New fire station and tag office open in Snellville Fetch some fun at

a monthly publication of gwinnett county, georgia

www.gwinnettcounty.com

december 2006 v14, n12

countyline

Advice from Tax

Commissioner

Tag office

holiday hours

Leave a

Legacy

Volunteer

Recognition

Pet Corner

Check it out!

Around

Gwinnett

On November 21, County ofﬁcials

celebrated the ofﬁcial ribbon cutting

for two new replacement facilities,

Fire Station 12 and the Snellville Tag

Ofﬁce, and a new fueling station in

Snellville.

The new three-bay Fire Station 12

sits adjacent to the new tag ofﬁce

and houses an engine, ladder truck,

and rescue unit. The relocation pro-

vided some much-needed space for

the crew at Fire Station 12 who ran

three pieces of equipment out of a

building designed for only two.

Commission Chairman Charles Ban-

nister noted that improvements like

these “would not be possible without

New ﬁre station and tag ofﬁce open in

Snellville

the voter support of the Special Pur-

pose Local Option Sales Tax.” Station

12 was funded by the 2001 SPLOST.

The new Snellville Tag Ofﬁce opened

its doors on October 16 as Gwin-

nett’s ﬁrst stand-alone facility that

offers drive-through services for tag

renewals. The new facility replaces

the former location on Oak Road,

originally opened in 1988. Since then,

title sales alone have risen each year

at the Snellville location from 48,000

in 1988 to over 162,000 in 2005.

“I’m very happy that we can now pro-

vide our customers with a larger and

more modern tag facility,” said Tax

Commissioner Katherine Sherring-

ton. “We simply outgrew our former

Snellville location on Oak Road. Also,

the drive-through renewal service we

offer at both our Snellville and Law-

renceville tag ofﬁces helps those who

may have children with them, as well

as the elderly and people who might

have difﬁculty walking.”

Along with using one of the tag of-

ﬁce locations throughout the coun-

ty, customers can renew their tags

online at www.gwinnett-tag.com

or by phone, 770.822.8818.

“We are excited and proud to be able

to improve upon these vital services

Gwinnett County Parks and Recre-

ation and the Norcross community

celebrated the opening of the new

Graves Park and improvements to

Pinckneyville Park on October 21.

Graves Park, located at 1540 Graves

Road in Norcross, features two ten-

nis courts, a sand volleyball court,

playground, open play area, pond,

and a one-mile paved multi-purpose

trail with an additional half-mile loop

trail that surrounds a lake. The park

also boasts a two-acre dog park area

where dogs can play freely off their

leashes in a fenced-in area.

Fetch some fun at two new dog parks

Sitting at just under three acres, the

fenced-in dog park at Pinckneyville

Park is a welcome addition to the

park’s current features, which in-

clude a seven-ﬁeld baseball/softball

complex, concession buildings, rest-

rooms, a 1.1-mile paved multi-pur-

pose trail, pavilion, four playgrounds,

roller hockey rink, a free-skate area,

and the 5,000-square-foot Medlock

Pavilion. Pinckneyville Park is located

at 4758 South Old Peachtree Road

in Norcross.

Visit www.gwinettparks.com or call

770.822.8840 for more information.

… continued on page 3

New dog parks at Graves and Pinck-

neyville parks include fenced-in areas

where dogs can play off-leash.

www.gwinnettcounty.com

countyline

Advice from the Tax Commissioner: Vehicle emissions

requirements for 2007

All 1983 to 2004 model year gasoline-powered cars or light trucks

up to 8,500 pounds must have a valid Georgia emissions inspection

completed before registering or renewing tags. Some important tips

to keep in mind:

Where to go – Newer vehicles (1996 to 2004) can be inspected

at any emissions inspection station. Look for an inspection station

sign that reads 1996 or Newer Vehicles Welcome or All Vehicles Wel-

come. Vehicle models 1983 to 1995 can only be inspected at stations

marked All Vehicles Welcome.

Inspect early – It is best to get your vehicle inspected four to six

weeks before the registration renewal date (the ﬁrst vehicle owner’s

birthday) to allow enough time in the event repairs need to be made.

An emissions inspection is valid for 12 months or for one registration

renewal by the same owner.

Senior citizen exemptions – If you are age 65 or older, are a regis-

tered owner of a vehicle 10 model years old or older, and if you drive

less than 5,000 miles per year, you may be eligible for a senior citizen

exemption. Apply by completing a Senior Exemption Application,

which is available at your local tag ofﬁce, a Georgia Clean Air Force

Waiver Center, or online at www.cleanairforce.com.

Locations of Georgia Clean Air Force Waiver Centers, as well as

information for new Georgia residents, repair waivers, alternative

fuel vehicles or what to do when you sell your vehicle, are available

at the Georgia Clean Air Force website www.cleanairforce.com.

For more information or if you have questions on how to obtain a

Senior Exemption Application form, contact the Motor Vehicles De-

partment at tag@gwinnettcounty.com or 770.822.8818.

