Treetop Quest in Brook Run Seeks "Operator"

Treetop Quest, the obstacle course company operating in a corner of Brook Run Park seeks an "operator" to run all major operations of the park.

Wages:  $10 per hour, part time

The ad was posted to Craigslist and spread via Twitter

View the ad here:  http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/csr/5695862946.html

Treetop Obstacle Course Operator

Operators are the eyes and ears of the Park. They help create a fun atmosphere through friendly, fun, high-energy assistance while ensuring safety regulations are respected. No experience needed; we provide necessary training.

We are seeking fun, motivated and professional operators to join our team on a flexible schedule:

- Treetop Quest open days:

o Every weekend & Holidays in August through November

o Group reservations during the week

Weekend AND weekday availability necessary. We have 2 locations: Buford and Dunwoody.

Mission:

- Daily opening and closing of the Course

- Morning inspection: Inspecting each platform and obstacle for safety and cleanliness

- Greet participants

- Equip, advise and prevent participants

- Lead a safety briefing/orientation talk and demonstration

- Enforce park regulations

- Monitor participants going through obstacles, and coach them

- Handle off the ground rescue situations

Profile required:

- Must be 18 and older

- Athletic, dynamic with an outgoing personality, a sense of hospitality and good communication skills

- Must be patient and able to lead groups of kids as well as adults

- Must be reliable and this position requires a strong commitment to security

- Practicing outdoor activities and/or a tour guide experience are a plus

- Will be exposed to all weather conditions, frequent standing, sitting, walking, lifting of weight in excess of 40 pounds, stooping, reaching, climbing, and able to visually identify safety hazards

- Must have a flexible work schedule (including evenings, weekends and holidays)


READ BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION

Contact info:

DO NOT APPLY IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND THE 3 DAYS TRAINING:

AUGUST 3-5TH -- TRAINING IS ALL DAY

Please apply online at https://www.treetopquest.com/work-with-us/

Please do not apply if you do not meet the above qualifications. Only candidates being considered will be contacted.

Special Called Meeting to Review DeKalb's SPLOST - Again

From Councilman Terry Nall:

Bill,

Thanks for the recap.

Now that we have clear confirmation of erroneous legislative language (HB 596) that makes our homestead property tax freeze disappear if the eHOST /SPLOST referendum passes, we should all be working to stop the referendum from being called by BOC rather than spending our time on changing the distribution formula via an IGA.

We cannot rely on a promised legislative fix in January and simply hope it can be retroactive. The stakes for our citizens are too high to take this risk.

In my personal view, any city approving and/or encouraging the SPLOST resolution and companion IGA at this point, especially with the new information on HB 596 now known and confirmed, is putting its citizens last, not first.

Thanks again for your recap and your service for DMA.

From Commissioner Nancy Jester:


Nancy's blog goes into more detail about why this county SPLOST could result in massive tax increases for Dunwoody homeowners:
https://blog.nancyjester.com/2016/07/16/big-tax-increases-on-the-horizon/

Below is the video I streamed live from the Dunwoody Homeowners Association meeting on July 10.





Dunwoody City Council voted last week, 6-1, to defer entering into an IGA with the county on spending projects for this proposed SPLOST. There is no project list and for all of the reasons described above by our representatives, it looks like a financially bad deal for our city.  The special called meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, Monday, July 18 at 8:00 AM at council chambers.

http://sireapp.dunwoodyga.gov/sirepub/mtgviewer.aspx?meetid=945&doctype=AGENDA

Dunwoody City Council (esp Shortal) please note:

The DHA was the forum by which Commissioner Jester could direct her comments to the public and field any questions.  The Dunwoody Homeowners Association did not vote to take a position on her comments.  So if there's any negative fallout from whatever your decision is, kindly refrain from backlashing the DHA.  It isn't their fault.

Dunwoody Homeowners Association Agenda - updated 9:15 PM

Sunday, July 10, 2016 | 7:30 pm 

North DeKalb Cultural Center, Room 4

THE AGENDA 

Update was distributed July 7 at 9:15 pm

1. Announcements and introduction of distinguished visitors

2. Approval of minutes for June 5, 2016 meeting—Lindsay Ballow

3. Overview of city actions related to DHA membership – Mayor Shortal

4. Brief report on 4th of July parade –Robert Wittenstein

5. Request for Sponsorship – Dunwoody Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization – Laurie Nichols

6. Presentation – SunTrust Bank development proposal for bank relocation in Dunwoody Village—Den Webb (Smith, Gambrell & Russell), Terri Lasoff (SunTrust), Bart Sargent (Architect), Davis Blumenthal (Engineer/Project Manager)

7. Discussion – City actions related to DHA members on city boards and city board members attending DHA meetings; DHA response.

Board only session: Votes as needed on any motions including:

• DHA action related to city policy changes re: DHA
• Dunwoody Elementary School Request for funds
• Potential removal of inactive board members

THE ISSUES

The word of the day is:

accountable

[uh-koun-tuh-buh l]

adjective

subject to the obligation to report, explain, or justify something;responsible; answerable.

Last month, the Dunwoody City Council met secretly to change city policy and ban DHA members (not just voting members but ALL members) from serving on certain city boards.  The fact that this conversation regarding dual board membership (public vs private) has been regularly reviewed and questioned over the years is irrelevant.  The action of creating policy outside of a public forum represents the greatest ethical failing of our city government to date.

Realizing this, the council called an emergency public meeting and suspended implementation of this illegally-created policy.

The DHA is now going to discuss how best to hold our government accountable for their actions and how best to legally advocate for that position.  We were supposed to have as a guest speaker an attorney specializing in City Planning and Zoning to discuss a legal perspective on the question; a scheduling conflict came up but Rob will be presenting his thoughts for the board to cosider.

Denny Shortal accepted Rob's invitation to attend the DHA meeting.  He will give a speech but will not stay for the later discussion.  Just like the special called meeting.

SunTrust

SunTrust is in the process of purchasing the Old Hickory House property.  Their legally-required "public meeting" was held a couple of weeks ago.  They are holding a second public meeting with the DHA voluntarily to further reach out to the public.

