Lawrenceville.Talk

By Deborah Lee

May 17, 2006 08:49 AM | Link to this

Please do not call the people who lived here twenty years ago “natives”. These people just happened to be born here because their ancestors won a lottery and the government chased the Native Americans off of the land and gave it to them. As a transplant who moved here 25 years ago before anyone else I remember when Gwinnett did not have a mall. I remember the Klu Klux Klan having meetings in Norcross. I remember people looking at me like I was from outer space because I had a northern accent. I was from Maryland which is below the Mason Dixon Line but they would always ask if I was from New York. There are hardly any so called native left they have all moved to Jackson and Barrow County because they are afraid of all of the “foreigners and Yankees”. We chased them off their land. HA HA

By Dennis Billew

May 17, 2006 09:31 AM | Link to this

As a native Gwinnetian, and starting at the bottom of your list: 1. Correction there are no Sunday sales of Package adult beverages. You can get anything you want if you will sit down and eat. I also would like to be able to buy a six pack on Sunday, but this is not in my top 25 things to change.

QT began its moved into metro-Atlanta in the early 1990’s. They are newcomers also.

Ad valorem rates are not that high, but they have increased because of the demands newcomers make on the system. “In my city/state they did it this way. I want Duluth/Gwinnett/Georgia do it the same way?” Government services cost money.

Our yards were cultivated until the 1950’s. Then we abandoned most of the fields and let nature do any restoration. Today is an improvement over my younger days.

5.Life was quiet before people discovered that Gwinnett was a great place to live. In those days we had to drive to work inside the perimeter. Today there are abundant work opportunities all over Gwinnett. No one is required to leave Gwinnett for any necessity. Commuting to Atlanta is an option. Regarding Walmart: Actually people came to Gwinnett first. K-Mart, Walmart, Target and the others followed the people. You know it seems to always happen that way. These companies just will not open a store where there are no customers. Bummer.

Your TV comment is strange to me considering your normally worthwhile comments. TV signals originally traveled through the air to be picked up by attennas. This still happens. The city limits or I-285 are not barriers to TV signals. Cable TV, like K-Mart, follows the people. Why would you assume that the people that you join in discussions of American Idol are Native Georgians? Do you even know 100 Native Georgians? That is a lot like saying that every bad driver with a Gworgia license plate is a native. Not so.

The entertainment was limited, but so was the number of people seeking entertainment. We had parties. We drove into Atlanta. We watched TV. We visited with each other. Now that is a lost art.

8.This native Gwinnettian is not tired of people coming. I do grow weary of the complaining about being here which all to often follows the coming. I grow weary of news media who seek out only the people who are willing to complain about being here. If people are so unhappy why do they stay and why do they continue to come?

Ah, that was your original question. Each person has his/her reasons and the reasons are many. I can tell you why I stay. I like it here. My wife likes it here. Our brothers and sisters and their families like it here. Gwinnett is our home. Thank you very much.

By me

May 17, 2006 09:32 AM | Link to this

Deborah Lee - You are an industrial strength Hoover

By INTOWNER

May 17, 2006 02:47 PM | Link to this

Gwinnett is just one huge, ugly strip mall h3ll. Who cares where the people come from, they are all attracted to the same treeless wasteland.

By Newbie

May 17, 2006 03:42 PM | Link to this

I am new to the area, I came from South Florida in search of a better atmosphere for my family. You want to see a treeless wasteland? Take a trip to South Florida sometime. Between the hurricanes and the strip malls the only trees are the silk ones in the food court or palm trees planted in the medians. I for one am happy with my move and look forward to many years in Gwinnett County.

By wiseone

May 17, 2006 03:53 PM | Link to this

The people coming to Gwinnett are the immigrants. Proof: (1) the changing demographics of my neighborhood, in which I am now the white minority (2) I went to Discover Mills mall last Sunday. It was very crowded and teeming with immigrants — mostly Mexican, but I also saw other nationalities. I was a very small minority. I went to Books a Million, and it was very quiet, filled with mostly whites (who are evidently the only ones who can read English anymore). I am becoming concerned — not about anyone’s nationality, but about the loss of literacy and respect for our country.

