(Editor's note: the following is a letter to the editor sent by council member Bobby Howard. The statements made are the opinion of the author, and they do not represent the views of Snellville Patch. For further reading: Mayor Kautz Says Recent Allegations are 'Blatantly False' City Attorneys Unpaid, Mayor Denies Wrongdoing) In a recent article, Snellville Mayor Kelly Kautz claims that recent allegations of her misconduct are “blatantly false”. So let’s take a look at Kautz’s statements where she attempts to prove her point, and examine the facts. When you do so, you'll come to the …

"History of Gwinnett" is a column that will run once a week. We will feature historic places, people and events. If you have any suggestions for future columns, email Crystal.Huskey@patch.com. Depending on your religious background, historic churches and cemeteries can evoke feelings of piety, sanctity, and maybe even some mystery. Most historic churches in Gwinnett are all still in use, although a few cemeteries still exist without their accompanying churches. (One is located on Old Peachtree Road in Duluth, while another is off Tyree Road near North Helton Road and Liberty Road not far from…

(Editor's note: the following is a letter sent to Snellville Patch by Summit Chase resident Lorry Jordan. It was originally sent to the Gwinnett County Quality of Life department. The views expressed in this op-ed do not reflect those of Snellville Patch.) *Warning: some of the photos included are graphic.) After over a year and a half of purposeful neglect (since October 2011) on this property I am writing concerning an extremely dangerous situation in Summit Chase Subdivision in Snellville.  This past Saturday, my 10-year-old and 6-year-old grandson and I pulled a stray dog from the quick …

For Americans attuned to politics, the Sequester captures our attention. For everyone else, it’s a nonevent. This collective indifference is rather surprising given that the Sequester could toss our economy back into recession. Perhaps we suffer “crisis fatigue,” after Fiscal Cliff, Super Committee and Debt Ceiling. Perhaps we’ve come to terms with, and accepted, economic decline. Worst of all, perhaps ordinary Americans now view the political world as so divorced from their own that the Sequester only involves what one set of politicians does to some other politicians. The Sequester has …

(Editor's note: the following is a letter to the editor sent by George Anderson, a citizen who filed an ethics complaint against Mayor Pro Tem Tom Witts last year. The statements made are the opinion of the author, and they do not represent the views of Snellville Patch. For background information on this letter, scroll to the bottom of the story.) I make a Formal Apology to all Citizens of Snellville, Georgia, as well as, the City of Snellville elected officials for the following errors and misjudgments: I have been educating voters, as well as, monitoring elected officials across the State …

(Editor's note: this poem was sent to the editor by Claudette Forbes. She originally read it during the public comment portion of the Jan. 28 Snellville City Council Meeting. The views expressed are not representative of Patch.) Snellville - The Divided City I love this city, as I have said beforeAnd plan to stay here until I am no moreThe open pastures, peace and tranquilityInvited me to Snellville city. Sometimes I go to City HallListen to the Mayor and the Councilors allTo see how the city is being runMeet my neighbors and have a little fun. But alas! The Council is divided.They oppose …

(Editor's note: the following is a letter to the editor sent by George Anderson, a citizen who filed an ethics complaint against Mayor Pro Tem Tom Witts last year. The statements made are the opinion of the author, and they do not represent the views of Snellville Patch. For background information on this letter, scroll to the bottom of the story. Since the items in question are part of a lawsuit, Mayor and council will likely not comment. Anderson originally planned to say this during tonight's council meeting, but determined that his statements would exceed the five-minute time limit. One …

(Editor's note: the following is a letter to the editor from State Rep. Dar'shun Kendrick.) I have heard from many of you your concern about my vigorous support of a series of town hall meetings that were planned in DeKalb County but no indication of when I would host a town hall meeting in Gwinnett. Please allow me to succinctly address those concerns. I will be hosting a Town Hall Meeting in Gwinnett, possibly along with other legislators, in February, after I obtain a good grasp of the issues under the Gold Dome. However, let me explain briefly the reason for my constant promotion of the …

(Editor's note: the following is a letter to the editor sent by Jason Pfeifle, field organizer for Georgia Fair Share.) Congress, without the help of Representative Rob Woodall, finally came together to protect the middle class. On Tuesday, Congress passed a bipartisan compromise that extends much needed tax cuts for middle class Georgians and local small businesses. Unfortunately, Representative Rob Woodall, who represents a large number of local Georgians, voted, in effect, for a $2,200 tax hike on middle class families in the midst of a slow economic recovery.  By taking money out of the …

(Editor's note: the following is a Letter to the Editor written by council members Dave Emanuel, Bobby Howard, Diane Krause and Mayor Pro Tem Tom Witts.) Without question, 2012 had more than its share of challenges, but it was also a year of great accomplishments for the City of Snellville. Some of these include: A New City ManagerArguably the most important person in city government, the City Manager runs the day-to-day operations and supervises all department heads. After interviewing four exceptional candidates, the City Council selected Butch Sanders as the best of the best. In his first …

