Sixteen candidates are seeking to become members of the new city of Mulberry in its initial municipal election on November 5. GwinnettForum obtained the list of candidates from the Elections Division of Gwinnett County government. The elections division was where the 16 hopefuls qualified for running for the council.
The six winning candidates will then determine who will become mayor Mulberry.
The candidates are:
- District One: Tim Sullivan and Katherine Minchener;
- District Two: Robert Michael Coker; Stephen G. Emert; Abebukola Faforiji; James Ricky Mangum; and Mary Ellen Small.
- District Three: Kyle Shields; Christopher Garth Cook; and Ryan Mester.
- District Four: Harris Jay Roth; and Michael James Rudnick; and
- District Five: Kevin Arocha; Doug Ingram; Michele Y. Sims; Marland Roberts.
Peachtree Corners installing gateway improvements
The City of Peachtree Corners is launching the first phase of its city-wide gateway improvement plan. The city will enhance several gateway locations with highly visible monuments at entry points.
After obtaining a permit from the Georgia Department of Transportation to use their right of way, construction began on a northern gateway in the vacant triangle bounded by Georgia Highway 141 and Medlock Bridge Road.
The gateway will fit into the aesthetic first imagined during the design of the Peachtree Parkway Pedestrian Bridge. While that bridge’s design pays homage to the original trusses of Jones Bridge that spanned the Chattahoochee River for nearly 100 years, the towers and lanterns on the bridge were intended to serve as a design aesthetic that would lend itself to the future gateway improvements.
The northern gateway sign currently being constructed includes a stone-faced obelisk and surrounding stone wall, landscaping and beautifications for the southbound Highway 141 approach to the triangle, and a smaller, yet similar structure for the westbound Medlock Bridge approach.
No road closures are planned during construction as all work will occur in the existing transportation department median and right of way. The project is anticipated to be completed in early 2025.
In addition to this initial gateway project, future gateway projects are planned for other visible entry points into the city (see attached map) to include:
- Spalding Drive entering from Sandy Springs;
- Holcomb Bridge Road on the west side entering from Fulton County;
- Peachtree Boulevard entering from Dekalb County at Winters Chapel Road;
- Gateway improvements Medlock Bridge Road, Peachtree Boulevard and East Jones Bridge Road.
- Peachtree Boulevard entering on South Old Peachtree from Berkeley Lake
The Peachtree Parkway/Medlock Bridge Road intersection was selected as the location of the city’s first Gateway Improvement Project because it was being used as an unapproved material storage site by area contractors and was also being used for illegal dumping.
Mural under I-85 at Sugarloaf bridge now complete
Sugarloaf Community Improvement District (CID), in partnership with the Hudgens Center for Art and Learning, announces the completion of the Synchronicity mural by JONESY at Sugarloaf Parkway and the I-85 Underpass. Spanning almost 11,000 square feet, the mural is one of largest in the metro-Atlanta area.
This vibrantly patterned piece was designed and executed by lead muralist, Krista M. Jones (aka JONESY). “The title is based on the idea that there is unity in diversity within the universe and meaningful coincidences can lead to connection and remarkable outcomes,” says Jones. Synchronicity also represents the multiple “happenstance” connections between the artist and project partners that allowed the project to come to fruition. Sugarloaf CID’s project partner is The Hudgens Center for Art and Learning, who first connected Jones to the CID and provided invaluable insight into the project.
Jones says: “I believe public art has the power to transform sterile spaces into invitations for us to be present and to engage. It can bridge gaps between our differences and provide connections that we might not have experienced otherwise. My ultimate hope is that the work I do offers joy.”
The mural concept comes from the artist’s “FORMATIONS” series, which examines how vibrant color, elements of nature, and sweeping patterns can transform sterile urban spaces into moments of joy and connection. Jones was inspired by Gwinnett County’s tagline of “Vibrantly Connected” when designing this piece, as shown by the continuous and diverse flow of bright, floral-like patterns interchanging along the wall.
