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Politics & Government

An Update from Your County Commissioner

Details on the upcoming election, ARC and other important matters for Peachtree Corners and Berkeley Lake residents.

Just 45 days into the new job, I have been studying all the intricacies of being a Gwinnett County Commissioner and making decisions the will affect all of Gwinnett, and I love it. If you know me, you know I live for challenges and love to solve puzzles. We have approved a $1.4 billion budget with an $18 million deficit. We have committed, as a board, to balance that budget in 90 days. I feel confident that we will meet this goal.

Many have asked how the Grand Jury has affected the board. I can say its influence on the board has been resoundingly positive. We are making sure there is more open communication between the board and the citizens. We have completed three of our four district Listening Tour meetings, which have been well attended and have contained open and informative dialog between all attendees. This is a new type of event for Gwinnett, and I look forward to the final meeting in this series in District 4 on  March 7, at the Lawrenceville Historic Courthouse. The event starts at 7:00 p.m.

The staff has been phenomenal to work with. You can rest assure that your county is being run by hard working, highly qualified people from top to bottom.

Find out what's happening in Peachtree Cornerswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

One result of the Grand Jury investigation has been the vacancy of the office of County Chairman.  Since this is the person that will represent us at the ARC, this position is very important to all Gwinnett Citizens. The ARC makes major decisions on issues that affect the Atlanta region, namely, transportation.  The Chairman is also our face of Gwinnett in all official capacities. This is a full time position and requires someone who is committed to Gwinnett and its people. Commissioner Lassiter is doing an excellent job representing us in the interim

If you were to ask me what you could do to make a difference here in Peachtree Corners/Berkeley Lake, I would say make plans to attend one of the political forums for the Chairman’s race and vote for the most qualified candidate. We have always had a strong voice here in Peachtree Corners/Berkeley Lake, because we vote well. We gain political voice with all elected officials. We have a history of electing qualified people for each position. This one vote will make a bigger impact on your life than probably any other vote you make.

Find out what's happening in Peachtree Cornerswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

If we can get our traditionally high turnout on March 15, whoever is elected will know he or she could not have won without our support. Please be informed and share your findings with all your Gwinnett family, friends and neighbors. We are all in this together.

Gwinnett grows stronger every election that a qualified, caring person of high character is elected.

I look forward to seeing you at the polls if not before.

Please feel free to contact me with suggestions, concerns, problems or events to share @ lynette.howard@gwinnettcounty.com.

Together we have a voice.

 Take care,

Lynette

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