https://mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/qualifying-candidate-information
Apologies if I missed anyone in a local contested race (as the website is not the easiest to navigate) and congratulations to those serving our community who are running unopposed (not listed).
Thank you to those who have served and decided not to run for re-election; we appreciate your service.
Special thanks to Anna Hill & Michael Thurmond.
On Tuesday, the Dunwoody Community went to the polls to elect the Mayor, three Council members, to renew the HOST & SPLOST funding for sales tax and to decide the fate of the $60 million dollar bond referendum for the City to build parks, paths and have money available for land acquisition for girls softball.
All incumbents were re-elected, SPLOST & HOST passed easily and the park / paths bond failed in ten of the thirteen precincts.
I saw a few conversations regarding low turnout so I compared the latest data against previous Mayoral elections and 2023 looked to have a higher turnout vs the contested Mayoral election in 2019. I'm guessing preliminary / partial election totals were quoted regarding the low turn out as DeKalb County seemed to publish the results slower than in the past, even though they started counting the early voting totals at 3 pm on election day vs waiting for the polls to close.
Ms. Cathy Cobbs of the Dunwoody Reporter sent a request for Dunwoody Candidates (both contested and unopposed) to answer 5 questions the citizens might want to know about before casting a ballot. I guess I was a little long winded as the publication asked me to edit it down. I did a bit editing and submitted the submission below.
Of course the publication edited more and cropped some of my answers in their October 23rd on-line publication and I highlighted it on my blog without actually publishing what was said so that it could be available to the publications readers both on the web & in print without me scooping the story. As it looks like the information will not be in print, I am posting my original content below and again providing a link to the story with the other candidates profiles. Please take the time to read about all the candidates.
2023 Election Guide: Dunwoody Mayor and City Council
1. What is your vision for Dunwoody for the next four years and beyond, and what role will you play in achieving it?
Every year, I repost the City of Dunwoody Vision, Mission, and Values on my public blog (Heneghan’s Dunwoody Blog) to remind myself (and anyone else who might read it) of the ideals in which the city was founded and in which I strive to serve. The original vision for the City of Dunwoody was modified in 2022 and shortened to state that we will “foster a thriving, vibrant, and inclusive community with exceptional neighborhoods and an innovative, responsible business environment”. As much as I agree with that statement, I will continue to fulfill that vision by governing under the more detailed, original version under which we were founded. “The City of Dunwoody will provide quality service to its citizens and support the largest economic engine in the Southeast by planning in a careful and thoughtful manner. The City of Dunwoody will be inventive, transparent, and embrace responsible progress, tempered by the city’s rich history and strong desire to maintain a close and vibrant community atmosphere that values family life and the entrepreneurial spirit. The City of Dunwoody will continue to support and nurture a community dedicated to the preservation of family, education, religious institutions, and the environment.”
As a founding member of the Dunwoody City Council, serving for the last 15 years, I have strived and will continue to meet these ideals.
2. What makes you qualified to represent the citizens of Dunwoody? If you are running opposed, what strengths do you have that your opponent does not?
As a founding member of the Dunwoody City Council, where I have served for the last fifteen years, I am proud to say that I have had a hand in setting all policies from startup to current-day operations. Prior to Cityhood, I served on the Citizens for Dunwoody Committee, where I was the Transportation Chair. Prior to that, I was President of my neighborhood civic association, representing over 1,000 homes on governmental matters.
With a degree in Public Administration, I have dedicated myself to public service, where I hope to fulfill two ideals. The first is that when I have the ability to make a difference, I have a responsibility to do so and second, transparency in government breeds self-corrective behavior. Fifteen years ago, I made transparency and open government a keystone of my governance policy; therefore, I have personally published every agenda, every public document and even live-streamed meetings to my blog documenting actions taken by the city.
My motivation to continue serving is that I believe I have the ability to continue making a difference in making Dunwoody a better community for all who live and work here.
3. What are the accomplishments of which you are most proud (either personally or professionally)?
Looking back on a wide variety of work, civic, and personal accomplishments, my proudest and most far-reaching decision was that I stepped outside my comfort zone, went for something way outside my league, I kissed the girl.
