Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Video of July 23rd Dunwoody City Council Meeting - Dunwoody Fire Department to be explored.


Recap, audience was filled with Red and Green shirts looking to make a point on either dog parks or walking trails and our public comment segment was filled for pleas for both the four legged and two legged users of the park.  We approved everything on the agenda with Councilwoman Bonser being the only dissenting votes on several items related to the Project Renaissance.



One interesting item was the fact that Councilman Nall asked the City Manager to rerun the numbers that the city had done previously to see if it now made sense for the City of Dunwoody to completely break away from DeKalb Fire and Rescue and either set up our own fire service or to partner with a neighbor. 

DeKalb recently raised the fire rates by 30 % therefore we might be able to provide the same or better service at the same or lower rate, whereby DeKalb is also reducing the services provided to the city by removing Fire Rescue 12 and where they have been looking to contract out all EMS

The Dunwoody City Council will be reviewing this item closely and will not make any hasty decisions as it would be a complex issue requiring long term planning.

Monday, July 23, 2012

Dunwoody Zoning Rewrite - draft documents for Aug 1st meeting.



Dunwoody Working Girl posted that the first draft documents of the Zoning rewrite is available and reminded us that the next public meeting is Wed Aug 1st, 7 pm at Dunwoody United Methodist Church, Fellowship Hall.

Please review and give feedback to the http://www.zoningdunwoody.com team.

Thanks

City of Dunwoody Update from Councilman Denny Shortal

My fellow citizens .... the following is an update of items that maybe of interest ...

1. Good News - Charlie Was Found ... My thanks to all of you who got involved in the search for the McCrocy's family Dog ... Charlie. About a day after I sent out the email with Charlie's photo asking for help, some fine citizens spotted Charlie and he is home safe and sound. Below is a note from the McCrorys:  CHARLIE IS HOME!
We would like to thank everyone in Dunwoody for helping us bring Charlie home. We found him this afternoon in a backyard on Withmere Way. We have lived in Dunwoody for many years, but this experience has really showed us the true community of Dunwoody. We would like to thank all our family and friends for their relentless searching (too many to name right here but you all know who you are), as well as total strangers who reached out with sightings info, offerings of help and some just calling and e-mailing to check on the search. We will be eternally grateful to the Dunwoody community for bringing Charlie back to us!  The McCrorys; Jim, Jenny, Maggie and Katie 
2. Green Market .... For those of you looking for the Green Market it has moved to the Spruill Center Gallery which is located on the corner of Ashford Dunwoody Rd and Asbury Square. The Green Market will still be on Wednesday mornings with the same vendors and great selections. The reason for the move was the Post Office needed the old location space do to the closing of the Post Office Branch on Shallowford Rd. 

3. Paving ... There are three different paving projects that are on going somewhat simultaneously by three different contractors ... Paving is a great enhancement to our City but paving will require patience from all of us as there will be traffic disruptions.

Full Depth Reclamation Paving (FDRP) .... There are seven streets in this project ... These are streets that had extensive deterioration and lacked adequate pavement thickness for normal resurfacing. FDRP is a process where the existing pavement is completely pulverized, mixed with the underlying soil and then cement is added to form a stabilized base which is then overlain with new asphalt pavement. (That is probably more info than you needed.) One of those streets in now complete in Leisure Valley ... this is street DC accepted before our cityhood. The street wasn't up to specs and by default the responsibility fell upon us when we became a city ... (as you know the City has responsibility for all streets and roads within our boundaries). This is a new construction area where the old builders went broke. We were fortunate enough to work out an arrangement where the new builders paid about 56% of the cost. The other streets in this project are... Tennille Ct, Vernon Oaks Dr, Tichenor Ct, Broughton Ct, Tyndall Ct and Arnaud Ct. Total cost of this portion of the repaving is approx. $370K.

