Gwinnett Daily Post

BRASELTON - The town of Braselton now has a newly drawn council map that equally distributes the number of households in each district. Under the former map, Councilman Dudley Ray, with 767 homes in District 4, represented the majority of homes in Braselton, due to the town's recent growth pattern.

Braselton's districts were redrawn four years ago after the 2000 census. The city limits sprawl across four counties- Barrow, Gwinnett, Hall and Jackson- but most of the growth is taking place in Hall and Gwinnett. That uneven growth gave Councilman Dudley Ray more homes in District 4 than all three remaining districts combined.

District 1 is composed of 107 homes; District 2, 119; and District 3, 138. The new district map, if accepted by a second vote, will give each district approximately 300 households apiece.

Mayor Pat Graham and councilmen feared the former map might jeopardize the upcoming Nov. 8 election. It violated the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, which gives each individual equal protection under the law- or one man, one vote, said Linda Meggers, former head of the Georgia Reapportionment Office, who drew the proposed map. The map will now go before the General Assembly for legislators' approval.

Two council members live in Jackson County, one in Barrow and one in Gwinnett. Voters will elect a mayor and council members to represent Districts 2 and 4 on Nov. 8.

In a related move, council approved a measure that requires the city manager to monitor new residential growth and advise council, prior to the 2007 election, if a new house count will be needed.

Duncan Creek Road

extension approved

Duncan Creek Road will be extended to Legend Drive for community and emergency vehicle use only. The additional yards of pavement will cut by 50 percent travel time for fire, police and ambulances which come from Hamilton Mill to reach area residents.

Duncan Creek Road is a street inside the Gwinnett County portion of The Legends, one of Chateau Elan's gated communities. Originally a dirt road, it was paved six months ago and dead-ends only a short distance from Legends Drive. The homeowners' association will pay for a siren-operated gate that opens when an emergency siren is sounded.

Members appointed to

Planning Commission

and Board of Appeals

Mayor and council announced their appointments to the Planning Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals.

n Planning Commission

Kathy Schieff- District 1

Alan Sloven- District 2

W. D. David- District 3

Edd Price- District 4

n Zoning Board of Appeals

Richard Mayberry

George Moen

Jim Mallory

Tony Fenary