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L.E.A.D. Academy 2010

Monday, July 19th, 2010

Duluth is Accepting Applications for the 3rd Annual L.E.A.D. (Learn, Engage, Advance Duluth) Academy

L.E.A.D. is a program that offers an avenue for citizens to become knowledgeable about City operations, services, and the overall essential functions of City government. It offers an interactive learning experience, which includes information about City services, programs and responsibilities. Additionally, citizens casually interact with elected officials and city staff. Class participants are afforded the opportunity to ask questions and gain a better understanding of Duluth government and their role in local government.

This leadership program encourages citizens to become engaged in government operations and participate by serving on various boards and committees and explore other opportunities in the community and in the City to become involved. The citizens and business leaders who participate are empowered to create insightful solutions to important community issues and needs. In addition, the program sparks interest in local issues, presents information about important questions facing the City, provides an avenue for residents to help plan the community’s future, and gives citizens hands-on experience in City government operations.

The Academy is a 6 week program, beginning Tuesday, September 28th and continuing each Tuesday through November 2nd, from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Applications are available online at www.duluthga.net or you may pick up an application at City Hall. The deadline for applications is Friday, August 27th. This program is made possible by the generous donations of our Chocolate Perks, John A. Monk, C.P.A., P.C. and Quick Wash Express Car Wash. For more information you may contact Alisa Williams at awilliams@duluthga.net or 678-475-3506.

Duluth Celebrates America

Wednesday, July 7th, 2010

(Duluth, GA) June 24, 2010 The City of Duluth is pleased to announce our Annual Duluth Celebrates America Event! The public is invited to attend this spectacular patriotic celebration that will end with a BANG on Saturday, July 3, 2010 at Scott Hudgens Park which is conveniently located in River Green Business Park at 4545 River Green Parkway, Duluth, GA, 30096. Convening at Scott Hudgens Park on its acres and acres of soccer field grounds fronting the Chattahoochee River, this celebration represents all that Duluth is proudly known to uphold: “Capture the Spirit of Good Living”.

Gates will open at 5 pm with a fabulous fireworks display at dusk. Admission and Parking are FREE but monetary donations will be graciously accepted to help offset costs. The stage show will begin promptly at 6 pm with the welcome by Mayor of Duluth, Ms. Nancy Harris and the singing of the National Anthem. Festivities will include lots of family friendly activities: inflatable rides, rock wall, carnival games, pony rides, face painting, food vendors and live entertainment featuring: Full Circle, Stephen Norwood and Metro Jazz Club. *NOTE: Activities and food will

Full Circle is an incredible 7 piece band hailing from Athens, GA. This high energy stage show consisting of rock style original and popular cover songs will get the crowd on their feet as they kick the celebration off in style. For more information, visit www.turnfullcircle.com

Stephen Norwood is a rising R&B artist from Atlanta, GA. Since the launch of his career in 2009, he has already performed on TV, Radio, at venues that have a knack for discovering great talent, Pre-game Concert for the Atlanta Braves, Opening Act for the legendary B.B King, named Macy’s
Rising Star of 2009 and performed at the lighting of the Macy’s Great Tree on Thanksgiving which was televised nationally. For more information, please visit www.stephennorwood.com.

Metro Jazz Club is more than just a 17-piece “Big Band”; they are a CLUB dedicated to the preservation of some of the best music ever composed. From the smoothest jazz and spirited rhythms of swing, to the powerhouse brass/rock of the 70’s and 80’s, they love sharing this classic horn sound with other music lovers. They have the power of thirteen horns, and a rhythm section that’s always in the pocket. Add to that the rich vocal stylings of Maxine Cummins, and the Metro Jazz Club has the perfect sound to entertain and get dancers of all ages out dancing. For more information, please visit www.metrojazzclub.com.

Memorial Day Veterans Service & All Services Softball Tournament

Tuesday, May 25th, 2010

Saturday, May 29th at 10:30 a.m. the City of Duluth, the Sentinels of Freedom and the American Legion post 251 will honor the brave men and women that are serving and have served our country at Bunten Road Park, Field #4.

This is an annual Veterans Memorial Service for Duluth and this year the City has teamed up with the Sentinels of Freedom All Services Softball Tournament. The Softball Tournament will feature teams from the Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force. For more information about the tournament visit www.sofgwinnett.org.

Join us to honor our Veterans and watch some great competitive softball. It will be a fun day for the entire family! The Memorial Day Service will be held from 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. followed by the softball tournament.

George Rogers Day

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

Event: George Rogers Day
Date/Time: Monday, March 8th, 7:00 pm
Place: Duluth City Hall Council Chambers

The City of Duluth will declare Monday, March 8th George Rogers Day. George Rogers, Heisman Trophy Winner, and former Duluth football standout will be recognized at the City Council Meeting at 7:00 pm.

We’re Putting Down Roots

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

Arbor DayThe City of Duluth celebrated Arbor Day by planting a tree at Bunten Road Park, Friday, February 19th. The tree is located behind Field #3 at the entrance to the Nature Trail. Dr. Tommy Green, from Duluth First United Methodist Church, was the speaker.