Capital Paving Plan (CPP). CPP is the type of paving we have done in the last two years. This process involved milling the streets, deep patching the bad spots and then overlain with new asphalt. This work was started over a week ago on Perimeter Center East which is currently a little over half done. The other streets in this project are Ashford Ctr Pkwy, portions of Winters Chapel Rd, Ashley Ct, Sanlee Ln, Arrie Way, Lakesprings Cr, Lakesprings Ct, Charmant Pl, Joel Pl, Joel Ln and W. Fontainbleau Ct. The rain we had last week slowed progress on this project but I won't complain about the rain as it was needed to get our lawns, etc. back to good health. 

The third Paving Project is the enhancements on Mt Vernon Rd … this includes widening the road, adding curb and gutter where needed, adding sidewalks on the south side and repaving ... there will be bike lanes as part of this enhancement. There will be some tree removal (which is currently in progress) involved in this project to accommodate the sidewalks. A second part of this project is enhancement to Chamblee Dunwoody Rd south of Womack Rd. This portion of the project has been put on temporary hold pending the outcome of a "shovel ready" grant that we found and have applied for ... we are awaiting the outcome of that grant application.

4. City Signage ...  Thanks to all of you for your input. There is a blond lady that I hang around with a lot and she also agrees with your point of view. You can rest easy as we are going back to the "drawing board" on the city/way finding signage. That is one of the reasons we became a city .... your representatives are fellow citizens that you know, and can contact easily and they will respond. The public feedback is a key part in running our city as long as that feedback is not individual self-motivated ... in this case it definitely worked. I was out on the road with the paving crews this week and I have a fairly good working knowledge of that subject. When it comes to art and signs ... I personally can't even draw a "stick man." We will get a couple of graphic art type folks combined with some citizens with a good corporate knowledge of historic Dunwoody and proceed forward. 

5. Voting ... Candidate Primaries and other major issues are on the 31 JUL 2102 election ballot .... just nine days for today. This is your website for all voting Information ... http://web.co.dekalb.ga.us/Voter/default.html  How and Where to Vote ... See under "Normal Voting" below for instructions to see "specific" sample ballot for your area of DC.
You can still vote absentee but time is getting short. Go to the above website and on the left side of the page click on "Application and Forms" and in the middle of the next page click on "Absentee Ballot Application." Fill out the application -- remember this is a primary and you must choose either a Republican or Democratic Ballot (the general non-partisan issues will be on both on these ballots). At this date I recommend you fax your ballot application to DC Election Office (DCEO) ... Fax Ph # is 404-298-4038. Your application must be received NLT 4 PM on Friday, 27 JUL ... You will receive your ballot in the mail .... fill it out and mail it back to the address shown. To be counted your ballot must be received NLT 31 JUL at the DCEO.
Advance Voting ... Advance Voting is voting in person from 7 AM to 7 PM at five polling places around DC starting 23 thru 27 JUL 2012 ... the closest Advance Voting Polling Place to us is Chamblee City Hall, 5468 Peachtree Rd, Chamblee, GA 30341. Remember whenever you vote in person you need a picture ID.
Normal Voting ... Normal Voting will be at your regular polling place on Tuesday, 31 JUL from 7 AM to 7 PM. To find your regular polling place go to the above website, click on "Current Election Information" ... first items on the top left column ... and on the next page click on "Voter Specific Sample Ballot," it is the second item in the center of the page, fill out the required personal information and click "submit" and a page will come up showing your polling place and location. Also about 1/2 way down that page you will see a paragraph entitled "Your Sample Ballot(s)" and at the bottom of that paragraph you can select the "specific" Republican or Democratic ballot for you area of DC. 

My Comment of Voting ... Over the last 10 months I have been the senior Marine at the funeral, in the Atlanta area, for two very patriotic young Marines who lost their lives preserve your privilege to vote. Pls. keep faith with them by voting at this and all subsequent elections!