Now Open

2845 Lenora Church Road

Snellville, GA 30078

(across from Briscoe Park)

Open 8:30am – 5:00pm

Monday – Friday, with the exception of holidays

Drive Through Available

The North Gwinnett tag ofﬁce will be closed Saturday, December 9

for maintenance of the state vehicle registration system. Tag renewals

will not be available over the Internet or telephone on this date.

Tag ofﬁces will be closed Friday, December 22; the North Gwin-

nett tag ofﬁce will be open 8:30am – 5:00pm.

All tag ofﬁces will be closed Saturday, December 23 with the excep-

tion of the North Gwinnett tag ofﬁce, which will be open from

9:00am – noon.

All tag ofﬁces will be closed Monday, December 25.

Tag ofﬁces will be open Tuesday, December 26 from 8:30am –

5:00pm; the North Gwinnett tag ofﬁce will be closed.

All tag ofﬁces will be closed Monday, January 1.

Tag ofﬁces will be open Tuesday, January 2 from 8:30am – 5:00pm;

the North Gwinnett tag ofﬁce will be closed.

Gwinnett County motor vehicle tag ofﬁces are located in Lawrence-

ville, Norcross, Peachtree Corners, and Snellville. Operating hours

are 8:30am – 5:00pm on weekdays, excluding holidays. The North

Gwinnett tag ofﬁce is open Tuesday – Friday, 8:30am – 5:00 pm, and

Saturdays 9:00am – 4:00pm. Visit www.gwinnett-tag.com or call

770.822.8818 for information.

Motor vehicle tag ofﬁce

holiday operating hours

Snellville tag ofﬁce:

now open

gwinnett county, georgia 770.822.8000

countyline

Check it out!

Take a moment from hectic holiday

shopping and check out one of these

inspirational ﬁctional books from your

local library branch that highlight the

wonderful holiday season.

New Inspirational Fiction

for the Holiday Season

The Good Nearby, by Nancy Moser

Abide with Me, by Delia Parr

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie, by Patricia Haley-

Brown

Winter Birds, by Jamie Turner

In Every Flower, by Patti Ann Hill

Lost in NashVegas, by Rachel Hauck

The Brushstroke Legacy, by Lauraine

Snelling

Fire Dancer, by Colleen Coble

Straight Up, by Lisa Sampson

The Only Best Place, by Carolyne

Aarson

This list is provided by the Gwinnett

County Public Library. Call or visit your

local branch for additional selection as-

sistance, or check out the GCPL web-

site at www.gwinnettpl.org.

You can ﬁnd lots of adorable cats,

dogs, puppies, and kittens at the

Gwinnett County Animal Shelter at

Highway 316 and Hi-Hope Road in

Lawrenceville.

To see pictures of cats and dogs

currently up for adoption, visit

www.gwinnettanimalcontrol.com.

For more information, stop by the

shelter or call 770.339.3200.

The new Gwinnett Environmental and Her-

itage Center is the Southeast’s premier sci-

ence and cultural center that offers a unique

blend of cultural explorations, environmen-

tal education, and passive recreation, all con-

tained on 233 acres near the Mall of Georgia.

Features of the center include a world-class

array of exciting hands-on science exhibits,

the Blue Planet Theater, nature trails, and

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environ-

mental Design) building techniques.

The Gwinnett County Senior Services vol-

unteer program was recently honored as

one of 13 in the nation to receive a 2006

Award of Achievement from The National

Association of Area Agencies on Aging and

the MetLife Foundation and cited for ex-

emplary practices in recruiting and engaging

older volunteers. The program owes its suc-

cess to volunteers who serve individually as

well as in groups in a variety of ways ranging

from nonproﬁt board leadership to in-home

services including Meals on Wheels, yard

work, home repair, and occasional duty case

management support.

Leave a legacy for the environment

Now you have an opportunity to both con-

tribute to Gwinnett’s environmental heritage

and at the same time leave a legacy. Honor

a loved one, show your company’s support,

or memorialize an individual by having a

name engraved on the granite wall located

at the entrance of the center. Donor levels

start at $50.

For more information, call 770.904.3500 or

visit www.gwinnettEHC.com.

Volunteers win recognition

… continued on page 4

“Miss Edith” Harvey (second from left) received

the MetLife Foundation Older Americans Enrich

America award. Also pictured: Gwinnett County

Senior Services’ Gary Galloway, Senator Saxby

Chambliss, and Pat Milhous, also of Senior

Services.

in the southern portion of Gwinnett County,”

said District 3 Commissioner Mike Beau-

dreau.

The Snellville Tag Ofﬁce is located at 2845

Lenora Church Road and Fire Station 12 at

2815 Lenora Church Road in Snellville.

Fire station and tag

ofﬁce

… continued from page 1

www.gwinnettcounty.com

countyline

Santa’s elves will be busy helping kids make

holiday gifts at the Elf Workshop on Decem-

ber 1 from 6:30pm-8:30pm at Dacula Park.

