While parts of our community can enjoy some end-of-the-school-year frivolity, I'm finishing up two websites for two excited clients. Gotta work to pay the bills.
The latest updates from SDOC Publishing Internet Solutions for our clients, our community, and the web design field. Our Dunwoody, Georgia studio serves clients all over the United States and Canada.
Tuesday, May 23, 2017
Priorities
While parts of our community can enjoy some end-of-the-school-year frivolity, I'm finishing up two websites for two excited clients. Gotta work to pay the bills.
Friday, May 12, 2017
Dunwoody Memorial Day Tribute and More Brook Run News
The City of Dunwoody will host its Memorial Day Tribute on
Monday, May 29th from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Monday, May 29th from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Veterans Memorial at Brook Run Park.
Afterwards, take a stroll to the back side of the park (just keep following the road or trail) and think about what you would like Dunwoody to do to improve this side of Brook Run.
Tuesday, May 16th at 6pm
After acquiring community feedback at the initial public input meeting held in January, the parks & Recreation Department invites you to view and comment on the final parks master plan concept for Brook Run Park.
The meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 16th in the City Council Chambers at City Hall. Please provide your feedback and input on this the final parks master plan concept for Brook Run Park. The concept will be posted to the city website following the meeting to allow for additional community input.
I can't tell if the decision has been made, or if differing opinions offered during "community input" will be incorporated into the plan. But this looks like the best opportunity to see the direction.
Friday, May 5, 2017
Dunwoody Homeowners Association Public Board of Directors Meeting - May 7, 2017
The DHA's next public board meeting will be this Sunday, May 7. Please come out and be part of the conversation about community events and development!
Dunwoody Homeowners Association
Board of Directors Meeting
Sunday, May 7, 2017 @ 7:30 P.M.
North DeKalb Cultural Arts Center, Room 4
5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd, Atlanta, GA 30338
1. Announcements and introduction of distinguished visitors
2. Approval of minutes for March 5th, 2017 meeting—Lindsay Ballow
3. Presentation and discussion: Proposed redevelopment plan for Perimeter Center Parkway East property – Grubb Properties, Todd Williams and Andrew Rosti
(The property in question is the office complex where Dunwoody City Hall is now housed.)
4. Presentation and discussion: Solarize Dunwoody – Tina Wilkinson
5. Request for support for Dunwoody Woman’s Club – Gerri Penn
6. Request for support for Stage Door Players – Robert Egizio
7. Board only session: Votes as needed on any motions including:
Involvement in Solarize Dunwoody
Dunwoody Woman’s Club request for funds ($1,000 included in budget)
Dunwoody Stage Door Players request for funds ($1,000 included in budget)
.
8. Adjourn
Next meeting: Sunday, June 4, 2017
Thursday, May 4, 2017
Code Enforcement - Food for Thought
Dunwoody is missing a Chief Code Enforcement Officer, and that role's immediate superior, the Community Development Director.
How much code enforcement is actually happening?
If someone files a complaint, does it get recorded? Or followed? Or anything?
I don't know the answers to these questions. But one of my routine ORRs might answer it in coming weeks.
Cross your fingers for a break in the rain and wind so all can enjoy food trucks tonight!
How much code enforcement is actually happening?
If someone files a complaint, does it get recorded? Or followed? Or anything?
I don't know the answers to these questions. But one of my routine ORRs might answer it in coming weeks.
Cross your fingers for a break in the rain and wind so all can enjoy food trucks tonight!
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
Newly-Paved Mt Vernon is Sinking. Questions About Standards and City Priorities
From Channel 46:
"Alessandro Salvo owns GS Construction. His company made the repairs, but not before warning city and county leaders on numerous occasions that using stone would cause the road to settle, or even sink.
“There’s no way to know how much it’s going to settle,” Salvo said. “They view this as a warranty and poor workmanship issue, and our response is that no, it’s not a poor workmanship issue, this is a design flaw. We told you not to put this type of stone here.”