6. TSPLOST .... This issue, among others, will be on all ballots for the 31 JUL election. Basically it adds a one cent to the sales tax in each region. There are 12 regions in the state and DeKalb and nine other counties are in the region which encompasses the greater Atlanta Region. Each of the 12 regions across the state will vote independent of each other whether or not to pass TSPLOST … i.e., only those regions that vote in favor of TSPLOST will have TSPLOST. As I see it the positive for Dunwoody are ... we would get approx. $12 million from the regional funds to complete the Mt Vernon Rd enhancement from the city east boundary to Ashford Dunwoody Rd and additional $112.5 Million with $337.5 million in matching federal funds to enhance the I-285 / 400 intersection plus we would get approx. $800 — 900K annually for the 10 year life of TSPLOST for capital road enhancements within our city. The negative are it is a sales tax increase of approx. 14% ... also we are the only region to have a 85%/15% split where 85% of the funds go to regional projects across the region and 15% of the funds go to local projects for the individual counties and cities ...… all other regions have a 75% / 25% split. The last negative factor is trust. How you vote is your decision ... you decide!

7. DeKalb County Fire & Rescue (DCF&R) ...… Currently DCF&R is planning on outsourcing ambulance service in DC. There is currently a Request for Proposal (RFP) on the street with a due date of 9 AUG 2012. If this project goes forth this will probably be implemented sometime later this fall. This is brought on by the fiscal issues in DC. How it is currently envisioned to work is that when you place an EMT / Paramedic 911 call the first response would be a fire truck from one of our fire stations and on the truck will be an EMT and a Paramedic. At the same time the contract ambulance will be dispatched to the scene with an EMT and Paramedic on board to take anyone who requires it to a medical facility. I will keep you updated as this situation develops. I like the current system better. 

8. Stage Door Players (SDP) ... Meredy and I went to see SDP production of "High Society" last night ... all we can say it was excellent and we highly recommend the play. The remaining shows are on Th, Fr and Sat 26, 27 & 28 JUL and 2, 3 and 4 AUG @ 8 PM ... There is also a Sunday Matinee on 29 JUL and 5 AUG at I think 2:30 PM. Call 770-396-1726 or go on line at info@stage door players.net. The plays have been sold out so get your tickets early. If you haven't been to SDP we would highly recommend you start supporting this crown jewel intimate theater of Dunwoody. One day I envision some of our generous citizens stepping forward with the funds to renovate the Brook Run Theater (I am pretty sure we can get the votes to name it after you) which would be a venue enhancement while more that doubling the seating capacity.  

9. City Meetings and Event of Interest ...
23 JUL @ 7 PM ... City Council Meeting @ City Hall
24 JUL @ 1 PM ... Dunwoody Design Review Committee Meeting ... At the Dunwoody Homeowners Association Office ... 5527 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd.
24 JUL @ 4 PM ... Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) Meeting at City Hall
26 JUL @ 7 PM ... TSPLOST Forum @ Georgia Perimeter College (GPC) 
28 JUL @ 7 PM ... Dunwoody Nature Center (DNC) Summer Concert @ the DNC ... Bring your food and beverages in a picnic basket and enjoy a wonderful evening for the entire family.
01 AUG @ 7 PM ... Dunwoody Zoning and Land Development Code Rewrite ... Public meeting @ The Fellowship Hall @ DUMC 

10. Dunwoody Bakery Grand Re-opening ... I attended this event this passed week. Jill, the owner tells me she uses all organic ingredients and everything is also gluten free. She is going to start serving lunch starting in August. 

11. Pat Sadler .... At tomorrow night's city council meeting we will honor Pat Sadler who for the last ten years has been the President of Dunwoody Senior Baseball. Pat, is moving to NC to retire and play golf. Pat, on behalf of all the citizens of our fair city ... Thanks You! You are my definition of a real "community activist." 

11. It is about time I put an end to this update before I have to get a copy write. Please pass this on to all your friends, neighbors, members of your HOA or anyone else you think maybe interested. If anyone would like to be added to my email list please let me know and I will make that happen. Thanks for your continued support and remember that each of us are the City.

