SUNDAY CONVERSATION WITH ... PEACHTREE CORNERS CITY COUNCILMAN JAY LOWE Councilman’s coffees keeping him in touch

Residents can express their concerns in a relaxed setting.

Who treats growing pains with a cup of joe? Peachtree Corners Councilman Jay Lowe does. On Sept. 5, Lowe, who serves Gwinnett County’s newest and largest city, launched “Coffee with Council.” The monthly gathering at Grouchy’s New York Deli & Bagels gives residents the chance to express their aspirations, and concerns, about being citified. Peachtree Corners officially incorporated July 1. Only seven of the city’s more than 34,000 residents attended the first coffee. Topics ranged from renovation of a large tennis facility to issues about a local elementary school. Lowe expects the gatherings to grow over time but hopes they don’t lose their intimate feel. For more on “Coffee with Council” and Peachtree Corners, go to cityofpeachtree cornersga.com. Q: What’s the idea behind “Coffee with Council”? A: We need to give citizens and business owners a place where they can come every month and meet council members and other public figures. A City Council meeting can be kind of intimidating. This is a small, intimate forum where people can ask questions and not feel intimidated. Q: Is it really a good idea to host a citizen gathering at a place called Grouchy’s? A: Very good point. Never thought about that. No comment. Q: Were residents grouchy? A: They were not. They were inquisitive. Q: A sizable minority of citizens didn’t want to incorporate, right? A: You have the “yes people” and the “no people.” The “no people” had their philosophical reasons why they did not want to have a city. I feel the majority of those folks have embraced the fact that we are a city. Q: Has being a city been harder than you expected? A: That is an understatement. It has, at times, been overwhelming. This is not like turning on a light switch — it is like cooking in a Crock-Pot. I have been thrilled with the folks who have been willing to roll up their sleeves and help. I can’t emphasize how thrifty we have been. I designed the website. The logo for the city was designed for free by my good friend. Q: Peachtree Corners is a limited-service city. What does that mean? A: We provide three primary services — planning and zoning, code enforcement and solid waste, which is trash and recycling. As an

Peachtree Corners City Councilman Jay Lowe launched a monthly gathering at Grouchy’s New York Deli & Bagels that gives residents the chance to express their aspirations, and concerns, about being citified.