Meg Avery

Meg and her husband Jim and son James moved from Connecticut to Lawrenceville in 1984 and moved to Sugar Hill in 1990 to the Frontier Forest neighborhood.    She became active in Sugar Hill issues when the city was attempting to expand the landfill, of which many residents were opposed.   Meg was also a member of the Recreation Board for two years, which began her passion for greenspace, recreation & family activities in Sugar Hill. 

Meg first ran for a seat on the City Council in 1995, but with 8 candidates vying for one seat, she came in second.   Meg ran a successful campaign in 1999 and served as City Council Member from January 2000 to December 2003.    During that time, she was involved with the development of the Town Green, Gazebo and Veteran’s Monument as well as the former Community Center (which is now Sugar Hill Distillery).  Meg was also opposed to a concrete facility and asphalt plant.   Meg and Council Member Kim Hall were instrumental in establishing the Sugar Hill Fall Festival, now known as Sugar Rush.

Meg has an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and she worked for Gwinnett County Schools for 30 years.      Meg began as a kindergarten paraprofessional at Norcross Elementary in 1987, and then transferred to Suwanee Elementary as a grade level paraprofessional in 1996.   In 2004 she transferred to Duluth Middle School as Registrar & Records Clerk.   All of these positions gave Meg a broad range of experience in organizational and communication skills.

Meg and Jim have been married 45 years.  During that time, they have enjoyed traveling, camping, kayaking, spending holidays with family and life in Sugar Hill.   Meg has been a member of The Compassionate Friends, a worldwide support group for bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents, since 1997 when James tragically passed away at age 14.   She has been a Chapter Leader, group facilitator and newsletter editor, as well as a speaker at conferences on suicide education & awareness and child loss. 

Meg & Jim have been host parents to foreign exchange students from Germany, Italy, Slovakia, Australia and Brazil.   These teenagers attended North Gwinnett High School and later, when the district zoning changed, they attended Lanier High School.  This has been an enriching and rewarding experience.   Their girls were involved in community outreach & volunteer opportunities, as well as activities and events at the high school.

After attending several City Council meetings and listening to residents’ comments and questions, especially concerning the massive growth in Sugar Hill, Meg decided to qualify for a seat on the Council to represent the residents and give them a voice in City issues.   She is pleased to have this opportunity to once again serve on the Council and have the chance to make a difference in the future of Sugar Hill.