Denny Shortal
Dunwoody City Council, District One, Post-1
Mayor Pro Tem
PH (O) 678-382-6700 (C) 678-246-9006

Friday, July 20, 2012

July 23rd Dunwoody City Council Meeting Agenda

Monday, July 23rd
Dunwoody City Hall
41 Perimeter Center East
Dunwoody, GA 30346
6:00 p.m. - Work Session
7:00 p.m. - Voting Agenda
Watch Live at 7 pm


Magnolia Run Special Event Signage Request
Approval of Lekotek of Georgia Special Event Signage Request.
Review of 7 pm City Council Meeting Agenda

Agenda

Administer Oath of Office to Officer Caleb Gilbert.
Presentation of Hermes Award for Economic Development Kit.
Approval of Contract Amendment for Ridgelock Court Stormwater Project.
Approval of Mutual Aid Agreement with DeKalb County School District.
Resolution Appointing Sam Portis to Serve as Member of Design Review Advisory Committee.
Magnolia Run Special Event Signage Request
Approval of Lekotek of Georgia Special Event Signage Request.
Resolution to Approve Refinancing of 16 Acre Parcel.
Approval of Contract for Landscape Architect Services for Project Renaissance.
Update on CAD-to-CAD Expenditures.
ACTION ITEM: Approval of a Revised Development Agreement with John Wieland Homes

Tire damage on Chamblee Dunwoody Road - Steel Plate and Spikes the cause?


It looks as if a steel plate on Chamblee Dunwoody Rd caused tire damage to a few cars but was the city notified of the issue so we could repair it in a timely manner?  No matter if this was a DeKalb water plate or not, the city is responsible for road safety.  I couldn't find any notice given on the See Click Fix system but the story says that a resident called it in.

Safety is our top priority and these types of issues usually get corrected quickly.  I trust if the City is a fault and was notified, that this was probably an isolated issue that was not entered into our See Click Fix system.  I also fully trust that the location is now in good order and that our insurance company will properly handle any claims submitted.

Future work orders and corrective repair requests can be made easily by residents on the See Click Fix system and I fully encourage its use for road repair, sign replacements, traffic signals, code enforcement and right of way maintenance.  There are even apps available for your phone to submit photos and GIS information of the issue.

Out of town on July 31st? Vote next week in Chamblee.


Early Voting Available
Starting Next Week

Chamblee City Hall
5468 Peachtree Road
Chamblee, GA 30341


 Monday - Friday
7 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Another Broken Egg Cafe Coming to Dunwoody


Destin, Florida-based Another Broken Egg Cafe will soon open their second area location, this one in Dunwoody at Perimeter Village.  The new restaurant will take the corner spot created at the center following the closure of longtime tenant Borders Books & Music.  Atlanta-based Uncle Maddio's Pizza Joint is also opening in an adjacent space.  Another space adjacent to it remains available, while a fourth space converted from Borders was opened as Party City earlier this year.

Read the full article with further discussion on the Dunwoody Perimeter Village Shopping Center at Tomorrow's News Today.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Sample July 31st Republican Ballot for Dunwoody Area


Check your personalized ballot, click here..

Sample July 31st Democratic Ballot for Dunwoody Area


Check your personalized ballot, click here..

City of Dunwoody tables wayfinding and sign program



The City of Dunwoody has decided to table the current wayfinding and signage implementation program.  The City will go back to the drawing board to work on alternate designs and plans that more closely match community expectations.

While it recognizes the importance of a well-designed wayfinding program, the City intends to focus efforts on other services and priorities, which are considered by Council and the community as more immediate.  

No timetable has been set for the redesign and implementation of the City wayfinding and sign program. 

Dunwoody Dog Park, Principals, Signs, Eagle Project, 911 dispatch, Garden Orchard and Playable Green Space.


