Another Letter for Save Dunwoody

I wanted to save this post for historical purposes. It was published as a Letter to the Editor in our local newspaper, The Crier on March 25th, 2014.

Recently, I received an email from one of my neighbors. She forwarded a request for me to sign a petition that was sent by “Save Dunwoody”. Before one signs on to anything, you should know about the person(s) or organization that is behind it. I sent my neighbor the following in reply and have yet to have an answer. The public still doesn't know who is running Save Dunwoody, how it is organized and who makes their decisions. Read on for my questions & thoughts to my neighbor:

 Can you tell us the names of the leaders, officers or those elected by the Save Dunwoody membership whom they represent? What defines “membership”? Where are the by-laws of Save Dunwoody defining their organization?  Who runs the website, creates petitions, sends out emails and pays for yard signs and ads in our local paper? Where are their annual financial reports? When do they schedule public meetings in advance? Where are their meeting minutes with results of votes on “positions”?  Does Save Dunwoody volunteer in the community and give back? -- that “Adopt a Spot” on Mt. Vernon is looking pretty bare… Why is the website’s ownership hidden under a private registration using a proxy in Arizona? Save Dunwoody makes claims about hidden agendas & backdoor deals in our City Government. Where is the transparency of the accusing organization?

 Until basic questions as the above can be answered, would you lend your name and reputation by signing a petition or taking any action of support of a cloaked & hidden “organization” with no accountability?

 In contrast, look at the Dunwoody Homeowners Association. They are legally organized, registered and incorporated with the Secretary of State in Georgia. They are a formally-recognized IRS 501(c)4 Non-Profit and file tax returns. They have open Public Meetings. They have named officers & directors. Records of Meeting Minutes and votes are available. Membership allows for nomination & subsequent voting for their Board of Directors. For only $40 a year, I highly recommend membership.

 In closing, 100% of the people will never agree on 100% of our city’s issues and actions. I certainly have not agreed with everything the council has approved since incorporation. But life is short and precious. Let’s appreciate all of the good & give thanks for our community and our neighbors. We ARE better off now than we were before cityhood. I appreciate the investment the city is dong for our future. I’m proud to live here and to be actively engaged in our community.