A couple of points from that first presentation:

1)  This is not an issue of "adding" another bank.  No banks are being added.  SunTrust is merely relocating from a rented space to a new custom built space.  They know the competition is tough here; their goal is to serve their customers.

2)  At the time of the first public meeting, a rumor was circulating on Facebook that the landlords of Shops of Dunwoody refused to share their parking lot with SunTrust (or anyone else) and threatened to "boot" the cars of employees or customers of SunTrust.  I showed the Facebook posts to the team presenting and the categorically denied the rumor.  They pointed out that the storefront where they met was rented from Shops of Dunwoody and there have been no threats of penalizing SunTrust customers or employees in any way.

3)  Even with the requested drive through customer service area and 2 additional parking spaces, they intend to design and landscape the property so it is in greater compliance with the spirit and letter of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan and the Overlay District than it is now.

4)  The presentation team consisted of the property architect, engineer, a corporate real estate executive from Suntrust, the Atlanta area bank manager and the branch manager.  I expect this same team on Sunday.

DHA board meetings are open to the public; come visit and develop an informed opinion on these and other issues affecting our city.

Countdown to July 4, 2016

Let's remember what the Dunwoody community is really all about.

Dunwoody City Council Damage Control - Too Little, Too Late?

Let's call this my "public comment".  No babysitter in the morning means no attending a meeting either.  But believe me, I will be watching on video and commenting on social media.  No more Miss Nice Guy.

The last time I was this furious and actively sought justice, was over 10 years ago when a staff member at Northside Hospital entered my hospital room while I was sedated after giving birth to my first child and stole a check reorder form from my purse.  Then after ordering new checks from my bank, the crime ring they were working for stole them from the mail and went on a casino gambling spree.

You people on city council violated me and my family and our trust in a way that was just as severe, even as the methods differed.

Get this through your dense heads:  you are not trustworthy.  You are not ethical.   

I don't care how popular you think you are, or what your little favorite causes and groups are, you broke the law and you continue to wield your council seat like a personal fiefdom.  I've caught smaller instances of favortism in the past, even pointed them out so that you can  get yourselves back to the ideals you boasted of during your campaigns for office.

The first words out of each and every one of your mouths at the special called meeting should be the following and no less:

I was wrong.  I misused executive session to take out Shortal's personal vendetta.  I have no excuse and no justification.  I deserve a legal penalty for breaking the law and the trust I asked you to place in me.

Don't even think about trying to claim some kind of moral high ground for this or any other policy or legislation for the rest of your term in office.  If you honestly believe that you are justified in using executive session to single out one civic group for whatever reason, then you have been in office too long.  Pick your ass up out of that seat and walk it out the door - TODAY.

The only chance you have for redemption, either in your office or your personal lives, is to acknowledge the blatant legal betrayal and accept that responsibility in a visible, tangible, meaningful way.  Man up, gird your loins, and face the music, which is just what you would expect from any other elected official.  Maybe - MAYBE - you will be worth speaking to again.  

The fact that you have yet another "executive session" after this emergency meeting would be funny except that you seem to think all is well.

DUNWOODY SPECIAL CALLED MEETING

June 24, 2016
9:00 AM – Council Chambers

41 PERIMETER CENTER EAST, SUITE 103

DUNWOODY, GA 30346

DUNWOODY SPECIAL CALLED MEETING

A. CALL TO ORDER

B. INVOCATION

C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

D.  PUBLIC COMMENT - (Public Comment allows the City Council the opportunity to listen to the public (3 minutes per speaker/30 minutes total.)

E.  BUSINESS ITEM(S)

1.   Discussion of City Boards and Committees.

F.   PUBLIC COMMENT - Public Comment allows the City Council the opportunity to listen to the public (3 minutes per speaker.)

G.   COUNCIL COMMENTS

H.   CITY MANAGER COMMENTS

I.   EXECUTIVE SESSION

1.   For the Purposes of Legal, Real Estate, and Personnel Discussions.

J.   ADJOURNMENT

STOP DIGGING!!! (Op-Ed: Dunwoody mayor's comments offensive, harkening back to Old South, from On Common Ground News)

On June 11, a Lithonia-area paper called On Common Ground News printed an op-ed piece from Mr. Jerome Edmondson, who is running for the DeKalb District 7 seat.  

He attended the Memorial Day celebration at Brook Run park.

It's too late for the people mentioned in the post but perhaps the rest of us can learn how to speak and behave appropriately in the 21st century.

Link:  https://issuu.com/ocgnews/docs/ocg_6-11-16  (Scroll to Page 6)

Screenshot of the op-ed:

Today, Mayor Shortal dismissed the team that has organized Memorial Day and Veterans' Day celebrations in Brook Run for years.  Less than a month after the incidents discussed in the letter.  Call me cynical, but I don't think the real problem has been solved.

99 Red Balloons - Denny Shortal and City Council Declare War on Dunwoody Homeowners Association

You and I in a little toy shop
Buy a bag of balloons with the money we've got
Set them free at the break of dawn
'Til one by one they were gone
Back at base bugs in the software
Flash the message "something's out there!"
Floating in the summer sky
Ninety-nine red balloons go by

Ninety-nine red balloons
Floating in the summer sky
Panic bells, it's red alert
There's something here from somewhere else
The war machine springs to life ....

Read more: Nena - 99 Red Balloons Lyrics | MetroLyrics

Shocker: Shortal purges DHA from city positions

Almost 5 years ago, I opined on this blog that there should be a clear separation between voting board members of any civic group and an official government board.  

My Dunwoody Christmas Wish List

When I brought it up in a meeting, I was almost booed right out of the room.  But I stand by these statements today.  I accepted the Exec nomination knowing full well I would turn down any request to serve on a city board that receives requests from the public and makes recommendation to city council.

Not everyone loves the DHA.  I sure didn't when I moved to Dunwoody in 2004.  It was an argument about DHA's positions about business that got me invited to join the board.  (Yes, really.  Remind me to tell you that story sometime.)

But for a moment, let's take a look at this process and its implications.

