All three Dunwoody incumbents have registered to run again.

The City of Dunwoody website states that were three applicants to qualify for the elections today. The candidates are the three City Council incumbents: Denis Shortal, Adrian Bonser and Tom Taylor. All three incumbents publicly announced their candidacy and were expected to register as they did.

The question is, will anyone else register to run by this Friday afternoon?

Dunwoody Zoning Board of Appeals hears five cases on Thursday at 7.

Dunwoody Zoning Board of Appeals
Thursday, September 3, 2009 – 7:00 PM
Dunwoody City Hall – 41 Perimeter Center East

Agenda

ZBA09-081: Jack D Hudson of 1984 Dellfield Court Dunwoody, Georgia 30338; requests the following: Variance from Chapter 27, Section 2L-6(b)(2) to permit a building addition and remodeling on the rear of an existing single family home; The subject property is located at the northern terminus of Dellfield Court, north of its intersection with Dunwoody Club Way. The tax parcel number is 06 341 01 112.

ZBA09-082: Windsor at Convergence 1051 LLC, Windsor at Convergence 211 LLC, Windsor at Convergence 219 LLC, and Windsor at Convergence 223 LLC, represented by William Woodson Galloway and Laurel David of Dillard and Galloway of 3500 Lenox Road, NE, Suite 760, Atlanta GA 30326; request the following: Variance from Chapter 14, Section 14H-3(a) to permit a mixed-use office/residential/retail/hotel development project to be constructed into a required stream buffer; The subject property is located at the northwest corner of Hammond Drive and Perimeter Center Parkway. The tax parcel numbers involved are 18 348 04 005, 18 348 04 021, 18 348 04 022, and 18 348 04 023.

ZBA09-083: W. Scott Hollingsworth, owner, of 2702 Fontainebleau Drive, Atlanta GA 30360, represented by Doug Baldwin, Baldwin Building Systems of 5211 Forest Springs Drive, Dunwoody GA 30338, request the following: Variance from Chapter 14, Section 14H-3(a) to permit a front porch on an existing single-family home to be expanded into a required stream buffer; The subject property is located on the north side of Fontainebleau Drive, east of its intersection with Happy Hollow Road. The tax parcel number is 06 307 03 045.

ZBA09-084: James D. Rose, representative for 4511 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Atlanta GA 30338, requests the following: Variance from item 11, Section 3, Article 3 of Chapter 21 to permit roof signs on an existing commercial retail center; The subject property is located on the east side of Chamblee Dunwoody Road, north of its intersection with I-285. The tax parcel number is 18 345 10 012.

ZBA09-085: Tad Allen, owner of 2238 Spring Mill Cove, Dunwoody, GA 30338, requests the following: Variance from Chapter 27, Article 4, Section 4-1(j) to permit the aggregate square footage of accessory structures on a residential lot under one acre to exceed 900 square feet; The subject property is located at the northeast terminus of Spring Mill Cove, northeast of its intersection with Tilly Mill Road. The tax parcel number is 18 359 02 064.

Reminder: Dr. Crawford Lewis scheduled to address the DCPC on Wed Sept 2nd at 9 am

September 2nd, 2009
9:00 a.m.

All DeKalb County School Parents Welcome!

Dunwoody High School
5035 Vermack Road
Dunwoody, Georgia 30338
Phone: 678-874-8502

For more info or to get on the mailing list - dcpc2009@comcast.net

Does playing Romeo & Juliet make you a sexual predator? Ask Wendy Whitaker (or Dan Weber) if this law needs to be changed.

Creative Loafing and the Atlanta blogs (1, 2, 3, 4 & 5) are buzzing about Wendy Whitaker, the Harlem, Ga., housewife who was the subject of a 2006 CL cover story about Georgia’s then-new — and constitutionally shaky — sex offender law, has been arrested for failing to register a new address.

In 1997, when she was 17, Whitaker was convicted under Georgia’s antiquated sodomy law — overturned the next year by the U.S. Supreme Court — for performing oral sex on a 15-year-old classmate. She was sentenced to five years probation and has had to register annually as a sex offender ever since.

But this past Monday, police in Columbia County arrested Whitaker at her mother’s house, charging her with failing to register a new address. If convicted, she faces a 10- to 30-year prison sentence under Georgia law. Last year, a bill to reduce the penalty for failure to register passed the state Senate, but failed in the House.

At this writing, Whitaker remains in jail, unable to make her $10,000 bail.

My good friend State Senator Dan Weber (R-Dunwoody) took to the well in 2007 to change the definition of a sex offender to exclude the circumstances of a Romeo and Juliet romance involving oral sex, but the measure ultimately failed.

Bad laws sometimes have unintended consequences on good people and when that happens the laws need to be revisited and this appears to be one of those times.

It's Fun. It's Loud. It's Mr. Greg's Musical Madness at the Dunwoody Nature Center.

Saturday, August 29, 6-8 pm
Dunwoody Nature Center

Bring your chairs, blankets, and picnics for a family-friendly evening of music by the creek. Enjoy music in the park while the kids run from creek to meadow and enjoy a stroll on our trails while music wafts through the trees.

Mr. Greg’s Musical Madness is a unique musical education and entertainment program for the whole family. Greg Roth (“Mr. Greg”) performs regularly at schools and educational institutions around Atlanta with a show featuring song selections from his musical CD “Saving the Earth”. His program combines the fun of family music with an emphasis on environmental and social awareness. Greg Roth is an award-winning singer/songwriter whose songs are played regularly on MTV, VH1, PBS, and many international television shows. He is a winner of the Rock Finals Award in the international John Lennon Songwriting Competition and has performed at venues all over the country. For more information, visit www.mrgregsmusicalmadness.com. Don’t miss this chance for the whole family to enjoy a show!

