Eco-Focused Nonprofit Also Announces New Chair-Elect and Three Additions to Board of Trustees

As a community-based organization launched in 1980 by a group of concerned citizens who hoped to inspire individual action and find long-term solutions to environmental and quality of life issues, Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful (GC&B) has always been guided by a Citizens Advisory Board (CAB). Tasked with shaping the future of the eco-focused nonprofit and representing virtually every sector within the Gwinnett County community, six new members were recently added to the group’s ranks on July 5, 2022.

“In our quest to connect people and resources for a sustainable Gwinnett, we seek continuous improvement as an organization,” said Schelly Marlatt, Executive Director for GC&B. “Every person who serves on the Citizens Advisory Board brings something special to the table, causing shifts in both our culture and our delivery of programs and events. I am grateful to each and every member of the CAB – past, present and future. They represent some of Gwinnett County’s best, brightest and most impassioned leaders our community has to offer. I am both delighted and excited to see what each of our six outstanding new members delivers to our board and organization.”

The six new members added to GC&B’s Citizens Advisory Board include:

Angela Duncan – Division 11 Judge – Gwinnett County Superior Court

Derek Higgs – Owner, Higgs Leadership Development/Co-Founder, Sapphire Youth Development Center

Jessica Holden – Science Curriculum Director, Gwinnett County Public Schools

Santiago Marquez – CEO, Latin American Association

Kristan VandenHeuvel – Director of Applied Research and Engagement, The Water Tower

Shantell Wilson – Economic Development Director, Gwinnett County Government

Returning Members of the Citizens Advisory Board are:

Chairman of the Board Chuck Button of Jacobs Engineering Group

Mark Abrams of Aspen Information Systems, Inc.

Joe Allen of Gwinnett Place CID

Jay Bassett of EPA (retired)

Jimmy Burnette of City of Suwanee

Carla Carraway of Precision Planning, Inc.

Jason Chandler of Gwinnett Medical Center Foundation

Former Gwinnett County Sheriff Butch Conway

Alyssa Davis of Sugarloaf CID

Fred Dawkins of Frederick C. Dawkins, Esq. P.C.

Melvin Everson of Gwinnett Technical College

Former Gwinnett County Chairman Wayne Hill

Lynette Howard of WestRock

L.C. Johnson of United Peachtree Corners Civic Association

Dr. Jann L. Joseph of Georgia Gwinnett College

Pat Kien of Cox Communications

Pam Ledbetter of Accent Creative Group

Donald Lee of Gwinnett County Courts

Rachel Little of Boehringer Ingelheim

Kevin Middlebrooks of Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources

Cathy Nichols of Mobile Communications of Gwinnett, Inc.

Andrew Pourchier of Rhodes, Young, Black & Duncan

Craig Roberts of Jackson EMC

Anthony Rodriguez of Aurora Theatre

Ron Seibenhener (Retired) of Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources

Kay Sibetta of AARP of Georgia

Jenny Payne Simpkins of City of Lilburn

Anne Soutter of Primerica

Trent Spake of Chastain & Associates Insurance

Glenn Stephens of Gwinnett County Government

Marianne Velker of Bank of America

Mark Willis of Georgia School Boards Association

Marlatt also added her thanks to three new members of the governing body of GC&B – its Board of Trustees – for the gifts of their time, talents and devotion to seeing that the organization is functioning at optimal levels for the good of the community it serves. Those new members include long-time CAB members Dawkins, Velker and Everson. Donald Lee of Gwinnett County Courts is the Board of Trustees’ new Chair-Elect. To learn more about Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful, visit GwinnettCB.org.

As part of the City of Peachtree Corners continued commitment to the expansion of the Corners Connector Trail System, the East Jones Bridge Road Multi-Use Trail Project will begin this week.

This project consists of approximately 1.65 miles of 12-foot-wide concrete multi-use trail connecting SR 141/Peachtree Parkway to Jones Bridge Park.

The project construction will begin at SR 141 and continue until completion at Jones Bridge Park.

Holiday Happenings

Colorful lights, creative crafts and festive tours are sure to get you in the holiday spirit. Celebrate by joining ranger-led programs across Georgia. Go on a sunset candy cane hunt at Tallulah Gorge, take a hayride at Magnolia Springs or whisper into Santa’s ear at Hard Labor Creek. You can even try your sleuthing skills at General Coffee’s escape room or walk through 10 acres of colorfully lit scenes at A.H. Stephens. Below are just a few choices from our event calendar, and you’ll find more on GaStateParks.org.

Hayride and S’mores, December 4, Laura S. Walker State Park, Waycross
Pearl Harbor Remembrance — December 4, Roosevelt’s Little White House Historic Site, Warm Springs
Christmas at the Gorge — December 4, Tallulah Gorge State Park, Tallulah Falls
Pictures with Santa — December 10, F.D. Roosevelt State Park, Pine Mountain
Winter Constellations — December 11, Crooked River State Park, St. Marys
Winter Muster, December 11, Fort McAllister State Park, Richmond Hill
Christmas Campfire, December 17, Victoria Bryant State Park, Royston
Campfire S’mores and Stories — December 17, Hard Labor Creek State Park, Rutledge

Perfect Holiday Gifts

Georgia State parks can help you fit 39 yurts, 9 waterfalls and the Okefenokee Swamp into one little stocking. Georgia State Park gift cards can be used for a year full of adventure, including camping, boat rental, archery, outdoor gear and more. We make it easy to get your holiday shopping done on GaStateParks.org and in cheerful park gift shops. You’ll even find cozy blankets, hiking stick medallions, patches, clothing and toys as well. Happy holidays!

Mistletoe State Park

This December, plan a getaway to the park with the merriest of names. Mistletoe State Park is located on 71,100-acre Clarks Hill Lake, one of the top bass fishing spots in the nation. After a day of reeling them in, snuggle up in a cabin or build a toasty campfire. Most RV and tent sites offer spectacular views of both sunset and sunrise over the sparkling lake. Mistletoe is also one of the participating parks in the Georgia State Parks’ Muddy Spokes Club which challenges bikers to explore 12 trails across the state. Membership is $20 and makes a great gift for your favorite mountain biker. (Photo by @gypsydaisyxo)

Welcome the New Year with “First Day Hikes”

On New Year’s Day, park rangers across the country are inviting Americans to start 2022 with inspiring First Day Hikes. In Georgia’s State Parks and Historic Sites, more than 40 guided treks will encourage friends and families to connect with nature and each other. Outings range from a kid-friendly stroll through Mistletoe State Park’s campground, a three-mile hike through Georgia’s “Little Grand Canyon,” and even a night hike at Reed Bingham State Park. Find the perfect hike for you on GaStateParks.org.

2022 ParkPasses Now Available

Ready to explore more in 2022? Our Annual ParkPass covers the daily parking fee at more than 40 state parks across Georgia, including Cloudland Canyon, Elijah Clark, Amicalola Falls, Providence Canyon and Skidaway Island. ParkPasses make thoughtful stocking stuffers for friends who love to travel. The pass is $50, with discounts for seniors and disabled veterans. Bulk discounts (10 or more) are available as well – perfect for large families or corporate gifts.