1)   It's not just voting board members or executive members that are affected here.  ALL DUES-PAYING members are banned from serving in this capacity, whether you have a voting role or not.  So even if you don't have a conflict of interest, the fact that you are a MEMBER makes you ineligible to participate in government.

Councilmembers John Heneghan and Jim Riticher and Terry Nall are DHA members, by the way.

2)  Only the DHA is targeted.  Even though every homeowners association in Dunwoody has an interest in the real estate development and evolution of the city, only DHA members are banned.  So if you're in one of the following associations, you're good to go.

Ashford Chase Homeowners Association
Ashworth Homeowners Association
Bellewood HOA
Briers North
Brooke Farm
Devinger Homeowners Association
Dunwoody Club Forest Neighbors
Dunwoody Club Forest West
Dunwoody Highlands
Dunwoody North Civic Association
Fairfield Homeowners Association
Lockridge Forest Civic Association (part in Dunwoody; part in Peachtree Corners)
Madison Community Homeowners Association
Madison Square at Dunwoody
Mayfair Park Homeowners Association
Meadowlake at Dunwoody
North Springs Homeowners Association
Oxford Chase Homeowners Association
St. Andrews Circle
Wellesley Place Homeowners Association
Wellington Place Condos
Winter Rose Homeowners Association
Wintercrest Homeowners Association
The Woodlands
Wyntercreek Subdivision

Or are you?  Maybe the DHA member banning is only the first strike and other homeowner associations will be added.  If one HOA can be systematically banned from government participation, then no one is safe.

3)  What about other civic groups?  The Chamber of Commerce has a vested interest in business and real estate development.  Are their members banned?  Especially since the current chair was Mike Davis' campaign manager.  No love lost there.  How about the Nature Center?  Or the Dunwoody Womens' Club?  Are they banned too?  

How about the Dunwoody Preservation Trust or the Brook Run Conservancy?  Are their members banned?  Or did they earn themselves some protection since they supported Denny's campaign for mayor?**

4)  Does this extend to spouses?  For example, I serve on the DHA exec board.  Would Pat Sr be eligible for appointment to a city board or commission?  How about adult children of DHA board members?  Siblings?  In Laws?  How far does this go?

5)  Don't miss the part where any and all officials are banned from visiting DHA meetings.  Even if they sit and keep their mouths shut.  They can't even *hear* what people say in a presentation that is the only place in Dunwoody where any citizen can show up and meet the developers and other parties in person.  Remember the Dunwoody Village townhomes?  The DHA played an integral part in negotiating standards of features for seniors and layout of that to-be-built development that were acceptable to the Vernon North neighborhood right behind it.  City Council just blew hot air after the hard work had been done and had nothing to add but ridiculous demands for the type of models to be presented and other minutiae that are beyond a government's scope.

For all of the talk of "transparency" and "involvement", city council is now diminishing the one venue where citizens can meet the major players and develop an informed opinion about development plans before they go to city government for official review.  That's not building a community.  That's not building trust.  That's not promoting citizen involvement.  That's cutting off communication at the knees.

6)  Speaking of cutting off communication, how about that gag order, threatening legal and ethics violations against those who talked to others about this process?  So city council can illegally change city policy in executive session, but those impacted are threatened?  This has to be a script for a bad sitcom.

7)  If DHA membership was so unethical for board or commission members, why did it take this long to discover it?

Finally, this is a city policy.  City policies, by law, must be voted on in public.  Denny Shortal insisted that this vote be taken in executive session.  That's called abuse of privilege, kiddos, and it's a violation of state law.

Not bad enough news for you?  

The majority of city council went along with him.  Including some who are exuberant about how "ethical" and "transparent" they are.  (Do I really need to name the names here?)  Denny has now blown up each and every campaign promise he made in his little video-recorded house visits where he promised more transparency and integrity.  To add irony to insult, this move is the pinnacle or arrogance - an insult leveled at Mike during the election season.

I regret to say this is only the beginning.  Dick's article above indicates that he's lawyered up and the open records requests will be flying hot and heavy.  There should be more revelations made - assuming someone isn't going to try to weasel out of responding.

This situation is NOT what we signed on for when Dunwoody voted for incorporation.

**Reports came across my desk that some citizens were alarmed at the amount of campaigning DPT board members engaged in for Denny Shortal.  So  much so that complaints were filed with the IRS over their tax-exempt status.

The opinion expressed in this and every post on this blog is my own and does not necessarily reflect that of any other organization with which I am affiliated, or its members.

So much for Black Walnut Cafe - SunTrust wants to make it a bank.

Remember the sign outside the now-closed and decaying-by-the-day Old Hickory House that said "Anything But a Bank"?

SunTrust took that as a challenge.

SunTrust has purchased the property from Black Walnut Cafe and guess what they want to build there?

But they are submitting a SLUP to request more parking spaces.

The required community meeting is June 22 at 5486 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Suite 8, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.  That's inside the Shops of Dunwoody shopping center but can anyone clarify exactly what "Suite 8" is?

Want to tell SunTrust what you think?  Show up and tell them.  This community meeting is a required step in the SLUP process.  They have to look you in the eye and hear what you say.

...and Let it Begin With Me

From the 2016 Continental Congress at DAR Constitution Hall, the All-American DAR Chorus.
CC is always an uplifting and moving experience.  Every woman there has a direct, familial connection with the founding of this country.  The facts of our history, the country's well-being:  it's personal..  I paged at this conference once in 2004.  (Then I had the kiddos....)  The Chorus chair got everyone back to basics tonight.

Vendors Wanted to Manage Atlanta's Streetcars

I received this notice from a resource that distributes RFPs to municipal vendors:
Pre-RFP release event is tomorrow afternoon.
Who feels lucky???

Greetings Prospective Contractor:

This is an invitation for the event date below. The City of Atlanta is seeking a mid to long-term solution to provide stable and flexible management for the operation and maintenance of the Atlanta Streetcar system. Prior to the release of a Request for Proposal, the City will host an event to discuss a basic overview of the project and the general contracting process.