Admissions
Members: FREE
General Public, Adults and children 3 years and up: $5 each
Children 2 years and under: FREE

Hit and Run leaves mirror image in bumper.

http://twitter.com/DunwoodyPolice

Dunwoody streets will be getting the laser treatment, then worst - first will be addressed.

When I was doing research on public works for the Citizens for Dunwoody prior to the City being created, I realized that the City of Sandy Springs found a nifty research tool to analyze and map the city's infrastructure of streets. Compared to DeKalb County who used a road engineer to drive around to analyze and grade the streets from behind a windshield; the Sandy Springs system took all human input out of the equitation and gave a completely unbiased analysis. I saw the value in this tool and personally pushed that it be added to the City's year one budget. Once the laser vehicle completes the map of the Dunwoody's streets, the results will be published so that everyone can see what streets are rated the worst and from there a long term plan can be developed to improve our infrastructure.

The two systems described are listed below and in researching this post I just wanted to mention that I really enjoyed the City of Sandy Springs website and their electronic file repository. I hope that the City of Dunwoody website will someday be as comprehensive.

Sandy Springs

Sandy Springs pavement conditions map and long term planning.

DeKalb County

DeKalb Pavement Management System

2008 DeKalb Street Grades & my map of the worst in Dunwoody.

Below is the City of Dunwoody press release.

The City of Dunwoody, Public Works Department, has engaged the firm IMS, Infrastructure Management Services, to complete a surface distress survey on all public streets within Dunwoody. IMS will survey the city’s network of roads beginning tomorrow, August 28, with state of the art technology designed to collect data on various distresses found in the pavement infrastructure. The data collected over the next few weeks will assist the City of Dunwoody to develop long-term roadway rehabilitation plans and budgets.

The first phase will be to inventory and collect pavement performance data using a device known as a Road Surface Tester or RST. This device measures pavement roughness, rutting, cracking and other surface distresses as it travels down the roadway. The RTS vehicle will also be used to collect digital video and Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) information for cataloging pavement condition. The RST is a one-ton Ford van with four digital high-resolution cameras, GPS receivers, and a modified front bumper containing 11 lasers used to measure surface distresses. Operated by three field technicians, the RST travels at posted speed limits and will survey each roadway at least once. The RST then uses built-in software and on-board processors to develop roadway inventories, time code integration, and system monitors.

Once all the data is collected, it will be used to develop a series of reports allowing the city to cost effectively budget and plan for the long-term maintenance of the roadways.

Dunwoody schedules public forums on sanitation options for city.

The City of Dunwoody is investigating possible alternatives for sanitation and recycling services that meet or exceed current levels of services. At this point, we are only gathering and sharing information, not making changes. The information gathered will help Mayor and Council decide if they want to make changes in the future to our sanitation and recycling services provided.

Public Forums

As such, the City is hosting a series of informational forums to share more information about our current service provision and possible alternatives. Each forum will include short presentations with ample opportunity for question and answer.

• Thursday, September 17th – 7:00 p.m. – Sanitation Provision Options
• Wednesday, September 23rd – 10:00 a.m. – Comparing and Contrasting to other Cities
• Tuesday, September 29th – 7:00 p.m. – More Sanitation Provision Options and Recycling

Each of the forums will be held in the Dunwoody City Council Chambers located on the 1st floor at 41 Perimeter Center East, Dunwoody, GA 30346.

Additional Information

Under the leadership of Mayor and Council, staff began evaluating the potential for outsourcing sanitation services. At the City Council Work Session on July 20th, Jeff Timler, Special Projects Manager/Director of Sustainability presented a memo in response to Council’s interest in the potential for outsourcing sanitation services. Click here to read the memo. After discussion, Council tapped the Sustainability Commission to do additional research and asked staff to proceed with a series of public forums to share information and gather opinions from Dunwoody residents and businesses.

Contact

For more information, contact Jeff Timler at jeff.timler@dunwoodyga.gov or 678.382.6809 OR Kimberly Greer at kimberly.greer@dunwoodyga.gov or 678.382.6805

Texting While Driving Video: Will Graphic Imagery Change People’s Behavior?

Many of us are guilty of it: texting (or tweeting, or updating our Facebook status) while behind the wheel of a car.

Now, a public service announcement created by the Gwent Police Department in Wales designed to stop teens from doing it is quickly becoming an Internet hit, garnering thousands of views on YouTube, and being featured in a segment on The Today Show this morning (embedded below).

The reason for its viralness has much to do with the graphic nature of the content (the full video is available here and down below). The video features a total of four people being killed – two of the teen driver’s friends, and the parents of two children in an oncoming car.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

As The Today Show segment explains, some of the video’s success is being attributed to parents outside of Wales showing it to their teen drivers. Clearly, however, the video has spread well beyond its intended audience, and may have an impact on behavior at large.

Will it change the way you or your teenager thinks about texting while driving?

Graphic Reality

2nd annual Taste of Chamblee - this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The Chamblee Business Association and City of Chamblee present the second annual Taste of Chamblee “A Festival for the Senses” which will have over 30 restaurants presenting the best and most diverse food in the Southeast. Where else can you pay a few dollars ($1.00 - $4.00) to sample Indian, Malaysian, Mexican, Chinese Dim Sum, BBQ, Cajun, and Italian?

There is something for everyone so while you are enjoying the food and music; shop the Art Walk featuring over 40 regional artists with unique hand made crafts. The Kid Zone will include interactive inflatables, a quad euro bungee, a 24’ rock wall, 33’ Shark Slide, Trackless Train, Dragon Obstacle Course, Island Adventure Obstacle Course and many other fun activities.

