UPDATED: ANSWERS ARE COMING IN | My Questions Submitted to Candidate Forum

Dunwoody Homeowners Association Candidate Forum

Date: October 17, 2013
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Dunwoody High School
5035 Vermack Road
Dunwoody, GA 30338


General Rules:
No campaign literature and no campaign signs at the debate or on school property
No surrogates may stand in for a candidate
The moderator will select questions from those submitted in writing. The debate moderator has broad discretion to ask follow-up questions after a candidate’s answer, so the public can be fully informed about specific positions.
Candidates will be asked questions in alphabetical order and reverse order, alternating with each question.
If a candidate is singled out by name, or a group/entity to which he belongs, for criticism that candidate gets 30 seconds to respond.
General Format:
Dick Williams is the emcee for the event. He will introduce the candidates, explain the format and introduce the moderator.
WSBTV Reporter, Tony Thomas, will be the moderator for the forum. He will select and ask all questions during the forum. There will be a pool of questions from which he will choose.
Candidates will be seated by district on stage by 7pm. One microphone will be shared and passed from speaker to speaker.
Each candidate will have 2 minutes for opening remarks, 90 seconds to reply to each question and one minute for closing remarks.
The first 2-3 questions will be directed to all the candidates. Once those questions have been answered, the moderator will direct questions to each candidate by district. The moderator will choose the order of the districts but the candidates will go in alphabetical and reverse alphabetical order alternating with each question.

Questions:
The questions will come from a variety of sources. The Dunwoody Chamber of Commerce, Dunwoody Homeowners Association and The Crier will write questions. The public is welcome to submit questions in advance to the DHA via email at dhaadmin@dunwoodyga.org. The audience may also submit questions the evening of the forum from 6:30-6:45. After 6:45 no questions will be accepted from the audience.
Questions will be sent to the candidates via email on Wednesday morning, October 16 with the understanding more questions may be submitted via email and in person prior to the forum.
Candidates Running for Dunwoody City Council:
Post 1 (District 1 Local)
- David Davis
- Henly Shelton
- Denis Shortal (incumbent)
Post 2 (District 2 Local)
- William A.J. Mercier
- Jim Riticher
- Heyward Wescott
Post 3 (District 3 Local)
- Sam Eads
- Doug Thompson (incumbent)

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I was playing around with the idea of having another DWG candidate questionnaire as I did last year but with Every. Little. Forum. having questions submitted in advance with no real "debate", I didn't see the point.  So for those who expressed interest, maybe next time.

During my weekly Chamber of Commerce office hours, the staff were talking about coming up with questions to submit.  The following are the questions I asked to be included.  Hopefully they will be presented and answered tonight.  If they get canned before the forum, all of you gentlemen running for office are welcome to post an answer in the comments below at your leisure.  

For the "Clean Sweep" Slate:

"When you announced your candidacies, you initially distanced yourself from all of the major organizations that play a large part in Dunwoody's life:  the DHA, the Chamber, etc.  Why should a member of these organizations vote for you if your very identity is tied up in not being associated with them? "

"If you are elected, how do you plan to work with these organizations as an elected official if you want nothing to do with them as a candidate?"

For the other candidates:
"You have been involved with at least one major organization in Dunwoody prior to being a candidate for City Council in this election.  How do you intend to reach out to those Dunwoody citizens who have a negative impression of or a bad experience with the DHA, Chamber, City Hall, etc?"

"If you are elected, how do you plan to include the concerns of those citizens who are not involved with one of these groups, or whose opinions differ from their "official" positions on various issues?"

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Watch for endorsements prior to November 5.