Get Involved in Dunwoody

The other day, I responded to a question on Next Door which basically asked about getting our Dunwoody Council members involved on that website / online message forum so as to be more engaged and responsive to the community. My reply was 180 of that, and instead focused on how we as individuals need to take personal responsibility to proactively get involved. The following was my response:

I strongly suggest first focusing on a personal responsibility level, starting with each individual. Be proactively engaged and show up to Dunwoody City meetings. Everybody has an excuse for not attending. I've heard it all. Don't be one of those single-issue NIMBY folks that only show up for one item, say some stuff, and then walk out & leave the council meeting as it's still in progress.

Our council works their BUTTS OFF making pennies on the dollar for us, attending late evening meetings (last Monday, they were in session from 6 to 11 pm), being responsive and accessible to our residents, and also (most) having full-time careers, families and other interests.

Sign up for official emails from the city's website. Sign up & follow Heneghan's blog. Follow the city on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.

Go to the monthly Dunwoody Homeowners Association meetings, generally the first Sunday of each month (& please consider being a paid member for $40 a year).

Each Friday before the city council meets (usually 2x/month), review the posted agenda as posted to the city's calendar.

Be in the "know". Don't just read what's published in The Crier or even the Dunwoody Reporter. If you do, you'll miss 75% of what's going on, and quite possibly the story will be biased or will leave out additional facts. --- The Crier editorials are quite a "show", of course and greatly exaggerate the views & opinions of our 45,000 residents. As it's a "free" paper, and the more letters that are published, the less the owner needs to pay for a journalist to write copy. --- . Show up, speak during public comments.

Attend the Town Halls (I went to two of them this year. I'm 54 years old and I definitely lower the average age of the attendance.).

Download & review our annual budget. --- Did you know not a SINGLE person spoke during public comments just a couple weeks ago when our 2017 annual budget was approved?

Bored? Submit an application to serve on a city board. And, personally FOLLOW up with the Mayor to make sure you will be considered. -- Send emails & make phone calls.

Submit feedback to ongoing plans. For example the PCID Overlay District, where we receive approximately 70% of our city funds.

Collaborate. Network. Those who show up get heard. I could go on & on.

I'll leave you with this: If anyone wants to start an informal "Coffee / Beer" social periodically to gather and discuss topics, I'd be all for that!