Plan to eat, drink and enjoy music on the Main Stage all day culminating with The Mustangs in concert at 7:00 PM. The Mustangs are sure to please, playing everything from Percy Sledge, Santana, John Cougar and Brooks & Dunn these guys will have you singing and dancing the night away.

Tables: If you are interested in purchasing reserved seating, there are tables available for rent. Please call 770-423-1330.

When: Saturday; August 29, 2009.

Times: 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Where: Downtown - Chamblee, GA along Peachtree and Broad Streets.

Admission: FREE

Attendance: 10,000 people

Information: 770-423-1330 or billwatson@jrmmanagement.com

Audio of the Monday Night Dunwoody City Council Meeting

Start of meeting and Proclamation for Bailiffs

Dunwoody Village Overlay District (First read - no action)

Discussion of Dunwoody CVB funding (How much $$$ does the DCVB need to start? Should we save some for City Branding?)

Building permit fees (Deferred - are the commercial fees too high also?)

Alcohol Beverages to change various distance requirements. (Approved to increase the distance which limits the future number of hard alcohol package stores.)

Auditing Services - (Approved)

District Two DCVB Rep - Mr. Michael Menis (Approved)

Discussion - Sign Ordinance text amendment to Community Council

Break for Executive Session

Young Survival Coalition is Atlanta's Only Bike Ride for Breast Cancer and it is taking place at Perimeter Mall in Dunwoody

Young Survival Coalition's Tour de Pink Atlanta

October 17, 2009
Perimeter Mall in Dunwoody, GA

Register Today!

In Metro Atlanta alone, almost 500 young women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. The Young Survival Coalition (YSC) is the premier international organization dedicated to increasing the quality and quantity of life for young women with breast cancer.

YSC Atlanta is one of the oldest and largest YSC affiliates serving 11 counties in the metro area. The funds raised by the Tour de Pink will help us focus on education and outreach opportunities and provide peer-to-peer support for newly diagnosed young women.

Young Survival Coalition's Tour de Pink is Atlanta's newest and most exciting charity bike event, modeled after our successful national ride. Tour de Pink has raised over a million dollars for young women affected by breast cancer. The 2009 ride is more than an event for cyclists; it's a chance to honor survivors, raise awareness in the community and support important local programs for young women with breast cancer.

The first-ever Atlanta Tour de Pink promises something for everyone, from short family rides and a survivor loop to cycle routes from 1 to 100 miles. Following the ride, participants and spectators will have a chance to mingle and explore our expo area, showcasing local services, vendors, food, entertainment and family fun.

When: Saturday, October 17, 2009. Staggered starts beginning at 7:00 a.m.

Activities:

• Rides ranging in length from 1 to 100 miles
• Family Ride
• Survivor Loop
• Complimentary Food and Beverage
• Expo Area at Start/Finish Line

Community Expo: Join us for a family friendly event within the event! While you wait for our riders to cross the finish line, enjoy food, music, children's activities and exhibits by our sponsors and other local nonprofit organizations.

Event Proceeds: Proceeds from the event will be used by Young Survival Coalition's Atlanta Affiliate to help raise awareness for young women affected by breast cancer as well as provide resources and support to young survivors and their families.

Schedule
Schedule as of July 15, 2009. Please check back as times are subject to change.
6:30 a.m.: Registration and check in begins
7:00 a.m.: Century ride start
8:30 a.m.: Community Expo begins
9:00 a.m.: Middle route lengths start
9:00 a.m.: Family Ride
9:00 a.m.: Survivor Loop
9:30 a.m.:Short route begins

Routes

• 1-mile survivor loop
• 4-mile family ride
• 15-20 mile short route
• 40-mile middle route
• Metric century (62 miles)
• Century (100 miles)

Georgia Perimeter College, Dunwoody to receive $2.2 Million to design new academic building.

You didn't think the Dekalb High School Of Technology (now vacant property) which was swapped for the new Dunwoody Elementary School on Womack Road would be idle forever did you?

Get ready for more students.

Passed the $2.2 million for a set of drawings (big building?) by the Board Regents in 2008
http://www.usg.edu/news/2008/082008-1.phtml

Architectural Firm hired for a new Academic Building on August 12th, 2009
http://www.usg.edu/regents/action/aug09.phtml

My Suggestion
I would like to suggest that the State Board of Regents purchases the old Emory Hospital on Shallowford and convert it into Atlanta's premier nursing school. The building is available, the access is better that the Womack location and the students could gain experience on Pill Hill (Northside, St, Joe's & Children's) as well as the numerous doctors offices in the area.

Agenda for Monday's Dunwoody City Council Meeting

Monday, August 24th
Dunwoody City Hall
41 Perimeter Center East
Dunwoody, GA 30346

Agenda

PROCLAMATION: “Recognition of Dunwoody Municipal Court Volunteer Bailiffs”.
Mr. Ron Silvers, Mr. Larry Echikson, Mr. Jim Sturgis, Mr. Jim Beattie, and Mr. Stanley Bernstein

Ordinance to amend Chapter 4: Alcohol Beverages to change various distance requirements.
Changing one distance from feet to yards and will not affect any current vendors.

Approval of Contract 09-189 (Auditing Services).
Mauldin & Jenkins Certified Public Accountants, LLP

Ordinance amendment to Chapter 27: Zoning Ordinance to revise the text of §3C, the Dunwoody Village Overlay District.
Design Review Committee - Must be vetted through all committees and hold another public hearing prior to final decision.