By Mari Sitner

May 17, 2006 03:55 PM | Link to this

I am a true Georgia Native, born and raised here and grew up in Dekalb County for the majority of my life. I moved out here to get away from DeKalb because was busting at the seams and I just wanted to get to some peace and quiet to the boonies. I didn’t mind having to drive 10 to 15 miles to go to the grocery store. I loved living out in the boonies, that was my reason for moving out here. I drive over 60 miles to work and back each day which is now taking me over an hour to do now since so much is built up out here. I don’t mind people moving out here I am just sick of businesses mot caring about anything but the all mighty dollar and seeing how many business and houses they can sqeeze in an area and congest it even more. I loved living out in what I considered country and still not being too far to get to the city if I needed to. Now it is in my face. I loved looking at farm land and cows on my way home. Now everytime I turn around there is another shopping center going up that ends up staying empty and all the beauty that was there is now gone and new subdivision popping up everywhere. Do the county officials know how much the sewerage system can take in one area or to they care. My parents retired and moved out here for the same reason, for peace and quiet. Now there are so many subdivisions built around them, mind you without improving the sewerage system and now when you go by the sub station the smell is horrible. My parents can’t even go outside there home without smelling “CRAP” from the sub station and no one will do anything about it. They just keep building more houses.

By Mrs. Lovely

May 17, 2006 04:00 PM | Link to this

I’m only there because of the school system & the cheap gas. Once my daughter graduates & the gas starts getting close to every other county back to Atlanta I go. Gwinnett is way to “Over rated”

By Boo

May 17, 2006 04:09 PM | Link to this

I remember when Gwinnett did not even have a black hair salon, and Beaver Ruin Road was only a two-laner. I also remember when there were not any clubs Blacks could frequent, not that there are many spots now, but there is Barnacles, Dos Colpos (Z), and the new one behind Chick Fil A on Pleasant Hill. Oceans closed I heard. Gwinnett County has been the fastest growing city in the nation for over twenty years from what I remember. Also, Marta was always voted against in Gwinnett, which is the craziest thing Gwinnett could have done. Just think how much less traffic 85South and 316 would be if Gwinnett had the train. The park and ride bus on Indian Trial costs $6.00 per day. That is outrageous. I moved out to Gwinnett when the sales tax was only 3%, and I think Fulton County was 6 or 7% at the time. That is why everyone moves to Gwinnett. Sales taxes are less.

By Janet_G

May 17, 2006 04:10 PM | Link to this

I moved to the Atlanta area and eventually Gwinnett, about 10 years ago from the Florida Panhandle. I have lived in New Orleans and Washington, D.C. and many other places and I can tell you Atlanta is the best.

The weather here is wonderful compared to living further south or up north. The city is beautiful with many more trees than most cities have. The cost of living is low compared to northern or east coast cities and the jobs are plentiful. If you think our traffic is bad, try commuting in Washington, D.C. or L.A.! Their traffic makes ours look like a piece of cake. The people here are friendly and talk to you on the street or in the store, something that NEVER happened in Wash. D.C. Up north, if someone speaks to you on the street, you are probably about to be mugged!

Gwinnett County has it’s problems with sprawl and out-of-control development, but it also has an award-winning park system and a progressive and open county government. We have a four-year college, several interesting and historic downtown areas,i.e., Lawrenceville, Buford, Norcross, Suwannee, Duluth, etc., a symphony orchestra, a ballet company, several local theater companies, a world-class concert venue, minor league sports teams, etc., etc. There is always something to do here and if you think not, you are only 20 minutes from downtown Atlanta on the weekends. Housing is inexpensive and the school systems are the best in Georgia. What’s not to love? I’ve been in Gwinnett almost two years now and I’m staying!

By Linda Swanson

May 17, 2006 04:17 PM | Link to this

I have lived here all my 67 years and was happy until the traffic became a problem. I live right in the heart of Lawrenceville near the airport, and I cannot motivate around the city unless I get tied up in traffic at some point. Also, the air planes come right over my house and the big ones come in sometimes at 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning and will blow you out of your bed. Gone are the days when you could would down the streets of Lawrenceville and know everyone you met. I work with many nationalities and they are just as frustrated as many of us “old timers” with the traffic. Just take a drive over to Jackson, Franklin or counties further up I-85, and you can appreciate why Gwinnett Countians are moving. Jackson County is raising their taxes to match Gwinnett County and so is Franklin County. The schools are smaller and poorer, the traffic is better now, but wait a couple of years and the traffic and taxes will be just as bad as Gwinnett. There is no answer to these problems as long as Gwinnett County continues to grow. I advise you to get out your cameras and make pictures of what trees are left in the county so you can show these pictures to your children and grandchildren as one day there will be few trees and plenty of asphalt. Probably why people continue to live here, if they are so unhappy, is because of the job opportunities and the other benefits that are not offered in other cities. You can have a good weekend without having to drive to downtown Atlanta.

