Request to City of Dunwoody to add sidewalks to complete Chesnut Elementary's Walk to School Route

Chesnut Elementary Walk to School Routes

Email sent to Dunwoody City Manager Eric Linton & Public Works Director Michael Smith, cc:ing rest of Council on March 1, 2020, requesting additional sidewalks to complete the designated walking routes of Chesnut Elementary and to comply with current City of Dunwoody Sidewalk Policy.

Eric / Michael,

On behalf of the Children of Chesnut Elementary and by the current sidewalk improvement policy (attached), I am submitting a request that the City of Dunwoody prioritizes sidewalk construction along the attached Walk to School Routes currently used by the Chesnut Elementary.  The Dunwoody North subdivision (both sides of Tilly Mill) feeds solely into Chesnut Elementary School, and sidewalks within and across the neighborhood are almost non-existent therefore limiting the ability for children to walk to school.  By paragraph II, B, 2 of the Sidewalk Improvement Policy, I have submitted the following streets for consideration as they meet one of the three required requirements, which is a Walking Route from the school’s Safe Routes to School Committee.

Blue Route on Map with Sidewalk Missing

On Brookhurst Drive from Kingsgate Drive to East Kings Point Circle

On East Kings Point Circle from Stonington Rd to Brookhurst Drive

On Stonington Rd from Tilly Mill to East Kings Point Circle

On Binghamton Drive from Madison Place Lane to Amberly Drive

Green Route on Map with Sidewalk Missing
On Brookhurst Drive from East Kings Point Circle to Kings Point Drive

On Kings Point Drive from Brookhurst to Flintshire Ct

On Flintshire Ct from Kings Point Drive to Sharon Valley Court

Purple and Orange Routes are complete.

Based on the Walk to School Maps provided by the school, I would believe that the Blue Route is more heavily traveled by vehicles and, therefore, less safe for walkers (and it ties into the Green).   I also have grave concerns that the traffic counts on Stonington Rd and the adjacent streets will continue to grow as highway construction increases, so will the amount of cut-through traffic.  Sidewalks are sorely needed for pedestrian safety in this community, and the thought of children walking to school in the streets alongside the increasing cut-through traffic is unreasonable. 

Based on the scope of this project, could staff please provide Council a ballpark cost estimate based on the projects outlined and costs of recent sidewalk installation; then depending on funding availability, I would like your recommendation on how to make this request to satisfy the current policy, a reality.  Should the routes (or sections of it) be contemplated under current contracts, or should we submit an RFP to get quotes on the full project?

For their continued interest in these projects, I have copied several members (parents) of the Chesnut School Council as well as the President of the Dunwoody North Civic Association.

To my fellow Council members, please assist me in bringing all of the elementary schools walking routes to the staff's attention.

Thank You.

John Heneghan

Dunwoody City Council

Porter Brew & Que is offering a 50% donation on all beer flights to the Dunwoody Police Foundation purchased in March

Purchase a flight of locally crafted beer during March & 50% of the proceeds will be donated to the Dunwoody Police Foundation. 

Porter Brew & Que
5486 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd
Dunwoody, GA 30338

Wednesday evening I stopped by Porter Brew & Que located in a corner of the Shops of Dunwoody, in Dunwoody Village next door to the Dunwoody Tavern who was hosting an event to support the Dunwoody Police Foundation and I received a full tour of the brewery, the smoke house, and the kitchen.   The establishment is under the new management of Dunwoody resident Greg Gordon and besides great BBQ, 50 different types of bourbon, six different beers on tap at all times, the brewery is always trying new beer recipes including an experiment of hard seltzer.   

Please stop by Porter's to buy a flight and support the Dunwoody Police Foundation.

City of Dunwoody seeks public input on 5 year Comprehensive Plan update for 2020 - Saturday from 1 to 3 at City Hall

The City of Dunwoody will seek public input as part of “Dunwoody Next,” the Comprehensive Plan update for 2020. With guidance from Georgia’s Department of Community Affairs, the City of Dunwoody revisits and revises its Comprehensive Plan every five years to help refine the community’s vision for the future.

Saturday February 29th from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Dunwoody City Hall
4800 Ashford Dunwoody Road
Dunwoody, Georgia

The 2020 update will include two important public input sessions. Community members are encouraged to attend and share their ideas about future priorities. The first public input session will be held on Saturday, February 29th from 1 to 3 p.m. at Dunwoody City Hall, 4800 Ashford Dunwoody Road. The public will have a second chance to provide input during Lemonade Days at an informational booth set up between 1 and 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 25 at Brook Run Park, 4770 N. Peachtree Road.

A team from the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) will serve as project manager for this process, gathering input and providing analysis of opportunities and needs for the City. Later in 2020, recommended updates will be presented to the Dunwoody City Council for consideration.