Sugarloaf CID Board Chairman, Brand Morgan, states: “The Synchronicity mural serves as the gateway to the Sugarloaf CID and a welcome for everyone who enters Gwinnett’s Downtown. It has taken years of planning and coordination to complete this project, and we appreciate all the partners who helped to make this project possible.”
Project sponsors and their financial contribution amounts for the mural include Gwinnett Creativity Fund (with support from Gwinnett County and Explore Gwinnett, $32,500), 12Stone Church ($10,000) and Georgia Power ($5,000).
Chamber names Moxie winners for 2024
The Gwinnett Chamber has named seven winners and acknowledged over 120 finalists at the 2024 Moxie Awards. This annual event, which celebrates the achievements of women professionals, drew its largest audience to date, with more than 620 attendees.
Now in its seventh year, the Moxie Awards program brings together business leaders across the metro Atlanta region. Seven winners were selected from 130 finalists, with categories recognizing employers who champion women in business and individual leaders, innovators, emerging talents, and community advocates. The 2024 Moxie Award winners included (pictured left to right in the attached photo):
- Pay It Forward: Tami Wilder, Positive Impact International;
- Greater Good: Laura Ballance, Hudgens Center for Arts and Learning;
- Outstanding Organization: ARK Temporary Staffing (Renae Keitt);
- Influence: Maureen Kornowa, Hope of Hope at Gwinnett Children’s Shelter;
- Moxie Award: Allona Lane Cross, Georgia Commission on Equal Opportunity;
- On the Rise: Leslie Clark, Amazon; and
- Enlightened Employer: Gas South (Jenny Hawkins, Michelle Pierce, and Leah Bilz).
The event featured a keynote address by Emmy Award-winning news anchor and journalist Monica Pearson, who delivered a speech titled “Unapologetic Empowerment: Embracing Your True Self in a World of Expectations.” Pearson emphasized that authenticity and genuineness are more valuable than conforming to societal expectations.
Georgia Humanities names Wearn as president
Georgia Humanities announces the appointment of Dr. Mary McCartin Wearn as the organization’s next president, effective September 3, 2024. A humanities scholar and academic leader with a track record for developing meaningful public programs and partnerships, Wearn will guide the organization’s efforts to inspire curiosity, connection, and lifelong learning across Georgia.
Wearn
Before joining Georgia Humanities, Wearn built a reputation for community-focused leadership during her tenure at Middle Georgia State University. As the founding dean of the School of Arts and Letters, Wearn fostered partnerships with national, state, and local institutions, including the United States Air Force’s Museum of Aviation, the Ocmulgee Mounds Association, and the historic Douglass Theatre. Her work was instrumental in creating programs that brought arts and culture to life for audiences throughout the region, and she was a driving force in securing funding for these public-facing initiatives.
Wearn holds a Ph.D. in English from the University of Georgia, a B.A. in English from the University of Maryland Global Campus, and a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University. She has served in a number of nonprofit leadership and advisory positions and currently sits on the board of directors for the Museum of Arts and Sciences in Macon.
Speaking about her new role, Wearn shared: “I am delighted by the opportunity to serve the people of Georgia in this new position. The public humanities allow us to cultivate community and connection by exploring the diversity of lived experience while also honoring our shared humanity. I am excited to support Georgia Humanities as it expands public engagement across the state and creates opportunities to build bridges of understanding.”
Wearn is the fourth president in Georgia Humanities’ more than 50-year history. Her appointment follows a search process conducted by the Georgia Humanities Board of Directors in partnership with Emory University, the organization’s fiscal agent. Latonda Milner, who has served as interim president since February, will continue in her role as vice president of finance and operations.
Through inclusive grants and programs, Georgia Humanities connects people and communities to spark curiosity, share ideas, amplify stories, and inspire action. Funding for Georgia Humanities is provided by the Georgia General Assembly, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and various foundations, donors, and partners. To learn more, please visit GeorgiaHumanities.org.
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