29 Size Up Dunwoody Council Duty

By DAVID MARKIEWICZ www.ajc.com

Twenty-nine people announced interest Saturday in running for mayor or council in the new city of Dunwoody. After potential city leaders heard what elected officials from some other newly minted municipalities had to say, the number might dwindle.

Speaking at an informational forum for residents considering candidacy in Dunwoody, leaders of other cities declared the business of building a city exciting and worthwhile, but demanding and time-consuming."If you think this is a part-time job, you're crazy," said Dianne Fries, a councilwoman in Sandy Springs. With all the contracts and other documents she has to study, Fries said, "I haven't read for fun in three years.""You're on call 24 hours," chimed in Bev Miller, a council member in Johns Creek, also recently incorporated.

Fellow Johns Creek council member Dan McCabe echoed those comments but added, perhaps to the relief of the prospective candidates: "It's also the coolest thing. What you have is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity ... to create a right government."

Voters overwhelmingly approved establishing the new north DeKalb County city in last week's election.The info session was set up to educate would-be candidates. Hopefuls must declare their intentions Aug. 4 through Aug. 6. A special election in which voters will select six council members and a mayor will be Sept. 16. A runoff, if necessary, would be conducted Oct. 14. The new city is to begin operating Dec. 1.

As a result of Saturday's session and other informational efforts, "I believe we will have the best informed set of candidates to take office," said Oliver Porter, who has been helping guide Dunwoody's preparations for cityhood, as he did in Sandy Springs and other cities.
Added Porter, "We want people to know what they're getting into."
Saturday, they learned:

• The approximate cost to run an election campaign ($6,050 to $34,000, based on the experience of candidates in other new cities).
• The compensation ($16,000 plus $5,000 expenses for the mayor and $12,000 plus $3,000 expenses for each council member).
• Registration and election dates.

They also learned about Dunwoody's demographics: predominantly white, middle- to upper-middle income, with a high percentage of homeowners and college graduates, according to statistics.

They learned the number of registered voters in Dunwoody, which has grown to more than 27,000, and the historical turnout in special elections, which is low at about 10 to 15 percent.
That, it was noted, shows the importance of getting out the vote on election day.

Candidates attending the forum included some familiar names. Council hopeful Robert Wittenstein, the only officially declared candidate, attended and handed out campaign literature.
Others who signed on as potential candidates were Denny Shortal, a prominent member of Dunwoody Yes, the political action group that supported a yea vote on Dunwoody's incorporation referendum last Tuesday; and Tom Taylor, a leader in Citizens for Dunwoody Inc.

Not everyone who signed in Saturday as a potential candidate is expected be on the Aug. 16 ballot. Ian Ferdinands said he is unsure whether he will join the fray. "I'm just checking it out," he said. "I might run. It depends on how much it costs."Like any good candidate, though, Ferdinands gave himself a plug and acknowledged scoping out the potential competition.The retiree noted his experience working as a chief financial officer, saying. "I think they might need that on the council, especially with that budget they've got."
And, he added, "I wanted to see who's running."