Dunwoody PD release a sketch of a suspect wanted in the double murder on Peeler Rd.

Murder Suspect of Roger and Dorothy Abbott

The Dunwoody Police Department continues to investigate the tragic deaths of Roger and Dorothy Abbott who were murdered in their home on July 1, 2010. The Dekalb County Fire Department responded to a fire at their home on Peeler Rd and their bodies were subsequently discovered. Detectives with the Dunwoody Police Department have worked tirelessly on the case since the beginning. The department has worked closely with other agencies, including the ATF, Sandy Springs Police Department, FBI and GBI in our efforts to catch the person or persons responsible for this crime.

At this time, there is no evidence which suggests this crime was random. Instead, the evidence gathered suggests the victim’s may have known the suspect or suspects. During the course of this investigation, Detectives collected and processed evidence, followed leads and conducted interviews. A witness was located who saw a white male between the ages of 40-45, sandy red to brown hair, slim to medium build, average height wearing a light colored T-shirt, walking in the front yard of the Abbott's home the morning of the murders. A sketch of the suspect was developed. The sketch is above.

At this time, we have identified a person of interest in this case. Because of the sensitive nature of this investigation, we are not naming this person of interest at this time. However, we are moving forward with our investigation and will continue to work toward arresting the suspect or suspects responsible.

We recognize the reluctance of witnesses, particularly ones associated with a Homicide investigation, to come forward. Witnesses may be reluctant to come forward for a variety of reasons. They may be apprehensive, may not want anyone to know they spoke to the police or just may not want to get involved. As a result, the Dunwoody Police Department acquired “TipSoft”, a web based program for citizen’s to leave anonymous tips On-Line, or through text messaging via their cell phone. The program is available by accessing our web-site, www.dunwoodypolice.com and click on “SUBMIT A CRIME TIP”. You may also access “TipSoft” through www.crimereports.com. If you submit a tip on-line, you will be provided your own unique identification number so you can check the status of your tip at a later time. If you plan to submit a tip with your cell phone, you will text “DPDTIPS and your message” to 274637(CRIMES). Once you send the message, you will receive a confirmation text.

Once a tip is submitted, it will automatically be sent to the Dunwoody Police. These tips are confidential, encrypted, and completely anonymous. The technology routes all messages through a server that encrypts cell phone numbers before they reach the police. The program also allows an encrypted, two-way dialogue between the tipster and the police.

Do not submit any emergency tips on-line. If it is an emergency, please call 911.
We believe that unknown person or persons have information about this case which could help us solve it. We ask that this person or persons come forward and contact our department immediately by calling us or contact us anonymously through our web tip or text tip program.

Meeting Tuesday to learn about water and sewer rate increases of 13% next year, and the next year and then the following year too.

Water & Sewer Projects Information Meeting

Tuesday, December 7, 2010
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Dunwoody City Hall
41 Perimeter Center East,
Dunwoody, GA. 30346

County watershed experts have assessed the water, sewer and infrastructure needs and have identified critical capital improvement projects that are needed over the next five years to ensure our water supply is adequate and safe for drinking, fire protection, our anticipated growth and development, and that the county is in full compliance with all state and federal regulations.

The meetings will provide an explanation of the repairs and upgrades needed and the proposed fee structure to pay for the program.

5 yr Capital Projects, Proposed Rate Increases and Presentation

DeKalb County has identified more than $1.4 billion in critical capital improvement projects that are needed in its water and sewer system over the next five years.

These investments are crucial to the health and welfare of the residents and businesses in DeKalb County. They provide for the continued supply of safe drinking water, adequate fire protection, opportunity for continued growth and development, and comprehensive wastewater collection and treatment, in full compliance with all state and federal regulations.

The County operates one of the larger systems in the Southeast U.S., serving more than 730,000 people each day, and more than 20,000 businesses, with more than 2,600 miles of water lines and more than 2,600 miles of sewer lines. All of the County’s drinking water is treated at the Scott Candler Water Treatment Plant; the County’s wastewater is treated at 3 locations: the Snapfinger Wastewater Treatment Plant and Polebridge Wastewater Treatment Plant on the South River, and the R.M. Clayton Water Reclamation Center (operated by the City of Atlanta) on the Chattahoochee River.

The County’s treatment plants, as well as thousands of miles of water and sewer pipes, need significant repairs and upgrades. For example, the Snapfinger Wastewater Treatment Plant was built in 1963, and has not had substantial upgrades since 1983; the Polebridge Wastewater Treatment Plant was built in 1973, and was last substantially updated in 1990. Extensive work is necessary to address aged conditions, satisfy tightening federal and state regulations for water and wastewater, and plan for future demands due to growth. Among the critical types of improvements are the following:

• $378 million to rebuild, upgrade, and expand the Snapfinger Wastewater Treatment Plant.
• $65 million to upgrade sections of the Polebridge Wastewater Treatment Plant.
• $38 million to upgrade the Scott Candler Water Treatment Plant.
• $179 million to repair, replace, and update parts of the water distribution system.
• $600 million to repair, replace, and update the wastewater collection system.
• $82 million to begin water reuse and to return treated wastewater to the Chattahoochee River, per state water planning requirements.
• $36 million for vehicles and equipment necessary to deliver repairs and improvements to the water and wastewater systems

To finance the cost of the capital improvements program, it will be necessary to raise water and sewer rates each year by 13% for the years 2012, 2013, and 2014 which amounts to an increase of approximately $8.00 to $11.00 per month for the average household each year until 2014. Investing now in the water and wastewater systems will ensure that DeKalb County maintains reliable water and sewer services for current and future generations.

Dunwoody Homeowners Assoc. to discuss Chick-fil-A & Kroger on Sunday and here are the applications on file.