4. What do you think are the biggest challenges that Dunwoody faces in the next four years?
Our biggest challenge in the next four years is financial planning and fiscal control, as I foresee a possible downturn in office valuation in the coming years because of lower occupancy rates when leases are not renewed or sublet. When office buildings have high vacancy rates, it lowers building valuation, which decreases tax revenue for the city. Our homeowner tax rate is already capped and frozen, with valuation increases only coming from recent sales or rental properties. Our operational expenses, namely police salaries & benefits, parks services, and IT, are rising faster than the city general operation revenue, yet we cannot utilize capital funds for operating expenses. This general fund shortfall issue is just starting for us as salaries will continue to rise, new facilities will need to be maintained, and for me, the big problem will be the fact that our governmental administrative service contracts will need to be renegotiated as they all expire in a few years. Yet, revenue streams tied to property taxes are frozen by our Charter, with Dunwoody having the lowest tax rate in DeKalb County. Today, this is a minor issue as we have reserves to cover the downturn. In 2025, I see us in a similar, slightly worse situation; then in 2026, the City of Dunwoody will have contract renewals, which I anticipate will have substantial inflationary increases - even after rebidding them.
The second major challenge for the City of Dunwoody is ensuring that Perimeter Center remains vibrant, strong and safe; this includes our big box retail stores in Perimeter Mall. To keep this area thriving, we, the city leaders, need to ensure that all residents, shoppers, and workers feel safe from crime by guaranteeing an adequate police presence at the Mall. Perimeter Center has grown and will add thousands of new residents in the next few years because of High Street and other development; therefore, we will need to beef up police coverage in these areas to handle the additional workload. A lack of future investment in police coverage would be short-sighted, and a long-term detriment to the value of Perimeter Center; therefore, much like my financial concerns, there is no way around this issue and it must be addressed head-on.
5. Are you opposed or in favor of the bond referendum (and why or why not?)
As a sitting City Councilman, it is my job to formulate the best funding strategy for future investment in the community, and if that is a bond referendum, so be it. My job is to provide the best product for you, the citizens, to vote up or down. I believe the residents should only be requested to pay additional taxes for necessary items that make sense, the list should be ranked and allowable bond funds would only be used to complete that limited list. Finally, when there are several very different topics up for a bond, the issues should be divided into two separate ballot questions so that residents can approve or deny each project type.
In my case, we the Council, obtained and purchased two new properties for parks; therefore due to current City funding constraints, a bond to build out those parks does makes sense to me. Unfortunately, Council as a whole also brought in the Path Foundation who is not an expert in putting paths (10 – 12 feet of concrete) in front of, or alongside single-family homes, yet recommends it in our community. I disagree with the appropriateness of these 12-foot sidewalks on several different levels, therefore, I voted at a City Council meeting against the City Path Plan (lone no vote). When the discussions on the possibility of a bond were being floated to the community for both Parks and Paths was being discussed, I asked that the topics be separated so that residents could vote for one and possibly against the other. That idea was quickly dismissed, and the Council decided that if they combine both projects into one bond referendum question, that it would pass, and the community could have both amenities. I asked that a hard list of projects be offered with the bond which would limit the Council from working outside what they originally projected the funds would be used for, but Council decided that a soft list offered maximum flexibility. When the Council voted to put the current bond effort before the electorate, I was the loan No vote.
With the final vote being 6 to 1, this transfers the ultimate power of approval to the residents, and that is what will be happening in the Nov 7th general election ballot box. As a city councilman, it is not my responsibility to tell anyone on how to vote on a referendum; instead, it is my job to present you bond referendum questions that are appropriate, fiscally sound, transparent, non-divisive and promote an environment of honesty, openness and integrity. Unfortunately, my desire for different bond questions were not realized; therefore it is that reality that we are dealing with today.
As far as my recommendation on your vote, I am not going to offer advice as I’m sure you will make the best decision.
A special thanks to Ms. Cathy Cobbs of Rough Draft Atlanta for asking important questions of the Dunwoody Mayoral and City Council candidates. Mayor Deutsch and myself are running unopposed whereby Incumbent Stacey Harris is challenged by Chris Ozor, and Incumbent Joe Seconder is challenged by Marianella López. The questions are as follows ...