The Arbor Day Foundation has designated Duluth a Tree City USA for 21 years. This national designation requires Duluth to met four standards each year:

  • Must have a tree board or department.
  • Must have a tree-care ordinance.
  • Must have a comprehensive community forestry program.
  • Must hold an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

“We commend Duluth’s elected officials, volunteers and its citizens for providing vital care for its urban forest,” said John Rosenow, chief executive and founder of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Trees provide numerous environmental, economical and health benefits to millions of people each day, and we applaud communities that make planting and caring for trees a top priority.”

Duluth Receives CREATE Community Award from the Atlanta Regional Commission

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

press-releaseThe Atlanta Regional Commission recognized five local governments on February 17th for their efforts to achieve key regional goals and make the Atlanta region a better place. The CREATE Community Awards are given annually to commend and share outstanding programs by local governments in the Atlanta region. One of the reasons the Atlanta region is a great place to live is because of all the people who work daily in each of our communities, to make life better for all residents. So many outstanding and innovative things are going on in our local governments, these awards can only scratch the surface.

Local government initiatives were awarded in the areas of Community Building and Involvement, Regional Prosperity & Economic Development, Environmental Sustainability, Application & Innovation in Technology, Educational Excellence. Duluth was awarded the CREATE Community Award in the Community Building and Involvement category for its Citizens Budget Committee.

Facing a budget shortfall and the possibility of the first tax increase in many years, City officials decided to involve Duluth citizens in the budget process. It was felt that citizen confidence would only be achieved if there was full disclosure of every penny in the City’s current budget and proposed next budget. In the end the Citizens Budget Committee made recommendations for increased fees in several areas and charging fees for services that had previously been free. With these recommendations, budget cuts by departments and using a small amount of reserve funds, the FY10 budget was balanced with no tax increase. Duluth will again engage a Citizens Budget Committee to make recommendations on the FY11 budget.

Duluth Rises to the Occasion

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

A piece of Duluth history was unveiled as a brand new tradition to ring in the New Year was started in 2009! Thousands joined in the celebration which included wonderful entertainment, food, music and of course the amazing “soaring spirit ball” that rose, yes rose at midnight! Read more →

Duluth’s Got Spirit!

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

The City of Duluth unveiled its new logo on Saturday, October 24th as part of a Community Fun Day. Everyone enjoyed great food, music and fun throughout the day. The logo was well received and you will probably see residents sporting their new t shirts and water bottles with the new logo that were given away at the event.

The new tagline, Capture the Spirit of Good Living, really says it all about Duluth, a city that is known for its hometown spirit and pride. You get the small town feel with big city amenties here. It is a great place to live, work, play and raise a family!

The City spent months crafting the new logo and tagline with the firm GoGo Creative. It wasn’t just City Council and Staff that took part in creating the logo, hundreds of citizens and visitors were interviewed and surveys were collected to find out what their view of Duluth is. All the information was used to design the new logo and create the new tagline.

The tagline is very versatile and will be a great way to promote everything happening in Duluth. Capture the Spirit of Play…Music…Business…Fun!! It is all part of Good Living.

For more information please contact Alisa Williams at awilliams@duluthga.net or 678-475-3506.

Duluth Police Receive Georgia Highway Safety Grant

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

Operation Drive Smart continues statewide efforts to reduce teen accidents

DULUTH, Ga. — Duluth Police will continue to partner with the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety to combat teen driving deaths by taking their Operation Drive Smart program to fifteen Georgia High Schools across the state. The Police Department received a $38,800.00 GOHS grant, which provides funding for the Duluth Police COPS Division to travel and partner with schools and public safety agencies across the state to education students.

During the past several years the department has received more requests for programs than the funding and time within the school year allows. “Last year, we had to turn down three schools because we used up allowable funding within the grant” Lt. Bill Stevens. “It’s not for a lack of trying on our part; we completed 17 programs with some creative planning and logistics. We visited two schools back to back on a trip to south Georgia. For instance, last year three officers supported Ashburn Police at Turner County High School before joining other Duluth officers the following day at Cairo High School”. Since the program’s inception, over 100,000 Georgia teenagers have participated and each year over fourty-five public safety agencies partner in the effort to reduce teen crashes, injuries and deaths.

The C.O.P.S Division will be hosting the first 2010 Operation Drive Smart program for the students of Grayson High School on Wednesday, October 21, 2009. The Drive Smart Expo consists of stations which discuss the importance of teen safe driving. Such stations include the Duluth Police Department’s Seatbelt Rollover Simulator and DUI Golf Cart, Gwinnett County Police Department, Gwinnett County Fire and EMS, Gwinnett Medical Center, Emory Flight/Rescue Air 1, and Georgia Motor Trucking Association.

The Expo will be for the students of Grayson High School on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 from 7:30am-1:45pm. The Expo will be held on the practice field located next to the entrance to the school off of Hope Hollow Road.

Address: Grayson High School
50 Hope Hollow Road
Grayson, GA

For more information about Operation Drive Smart, contact Ofc. Liz Strickland – Duluth Police Department. This program is made possible by funding provided by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety and the partnerships developed by law enforcement and educators across the state.