Named as the first mayor of the new City of Mulberry is Michael Coker. He was selected by his fellow council members as the new mayor. Michel Rudnick was elected as mayor pro tempore.
Coker
Coker, 38, is an Atlanta native, and is a personal injury attorney. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia and the Georgia State College of Law. He has lived in Gwinnett his entire life, is married and he and his wife have three children.
Rudnick
Rudnick, 44, is a native of Boston, Mass. and is also a graduate of the University of Georgia. He is nearing completion of his masters of public administration degree at UGA. He is the fleet director of the City of Lawrenceville. He and his wife have one son.
The city has scheduled two meetings, on December 17 and 30, both at Hamilton Mill United Methodist Church, 1450 Pine Road in Dacula. The December 17 meeting will serve as the first read/public hearing for zoning ordinances, the zoning map, and sign ordinances. A second read/public hearing/emergency adoption for the zoning ordinances, zoning map, and sign ordinances will be held at noon on January 1, 2025.
Annual Extension Service plant sale nearing
Pre-orders for UGA Extension Gwinnett’s annual plant sale fundraiser begin January 2. Community members are invited to support the County’s 4-H and Master Gardener projects while finding fruit and ornamental plants that thrive in Georgia soil to complement their landscape.
This year’s diverse selection of plants includes apples, blueberries, pears, azaleas, camellias and hydrangeas.
Preorders for the plant sale run through Friday, February 28. Purchases can be made in person at the UGA Extension Gwinnett office located at 750 South Perry Street, Suite 400 in Lawrenceville or by mailing in an order form available at GwinnettExtension.com.
Last year, the sale raised almost $5,000 for agriculture and resource programming.
“Fundraising is just one of the many ways to help cover costs of activities for our young members,” said Gwinnett Community Services Deputy Department Director Regina Miller. “We’re grateful for the continued support of our community and look forward to another successful event.”
The pickup and bonus sale is from 9 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. on Thursday, March 13 at the Davis Road entrance of the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds, located at 2405 Sugarloaf Parkway in Lawrenceville. For more details, visit GwinnettExtension.com
Chamber recognizes 2024 small business award winners
The Gwinnett Chamber hosted the 2024 Small Business Awards recently in Duluth. The program recognized 12 winners from over 150 finalists for exceptional business practices and entrepreneurial excellence.
Winners were announced in real-time as follows:
- Founder Award: Sam and Chrissy Thomas, ‘About Face Skin Care’;
- Veteran-Owned Small Business: Khamia Strategies (Candy Isabel);
- Small Business (0-5 Employees): Long Table, LLC (Linnea Miller);
- Small Business (25+ Employees): SimpleFloors (Bin Liu);
- Support System Award: Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council (Sonji Franklin);
- Woman-Owned Small Business: Tabitha’s House, Inc. (Dr. Margie Gill);
- Community Contributor: StreetWise (Tracy Joseph);
- Emerging Entrepreneur: HB Consulting Co. (Heather Bellew);
- Culture Creator: Green Financial Resources, LLC (Roger Green);
- Small Business (6-24 Employees): Explore Gwinnett Tourism + Film (Victoria Hawkins and Clara Rooks);
- Minority-Owned Small Business: Lawson Personal Injury Attorneys (Yari Lawson); and
- Launch Award: Jefa Mom, LLC (Elisa Molina).
Dr. Randy Ross, author of Make Life Good and CEO of Remarkable, inspired the audience with the simple concept of living an intentional, purpose-filled life dedicated to leaving one’s mark and changing the world for good.
Watkins wins awards from pharmacist group
Gwinnett County District 3 Commissioner Jasper Watkins III (right) of Grayson has been awarded the 2024 American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and Association of Black Health System Pharmacists Joint Leadership Award. The award recognizes exceptional leadership and commitment to advancing health-system pharmacy practice and improving public health, particularly within underrepresented communities. The award was formally presented to Watkins at the ASHP Awards Luncheon event held on December 10 in New Orleans, La. Presenting the award is ASHP President Leigh A. Briscoe-Dwyer of Johnson City, N.Y.
Application time for EMC’s Walter Harrison scholarship
Jackson Electric Membership Cooperative is accepting applications for the annual Walter Harrison Scholarship, which provides $1,000 for academic expenses to students pursuing post-secondary education at Georgia colleges and technical schools.
Students who are currently enrolled or have been accepted as full- or part-time students at accredited two- or four-year universities, colleges, or vocational-technical institutes in Georgia are eligible to apply. Applicants must also reside in a primary household served by Jackson EMC.
Students are evaluated on financial need, grade point average, SAT scores, academic standing, scholastic honors and community involvement. Applicants must complete an application and submit a biographical sketch with educational goals.
- How to apply: visit www.jacksonemc.com/walterharrisonscholarship.
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