COMMUNITY
Spruill Center reports growing interest in arts ► PAGE 4
Fe b r u a r y 2 , 2 0 2 3 | A p p e n M e d i a . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | S e r v i n g t h e c o m m u n i t y s i n c e 1 9 7 6
DeKalb County schedules budget information sessions DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Residents interested in exploring the proposed 2023 DeKalb County budget have the opportunity to get a detailed look at the county’s finances for the new year, thanks to a series of
upcoming community information meetings. Three meetings will be held across DeKalb County from Jan. 25 to Feb. 15, hosted by Budget Committee Chairman Commissioner Steve Brad-
shaw and T.J. Siegler, director of the county’s Office of Management and Budget. “As the newly appointed Chair of the Finance, Audit and Budget Committee,” Bradshaw said. “I believe it
is a good exercise to hold community meetings across the county affording constituents an opportunity to engage in the budget process.”
See DEKALB, Page 3
Residents provide mixed assessment of police operation By ALEXANDER POPP alex@appenmedia.com DUNWOODY, Ga. — About a dozen residents and public officials gathered at the North Shallowford Annex in Dunwoody Jan. 25 to talk about about the performance, efficiency and practices of the Dunwoody Police Department. Hosted by Berry Dunn consultants, the forum was designed to provide more insight into how the Police Department operates. As part of the study, Berry Dunn Justice and Public Safety Manager Michele Weinzetl said their firm will do an exhaustive examination of everything in the department, from whether it maintains industry best practices and data trends, to evaluating its “essential call for service,” which exam-
ines the changing types of service that different communities need. Throughout the feedback event, participants largely spoke favorably of the department’s performance, commenting on its professionalism and proactivity. “I think they do an excellent job, from my perspective,” a 31-year resident of the community said. “I've lived in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Connecticut, South Carolina, North Carolina and I think they do an excellent job.” Another resident, who has lived in the community before it incorporated into a city, said that he has been able to see the department grow better, and the community grow safer over the years.
See DUNWOODY, Page 6
ALEX POPP/APPEN MEDIA
Dunwoody Deputy Chief of Police Mike Carlson speaks at the opening of a community feedback meeting to assess operations of the local law enforcement agency held at the North Shallowford Annex building Jan. 25.