By JACQUELINE

May 17, 2006 04:50 PM | Link to this

Dear Dennis, thanks for your thorough comments. My response to the TV comment is, first, I love Gwinnett and would love if every Lawrenceville resident would respond just like you. We are too quiet. We are the county seat and the highest readership and we need to speak up. But if you move your mouse back to this home page and click on the other blogs, you’ll find 500 some comments on the American Idol blog everyday! And trust me, they know exactly where they are coming from!

Also, when I first moved here, I waited one week for a cable appointment. I bought every antenna system Sears had to offer and still nothing! Snow and more snow. I’m happy though because in DeKalb, we’d get snow in the middle of the day for no reason and the cable companies changed three times but never answered their phones.

Also, I know my tags are cheaper than other counties here. But I still long for the $30 tag fees of Florida. But then again, their gas right now is well over $3. So you win that one.

Dear Janet, Do you know of any of these FL counties: Okaloosa, Escambia, Santa Rosa?

Thanks for your comments and keep them coming! And write back with what you’d like to talk about next.

By justin

May 17, 2006 04:55 PM | Link to this

Heres an idea, if the transplants dont want to be here….Delta’s ready when you are…go home…you’re ruining the South.

By lida

May 17, 2006 05:00 PM | Link to this

the whole town is a craptown now! Too many immigrants and no class left whatsoever! Sad, sad,sad.

By Jonny

May 17, 2006 05:15 PM | Link to this

I grew up in Gwinnett and graduated HS in 1993 and in that relatively small window of time, Gwinnett has become an overgrown strip mall. The traffic is horrible, the scenery pitiful, and the character is gone. I remember thinking back in 1997 that Gwinnett should just pave the whole county and be done with it. Little did I know that this is nearly what is being attempted. Progress? I guess for some it is their idea of progress. Supply and Demand and the people living in Gwinnett these days demand Wal-Marts, fast food chains and nail salons. Not my cup of tea so I moved into Atlanta a long time ago. At least the surface streets are manageable even during rush hours. Gwinnett, shoot, just try getting around on Pleasant Hill at just about any time of the day without not wanting to paint the interior of your car with your own blood. It’s bad.

Traffic and homogenous chain stores are what I think of when I think of Gwinnett these days.

By Lamonte

May 17, 2006 05:16 PM | Link to this

Another great blog Jacqueline! I am a transplant that has been in Atlanta 8 years now. I have lived in Gwinnett the entire time. Norcross was OK five years ago, but parts of it today are getting really run down, and I only like to speed through certain parts of it and get out of it really quickly on my way to ATL or L'ville. So I moved out to Lawrenceville to get out of Norcross. I knew when I bought my property here that this would be a totally different place in 5 years....that's the reason I bought because with all these PEOPLE coming, my property value and land continue to APPRECIATE!!! So I APPRECIATE that Gwinnett is, has been, and will continue to be one of the fastest growing areas in America! It's money in the bank for me baby! And as for the traffic, you just need to get you some shortcuts sweetheart. (I live near Highway 29...it's a straight shot to E. Ponce De Leon in ATL!) I APPRECIATE being in Gwinnett due to the cheap property and land APPRECIATION. I have 12, yes 12 Super-Walmarts within a 12 mile radius of my house (seriously), there are 3 major malls near my house; Gwinnett, Discover Mills, and Mall of Georgia....who needs Lenox? The schools are overcrowded, but they are some of the best in the state...it is the largest school system in the state, and good schools are important when buying or selling property. Gwinnett has black barber shops poppin' up all over the place, and NOW, we have nice, new black megachurches coming everywhere, right here in Duluth and Lilburn... (what about that as a blog Jacqueline?... the dramatic increase of black churches in Gwinnett and churches of all nationalities........thank God, I no longer have to drive to Lithonia to go to church...I now have a WORLD CLASS ministry here in Gwinnett!) Also, Gwinnett is national headquarters to one of the fastest growing businesses in North America, located right here in Duluth near Pleasant Hill Road and I-85! Gwinnett is great! We have world class churches, malls, our own arena, a few minor league sports teams, and soon, WE WILL EVEN HAVE A SKYLINE!!!! There are a few clubs here now if you like to hang out, and the property is cheap. So if you love to drive like I do, I'm in utopia driving my luxury vehicle all over Gwinnett/ATL!!! There is a certain energy of prosperity when you're driving on I-85....This is as good as it gets folks. I have easy access to a world class city called the ATL, that the world is moving to...making it the 4th largest metro area in the U.S....what more could you ask for? ATL hosts annual events such as MEGAFEST, and many sporting events such as Final Four and Superbowl!!! I have a job at a world class company, in a world class city, and a world class suburb, with a world class ministry...It doesn't get much better than this folks...and the more grateful I am, the more God blesses me! One day I'll be a millionaire, buying my piece of Gwinnett in the Sugarloaf Country Club!!! (with my celebrity football player friends) Oh, but I also will have that condo in Atlantic Station.....but I'll keep my property in Gwinnett and rent it out to future Gwinnettians! So keep on coming to the ATL y'all, and for those hundreds of thousands of folks that are reading this blog, and wish they could be here in the ATL, make it happen, and when you get here come to Gwinnett, and I'll rent you out some cheap property!!!