This event is designed to attract specific members of the contracting and subcontracting community to share programmatic information about the upcoming project. At this meeting, interested parties with specialties and DBE certifications in the following areas and NAICS codes are invited to attend:

Primary Trades


Urban Mass Transit Maintenance

336510

Uniforms

812331


Electrical Maintenance

238210

Faculty Security

561612


Body Panel/Track Maintenance

488210

Vehicle Maintenance

811310


Rail Engineer

541330








Secondary Trades


Emploment Placement Agencies

561311

Facilities Support Services

561210


Regulation & Admin of Transport Services

485113


The event will take place at City Hall in City Council Chambers on Wednesday June 8, 2016 from 1pm to 3pm. The address is 55 Trinity Ave. 2nd Floor Atlanta, GA 30303. Hope to see you then.

Cordially,


Richard D. Case

Senior Manager

Office of Contract Compliance

rcase@atlantaga.gov

Dunwoody Homeowners Association meeting Sunday, June 5

North DeKalb Cultural Center
Room 4
7:30 PM

The DHA monthly meeting is the place to learn about proposed projects in Dunwoody, meet the involved parties in person, ask your questions, and develop an informed opinion before these requests go to City Council.

Discussion – Review of updated PCID Zoning Code rewrite— Steve Foote

Presentation – Transwestern development proposal for office tower at Perimeter Mall –Jessica Hill, Morris, Manning & Martin and Trent Germano, Transwestern Development Company

This last one will generate the most discussion, IMHO.
This is the group that wants to put up an office tower (with no tenants announced yet) in place of the MARTA parking structure across the street from State Farm and on the same corner as the new High Street development.

They also want a 95% tax abatement from Dunwoody.
I look forward to an explanation as to why they and their project deserve it.

Here's some info on the proposed project from the Atlanta Business Chronicle.

http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/print-edition/2016/05/27/the-story-behind-proposed-perimeter-mall-office.html

Dunwoody Food Truck Thursdays on June 2

Assuming we don't get the much-needed rain around 5-ish, Food Truck Thursday is back at Brook Run.  5 PM til Dark

Brought to you by the Dunwoody Homeowners Association.  Who is having a public meeting this Sunday to learn more about two proposed developments in the Perimeter.  Learn more in the next post coming soon....




DWG recommends:
Tasting Maine
Mix'd UP Burgers
Nana G's Chicken and Waffles
King of Pops

Any other reviews/critiques of the offerings?  Comments are open.

INTRODUCING: GA State Representative Tom Taylor - District 79

www.tomgetsresults.com

May has been one busy month.

Tom asked me to recreate his website back in November 2015 when initial plans were being laid for his reelection campaign.

This updated WordPress version launched at the beginning of May 2016.  The responsive design was a traditional American political approach.  The content was formatted to highlight Tom's voting and bill promotion record during his previous time in the House, his record of community support prior to taking the District 79 seat for the first time, plus other commentary as needed.

So why am I talking about this "new" website a month after launch?

Due to the news coverage of Tom's arrest and subsequent legal questions, this was not a typical election season.  Every focus of this website, plus the social media that I also managed, had to be on Tom's record.  Any distraction could diminish the results.  Plus, the opponent in this campaign has a history of aggressive and even violent behaviour and his political supporters weren't much better.  Personal safety procedures, both online and real life, were not afterthoughts.

When anyone of any profession chooses to get into a supportive role in politics or government, it's smart to count the cost beforehand.  I went through this same process when I worked for Nancy Jester's campaign and subsequent Commissioner's websites and former Councilwoman Adrian Bonser's site.  When it comes to building a website and/or managing social media, I work for the official or candidate.  But in the rest of reality and the universe, they work for me as my elected representative.   When everything is going smoothly, that dichotomy is no big deal.  You don't even notice it.  But when there is a legal conflict or problem, it gets complicated.

I resolved it by compartmentalizing my opinions and feelings where the legal issues were concerned from my technical skill and expertise on websites.  That's a skill I picked up while working in oncology research back in the day when I had to turn my feelings off to work with cancer patients in one study or another.    Your reactivate your feelings and process them later when the job is done.

In politics and government, there are going to be legal problems and conflicts.  It's an inevitable nature of the beast.  It's OK if a professional decides they don't want to handle it.  But you make that decision BEFORE you take a job, not after.  I kept my commitment to Tom that I had made 6 months prior to the election getting hot and heavy.  I keep my commitments to all of my clients in the same way.

VOTE!!! Local Elections Impact Your Life More Than National Elections

Today in DeKalb we have a primary election for State House and Senate seats, and a special election for Tax Commissioner.  You've seen the signs all over Dunwoody and you've probably already found the websites and social media so I trust most people reading this have made up their minds.  Now make it count in the booth.  Your opinion doesn't help if it isn't recorded on a ballot.

We also have a vote on (yet another...) E-SPLOST.  The one you heard about in the news where Superintendent Green wants you to approve the money first, then tell you what it's going to be spent on later.

Compounding this backward planing was a DeKalb Schools robo call last night that was supposed to be merely informative, yet claimed that voting in favor of E-SPLOST would result in capital improvements to "your" childrens' school.

The contradictions are obvious to citizens, but apparently not to most of the school board or to Dr. Green so let's spell them out.

1)  The appeal to improving "your" child's school is bogus without a project list.

2)  The call was made using the DCSS' automated calling system - the same one used to distribute weather closing alerts and requests to follow up on truancy reports if your child is late or absent.  That means tax money was used to persuade parents to vote a certain outcome in the election.  That's illegal, kiddos, but since when has that stopped you before?

I'm headed out to Crossroads Baptist as soon as the garbage is on the curb and my cup of coffee is down.  Every vote counts and every person has an impact today.

Mt Vernon Renaissance

Shout huzzahs from on high - the water mains are replaced, the roads are smoothed, the Chamblee-Dunwoody washboard is (almost) gone and new asphalt is down.  Paint is in progress.

Mt Vernon is now a road capable of the traffic it carries and no longer a glorified cow path.

To some people the most important parts of the road are the 3-4 feet at the edge on either side.

