Thank you State Rep. Mike Wilensky for serving this Dunwoody community with honor and distinction. Mr. Long X Tran announces State Representative run.

 Representative Mike Wilensky, Mayor Lynn Deutsch & Council-member John Heneghan

Serving in an elected public capacity at any level is a difficult but rewarding task that takes dedication and effort which then usually sacrifices precious time away from your family and daytime profession that typically pays the bills.  Today State Representative Mike Wilensky who has served the Dunwoody Community for the last four years has announced that he will not be running for re-election.  I was surprised by the decision but immediately reached out (both privately & publicly) to thank him for his service.

Four years ago Mike (whom I did not know at the time) beat out my friend and former Mayor of Dunwoody, Ken Wright for the State Rep position.  The evening of the first election, I showed up at Mike's election watch party to congratulate him and I think he was very surprised to see me.  As an elected official with now twelve years of service, I personally know the strains of public office therefore I thanked him for running and the sacrifices that will be made, both personal for him & his family as well as professional because of the necessary time away from the regular day time job.  Now, on every election night where Dunwoody candidates are waiting on the tallies, I do the same for them as I have deep respect for those putting their name forward.  Politics aside, I honor the service and sacrifice.  

Elected officials don't go to work for love as we can never make everyone happy but we strive to do what is best for the communities we serve, we work for the greater good by making a difference in the quality of lives who live and work here.  We do all these things while always attempting to remain true to our personal ideals and values.  It is not an easy job.

In related news, another friend and neighbor from my Dunwoody North Community, Mr. Long X Tran has announced that he has put his name forward as a Democratic Candidate for the 80th district Georgia House of Representatives where Rep. Wilensky has decided not to run.  Long and his wife Susie have several children and both have been very active in the schools.  Long opened Peachy Corners Cafe a small independent coffee shop at Spalding & Holcomb Bridge, where he serves not only beverages but a sense of community by hiring local teenagers and hosting music nights with local bands looking for an audience.  Mr. Tran is a avid runner, he has dabbled in the movie industry by producing a film, is also deeply entrenched in the Asian Community as well as politics whereby he recently had the privledge of introducing President Biden at a local event.

Here is a link to Long's campaign announcement from his personal Facebook page which allows public viewing. Thank you Long for throwing your hat into the ring of public service.

Legislative Town Hall tonight at Dunwoody City Hall, 6 p.m. for Sally Harrell Georgia Senate District 40 and Mike Wilensky - State House Representative, HD 79

Town Hall Meeting Dunwoody

Hosted by Sally Harrell Georgia Senate District 40 and Mike Wilensky - State House Representative, HD 79

Tonight - Tuesday March 19th

6 PM – 8 PM 

Dunwoody City Hall

4800 Ashford Dunwoody Rd NE,

Dunwoody, GA 30338

City of Dunwoody, GA offers strong opposition to Georgia #HB302 & #SB172 violating Home Rule and jeopardizes residential safety. #gapol

Full Press Release

Dunwoody’s Mayor and City Council voted unanimously Monday night to oppose Georgia House Bill 302 and Senate Bill 172, which would prevent local governments from enforcing and regulating building design elements for residential homes. Members of Dunwoody City Council have been in close contact with our elected State Representatives, Senator Sally Harrell, Representatives Mike Wilensky, and Matthew Wilson, all of whom have taken strong stands against these proposals. The City has been in discussions with the Georgia Municipal Association, the DeKalb Municipal Association and has been in constant contact with our lobbyist in opposing these proposed actions.

Ten years ago the City of Dunwoody was created to allow us the right of self-determination and it is my opinion that this over reach proposed by the State Legislature not only erodes the home rule doctrine in the Georgia Constitution, which allows municipalities to have self-government over building and housing codes; but it completely eliminates the municipalities allowance of home rule.

Dunwoody Council Member Lynn Deutsch introduced a resolution respectfully requesting that the General Assembly oppose the bill. The Council voted unanimously to approve the resolution during Monday night’s City Council Meeting.

“We do not take this decision lightly. Most housing in the City of Dunwoody would be impacted by this,” said Council Member Deutsch. “This is an issue of local control. We have set minimum building standards that protect the safety of our residents and enhance the quality of construction.”

“This is an encroachment that is unbelievable to me,” added Dunwoody Mayor Denis Shortal. “We became a city to keep decisions close to home. This bill strips us of the rights to keep Dunwoody the way the citizens want it.”

