Time is very short. Below is an Open Letter to Gwinnett Taxpayers which the Gwinnett Daily Post printed yesterday. I hope you will read it and pass this email along to as many Gwinnett residents and businesses as you can. Also, please call the commissioners and express your outrage at their failure to reduce county government 770-822-7010 Charles Bannister
770-822-7001 Shirley Lasseter
770-822-7002 Best Nasuti
770-822-7003 Mike Beaudreau
770 822-7004 Kevin Kenerly
OPEN LETTER TO GWINNETT TAXPAYERS MAY 22, 2009
As mayor of Suwanee, I can attest firsthand that local governments are profoundly affected by these challenging economic times. I can also promise that the Suwanee City Council is doing everything in its power to hold the line on taxes.
People are hurting. Many have lost jobs or taken pay cuts. Businesses are facing unprecedented challenges. Nonprofits are trying to survive. Everyone seems to be doing whatever they can keep costs down. Well, not everyone.
Earlier this week, our Gwinnett County Commissioners announced their plan to raise your property taxes by more than 25 percent - 30 percent if you live in a city - so they can expand their 2009 budget by about 10 percent over their 2008 budget. We don't have the exact figures because they still won't publish the budget they adopted March 3.
You see, even though we're nearly halfway into the fiscal year, without their budget document, the public is being kept in the dark. Our commissioners are ballooning county government in the worst economy anyone can remember.
Forty-three million of this enormous $87 million property tax increase isn't even planned to be spent in 2009 - they're socking it away in something called "working capital reserve." Our commissioners have decided it's better to overtax you and hoard those dollars than for you to pay your mortgage, health care or for your kids' education.
Under the guise of public safety, our commissioners have hatched a curious plan to hire 170 more officers to start patrolling inside cities that are already policed effectively by the cities. This wasteful and dangerous duplication will require another $17 to 20 million of your money in new taxes - can't know for certain without the budget. Sheriff Butch Conway calls their scheme a "terrible mistake."
Growing the size of government in these economic times is exactly the wrong thing for any elected body. It's quite obvious that our commissioners are oblivious to the reality that the rest of us face. We're cutting back, yet they're expanding their county largesse and sending us the bill. And it's going to be a whopper.
State law requires our commissioners hold three public hearings at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center before they set these new tax rates. Two are scheduled for Tuesday, the day after Memorial Day. The third is June 2, after which the county will vote on the new tax rate.
I plan to attend all of them, and hope you will, too.
Have we learned anything from the county's recent "trash plan" episode? This time, will we make our voices heard to our elected commissioners before they take action on this outrageous tax hike?
If not, brace yourself for a doozie of a county tax bill.
Dave Williams, Mayor
City of Suwanee, GA
http://gwinnettdailypost.com/main.asp?SectionID=17&SubSectionID=116&ArticleID=60158&TM=43811.45
This letter is posted with the permission of the writer.
Those with the crystal ball continue to say the bottom is near. How long have we heard that? In a recent "reading of the crystal ball, chief economist, Mark Zandi with Moody's Economy, Inc. targeted December 15, 2009 for the bottom (Realtor.org/April 28, 2009-Source: Wall Street Journal. June Fletcher, April 24, 2009). Hmm.....One has to surmize it will all depend on your market location.
Steve Palm with Smart Numbers shows the inventory for single family homes in Atlanta declined the end of April compared to March. He noted, "...we are now approaching 2006 inventory levels." (May 21, 2009). Contrast this to a recent news cast predicting the Atlanta market might be in this a bit longer than December 15, 2009. However, it still doesn't mean you can't sell your home or that you have to give your house away. As I have mentioned in previous post, Tips on Selling Your Home, you can be very successful in selling your home, if you PREPARE and EDUCATE yourself!
Recapping April, 2009 is outlined below. Units and average sales price is down. However, if appreciable housing inventory levels continue to decline as Steve Palm noted then it may be "safe" to assume we may begin to see a SLOW upswing in home values. Time will tell....
NOW is the time!!! If you have been sitting on the fence waiting
to buy a new home....NOW IS THE TIME!!! And, time is of
the essence. Two credits are now available for home buyers
in the state of Georgia. The Federal First Time Home Buyer
Tax Credit and the Georgia Home Buyer Tax Credit (House
Bill 261).
Interest rates are at an historical low - 4.5%, making this opportunity
even sweeter. And, these low rates won't last forever! Like the
tax credits, all good things will come to an end....NOW IS THE TIME!
As I had mentioned in a previous post, the $8,000 First Time
Homebuyer Tax Credit is great but how do first time home
buyers make the purchase if their funds are limited. The new
down payment guidelines under FHA is 3.5% and Conventional
is 10% (up from 5% earlier this year).
No one disputes financing guide lines needed to be tightened.
But if you are going to throw out a carrot to this segment of the
home buying community to help stiumulate the housing market,
it only makes sense (if you have worked in real estate long enough)
to know these buyers are usually young and have limited funds.
On Tuesday, the Federal Housing Assocation (FHA) came to realize
the same thing!
FHA is going to allow home buyers to use the $8,000 First Time
Home Buyer Tax Credit as a down payment. With the assistance of
an approved, lender, buyers will be able to access these funds through
a short term "bridge loan." According to Shaun Donovan, Secretary of
the U. S. Treasury, "We all want to enable FHA consumers to access the
home buyer tax credit funds when they close on their home loans so
that the cash can be used as a down payment." This new change, in
my opinion, should have an exponential effect going forward on the
number of first time home buyers seeking to be home owners vs. what
we were seeing previously.
Additionally, if you live in the state of Georgia, more good news!
