Dunwoody Crier - December 14, 2023

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Mayor Deutsch marks Dunwoody’s birthday ► PAGE 3

December 14, 2023 | AppenMedia.com | An Appen Media Group Publication | Ser ving the community since 1976

Dunwoody journalist files suit against city for alleged violation of Open Records Act By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com

CITY OF DUNWOODY/PROVIDED

The westbound view from Womack Road at the improved intersection shows a dedicated lane for vehicles turning left onto Chamblee Dunwoody Road and the elimination of the right-turn-on-red restriction. The City Council will host a ribbon-cutting celebration Dec. 11.

City officials welcome intersection improvements DUNWOODY, Ga. — The Dunwoody City Council was scheduled to hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony this week to celebrate intersection improvements at Womack Road, Chamblee Dunwoody Road and Ashford Center Parkway. Construction of the intersection improvement project and utility relocation began in 2022. The DeKalb County Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax primarily funded the project’s total cost of $2.5 million. The project’s objective is to improve efficiency and safety for westbound vehicles as they approach the intersection, according to the city. The improvements to Womack Road include a dedicated lane for

vehicles turning left onto Chamblee Dunwoody Road and the elimination of the right-turn-on-red restriction. The design improved sight distance by regrading the slope and reconfiguring the retaining wall at the AT&T building on the southeast corner of the intersection. The project also included improvements to Chamblee Dunwoody Road. The left-turn lane onto Ashford Center Parkway was extended, and a drainage network down the west side of Chamblee Dunwoody Road was connected to the existing drainage network. As a result, the sidewalk along the west side of Chamblee Dunwoody Road was upgraded to meet the standards

of the Americans Disabilities Act and match the sidewalk project on the east side. “This project arose out of community feedback about the traffic backups on Womack Road because of the lack of turn lanes,” Public Works Director Michael Smith said. “We’re hearing positive feedback about the changes.” A new mural will be installed at the intersection in early 2024. Artists Jennifer Freeman and Julie Mazzoni were commissioned to create “The Landscape of Dunwoody” along a section of the retaining wall. The 36-foot mural will vary in height and include stained glass, fused glass and porcelain tile.

DUNWOODY, Ga. — A Dunwoody resident filed suit in DeKalb County Superior Court Oct. 31 alleging the City of Dunwoody and three city employees violated the Georgia Open Records Act. During public comment at the Oct. 30 City Council meeting, Joseph Hirsch, a longtime critic of the Dunwoody Police Department, said responsibility for the attrition rate among Dunwoody police officers can be laid at the feet of Chief Billy Grogan. Hirsch lobbed criticism at Grogan, City Manger Eric Linton and the Dunwoody City Council for failing to address concerns he has brought to the attention of the City Council over the years. Hirsch, a journalist, ran unsuccessfully for the City Council District 1 seat in 2017. Appen Media reached out to Dunwoody Communications Director Jennifer Boettcher for comment on Hirsch’s lawsuit. “We cannot comment on pending litigation, but we want to make

See HIRSCH, Page 22

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