Taste of Dunwoody Returns for 2016

After the 2015 hiatus, when they were sorely missed, the Taste of Dunwoody is back in Feburary 2016!
Taste of Dunwoody is a celebration of cuisine in Dunwoody and the surrounding Perimeter area.  It is hosted by the Dunwoody Friends of CHOA and benefits Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta programs.

SDOC has been a local corporate sponsor of this event for several years and will be back to sponsor again for 2016.  Learn more on the official page.  

Get tickets now at the above link.  OR - enter for a chance to WIN two FREE VIP tickets on SDOC's Facebook page.

Public Service Announcement Regarding Dunwoody Government and Elections

Dunwoody has a city council of 7 seats, representing 3 districts.

Each district has 2 representatives:  1 elected from that district itself, and 1 elected "at large" by the entire community.

The Mayor is always an additional "at large" seat.

The form of government is called a "weak mayor" system.  That is, the Mayor in city council matters, has a single vote like everyone else on council and serves mainly as a tiebreaker.  The title itself is a glorified honorific; the Mayor is a representative position only.  The "face of Dunwoody" if you will.

So if you really want to vote as a city council member and "make changes" or whatever the hell else is on your mind, you can run in whatever district for which you qualify.  You'll have the same vote as the Mayor and just as much measurable political power - no more, no less.

Why is this announcement necessary?

Because we have a four-way race for Mayor as of a few minutes ago, while three other seats are going uncontested.  Those with a chip on their shoulder or an axe to grind are more likely to be successful to run a race for the uncontested seats than to join a rat-race for the ceremonial spot.

It's obvious that the candidates we have thus far are all members of the "We Hate Mike" club.  They have no platform to speak of, they just hate Mike and this is the way they express it.  If it was a disagreement over policy, then it would show in their platform.  But there is no difference in policy, so the  motivation must be purely personal.

Those of you supporting these candidates - what are you trying to accomplish?   What kind of Dunwoody will result from your friend getting into office?  No, really, what???  Comments are open below.

Dunwoody City Council Elections Qualifying Period Starts Today

The three at-large seats and Mayor are on the ballot for November 3.  Qualifying period for candidates is today through September 3 4:30 on September 2.

Dunwoody Voter Information

including list of candidates as they quality

As of 11:30 AM on 8/31, the field of candidates is thus:

• Mayor
  • Mike Davis (Incumbent)
• District 1 At Large, Post 4
  • Terry Nall (Incumbent)
  • Becky Springer
• District 2 At Large, Post 5
  • Lynn Deutsch (Incumbent)
• District 3 At Large, Post 6
• John Heneghan (Incumbent)
• District 1, Post 1
  • Pam Tallmadge

(Update:  Denny Shortal qualified later in the day after this post went live.)

When Dunwoody began, we had all kinds of people with all kinds of experience throwing their hats in the ring. No big deal, you have to start somewhere, right?  Then the election cycles adjusted to bring them up to the regular 4-year cycle we have now.  The discourse was polite, the elections mild.  Some seats were not contested, some previous council members chose to resign or not see reelection.

Then 2 years ago, Dunwoody saw its first slate of candidates.  Those who were pissed at Mayor Mike over the suggestion of a novel intersection upgrade rallied to  "Save (sic) Dunwoody" and had partial success with the election of Jim Riticher.  But exactly what "change" or "saving" was effected? Because Jim and Mike almost always vote the same way on whatever issue comes to council.

This year has a hint of a darker turn.  There are no slates of candidates (yet).  The "SD" crowd is active if smaller and have quietly cultivated a single candidate.  There is open conflict over the Mayor's office.  In both of these cases, long-term friendships are going to be strained to the breaking point and there is no discernable difference in policy or vision between the candidates for any given seat.  Yet.

In years past, choosing between friends and acquaintances for an elected office was uncomfortable business, but it had to be done.  In 2015, it looks like it's getting personal.  The structure of our community is going to undergo a radical change in its network of relationships and foundation of trust (or lack thereof) because political business is going personal.