Gwinnett is Great and ATL is off the chain!!!

By Wade

May 17, 2006 05:24 PM | Link to this

I moved here from NY 4 years ago. I moved to NY from Antigua(Caribbean) 29 yrs ago. I love Gwinnett, I don’t mind paying ad valorem, because I drive on excellent roads. Ask NY toll takers about all that $7 that they collect.

I think everyone should speak and write English. In fact, I think that English should be pronounced as the OFFICIAL LANGUAGE of the United States.

This is to say that Gwinnett County is the perfect place to live. The quality of life is awesome. Disney, Hilton Head, Memphis, and the like are a few hours away. Hotlanta is a booming city. The GA Mountains are a fly’s somersault away. This is why I named my final child, Georgia. You are always on my mind.

By JACQUELINE

May 17, 2006 05:31 PM | Link to this

Justin, uh, Delta ain’t quite ready when we are anymore. In fact, I’m real scared to buy a ticket from them right about now. Remember when you could buy a ticket Memorial Day for a July Fourth vacation and know you would get more than peanuts and the pilots would still be there?

Lamonte, thanks for returning! Keep it coming! I’m not a sinner, but I haven’t been to church lately. So thanks for the tips.

By lida

May 17, 2006 05:54 PM | Link to this

Lamonte, god bless ya! You must be brewing your own ””Gwinnett is great” home brew and staying stoned on it honey, cause you ain’t seeing the real view most of us are seeing here!

By Jeff

May 17, 2006 05:58 PM | Link to this

I intern in Duluth and I am originally from Albany, Ga. It’s like a different country up here. It’s sad that a part of Georgia has been lost to overdevelopment and illegal immigration. General Sherman could march back into Atlanta tomorrow and I’d encourage him to head up I-85 and give us a fresh start there.

By BK

May 17, 2006 06:14 PM | Link to this

What a dopey read. No wonder no one buys the paper.

By Michael H. Smith

May 17, 2006 06:19 PM | Link to this

Jacqueline, we will always have God and Greyhound to thank when they’re gone. Just kidding Mr. Wilcox, though guess I really shouldn’t encourage those who think it’s only halftime in North –v- South.

The broken windows campaign and the proposed commuter rail through Lawrenceville are two topics I’m waiting on to come up for discussion.

By lida

May 17, 2006 06:25 PM | Link to this

BK, you readin’ it ain’t cha?

By Lamonte

May 17, 2006 06:51 PM | Link to this

Slight correction to my blog…ATL is the 4th FASTEST GROWING metro area in the U.S., not 4th largest city (I read ajc.com, and live and breathe news:)..it is the 9th largest metro area in America…I’m sure it will be the 4th largest metro area within the next 10 years though….that’s my prediction! There is no perfect place or utopia, but (except the traffic) this gets pretty close for a city of this magnitude.

