The city of Peachtree Corners is planning a community meeting on the future of law enforcement within the city’s boundaries. The meeting will be on Thursday, September 18 at 7 p.m. at the City Hall, 310 Technology Parkway.
At the meeting, a joint presentation by City Manager Brian Johnson and Chief Marshal Edward Restrepo is on tap. They are anticipated to give a summary of public comments and survey feedback from local citizens.
Earlier this year, on May 8, the city hosted a community meeting which began the conversation about the future of law enforcement in our city. That first session presented the results of a comprehensive Police Analysis and Staffing Study, which evaluated the feasibility and projected costs of forming a city police department, compared with continuing its current service arrangement for policing with Gwinnett County Police. The study also reviewed workload, crime levels, budgetary considerations, comparative models, and the advantages and disadvantages of a county versus city police department.
Those wishing to attend should come early for the first-come, first served meeting, as the capacity of the meeting room is 120 people. It’s expected that there will be an open question and answer period included in the agenda. Meanwhile, the meeting will be livestreamed at this link.
- To access the project materials and updates, go to https://ptccity.com/PTCFutureofLE.
International Night Market coming to Lawrenceville
The Atlanta International Night Market will return to Lawrenceville on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 12-13, at the Lawrenceville Lawn. Recently named the No. 3 Best Night Market in the U.S. by USA Today, the award-winning festival continues to grow, offering exciting new experiences, performances, and cultural showcases for attendees of all ages.
Mayor David Still says: “Around the World in the DTL is a wonderful way to celebrate the many cultures that make Lawrenceville such a vibrant community. It brings people together through food, music, and shared experiences that showcase the heart of our city.”
The festivities begin Friday, September 12, at 5 p.m. with a special concert closing out the night featuring Brooke Alexx and 80s powerhouse tribute band Guardians of the Jukebox.
On Saturday, Sept. 13, the celebration kicks off at 2 p.m. with international food trucks, artisan vendors, and cultural performances on the Lawrenceville Lawn. New this year, the festival introduces a K-Pop Dance Competition and a dedicated K-Pop Zone, tapping into one of today’s most popular global music and dance movements. Guests can also enjoy traditional dance, acrobatics, and live music from artists across the world.
Founded in 2016, the Atlanta International Night Market brings together cultures from across the globe to share food, art, and traditions while building bridges between communities. Operated entirely by volunteers, the festival reinvests proceeds into programming and cultural education, creating one of the Southeast’s most beloved multicultural events.
“Bees to Trees” photo exhibit now at two locations
Now open is the “Bees to Trees” photography exhibit at Norcross Gallery and Studios and also on display at Norcross City Hall. This annual competition is a collaboration of the City of Norcross and the Norcross Gallery and is open to anyone with photographs taken throughout the city.
Continuing through September 27, there will be a reception on Sunday, September 7, 4-6 pm. All are invited to come and enjoy the creativity of non-professional and professional photography artists displaying their unique views of the city. Following the close of the “Bees to Trees” exhibition will be the annual fund raiser, the month-long Silent Auction event.
The Artist of the Month for September is Marcia Shirley. Her work will be on display at Café 45 in downtown Norcross, where there will be a reception on September 14 at 4 p.m. Norcross Gallery and Studios is located in downtown Norcross at 116 Carlyle Street, open hours are Thursdays through Saturdays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Suwanee new fiscal year budget is $20.8 million
The City of Suwanee began the 2025 fiscal (budget) year on July 1 with a $20.8 million balanced operating budget. This year’s budget represents a 7.8 percent increase in operating expenditure compared to the amended FY 2025 budget.
Suwanee’s $20.8 million FY 2026 budget includes:
- 128 full-time and 7 part-time positions, including five new full-time positions, and one upgrade from part-time to full-time;
- 13.5 percent group health insurance renewal;
- Implementation of the classification and compensation study;
- Facilities landscaping and right-of-way maintenance, $650,000;
- Vehicle, parks, and building repairs, $314,000; and
- Capital funding, $606,000.
Its budget remains at 4.93 mills, the same rate adopted by the city for the past 13 years. This proposed millage rate of 4.93 is a rollback millage rate increase of .184 mills, a 3.88 percent increase in property taxes based on market value growth.
The Suwanee City Council is expected to adopt the FY 2026 millage rate at its Sept. 23 meeting. The City will hold three public hearings at City Hall on Sept. 11 at 5:30 p.m., and Sept. 23 at noon and 6:30 p.m. before adopting the millage rate.
