Changes in Store for Gwinnett County BOC

The Gwinnett Board of Commission race is beginning to heat up with several candidates already throwing their hats into the ring. With the announcement of District 1 Commissioner Shirley Lasseter that she won't seek re-election, it is guaranteed that there will be at least one new commissioner on the board next year.

Other candidates could emerge, but as of now, the Gwinnett BOC will have a new member with a strong financial background next year.

This development arose Monday when Lasseter announced that she won't seek re-election, citiing health reasons. Her district includes Duluth and Suwanee.

"I had been considering it for a while because of my health and I had been in the hospital twice in the past year," Lasseter told Patch on Monday evening.

Lasseter is a former Duluth mayor who is in her first term as BOC commissioner.

Announced candidates to replace Lasseter are Jace Brooks, a Suwanee City Council member since 2002, and accountant Laurie McClain, whose business is in unincorporated Suwanee.

Brooks is a wealth manager for Summit Wealth Management, and he also has been a part of the Suwanee government team that has presided over that city's rapid and well-regarded growth. Suwanee lowered taxes for the current fiscal year and has a strong credit rating with top agencies.

McClain, whose office is in unincorporated Suwanee, was a member of the citizens review panel for the county's fiscal year 2012 budget.

Brooks reiterated his desire Monday to seek the District 1 post and bring what he called "proven, conservative solutions" to the county budget process.

In making her campaign announcement, McClain said, "You have to be on the inside looking out" to see how the budget could be trimmed further.

Gwinnett County leaders have had severe problems with the budget in recent years, mostly due to the real estate downturn. This year's $1.3 billion budget was passed without the use of reserve funds, but a continuing decline in the tax digest is expected in coming years.

(The budget) is the greatest challenge that the county faces," Brooks has said.

. Contributors to his campaign include Norcross Mayor Bucky Johnson, Gwinnett Municipal Association executive Randy Meacham, and Preston Williams, CEO of the Gwinnett Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Two other BOC officials will be up for re-election in 2012: Chairman Charlotte Nash, and and have announced their plans to run for the District 3 spot.

Nash has not announced formal plans, but has been accepting campaign contributions. Beaudreau formally has announced for re-election.

Formal election qualifying begins in May.

Duluth Patch editor Faye Edmundson contributed to this report.