In a joint collaboration with Gwinnett County, its 16 cities, the Gwinnett Municipal Association and other partners, the Gwinnett, Newton, & Rockdale County Health Departments have launched a new campaign to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Join Team Gwinnett calls on citizens to take accountability and “be team players” in the fight for a healthier Gwinnett with just three simple actions: washing hands, wearing a mask and social distancing.

Ready to take the pledge? Follow @JoinTeamGwinnett on Facebook and Instagram for regular updates.

Help us welcome our newest Councilmember, Marline Thomas!

Council Post 2 became vacant upon the resignation of former member Kirkland Carden earlier this year. City Council voted to appoint Thomas at the July 13 council meeting.

Marline was born in a small town in the Southwest of Puerto Rico where she attended the University of Puerto Rico before joining the US Army. She was stationed in Korea, Saudi Arabia, and various installations in the USA; spending 11 years on Active Duty and is a Desert Storm veteran.

Marline moved to Duluth, Georgia in 1998 and worked for major International organizations like McKesson, IHG, Dell, and ABB. She is widely recognized for her strategic impact, operations focus, technical savvy, and passion for people.

Marline strives to set an example and help address some of the challenges that contribute to the underrepresentation of Latinas in STEM. Marline is a founding member of the Technology Association of Georgia Diversity Society and the UGA 1961 Alumni Club. She is also a long term member of the Duluth Zoning Board of Appeals and the Veterans Marker committee.

She holds a BA in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and a Masters in Business & Technology from the University of Georgia.

“We look forward to working with Marline to continue moving Duluth forward. Her insight and passion for the community is evident and we are excited to have her perspective on our team,” said Mayor Nancy Harris.

Marline lives in Duluth with her husband Tony and their dog Whiskey. They have 5 sons: Erick, Germaine, Chris, Jordan and Quincy.

 

With the revitalization start soon on the bridge at Rogers Bridge Park, we are feeling pretty nostalgic, and we would love to revisit Duluth’s history through your family’s stories! Help us by sharing photos and tales from when Duluth was home to a cricket box factory, Mayor Nancy Harris could ride her horse to the dentist or when the rail was new to town. Bonus points if your favorite story features the original bridge at Rogers Bridge Park. Submit your story and old photos now by visiting the link below.

 

To submit your story and old photos, please visit: https://forms.gle/a26EZYuYidfSKjvh7 

 

We are on a mission to unmask Duluth heroes who have made an impact during the COVID-19 pandemic! These heroes have been working hard to help keep our community moving forward and we think they deserve a bit of recognition. Over the month of May we received many nominations and we are excited to highlight four local heroes!

 

Michael Barron is a 5^th Grade Teacher at Chesney Elementary and he has gone above and beyond to make sure his students transitioned well into online learning. Not only does he host regular Zoom meeting to help them with whatever they may need but he has also purchased birthday gifts with his own money and hand delivered it to students just to make them feel special. Nominator, Traceylee Butler Tuner said “He is amazing and a very caring Person. He deserves this and so much more. Thank You and God Bless You, Mr. Barron!”

 

Serafima Savitskiy is not only a selfless and determined ICU nurse who never gives up on a patient but she is also a wonderful mother. After immigrating to the USA from Lithuania 25 years ago she has dedicated her life to saving others’ lives. Her nominator, David Savitskiy said “This current pandemic has truly shown how heroic she is rushing to the scene and risking her life every day to help others. There are few people who are more honorable and heroic than her.”

 

Charlie “Chaz” Doerlich has worked tirelessly, unconventionally, and continuously during the COVID-19 Pandemic to keep the doors of the Duluth Food Co-Op open and operational for the families in need of food and supplies throughout the City of Duluth. He has lead his team to implement new practices that have allowed them to service more clients in need. His nominator Shenee Holloway stated “He’s a fellow Duluth Kiwanian, and I personally believe he has been an awesome blessing in our community!”