Discussion of Dunwoody CVB funding.
Disposition of the restricted hotel/motel funds that were collected from Dec. 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009; estimated to be about $240,000.00

Resolution to revise fee schedule for building permit fees.
25% reduction in residential construction fees

Twitter announces that Dunwoody Burglars Arrested

http://twitter.com/DunwoodyPolice

Dunwoody sets up convention, visitors bureau

Bob Cottle, DCVB Member

By Tom Spigolon of the Dunwoody Neighbor

Dunwoody’s first convention and visitors bureau faces the challenge of telling the public about the city’s numerous lodging, dining and shopping opportunities, one of its members says. “With all the amenities we have, there are a lot of things we have to offer people,” said bureau member Bob Cottle, a longtime city resident.

Dunwoody City Council voted to establish the non-profit Convention and Visitors Bureau of Dunwoody Inc. last week. Its members will include three representing the city council; the general managers of the city’s three hotels; and one each representing the Dunwoody Chamber of Commerce, Perimeter Community Improvement District and the city’s restaurant/retail industry.

The council last week approved the appointment of two of its representatives — Cottle and Mallard Holliday. The final appointee will be recommended to the council at its Aug. 24 meeting, said Post 5 Councilman Danny Ross. The chamber named Bryan Tate as its representative. However, the Perimeter CID has yet to name someone, Ross said.

The inaugural meeting took place today (Thursday) during the day and I was unable to attend (that pesky day job thing) so if anyone was there to give a recap, please do. Thanks.

The DCVB Board Members as I know them are as follows...

Mallard Holliday - District One Rep
Michael Menis - District Two Rep
Bob Cottle - District Three Rep
Robert Woolridge - Marriott Hotel Rep
Craig Hillyard - Crown Plaza Hotel Rep
Brad Sturgeon - Embassy Suites Hotel Rep
Bryan Tate - Dunwoody Chamber Rep
Unknown - Restaurant Rep
Unknown - PCID Rep

Denny Shortal Re-Election Kickoff Celebration at Mudcatz

Denny Shortal re-election Kick off celebration at Mudcatz on Sept 1st.

$25.00 donation and cash bar.

Da Mayor explains why the council is sniffing around the trash can.

By Mayor Ken Wright

As a Dunwoody homeowner for about 16 years, I realize there are a few things many of us Dunwoodians hold sacred: our family, our minivans and SUV’s, our faith, the Dunwoody farmhouse, and the ability to put any kind of garbage we want in front of our houses and know, with a 90 percent probability, it will be removed from our sight forever.

I can assure you that your city council members all live in Dunwoody and all embrace the DeKalb County sanitation service. We realize that most citizens are happy with our current garbage service from DeKalb and are okay with the fees associated. It seems to be a fair and satisfying arrangement. So, what the heck are we doing sniffing around the trash can?

The heart of the issue with our sanitation services is this, DeKalb County is only required to provide sanitation services to Dunwoody residents and businesses at the same fees as other residences and businesses of DeKalb County for the first two years after our city was established.

Our city was established December 1, 2008. After the two years are up, the county will be like every other private contractor we contract with, in that the services offered will be negotiated with no legislation, rules or cap on charges. That means we have until November 30, 2010 to sign a contract with a sanitation provider with acceptable terms and service.

With such a large and important topic and service, it means that due diligence, discussion, and contingency planning begin now.

Due Diligence: Both city staff and a group of Dunwoody citizens are currently in the midst of doing due diligence. This includes looking at other like cities and counties, and their situations, costs, vendors, likes, dislikes, positive results, and horror stories.

Discussion: This will include three public meetings on what our personal thoughts and feelings are on our current situation, and what the due diligence has uncovered. The former is relatively easy, since most citizens are happy with the service and cost; the latter we don’t know until it is completed and we are all able to listen, digest and discuss.

Contingency Planning: This piece is one that is most difficult. We must plan for the “what ifs” and possibilities, and be fully prepared should they ever come to fruition. This is a critical component that ideally is done with as much time, thought, planning, pricing, details and appropriate preparation as possible. So, if something happens or does not happen with our current provider, we need to include ample time for a thought out contingency plan and not a “knee jerk” reaction plan.

You have elected a very well educated, thoughtful, and deliberative council. Please know they are committed to serving you and your community’s best interests and have faith that their deliberations and hard work are meaningful and focused.

Mayor Ken Wright speaks to the Dunwoody Chamber on Aug 27 - tickets available to the public

Dunwoody Mayor Ken Wright will be the keynote speaker at the Dunwoody Chamber of Commerce's August dinner meeting. This meeting is open to the public and will be held on Thursday, August 27 beginning at 6:00pm at the Ravinia Club. There is limited seating and reservations must be made by August 25 by calling the chamber office at 678-244-9700 ext 6004. The tickets are $40 per person. Dunwoody Chamber members receive a discount of $10.

Creekside Adventures this Saturday at the Dunwoody Nature Center

Dunwoody Nature Center
Saturday, August 22, 10 am - Noon

Cool off from the summer heat in this late summer water adventure! Hike along Wildcat Creek to search for animal tracks, wade in to catch and release creek critters, and make a record of your discoveries with a scrapbook page. Bring a camera to add photos to your keepsake later at home!

Members: $5 per person. General Public: $8 per person.

