Suwanee City Council Member Jace Brooks resigns after nearly 10 years of service
On May 22, Jace Brooks walked into his last Suwanee City Council meeting as a member of the Council.
Brooks, whose passion for politics began during his school years, said he really loved what he saw going on in the city and that made him want to be more involved. That involvement began with time on the city’s Planning and Zoning Board and then he continued his involvement as a member of Suwanee City Council when he was elected to serve in August 2002.
During his time on the council, Brooks thinks the changes in Suwanee have been for the better and cites creating an identity for the community and establishing a great gathering place, Town Center Park, among the great accomplishments.
“I get so proud just driving by (Town Center Park) and seeing kids playing in the fountain, seeing people throwing Frisbees, just enjoying it,” Brooks said. “We really hit the nail on the head. I’m very proud and excited that we were able to meet that need.” But he was also quick to credit the residents, who gave city officials the support and trust to get the things accomplished.
Brooks said the fact that Suwanee is seen as a regional leader and well thought of by other communities at the local, and in some cases national level, while being fiscally responsible, such as lowering taxes and receiving upgrades from bond rating agencies, was also notable.
“I’m thrilled we were able to do so much, but yet do it very efficiently for the tax payers,” he said.
Another key he pointed out is the staff and the fact the city runs very efficiently.
“They (staff members) are very professional,” Brooks said. “They are very talented and work hard, so we have developed a lot of trust in them as well. They have a sense of excellence.”
And Brooks spoke highly of his former fellow council members. He said they all worked by a code of conduct whereby they would passionately put forth their opinions, but then once a decision is made, they all abide by that decision and move forward.
“I think that has been huge and it helped that we were, in a broader sense, all on the same page,” he said.
Even though Brooks has resigned from Suwanee’s City Council, his political career is far from over. In late May, Brooks qualified for the District 1 seat on the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners stating a lack of leadership at the county level as the thing that compelled him to run for the position, and if elected, he hopes to bring a fresh perspective along with some of the valuable leadership qualities he obtained while serving in Suwanee to the county level.
“I learned quite a bit and feel like I can bring that experience and those same types of leadership principles and conservative fiscal principles to the county level,” he said.
Shirley Lasseter, who held the District 1 seat resigned after pleading guilty to bribery charges and now a special election must be held to fill Lasseters unexpired term.
Brooks and Laurie McClain, a Duluth resident, both qualified as candidates for the District 1 seat.
The GOP primary for the District 1 Commissioner is scheduled for July 31. The city of Suwanee will hold a special election to fill the unexpired term left vacant by Brooks’ resignation. Candidates may qualify from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. June 25 and 26 and 8:30 a.m. – noon June 27 at Suwanee City Hall, 330 Town Center Avenue. The qualifying fee is $270.
BY: Tana Christian Suggs[email protected]
