District Attorney Danny Porter Endorses Charles Bannister!
"I have been involved in law enforcement in Gwinnett County for almost twenty-seven years and during that time I have unfailingly supported the Gwinnett County Police Department. It is my firm belief that in a county like Gwinnett, day-to-day law enforcement should be left to a well-trained, well-equipped county police department which is answerable to the elected Board of Commissioners.
I believe that the Sheriff's office should perform its primary statutory duties of serving warrants and civil papers, maintaining the jail, and providing court security and should only incidentally be involved in initiating criminal investigations. One need only look to Clayton or Fulton County to see the folly of placing law enforcement responsibility in the hands of one person. Butch Conway is a fine man and a fine Sheriff, but even here in Gwinnett we have not always been so blessed. Even the possibility that the county police would be deprived of resources so that our law enforcement efforts would be diluted should be of great concern to any law-abiding citizen.
Because of my deep concern over this issue, and because of his demonstrated commitment to the Gwinnett County Police Department, I am supporting Charles Bannister for County Commission Chairman in Tuesday's primary election."
-Danny Porter
Posted by Administrator in Uncategorized
on 7/13/2008
Bannister Continues to Deliver: Plans for Ronald Reagan Parkway Extension.
Chairman Bannister and Gwinnett County are currently working with the state and federal government to extend Ronald Reagan Parkway.
The purpose of the project will be to extend Ronald Reagan to I-85 in order to reduce severe congestion on Pleasant Hill Rd., Steve Reynolds Blvd., US 29, and Beaver Ruin Road.
More details of this project will be forthcoming.
Posted by Administrator in Uncategorized
on 6/9/2008
Congressman John Linder Endorses Chairman Bannister!
News Release
_____________________________________
May 27, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Congressman John Linder Endorses Chairman Charles Bannister’s Campaign for Reelection
In a statement released Friday, May 23, 2008, Congressman John Linder has endorsed Charles Bannister for reelection as Chairman of the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners. The Congressman stated, “I am proud to endorse my good friend Charles Bannister for his reelection as Chairman of the Gwinnett County Commission. Chairman Bannister has been a leader in Gwinnett County for many years and has a long and distinguished history of public service.”
Congressman Linder continued, by saying, “As his first term as Chairman comes to a close, it is clear that he has contributed to the betterment of Gwinnett County. Charles has represented the citizens of Gwinnett with vision, character, and integrity for the past four years, and I look forward to that same kind of leadership for the next four years.”
Charles Bannister said, “It is an honor to have the support of such a fine leader. Congressman Linder has been a strong voice for Gwinnett County, Georgia, and the entire country with innovative ideas such as the Fair Tax and 21st Century Water Strategy.”
Congressman John Linder is well respected in the 7th Congressional District of Georgia. Congressman Linder, an 8 term Congressman, received over 70% of the vote in the last election.
“I am humbled by the endorsement and support of Congressman John Linder. I know that the Congressman is as committed to the future of Gwinnett County as I am. I look forward to working with him as we continue to work for the families of Gwinnett County,” said Bannister.
Posted by Administrator in Uncategorized
on 5/29/2008
Chairman Bannister's Plan for his Next Term
Much has been accomplished under Chairman Bannister's leadership the last 3 years. He has kept his promises to the people of Gwinnett by working to reduce traffic, enhance public safety, and create jobs.
But Bannister is not stopping there.
In his next term:
Chairman Bannister has a plan to reduce property taxes on homeowners in Gwinnett. This plan could reduce property taxes by at least 30%.
Working with county officials to enact an ordinance blocking illegal immigrants from obtaining business licenses.
Ethics reform. In his next term, Bannister will implement a plan that will call on all who lobby for rezoning requests to register with the county.
Continue focusing on reducing traffic
Work with state and federal officials to bring new roads to Gwinnett
Continue to enhance our police force and give them the resources they need to crack down on drugs and gangs.
Work to attract more high-paying, high-quality jobs
Continue to promote revitalization
Continue to fight illegal immigration
Continue to protect our quality of life.
Posted by Administrator in Uncategorized
on 5/21/2008
Crack Down on Crime in Gwinnett Continues!
Gang arrests top 300 since March
Police: Graffiti suspects caught in the act
By Josh Green
Staff Writer
DULUTH - Five teens wielding spray paint and markers were the latest catch for Gwinnett police's new gang task force, an initiative responsible for arresting 300 gang members in six weeks, police said.
In an effort to crack down on gang activity in Gwinnett, personnel from the county's existing police gang task force recently joined forces with community response units. The 35-member squad has worked with agencies such as the FBI and ICE to gather intelligence, make arrests and initiate special investigations.
Since the task force materialized March 9, the group has tallied 308 arrests and 535 citations, Gwinnett police spokeswoman Cpl. Illana Spellman said.
Gangs in the county are involved in a number of illegal enterprises, from dealing drugs and stealing cars to prostitution and burglary, police said.
Gang activity starts among teenagers, as was evidenced by five recent graffiti arrests, police said.
• On April 2, two 14-year-old boys were arrested on trespassing charges for allegedly tagging the Covered Bridge Subdivision in Duluth. Police said both juveniles associate themselves with the Latin Kings gang.
• On April 6, an officer found three teens carrying spray paint and markers near the intersection of Old Norcross Road and Hopkins Mill Road, a known graffiti trouble spot in Duluth. Suspects include a 16-year-old Duluth teen, Jorge Maravilla, 18, of Duluth, and Jobanny Sanchez, 17, of Winder. All three were charged with interference with government property, a felony, for tagging several roadway signs in the area, police said.