Read more: http://www.cbs46.com/story/35299345/contractor-warned-officials-about-sinking-roadway#ixzz4g1DLXwTh" CBS46 News
There's a very easy way to find out who is telling the truth and to whom the contractor spoke if in fact he did warn about this problem: Open Records Request on all emails to and from GS Construction, going back to the date the RFPs for the Mt Vernon sewer line replacement and repaving were issued.
The nice clerk who has been helping me compile information about the (lack of) impact made by home businesses is probably really tired of hearing from me. (Hi Eric!) I'll bet he'd appreciate talking to someone new. Give him a shout by using the City of Dunwoody Online Open Records Request System. Electronic, non-certified records are free!
https://mycusthelp.com/DUNWOODYGA/_cs/SupportHome.aspx
If the contractor is telling the truth, (and I am leaning toward that option because he put his face, voice, and company name on the record and on camera to make his point, while the city council members who ran their campaigns on the promise to pave more roads are not responding) then we have a new urgency to answer the question: what exactly are our city council members priorities?
Paving roads implies quality work that will last at least a generation. No public discussion about quality infrastructure work.
So what is a priority in city council?
These aren't legislative priorities, gang. In my opinion, these are legislative favors for personal friends.
And while our representatives are arguing these small points, newly-rebuilt city roads are sinking. School trailers are getting ignored. What else is falling by the wayside???
"Alessandro Salvo owns GS Construction. His company made the repairs, but not before warning city and county leaders on numerous occasions that using stone would cause the road to settle, or even sink.
“There’s no way to know how much it’s going to settle,” Salvo said. “They view this as a warranty and poor workmanship issue, and our response is that no, it’s not a poor workmanship issue, this is a design flaw. We told you not to put this type of stone here.”
Read more: http://www.cbs46.com/story/35299345/contractor-warned-officials-about-sinking-roadway#ixzz4g1DLXwTh" CBS46 News
There's a very easy way to find out who is telling the truth and to whom the contractor spoke if in fact he did warn about this problem: Open Records Request on all emails to and from GS Construction, going back to the date the RFPs for the Mt Vernon sewer line replacement and repaving were issued.
The nice clerk who has been helping me compile information about the (lack of) impact made by home businesses is probably really tired of hearing from me. (Hi Eric!) I'll bet he'd appreciate talking to someone new. Give him a shout by using the City of Dunwoody Online Open Records Request System. Electronic, non-certified records are free!
https://mycusthelp.com/DUNWOODYGA/_cs/SupportHome.aspx
If the contractor is telling the truth, (and I am leaning toward that option because he put his face, voice, and company name on the record and on camera to make his point, while the city council members who ran their campaigns on the promise to pave more roads are not responding) then we have a new urgency to answer the question: what exactly are our city council members priorities?
Paving roads implies quality work that will last at least a generation. No public discussion about quality infrastructure work.
So what is a priority in city council?
- Chastizing a home business owner who went to extra lengths to show his enterprise would not infringe on his neighbors.
- Change home business regulations in spite of the fact there have been no documented complaints justifying the actions.
- Fast-track legalized farm animals for a small handful of citizens - within one day of the above action.
- Try to help a local business skirt the state alcohol laws. Then, failing this, revert to "don't ask, don't tell" as the standard for handing out alcohol without a pouring license.
These aren't legislative priorities, gang. In my opinion, these are legislative favors for personal friends.
And while our representatives are arguing these small points, newly-rebuilt city roads are sinking. School trailers are getting ignored. What else is falling by the wayside???
Food Truck Thursday Celebrates Yom Ha-atzmaut on May 4!
It's everybody's favorite Food Truck Thursday - Kosher Night sponsored by the MJCCA!
An assortment of Kosher food trucks will join the usual group at Brook Run Park.
Get there early to score some beef ribs. It's worth it to brave the wet weather that's supposed to arrive.
Brook Run Park between the Skate Park and Childrens' Playground
MJCCA-sponsored entertainment on the field.
5 PM - 8:30 PM (Seriously, weather permitting)
An assortment of Kosher food trucks will join the usual group at Brook Run Park.