The Governor has signed HB 261 an $1800 tax credit for first time
home buyers. There are a couple of facts to be aware of:
Great opportunities abound for the first time home buyer: Historically
low interest rates, selection AND the $8,000 First Time Home Buyer
Tax Credit.....It doesn't get much better than this!!! 
CONGRATULATIONS SUWANEE!!! You did it again!
The GOLD award was presented to the City for: "Best 
The notorious "Suwanee Day Festival" and the 2008
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Serving ALL of Gwinnett County Specializing in: Suwanee, Buford and Duluth Realtor, ABR, Active Phoenix Member
Thank you for visiting "Suwanee Talk". You will find a collection of current events, local and national market information as well as the ability to search the MLS...and, may be some information that is just for fun and good for the soul.
I have been a resident of Suwanee for over 20 years; and, I have been a licensed Realtor in Georgia for over 13 years with my area of expertise in Gwinnett County; specifically, Suwanee, Duluth and Buford. All my real estate experience has been right here in Atlanta.
During my years as a Realtor, I have prided myself on strong business ethics, honesty, integrity, a strong knowledge and understanding of our real estate market (yesterday, today and tomorrow) as well as a high level of professionalism while providing a personal commitment to client satisfaction. And, hopefully, I make the whole experience a bit fun at the same time! I enjoy relationship building with both the homeowners and buyers I work with. At the end of the transaction, I never say "good-bye..." it's "until we meet again." I pride myself in being there for you well after the transaction and make it a point to stay in touch with you and letting you know I am there for you if you need me; or better yet, just to hear how things are going.
Named for Button Gwinnett, signer of the Declaration of Independence, Gwinnett County originated in 1818. Some of the county's land came from neighboring Jackson County (to the north); while frontier land was ceded to the state by the Creek Indians.
Gwinnett County emcompasses the following cities: Buford, Dacula, Duluth, Grayson, Lawrenceville, Lilburn, Norcross, Sugar Hill, Suwanee and Snellville. Gwinnett County has been one of the fastest growing counties in America over the past 20 years combining big city living with the small town feel of the suburbs.
Gwinnett County is home to approximately 776,347 residents (according to Gwinnett County Forecasting and Research Division estimates, 2007). The county lies approximately 30 miles northeast of Atlanta and the county seat is located in Lawrenceville, GA. The county encompasses 437 square miles and is neighbor to Barrow, DeKalb, Fulton, Hall, Jackson, Rockdale and Walton counties. We are the gateway to metro Atlanta from the north on I-85 and I-985. The University of Georgia is about a 40 minute drive via Hwy 316 (University Parkway); while Georgia State University is approximately a 25 minute drive south on I-85. We enjoy the luxury of being just minutes from beautiful Lake Lanier a 700 mile shoreline lake offering water park, picnicking, boating, golf, beach, horse back riding, hotel accomodations and so much more!
GWINNETT CITIES:
Gwinnett County Schools - Gwinnett County schools rank some of the highest scores in the state. The quality of education is one of the reasons people are attraced to the county. The curriculum used by the county school system is "Acquired Knowledge and Skills (AKS). Gateway testing is the barometer to determine whether studes are prepared to move up through the grades.
Gwinnett Colleges:
Georgia Gwinnett College is the first four year college in the county. Located off Hwy 316 at Collins Hill Road .
Gwinnett Technical College offers certificate and diploma programs. Located off Hwy 316 and Sugarloaf Pkwy.
Norcross Snellville Sugar Hill Suwanee
THINGS TO SEE AND DO:
Atlanta Coaliton of the Performing Arts - Atlanta's thriving, diverse performing arts community. Includes professional theatres, dance companies, symphonies and more.
Atlanta Botanical Gardens - The mission of the Atlanta Botanical Gardens is to develop and maintain collections for display, education, research, conservation and enjoyment. Come see what is in bloom.
Georgia Aquarium - World's largest aquarium and one of Atlanta's major attractions. Eight million gallons of fresh and marine water aquatic life. Come and enjoy! See aquatic life you've never seen before...If you are planning to visit this wonderful display, make advance arrangements.
Zoo Atlanta - Experience one of the finest zoos in the southeast.
Six Flags Over Georgia - Southeast's number one theme park.
Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites - Explore the great outdoors of beautiful Georgia!
World of Coca-Cola - Explore the complete story - past, present and future surrounding the world's best known "cola" drink.
Atlanta Motor Speedway - NASCAR speedway
Six Flags White Water - One of the top 10 waters parks in the country. Come enjoy the thrill!
Atlanta Symphony Orchesra - Enjoy the amazing and powerful sounds of the Atlanta Symphony.
Fox Theatre - Come get a taste of Broadway, experience the sounds of award winning music legends or the performance from well reknowned personalities
SPORTS
The Atlanta Vision - Semi-pro basketball team in Gwinnett. Official member of the American Basketball Association.
The 2005-2006 Division Champions (770-482-7994)
Atlanta Braves - One of the most successful franchises in baseball. Enjoy a game at their fabulous new stadium (404-614-1300)
Atlanta Falcons - Action packed games with our very own Atlanta Falcons football team (404- 223-8444)
Atlanta Hawks - Experience the thrill of NBA basketball with the Atlanta Hawks (866-715-1500)
Atlanta Thrashers - Enjoy the thrill of professional hockey at the Phillips Arena (866-715-1500)
Georgia Force - Arena football returns to Gwinnett - Gwinnet Arena (770-965-4944)
Gwinnett Braves - Triple A Team moving from Richmond, VA to Gwinnett beginning in 2009. Come join the fun and cheer them on.
A brand new stadium is being built at 2500 Buford Drive in Lawrenceville, GA (404-614-1300)
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