  • Austin Elementary & Chesnut Charter School are both looking for new Principals.
  • Having heard only negative comments, I think the wayfinding sign initiative will soon be dropped to focus on other priorities.
  • Kudos to Adam Stecker who recently gave back to the Dunwoody community by renovating the walking paths at Vernon Oaks Park.  Adam is about the third Eagle Scout that I have helped in someway along his journey and is one of the more rewarding aspects of the City Council position.
  • CAD to CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) between Chatcomm 911 and DeKalb Fire is taking longer to figure out then anticipated and it is scheduled to be discussed at the Monday night Dunwoody City Council Meeting.  The system that is currently in place (manual transfer for Fire calls) is the same that Chamblee and other local municipalities use when they have a 911 system separate from DeKalb 911.  CAD to CAD call transfer is the preferred system for fire calls but we have yet to see results due to computer compatibility issues.  Bob Fiscella wrote a piece on his blog and my hopes are that many of the questions on there will be answered on Monday.
Garden wins an Orchard

New Playing Field planted in Brok Run.
This field at the back of Brook Run was filled in and enough grass planted so that regulation soccer field could be installed.  Playable green space where there were once chunks of concrete is a very good thing.

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Transportation Referendum Meeting - Tuesday


Public Meeting on the Transportation Referendum
Dunwoody High School Auditorium
Tuesday July 17th - 6 to 8 pm

Friday, July 13, 2012

City of Dunwoody, the Good, the Bad and the Ugly.


Clint Eastwood Autographed Baseballs
Being sold by Dunwoody PD for Charity


Peachtree Charter Middle School is looking for corporate and family sponsors now for the CV Classic 5K run which will take place on Saturday October 20th.  The funds are designated to replace the track therefore if you know of someone interested in sponsoring please help spread the word.  Corporate Sponsor, Family Sponsor and Race Registration Forms are available and need to be turned in soon.


Movie on the Lawn – We Bought a Zoo on Wed July 25th at Dunwoody Baptist (great family movie!)


DeKalb school board approves higher tax rate - AJC from a week ago.
DeKalb County Schools face even deeper cuts, teacher layoffs - CBSAtlanta - Video



Council infighting embarrasses Dunwoody residents who expected better - AJC
Councilman John Heneghan, speaking at a June 26 City Council meeting, said he wants the whole matter put behind him.  "I'm disheartened with the money wasted on this process," he said, "and even more disappointed that this subject has distracted this city government from actually doing the people's work."
I have been quiet on the blog regarding the Ethics issue but received several emails from people that were very surprised to learn that I too was accused of an ethics violation.  As this is now front page news, including the AJC; I need to acknowledge on the blog that this is going on. An ethics counter charge against myself, the Mayor and other Council Members was filed by Councilwoman Adrian Bonser and then was publicized widely by her and is posted on her website.

Because of the charge against me, I need to reply to the ethics charges within 30 days - my reply will clearly state that the compliant filed against me quotes no violation of any section of Article VIII Ethics in the Dunwoody Code as it is required in section 2-258(a) of Dunwoody Code, instead the complaint states that I violated Georgia State law.  Complaints 1 & 2 against myself and the others should be immediately dropped in Dunwoody as it the wrong jurisdiction and raised instead with the State Attorney General by filing a petition in superior court.  Once that is done and formal discovery is had, I am guessing that the Attorney General will decide that that when a single real estate transaction is both buying and selling simultaneously whereby the transactions could not be divided that this transaction is allowed to be discussed behind closed doors.  Also if a City Attorney is in the room and he already verified those circumstances, then should the people in the room for those supposed violations be held individually liable or would the city be liable as a whole as the individuals might have been acting within the scope of their duties acting upon advice of a trained professional?  By a coincidence, I was also not in attendance at the Feb 3rd meeting therefore it is just another reason that complaint number 1 against me, should be dropped.