This one's for you!

Dunwoody is getting a dedicated city hall

(Emphases are added.  See notes below.)

Dunwoody, GA – May 5, 2016 – The City of Dunwoody agreed in principal to establish a new location for its City Hall by signing a purchase agreement for the lot and building located at 4800 Ashford Dunwoody Road.


The selection is a result of a two and a half year exploration conducted by city staff and planning consultants to determine the optimum location for the first City Hall complex completely owned by the eight year old municipality. The decision to select 4800 Ashford Dunwoody Road was based on a prioritized list of considerations and needs for a new City Hall, primarily looking at accessibility, convenience, overall cost and capability for future growth.


The agreement signed by the City of Dunwoody covers the purchase of the three and a quarter-acre lot and building for approximately $8.25 million. The city will continue further due diligence and inspection of the property over the next 90 days and, dependent on the due diligence findings, expects to close on the purchase within approximately 120 days.


“We performed extensive assessments and evaluations of available, existing or vacant properties within the city to see which might be the most beneficial solution for our citizens and city staff,” said Dunwoody Mayor Denis Shortal. “As city leaders and staff reviewed options, the 4800 building rose to the top of our list as the most fiscally prudent and logistically sound choice.”


With an estimated 45,000 gross-square feet, the newly purchased building offers slightly more overall square footage than the space currently leased by the city (located at 41 Perimeter Center East) and an annual cost comparable to existing yearly lease terms. The city intends to conduct minor modifications to its future building to create well-organized, efficient office space for the entirety of city staff, police department, municipal court, and city council chambers.


“We believe the new City Hall building will allow us to better serve our citizens,” said Mayor Shortal. “Our intent is to utilize the first floor of the new City Hall as the primary space where citizens and businesses will interact with the city through permitting, licensing, police department, court or council and public meetings. The central location, sufficient parking and overall accessibility make this new City Hall an ideal fit for our community.”


The city anticipates moving into the new City Hall space following the close of the sale and the completion of all planned modifications to the building, estimated to be no later than the end of Q1 2018.

# # #


For more information regarding the City of Dunwoody, please contact Bob Mullen, Marketing and PR Director, at 678.382.6700 or bob.mullen@dunwoodyga.gov.

A few notes:

1)  The location is ideal:  city hall has to serve full-time residents and commuters and visitors alike.  The old C&S Bank building on Ashford Dunwoody is a middle ground for all of those populations. It may not be the geographic center of the city, but it is the "center" of where everyone can get to it.

2)  I've been inside - even without redecorating or renovating it's an attractive space.

2.5)  added - the press release makes no mention of the chamber or CVB space.  I'm sure details about their futures is forthcoming

3)  Two and a half years ago the process for finding a permanent city hall was begun.  That puts the process at around January 2014.  Mike Davis was the mayor at that time.  That means, Mike Davis' administration began the process that made this result possible.

4)  During the DHA candidate forum in 2015, Mike and Denny had to know that the process for obtaining a site for a permanent city hall had to be well on its way to a conclusion.  And yet, when Denny was asked about a city hall location, he clearly stated that a "citizen committee" had to be formed to determine the best way to proceed:  build, buy, or lease.  I didn't hear any word of a citizen committee being formed, but it must have happened because Denny said so in his campaign speech.   it had to happen very quickly because Denny was inaugurated in January and this deal is announced in early May. 

Anyone who served on this committee, please post in the comments here or on any other blog/social media and let the public know what actually happened.

Here's the video from the DHA forum.  Denny's comments on city hall and a "citizen forum" to determine the best course of action begin at about the 51:49 minute mark.

#PrayForUGA

Service for Halle Scott (DDD)
Visitation: Sunday, May 1st at 4:00 PM in the parlor at Dunwoody United Methodist Church
Funeral Service: Sunday, May 1st at 5:00 PM in the DUMC sanctuary

Reception: Immediately following the service in the Fellowship Hall at DUMC

Websites need spring cleaning too! 5 Tips to stay up to date

The pollen season has passed; the scrub-the-pollen-off-of everything season is in progress.

Over the past couple of weeks I've done audits and website upgrades for some clients who took a look at their websites and realized they needed a refresher.

You can follow these tips too and decide if you should spruce up your website:

1)  Make sure your design is current

Yes, I'm going to be a broken record on this one.  If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times, websites have to accommodate both large and small mobile screens to be relevant to today's user.  If your design is more than 3 years old, or does not display well on small screens, it's time for a makeover.

Here's one I did for long-time SDOC client and Dunwoody CPA Susan Renegar.  Her first website was a single billboard, and it did the job for a number of years:

Then 2009 and the Mobile Explosion hit.   Susan's website was still just one page, but it needed a fresh look to the still-current content:

Here's the result:

Best of all, this new version is easy to use on all devices, including an iPhone.

2)  Sit and read your content.  And look at your pictures.

You wanted to manage your own website to save money.  But it was hard to schedule time to update your text and pictures, or even your store inventory.  How's that working for you?  Your search engine results are probably saying, "Not so much".  Search engines just looooooooove text content that changes frequently.  Spend some time reading your website, or get a friend or relative to do it for a really fresh insight.  Then either use your control panel to change your text, or get back in touch with your webmaster to update it.

3)  Are your add-ons up to date?

If you are using a popular open-source content management system like WordPress, Joomla, or Drupal, then you probably have some add-on functionality to add more features to your site.  These are called Plugins, Extensions, or Modules, respectively.    All of these CMS connect to a central database that scans your plugins and versions to make sure they are up to date.  Take a look at what you are using to generate a contact form or a calendar, or a store, or whatever.  Consult with your webmaster to see if there's a better way of displaying or integrating your content.  Ask them to get rid of duplicate functions, or if your features can be added more efficiently.  Keeping your website software up to date is a key defense against hacking.

4)  The hands-on database cleanout.

