The Dunwoody Crier

I've been traveling a good bit then I hurt my back at a krav maga class so I have not attended any meetings lately. I received a few emails since I have not posted here - folks making sure I did not die or move, so I decided to type something up.

My wife won't allow me to type any "I told You So" articles on the new 4-5 school (traffic, busing issues, kids split up, moms driving all over the place, Vanderlyn and Austin still uncomfortably over capacity) so I was looking for something to write about. As I examined my still-green tomatoes on the vine in my front yard, a 1978 Toyota Corolla whizzed through the neighborhood tossing out blue bags filled with this week's Crier.

Knowing how my wife likes to read the Crier before me (I don't like how she reads it, then talks to me about articles and letters to the editor before I have a chance to read it on my own) I decided to grab it first and see what's on the hot topic list for Dunwoody. For those of you who who did not read this week's Dunwoody Crier I'll review it for you. It may be fun if you have this week's Crier in hand as you read this as I reference at least one photo.

DHA

The front page story about the DHA handing over money to Vernon North lawyers is interesting. Vernon North residents asked DHA for $5000 to $10000 for legal fees to fund their appeal. DHA is giving $2500. Aside from the fact that Vernon North lost the fight (for now) the underlying story here is the DHA disagreeing with the City. Mark this meeting down as Day 1 of the Dunwoody Civil War. The Dunwoody Family, aka DHA and the City boards and Council, are like an Amish family tree - no branches. You'll recall our country's Civil War pitted brother versus brother in many cases. Will we have that here?

This Civil War could end quickly by both sides breaking bread at Mellow Mushroom (home to cold beer and fresh, hot pizza. Their dough now uses fresh spring water from the newly discovered Vernon North spring head and their pizza sauce is from organic $5 tomatoes from the Dunwoody Farmer's Market.) . But I think this Civil War will grow.

Look for DHA troops to pitch tents on the front and side lawns of the Dunwoody Farmhouse by next week. The DHA has a strong alliance with the Dunwoody Preservation Trust and the Dunwoody Women's Club. These three groups together make for a strong team. This homegrown army marches under the FarmHouse flag and are called 'FarmHousers". I have seen members of these groups training in the early hours recently. At first I thought they were simply getting ready to defend Lemonade Days Fort from invaders from the North, led by Four-Star General Arts Festival Lady and her rebel group of quilt makers, but it now appears more is at stake.

The Zoning Board of Appeals & City Council will not back down. They will call in reserve troops from the PCID regiment as well as Chamber of Commerce folks. I anticipate them setting up their command post within striking distance of the Farmhouse encampment, most likely on the banks of Vernon North stream. Here they'll have an endless supply of fresh water and access to fresh food every Wednesday at the Dunwoody Farmer's Market. They will march under the Microphone flag, a special tribute to Warren, Dunwoody city manager. The microphone symbolizes their collective voices. These troops will be known as the People's Party.

When we had our city elections last year neighbors asked neighbors about people running for office. We had meetings for the candidates at local swim and tennis clubs. I do not recall many endorsements form non-profits, but rather from individuals.

Wars bring out the voters. Will our Dunwoody Civil War bring out more voters this November?

It is no secret elderly folks vote as do church-going folks. The DunwoodyYes folks had people in every race, perhaps more than one in some races. No one ran as a republican or democrat as that is not how we elect our mayor and council (and that is why Heneghan could run for office).

With a new election coming up, will we see candidates emerge from specific non-profits in Dunwoody? Will DPT or DHA or DWC endorse a person? Will a lone-ranger run for office and claim NO affiliation with said groups in hopes of winning election? Can a person win without the backing of DHA or DPT or DWC?

When historians write of the Dunwoody Civil War they will all debate how a simple plan to replace a paved parking lot with a kids' grass/dirt playground started it all.

Dunwoody Elementary Opens
Keeping my promise to my wife I will not write about the home values across Dunwoody decreasing due to the fact that a family with three kids under 13 years old will have kids in three different schools, nor will I write about kids no longer riding bikes to school, nor will I write about traffic and kids sitting on buses for long periods of time. But regarding the article on the new school, one thing that caught my eye. It was a comment attributed to Councilwoman Adrian Bonser. I think this is Bonser's first appearance on my blog, so I'll be kind. She presented a plaque acknowledging the first school built since city hood. I'll pass on commenting on that. The article has this gem,

"and Bonser promised the council would provide its support to the academy".

First off, let's drop the name 'Academy'. This term was thrown out there by DeKalb Superintendent to trick Dunwoody folks into thinking they were getting special treatment from the school board. Not hardly. This building on Womack is nothing more than a school for 4th and 5th graders residing within a certain boundary. Secondly, the official name is now Dunwoody Elementary so let's keep it at that. Make sure to tell your kids, too.

Okay, back to the comment. Can someone from the Bonser camp please clarify what 'support' means? Please remember, the schools in Dunwoody are County schools, not City schools. The support for these schools comes from tax dollars paid to the school board, not from our city funds.