Council Member Pam Tallmadge encouraged concerned residents to e-mail lawmakers who are backing the bills (Georgia House Bill 302 and Senate Bill 172.

Random Dunwoody tidbits that have crossed my desk.

Video

Have you met Speedy?  He is a free range tortoise at Petland near Walmart.

I hope everyone is enjoying this holiday season, spending time with family, re-centering away from the daily grind in order to recharge your internal batteries.  I am doing the same but here are a few things that crossed my desk or items people have asked me about.

DeKalb Fire Job Fair - Jan 5th.

Grand opening of Chamblee's new favorite oddities shop Rainy Day Revival - Art show, Magic, Circus acts, Snake Lady, Aerial arts, Music, Food & Drinks - January 5th. Support the Arts!

Fox News Anchor & Dunwoody guy Bret Baier, Raps On Stage With The Sugarhill Gang but my favorite Dunwoody Rap star is still DHS class of 2015 grad Calvin Kennedy (Young PK) who at 16 with a few talented friends cut a rap album that is both fun and intellectually deep.  (Never Alone, Speed Limit, Nightmare & Bounce are all worth a listen.)

This warmed my heart for the Christmas Season.

Dunwoody High School is getting Lights - funded by community. Thank you!

Calling all Dunwoody Dads - Michael Wilensky to speak Jan 9th.

Time for me to try to lose a few pounds.

How fast can you solve a Rubik's Cube - Dunwoody competition is primer for worldwide fame!

New restaurants planned at Dunwoody's Crown Pointe (new Embassy Suites Hotel)

Another proposal to “redevelop and revitalize” Perimeter with a grocery store, restaurants and hotel?

Frustration after fake bomb threats target DeKalb schools.

The Heneghan family has been known to host a fire pit with the neighbors every once in in a while and the bride is overjoyed with our new Solo Stove fire pit for the driveway.

Dunwoody PD Daily Bulletin is always an interesting read.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service - Brook Run Park event planned.

Council okays 900 condos, offices in Perimeter - I voted against this development because I didn't believe it fit the needs of seniors or handicapped because of distance between residence and parking.

Everyone knows that Dunwoody Police Chief has served for ten years but do you read his Top Cop Leadership Blog?  I do.

A special thank you to the DeKalb County Sanitation crew that removed a large deer carcass on Christmas morning from the side of the road.  Your efforts were greatly appreciated as one little boy thought he looked a lot like Blitzen.

City of Dunwoody Election breakdown by Precinct & Party for November 6, 2018 Election #gapol

As a political science geek who likes to look at the election numbers, demographics and trends, I believe the 2018 election was historic one for the City of Dunwoody as it identified a change of the electorate inside our boundaries whereby those who voted Democratic outnumbered those who voted Republican in most races.  With younger families moving into the area slowly replacing the original owners who bought in Dunwoody when this was considered the far out suburbs, along with the candidacy of Stacey Abrams energizing the Democratic base which drove record turnouts, a shift has occurred.  Though Stacey Abrams may not have won the Governorship, this democratic push carried many of those down the ballot to victory thereby changing the party affiliation in the State Legislature and the U.S. House of Representatives from a Republicans representing Dunwoody to now Democratic representation.

I obtained my data from the DeKalb County Board of Elections excluding third party candidates and provisional ballots still in dispute, used the City of Dunwoody GIS system for the precinct maps, cross referencing it against the DeKalb Polling Places and input it into Excel for trend analysis.  At any point I may have completely screwed up the data but I believe it to be correct.

If there are flaws discovered please let me know in the comments but do me a favor, be kind as I do this stuff late at night after most people are long asleep.  Another favor, I welcome your analysis of the data and election but let's please keep all comments kind as we all are neighbors and all want what is best for our Country, State and community in general.  Thanks  John Heneghan

Congratulations to Dunwoody's newest State Legislators - Mike Wilensky & Sally Harrell

Results from GA SOS website as of 7 am.

The above numbers may not be final but by all accords it appears that the results will stand, therefore I believe congratulations are in order to Dunwoody's newest State Legislators - Mike Wilensky & Sally Harrell, I look forward to working closely with both of you on items that will be affecting this fine community.

Thank you State Senator Fran Millar and former Dunwoody Mayor Ken Wright for your many fine years of service as both of you have made great improvements to the community you have represented.