What is your vision for Dunwoody for the next four years and beyond, and what role will you play in achieving it?
What makes you qualified to represent the citizens of Dunwoody?
What are the accomplishments of which you are most proud (either personally or professionally)?
What do you think are the biggest challenges that Dunwoody will face in the next four years?
Are you opposed to or in favor of the bond referendum?
As you read the article differentiating the candidates highlighted, my answers may be slightly different from the others but then I also have concerns as to the current finances needed to run the city; thereby a close watch of our finances is needed in the coming year. If you haven't watched the last Dunwoody City Council Meeting, which contains the Budget Hearing, I highly recommend you do so here & here as I outline my concerns and my belief that we need to beef up the police budget in both numbers and pay.
Early voting is available this week at the Dunwoody Library, 5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m through Saturday Oct 28th plus they are also open Sunday October 29th from 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
If you are looking for more information on the $60 million dollar Parks Bond, there is an informational meeting, which is open to the general public, taking place in my neighborhood therefore I was asked to join in to share the facts as I see them. I will be joining Dunwoody City Councilmember Tom Lambert (and possibly others from staff?) in the discussion taking place on Sunday, Oct 29th @ 7pm at the Dunwoody North Driving Club Clubhouse located at 4522 Kingsgate Dr, Dunwoody, GA 30338.
I know one of the many concerns over the proposed bond is the paths in general and when it comes to the North Peachtree Path connecting the apartment complex where many students live, connecting it to Chesnut, Peachtree Middle and Brook Run; there are even more questions on that segment of path in this neighborhood.
Besides a new Hawk Crossing Light that is already scheduled to be in front of Chesnut in early 24, the proposed North Peachtree path is preliminary designed to be on the West Side (School Side) which means that it will not directly improve the safety of walkers that are primarily on the East Side unless additional crossing guards are added at the apartment complex and a few other places. Then there is the timing of this improvement which looks to be in phase two on the priority list, if this measure moves forward you would think the path directly adjacent to public schools would have top priority. If this bond referendum passes, I will be pushing this topic and guess it will also be up for discussion on Sunday. Join us.
I’m honored to be photographed with Rob Price because he is one of six people out of a group of 50,000 residents who decided to put their name forward for an opportunity to serve their community, to sacrifice their time and talent to improve their community and literally be looked upon to lead this city for the next four years. As a sitting city councilman, I can tell you that I am honored and quite blessed to be able to serve this community, but it is not always an easy task when citizens see you as the local throat to choke because they may not agree with a position taken. After thorough vetting of facts, reading various opinions and papers, a city councilman needs to make tough choices, unpopular votes need to be cast, and at times I need to remind myself that I do not go to work for love, I need to do what is in the best interest of the future of the City of Dunwoody. Service before self is a phrase that comes to mind and all six of the candidates in this cycle need to be honored for stepping forward.
My second stop of the evening was to La Hermanos where Jim Riticher was holding his election result event with his wife Carolyn and a table full of supporters. A few preliminary election day numbers were in with Rob Price ahead by a small margin, but the early voting wasn’t in, so Jim had his hopes up. By this point of the evening, it was the third inning of the Braves game with a three-run lead and the next table was filled with Redfield ladies with a number of familiar pretty faces I hadn't seen in a years but I didn’t have time to chat. I said my goodbyes to Jim, I congratulated him on his campaign, thanked him for his service and reminded him that the night was young; I nodded to the ladies at the next table as I departed to the next bar.
Tom Lambert was holding his event at Porters Brew & Que and by this time Tom was the declared early winner with a decisive victory over Brian Sims. I snapped a photo of Tom’s wife Danielle holding up the precinct results where Tom won every precinct, so even with the missing advanced voting – Tom was coming back to council to serve another four years. After mingling with the crowd of Tom’s supporters, talking shop with a member of the planning commission, and watching the Braves pull away; I was off to find the next election event.