First Meeting of the Dunwoody Convention and Visitors Bureau, Thursday @ Noon

Dunwoody Convention and Visitors Bureau
Special Called Meeting

Thursday, August 20, 2009 at 12:00 noon
Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Center
246 Perimeter Center Parkway,
Dunwoody, GA 30346

Agenda

1) Board introductions
2) Incorporator presentation – if necessary
3) Discuss how to organize based on the By-Laws and CBVD Agreement
4) Discuss how to select the restaurant/retail sector member
5) Discuss how to select the Executive Director
6) Plan our next meeting agenda and date
7) Other business

Gov. Sonny Perdue appoints Dunwoody resident David Nahmias to the Supreme Court of Georgia.

David Nahmias

As U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, Nahmias served as the chief federal law enforcement officer in the region and managed approximately 80 lawyers who represent the United States in all criminal and civil litigation in federal court in the district.

Nahmias graduated second in his class at Duke University and magna cum laude from Harvard Law School where he was an editor of the Harvard Law Review. After graduation he clerked for U.S. Circuit Court Judge Laurence Silberman and U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. He then worked as an appellate lawyer at the law firm of Hogan and Hartson with now Chief Justice John Roberts before returning to Atlanta to serve in the United States Attorney’s Office.

A native Georgian, Nahmias lives in Dunwoody with his wife Cathy and their two sons Steven and Michael.

Eugene Walker Resigns From DeKalb Development Authority

The Champion is reporting that the chairman of the DeKalb Development Authority, Eugene Walker, has resigned from his position.

Walker came under recent pressure for accepting $18,000 in campaign contributions from the Sembler Company during the last election cycle after Sembler came a-callin’ for a $52 million tax break on the Town Brookhaven development.

Personal note, Thank you Representative Mike Jacobs for your leadership on the Sembler Town Brookhaven Abatement issue. It was much appreciated.

Dunwoody White Pages, may only be available upon request.

(WSB Radio) -- After more than 130 years, AT&T is phasing out the phone book. The telecommunications giant is taking the first step toward ending publication of the residential white pages by submitting a request to the Georgia Public Service Commission for permission to stop home delivery of the phone book in parts of metro Atlanta.

Calling it a "substantial hardship" for the company that is no longer necessary, AT&T wants to abandon delivery of the white pages in Atlanta, Chamblee, Decatur, Doraville, Dunwoody, East Point, Hapeville, Lithonia, Sandy Springs and Tucker. If the PSC approves the request, the change would take effect with the next scheduled phone book delivery in December 2009 and January 2010.

AT&T customers who wish to still receive a hard copy phone book would receive one if they request it. In its request to the PSC, the company cites technological advances like Caller ID, wireless devices that store numbers and the Internet for not needing the books anymore. It also emphasized the environmental aspect of not publishing more than 876,000 copies of the phone book, which it did last year.

AT&T will continue to publish and distribute the business white pages and the Yellow Pages.

Monday's Dunwoody Work Session Recap

I missed the City of Dunwoody Open House as well as the work session on Monday but Rick Callihan was nice enough to record it for me and I will upload it when I can.

If you are interested in reading Rick's perspective of the meeting on his blog, click here.

Singing show tunes on MARTA makes you "Popular" - even with the panhandlers.

YouTube Video

This is what happens when boredom, public transportation, a flip cam, an iPod, an unhealthy obsession with a Broadway musical and a guy looking for a hand-out all come together.

Apologies to Kristen Chenoweth and the Cast of Wicked.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is moving their HQ to Dunwoody, GA

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is reporting that they will move their headquarters next year from its longtime home downtown to a Dunwoody location near Perimeter Mall.

The AJC has 850 employees at 72 Marietta St., where it has been located for more than 30 years. The paper has been downtown for about 140 years. The new AJC headquarters will be in leased space at 223 Perimeter Center Parkway. The move will begin in the first quarter of 2010 and will be completed over several months.

City of Dunwoody Open House & Council Work Session on Monday Aug 17th

Monday, August 17th
Dunwoody City Hall
41 Perimeter Center East
Dunwoody, GA 30346

Monday evening from 4 until 7 pm, the City of Dunwoody will be opening the doors for a complete tour of City Hall and the Dunwoody Police station. After the open house, please stick around for the City Council work session starting at 7 pm to see and hear your elected officials in action. An interesting agenda item is the July financial report which for the most part, looks positive.

If you want to be prepared for the City Council discussions, I have attached, as I always do, the Council packet broken down by item for your easy review.

Full Agenda

1. July financial report.
2. Discussion of building permit fees.
3. Discussion of selection of auditing services provider.
4. Discussion of City Council Rules and Procedures regarding public comment and meeting schedule.
5. Traffic calming policy discussion.

In case anyone was looking for the audio of the last meeting, I have them but need an internet speed a little faster than dial up to upload the files. My high speed internet will be installed late next week so please excuse the backlog. Thanks.

Councilman Tom Taylor Re-Election Kickoff at Bruster's on Saturday Night at 7 p.m.

Atlanta Regional Neighborhood Summit - September 12th

Neighborhood Connections,Regional Voices

Do you long for an opportunity to understand what goes on behind the scenes of successful community building – and to get involved?

Well, here’s your chance to become a part of regional neighborhood history! Attend the first ever Regional Neighborhood Summit on Saturday, September 12 2009 at the Loudermilk Center and make a difference. The Summit will bring together concerned citizens, neighborhood leaders, government officials, policymakers and community organizations from across the region to address issues that affect us all, and to map out a plan of action.

Visit www.NeighborhoodSummit.org for more information, to register for just $10 before August 15th (or $20 after) or to volunteer.

What:
Day long event for regional neighbors to collaborate to build a common, inclusive agenda for strengthening the metro Atlanta community.

When:
Saturday, September 12, 2009 from 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Where:
Loudermilk Center for the Regional Community
40 Courtland Street
Atlanta, GA 30303

Who:
All are welcome to attend, especially neighborhood and community leaders, activists, associations, and community members.