 

Jaime Stepic is the owner of Spool School in downtown Duluth and she immediately jumped into action as the pandemic escalated by put her crafting know-how to use in both making and hosting a drop-off location for home mask-makers. Her nominator, Dustin Grau, noted “she started a Facebook group to help organize the community and share information on how others can help make and contribute to the cause for PPE to medical workers.” This group has grown to over 100 members that have networked to donated thousands of masks and ear saves to local groups and health care professionals in need.

 

Additionally, we are so proud of the local businesses and organizations that are stepping up to support their community during this challenging time as well!

Crave Pie, Simply Done Donuts, Maple Street Biscuit Company, First Baptist Duluth and The Korean American Restaurant Association, Southeast USA have given back to first responders and students by providing meals and delicious treats! Groups that have received donations from include: Duluth Police Department, Gwinnett Medical Center, the Gwinnett County Fire Department, Children’s Hospital, East Side Medical, students of B.B. Harris Elementary School, Hands of Christ Duluth Co-o.

Other Duluth businesses that gave back include Good Word Brewing & Public House who partnered with Meals by Grace opened their doors as a soup kitchen to those in need and SKA Academy of Art and Design who partnered with Together We Can Foundation to setup free food and supply stations for the community.

The following message is on behalf of Chief Belcher and the City of Duluth Police Department.

We are saddened and angered by the events surrounding the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. It is unfathomable not only that a police officer would do that, but that any human being would do that to another human being, while others stood by and did nothing. We realize that there is a tremendous amount of hurt, fear and anger out in the community. We are angry and hurting with you. The video which captured Mr. Floyd being murdered was unconscionable and horrible. Our condolences go out to the Floyd family.

Here, at the Duluth Police Department, we do not tolerate police brutality, injustice, discrimination, or racism of any kind. Duluth is home to a very diverse population. We continually train on and openly discuss race, racial issues, ethics, integrity, and professionalism. This training has been conducted at our agency for many years. The officers at our police department chose this profession because they wanted to serve others, keep people safe, and do some good in the world. Our officers are by no means perfect, but they serve with honor in what I feel, is still an honorable profession.

We have heard of some planned protests in the area. We support people’s rights to free speech and peaceful protest, however, any violence or lawlessness will not be tolerated. The safety of our citizens is a top priority for us. That being said, we would like to encourage anyone who is planning to organize a peaceful protest or demonstration here in our city to communicate with us so that we can make sure we are able to protect your rights, and maintain the safety of all involved.

I believe that the greatest strength of Duluth is its people. The people who live or operate their businesses here in Duluth care about their community, and they care about each other. I believe that it takes a partnership between police and citizens, with open lines of communication, to keep our community safe and to create an environment where people can live without fear. We value the support of our citizens and we are willing to partner with the community in any way we can to encourage and continue these positive relationships, especially during these challenging times.

Thank you to our citizens for your continued support, and thank you for making Duluth the great city that it is.

Your Chief,
Randy Belcher

The City of Duluth is aware of peaceful protests scheduled to take place on Friday, June 5 from 2:30-6:30pm in Downtown Duluth and we wanted to take this opportunity to let our community know that we stand up with you against systemic racism. We know that members of our diverse community are hurting. We understand that to end the oppression of our African-American population we must unite as a singular force to take action and we will continue to do so throughout all levels of our local government.

We pride ourselves on having a well-trained police force to protect our citizens while showing compassion to people of all races. Our police force has training and protocols in place to ensure that all interactions with those that reside in and visit our community are conducted with professionalism and respect. Now more than ever, we will continue to put an emphasis on building strong and sustainable relationships between our law enforcement officers and citizens/visitors.

Duluth Chief of Police Randy Belcher released a statement stating: “I believe that the greatest strength of Duluth is its people.  The people who live or operate their businesses here in Duluth care about their community, and they care about each other.  I believe that it takes a partnership between police and citizens, with open lines of communication, to keep our community safe and to create an environment where people can live without fear.  We value the support of our citizens and we are willing to partner with the community in any way we can to encourage and continue these positive relationships, especially during these challenging times.”