For those of you who are CMS afficianados.  You probably know how to install your plugins, etc.  You also know how to "uninstall" them.  But did you know that the data gets left behind in the database after you delete an obsolete plugin?  Just because you follow the advice above and delete unneeded plugins (even going through the uninstall process) doesn't mean that the space-hogging database entries are gone.  Most plugins do not "clean up after themselves" upon uninstall, even though they are supposed to.  (WordPress is notorious for this.)  A database administrator should access the database directly and make sure that obsolete "orphan" data is gone from the database tables.  You'll be amazed at how much faster your website runs without unneeded data getting loaded.  (WARNING:  this task is NOT a DIY project, or for a casual web designer.  This requires a skilled database administrator who knows how to make a backup before starting work and knows how to remove data without damaging anything.)  

5)  The obvious:  check your contact information

Company employees get added, other employees leave but their email addresses can last forever.  make sure your email links or contact forms so that data doesn't go to people who are no longer with your organization.  Always check your website if you change email addresses so you don't miss important customer leads.

Bonus Tip:  make Spring Cleaning a quarterly affair.  Schedule a reminder to evaluate these steps every quarter.  Stay in touch with your web developer to keep your software from going out of date or content from going stale.  Maintenance is a lot easier when you only have to do a little at a time to stay on top.  Just like at home.

(UPDATE) Hail Caesar Truck on fire on I-85 Dunwoody food Truck Thursday - April 21

We interrupt this Food Trucks menu for some announcements.

Happy Anniversary to my husband and best friend Patrick!

Now for the not so happy news....
AP wire just announced that Prince has died....

A friend reported to me via text that the Hail Caesar food truck was on fire on she shoulder of I-85 at Clairmont.  The driver was laid out on the side of the road with medical team attending him, while a fire truck was hosing down the engine of the truck.  No word on if this will affect Pressed for Time as (I believe...) they are owned by the same company.  If anyone has updates, please post them in the comments.

Musical Guest:   Highbeams 

Adult Beverages: Moondog Growlers. 

Dinner Trucks:

ANGELFIRE7 BBQ

The Awesome Jeanie Food Truck

Flatbread Bistro

Gotta Have It Catering

One Love Jerk Grill

Pressed for Time

The Pup Truck

Tasting Maine

Desserts:

King of Pops

Simply Done

SnoBayou Handcrafted SnoBalls

See you at Brook Run Park, 5 - Dark

Dunwoody Homeowners Association meeting April 10

Note location change:
City Hall - Council Chambers
41 Perimeter Center East Suite 250 Dunwoody, GA 30346

April 10, 2016 | 7:30 PM


(North Dekalb Cultural Center meeting room was already booked)

DHA was going to take a break in April due to Spring Break, Passover, Easter, etc.  However the Crown Towers proposal needs a board discussion and a vote, so here we are.

Lots more on the agenda so get there early to get a seat.  DHA meetings are the key venue in Dunwoody to learn first about events and upcoming development in city limits.  You can meet the key players in person and gain an informed opinion before requests go before City Council and other city commissions.

The Agenda:

1. Announcements and introduction of distinguished visitors

2. Approval of minutes for March 6, 2016 meeting—Lindsay Ballow

3. Discussion – Crown Holdings development proposal for 244 Perimeter Center Parkway (Goldkist site)— Board discussion

4. Redevelopment Presentation—1660 Mt. Vernon (Former Wells Fargo) in Dunwoody Village at the intersection of Mt. Vernon and Dunwoody Village Parkway –Den Webb, Jeff Kerker

5. DeKalb Blueprints 2 (form of government study group) Update – Kathie Gannon, DeKalb County Commissioner

6. Discussion – Memorial Day Banners

7. Funding Requests:
Community Assistance Center Food N Fun Fest – Pam Jones, Robert Wittenstein
Woman’s Club Home Tour – Gerri Penn

Board only session: Votes as needed on any motions including:

Support (with conditions) or Oppose Crown Holdings development proposal. (If with conditions, what conditions?)

CAC funding request

Woman’s Club funding request

Adjourn

Next meeting: Sunday, May 1, 2016, 7:30pm

Dunwoody Food Truck Thursdays Returns in 2016

This Thursday, April 7, Dunwoody Food Truck Thursdays starts our fourth season, 5:00 pm - dark!

Don't miss our first week back at Brook Run Park and Playground.

Looks like great weather for the start this year!


Moondog Growlers will be there along with musical guest, Josh Jeffords Music!

Dinner Trucks:

The Bento Bus

Blaxican Food Truck**

Cattywampus Grill (new to Dunwoody FTR)

Flatbread Bistro

Fry Guy

MIX'd UP Burgers**

Viet-Nomie's Gourmet Food Truck & Cafe**

Yumbii

Dessert Vendors:

Chay J's New Orleans Candies, LLC

King of Pops**

Vintage Frozen Custard

**DWG tested and approved

Editor's note:  Where's the required lobster truck???

Defining Public Expression

Consider this unexpected find as I cruised North Peachtree through Kingsley at lunchtime:

What is it?

Is it inappropriately placed trash?

A code violation?

A practical joke?

House flipping debris?

A First-Amendment-protected expression regarding the state of the world or our community today?

Or even a public art installation?

Who decides?

Who enforces the decision?

Who is allowed to express their emotions about the subject and who is required to stay quiet?

Food for thought for your Monday in advance of tonight's City Council meeting.

RIP Father Peek

Almighty Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep:
O hear us when we cry to thee
For those in peril on the sea.

O Trinity of love and power,
Our brethren shield in danger's hour;
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect them whereso'er they go,
Thus evermore shall rise to thee
Glad praise from air and land and sea.

Ill priest answers the call to heal

Beloved Dunwoody priest with leukemia passes away

The Dunwoody Homeowners Association has NOT voted to endorse the Crown Towers Proposal as of March 15.

The article printed in last week's Crier was disputed the moment the exec board became aware of it.