By merdith

May 17, 2006 07:02 PM | Link to this

I think someone in here is like an enclycopedia….enough already. $$$ hint, hint. The world always looks rosey through wealthy eyes, but I have a hunch you are an embellisher to the 100 power and probly work at Walmart.

By Donna P

May 17, 2006 07:31 PM | Link to this

Gwinnett is Great! Isn’t that what is says on the water towers on 85? I have been here since 1999 in Duluth and now Suwanee. Traffic is not that bad (I am from the Washington DC area where you “sit” in traffic for hours to move 10 miles). The housing prices and local shopping/restaurants brought me to Gwinnett. I am originally from Northern Virginia and I LOVE sweet teat and banana pudding so there was no adjusting to the “Southern” way of life. The people in Georgia are friendly and the schools/parks/jobs are a great draw for people up North. Gwinnett is also central to everything, I thought of living in Conyers/Covington or Alpharetta but Suwanee is close to 85 and Peachtree Industrial Blvd. and everything else. I also like that downtown Suwanee is still in tact and I can enjoy the “Old South” and still go to Wal-mart

By contemplating move

May 17, 2006 09:31 PM | Link to this

Help! Ok, I am seriously contemplating a move to Georgia and could use some advice on where to live. Obviously Atlanta is my first choice but after reading the comments about Gwinnett it doesn’t sound so bad, for the most part. I’ve been to Gwinnett before back in like 1998 but I didn’t get to see too much or remember much about it. How far is Gwinnett from Atlanta? I want an area that is diverse (so similar to where I am now) with a good school district, mixed income residents but not too far out. As far as traffic goes I’m in Seattle and it doesn’t get much worse than here. I think we are like 2nd or 3rd behind LA in traffic. Any sugestions, comments, questions, concerns would be appreciated. Thanks all!

By Deborah Lee

May 17, 2006 10:17 PM | Link to this

Dear Comptemplating Move, I would recommend the Duluth area. You can buy a house in the 1700 square foot house for underthe $300,000 range and still go to one of the top schools in the country. If you move near the Sugarloaf Country Club you can walk to 3 parks, churches, and schools and three malls, libraries, and arenas. There is a brand new Asian Mall too. Very differse but most are pretty well off. You will love it.

By Georgia Peach

May 17, 2006 10:23 PM | Link to this

I grew up in Norcross (class of 84), and my sisters and I attended the same high school as our dad. It is so sad to see what has become of Gwinnett in a short period of time. I take my children back to my neighborhood to show them my childhood home and have to say, “It wasn’t like that when we lived there.” (driveway is now double paved now with millions of cars in the driveway with who knows how many people inside). I have taken them to the Super Wal-Mart on Pleasant Hill and had to hold onto them so tightly, trying not to squeeze the blood out of their hands and hoping I’d make it to my car before gunfire broke out. I never go to Discover Mills or Gwinnett Place—it’s another world! Too many ugly strip malls that are soon left vacant, signs up and down every street that are anything but English. U-G-L-Y!! I know I could move, but Georgia is my home. I grew up here, went to college here, and it’s important to me to have my children around family.

By Lamonte

May 17, 2006 10:57 PM | Link to this

Lida, the only thing I’m STONED on is the anointing of Jesus the Christ! And here are some keys and words of wisdom that may help you and all the people that are negative bloggers have a more prosperous life. (free of charge…isn’t that wonderful?)

You create your reality by what you SPEAK. Be very careful what you think and speak. Thoughts become words, and words become actions. If your life sucks, I’m sure we could trace it to your NEGATIVE thinking and speaking… (oh, you DID post a negative blog didn’t you?…LOL :)

Be careful of the company you keep. The reason I KNOW that I’m on track to becoming a millionaire is because I have millionaire friends, and they let me in on all their secrets. Millionaires think like millionaires. You can’t learn how to think like a millionaire if you’re hangin’ with Pookie n’em. Clark Howard will tell you that.

God is GOOD all the time, and all the time God is good! Start being grateful for the little you DO have, and God will bless you with more, so you TOO can write a blog about how HAPPY and prosperous your life is in Gwinnett. God bless you all!

By Hugh

May 18, 2006 12:17 AM | Link to this

To get a real opinion of how the average Gwinnett County resident feels, you will need to translate this article in spanish.

