Mayor Ken Wright08/06/2008 Update - Ken Wright named Dunwoody Mayor.
Citizens for Dunwoody chair to run for mayor
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
By Cathy Cobbs for The Crier
Longtime local leader Ken Wright wants to be Dunwoody’s first mayor. “I love this community and I feel a deep responsibility to offer up any and all talents I have to the city,” Wright said in an interview with The Crier. “I’m excited to take on this opportunity.”
Wright, an Atlanta native who grew up on the Fulton County portion of the Branches neighborhood, graduated from North Springs High School and the University of Georgia with a degree in political science. He and his wife, Terri, have two children, Cassidy, eight, and Clayton, six.
A former Dunwoody Homeowners’ Association President from 2003 - 2005, he also served as the chairman of Citizens for Dunwoody, a non-profit group devoted to educating the public about the incorporation effort. He sent a letter to that board this week, resigning his office and declaring his intention to run for the mayor’s seat.
So far, Wright is the only declared candidate for the mayoral position, although others have expressed an interest in the office. Bob Dallas, a member of Dunwoody Yes, an advocate group that also spearheaded the city movement, has indicated an interest in the office, but has not yet officially declared his candidacy. Dallas could not be reached for comment via telephone or e-mail prior to The Crier’s Monday press deadline.
Already, more than 60 residents have endorsed Wright, who, if elected, would be the city’s first mayor. (See the list).
Rob Augustine, of Dunwoody Yes, also threw his support to Wright.
“Ken Wright has a proven track record of leadership on behalf of the Dunwoody community,” Augustine said.
John Heneghan, a longtime supporter of the incorporation effort and president of the Dunwoody North subdivision, “whole heartedly” endorsed Wright.
“Ken Wright has selflessly served the Dunwoody community as the president of the DHA and then as president of the Citizens for Dunwoody committee, which successfully brought us through the incorporation process,” Heneghan said. “Ken's work ethic and dedication to the community are exemplary and he is the leader I most trust to move the city forward.”
State Rep. Fran Millar (R-Dunwoody), who spearheaded the incorporation effort in the state legislature, also offered his support for the former DHA president.
“He understands the zoning and codes issues in his past work with the DHA and he’s familiar with all the opportunities and the challenges ahead,” Millar said. “I can’t think of anyone more qualified to be mayor.”
In other, related news, the DHA has announced it will hold a candidate forum for the seven elected City of Dunwoody positions for all declared candidates for the mayor and council member seats on August 26 from 7-9 p.m. in the sanctuary at Dunwoody United Methodist Church on Mt. Vernon Highway.
Candidates may place printed material for distribution on the tables provided at the rear of the meeting room, however, neither candidates nor or their representatives are to distribute campaign materials on the church property.
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AJC - Ken Wright announces run for Mayor of Dunwoody
The new city of Dunwoody has its first announced candidate for mayor, and he's a familiar figure in the north DeKalb County community.
Ken Wright, 39, served as president of Citizens for Dunwoody Inc., the nonprofit organization behind Dunwoody's successful incorporation referendum. Before that, he also served as president of the Dunwoody Homeowners Association, another prominent and powerful group of Dunwoody residents.
"I'm getting my paperwork together right now," said Wright, who plans to file Monday, the first day of qualifying for Dunwoody mayor and City Council candidates with the DeKalb Voter Registration and Elections Office.
The city's inaugural elections will be held Sept. 16. The initial mayoral term will be three years, to November 2011. Subsequent terms will be four years. The new mayor will be paid $16,000 annual salary, plus $5,000 expenses.
Wright, the founder and chief executive of a Dunwoody health care software firm, said he wasn't thinking of running for the part-time post until some friends prodded him recently.
"It's just a natural extension of where I am in my life and where I am in my civic responsibility," he said. "It's just the right time for me to run."
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