Brooks' Gwinnett BOC Campaign in High Gear

It already has been noted that J election to the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners.

Those efforts continued last week with a fund-raising reception that was scheduled to include, among others, Duluth Mayor Nancy Harris and Suwanee Mayor Jimmy Burnette. The event was held at the Georgia Trail golf course in Duluth. Suwanee Council Member Kevin McComber has a financial interest in that course.

Also among the attendees listed were Greg and Tammy Shumate, who are listed as donors to the Gwinnett County Public Schools Foundation through Brand Mortage Company. Also, the Shumates have established a scholarship at Georgia Gwinnett College.

The invitation to the fund-raising reception, which was organized by Brooks' campaign, was posted on the Facebook page of Gene Callaway, a former Georgia General Assembly member from Gwinnett. The invitation said those present would include several members of the Duluth, Sugar Hill and Suwanee City Councils. "Suggested donations" ranged up to $2,500.

Brooks also has a website for his campaign. And he thanked supporters of the fund-raiser recently on Twitter: "Thank you to everyone that made my campaign fundraiser reception at The GA Trail yesterday such a great success!"

Brooks officially announced his candidacy for the District 1 seat in September. He began accepting campaign contributions last November, according to state records. Those contributions include funds from Wayne Hill, former Gwinnett BOC chairman, Norcross Mayor Bucky Johnson, and Randy Meacham, executive director of the Gwinnett Municipal Association.

The campaign is "required to disclose the name, address, occupation and employer" of anyone contributing $100 or more, the invitation said.

Current District 1 commissioner Shirley Lasseter has announced that she will not seek re-election after one term.

Brooks has been a member of the Suwanee City Council since 2002 and has served as mayor pro tem. He has said he "wants to take some of what we've learned in Suwanee to the county level."

Brooks is a wealth manager for Summit Wealth Management. He said the Gwinnett County budget, which has suffered in recent years because of the property tax meltdown, "is the greatest challenge the county faces."

Formal qualifying for the BOC elections opens in May. At that time, Brooks would resign from the Suwanee council, and a special election would be held to fill his post.

Suwanee CPA Laurie McClain is the only other person who has announced an interest in the District 1 post. McClain is a Duluth resident. She lists no campaign contributions.