As I was about to walk out the door Tom’s opponent Brian Sims, reached out to discuss results and we communicated back and forth a few times with me answering his questions. I have known Brian for probably ten years, our children have gone to school together and from church I know him to be a kind and honorable man. About a week ago we met in a passing, in a parking lot, I greeted Brian and out of respect he called me “sir”. I laughed at him and said with a big smile, Brian, my name is John, please just call me John. He agreed and laughed back at me. In our final communication of the evening, I asked if he was gathered with supporters watching the results, so that I could stop by, but he admitted he wasn’t; instead he was a home watching the Braves recuperating from a long weekend that hadn’t gone as planned. I congratulated Brian for entering the race and for doing what few others have done, offering to lead. We may see Brian again in the future and hopefully he will be putting forward an application to serve on one of the many City committees to gain more experience.
Catherine Lautenbacher, candidate for district one opposing Terry Nall was holding her event at the Dunwoody Nature Center North Woods Pavilion and as I knew the race was tight, I was interested in the outcome. Prior to election season, I didn’t know Catherine; we had never met but I knew she had the support of former City Councilwoman Pam Tallmadge who was forced to vacate her city council seat when she moved; therefore, if Pam thought highly of Catherine, then I’m sure I too would be impressed. At the beginning of candidate qualification, back in July, I posted on my blog that I would be willing to personally sit down with anyone interested in running for City Council and answer any questions that they may have. Catherine Lautenbacher was the only candidate from this cycle who took me up on my offer and we talked at Crema for over two hours; I answered her questions, gave her insights but more importantly I received one on one time with a person who cares deeply about this city and who wants to lead it moving forward.
I was a fan of Catherine's from the day we met therefore I had to go check to see how she was doing. As I walked through the darkened forest towards the lit glass structure, I heard cheers and celebration as I saw Catherine standing by the door speaking to a crowd. I couldn’t barge in; this was her moment as I watched from the shadows with the florescent glow coming through the panes. A minute later, a common friend of ours yelled John Heneghan’s here and I was waived in as Catherine was thanking her many supporters, friends, and family. Catherine then turned, thanked me publicly for our early conversation and it warmed my heart to think that I may have had a small part in making this celebration a reality. I mingled, met Catherine’s family, I hugged Pam and chatted of 5 am workouts in her new life outside Dunwoody and the many connections she still has here.
The night was winding down, the election was over, but the Braves were still on and winning big. As I had tentative plans to attempt to meet a few DHS Football Team Dad’s to watch the end of the game, I missed seeing Terry Nall at his event. Having served with Terry for eight years on the city council, I want to send a special thank you to Terry for his service to our community, for his willingness to serve, willingness to run for Mayor and then the willingness to try for Council once again. Kudos good sir and thank you.
Join us on Saturday, October 30 for Game 4 of the World Series – LIVE on a giant, inflatable screen in the parking lot. Event starts at 7 p.m. Game starts at 8:09 p.m. *Outdoor food and beverage is not allowed - so please plan to patronize one of the great restaurants at the Shops of Dunwoody. Bring your own chairs and blankets. Free and open to all. The Shops of Dunwoody is located at 5500 Chamblee Dunwoody Road Additional parking available behind Vintage Pizza and J. Christopher’s. Supported by Brand Properties, Discover Dunwoody, GA and Dunwoody Economic Development.
Dunwoody Homecoming Dance - Saturday from 6 to 9 at Brook Run
Dunwoody High School Parents have organized an outdoor Homecoming Dance for Sat October 30th at Brook Run Amphitheater & Pavilion. It's a FREE homecoming dance party from 6 to 9 pm for all Dunwoody High School Students, 9-12 graders, sponsored by the parents. Close to 200 people have already RSVP'ed please encourage your student's attendance and hope for good weather. Dunwoody Police and Dunwoody Parents will be on site as "Chaperones".
True heroes run into building collapsing around them!
Today is last day of early voting at the Dunwoody Library - official election day is Tuesday.
Dunwoody Candidate Finance Reports - Contributions & Expenses
McKendrick’s Steak House is listed as one of the Top 5 Highest-Rated Steakhouses In Atlanta
Dunwoody Truck or Treat / Elton John Tribute Band rescheduled to Fri Nov 12th - Brook Run.Sweetgreen is one of my favorite salad restaurants I frequent when I visit DC, there is one coming to Dunwoody opening in the new Food Hall at Ashford Lane.