Refreshments served. The cost is $7 per per-

son and pre-registration is required. Children

ages 4 – 6 must be accompanied by an adult.

Call 770.822.5414 for more information.

Find a special holiday gift at the Hometown

Christmas Craft Fair and Santa’s Gift Shoppe

on December 2 from 10:00am – 4:00pm at

Pinckneyville Community Center in Norcross.

Children 12 and under can also buy family

gifts for $5 or less from 10:00am – 2:00pm.

Free admission. Call 770.417.2200 for more

information.

Have fun with crafts, stories, and a parade at

Waddle with the Penguins on December 2

at 10:00am at Bogan Park in Buford. The cost

is $7 per person. Call 770.614.2060 for more

information.

See Jolly Saint Nick at Breakfast with Santa

on December 7 from 9:00am – 11:00am at

Centerville Community Center in Snellville.

The cost is $3 person and includes breakfast

and a photo with Santa. All proceeds beneﬁt

the Partnership Against Domestic Violence.

For more information, call 770.985.4713.

Pack a bathing suit and towel and gear up for

fun and games at Kids Night Out at Bogan

on December 8 from 5:30pm – 9:00pm at

Bogan Park in Buford. Dinner will be served

after swimming. The cost is $10 per person

and pre-registration is required. For more

information call 770.614.2060.

Bring the grandkids out for a pancake break-

fast at Pancakes with Santa on December 9

from 9:00am – 11:00am at the Gwinnett

Senior Center at Bethesda Park in Lawrence-

ville. The cost is $3 per person and pre-reg-

istration is required. Call 770.564.4680 for

more information.

Shop for holiday gifts while you drop your

kids off for a day of crafts, games, and pizza

at Pinckneyville Community Center’s Shop

‘Til You Drop December 9 from 10:00am –

2:00pm. The cost is $12 per person. For

more information call 770.417.2200.

Share a special evening with your little girl at

the Father and Daughter Winter Wonder-

land Dance on December 9 from 6:00pm –

9:00pm at Rhodes Jordan Park in Lawrence-

ville. Hors d’oeuvres and desserts served.

The cost is $20 for one parent and one child

and $10 for each additional child. For more

information, call 770.822.5414.

Dress in your pajamas, hear the story of the

Nutcracker, and make a keepsake ornament

at Dancing with the Sugar Plum Fairy on De-

cember 14 from 10:00am – 11:15am and

December 15 from 6:00pm – 7:15pm at

Bogan Park in Buford. Cost is $15 per per-

son. Call 770.614.2060 for more information.

Take a break from holiday shopping and en-

joy a movie, arts and crafts, and refreshments

with your kids at the Holiday Extravaganza

on December 16 from 11:00am – 1:00pm

at the Singleton Road Activity Building in

Norcross. The cost is $5 per person. Call

770.417.2212 for more information.

Ring in the new year with dancing, games,

and movies at the New Year’s Lock-in on

December 31 from 9:00pm – 7: 00am at

Rhodes Jordan Park in Lawrenceville. A su-

pervised event. The cost is $45 per person

and pre-registration is required. For more

information call 770.822.5414.

The Pinckneyville Community Center spon-

sors art exhibits at the following locations.

Art by Laurette Reeves will be on display at

Pinckneyville Community Center in Norcross

through January 25.

Anita Lentz Group Show will be on display at

the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse in Law-

renceville from December 6 – March 1. A

reception to meet the artist will be held on

December 14 from 7:00pm – 9:00pm.

Exhibits and receptions are free and open

to the public. Call 770.417.2200 for more

information.

Volunteer recognition

countyline

Gwinnett County

75 Langley Drive

Lawrenceville, GA 30045

770.822.7035

www.gwinnettcounty.com

The County Line is published monthly by the

Gwinnett County Communications Division to

inform residents about County services and items

of interest. For more information or to submit

newsletter suggestions, call 770.822.7135 or

e-mail tammy.gibson@gwinnettcounty.com. The

County Line is also available on the County’s

website, www.gwinnettcounty.com.

… continued from page 3

Many of the volunteers recognized for their

dedication include Gloria Berry, a 2006

United Way of Gwinnett Women’s Legacy

Award winner; Rob Langley, a 2006 Presi-

dent’s Volunteer Service Award winner; and

Edith Harvey, who has compiled approxi-

mately 18,000 volunteer hours of service

helping to prepare more than one million

meals for other seniors. Miss Edith is one of

26 national MetLife Foundation Older Amer-

icans Enrich America Award winners, a

WXIA Community Service Award winner,

a 2006 President’s Volunteer Service Award

winner, and a National Coalition of Black

Women Unsung Heroine Award recipient.

Gwinnett County Senior Services provided

26, 565 volunteer service hours last year, but

Senior Services Manager Linda Bailey quickly

notes, “we would be unable to provide our pre-

sent variety of services if we did not have such

dedication from experienced staff members and

volunteers.”

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer

contact Gary Galloway, Volunteer Services

Coordinator, at 770.822.8837.