My insights into 2017 as requested by Dick Williams of the Dunwoody Crier

2017 will see the finalization of one project and the start of others.

Mr. Dick Williams of the Dunwoody Crier was nice enough to reach out to ask if I wanted to put a few paragraphs togeather outlining my thoughts on the coming year and I provided him the text below (minus at least one typo I found) so I thought I would try to find background links to my statements to provide more background for my readers.

The City of Dunwoody is very blessed to have the weekly Dunwoody Crier as our city legal organ as it is the one news source that hits every driveway, every week and therefore has the eyeballs of every citizen no matter the generation whereby I know my electronic media newsletter is limited at best in reaching all those I serve. Dick thanks for the opportunity and your continued service to the community.

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2017 will be a great year for the City of Dunwoody with the completion of several major transportation improvements and there will be extensive paving and sidewalk projects pushed forward as well. The City is now updating the comprehensive transportation plan and we could use your input so please check the city website or my blog for the link. I am excited about future intersection improvements, an innovative pedestrian / bike crossing from Georgetown to Perimeter Center, small connections to our trails and lighted crossings across busy streets where they are needed. New intersections will also bring technological upgrades to possibly speed emergency response vehicles through our busy streets.

2017 will also be a huge year for park improvements as two new baseball fields with artificial turf will be installed on the land purchased at Peachtree MS as well lights and an upgraded football field. Brook Run is slated for up to $3.5M in upgrades, Perimeter Center East park will be expanded and connected to Georgetown, there will be restrooms put in Windwood Hollow & Brook Run. The Parks Master Plan update is coming soon too. The city is assisting to find field space for everyone who needs it and I was overjoyed when Georgia State announced that they will be allowing Dunwoody High Lacrosse teams to use their fields for practice. Council is working diligently to find a way to assist the Dunwoody Nature Center on obtaining long-term funding for a possible major capital project. My hope is that outdoor concerts and festivals will be expanding in 2017 as the Council has funded a new Recreation Programs Supervisor to work this issue and to start to facilitate an active recreation program within the City of Dunwoody.

Dunwoody is blessed with an exceptional quality of life, a very strong and growing economic base, a strong residential real estate market and more importantly a strong sense of community where the City Council is attempting manage both growth, livability and quality living.

Thank you for allowing me to serve on the City Council, it is truly a privilege.

John Heneghan
4624 Buckley Court
Dunwoody, GA 30338
770-234-0678
John.Heneghan@DunwoodyGA.gov

Please take the Dunwoody Comprehensive Transportation Plan Survey

The City of Dunwoody is currently updating its Comprehensive Transportation Plan which outlines the community’s transportation objectives and funding priorities.  This plan was originally developed in 2009.  Since this time, efforts on several of the prioritized projects have begun and some have been completed. The primary purpose of the five-year update is to review and refresh the recommended project list and work program as well as explore enhancements to plan components such as pedestrian and bicycling facilities.

The survey below is a critical component of the Comprehensive Transportation Plan update.  Public feedback and input will help shape the vision for the city’s recommended projects and programs for the next five years.  This survey will be available until January 19th at 5:00 pm.

Take the Transportation Plan Survey

Additional public involvement including a public information open house will occur in early 2017.

The problem in Dunwoody is Ice Ice Baby - note from Mayor Shortal on winter storm weather update.

Yo, man, let's get out of here! Word to your mother!

At 12:30 am Saturday, snow is not the issue but instead it is the ice building up on the trees, many of which have deadwood that can't take the weight, limbs are falling and power lines are snapping.  Dunwoody PD is probably slammed with calls as I know several streets are blocked and the Georgia Power outage map shows widespread isolated issues through out the general Atlanta area.   Stay warm / stay safe.    John

Below is a note sent by the Mayor earlier this evening.

Good evening my fellow citizens … winter storm weather update and one other item …

1. I have just returned from the command center at city hall and these are some of the latest developments ...

            - Over the last 2 hours the temperature has drop 5 degrees (from 34 to 29 degrees) and the rain has changed into sleet/freezing rain. The build on the street of this mixture is over 1/4” and increasing .. and the streets are just starting to get a little slick. I noticed a little sliding in the turns. We have been putting brine on the streets but because of all the rain the brine will have reduced affect. As the temperatures drop the sleet should turn to snow at about midnight and continue until about 4 to 6 AM with the temperature dropping well below freezing .. 22 degrees. The sun is forecast to come out about noon on Saturday but the temperature will stay below freezing. If there is any solar thawing tomorrow it will freeze again tomorrow night as the temperature will drop to 16 -18 degrees with a chill factor of approx. 4 degrees. If the current forecast are accurate we are in for hazard driving conditions for at least a couple of days. 

            - What I am telling you is that the “winter storm warning" is no longer a warning …. the winter storm is here.

