Mayor Mike Mason
From the Mayor's Desk
Veterans Day - Why it's Important to Remember

On Friday we will celebrate one of our country's most important holidays - Veterans Day. We will honor the men and women, living and dead, who have served our country both in peacetime and wartime.

When I was a youth I associated the holiday as a day off from school and gave little thought to its real meaning.  But my attitude changed after I served four years in the Navy during the Vietnam conflict.  I learned that Hollywood heroes are very rare and not the ones who get the job done. 
Brian Johnson,
City Manager
New City Manager to Begin Nov. 21

The Mayor and City Council announced at the October meeting that the employment contract between the City and Brian L. Johnson, who was recently selected as the new city manager, has been approved.

Johnson, who has served as city manager for the City of Anniston, Alabama for the past three years, was chosen from a number of candidates. The City Council approved his appointment on Oct. 18 during its monthly city council meeting.
     Improving Traffic
Final Community Meeting on Comprehensive Transportation Plan Set for Nov. 17

You are invited to attend the final open house on the city's Comprehensive Transportation Plan study on Thursday, Nov. 17 from 6 - 8 p.m. at City Hall.

The preliminary findings - and the results from the online survey - will be presented. Attendees will have an opportunity to comment on the recommendations at the November meeting. A final report will follow.

Earlier this year, city leaders began developing a comprehensive transportation plan to ensure that quality of life for its citizens is maintained.   The city enlisted the services of Pond & Company, an urban engineering firm, to analyze the various modes of transportation throughout Peachtree Corners and determine its future needs and to develop solutions. 

Residents and business owners were invited to participate in an interactive community meeting. Over 50 attended the first meeting on Aug. 11, 2016. Attendees were asked to participate in a number of interactive activities to help identify areas of need within the city and identify specific areas that they felt needed improvement. More information is posted on the city's website.
City's New Startup Incubator Officially Opens

Prototype Prime, the city's long-anticipated startup incubator, marked its official opening on Thursday, Oct. 27, during a special evening celebration held from 5 - 7 p.m. 

Over 60 invited guests attended and toured the new facilities located in renovated office space directly below City Hall.

The 12,500 square-foot area provides networking and event space, workshops, podcast room and a design lab with three 3D printers. In addition, two law firms and an accounting agency will provide professional services to budding entrepreneurs to assist their early startup efforts.

Learn More About Prototype Prime at Three Upcoming Events

Prototype Prime, the new startup incubator in Peachtree Corners has just opened. Its mission is to help early stage hardware and software startups launch. Located in Technology Park, the space offers unique features including a a custom-built podcast recording room and design and development lab which has three 3D printers, electronics manufacturing capabilities, and more. Following are three upcoming events, registration is required.

Monday, November 14:  We've invited some of our friends to hang out at Prototype Prime and meet with incredible entrepreneurs like you. Register below to meet with one or more of our mentors.

Monday, November 14: From 12 p.m. -- 1:30 p.m., we welcome Jennifer Bonnett, GM of ATDC, who will lead a brown bag session (this means you should bring your own lunch) on the topic "So, you want to raise money." This session will take participants through the funding process, how to prepare, terms, and due diligence.

Thursday, November 17: From 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.mJoin us for an event with the Electronic Frontier Foundation. EFF Activist, Elliot Harmon, will lead a discussion on innovation and the patent system. Learn how patent trolls have taken advantage of legal loopholes to put a strain on inventors. We will also e ncourage universities to sign the Public Interest Patent Pledge.
Register here.
Chattahoochee River Workshop
Chattahoochee Riverkeeper Jason Ulseth talks about the danger of stormwater runoff.
Protecting the Chattahoochee River
 
According to the Atlanta Regional Commission, the Chattahoochee River is the largest stream in metro Atlanta and has long been one of the region's most valuable resources:
  • It is the region's primary source of drinking water. 
  • It is a major recreation area. 
  • It is one of the southern-most trout streams in the United States, and one of the very few located in a major metropolitan area.
That is why it's paramount to protect the river from the dangers of stormwater runoff and the effects that developmental changes have on the river. On Nov. 20, the City hosted a  Public Informational Workshop on the Metropolitan River Protection Act (MRPA) and the importance of the Chattahoochee River. 

Karen Shields from the  Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources,  Chattahoochee Riverkeeper  Jason Ulseth and  James Santo from the  Atlanta Regional Commission  (ARC) presented information on protecting the Chattahoochee River. Links to the presentations from the event are below for those who were unable to attend or want a recap of what they learned.
  
  
The Burn Ban is Back On!

Effective immediately, the Georgia Forestry Commission has implemented a temporary suspension on ALL outdoor burning due to persisting drought conditions throughout the five-county district that includes Gwinnett County.