This matter needs to come to a close and if I could find a way to settle this, I surely would.  Our ethics code was written very restrictively and placing the responsibility of reporting supposed ethics violations on the elected officials, otherwise we would be in violation for not reporting.  It was because of this requirement that I, and am guessing the other members of council, signed the complaint so that the ethics board could review the Wilson Report and air it out because it was the only legally appropriate method available to have that done.

As I have said previously, this whole process is a waste of time, energy and money whereby even if I or someone else was found guilty as charged, I am guessing the penalty for this would likely be a slap on the wrist admonishment or a very small penalty ($500) if levied by the State.  That being said, there is a legal process in place and everyone has the right to use it (even is flawed).  In the mean time, we pay through the nose for "justice".

Look for changes to be proposed to the ethics ordinance in the near future.



Thoughts on this design, please tell us.

City staff just released the proposed signs for branding the City and I haven't heard one positive comment yet, therefore I am putting the documents out there, along with the official email address to provide the comments on how we should go forward.  Please let us know, both positive and negative comments are welcome.  Thanks.

"A successful Wayfinding system is also fueled by citizen involvement. Join with the City to help create a signage plan which assists in telling our story to visitors, new residents, friends and family. Be a part of guiding their experience into and through our dynamic City. Follow this link to artist renderings and images within the current proposed sign family. Please provide us with your constructive thoughts and opinions by sending an email to WAYFINDING@dunwoodyga.gov"

City signage plan gets cold response  - Dunwoody Reporter

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Recap of the July 9th Dunwoody City Council Meeting


Agenda recap - there was only one real vote and that was a procedural item to move the Renaissance property over to the development authority.  Other than that, there was discussion on a few items and I will give the 30,000 ft overview of the important items.

The City of Dunwoody puts out a high quality financial report but more importantly our auditors gave us a clean bill of health this evening.

The City released the branding concept on City Signage and we have already heard from a number of people who do not like the signs or the brand.  The conversation on this topic is just starting and there will be opportunities for public input in the near future.

Councilwoman Bonser added an item to the agenda asking that the City pay for her (as well as Council's) legal bills in all ethics cases. The City Attorney believed it not to be necessary but they will come back after doing more research.  The Dunwoody Board of Ethics will be meeting this evening at 5 pm to discuss the various complaints and though I may be considered a fool, I believe I can easily represent myself on one of the charges levied against me, as I wasn't there. ;-)

Councilman Shortal added an item to the agenda to get an update on the Chatcom 911 system enabling direct computer communication with DeKalb Fire known as "CAD to CAD".  City Manager Warren Huttmacher admitted that a communication glitch was being worked on and hopefully it will be working soon.  Warren stated that this was a top priority of City Hall and that staff was working diligently on getting it operational.


In City related news, this Crime needs to be solved and if it was determined to be a hate crime then the full extent of the law should be utilized.

Dunwoody Paving Update


Dunwoody Paving Update

=============

From Dunwoody Public Works Department


Dunwoody paving

Upcoming Paving Projects in the City.

This summer, the City is working with three contractor on several paving projects.  One of the contractors, Stewart Brothers, began reconstruction of Leisure Valley Drive in late June and is scheduled to finish Friday, July 13.  Their next stops include: Tennille Court and Arnaud Court followed by the Vernon Oaks neighborhood.
Johnson Landscapes began work on the Mount Vernon bicycle and pedestrian improvements between Ridgeview Road and Ashford Dunwoody Road.  Work will continue on that project into September.
C.W. Matthews will begin resurfacing Ashford Center Parkway on Tuesday, July 9. 
The tentative order of streets for paving this summer includes:
1.       Ashford Center Parkway
2.       Perimeter Center East
3.       Lakesprings Court and Lakesprings Circle
4.       West Fontainbleau Court
5.       Winters Chapel Road
6.       Sanlee Lane and Arrie Way
7.       Charmant Place, Joel Lane, Joel Court and Joel Place
These streets should be completed within 1 month, weather permitting.
Additionally, there will stormwater improvements made to Winters Chapel this week and next week prior to the paving.  Lane closures will occur between the reservoir and Peeler, weekdays between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.  Peeler Road and Tilly Mill Road should be used as alternates.