(Editor's note: the following is a letter to the editor from Rep. Rob Woodall.) Our 2012 deficit is $1.1 trillion.  While the federal government took in just as much tax revenue ($2.4 trillion) this year as it did in 2006, the annual deficit has grown 340%.   Why?   Higher spending.   Notwithstanding what is being reported in the popular press, I can tell you with certainty that Washington doesn't have a revenue problem—it has a spending problem!   This Administration's higher spending has made it the first in history to run an annual deficit exceeding one trillion dollars. This …

(Editor's note: the following is a letter to the editor sent by Jason Pfeifle, field organizer for Georgia Fair Share, in response to Rep. Rob Woodall's letter to the editor on the fiscal cliff titled "Rep. Woodall: 'I Will Not be Complicit in Kicking the Can Down the Road.'") The fiscal cliff is quickly approaching, and itʼs time for our elected officials to get something done. In a recent opinion piece in the Snellville Patch, Representative Rob Woodall called for a comprehensive solution to the pending fiscal cliff and outlined what he thinks that solution should look like: reduced …

(Editor's note: the following was sent by Rep. Rob Woodall (R) as a letter to the editor to Snellville Patch.) If you've turned on a television or opened a newspaper in the last few weeks, you've no doubt seen the so-called "fiscal cliff" conversation unfolding in Washington.  The "fiscal cliff" is Washington-speak for the expiration of Bush-era tax rates coupled with across-the-board spending cuts on many domestic spending accounts.   While the fiscal cliff coverage continues to escalate as the January deadline draws near, I can tell you these discussions are absolutely nothing new.  They …

Editor's note: the following is a letter to the editor from Mayor Pro Tem Tom Witts.  On Dec. 6, the Snellville Police Department, with the help of the Explorers and members of the Snellville Citizens Police Academy, conducted their annual 'Shop with a Cop' night. In cooperation with the Snellville Walmart and the Snellville Neighborhood Market, children chosen by the staff of Britt elementary school went shopping with a police officer to purchase gifts that their families would otherwise not be able to afford for Christmas. But this year I witnessed a twist to Shop with a Cop, a twist that …

Editor's note: the following is a letter to the editor sent by David Johnson, Hannah Rinehart's brother. Hannah passed away last month from a rare bacterial infection that led to blood poisoning. Her husband, Mark Rinehart, teaches math at South Gwinnett High School. Prior to Hannah's death, Mark and David tried to get a policy changed regarding donated Paid Time Off (PTO). The current policy does not allow faculty members to donate their unused sick days to another teacher if their spouse is ill. The following opinion is that of the author, and does not reflect the views of Patch or its …

(Editor's note: the following is a letter to the editor by South Gwinnett student Mary Williamson. Williamson will soon be Snellville Patch's Voice of South Gwinnett in a new blog.) On Wednesday, Oct. 17, the Featherbone Communiversity presented ten entrepreneurs a 'Masters of Innovation' award at the Brenau East Campus in Gainesville, Ga. A group of thirty from Snellville, including students, two Entrepreneurship teachers from South Gwinnett and Brookwood High, Snellville's Economic Development director Eric Van Otteren, and Torey Rose, a successful uniform manufacturer and entrepreneur, all…

Dear Editor, I am writing in response to the Snellville Patch’s article reporting on the June 11, 2012 Snellville City Council meeting specifically the work session agenda regarding firearms in Briscoe Park. I understand that there have been several questions asked since this article was published and would like to take an opportunity to try and clarify some of the confusion. First and foremost, this was an agenda item on the mayor and council work session for discussion purposes only. No action has been proposed in the City of Snellville in relation to firearms. The cities of Gwinnett County…

Dear Patrons: Thanks to all of you who either came and saw our productions of Dracula and Harry Potter and the Obnoxious Voice or donated financially. We were able to raise enough to negotiate with our land lord an extension on past-due expenses. We're not fully out of the woods, but it's a great start. During the next few months, we will be continuing our fund raising efforts.  In addition, we will be making adjustments to our season schedule. The first change was for our Christmas show, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Due to the high costs for rights and royalties, we felt we …

Dear Community: “Lady Warriors” remained undefeated after winning their last game of the regular season against Brookwood 12 to 8.  The Shiloh 6U fast pitch softball team faced great competition from Mountain Park and Brookwood throughout the season. The “Lady Warriors contribute their success to hard work, discipline and determination from the coaching staff, players as well as the parents. The team of 5- and 6-year-old girls are: No.3 Zoe Thompson, No. 4 Jordan Fort, No. 5 Erica Cox, No. 7 Kayla Jackson, No.8 Ashtyn Perkins, No. 9 Brittany Smith, No. 10 Kiriah Lovett, No. 80 Jaylen Benson, …

Dear Patrons: It is with a heavy heart that I send this message to you.  New London Theatre has been fighting a battle which has now become greater than we can handle. In fixing the air conditioning and keeping our theatre up to code with the fire marshal, we have financial woes that have made it difficult to continue to create the best theatre experience for you and are asking for your help. We need to raise $15,000 by the end of the month to keep our doors open.  This is where you come in.  Please PLEASE find it in your heart to help us continue to create wonderful shows for you to not only…