By Brandon

May 18, 2006 12:35 AM | Link to this

Interesting comments. In general, the newer residents love Gwinnett, the older remember a different county. I moved here in 1992, graduated from South Gwinnett HS, and went on to Georgia Southern University. After graduating, I moved back to Gwinnett and started my own business. I plan on moving OUT of Gwinnett to Kennesaw or West Cobb County late-summer/early fall. Gwinnett is no longer the Gwinnett county I used to be proud of for all of the reasons people have mentioned above.

Lamonte, easy on the religious rhetoric, not everyone is religious. I am an Atheist and feel just as strongly about Atheism as you do about Jesus Christ.

By indocumentado arrivingsoon

May 18, 2006 02:03 AM | Link to this

Moving to Gwinnet soon from El Paso,I would like information for the medicaid office and food stamp location in Duluth please,my wife is 7 month pregnant,and she also need a good OBGY doctor and maternity hospital free if possible because I had no job,and speak oonly little english,un poquito.Also I dont have documents,but I will take any janitor or lanscaping jobs that you Duluthians dont do,I love Gwiinet signs SE HABLA ESPANOL,the same signs that I SEE IN el Paso,TX.Also information for the next protest march,anybody knows,we need to follow Miami example,my boss is a red neck from South Dakota he speak perfect spanish,ja ja ja,thats the way to go,muchachos,adios amigos,indocumentado coming soon I LOVE GWINNET AND GEORGIA.OLE!!

By Doug

May 18, 2006 06:57 AM | Link to this

My Favorite thing for a Transplant to remember is “YOU ARE NOT FROM AROUND HERE TOTO” and just like you expect Mexicans to learn English Useee Guyze should learn Southern Drawl..And if you dont like it here “Delta is ready when you are” Well for a little while longer anyway :>)

By PAT

May 18, 2006 06:59 AM | Link to this

WHY DON’T YOU GET YOURSELF A ONE-WAY TICKET BACK TO WHERE YOU CAME FROM INSTEAD OF RIDICULING GWINNETT COUNTY. WHEN YOU RIDICULE GWINNETT, YOU ARE RIDICULING THE ENTIRE STATE BECAUSE SO MUCH OF THE STATE USED TO BE LIKE GWINNETT USED TO BE. WE ALL LIKED IT BETTER BEFORE PEOPLE LIKE YOU CAME ALONG WITH THE NERVE TO RIDICULE A WAY OF LIFE THAT OBVIOUSLY IS NOT YOUR CUP OF TEA. IF YOU’RE GOING TO LIVE THERE, HOW ABOUT WRITING SOMETHING POSITIVE INSTEAD OF SLAMMING IT.

By Terry

May 18, 2006 02:44 PM | Link to this

I’ve lived in big cities all over the place. L.A., San Fran, Boston, etc. There’s nothing like big city life for 24/7 happenings. However, I’ve ‘been there, done that’

When we moved to Georgia we were looking for a different kind of action - one with acreage and horses and room to just relax. We found that our here in Dacula!!!

The only thing I miss is some decent dancing! There appears to be no place OTP for dancing (except country, but that gets old pretty fast). Anybody know where one could find an assortment of dance styles? I like swing, shag, cha-cha, salsa, waltz, two-step, etc. But cannot find any options in Gwinnett. We’re still driving down to 57th Fighter or Johnny’s Hideaway. What a pain!

By Lamonte

May 18, 2006 05:07 PM | Link to this

God bless you Brandon! And God bless Gwinnett!!!

By kat

May 18, 2006 11:27 PM | Link to this

Ick..Johnny’ hideaway..THE oldies and married men pick up place. Now the 57 is nice and so is a club in Alpharetta..where the bands from Fuzzy’s play called Bridge Tavern

By Dr. Gode

May 18, 2006 11:44 PM | Link to this

Thank Jesus for Gwinnett! Lamonte I enjoy your strong spirit in faith. (btw- have you been blessed with the word of God and the church of Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (FLDS))? It’s not as wide spread in Gwinnett, but I hope this post can help spread some of the Lord’s power and strength to spread his word (through Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (FLDS), of course). - Dr. Gode

By Dr. Gode

May 18, 2006 11:47 PM | Link to this

I eat carpet sometimes when I am tired… only because GOD loves me.