 Nov 2019 Presentation of the Comprehensive Plan 5 year update-Kickoff Meeting

 October 2019 Resolution Appointing the Sounding Board Members for the Comprehensive Plan 5-year Update

2015 RESOLUTION: Adopt the Comprehensive Plan Five Year Update of the City of Dunwoody.

Dunwoody's All Saints Annual Lenten Fish Fry serves up over 1,000 meals per night - Baked Salmon, Fried Shrimp and the Clam Chowder are my favorites!

The busiest restaurant in Dunwoody - over 1,000 meals served in just 3 hours

Fish Frys are back for 2020 Lent! Skip the cooking and come enjoy a delicious seafood meal with your family, friends and other Dunwoody residents.

My family attends All Saint's Catholic Church and I'm a member of the Knights of Columbus, a fraternal service organization dedicated to providing charitable services.  The Knights' biggest fundraising event is our “WORLD FAMOUS” FISH FRY, which started Wednesday and continues for the next six consecutive Friday nights with the last serving occurring on Friday, April 3rd.

As a member of the Knights, I can tell you that the article in the AJC is correct; the Friday night fish fry is very busy, the food is fresh, and the service with numerous volunteers is incredible.  At one point last year, we were serving a meal every 13 seconds, and all of the funds were pushed back into community charity work.

Knights of Columbus
 All Saints Catholic Church - Gym
Lower Parking Lot

Friday's from 5 pm to 8 pm

2443 Mount Vernon Road

Dunwoody, GA 30338

All profits go to our many K of C charities. Meals are $9, or $11 for salmon. Senior discounts of $1 for 60+ from 5-6pm.  Beer, wine, and desserts available. Take out or dine in.  Cash and credit cards accepted.  This event is open to the community. All are welcome!

2020 Fish Frys 5PM to 8PM   -  Friday, February 28,  Friday, March 6,  Friday, March 13,  Friday, March 20,  Friday, March 27, and the final fish fry on Friday, April 3.

Head to the church gym in the lower level parking lot. All profits go to the many charities served throughout the year by the Knights of Columbus.

RIP Mary Meehan, long time neighbor in Dunwoody North

Such a Wonderful lady, Mary will be missed by many.

Mary Ann Loud Meehan of Dunwoody, GA (formerly of Arlington, MA) passed away on Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at the age of 80.

Mary was born December 16, 1939 in Cambridge, MA as one of six children to the late Arthur and Lillian Loud. She was a giver, and her influence on her community and family was remarkable. Mary attended Sacred Heart High School in East Cambridge and went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at Regis College in Weston, Massachusetts She worked as a chemist with Tyco Laboratories, Inc. until pregnant with her second child in 1966, one of her projects being the design of a liner for the inside of cola cans to prevent their corrosion by the cola. She went on to raise seven children. When her youngest began kindergarten in 1986, Mary began working for All Saints Catholic Church, first working to digitize the church membership, then later as a Bookkeeper and Director of Communications. Up until her death, she worked each week to produce the church bulletin. She enjoyed teaching second grade religious education – preparing the children for their first penance and first communion. Every Sunday, she coordinated bringing Eucharist to the sick and would spend seemingly limitless time visiting with each person. She remained active coordinating and participating in her weekly Tai Chi class. Her impact on the community has been widespread and her loss will be felt greatly.

Mary most adored being with family as they gathered for meals especially at holidays and birthdays. She always welcomed extended family and friends to these meals, as there was plenty of food with leftovers for all. Her children and grandchildren were her greatest joy and her influence on their lives will be felt for generations.

Mary is survived by her husband of 55 years, Robert E. Meehan, and her children: Richard Meehan (Ade) of Duluth, GA; Susan Clark (James) of Stockbridge GA; Karen Ashley (Ken) of Dunwoody GA; Jim Meehan (Lebee) of Huntsville, AL; Tom Meehan (Elizabeth) of Franklin, IN; Nancy Meehan of Lilburn, GA; and Carole Meehan of Medford, MA; her grandchildren: Fiona and Reilly Meehan; Kevin Lee; Joshua (Olivia) and April Clark; Jonathan, Noah, Meghan, and Anna Ashley; Lorcan Meehan; Garrett and Connor Meehan; Maggie Tomaszewski; and great-grandson James Clark. She was preceded in death by her older brother Arthur Loud (Mary Ellen) and survived by her siblings, Sister Barbara Loud of Arlington, MA; William Loud (Marianne) of Burlington, MA; Ruth Auger (Larry) of Rochester, NY; James Loud of Redondo Beach, CA, as well as dozens of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family will receive visitors at H.M. Patterson & Son – Oglethorpe Hill, Brookhaven on Monday, March 2 from 2 – 4 p.m. and 6 – 8 p.m. A Funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, March 3 at 10:30 AM at All Saints Catholic Church in Dunwoody. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Regis College in Mary’s memory, class of 1961.

Dunwoody Police are offering Child Car Safety Seat Check - Fri Feb 28th - 9:30 am