We want you to be confident that the Constitutional rights of every person that lives, works or plays in our City is protected.

We see you. We hear you. We support you.

Sincerely,

Mayor Nancy Harris

We are on a mission to unmask Duluth heroes who have made an impact during the COVID-19 pandemic and we need your help! These heroes have been working hard to help keep our community moving forward and we think they deserve a bit of recognition.

Heroes comes in all forms including (but not limited to) healthcare workers on the frontline, first responders, small businesses using creativity and ingenuity to meet urgent needs, everyday citizens spreading positivity and teachers who are going above and beyond to inspire their students through digital learning.

Help us share their stories by nominating your favorite hero(es) through the linked form below by May 22, 2020. Four heroes will be selected to receive a $25 gift card to a local business. If you have any questions, please send an email to events@duluthga.net.

Nomination Application: https://www.eventeny.com/events/vendor/?id=1065

Duluth, GA (May 1, 2020) In an effort to further reduce the community spread of COVID-19, the cities of Duluth, Lawrenceville, and Suwanee have collectively agreed to halt hosting large-scale public events on city properties through July 10, 2020.  These actions are being taken because large public events can create the types of close gatherings that are not recommended by health professionals at this time.

“With summer quickly approaching, we have to make hard decisions regarding large scale events now.  We hate to cancel our July 3^rd celebration, but for an event of this scale the planning needs to happen now and there are simply too many unknowns.” said Nancy Harris, Duluth Mayor.

“As a result of the requirements to maintain physical distance, we are taking further actions to safeguard our community,” said Lawrenceville City Manager Chuck Warbington. “We greatly appreciate the ongoing cooperation and support of our citizenry in order to reduce the risk.”

City officials continue to closely follow events associated with the outbreak and spread of COVID-19, as well as recommendations from public health officials and state and federal government.

“The need to modify this date will be evaluated in mid-June,” said Suwanee City Manager Marty Allen. “Should circumstances change we will respond appropriately and adjust accordingly.”

Please check individual city listings for event postponement, rescheduling, and cancellations.

https://www.duluthga.net/events

 

To help bring spark joy and creativity during this time, the City of Duluth is excited to announce the very first Duluth Shines virtual talent competition!

This competition is open to amateur participants of all ages. There will be two rounds with the first round being judged by Mayor Nancy Harris, Eddie Owen of Eddie Owen Presents at the Red Clay Theater and Jordan Sasser from season 15 of American Idol. In the second and final round you, the audience, will choose the winner! Winner(s) will receive a $50 gift card to a local business.

All applications must be submitted by end day on May 1, 2020. The contestants that make it to the final round will be notified by May 8, 2020 and the winner will be chosen via Facebook Live on May 13, 2020.

“We think this is a great way for our community to stay connected from a distance and we can’t wait to see all of the talent submissions” said City of Duluth Events Coordinator Kristin Edwards.

Complete Contest Rules:
1. No professional entries allowed. Contestant has never been paid for performing this talent.
2. All talent submissions must be family friendly.
3. Videos must be less than 5 minutes long.
4. All contestants must be of 18 years of age or older or have consent from a parent/guardian.
5. Group submissions are permitted.
6. Winner(s) will receive a $50 gift card to a local business.

How to Enter:
1. Record a video of you performing your talent and upload to YouTube.
2. Fill out the application HERE and be sure to include a direct link to your YouTube video.
3. All applications must be submitted by May 1, 2020.
3. Our three judges will review the video submissions by May 8, 2020. The final round will consist of no more than 20 contestants. The contestants that make it to the final round will be notified by May 8th.
4. The winner will be chosen by the public via Facebook Live on May 13, 2020.

 

If you have additional questions, please send an email to events@duluthga.net.