Across Georgia

Gwinnett County cities pull red-light cameras

LAWRENCEVILLE --- Five cities in Gwinnett County are stopping the use of red-light cameras at busy intersections, saying they are too costly even though they have reduced accidents.

Norcross and Suwanee have removed the cameras, Snellville and Lilburn have suspended their programs for study and Duluth says it won't renew its lease when it expires in May.

By summer, only one government in Gwinnett will still be using the cameras -- the county government.

Officials say the cameras are working, with violations, accidents and injuries all down. But the program can cost cities $400,000 a year, and citations have dwindled since a state law mandated a one-second addition to the yellow phase at all camera intersections.

Superintendent out in troubled school district

JONESBORO --- The man hired to help the troubled Clayton County school system regain its accreditation has been fired.

The county's school board unanimously voted to oust Superintendent John Thompson on Saturday, then appointed Valya Lee, the assistant superintendent of support services, as interim superintendent of the 47,000- student district.

The board voted to pay Mr. Thompson the rest of his annual $285,000 salary and benefits until his contract expires June 30.

The termination comes a month before the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools returns to Clayton County to determine whether the district improved enough to be reaccredited.