Dr. Adrian Bonser to seek re-election for Dunwoody District 2

www.adrianbonser.com

Councilwoman Adrian Bonser announced her candidacy for re-election to Dunwoody City Council.

Prior to her election to the city council Dr. Bonser was an early proponent of cityhood, engaging in organization, fundraising, and legislative meetings in support of the effort. Dr. Bonser joined the Board of “Dunwoody Yes!” at its inception in March 2008 and has been helping to lead Dunwoody forward since then.

“Serving on the inaugural council for our city is a great honor” said Bonser. “We are practicing what we preached - providing an exemplary police force, keeping costs low while providing better city services, and taking control of zoning issues. I am implementing the skills I learned as a small business owner every day and working hard to be sure our customers, the citizens, are happy” added Bonser.

Dr. Bonser has eight years experience as a registered nurse working in critical care and 18 years of experience working as a general and cosmetic dentist. She started a private dental practice in Dunwoody in 1992. After building a thriving business, she sold it in 2001. Dr. Bonser then worked for more than five years for the DeKalb County Board of Health and is currently working in the private sector as both a consultant and general dentist. She has served on the Dunwoody City Council since her election a year ago.

“We have a plan and we’re governing with open ears. My door is always open and I want to be around to continue making our vision a success,” said Bonser.

When in doubt, neighbors call 911

The Dunwoody North neighborhood has had a string of day time burglaries where they break down the front or side door, take the jewelry, flat screens and computers and are gone in under 5 minutes.

The Dunwoody Police Department has stepped up patrols and I have had daily updates from Chief Grogan, therefore I know that the Police Department is doing everything they can. In fact a community meeting is being scheduled for next week (date pending confirmation) so the residents can get a first hand update along with suggestions on how to participate in a Neighborhood Watch program.

For example, you should be a good neighbor by being a nosy neighbor. Watch what happens around you and if something is out of place, call the police by dialing 911.

If there is a car parked on the street that seems out of place or there is anything that just doesn't feel right about something happening in your neighborhood, please call 911.

It is the neighbors together looking out for one another which will make this a safer place to live.

Senators, Price weigh in on Dunwoody post office

Dunwoody Neighbor Newspaper

Georgia’s two senators are asking the nation’s postmaster general to consider alternatives to closing Dunwoody’s post office despite the postal service’s struggles to stay competitive amid sharply declining revenues.

In a letter to Postmaster General John Potter, U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss and District 6 U.S. Rep. Tom Price, whose district includes Dunwoody, ask Potter to consider Dunwoody residents’ requests to keep the 33-year-old post office in Dunwoody Village open.

“We are writing today on the behalf of the citizens of Dunwoody, Georgia, as they voice their opposition to the possible closure of the Dunwoody Village Post Office located at 1551 Dunwoody Village Parkway,” the three wrote.

Click link for the rest of the story.

Correction: DeKalb County Police Alliance - Good Cause willing to open the books.

The DeKalb County Police Alliance is an independent, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that provides additional resources to help DeKalb County police officers perform at their highest level, promote community partnership, reduce crime, help retain and attract the best qualified officers, and promote safety and peace in our community.

In 2007, they provided a three year life insurance policy valued at $100,000 for every police officer working in DeKalb County and they would like to renew this policy again in 2010. Due to the sad fact that this policy was used twice in recent history it is inevitable that the cost of the policy will be going up.

The Dunwoody Crier has a story about the fund raising drive that is about to begin for this insurance policy which includes a "Hometown Heroes" event on October 3rd and a County Wide, Church Collection.

I asked a ranking DeKalb Officer I know about the organization, he stated, that anything started by Vernon Jones, involving Chief Terrell Bolton and having a couple of questionable characters on the board; probably doesn't pass the smell test. I believe he stated that it was the DeKalb Officers themselves who questioned the organizations funding vs. expenses but the details from the non-profit were never made public. Correction, Mr. David Allison who serves on the DCPA Board of Directors states in a comment down below that the financial books are, and always have been open.

Since the anonymous authors of the DeKalb Officers Blog can't personally make inquires without giving away their identity, they were hoping that some respected journalist somewhere could take on this endeavor to assure that the money being raised and requested in the pews is properly and effectively spent.

As a side note, I'm told last year's ball was more directed at politicians slapping each other on the back. The event did honor the most recent officers killed in the line of duty as well as service awards like officer/detective of the year, but the political backslapping over shadowed the event.

Sadly the ticket price for the "Hometown Heroes" benefit was raised from $50 to $100 which puts it out of the price range of most police officers working in the county. Maybe DeKalb CEO, Burrell Ellis can return some dignity to this year's event, encourage discount pricing for officers in order to allow them to be present and just maybe he could find a way to encourage a private non-profit organization to be transparent in their financial dealings with the citizens of DeKalb who are trusting that the money donated is being spent as intended. Update: former DeKalb CEO Liane Levetan called me to discuss this matter and informed me that there will be a $50.00 "Hometown Heroes" ticket price for police officers serving in DeKalb.

Dunwoody Police conducts Underage Alcohol Sting - catch one.

The Dunwoody Police Department conducted an underage alcohol operation involving six different alcohol sales locations. Undercover officers used an underage teenager to make an attempt at purchasing alcohol.

There were five locations that refused to sell alcohol to the minor. The Dunwoody Police Department would like to commend each of these businesses for working to protect our community and keep our youth safe and sober. They are as follows: Dunwoody Bottle Shop-5479 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, BP-5418 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Chevron-4249 Dunwoody Club Drive, CVS-5511 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, and Total Wine and More-124 Perimeter Center West.

