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.

Taste of Dunwoody 2014 is Open for Sponsorships

The 11th Annual Taste of Dunwoody benefitting Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta is coming on January 25, 2014 at the Crowne Plaza Ravinia.

Plans are being made at this moment for the always-sold-out Taste of Dunwoody.  Dunwoody Friends of CHOA sponsors this event annually to benefit patient care programs at Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta.

With the medical issues that two of my three children have, my family are "frequent fliers" at Scottish Rite and the MOB across the street.  So SDOC Publishing is committed to sponsoring this event, without fail.

Last year's event at Concourse represented a quantum leap for Taste of Dunwoody - it was HUGE!!!  This year is expected to be at least as big in its new home at Crowne Plaza Ravinia.  As usual, Yacht Rock Revue will be providing the live music.

Now is the time to plan to be a part of this Dunwoody tradition.

Sponsorships:  sponsor Taste of Dunwoody for as little as $500.  There are sponsorship levels affordable for almost all firms, from international corporations down to home-based entrepreneurs.

Contribute a silent-auction prize:  Don't let the polite browsing fool you, competition for some of these prizes is fierce.

Enter your restaurant (food truck?) for exhibition:  How would you like to promote your establishment to several hundred (thousand?) revelers in one night?  This is the place.  Don't know for sure if the door is open for food trucks or just brick-and-mortars but there's one way to find out....

Best thing about being a sponsor:  your tickets are included so you won't be shut out after the mad dash of ticket sales.

More information and people with the answers at the official Taste of Dunwoody page.

Dunwoody Friends on Facebook  (Hi Jill!)

Friends of CHOA on Facebook

This Should Be the Official Dunwoody Brand

Spruill Center is becoming more and more a family favorite.  Ever since my eldest was two, she's enjoyed some kind of class:  music as a toddler, and now as a grade-schooler she's in every week for ceramics.  ("Creative Handbuilding" it's called, for her age group.)  Her younger brother and sister are not-so-patiently waiting their turns when they can indulge in a class just like their big sis.

I remember when this sign went up outside Spruill Gallery.  Right after the latest recession started.  I don't know how many of us knew it was part of an exhibit (I didn't....).  There wasn't a single person who drove past the sign that didn't have something on their minds and felt soothed to some degree.

No disrespect intended to Sky Design, but this thought does more to uplift and unify the diverse, competing, and combative elements of today's Dunwoody than any graphic element.  It's even consistent with the foundation market research they performed.

Let's be honest:  the latest government September/October surprises have been a drag and I'd like to believe there is a future beyond election day.

I always thought this sign should be a T-shirt.  I found out today that it is and I'm stocking up!
From Spruill Center's latest newsletter, distributed today:

"Everything Will Be OK"

Can Now Be Everywhere You Are

Everything Will Be Okay merchandise is now available for purchase at the Spruill Gallery. Take a piece of history home with you today!


Glass Plaque $25; Dichroic Glass Pins $12; T-Shirt $15; Glass Pendant $22

"Everything Will Be OK," a History

At the opening of Spruill Gallery's Emerging Artists exhibit in the summer of 2009, local artist Jason Kofke erected a simple, yet powerful piece on the side of an old seed house on the grounds of the Spruill Gallery. The plain white panel read "Everything Will Be OK" in hand written black type.

Often passersby would be halted in their daily errands and stop to snap a picture of the sign. Many felt compelled to share stories about how the sign had affected them.

The original sign survived through many seasons, through every storm, but this work was never meant to be permanent. Soon the white background began flaking and peeling. In the summer of 2012 the original sign deteriorated beyond repair. Yet, personal testimonials continued, each more touching than the last: a couple struggling to stay together; a laid off father; siblings who lost their mother; a sick child.

It was because of these shared experiences that the Spruill Center decided to recreate the sign in a more permanent way. The sign that you now see is painted on PVC board and is ready to weather whatever Mother Nature throws its way, much like those who are moved by the words.

Find us about a mile north of Perimeter Mall at the intersection of Ashford Dunwoody Road and Meadow Lane.

4681 Ashford Dunwoody Road
Atlanta, GA 30338 

770-394-4019
gallery@spruillarts.org