Gwinnett’s Board of Commissioners on Tuesday took a significant step toward improving mobility for residents. The board approved, by a 4-1 vote, a transit referendum to be placed on the November 5 General Election ballot. If approved by voters, the transit referendum would impose a one percent sales tax for 30 years to fund up to 75 transit projects in Gwinnett. Commissioner Matthew Holtkamp voted against the proposal.
A Transit Special Purpose Local Option Sales (T-SPLOST) tax aims to distribute financial responsibility among all residents, businesses and visitors, alleviating paying for a larger transit system on Gwinnett’s property owners. Currently, Gwinnett’s transit system is funded by property owners through the county general fund, the federal government, discretionary grants and Ride Gwinnett fares.
Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson said she is proud of the work Gwinnett Transportation placed on prioritizing feedback from residents when forming the transit plan. “With this initiative, we’re committed to offering Gwinnett residents transit options that are efficient, sustainable and accessible. I look forward to this process, which will allow voters to decide on a measure that could positively impact their daily lives.”
The transit plan includes several different ways the money will be spent. One will be a direct shuttle to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, another is enhanced and expanded county coverage by local bus, plus additional transit transfer facilities, and the expansion of microtransit providing 100 percent countywide coverage. The new transit referendum does not include heavy rail or any funding for MARTA.
Gwinnett Transportation Director Lewis Cooksey says: “Efficient transit options and improved mobility are essential for our community’s growth, economic vitality and quality of life. We are excited about the opportunities this brings to reduce traffic congestion, improve accessibility and connect our neighborhoods and businesses.
The ballot question will read:
“( ) Yes ( ) No
“Shall a special one percent (1%) sales and use tax be imposed in the special district consisting of Gwinnett County for a period of time not to exceed thirty (30) years and for the raising of funds for transit projects?”
The dedicated T-SPLOST would be paid by all people who purchase goods in Gwinnett County. To learn more, visit GwinnettCounty.com/YourRide.
Playtown Suwanee re-opens sporting recycled plastics
PlayTown Suwanee, sponsored by Primerica, has now reopened for the community. Established in 2004 through the collaborative efforts of hundreds of volunteers, the original PlayTown Suwanee quickly became the most used community playground, known for its engaging play structures and vibrant atmosphere.
After 20 years, the original wood materials needed replacing. Through extensive community input, including interviews with over 300 local schoolchildren and a steering committee comprising more than a dozen adults, PlayTown Suwanee 2.0 was born.
Kathryn Kieser, chair of The Primerica Foundation of Primerica, says: “The City of Suwanee has created an environment where children of all abilities can play side-by-side. Primerica is proud to be a part of the effort aimed at building a stronger community. Supporting PlayTown aligns with our commitment to help create better places to live, work and play.”
PlayTown Committee Build Captains Colette Grodzicki and Zach Whigham shared the journey of PlayTown, from its imaginative beginnings to the playground it is today. Recognizing this community asset, over 1,200 in the fall of 2023 spearheaded the construction of a newer, more inclusive, and sustainable iteration of PlayTown Suwanee. The updated playground, designed to be accessible to all, features thoughtfully designed play spaces and utilizes recycled plastics as the primary building material.
An aspect of the playground’s redevelopment was the involvement of local high school artists and students from Suwanee Youth Leaders, who contributed design elements to enhance the playground’s aesthetic appeal. “I truly loved the way the community came together to rebuild this park, impacting the future generations of Suwanee” says PlayTown Committee Member and North Gwinnett High School Art teacher Alexandra Sorto.
Spanning 13,000 square feet, the playground boasts various amenities, including separate areas for toddlers and older children, a dinosaur fossil excavation activity area, one exit and entry point for safety, and a lighted pavilion with picnic tables accommodating wheelchair users.
Gwinnett Tech wins Distinguished Credentialing Award
Gwinnett Technical College boasts one of the nation’s premier Respiratory Care programs, a distinction well-earned by its graduates. The college has a 11-year streak of 100 percent pass rates on the field’s national credentialing exam.
This month, the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) will recognize Gwinnett Tech’s Respiratory Care program with the Distinguished RRT Credentialing Success Award. To qualify for this honor, colleges must demonstrate three or more years of outcomes data, maintain accreditation without any progress reports, and achieve RRT (Registered Respiratory Therapist) credentialing success rates of 90 percent or higher.
Dr. D. Glen Cannon, President of Gwinnett Technical College, says: “Earning this accolade underscores Gwinnett Tech’s unwavering commitment to our students and community partners. Our respiratory care program consistently meets workforce demands and ensures a 100 percent placement rate for our graduates.”
Respiratory care therapists play a critical role in caring for patients with heart and lung conditions. Gwinnett Tech’s program equips students with cutting-edge medical technology and hands-on training, preparing them for successful careers in the field. From premature infants with underdeveloped lungs to elderly patients with respiratory diseases, these professionals provide essential care. They also respond to emergencies, supporting high-risk patients during intense moments such as heart attacks, drownings, or shock.
GGC grads in education surpass state test averages
Before teachers can teach, they must pass the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) exam to earn their license. In the past year, Georgia Gwinnett College’s (GGC) graduates in its School of Education surpassed the Georgia state average score by 16.4 points.
Dr. Angie Jasper, dean of GGC’s School of Education, says: “Over the last academic year, 93 percent of our completers passed all of our teaching certificate program exams. These are not easy exams, but the strength of our program and dedication of our faculty and staff are an important part of the success of our students as they prepare to become teachers.”
In all, there were 277 candidates enrolled in the teacher certification programs, which include elementary education, special education, middle grades education, teacher certification programs for English, math, history, science, biology, chemistry, political science and reading endorsement programs.
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