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Dunwoody 4th of July Parade - 9 a.m. down Mt. Vernon Rd ending in the Village.

Dunwoody Crier - Parade Special Section

9:00 a.m. Start Time

Georgia's Largest 4th of July Parade organized by the Dunwoody Homeowners Association starts at 9 am with Dunwoody's First Mayor, Ken Wright leading the procession as the Grand Marshal.    Mt. Vernon will be closed to vehicle traffic at about 8:30 so please find your seat in the shade early and be considerate of others when parking.  Last year I shot a little video of my parade experience and it gives a good feel for what to expect from this year's parade. Check it out.


Candy for the kids has always been a big part of the parade but know that it is suppose to be handed out, not thrown.  Parents please extra vigilant over the safety of your children as accidents can happen in the blink of an eye.  Swim teams and younger participants usually start from St. Lukes (about the half way point) therefore I recommended to a friend with a sweet tooth that he should sit just to the West of St. Lukes as the swim team's candy stash will still be fresh.

Please support a couple of charities at the parade, Troop 764 from St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church pushing grocery carts along the parade route collecting food CAC’s Food Pantry.    Pebble Tossers, a non-profit youth service organization, will be collecting Thank You cards for soldiers and veterans along the Dunwoody 4th of July Parade route. Please make your card at home and bring to the parade with you! Pebble Tossers will deliver the cards to the Veteran's Administration Medical Center in Decatur on July 5th.

Boy Scout Troop 494, from Dunwoody Baptist Church, will collect flags to be retired at Dunwoody High School band’s bake sale tent.  Parade-goers are encouraged to turn in worn or dirty U.S. flags they no longer use. Troop 494 will take the flags to scout camp at Woodruff Scout Reservation in mid-July and “retire” the colors in a ceremony that honors our nation’s flag with the dignity and respect it is due. Those who are unable to drop off flags after the parade will find a red bin waiting in the lobby of the Fitness Center at Dunwoody Baptist Church through July 10th.

The closing ceremonies at Dunwoody Village will feature a concert by the 116th Army National Guard Band, a closing concert by the Village Church of Dunwoody band, several patriotic displays and the awards for best parade entrants.

As always, non-profit groups will sell food and beverages at parade’s end. The popular barbecue lunches from Boy Scout Troop 266 of Dunwoody United Methodist are the troop’s biggest fund-raiser of the year and food can be ordered in advance at a discount. The All Saints Catholic Knights of Columbus will be selling hamburgers and the Dunwoody High football program will sell spirit wear.  Calvary Church Kids Zone will offer Jumpies, sides, face painting, and games for kids of all ages near the Goodyear Tire and Service Center.

Other non-profits on hand include Georgia Flight Youth Basketball with sno-cones, Homestead Hope Foundation, Queen of Hearts Foundation, the VFW, Pebble Tossers, the Dunwoody Chamber of Commerce and Scout Troop 494 with a flag collection.


Murphey Candler Little League announces a new League for Intermediate-Challenged Kids.

Play Ball
MCLL Has Opened Registration For Its New Frontier League For This Fall.

Frontier Is A League For Intermediate-Challenged Kids

To Qualify, The Player Must Be Diagnosed With: ADD, ADHD, Appraxia, Auditory Processing, Speech delays, Dyslexia, and Other Executive or Sensory Challenges.   Other Challenges Can Be Considered On A Case By Case Basis.