The Georgetown Package Store, 4516 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, sold alcohol to the minor. Lily Lee, the 47 year old cashier, was cited and released at the scene.

Wanted: City of Dunwoody Purchasing Manager

JAT Consulting Services, Inc. is currently seeking a Purchasing Manager for our Dunwoody, GA office (City of Dunwoody).Under the general guidance of the Finance Director, will serve as the City's Purchasing Manager. Plans, organizes, implements and supervises the purchasing operations of the City. Responsible for building a centralized purchasing division. Work involves planning and overseeing all City procurement and inventory control functions in a centralized environment; establishing City purchasing policies and procedures; engaging in the procurement of goods and services in accordance with City, State and Federal regulations.

Processes purchase orders for materials, equipment and services. Evaluates requests, discusses product or service requirements with requesting department, and determines most appropriate method of procurement. Researches technical information and assists with developing specifications. Provides guidance and assistance to City departments on purchasing related issues.

Administers all aspects of sealed bid process, prepares invitation for bids (IFBs) or requests for proposals (RFPs) as appropriate, develops notices and advertisements and places same with newspapers and other sources of information. Analyzes, evaluates and tabulates bids. Checks references on potential contractors and makes recommendations for vendor/contractor/consultant. Administers contracts and agreements. Researches supply sources, secures price quotes and places orders with vendors for purchases that do not require formal bids.

Minimum Requirements:
Associate’s degree in business administration or a related field; supplemented by 5 years of progressively responsible experience procuring goods and services in a government services environment, including contract negotiation and administration; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

Must possess and maintain certification as a Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO). JAT Consulting Services, Inc. is proud to offer our employees benefits such as: 401(k), PTO plan, 10 paid holidays, medical/dental/vision benefits (employee fully paid by JAT, dependent coverage offered at employee’s expense). For further information on our company, please visit our website at www.jatconsulting.net.

To apply, please send resume as a Word or PDF document to info@jatconsulting.net.

For other available City positions, please click here.

Dunwoody City Council Meeting Agenda for August 10th

Monday August 10th, 2009
City Hall @ 7 p.m.

Agenda

• Ordinance to amend Chapter 27: Zoning Ordinance, to add new zoning districts G-C (Government Community) District and G-U (Government Utility) District.
  
  
• Resolution to appoint an independent board as the Convention and Visitors Bureau of Dunwoody, Inc.
  
  
• Resolution to authorize city attorney to transmit proposed bylaws to the Dunwoody Convention and Visitors Bureau.
  
  
• Convention and Visitors Bureau Agreement.
  
  
• Presentation by Mr. Rick Woroniecki.
  
  
• Proposal on Chamber of Commerce matters.
  
  
• Contract amendments for Lowe Engineers (storm water).
  
  
• RESOLUTION appointing municipal general election officials.
  
  
• Ordinance to amend Chapter 4: Alcohol Beverages to change various distance requirements.

The State of Georgia has now labeled me an unethical scofflaw, but I guess it could be worse?

Elected officials need to follow a number of rules established by the State Ethics Commission, including an annual personal financial disclosure statement and biannual campaign finance disclosures. Last year as a new City, the Dunwoody candidates filed all forms electronically with the State Ethics Commission and when I went to do it again the system wouldn't allow me online therefore I missed the cutoff. I learned that I was supposed to file my campaign disclosure with the Dunwoody City Clerk and that is what I did as soon as I was able to do so. Since I was late with the filing, which states that I accepted no money from anyone nor did I have any expenses; I am now permanently labeled as an unethical scofflaw.

Sometimes it is these types of items which get the biggest play at election time since it is technically correct to state that John Heneghan was found guilty of the Georgia Ethics Regulations and was forced to pay a fine. The funny part is that the $25.00 fine for late filing can be paid with political contributions, which I do not accept, therefore unlike some politicians who are habitually late; I think I have learned my lesson.

In hindsight I guess it could have been worse, I could have been listed as a Dunwoody politician being accused of not paying my taxes.

City of Dunwoody Prepares to Elect New City Council Members

Public Notice

The City of Dunwoody will hold a General Election on Tuesday, November 3, 2009 to elect three (3) members of City Council. The Council posts to be filled are Post 1, Post 2, and Post 3.

The qualifying period opens on Monday, August 31, 2009 at 8:30 a.m. and closes on Friday, September 4, 2009 at 4:30 p.m. The hours of qualifying each day are 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Any person desiring to run for office shall qualify in the office of the City Clerk by filing a Notice of Candidacy. The qualifying fee for a Council post is $360.00 (three hundred sixty dollars.)

The qualifications to run for office include: candidate must be a resident of the City of Dunwoody for a continuous period of at least 12 months immediately prior to the date of the election; candidate must continue to reside in the City of Dunwoody during their period of service; candidate must continue to be registered and qualified to vote in the municipal elections of the City of Dunwoody. In addition, no person will be eligible to serve as a council member representing a council district unless that person has been a resident of the district they seek to represent for a continuous period of at least six months immediately prior to the date of the election and continues to reside in their district during their period of service.

The last day for voter registration in the 2009 Municipal General Election and, if necessary, Runoff Election, is Monday, October 5, 2009. Registration forms are available at Dunwoody City Hall, 41 Perimeter Center East, Suite 250, Dunwoody, Georgia 30346, through the Chief Registrar of DeKalb County, Georgia or through the Georgia Secretary of State website: www.sos.georgia.gov/Elections.