Get there early to score some beef ribs. It's worth it to brave the wet weather that's supposed to arrive.
Brook Run Park between the Skate Park and Childrens' Playground
MJCCA-sponsored entertainment on the field.
5 PM - 8:30 PM (Seriously, weather permitting)
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Ashford Dunwoody Road Repair & Lane Closure
From Dunwoody City Hall e-blast:
Planned for Thursday May 4, 2017 (8pm to midnight)
The City of Dunwoody will conduct work on Ashford Dunwoody Road this Thursday (May 4, 2017) starting at approximately 8:00 p.m. and lasting until midnight.
This work necessitates closing down a few hundred feet of the southbound lane on the west side of Ashford Dunwoody for approximately 4 hours (8:00 p.m. to midnight). All construction work is dependent on optimal weather conditions.
The location of the construction work will be on the west side of Ashford Dunwoody Road, directly across the street from the Exxon gas station. Please refer to map below for an approximate layout and construction footprint area.
Please use alternate routes and avoid the area during the construction process.
ALERT: Ashford Dunwoody Road Repair & Lane Closure
Planned for Thursday May 4, 2017 (8pm to midnight)
The City of Dunwoody will conduct work on Ashford Dunwoody Road this Thursday (May 4, 2017) starting at approximately 8:00 p.m. and lasting until midnight.
This work necessitates closing down a few hundred feet of the southbound lane on the west side of Ashford Dunwoody for approximately 4 hours (8:00 p.m. to midnight). All construction work is dependent on optimal weather conditions.
The location of the construction work will be on the west side of Ashford Dunwoody Road, directly across the street from the Exxon gas station. Please refer to map below for an approximate layout and construction footprint area.
Please use alternate routes and avoid the area during the construction process.
Town Hall with Commissioner Jester Wednesday May 3
WHERE: Dunwoody Library
WHEN: May 3, 2017
WHAT TIME: 6:30 PM til 8:00 PM
Bring your questions and your comments
More info via Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1798043007190489
Sunday, April 30, 2017
Wildcat Golf Classic for Dunwoody HS Football
When: Tuesday, June 6, 2017
Where: Rivermont Golf Club
How do I sign up? http://birdeasepro.com/wildcatclassic
Enjoy golf and other fundraising events in this gala to support Dunwoody Football. Please see the info in the image below for details.
Where: Rivermont Golf Club
How do I sign up? http://birdeasepro.com/wildcatclassic
Enjoy golf and other fundraising events in this gala to support Dunwoody Football. Please see the info in the image below for details.
Thursday, April 13, 2017
NEWS FLASH: Dunwoody Community Devel. Director resigns
Details to follow when available.
Comments are open for more input. If you are adding details, please include some form of verification.
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
Dunwoody Government and Home Business: "Rooney Eats it!"
Let's review the last six months.
December 2016: Dunwoody's 3rd ever SLUP application to see customers is heard in the usual public proceedings. Applicant jumps through excessive hoops to prove he respects his neighbors and the integrity of said neighborhood.
In spite of neighbor support, the usual suspects circulate petitions, trespass on the applicant's property to take photos, and lie through their teeth about the homeowner's intentions to city council to oppose the application.
January 2017: City council lines up behind the idea that since the business itself didn't fit the "comprehensive plan" the permit should be denied. ** The actual facts of the application were ignored in favor of a personal value judgement with a personal interpretation of a city planning document. All city council members were unanimous in their support.
February 2017: Community Development Director Steve Foote proposes removing ALL "Type B" home businesses and removing the application process from the municipal code.
March 2017: Steve presents these edits to the Dunwoody Homeowners Association monthly meeting. The proposal is received like a fart in church.
April 2017: Planning Commission and City Council process the ratification of scaled down edits that include limiting the hours that a homeowner may see a customer and limiting the types of businesses that may bother to seek a Type B license.
During this time, the home business map is getting updated. So far I had been keeping up with licensed businesses in a list generated by Economic Development and local business directories like the AHA Connection and NextDoor. I added to this a systematic review of corporation records taken from the state registries. Specifically, I looked for corporations registered to a home address. I've only gotten to the "P"s and the number of home businesses documented (and active) has doubled.