Additional Information:

      All Counties Are Welcome
      Games Will Be 1 Day Per Week This Fall, Likely on Saturday Mornings
      There Will Be Two Age Groups:
      Frontier I Will Be For 7 To 9 Year Olds
      Frontier II Will Be For 10 To 12 Year Olds.
      All Experience Levels Are Welcome
      Space Is Limited

For More Information Contact:

League Director Adam Wickley at 770-722-4837

To Register, Please Go To http://www.murpheycandler.org
Click on Register Today at the Top, Then Register Now, Then Frontier League

Dunwoody Police Department is accepting applications for the Citizen's Police Academy

Police Academy Graduates

The Dunwoody Police Department hosts a Citizen's Police Academy several times a year. The next class will begin on July 24th.  The academy is ten weeks long and is held on Tuesday nights from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  The academy covers a variety of topics to include, but not limited to:  Traffic Enforcement, Gangs, SWAT, Detective Division, Patrol, Special Weapons and Tactics, Community Outreach Unit, Crime Scene Unit and Evidence.  Included in the academy is a tour of the Dekalb County Jail and the new ChattComm 911 center in Sandy Springs.

There are a limited number of spaces available for the academy; therefore, registration is on a first-come-first-serve basis.  Please download the application below and turn it into the front desk at 41 Perimeter Center East, Suite 100, Dunwoody, GA 30346.  There will be a background check conducted on each applicant.   If you have any questions, please contact Sgt. Mike Carlson at  mike.carlson@dunwoodyga.gov.
CPA Application

Monday, July 2, 2012

Dunwoody Area Fireworks - I recommend Norcross on the 3rd and Chamblee on the 4th.

It is a rare year when we actually attend two firework shows back to back, two nights in a row but when the shows are close and the parking is easy, it does happen in the Heneghan household from time to time.  Depending on how worn out my crew is on the 4th, two shows might be in our future.

Norcross - July 3rd
The City of Norcross puts on a nice show (20 min last year) which is held in a relatively new, very large Lillian Webb Park which is located between Old Norcross (Train Station & Thrasher Park) and Buford Hwy.  The new park has lots of open grass, a water fountain for the kids to play in and live music.  The City hosts a festival you on the streets of the town with numerous food vendors and entertainment for the kids.
News Article on Event.


For Norcross, I usually park just off Buford Highway about a block away in one of the nearby empty parking lots.  The beauty of parking here is that it is an easy trip home with little ones in tow with Buford Highway being able to handle the mass exodus traffic.

Chamblee - July 4th
The City of Chamblee hosts an all day affair in Keswick Park and though I have attended some of the all day festivities in prior years, I usually just zip over for the fireworks after a busy day grilling out at the pool.  Parking is easiest for me at Chamblee Middle School which is about two blocks away but spots can be found in the neighborhood if you arrive a little earlier then I usually do. City Festivities schedule here.

Musical Performance Schedule:
2 p.m. - Chris Cauley from Atlanta, GA and the television show,The Voice. Chris considers himself a soul singer and performs pop covers. Click Here to see his video from The Voice audition.
4 p.m. - Nathan Ware - from Woodstock, GA. Nathan is a country music singer/song writer. He will be performing some covers for artists like Zac Brown and will also perform some of his own originals.
6 p.m. - Mike Veal Band - out of Atlanta, GA. Mike and his band covers a combination of genres including blues, rock, funk and fun. The band has a diverse musical background.

Other Fourth of July Activities Schedule
2:00 - 6:00 p.m. - Train rides, clowns, spider bungee jump, pony hops, rock wall, face painting, balloon animals, clowns, moonwalks and other carnival type kids activities.
9:30ish p.m. - Fire Works Show

Sunday, July 1, 2012

The City of Peachtree Corners officially starts operation.


As I remember back to the birth of the City of Dunwoody, this evening I relived it by witnessing the starting moments of the City of Peachtree Corners.  At 12:01 am July 1, 2012 the city was officially put into operation.

Congrats to all involved and I look forward to partnering with you on our common border of Winters Chapel Rd.

First City AgendaCity Charter/State Legislation, City Map, Carl Vinson Institute of Government Study

Proposed FY 2013 Budget, Proposed FY 2013 Budget - Power Point, City Progress Update