Dunwoody Homeowners Association - Meeting Agenda for Sunday

The Dunwoody Homeowners Association is a vital and important part of Dunwoody and it is at their monthly meetings where items like proposed redevelopments are vetted by the community and sometimes reworked in order to get the associations support. Their monthly meeting this Sunday is open to the public and I have listed their agenda for your viewing pleasure.

Sunday, August 9, 2009, 7:30 P.M.
North DeKalb Arts Center, Room 4
(behind the Dunwoody Library)

• Welcome Board Members and Visitors
• Announcements
• Approval of Minutes – for July 2009 meeting
• Zoning and Development
  New Dunwoody Bank – Bill Grant
• Community Affairs
  Dunwoody Bike Information - Doug Thompson / Joe Seconder
  Dunwoody Arts Festival – Frances Schube
  Dunwoody Library – Ron Leonard
  Vernon North Neighborhood – Terry Nall
• Messages & Updates from President
  Light Up Dunwoody
• Board Discussion and Votes
• Adjourn

Next meeting – September 13, 2009, 7:30 PM

Wanted: Community Development Planning Coordinator

The City of Dunwoody, Georgia, has an immediate opening for the position of Planning Coordinator in the Community Development Department. The successful candidate will be responsible for the administrative duties related to Planning & Zoning for the Community Development Department. Work involves skilled clerical and technical responsibilities for reviewing applications for licenses and permits, logging information into computer, maintaining records, prepares agendas and records minutes of meetings. Provide administrative support to other members of the department and back up support to the permitting technician. Work is performed under general supervision of the City Planner and the Community Development Director.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: A Bachelor’s degree (or actively pursuing) in City Planning, Urban Studies, City Administration, or similar course of study. Experience must include good working knowledge of MS Office Suite applications, especially Excel and Word, and overall proficient computer skills. A self starter with outstanding customer service and organizational skills a must.

Salary & Benefits: Salary commiserate with experience; Insurance - Medical, dental and vision; paid time off, federal holidays.

A complete job description can be retrieved from the City of Dunwoody, 41 Perimeter Center East, Suite 250, Dunwoody, GA 30346, or by clicking here. Please send resume, salary history, references, and cover letter to:

City of Dunwoody
ATTN: Community Development Director
41 Perimeter Center East, Suite 250
Dunwoody, GA 30346

Absolutely no resumes will be accepted if sent by Fax or email. No calls please.

For other available City positions, please click here.

The City of Dunwoody is an equal opportunity employer.

Away for a little time with the family and various updates to hold you over.

With school starting next week and with me being between houses, the family and I have escaped into the wilderness of South Georgia. I will be returning sometime over the weekend and hope to post the agenda for Monday night's City Council meeting but in case I am unable, please check the city calendar item for this coming Monday which should be updated on Friday evening.

Today prior to leaving town this afternoon, we registered all three of my boys at three different DeKalb County schools (New Dunwoody Elem, Chesnut Elem & Coralwood Pre-K) and all of the registrations went smoothly due to the numerous PTA parents who worked tirelessly on behalf of the community. Thank you.

At Dunwoody Elementary I toured the new school to view the finished product and was mostly pleased with what I saw. The classrooms were completed and furnished, the library, computer lab and music rooms were fully equipped and the playground was finally being installed. My only minor issues were related to the decorative fencing that was promised to the neighbors and the School Garden at the rear of the property that appears to be blocked off by the chain link fencing that I believe is suppose to be removed?

With the day off work, I saw the City of Dunwoody Public Works staff cleaning the overgrown gutters in front of Peachtree Middle School and noticed the School Crosswalk signs were already in place at Chesnut. I am expecting a number of other school related public works projects taking place all over the city this week, most of which will be pavement striping and paint related but our crews are also testing the flashing school zone blinkers and verifying that all of the intersection crosswalk indicators are working properly so that our children walking to school can do so safely. I am also told that if all goes well there is a chance that the radar speed limit signs may also be installed prior to the start of school, or very soon just after.

The Dunwoody Police took another bad guy off our streets but please remember that the police can not be everywhere and that it is the responsibility of each of us to watch out for our neighbors where possible. I am aware of several day time home burglaries and without a vigilant community looking out for such activity, these thieves will be difficult to catch (though I know our police are actively trying).

Have you seen the Dunwoody Police Department newsletter, here is the August 1, 2009 inaugural edition and I would like to encourage you to do a Police ride along as well as invite your teenager to check out the Police Explorers. With school starting please watch your speeding in Dunwoody, 102 mph on Peeler and 108 mph on Mount Vernon are pushing the limits of common sense.

Talking of speeding tickets, the City of Dunwoody is aware of this issue and is working to get it under control. I believe the Police Records Management System will also speed up the over all process and improve the accuracy of the crime statistics.

New Garden website - Dunwoody Community Garden at Brook Run

Here are a few up coming events that I wish I could attend, but I may not be able to make them all.

Thur Aug 6th - Dunwoody Zoning Board Appeals - 7 pm
Sat Aug 8th - Dunwoody Elem Dedication & Tour - 11 am
Sun Aug 9th - Dunwoody Homeowners Meeting - 7:30 pm
Mon Aug 10th - Dunwoody City Council - 7 pm
Thur Aug 13th - Dunwoody Community Council - 7 pm
Mon Aug 17th - Dunwoody City Hall and Police Open House - 4 to 7 pm
Wed Sept 2nd - DCCK Parent Council Meeting @ Dunwoody HS - 9:15 am with Dr. Crawford Lewis speaking. Notes of end of year speech.

I found a new Dunwoody related blog (or should I say it found me), a daddy named Gil cracked me up with two examples of DeKalb County efficiency that I would like to share, the first is the library fine and second is the DeKalb County Marriage License sign.

Enjoy the last week of Summer.