(Lawrenceville, Ga., Aug. 26, 2010) - More computers, monitors and printers than usual may be turned off in Gwinnett County government offices this weekend as employees participate in a national Power IT Down event to save energy.?The public/private event is sponsored by Citrix, Intel, HP and GTSI. Shutting off computer equipment overnight is also in line with the County's Lights Out, Power Down policy.?Participants will register at www.powerITdown.org to let organizers know how many people helped save energy nationwide. Last year, 5,600 people participated. This year, more than 13,000 people have registered so far. Organizers have pledged a $45,000 donation to the Wounded Warrior Project, which provides programs for severely injured members of the armed services.?Event sponsors estimate that each person who participates will save an average of 13 kilowatt-hours of electricity overnight, with greater savings this year because the event falls at the start of a weekend.?"This event fits perfectly with our ongoing efforts to reduce energy costs in County buildings, so I'm happy to encourage all employees to be a part of it," said Dennis Baxter of Building Services and head of Gwinnett's environmental sustainability efforts. "I also urge other businesses and organizations to participate in Power IT Down this weekend and increase the energy savings.

(Lawrenceville, Ga., Aug. 25, 2010) - Gwinnett officials held a press conference for Department of Transportation's GC Smart Commute program on Aug. 24. The program provides a resource for Gwinnett residents to view live traffic feeds of heavily-traveled intersections and corridors to plan their daily commute. Speakers included Commission Chairman Charles Bannister and Gwinnett County Department of Transportation Director Brian Allen.Live feeds show real-time traffic looped for 12 heavily-used intersections and corridors in Gwinnett County during peak hours of commuter traffic; 16 intersections are shown during off-peak hours. GC Smart Commute is currently available for citizens 24/7 at http://www.gcsmartcommute.com/ and on TVgwinnett through Gwinnett government access cable channels, weekdays between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. and again between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Chairman Bannister said, "This program is a great resource for Gwinnett commuters and is a step in the right direction toward reducing traffic jams and congestion in the county."Cameras were installed to monitor arterial and corridor traffic flow for real-time adjustments from the Gwinnett Traffic Control Center. Approximately 100 cameras are currently operating with a total of 145 expected to be operating within the next year.The Advanced Transportation Management System/Intelligent Transportation System (ATMS/ITS) and Traffic Control Center enhancements were funded through the 2001 and 2009 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) programs. Gwinnett County installs, maintains and operates all cameras.Residents can share ideas about GC Smart Commute by calling 770.822.7400 or e-mailing dotcommunityrelations@gwinnettcounty.com.

WHAT:?????????? Gwinnett officials will host a press conference and open house for Department of Transportation's GC Smart Commute program. This is a new resource that allows Gwinnett residents to view live traffic feeds from 12 heavily-used intersections and corridors.The Advanced Traffic Management System/Intelligent Transportation System (ATMS/ITS) and Traffic Control Center enhancements were funded through the 2001 and 2009 SPLOST programs All cameras are installed, maintained and operated by Gwinnett CountyAvailable online at www.gcsmartcommute.com and on TVgwinnett through Gwinnett government access cable channels, weekdays from 6:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.WHEN:?????????? Tuesday, August 24, 2010, at 5 p.m.WHERE:???????? 620 Winder Highway, LawrencevilleWHO:????????????? Brian Allen, Department of Transportation Director, and other Gwinnett County officials?

(Lawrenceville, Ga., Aug. 23, 2010) - Work has begun to tear down the iconic water tanks on I-85 in Gwinnett County. The roughly 35-year-old tanks were identified for demolition along with other facilities and equipment rendered obsolete by recent water system improvements. Equipment was moved to the site on Goshen Springs Road near Jimmy Carter Boulevard last week and the tanks will come down over the next three to four weeks.The two famous tanks that proclaimed "Success Lives Here" and "Gwinnett Is Great," a pumping station and a radio tower share a landlocked site adjacent to I-85. Together the tanks once held two million gallons of water and helped pressurize water mains in the area as well as provide water for times of high consumption. But upgrades to the Norcross Pump Station and the installation of a new 24-inch main connecting the water distribution system on both sides of the railroad through the city of Norcross negated the useful function of these tanks.In March 2010, the Board of Commissioners approved a $149,000 contract with Tristar of America, Inc., to demolish the Goshen Springs tanks along with several other tanks and pump stations. The company has already dismantled a large tank on Medlock Bridge Road near Spalding Drive and a tall but narrow surge tank in Duluth. A pump station located on Old Peachtree Road at Sunny Hill Road and another on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard at Price Road are next after the Goshen Springs tanks dismantling project is completed.Officials expect to save about $100,000 in annual operating costs and about the same in annual capital costs on all the structures combined, meaning the County would recoup the dismantling cost in less than a year.The material from the tanks will not go to waste. According to Lynn Smarr with the County's Water Resources department, the contractor will cut the tanks into small pieces that will be loaded and taken to a scrap metal yard where they will likely be shredded and then shipped to a smelting facility to be melted for recycling.Progress on the demolition can be followed at www.constructioncam.com/tristar/index.htm.

(Gwinnett County, Ga., August 23, 2010) - For the fifth year, more than 160 Mill Creek High School football players teamed up with Gwinnett County Senior Services to assist Gwinnett seniors landscape their yards on Saturday, August 21.?The Mill Creek High School program has always sought to build character, win games, and prepare young men for the challenges of adult life. Head Coach Shannon Jarvis and his staff began conducting character classes before his players ever took their first snap from scrimmage. The Men of Character designation at Mill Creek is taken seriously, and players earning the "MC" patch understand that they must exemplify high personal standards and remain responsive to their community. Community outreach and service to others has allowed players to exhibit their character as 'Helping Hawks' while coming to understand that there is more to life than football.?At one of the most challenging senior residences, the largest group of twenty player volunteers plus coaches toiled to cut grass, trim weeds, chop back bamboo, and fight kudzu. Assistant Coach Josh Lovelady was the adult leader of an accountability group comprised of hard-working offensive linemen. Lovelady was quick to quip, "No guts but lots of glory," when referring to his physically-fit but normally anonymous athletes getting "recognition" for doing a great job ... for others. Coach Lovelady added that the accountability groups blend upper classmen with incoming rookies so that there is peer access on and off the field.?An added highlight to this particular accountability group work session was the leadership-by-example of Kyle Nesbitt, a 4-year Man of Character who graduated this past spring, but felt so strongly about 'Helping Hawks' that he came back from college to lend a hand and assist the coaches. Kyle added that Coach Lovelady and his teammates definitely influenced him and helped him to get his priorities straight throughout high school. Nesbitt mentioned that as the years have passed, the individual games and scores have blended into a blur, but he can clearly recount details of every year's 'Helping Hawks' day of service. He is excited to be able to apply the building blocks of his high school character curriculum, but he is proud that he is still a 'Helping Hawk.'?To become involved in the Gwinnett County Senior Services Volunteer program, visit the website www.gwinnettseniorservices.com, contact Shawn Valadez at 770-822-8846 or e-mail him at shawn.valadez@gwinnettcounty.com.?

What:?This is the fifth year Mill Creek football players will be conducting safety checklists and yard work for 12 senior households across Gwinnett County. There will be approximately 80 players participating in the Gwinnett County Senior Services Volunteer program.When:?Saturday, August 21 from 8:00am until noonWhere:????Gwinnett County senior residences located in Snellville, Lawrenceville, Doraville, Lilburn, Norcross, Dacula, and Buford.Who:?Mill Creek football players along with their coaches and parents.