Who is responsible for graffiti clean-up depends on where taggers put it.
When graffiti appears on county property, such as stop signs and road markers, police usually call officials with local nonprofit Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful for clean-up work, Gwinnett police spokesman Officer David Schiralli said.
Graffiti on private property is a different matter. Homeowners have 72 hours to remove graffiti before officers can issue a notice informing them they're violating the law. Should the graffiti remain, officers can issue citations, Schiralli said.
Exactly when the citation is issued "is up to the discretion of the officer, depending on the extent of the violation," he said.
Source: Gwinnett Daily Post
Posted by Administrator in Uncategorized
on 5/21/2008
County Millage Rate May Drop
County millage rate may drop
By Camie Young
Senior Writer
LAWRENCEVILLE - For the 13th year in a row, county finance officials are recommending commissioners roll back the Gwinnett millage rate, which could reduce taxes for homeowners by a few dollars.
Rises in property values increased the county's tax digest by $548 million, but officials recommend rolling back the millage to avoid a tax increase, as is mandated by the state Taxpayer Bill of Rights.
"I think it sends, at this time, a good message to the taxpayers of Gwinnett County," Chairman Charles Bannister said. "Even though the valuations are out there, they won't see an increase in taxes."
But Commissioner Bert Nasuti said the county's trend of rolling back taxes cannot continue with the increase in the cost of services.
"Our expenses don't roll back and never have," Nasuti said. "I'm all for lowering taxes, but one reason things are so high now is because we do this every year. ... I think we need to re-evaluate how we do this."
Although the county portion of tax bills has decreased 41 percent since 1990, homeowners have seen bills increase over the years because the school system does not follow the county government's roll back trend.
School officials have recommended continuing the combined millage rate of 20.55 for 2008, while county officials recommend a rollback of 0.08 to 0.12 to 11 or 10.96 mills.
For a house appraised at $185,1000, there would be a $5 reduction in the county portion of the bill, according to staff.
Commissioners will adopt the budget next month, with bills going out on July 15 - the day three of the five commissioners will be on primary ballots.
Source: Gwinnett Daily Post
Posted by Administrator in Uncategorized
on 5/21/2008
Today, Chairman Charles Bannister announced that he has requested County Administrator, Jock Connell, to work toward forming a study group to look into alternative sources of water supply for Gwinnett County and to include the possibility of the creation of new water reservoirs.
For the last number of years, Georgia, and especially Gwinnett County have been under a tremendous strain in regard to water supply. Gwinnett County’s main source of water, Lake Lanier, is not controlled by Gwinnett County nor is it used solely for Gwinnett County citizens. Water from the Lake Lanier Reservoir is used by other parts of Georgia as well as Alabama and Florida. In a news report last week, it was stated that Lake Lanier is 13 feet below where it should be moving into the summer season.
Said Bannister, “After asking the citizens of Gwinnett to take measures to conserve water like buying new toilets, sacrificing their landscaping, and jobs, it is time for Gwinnett County Government to step up future planning.”
Chairman Bannister has asked the County Administrator to begin looking at the possibility of building a new reservoir in Gwinnett County. The intent and passage of Senate Bill 342, during the recent legislative session, was to speed up the development of reservoirs. Chairman Bannister’s proposal will do just that.
Said Bannister, “It is time for us to plan ahead as strains on our current sources of water continue to grow. Just as Congressman John Linder pointed out in his 21st Century Water Strategy, “trillions of gallons of water fall on Gwinnett every year, we just don’t capture it.” It’s time that Gwinnett steps up planning to capture that water.”
Posted by Bannister for Chairman in Uncategorized
on 5/12/2008
Bannister Delivers at Debate!
Chairman Bannister participated in a debate Monday night hosted by the Greater Gwinnett Republican Women.
On Monday night, the candidates were asked an array of questions on many different issues from transportation to illegal immigration and taxes.
Bannister highlighted successes in transportation, cracking down on illegal immigrants and discussed plans to reduce taxes and continue to fight against illegal immigration.
Bannister pointed out the record of accomplishments of the last three years as Chairman—pointing out that over $500 million had been spent on over 100 transportation projects aimed at reducing traffic congestion. Some of these projects were as simple as adding excel and decel lanes, synchronizing traffic lights and re-stripping and some were complex as the I-85/Sr 316 Interchange.
When asked about illegal immigration, Bannister said, “Illegal immigration is a serious issue in Gwinnett. Since March of 2007, I have been leading the charge to get the 287(g) program implemented, and I am glad we have finally made that a reality. We have come along way, but I am not done yet.” Bannister indicated he was in the process of checking with the Legal Department on the possibility of refusing business licenses to illegal immigrants in the County.
Also, when Bannister was asked about county revenue being down from last year and if taxes would have to be raised, he said, “I would be more inclined to find ways to cut taxes, and that the county needed a Reagan-esque answer to the shortfall.” Bannister also said that he has a plan to reduce property taxes in his next term.”
Posted by Administrator in Uncategorized
on 5/8/2008
Thank you for visiting my new campaign website!
It has been a tremendous honor to serve you, my neighbors, as your Gwinnett County Commission Chairman. Under my leadership, we have been able to accomplish great things over the last 3 years, and I look forward to continuing that record of service in my next term. I thank you for your support over the years, and I am asking for your vote and continued support in the upcoming election. In the coming weeks, we will be keeping you up to date on accomplishments, plans and exciting news from the campaign trail. Stay tuned and check back often!
Posted by Charles Bannister in Uncategorized
on 4/21/2008