The DHA posted the following statement to its website and social media:

http://www.dunwoodyga.org/Corrections-to-Reports-of-DHA-Meeting-of-March-6-by-Dunwoody-Crier

The Dunwoody Homeowners Association (DHA) wishes to correct errors reported in an article published today in the Dunwoody Crier newspaper.
The DHA has been negotiating with Crown Properties the terms by which the DHA may or may not endorse a zoning change which would allow for the construction of two residential towers on property that was formerly the home of the Gold Kist company. These negotiations are ongoing and no conclusion has been reached as of this date.
The Crier incorrectly reported that the DHA board voted to endorse the residential construction.
The Dunwoody Homeowners Association wishes to correct this report. The DHA has not voted to take any action to endorse or oppose the zoning changes that would allow the residential additions.
The DHA voted to develop a list of potential conditions. The DHA’s approval was and remains contingent on reaching an agreement with the developer on those conditions. Some of these conditions involve concessions it is unlikely that the developer will agree to make.
When the DHA board takes a vote on this matter, it will distribute a statement of the result on its website, social media, and via email.
For further information, please contact the DHA.

A letter was printed in today's Crier repeating this statement but the Crier has decided to stand by the story.

A more accurate account was posted in the Dunwoody Reporter newspaper.

http://www.reporternewspapers.net/2016/03/07/dunwoody-homeowners-association-compiling-list-conditions-crown-towers/

The DHA's intent has always been to determine if the developers were willing to negotiate standards that would enable the DHA to endorse the development.  To date, that has not happened.

Any reports in other outlets claiming the DHA has issued endorsement or approval of this project based on the Crier's report are just as inaccurate.

Meet the Developers and the Neighbors at Dunwoody Homeowners Association this Sunday

Last month, the DHA heard from Crown Developers, who had the Goldkist property (on I-285, just south of Best Buy and Rooms to Go on Hammond) zoned for office towers prior to Dunwoody's incorporation.

Their plan for that new development is in place and they intend to go forward with what they have already obtained by right from DeKalb county.

Now that the economy is back they wish to add two residential towers to the development (visualize The Manhattan in Perimeter Place).  This will require a zoning variance and they will go through that process just like anyone else.  Crown came to the DHA first to show the community what they intend.

This Sunday, they're back to review their presentation and answer questions from the community.

This is your chance to be part of the conversation and make your voice heard before the official rezoning and development request goes through its government process.

Come out on Sunday, March 6 at 7:30 pm to meet Charlie Brown and Doug Dillard in person, hear their proposals and tell them what you think.  Everyone is welcome to visit and participate in the public portion of the Board Meeting.

In addition, the DHA will hear requests from Kingsley ES, the Dunwoody Preservation Trust, and the Dunwoody Nature Center for funding.

See you there!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dunwoody Homeowners Association

Board of Directors Meeting

Sunday, 6, 2016 @ 7:30 P.M.

1. Announcements and introduction of distinguished visitors


2. Approval of minutes for February 15, 2016 meeting—Lindsay Ballow


3. Discussion – Crown Holdings development proposal for 244 Perimeter Center Parkway (Goldkist site)—Charlie Brown (to answer any questions)


4. Discussion – Dunwoody Farmers Market— Bill Grossman


5. Discussion – October Chili Cook-off – Bill Grossman


6. Funding Requests:
Dunwoody Nature Center – Alan Mothner
Kingsley Elementary – Erika Harris and Ana Crisbilbao
Dunwoody Preservation Trust (Lemonade Days)— Hope Follmer


Board only session: Votes as needed on any motions including:

Support (with conditions) or Oppose Crown Holdings development proposal. (If with conditions, what conditions?)

Bike/Walk Dunwoody support and funding request

Nature Center funding request

Kingsley Elementary funding request

Dunwoody Preservation Trust funding request.

Stage Door Players funding request

Adjourn


Next meeting: Sunday, May 1, 2016, 7:30pm (no meeting in April)

Watch out, Thumbtack! LinkedIn is about to debut Profinder

About a year ago, TV commercials for a contractor-finding service entitled Thumbtack started popping up in our sitcoms.  Thumbtack was innovative (as compared to Yelp, Angie's List, or Kudzu) because it was more than just a directory with feedback from customers.  Thumbtack also offered an interactive marketplace where customers could be matched with willing contractors based on the type of work needed, location, and price range.

This week I was in a phone conference with some developers from LinkedIn who are rolling out their own service, Profinder.

Profinder works on a similar principle.  It is easier to use than the other directories because Profinder draws on your currently-available LinkedIn profile information.    Customers can submit their job information, price, etc, and professionals in that field can bid on their work.  Or, a customer can visit a LinkedIn member's Profinder page and request a bid for free.

Here's my Profinder page:  https://www.linkedin.com/pro/sdocpublishing

Profinder is currently live in San Francisco and New York.  SDOC was asked to test-drive the new service in Atlanta and chat with the developers as they fine-tune the user interface and features.  In my phone conference, the folks in charge say they will be expanding Profinder to the Atlanta area in about a month-ish.

If you're on LinkedIn, keep your eyes open for this new way for your enterprise to connect with customers.

Learn more now:  https://www.linkedin.com/profinder

Donate to the Lemonade Days Flea Market Finds and Support Dunwoody Preservation Trust

Your donation will be sold in the Flea Market Finds at our Country Store during Lemonade Days. One-hunded percent of proceeds go toward the Donaldson-Bannister farm restoration.

Suggestions of carry away items include plant stands, side tables, rocking chairs, stools, benches, chairs, lamps, chandeliers, sconces, frames and decorative accessories.

Deliver your finds on Saturday, March 5th from 9am to noon to the Donaldson-Bannister farm at 4831 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road.

Nancy Jester Reports: The Pension Legacy Tax - Bad for DeKalb

Nancy's office distributed the following item this morning.

A DeKalb legislator wants to financially penalize DeKalb cities for incorporating.  But not ALL cities.  Just the ones that incorporated in this century in order to stem the financial hemorrhage due to corruption and mismanagement.

I wonder what Mary Margaret Oliver stands to gain from this little trick if it is allowed to pass....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

The Pension Legacy Tax
Punitive and Based on False Assumptions

I am writing to alert you to a potential property tax increase coming from the Georgia General Assembly. House Bill 711, sponsored by Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver (D-Druid Hills), seeks to add a special tax district to cities formed after 2005. Rep. Oliver believes that newly formed cities owe, what she refers to as, "pension legacy costs". The notion that these legacy costs exist is false and here's why.