By Gun Toter

May 19, 2006 12:14 AM | Link to this

I have lived here since 1972. It was the boonies up untill the mid 80’s and I loved every minute of it. Hunting, fishing, and having my own garden. I use to drive Hw29 when it was a 2 lane road between Lawrenceville and Lilburn and not see another car! When they built the 1st part of 316, the only thing you had to worry about was hitting a deer. Suwannee had 1 part time police officer who drove a 1960 Ford. Lawrenceville Police only had a few officers. There was hardly any crime. You can buy fresh veggies from truck farmers all over the county. Boiled peanut stands everywhere. When you had a problem in the county, the elected officials would help you. Now they won’t give you the time of day unless you slip them a $100 bill. It takes 30 to 45 minutes to drive 4 miles to work. Shopping centers on every other corner. (half of them empty)Gas staions on the other half of the corners. 4 Wal-Marts within 20 minutes of my house and they want to build another close by. When I retire in 2 years, I am moving to central GA. and put me a double wide in the middle of my 550 acres of heavy forrested hardwoods and enjoy what time I have left.

By Brandon

May 19, 2006 12:42 AM | Link to this

Gun Toter, it is always nice and very interesting to hear history of a town/area from a long-time resident. When I attended Georgia Southern University, I had the great fortune of sitting down and listening to a person who was 20 years older than I was, and who had seen that town and school grow exponentially over decades of time.

I remember when I first saw one of the first photographs of the intersection of 124 and 78…absolutely amazing.

Thank you for posting a brief glimpse of Gwinnett history that 99.9% of the people reading this otherwise would have never known.

By Lamonte

May 19, 2006 10:22 PM | Link to this

Guess what Dr. Gode, Brandon, Lida, and Gun Toter? In another 5 years, “your days of old” will be a faded and distant memory, and the new more powerful, progressive, international Gwinnett will be center stage…you’ll see..it’s already happening, ha hah!!! And if you don’t like it MOVE…that will be one less car we have to deal with in traffic! :) God bless you all! lol…

By Scott Perry

May 20, 2006 08:03 AM | Link to this

Frankly, we natives just want to leave. I’m looking at Greenville.

By James

May 21, 2006 05:04 PM | Link to this

Comtemplating: Duluth is a great choice. Duluth’s schools are some of the best in the county (particularly Duluth High School). The city has a beautiful town center and is close to anything you could want to visit.

By Braves66

May 22, 2006 12:36 PM | Link to this

There are a number of reasons I moved out to Gwinnett. Trees, clean air, less traffic, friendly people & quality schools to name a few. I remember when you could feel the temperature drop as soon as you exited off I-85 onto 316. It is no wonder that so many people have moved out here. I would still rather deal with a bit of traffic than panhandlers, dirty air & the stench of urine.

By Base C.

May 22, 2006 04:40 PM | Link to this

I fell in love with Gwinnett three years ago and planned my move from Southern California. Mostly, I love that this area still has a feel of “family first”. I am suprised by the sheer number of people who do not speak English (something I thought I left in good ‘ole Cali) because I was always taught that Southerners would NEVER allow that! (lol) Well, I guess that just makes Gwinnett feel more like home… One question: Lamont mentioned churches in Lilburn and Duluth… WHERE are they??? But, back to the blog. The people are friendly, the area is convenient, and the ethnic mix is somewhat comforting. I love it here and plan to stay.

By Base C.

May 22, 2006 04:55 PM | Link to this

I had one other question: those strip malls on every corner are a real eye-sore and property drain. I know what they can do to a community and was wondering if anyone has doen anything besides complain about them? I come from the land of civic duty and all that… dont you natives do that, too? I guess that is the only negative thing I have noticed since transplanting: people seem to like to complain within small groups, but no one really seemed to have any solutions.

By Lisa

May 26, 2006 12:59 PM | Link to this

To Deborah Lee

I used to live in Seattle and you are right, the traffice is bad, but it is just as bad here. Gwinnett county is the place to live here, it is about 25 miles NE of Atlanta. We have one of the best school districts in Georgia and everything imaginable, besides a beach, is here in Gwinnett. Atlanta is only 20-30 minutes away! I have lived here for 12 years without family, and would never move back to Seattle. My family in Seattle are also thinking about moving here as the cost of living is so much better. Everyone can afford a home here in Georgia! Good luck on your move! :)