Dunwoody & Brookhaven were hoping for better news from State @GaDPH Region 3 EMS Advisory Council on splitting the County into several response zones. It didn't happen, so still waiting on long term solution. @AMR_Social @DCFRpubaffairs @ItsInDeKalb @BrookhavenGaGov

 No Good News for Dunwoody from the EMS Council meeting of August 14th.

The sub-committee looking at the DeKalb zone did NOT recommend opening the zone to other providers (other than DeKalb Fire, which holds the entire zone certificate).  The sub-committee cited a modest amount of improvement in response times from the proposal of DeKalb/AMR into three DeKalb response areas.  That said, the sub-committee also said more substantial improvement is still needed, despite their recommendation to NOT open the zone to other providers.

Then the full EMS Council voted 18-1 to approve the sub-committee's recommendation to NOT open the DeKalb zone or split it.  Another 10 members voted to abstain (such as DeKalb Fire and other ambulance providers - all who have a vested interest in the motion outcome).  

Then the Region 3 EMS Council voted to disband the DeKalb zone sub-committee altogether.  This means Dunwoody, Brookhaven, etc. are back to the current status quo and not without an appointed sub-committee of the Region 3 EMS Council to investigate or monitor further.

Bottom line is our current EMS response times issue will continue.  In Dunwoody, we will see more of the same and we may need to continue paying a $600K per year supplement for an extra ambulance to stay close to Dunwoody, otherwise the pool of ambulances may be pulled to travel deep into DeKalb County making a return trip North problematic during rush hour.

Chief Fullum of DeKalb Fire then updated the full Region 3 EMS Council that AMR is now operating under an 18-month extension contract that only runs from January 2025 to June 2026.  A DeKalb Fire RFP for the DeKalb ambulance services contract is in the review stage.

Guess we need to wait to see what will be proposed next?

Video from Brookhaven last year asking for EMS changes needed.

Will good news be coming out of the @GaDPH Region 3 EMS Advisory Council Meeting to improve EMS Services in Dunwoody & Brookhaven? @AMR_Social @DCFRpubaffairs @ItsInDeKalb @BrookhavenGaGov

The Georgia Region 3 EMS Advisory Council Meeting is Thursday at 10 am

Will an EMS Solution for slow ambulance services for Nothern DeKalb County be proposed? 

City of Dunwoody is already paying for extra ambulances to solve DeKalb / AMR Shortfalls.  Brookhaven is now looking for solutions to issues as well.

The City of Dunwoody has raised numerous issues regarding ambulance availability with DeKalb Fire Rescue, their contractor AMR as well as the State EMS Advisory Council.  Our only solution was to provide additional ambulance services was for the City to pay for additional ambulance coverage that DeKalb should be providing.

There is a public meeting taking place tomorrow where Chief Mike Carlson (and maybe others) will be representing Dunwoody. I am hopeful that tomorrow both the Dunwoody Residents and those of Brookhaven will hear about proposed service improvements in the County EMS services.

What: Region 03 EMS Advisory Council Meeting

When: Thursday, August 14, 2025, at 10:00 am-12:00 noon

Where: DeKalb County Fire Rescue Services Headquarters 1950 W. Exchange Place, 5th Floor, Tucker Ga, 30084.

How to Connect Virtually: https://gapublichealth.webex.com/gapublichealth/j.php?MTID=m2fc2ec1e89bda8d9de9ca17f18db1999 

Thursday, August 14, 2025 10:00 AM | 2 hours | (UTC-04:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada). Meeting number: 2537 811 8743.  Password: 9h3xBSPRFm6

Join by video system

Dial 25378118743@gapublichealth.webex.com

You can also dial 173.243.2.68 and enter your meeting number.