In the mean time, there have been no complaints against home businesses filed since June 2016. The last code violation confirmed against a home business was February 2016.
That's two complaints filed in 14 months, with only one violation. If we were talking about animals or pets, city council would dismiss these as exceptions.
In spite of Mayor Shortal's pontificating about "protecting the community", there is apparently nothing to be protected from. These code updates are not solving a problem. They are a threat against anyone who would dare to submit a "Type B: application.
What makes this scenario funny is that nothing will change. City Council passes their rules and congratulates themselves on their service. While all ONE-THOUSAND-PLUS households in this image will continue to do whatever the hell they please because they are clearly not bothering anyone. Including seeing customers or holding meetings.
**In a couple of weeks, the "strict interpretation of the comprehensive plan" applied to home business owners will be thrown aside so council members may enact a "pet" project. Stay tuned.
December 2016: Dunwoody's 3rd ever SLUP application to see customers is heard in the usual public proceedings. Applicant jumps through excessive hoops to prove he respects his neighbors and the integrity of said neighborhood.
In spite of neighbor support, the usual suspects circulate petitions, trespass on the applicant's property to take photos, and lie through their teeth about the homeowner's intentions to city council to oppose the application.
January 2017: City council lines up behind the idea that since the business itself didn't fit the "comprehensive plan" the permit should be denied. ** The actual facts of the application were ignored in favor of a personal value judgement with a personal interpretation of a city planning document. All city council members were unanimous in their support.
February 2017: Community Development Director Steve Foote proposes removing ALL "Type B" home businesses and removing the application process from the municipal code.
March 2017: Steve presents these edits to the Dunwoody Homeowners Association monthly meeting. The proposal is received like a fart in church.
April 2017: Planning Commission and City Council process the ratification of scaled down edits that include limiting the hours that a homeowner may see a customer and limiting the types of businesses that may bother to seek a Type B license.
During this time, the home business map is getting updated. So far I had been keeping up with licensed businesses in a list generated by Economic Development and local business directories like the AHA Connection and NextDoor. I added to this a systematic review of corporation records taken from the state registries. Specifically, I looked for corporations registered to a home address. I've only gotten to the "P"s and the number of home businesses documented (and active) has doubled.
In the mean time, there have been no complaints against home businesses filed since June 2016. The last code violation confirmed against a home business was February 2016.
That's two complaints filed in 14 months, with only one violation. If we were talking about animals or pets, city council would dismiss these as exceptions.
In spite of Mayor Shortal's pontificating about "protecting the community", there is apparently nothing to be protected from. These code updates are not solving a problem. They are a threat against anyone who would dare to submit a "Type B: application.
What makes this scenario funny is that nothing will change. City Council passes their rules and congratulates themselves on their service. While all ONE-THOUSAND-PLUS households in this image will continue to do whatever the hell they please because they are clearly not bothering anyone. Including seeing customers or holding meetings.
The complete map with legend: here
Go ahead, Rooney! You just keep chasing Ferris. We know how this ends.
**In a couple of weeks, the "strict interpretation of the comprehensive plan" applied to home business owners will be thrown aside so council members may enact a "pet" project. Stay tuned.
Sunday, April 9, 2017
Sermon on the Mount - 21st Century Style
I needed to see this today as I help run a political forum in the midst of hyperpartisans and other knee-jerk-reactors. Not to mention our own city council and their contradictory decisions.
"Treat others as you would be treated". The Golden Rule. In Christian doctrine, it comes from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, in the gospel according to Matthew.
Every major religion has some ideal analogous to this. Yet it always keeps getting lost.
So fresh and new for the 21st century is a new term for an ancient ideal: Emotional Correctness
"Treat others as you would be treated". The Golden Rule. In Christian doctrine, it comes from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, in the gospel according to Matthew.
Every major religion has some ideal analogous to this. Yet it always keeps getting lost.
So fresh and new for the 21st century is a new term for an ancient ideal: Emotional Correctness
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