Rezoning and Variance Applications

Though I do not officially sit on the Board of the Dunwoody Homeowners Association, I also don't miss many meetings. As an elected official I see it is an invaluable meeting for me to attend as it gives me pulse of where the community is on various subjects that may come in front of me at some time in the future. This Sunday is a good example as the rezoning and variance applications of both Chick-fil-A and Kroger will be discussed, debated, tweaked and maybe voted up or down by the private organization.

I saw the Community Council Public Notice in the Crier (the legal organ of the City of Dunwoody) regarding Chick-fil-A which told me that they had officially filed an application and then I was forwarded the DHA agenda for Sunday and saw it was up for discussion. In order to assure myself that the DHA and the general pubic was well informed prior hearing the presentations on Sunday, I requested from the Community Development Staff copies of the applications so that I could publish them here.

Chick-fil-A rezoning application materials.

ChickFilA RZ 10-121 Application.pdf
ChickFilA RZ 10-121 Existing Site Plan.pdf
ChickFilA RZ 10-121 Proposed Site Plan.pdf

Here is the Kroger special exception and variance application, due to be heard in front of the ZBA January 6, 2011 at 7 P.M.

Kroger SE 11-011 Application.pdf
Kroger ZBA 11-012 Application.pdf
Kroger ZBA 11-012 Cover Sheet Amendment.pdf
Kroger ZBA 11-012 Landscape Plan Amendment.pdf
Kroger ZBA 11-012 Site Plan Amendment.pdf
Kroger ZBA 11-012 Tree Protection and Replacement Plan Amendment.pdf
Kroger ZBA 11-012 Vicinity Plan Amendment.pdf

These are the files associated with Chick-fil-A’s variance request, due to be heard in front of the ZBA on February 3, 2011.

ChickFilA variance ZBA 11-022 Application.pdf
ChickFilA variance ZBA 11-022 Existing Plan.pdf
ChickFilA variance ZBA 11-022 Proposed Plan.pdf

Gifts for the Earth - a free family event this Saturday at the Dunwoody Nature Center from 10 to Noon.

John,

Thank you for inquiring about the Gifts for the Earth event at the Dunwoody Nature Center. Here is the history behind it. For more than a year, I had been wanting to give a gift to the new City of Dunwoody. When I learned of the "Gifts for the Earth" event and that it would cost money for each child who wanted to participate, I decided this was the gifting opportunity I had been searching for. Earlier this year, I made a donation to the Dunwoody Nature Center from my family's Foundation (The Gendell Family Foundation) in honor of my mother. Brian and I tripled that donation with a gift of our own for the "Gifts to the Earth" event so that families could make "gifts to the Earth" for free. Nature is very important to us. Brian and I are both avid birders and have several busy bird feeders in our back yard. We wanted to share the joy of birds and nature with the children in our community. It is our pleasure to give this gift to the citizens of Dunwoody.

Thank you for the opportunity to share our story.

Adrian and Brian Bonser

Gifts for the Earth

Saturday, December 4

10 am - Noon

FREE

A Family Program Sponsored by Adrian and Brian Bonser and the Gendell Family Foundation

Turnabout is fair play: make something special for the earth that gives us so much. Create natural animal feeders and other gifts for the creatures who call Dunwoody home. Make one for Dunwoody Park and take one home to share with people you love.  Walk the trails, explore the wetlands along our boardwalk, and enjoy the fall foliage from our treehouse learning pavilion.

This FREE family program is sponsored by Adrian and Brian Bonser and the Gendell Family Foundation. Marion Gendell and her late husband, Gerald Gendell, established the foundation to make philanthropic contributions supporting Jewish organizations, the arts, education and medical research.  Their daughter, Adrian Bonser, continues the family’s support of education, including the environmental education programs of Dunwoody Nature Center.  Councilwoman Bonser and her husband Brian chose to sponsor Gifts for the Earth because they believe in the mission of the Center and wanted to make a gift to the City of Dunwoody. As a result, there is no charge for participating in this fun family event.

Dunwoody Nature Center is located on the grounds of Dunwoody Park.

5343 Roberts Drive, Dunwoody

www.dunwoodynature.org

Rabbi Pleads For Answers In Murder Of Dunwoody Father

Video

DeKalb Champion Story - Slain Dunwoody man was a ‘big dreamer’

Atlanta Regional Commission recognizes Dunwoody as a Certified Green Community

City Honored with Green Communities Certification

Fifteen local governments -- nine cities and six counties – are certified under the Green Communities program for implementing policies and practices that reduce their overall environmental impact. Below is Dunwoody's information about its green initiatives and here is a link to see what the other fifteen communities are doing.

City of Dunwoody

Certified December 2010
City of Dunwoody encourages green building by offering expedited permitting reviews for projects that achieve LEED, EnergyStar, EarthCraft, or WaterSense for New Homes certification or include the installation of solar projects or pervious paving materials. Purchasing policies give preference to environmentally friendly goods and services, including recycled content paper, folders, and other paper goods, green cleaning products. The city has also replaced disposable goods with products that are re-usable, recyclable, or compostable. The green fleet policy provides preference to the purchase of alternative fuel and hybrid vehicles. So far, 34 flex fuel police vehicles have been purchased. Curbside recycling is available to all residents and commercial customers for paper, plastics, and metal and glass containers. Through the Safe Routes to Schools Program, the city works with the five elementary schools in Dunwoody to improve the walking and biking environment around the schools and increase the number of students that bike and walk to school. The Dunwoody Sustainability Commission, established in 2008, has developed a public awareness and education campaign on Dunwoody’s sustainability efforts through the use of brochures, business cards, stickers, T-shirts, and social networking.

Description of all of Dunwoody's sustainability measures (pdf)