Join by phone

+1-415-655-0001 US Toll

Access code: 253 781 18743

The purpose and objective of the Region 03 EMS Advisory Council is to serve as a liaison between the Department (State of Office of EMS and Trauma) and the regional EMS system; serve as the local coordinating entity for Emergency Response Zones in Region 03; coordinate, facilitate the improvement of, and maintain a quality EMS system in the following eight (8) counties comprising EMS Region 03 (Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton, Gwinnett, Newton, Rockdale); promote public education and knowledge of Emergency Medical Services; promote training programs at the local and regional levels to personnel involved with the delivery of EMS; establish a forum where the concerns of public and private organizations related to the Regional EMS system can be voiced; recommend to the Board of Public Health or its designee the designation of one or more 911 Zone providers for each Emergency Response Zone within the EMS Region, subject to approval or modification by the Board or its designee in accordance with the procedures set forth in O.C.G.A. 31-11-3 and 31-1104 and under the circumstances outlined in DHR Rule 511-9-3-.04, based primarily on the consideration of economy, efficiency and the benefit to public welfare.

The Board of Commissioners from each County within the Region shall make at least one appointment to the Council in compliance with the Bylaws.  County/allotted appointments: Clayton/2; Cobb/4; DeKalb/4; Douglas/1; Fulton/6; Gwinnett/5; Newton/1; Rockdale/1.

All meetings of the Council are subject to and in accordance with the Georgia Open Meetings Act.  Council meeting written minutes and audio recording are available through an Open Records Request directed to the Georgia Department of Public Health/Office of EMS and Trauma.  https://gadph.justfoia.com/publicportal/home/newrequest

https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2025/02/27/dekalb-county-develops-plan-addressing-slow-ambulance-response-times/

Rest in Peace, Rebecca Williams - Wife, Mother, Friend, Mayor, Council Member, Emmy award winning journalist, and angel on earth.

Rebecca was a classy, intelligent & kind lady with a quick smile.  I really enjoyed getting to know her. 
She will be missed by many.

Rebecca passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by family on the morning of 3/11. Those who know Rebecca know she was a literal angel on earth and will be deeply missed. As our family mourns this great loss we ask for continued prayers and thoughts for our sweet Becky.

Please also keep former Crier publisher, Mr. Dick Williams, and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Funeral arrangements are in the works, and we will update as details are set.

https://www.reporternewspapers.net/2020/03/11/rebecca-chase-williams-founding-mother-of-brookhaven-dies/

Jeff Hullinger Tribute

Cherry Blossom Festival Interview  and a video discussing festival music, pets, food

Atlanta Magazin Interview

Putting family first.

Dunwoody City Council Agenda for Monday March 27th

Monday, March 27, 2017
Dunwoody City Hall
41 Perimeter Center East
Dunwoody, GA 30346
Watch Live at 6:00 p.m.

Agenda

Proclamation - 2017 National Service Recognition Day.

FIRST READ: Review and Consideration of Proposed Perimeter Center Overlay and Districts

FIRST READ: Review and Consideration of Proposed Text Amendments to Chapter 27.

SECOND READ: Updates to the City's Erosion and Sedimentation Control Ordinance.

Resolution Amending the 2016 Operating Budget.

Resolution Amending the 2017 Operating Budget.

RFQ 16-01 Change Order- North Shallowford Building Pre-Design Services

Adoption of a Stormwater Inspection and Maintenance Policy.

Approval of $2,500 Membership Fee for Peachtree Gateway Group (Brookhaven, Chamblee, Doraville, Dunwoody).

City of Brookhaven requests to use Dunwoody Cad 2 Cad 911 police dispatch system.

Agenda item.

The City of Dunwoody worked diligently on this project for more than a year in order to have a state of the art dispatch system for emergency services and the results were worth the work put forward.   Glad that our neighbor the City of Brookhaven will be joining us on the same system as it will be beneficial of both departments.

Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival, March 27 - 29 at Blackburn Park featuring the music of the Drifters and the Coasters.

http://brookcherryfest.org

Atlanta Colt Youth Association is the finest youth sports program in Atlanta offering football and cheerleading for 5-13 year olds.

Video

The Atlanta Colt Youth Association - HOME OF THE CHAMPIONS! - is the finest youth sports program in Atlanta offering football and cheerleading for 5-13 year olds.

Refer a new friend's family and receive a $10 Spirit Wear credit. Register now to save! Join our family and COME RUN WITH THE COLTS!

Register at www.atlantacolts.com

City of Dunwoody, GA collectively states "Google Fiber, I want my high speed access !!"