The Crier article on the school mentions the school chorus singing. Nothing wrong with that - who doesn't like to hear kids sing? The part that jumped out at me was what they sang. they sang:

"a version of 'This Land is Your Land' that called for environmental harmony, less pollution, and recycling"

I could not decide if I should scream, laugh, cry, or go to bed after reading that. Since it was 3 PM and too early for bed, I cried, then screamed, then laughed. It was then I again realized home-schooling is the right thing for my family at this time. School was not yet in session for the year and already they are pumping "environmental harmony" and " less pollution" into the minds of our kids!

Hate to see what the 'Holiday' songs the chorus teacher will teach. How about a version of 'Frosty the Snowman' that calls to end global warming and promote harmony with the Taliban? Or perhaps a version of 'Jingle Bells' that calls for all sleighs to be replaced with hybrid toboggans made from organic corm stalks and harmony with our communist and socialist friends across the globe?

I was glad to read later in the article that a US flag was allowed in the building, courtesy of Dunwoody High School JROTC. The Pledge of Allegiance was performed, thankfully.

Take a look at the school's web site, look under the Faculty and Staff tab, then tell me what/who is the 'Environmental Crew'?

Ad on Page 2 for the Dunwoody Library

I like the library and our family uses it a lot. Hats off to 'Friends of the Dunwoody Library' folks. I hope they stay neutral in the upcoming Dunwoody Civil War.

Talk Back to The Crier

Editor Dick Williams, like him or not, knows a hot topic when he sees it. This week we were treated to four more letters in support of keeping DeKalb sanitation as the official trash haulers of Dunwoody. I haven't seen this much coverage on an issue since the big debate on the new school for 4th and 5th graders on Womack Road.

I like to think my blog on this topic helped fuel this fire a bit. Thanks to a plug from King John my blog received a record number of hits when I first wrote about the garbage issue.

If I were running for office I'd make this the focus of my campaign. I'd go out and buy some overalls like the DeKalb trash guys wear, then I would put on an ANSI approved bright orange safety vest. I would rent a garbage truck from DeKalb then have someone like Lundsten drive me around Dunwoody as I hang off the back of the truck. I'd have a megaphone and shout out "A vote for me is a vote for keeping DeKalb trash!"

Council may think they have a bargaining chip with DeKalb by threatening to put out an RFQ for trash service. DeKalb officials, like them or not, are not stupid. They know that any person on Council who votes for a different trash service will never be elected in Dunwoody again. Take that to the bank! Choose from one of Dunwoody's 78 banks, and take it to the bank. (did I read that the old Wolf Photo by Fresh Market will become a bank? If so, that is insane.)

City Announces Election Details (Page 4)

Bonser is running again. Will anyone run against her? Shortal is running for re-election. Will anyone run against him? If you know of a person considering a run for office send me an email please.

Dunwoody Softball Team (page 8)

Girls' softball team is raising funds by washing cars. If these young ladies set up shop this weekend I'll run the wife's CRV over for a wash. They look less intimidating than the football players who were hosting car washes earlier in the year. My van is really dirty and needs to go to the steam-wash guy across from the Farmhouse. I support that guy since so many people were opposed to him when he set up shop there.

Pet of the Week (page 12)

I am not the dog whisperer nor am I pet photographer, but I think the photo submitted of 'Gilley' was not taken at GlamourShots. A few less teeth being shown and the dog rescue folks may have better luck placing Gilley in a home. That photo looks like an ad for Cujo.

In The House by Fran Millar

A few weeks ago I got my property tax bill and figured everything out and filed it away. Then Fran writes this piece to "clarify" the property tax bill and after reading it, I now an confused on a topic I put to bed already.

Retaining Walls ad on page 13

Those walls look nice. I am going to call them and ask if they can also make wing walls. I'd like a 12 foot wing wall and a guard rail to go with it.

The Farmer File

Not sure what Dick pays Don Farmer for these articles every week. I sorta thin Don farmer writes them for free. Dick, if you are paying Farmer more than $250 per article let me know. If you pay for me to get my picture taken so I can have a nice head shot (it has to be at North Point mall, I still boycott Perimeter mall due to its valet parking situation whereas they took away all the decent parking by the restaurants) I'll set aside 10 minutes a week and have a column in The Crier. Perhaps Mellow Mushroom will sponsor my column. We could call it 'The Shroomin File".

ya shu yuen coupon, page 18

This is my spot for Chinese. I really like these coupons. When I use the coupon and need another one, I will run around Dunwoody looking for another issue so I can grab the coupon. American Mail and Hickory House always seem to have a few issues on hand. I order either the Mongolian Beef or the Orange Chicken, sometimes with egg rolls.

DHA (continued on page 19)

Arts Festival Lady made an appearance and I missed it. Looks like a Mother's Day weekend arts festival for Dunwoody (unless the Civil War in Dunwoody escalates and there is no safe place to hold the event)