Unincorporated Snellville Takes Center Stage During Commissioners Town Hall Meeting

Last week’s town hall meeting with the Board of Commissioners in Grayson focused on the Centerville area of Gwinnett County, which includes much of the area between Snellville city limits and Lithonia. 

The area, represented by Commissioner Tommy Hunter, is an unincorporated part of Gwinnett County. Hunter replaced Mike Beaudreau in the most recent elections and told the crowd he would do “as much good as humanly possible.” 

“It’s going to take each one of you to decide where this county’s going to go,” he added.

Judging by comments from the large crowd gathered in the Grayson High School auditorium, the general consensus seemed to be that the Highway 124 corridor that stretches from Snellville to Lithonia needs some major upgrades. 

Curtis McGill, a resident of that part of town and former county commissioner, once again spoke about the 30039 zipcode, referring to it again as a "lost colony" that needs more police protection. This time, his wife, Lydia, chimed in.

She referenced numerous long-time residents that live along Temple Johnson Road in unincorporated Gwinnett, just outside of Snellville city limits, who have put up electric gates on their properties. Her best friend, who has also lived in the area since the '70s, goes to bed with a loaded gun.

"I’m not comfortable anymore in the South Gwinnett part of town," she told the board. "You've got to step up to the plate and put your foot down. This has been home for a long time, but I don’t think putting up a gated fence is going to help."

Other issues mentioned were much-needed upgrades in Lenora Park, the need for sidewalks on Mink Livsey Road and general beautification of the Centerville side of town.

"It doesn’t seem that anyone is giving any consideration to making our area of Centerville better or more pleasing to the eye," resident Andy Copeland told the board. "We have lived there over 20 years, and to us it’s home. I want it to be home for many years to come, and with some attention from the Commissioners we can make it what it needs to be." 

He also discussed the high amount of traffic on Highway 124 from Lawrenceville to Snellville during rush hour.

Hunter assured the audience that, overall, Gwinnett County is a safe place to be, although "we do have a personal responsibility to protect ourselves."

"You’ve got an advocate in this chair," he added. He assured residents that they would be included in taskforces that involve zoning ordinances, and that if there is a concern, residents are welcome to contact him. 

For further reading: 

• Unincorporated Snellville Feels Like 'Lost Colony'
• Speak Out: Is Unincorporated Snellville a Lost Colony?