In early February 2010, I learned of the Google Fiber Initiative and pushed for the City of Dunwoody to apply but based on Google’s requested city size to complete the application, the City of Dunwoody would need to partner with neighboring cities in order to meet the minimum requirements. I brainstormed and saw a joint application with Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, Chamblee & Doraville being a very viable one and posted my thoughts on my blog of February 11, 2010 entitled Imagine the top end of Atlanta as a technology hub tied together with the fastest internet. Let's ask Google to help make it happen.

From there the City Manager and City Staff took my request seriously and started talking to our neighboring cities. In the end, I believe that Sandy Springs was big enough to submit a single application therefore Dunwoody then partnered with Decatur, Avondale Estates, Chamblee and Doraville as well as Emory University and Georgia Power on the final application submission under the name “Atlanta Urban Area Partnership for Google”.

Besides the application which was submitted along with Resolutions of Support from each of the participating cities, a video was produced and submitted along with the application and it is shown below.

 Video

I know that ultra-high speed internet service will be the future life blood of a community and that businesses and tech savvy individuals would be drawn to that infrastructure. Besides Google Fiber, I have pushed for other expanded internet options like UVerse which is Fiber to the Neighborhood (Node) vs Google’s plan which is to complete the last mile and go Fiber to the Home.

Today Google announced that the Atlanta area is in the running for the next wave of investment and in doing so named eight surrounding municipalities by name but did not specifically include the City of Dunwoody, even though we were in direct partnership with several of the cities that were specifically named. My guess is that Google is ready to start with any viable area in the Atlanta market and I can tell you that the City of Dunwoody is ready, willing and able to complete the next stage of the process in working with the provider to bring the service to our community.

From the moment that Google announced possible expansion cities, my inbox was lit up with information as to why the City of Dunwoody was not named and if I could summarize the collective message of those inquiries it would be "Google Fiber, I want my high speed access !!"

If you are interested in this project, please do me two favors.  First go to this link and click the blue CHECK ADDRESS box or the blue GET UPDATES box to register your address as being interested in the service; second if you are a Facebook user, please go to the “Atlanta Urban Area Partnership for Google” page and like it for future updates.

The City of Dunwoody is reaching out to Google as to specifics and we look forward to working with them in the very near future.

Friends of Brookhaven kicks off Police Car AED Drive

Donate Today.

From Farmer Bob's Blog:

"Last night I had the privilege of attending the kick off of the Brookhaven AED Project.  What started with a conversation with the City Manager of Brookhaven ( Marie Garrett) about The Heart of Dunwoody quickly evolved into a full blown Brookhaven campaign to place AEDs in all of their new police cars and City Hall.

The Friends of Brookhaven is a non profit group that was formed to help the new City of Brookhaven with community projects.  When I had mention to Marie what we as a community had done to provide AEDs to our police department she just lit up.

Last night was the kick off to the campaign.  I was honored to be invited  to attend and was asked to speak.  As is my normal pattern, getting me to limit my talk was a challenge, but it led to a real challenge.  I challenged the citizens of Brookhaven to raise the required funds faster then we did here.  The great news for Brookhaven is the City has offered to match all funds raised for AEDs.

December 17th is their goal deadline.  64 AEDs to serve their new city.

We in Dunwoody know that incalculable benefits of having the AEDs.  We have saved lives in Dunwoody because we have them.  There is no better ROI.

So here is my challenge to all the citizens of Brookhaven and Dunwoody, lets beat the deadline and have the AEDs delivered and ready in Brookhaven by December 17th.

Follow the link below to access The Friends of Brookhaven web page.  Click on it and donate.  We will all be safer for your efforts and contributions."

http://www.friendsofbrookhaven.com/

Map of City of Brookhaven Candidates.

Click for Full Map of Brookhaven Candidates

City of Brookhaven created by slim margin.

 Another Baby has been born!

As of Midnight the cityhood referendum for Brookhaven looks to have been approved by 600 votes but the absentee votes continue to be counted late into the night.  Check the Dunwoody Crier for an update.

DeKalb Police looking to move out of Dunwoody

Video

Brookhaven Bill signed by Gov Deal

Citizens to vote July 31 on whether they are to become a city.

