Dunwoody voters have at least two chances to see candidates for mayor and City Council meet face-to-face before the Nov. 3 election.
The Dunwoody Homeowner Association candidate forum on Oct. 11 provides one chance for residents to hear the candidates speak.
DHA President Robert Wittenstein said the forum is set to begin at 4 p.m. at Dunwoody High School’s auditorium. The school is located at 5035 Vermack Road.
“It promises to give the voters a clear basis for comparison in the two contested elections on the ballot in November,” Wittenstein said.
All candidates are invited to a Dunwoody Perimeter Chamber event Oct. 5 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Wild Wing Café, located at 4788 Ashford-Dunwoody Road.
Stephanie Snodgrass, the president and CEO of Dunwoody Perimeter Chamber, said guests must register by Oct. 4 to attend the “Political Hob Nob.”
“There will be no staged questions or rebuttals, just general information and the opportunity for attendees to have actual conversations with candidates,” Snodgrass said.
While some candidates campaign by personally walking door-to-door, others plan to host individual meet-and-greet events.
Councilman Terry Nall is opposed by Becky Springer in the race for the at-large Post 4 seat on the council. Nall has invited the public to a “casual gathering” Sept. 29 at Kingsley Racquet and Swim Club from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The club is located at 2325 North Peachtree Way in Dunwoody. Springer said she is also planning meet-and-greet events for late September and early October, but has not yet confirmed dates.
Four candidates are running for mayor. Incumbent Mayor Mike Davis faces challenges from former Councilman Denis Shortal; Chris Grivakis, a commercial finance banker; and Steve Chipka, a retired BellSouth employee who said he now works as an actor.
The members of council for Posts 5 and 6, Lynn Deutsch and John Heneghan, will be re-elected automatically because they face no opposition. Pam Tallmadge, who is running in a special election for the council seat Shortal vacated when he decided to run for mayor, also is unopposed.
Davis said he plans to focus on paving, fixing intersections and improving safety.
Shortal said he wants to support the arts and use public-private partnerships to support renovating Brook Run Theater.
Chipka said he decided he would run for council two years ago, but waited until the 2015 election. He said he thinks a $40,000 feasibility study of Brook Run Theater was “a waste of money” because the theater is “filled with asbestos.” His campaign will instead focus on the core values the city wanted when it incorporated: police, parks and paving, Chipka said.
Grivakis said he is not an experienced politician, but wants to take back control of the city and help the community maintain its charm rather than work to develop the Perimeter area. He said he hopes to halt future development as much as possible.
Nall said his goals include “right-sizing” the police department, paving, pushing for an independent school system and seeking property tax relief for homeowners.
Springer plans to focus on expanding police presence, adding more sidewalks in the community and bringing more small business to Dunwoody. She said she wants Dunwoody to have a downtown area like the cities of Marietta and Roswell.
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