The suspension on outdoor burning includes all permitted fires (land clearing, pit burns and bonfires) as well as all non-permitted fires (burning of natural vegetation yard debris).

Information concerning outdoor burning will be updated on the website daily at  www.gwinnettfiremarshal.com.

Outdoor burning will resume once conditions are within an acceptable range and the suspension has been lifted by the Georgia Forestry Commission.
Keep up with what's going on around town.
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From the Building Department

Fall Home Energy Efficiency Tips

As cooler weather is quickly approaching so will rising utility bills. Following is a list of some energy saving tips for the fall and winter seasons.

1. Seal all leaks around doors, windows, and electrical outlets.  Heat from your home escapes out of these cracks. By sealing these leaks, you can save tremendously on your heating bill, and the cost of materials to seal these leaks is very minimal.

2.   Fall is the best time to clean the chimney and get vent systems checked.
Pipes must be properly connected and there should be no signs of rust or damage.

Trash Container
Code Enforcement News Corner
Storing Trash and Recycling Containers 

The city's Solid Waste Ordinance has recently been changed and a summary of the change is listed below.

Trash and recycle containers are to be stored or placed:
  • In the rear yard as close to the house as possible
  • On the side of the house as close to the house as possible
  • In front of the house; must be on a concrete surface, and as close to the house as possible
  • Inside enclosed structures, such as garages, where they are not visible from the street.
Townhome or Condo units with a common wall or walls bordering the adjacent unit, which are unable to store trash and recycle containers in the rear yard or enclosed structure due to lack of exterior access, must store trash and recycle containers as close to the Townhome or Condo unit as possible.

This is not the code in its entirety. The  complete code is available on the city's websiteIf you have questions, contact the Code Enforcement Department at 678-691-1200.
City Adds 26 New Businesses in October

Peachtree Corners City Hall processed new business tax certificates for a variety of businesses last month including a courier service, interior designer and a restaurant and bakery.

See the complete list of 26 businesses along with contact information.
veterans monument
Calling All U.S. Veterans

Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces - or do you have a spouse or family member who has served our country?   If so, the city would like to hear from you. 

Plans to create a monument to honor Peachtree Corners veterans are underway. The monument will be located on the Town Green of the city's new Town Center and is expected to be complete in spring 2018.  View the plans for the Peachtree Corners Veterans Monument at   www.ptcvets.net.

Veterans and families we are asking that you send in your name and contact information including the branch of service and years served. Please include a daytime phone number. E mail info to Judy Putnam, Communications Director at   jputnam@peachtreecornersga.gov  or call 770-609-8821.

Thanksgiving Food Basket Drive to Benefit Families in Need

Several local organizations are coming together to provide Thanksgiving food baskets to families in need this month. 

Families set to receive the baskets have already been identified by local school counselors and will receive a turkey and nonperishable accompaniments for the upcoming holiday.

"We want to touch the lives of families in a way that lets them know they are cared for by the people in their own community," said Dr. Una, a pediatrician at Ivy League Pediatrics in Peachtree Corners.

Volunteers are needed from 8 a.m. to noon on Nov. 22 for sorting food and packing boxes.  Volunteers will also be needed for the morning basket pick-up, which will take place from 10 a.m. to noon and an evening basket pick-up from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Mark Your Calendars for the Annual Holiday Parade

This year's parade, HOLIDAY GLOW IN THE CORNERS, will be held on Saturday, November 26, 2016, and will be combined with the annual lighting of the tree in  The Forum  shopping center.

The lighting of the tree at The Forum has been moved from its traditional Friday evening time to Saturday evening so that it can be combined with parade activities.  

Read more
From Gwinnett County Police Department
Teaching Your Children About Stranger Safety

Kids see strangers every day in stores, in the park, and in their neighborhoods. Most of these strangers are nice, normal people, but a few may not be. 

Parents can protect their children from dangerous strangers by teaching them about strangers and suspicious behavior, and by taking a few precautions of their own including knowing where your children are at all times.

From Gwinnett County Fire and 
Emergency Services
Practice Home Fire Safety

The recent fire deaths in Gwinnett County and across the state are grim reminders of the danger and potentially tragic outcome when a home fire strikes.

Being prepared and knowing what to do when a fire strikes can spell the difference between life and death. There are basic fire facts that most people don't know. Knowing them could save your life.
Thank you for subscribing to "Inside Peachtree Corners." We always enjoy hearing from our readers. Please let us know if you've any questions or suggestions on ways to improve the newsletter.   

In addition to the e-newsletter, you will find news and announcements posted on the city's website, www.peachtreecornersga.gov. Please take a moment and visit the website between issues to keep up with the "News from Around the Corners."   

Judy Putnam, Communications Director

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