City of Brookhaven and Doraville Annexation approved by the Legislature

Brookhaven HB636 and Doraville SB532 are now both on the Governor's desk.

The area to be annexed by Doraville is shown at the top in this map are the two red striped areas.

The new City of Brookhaven map is shown here.

City of Ashford Georgia moves from committee to possibly become Dunwoody's newest neighbor.

Video

The proposed City of Brookhaven passed through committee today in the house but in a surprising move the proposed city was renamed to Ashford, GA in order to preserve the Historic Brookhaven name that is closely associated with a specific neighborhood.  As a sign of goodwill towards our neighboring community, I attempted to purchase the internet domain name of AshfordGeorgia.com which was available when I checked late this afternoon but by the time I whipped out the credit card for the $30.00 dollar purchase it was already taken. 

AshfordPolice.com has been secured and I will happily donate it to the new city if so needed but guessing that a .gov domain will be used for the official server designation.  I am sure that within the next 24 hours names like AshfordTavern, AshfordChamber, AshfordAuto, AshfordCleaners, AsfordRealtor, ect, ect will be gobbled up just in case the name sticks.

The city name could still be reverted back to Brookhaven before the final approval but until then Ashford - Dunwoody Road will make sense as it will be connecting the two cities. 

DeKalb County governance changes vs. Chamblee and Brookhaven home rule.

 Video

DeKalb County legislators will be busy when they return to the Gold Dome on Jan. 9 for the start of the General Assembly. Big statewide issues, like the budget, transportation and jobs, will take up much of lawmakers’ time. 

But legislators plan to discuss several things that could affect DeKalb County residents more directly. Rep. Mike Jacobs, R-DeKalb, introduced legislation during the 2011 session to create a city of Brookhaven. This year, legislators are expected to vote on the bill. “I think the city of Brookhaven proposal stands a high chance of passage,” Jacobs said. Sen. Fran Millar, R-Dunwoody, said he too feels the Brookhaven cityhood bill will be approved. “The only question is where will the borders be, but I think that will happen,” Millar said.

 Link

Millar said the DeKalb County delegation may take up the way the county is governed. DeKalb County is run by an elected Chief Executive Officer. Millar said some legislators would prefer to see the county operated by a professional county manager appointed by the County Commission.

“Obviously what we have in DeKalb County is not working very well between CEO [Burrell Ellis] and the commissioners,” Millar said. “I do think in DeKalb we have a crisis brewing. I think our CEO in DeKalb County has disregarded the will of the commission and continues to spend. Perhaps he’s visited Washington too many times and it’s affected him.”

Three year video retrospective on the City of Dunwoody and other various tidbits of interest.

Video Retrospective by Councilman Danny Ross

Police

Three Teens Arrested for Alleged Home Burglary in Dunwoody North

Part 1 Crime in Dunwoody is down 3.6% through November 2011.

Dunwoody police blotter — reports through Dec. 2

Dunwoody murder suspect faces wife in court

Congrats to another successful Christmas for Kids event. Thank you to all involved.

DeKalb Politics

DeKalb budget calls for departments to maintain 2011 levels   

For Some Reason We Don't Believe Him, Or Any Of The Commissioners

DeKalb agrees to small business funding program

Burrell Ellis gives someone yet another reason to support a City of Brookhaven

Residents debating the boundaries of a possible city of Brookhaven

Group forms to oppose Brookhaven city

Residents to lawmakers: No more cities
 

Education

Congrats to Vanderlyn Elementary School, 2011 School of Excellence

SPOLST Construction - Dunwoody Chamblee Parent Council Meeting

Chesnut Changing Children’s Culture, Choices

PCMS Academic Quiz Bowl Takes 1st Place!!

Dunwoody High School Quiz Bowl Team Advances with Victory Over Lovett 

Dunwoody High Math Team Continues to Shine in Competition

Dunwoody Politics

Council Swearing in Ceremony - Jan 3rd, 7 pm City Hall

A Dunwoody Christmas Wish List
 
Davis sweeps into office, promises city hall presence 

MEET MIKE - Davis readies to take helm after election
 
New council gives city new direction

City Welcoming New Community Development Director

Dunwoody welcomes new guru of Financial Reports and Check Register

Options on Tilly Mill, N Peachtree & Peeler look to be going public in early Jan.

