In its recent Aug. 5 meeting, the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners gave the green light to a variety of initiatives aimed at bolstering local services for children, seniors, and first responders. One of the notable decisions included a hefty grant exceeding $235,000 allocated to the Georgia Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program. This funding is earmarked for Gwinnett's CASA team, which dedicates itself to training, and supervising volunteers who then advocate for the welfare of foster children within the system, as reported by the Gwinnett County's official newsroom.
The grant dispenses with the need for local matching funds and is tasked with covering the salaries of the program director, and four supervisors. Last cycle, 37 volunteers invested more than 3,500 hours championing the cause for Gwinnett's foster children. The commissioners also approved a $2.5 million grant from the Atlanta Regional Commission, destined for senior programs. It is designed to underwrite a suite of services from meals to transportation until June of next year, with a local contribution portion of $162,600 covered by the General Fund.
Amid the fiscal decisions, one retiring member of the law enforcement community was recognized. K9 Nitro, a Belgian Malinois and a near-decade-long member of the Gwinnett Police Department's Special Operations Division, is stepping down from his duties. During his service, he amassed 353 calls, leading to dozens of apprehensions and drug finds. Nitro was given the distinguished Officer of the Month award thrice and received commendations from the District Attorney’s Office. After evaluations highlighted concerns over health exacerbated by his years, he will retire with his handler, Sgt. Brian E. Doan. His successor, K9 Ace, is already gearing up to start his training this autumn.
Another significant advancement is the construction of a modern fire training tower, designed to meet current National Fire Protection Association standards. A $1.3 million contract with Eastern Builders, Inc., outlines the creation of a new modular structure. This comes as an imperative upgrade, considering the wear and damage sustained by the original 1983 edifice due to prolonged exposure to live fire training and the elements.
