger the Boot has a drop off location at Snellville City Hall to donate non-perishable food items for the Southeast Gwinnett Co-op. City Hall is closed to visitors, but we make sure the food is delivered.

COVID-19 Internet Access Resources - State of Georgia

In response to social distancing requirements and stay-at-home instructions, broadband providers are temporarily offering various options to get Georgians internet connectivity. These include free internet service, waiving disconnect and late fees, providing free access to WiFi hot spots, reducing limitation on data-usage, and offering other time-limited options. Click here for free internet access.