I am really enjoying the reflectors embedded in the newly paved roads and will be looking for more of these in next years paving budget.    Did anyone else notice the lights being on in the 285 underpasses?

Shade will be coming to the Brook Run Playground in the very near future and was told that the water feature was fixed and then winterized until the Spring.

Enjoy your holidays,

John

Sunday Parks Bond Meeting and Candidate Forum at GPC, along with other Dunwoody tidbits.

Dunwoody HS Recycling Event a Success

Dunwoody Parks Bond Community Meeting & Candidate Forum II
Sunday afternoon at 1 pm stop by Georgia Perimeter College to listen to the presentation on the parks bond referendum followed at 3:00 pm to the opposed city candidates participate in the DHA Candidate Forum.

Dunwoody Makes Final T-SPLOST List 
I am not 100% sold on this T-Splost but am leaning favorably.  I just answered a League of Woman Voters - Election Guide question the subject outlining an more equitable solution for DeKalb & Fulton.  Unfortunately I wasn't the Governor last year pushing this through therefore we will need to vote on what is proposed.  Since improvements are needed and DeKalb improvements are on the list, even with the shortcomings, I am leaning positive.  A Dunwoody project as shown below, did make the final list.

$12 million for improvements on Mount Vernon Road from the Fulton County line to Dunwoody Club Drive. Improvements include center turn lanes, sidewalks and bike lanes, along with intersections improvements at Vermack road and Tilly Mill Road. Construction is expected between 2016 and 2019.

Dunwoody candidate forums abound in October

1. Today (Sunday) 3 pm at GPC, Building C, room # NC1100
2. Chamber of Commerce will host a candidate forum Oct. 19 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Atlanta Perimeter Hotel and Suites
3. Sustainability candidate forum will be held from 6:45 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 25 at Peachtree Charter Middle School. Candidates will be available for conversation over coffee beginning at 6 p.m.

Home Occupation - Planning Commission
I missed this meeting related to home occupations which if the rules were changed would effect numerous people but Adrienne Duncan wrote on her blog that she was the only member of the community in the audience.   It sounds like the planning commission has a hi bred approach to making the changes and I am looking forward to seeing the final version.  I would love to see streaming and then archived video of Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals and the City Council become a reality in the City of Dunwoody in this coming year.

Dunwoody Candidate Debate of Oct 13th
I also missed this important event, but my son played an awesome game of football in the rain at Murphey Candler winning 6 to 0.  Interesting side point, Coaches from both teams are Dads who live within the City of Dunwoody and since it was homecoming all the boys walked on to the field where their name and school were called.  I noticed that about 70% of the boys playing lived in Dunwoody which means that 70% of the stands that night also missed this event and probably many, many others because of the responsibilities of parenthood.  The link above has a recap, but I would love to see the video.  Who has it?

City of Brookhaven heating up a bit?

Bodker speaks to Brookhaven cityhood- The Crier

"The theory of cityhood is very simple," he said. "Are you getting your money's worth? Are you getting the proper return on investment? Your expectations are that they will protect your property values and protect you. That is the basic premise of the government and to protect you," 

DeKalb seeks moratorium on new cities

Comment on the web by Fran Millar: I suggest our Board of Commissioners and CEO spend their energy on getting our County efficient and fiscally responsible and then people would not be seeking more representative government at the local level. I wouldn't expect the moratorium legislation to get much support in the General Assembly.

Rader Introduces Resolution Postponing Brookhaven Cityhood
Brookhaven on Hold?
Decatur Mayor Reacts to DeKalb’s Annexation Moratorium
Searching for a community’s identity
Favorite quote seen on Facebook - Mike Jacobs: We'll agree to a moratorium on new cities when DeKalb agrees to a moratorium on poorly run county government.

City RFP for Skate Rink and Rental Services 

City RFP for Park & Bathroom Maintenance and Addendum

City RFP for Creative Services for CVB

Straight out of Dunwoody video gets some National attention.

Video

City of Brookhaven is being explored by citizens of the area.

Video