Layout showing long sidewalk on both sides.
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
OCT. 22, 2024 | Without newspapers, a community can suffer as elected public officials do what they want, with few knowing what is going on. The recent demise of newspapers across the country particularly hurts democracy.
But there is a new effort in some communities, of individuals taking the time to sniff out what is going on, and making the community better by shining the light on government. Unfortunately, there are not enough of these reputable sources. But every now and then, one emerges.
We were intrigued to learn that Amber Chambers in Sugar Hill (Real Deal in Sugar Hill) has been covering Sugar Hill like a watchdog since 2019. She’s more of a “bulldog,” since she holds on tenaciously. She does this alone, making no money, but does it out of an outrage.
On her website, she says: “…..this quiet suburban neighborhood (Sugar Hill) has been rapidly morphing into something like one of the Atlanta neighborhoods. While times change and towns grow naturally, the Sugar Hill government is aggressively forcing urbanization of the area – as much as possible, as fast as possible, at an ever-increasing expense to existing residents.” She also saw a city council voting in lockstep with little public discussion. All this incentivized her.
Amber was born in Flowery Branch, graduated from local schools and has a computer science degree from North Georgia State College. Her father, retired from the phone company, and her mother did not work outside the home. They still live in Flowery Branch. Amber lives with her partner, Dr. Tom Loboac, a Purdue Ph D. who works in photogrametry (making 3D maps of outer space). They have lived in Sugar Hill since 2015.
What opened Amber’s eyes to the world came early when in the fourth grade, from a book, The Hiding Place, by Corrie ten Boom. “I selected it purely from its cover, thinking it was a mystery. The bookmobile librarian asked my mother if I could read adult books, and she said OK. The book shocked me, talking about matters that I had never thought of. I did not think the book was true, that people would treat other people that way, and government would let it happen. I asked my Dad, and he said it really happened. It was most shocking. We should never let government do things without keeping track of them.”
All this led to today, with Amber attending numerous public hearings, using open records requests, talking to a lot of people, and putting her conclusions in writing. We suspect she knows more of what is going on in Sugar Hill than elected city officials.
A recent story she has thoroughly covered is a proposed pedestrian bridge across Georgia Highway 20. (See drawing above from Real Deal). The city first came up with the idea of a bridge as early as 2016. An estimate from an engineering firm was that it would cost $5.5 million, but later estimates showed $6.055 million. On October 14, the city approved a $7.1 million bridge.
Recent topics have been about more dense housing in Sugar Hill, an untold story of interim planning director hiring, and city property taxes. These stories are well illustrated and written. The scope of her work is immense….all done because of her concern about what she saw in Sugar Hill government.
Amber seeks transparency, honesty, disclosure and trust from government. And she won’t let go when she sees a story. It’s what every community needs, some bulldog holding on and shining light on local government.
Thank you, Amber Chambers. Sugar Hill is lucky to have someone like you.
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