Any Downton Abbey Fans? Check out the Exhibition in Sandy Springs | An Immersive Learning Experience
Matthew McConaughey and Rachael Ray part of MJCCA book festival line-up
Peachtree Middle School received a perfect Food Inspection score from the Dept of Health.
Wednesday evening I sat across from AJC political reporter Greg Bluestein at Iron Hill for the What's Up Dunwoody event watching the Braves game where we talked baseball, chatted light politics & interesting characters & acquaintances from our past. Greg is a die hard Braves fan and he was recently featured in the Reporter Newspaper. Dunwoody is lucky to have him as a local.
In Dunwoody you can expect tougher Party House regulations to stop abusive short term tenants and softer rules on Food Trucks in order to liven up Dunwoody Village.
Artists Wanted for Dunwoody Parks and Recreation Black History Month Murals
Christmas for Kids 2021: FAMILY REGISTRATIONS NOW OPEN! To schedule an interview contact Ana Varela at I Care Atlanta, Ana@icareatlanta.org or (678) 615-3341. NOTE: registrants must show proof of Dunwoody residence to qualify.
Crowd sourced funding to help your neighbors who need a lift up, join Giving Grace to check it out.
Dunwoody is a smart City.
Friends of the Dunwoody Library Book Sale is Sat Nov 6th but right now they already have racks of book in the hall for sale. Go get the good stuff early.
Atlanta Irish Fest is happening next Sat Nov 6th in Roswell.
Dunwoody City Council approves contract with Metro Atlanta adult baseball league
Here's some COVID news to be grateful for — kids 5 and up could get vaccinated by Thanksgiving
Musical interlude to bring a bit of joy to your day. & Throwback new residents may enjoy.
Please review the map below as you only get to vote for one of the two candidates based on the district where you live. Research accordingly and then go vote.
Advance voting for the Nov. 2, 2021, Election is taking take place Oct. 12 through Oct. 29 at the Dunwoody Library. Go Vote at your earliest convenience as the Dunwoody City Council makes local advance voting a priority by paying DeKalb County Board of Elections to offer this service in Dunwoody.
Dunwoody Library *(drop box location)
5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Road
Dunwoody, GA 30338
Polls at the library will be open Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Saturday advance voting days are Oct. 16 and Oct. 23 with available hours from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Sunday advance voting days are Oct. 17 and Oct. 24, noon until 5 p.m.
Videos below are from the Dunwoody Homeowners Facebook Page. There are some sound quality issues as well as some starts and stops but to supplement what is being discussed the Facebook comments help a bit and here are news articles from the Dunwoody Crier and Dunwoody Reporter.
Crier - Dunwoody City Council debate a civilized affair — until it wasn’t.
Reporter - Schools, safety, and redevelopment big talking points at Dunwoody candidate forum.
If you live in District 1, the West side of Dunwoody, you get one vote
for either Catherine or Terry. No other votes except for ESplost One Penny Sales Tax for Education.
If you live in District 2, the Center of Dunwoody, you get one vote for either Rob or Jim. No other votes except for ESplost One Penny Sales Tax for Education.
Three Dunwoody City Council seats are on the Nov. 2 ballot, with six candidates vying in the races. Reporter Newspapers asked each candidate their views on pressing city topics.
Advance voting for the November 2, 2021, General Election/Special Election will take place at the Dunwoody Library from October 12 through October 29, Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Weekend advance voting days are October 16 and October 23 with available hours from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.
These district elections have a tendency to have a low turnout namely because Dunwoody residents will only be able to vote for one of the two candidates running for the district seat in which you live. These candidates once elected hold the same power and authority as the other members of the City Council and they vote on an equal footing as our Mayor. Because of the importance of every election, the Dunwoody City Council
requests and pays DeKalb County for early voting to take place here in
Dunwoody.
You don't need to research all six candidates, but instead you need to be able to make an educated choice for which of the two candidates you want representing you from your district.
See the map below to find what district you live in and then learn about those whom you may be voting for by reading the profiles as presented by the Reporter Newspaper.
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| Stacey Harris |