            - First and foremost, unless you have a medical emergency or you are a first responder … STAY HOME! Spend the time at home doing some “family bonding" etc. If you are one that absolutely has to go out be sure to drive very slow and take the turns and corners extra slow. Leave plenty of room between you and the car in front of you. Rear end accidents are the number one type of accidents in these conditions. Coming home from city hall a few minutes ago there was a car following me about 20’ behind my bumper … I just thought it can’t be anyone from Dunwoody because none of us are that dumb. If your car is equipped with anti-skid brakes read the proper operating procedure in your car manual before you go anywhere … that knowlewdge may save your day.

            - As noted above the temperature is going to drop significantly Saturday night. If you have every had problems with pipes freezing in your house I recommend you open cabinet and other doors where water pipes are located. This will reduce your exposure to frozen water pipes. 

            - We have a full continent of Dunwoody Police Officers on duty tonight to assist where needed. 

            - As we can, we will be updating our website and social media concerning conditions. Make sure you check these sources for information prior to coming to our Council meeting on Monday night. 

            - Lets all be safe out there as this should all pass is two days or so. We are all family in Dunwoody so if you neighbor needs some help please offer your assistance. 

2. State of the City Event … Please mark your calendar for the annual “State of the City” event to take place on March 9, 2017 at the Crown Plaza Ravinia. The general reception starts at 6 PM and the ceremony starts at 7 PM. Everyone is invited.

3. That is all for tonight. Please pass this on to your friends, neighbors and members of your HOA, etc. If anyone wants to be added to my email list just let me know. Thanks for everything each of you do to make us a great city “family" and create an atmosphere of mutual respect and quality of life that we all desire! 

Let Us Continue to Build Our City Together!

Denny Shortal 

Mayor of Dunwoody

C 678-246-9006

Dunwoody City Council Agenda - Monday January 9, 2017

Monday, January 9, 2017
Dunwoody City Hall
41 Perimeter Center East
Dunwoody, GA 30346
Watch Live at 6:00 p.m.

6 pm Agenda

Convention & Visitors Bureau of Dunwoody Year in Review. (Katie Bishop Williams)

Administration of Oath of Office to Officers Courtlen Jones and Ethan Taffar.

FIRST READ: SLUP 17-011: Rhett Roberson, owner of 2347 Brookhurst Drive, Dunwoody,GA 30338, seeks a Special Land Use Permit from Chapter 27, Section 27-168(g)(1) to allowfor a Type B Home Occupation for a physical therapy business. The tax parcel number is 18
354 03 005.

SECOND READ: Ordinance to Convey Real Estate.

Approval of a Subgrant Agreement with MARTA for the Hammond Mid-block PedestrianCrossing.

Approval of an Access and Maintenance Agreement with MARTA for the Hammond Mid-Block Pedestrian Crossing.

Approval of a Supplemental Agreement with the Georgia Department of Transportation forthe Georgetown Gateway Project.

SECOND READ: Ordinance To Amend Chapter 2 re: Adoption of Fingerprint BackgroundCheck Process.

Municipal Services Contract Amendment - Programing Supervisor 

PlanFirst Program Memorandum of Agreement Between the Georgia Department ofCommunity Affairs and Dunwoody. (Jessica Guinn)

Lease Termination Agreement for The Law Offices of William A. Heath, Jr., P.C., 4800
Ashford Dunwoody Road, Suite 130.

Resolution Appointing Members to the Dunwoody Board of Ethics.

FIRST READ - Ordinance to Amend Chapter 4 re: Alcohol Special Event Permits.

Approval of MOU for Purchase of SWAT Command Vehicle.

What one word describes "Our Town" of Dunwoody?

 What is your word?

My friend (maybe he's everyone's friend?) Heyward Wescott serves on the Dunwoody Perimeter Chamber of Commerce and he is looking for 1 word that describes Dunwoody. 

The results so far are interesting and as his post on Facebook is public, please check it out and add to the list.

I cheated and honored my favorite play "Our Town" by listing Grover's Corners, the name of the setting. 

Do you have one word? Please add to Heyward's list by clicking his request above. Thanks

PS: kudos to the Dunwoody Crier for this week's edition of the Lewis J. Walker, Investment Coach article entitled, The Magic Bank Account which reminded me of the play  "Our Town" by Thornton Wildner. I have linked the article above and highlighted my favorite part (and the lesson to be learned) from the play. Both are recommended reading.

Happy New Year and please hug those that you love. John

Emily: Good-bye to clocks ticking…and Mama’s sunflowers. And food and coffee. And new ironed dresses and hot baths…and sleeping and waking up. Oh, earth, you are too wonderful for anybody to realize you. Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it—every, every minute?

Stage Manager: No. The saints and poets, maybe they do some.

Dunwoody - Snow possible Friday Night into Saturday

Don't know about you but my 11 year old would love to have a snow day, even if it was just on a Saturday!