1. Newly formed cities continue to pay fully into the General Fund and the Fire Fund. Embedded in these funds are the costs for benefits, including pensions for the employees providing these services.


2. Newly formed cities continue to pay fully into the self-sustaining funds of Sanitation and Watershed. Embedded in these funds are the costs for benefits, including pensions for the employees providing these services.


3. DeKalb County lowered the millage rate for the Police Fund (a fund newly formed cities do not pay into) in the 2015 budget.


4. DeKalb County did not reform the pension benefit system until December 2015 - 7 years after the formation of Dunwoody.


5. DeKalb County used unrealistic actuarial assumptions that negatively impacted funding.


If DeKalb County believed there was a crisis in the pension plan, chiefly driven by the new cities no longer paying into the police fund, why would the county lower the police fund millage rate in 2015? If the county believed that the crisis was caused by newly formed cities, why did pension reform not occur until just a few months ago in December of 2015?


House Bill 711 is only directed at newly formed cities. It is punitive, based on false assumptions, and is not congruent with the facts. Make no mistake about it, it is a discriminatory tax aimed at Brookhaven and Dunwoody. It is a bailout that would allow DeKalb County to continue poor fiscal management.


Read the full post - with facts on Understanding DeKalb's Millage Rate System here: http://ow.ly/YAgSH

And the Winner is.... (Win Two FREE VIP Tickets to Taste of Dunwoody 2016)

This afternoon, right around dinner time, we had the official drawing. Names on pieces of paper in the Tupperware bowl and the winner was ceremoniously chosen by my 5 year old son (who has the least amount of interest in this contest, so he is clearly unbiased.)

And the name he chose is........

Rick Callihan!

Rick - email or call me I have to submit names to the guest list tonight.

Thanks everybody for playing. Please try again next year when SDOC will be sponsoring again.

Taste of Dunwoody 2016 is coming up THIS Saturday, February 20. SDOC is offering two FREE VIP tickets to our supporters. If you are in the Dunwoody/North Atlanta area and would like to attend the community event of the year here's all you have to do:
1) Like SDOC's Facebook page

2) Post your name to the page

3) I will pick a winner at random from the list of visitor posts.

(Required disclaimer: I acknowledge that this giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.)

And... GO!!!






SDOC is proud to support Taste of Dunwoody and Dunwoody Friends of CHOA as a platinum sponsor

DeKalb Super Visits Dunwoody HS February 9

Tuesday, February 9
5:30 PM

Dunwoody High School

Do we have a volunteer to webcast the meeting via Meerkat / Periscope / YouTube?

Dunwoody Town Hall January 21 - LIVE

UPDATE:  Meeting and broadcast ended at 7:50 EST.

Thank you John Heneghan for installing Periscope.

https://www.periscope.tv/w/aXFlIjEyMDI3MDUxfDFaa0p6YXpRV0JyR3YaqkFIkZnAPIHA-WkN7wl84p234QbEPWnt2fl9lDv8vQ==

Periscope video just won't embed in a frame - I tried.

Hit the link and listen in.

Commenting is available if you watch on your iPhone or Android via the app.

City of Dunwoody Meetings and How to Participate

Last night, Dunwoody held a meeting to discuss an updated plan for our city's parks and the outreach that would go along with that.

It was at exactly the same time as the Planning Commission meeting at City Hall where several zoning variance requests were discussed, including those involving a proposed townhome development in Dunwoody Village.

Next week is the first Town Hall of this administration.  Topics for discussion are being accepted at www.connectdunwoody.com.

These meetings have some traits in common:

1)  They are all held in the early evening during prime commuting or family care hours.
2)  There is no live broadcast of the meetings so those unable to attend cannot observe and be informed.**
3)   There is no mechanism for remote feedback from the community outside the meeting room.

**City Council meetings and other meetings held in council chambers are streamed online via the city's SIRE system which organizes official calendars, agendas, and minutes.  However, SIRE's video encoding permits the live feed to be viewed only on Internet Explorer, on a standard laptop or desktop.  It is not possible to view it on any other browser, including the new MS Edge.  They also cannot be viewed on any tablet or smartphone.  The technology is so limited it is almost obsolete in 2015.

Meetings or other informal gatherings (eg, Coffee with a Cop) in the afternoons or evenings are an essential part of soliciting feedback from the public.  But as I have posed elsewhere in DWG, meetings at this particular time frame self-selects for only that part of Dunwoody citizens that are not caring for families at home.  Their time is their own.

Those of us who are meeting buses, running carpools, shuttling kids to activities and doctors' appointments, preparing dinner, managing homes, helping with homework and projects, getting younger children bathed and in bed, as well as working our tails off to earn and provide are not able to share their input in the context of the event because they cannot be in THAT place at THAT time.

I have made requests to city hall to make meetings and live feedback available via social media and streaming video.  Others have done the same via Facebook.  I haven't the foggiest idea whether that will happen or not.

In the mean time, SDOC has a solution.

I would like to contribute SDOC's infrastructure and social media assets to the cause of making public meetings available online to families unable to attend. 

This effort will require some collaboration and logistic testing to determine the best method to stream events.  There are options for streaming video via website and social media, as well as live chat for feedback.

If any Dunwoody citizen is interested in collaborating on this effort, please contact me at duncan@sdocpublishing.com.  

Let's make Dunwoody's official events accessible to more of Dunwoody's citizens!

Water will be shut off temporarily as part of Dunwoody Mt Vernon water main upgrade

From Reporter Newspapers:


Mount Vernon Road’s ongoing water main work requires water to be shut off on Fri., Jan. 8 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for those homes and businesses on Vernon Ridge Drive, Vernon Ridge Court and Thornhill Court in Dunwoody.

The city of Dunwoody began working with DeKalb County on the water main pipeline replacement project in March. The project is part of a rehabilitation program by DeKalb County to address the aging water pipelines within Dunwoody and throughout the county. The Mount Vernon Road project will involve the replacement of two aging water mains with one new 16-inch diameter main.