Seniors receive advice to avoid ER visits, bills
► PAGE 6
RED ELEPHANTS 48, WILDCATS 3
Dunwoody senior running back Cameron Irastorza, center, makes a run up the field at Bobby Gruhn Field Nov. 14. Irastorza and the Wildcats put up the first points of the game with a field goal but failed to score again.
Gainesville ends Dunwoody football season
By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com
GAINESVILLE, Ga. — The Dunwoody football season came to a close Nov. 14 in the first round of the Class 5A state playoffs after the Wildcats suffered a 48-3 loss to Gainesville.
The Wildcats defense got off to a hot start, forcing the punting unit in on the Red Elephants’ first possession.
Dunwoody nearly scored a safety on the first down of the game after a fumbled snap.
Seniors Andrew Ainsworth, Declan Gallagher and David Remigailo were strongholds of Dunwoody’s defense that shut out Gainesville in the first quarter.
Senior defensive back Glennwood Ferebee II and sophomore Chase Casey led the secondary, holding Clemson commit Kharim Hughley to his second-
lowest completion percentage of the season and 175 passing yards, nearly 20 yards below his average per game this year.
The Red Elephants immediately turned the ball over just four plays into the game, and the Wildcats responded by putting the first points on the board with a 38-yard field goal by Christian Lee.
See FOOTBALL, Page 16
Raising Cane’s drive-thru plan draws council, resident debate
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
DUNWOODY, Ga. — The Dunwoody City Council heard both sides of the argument for a Raising Cane’s double drive-thru at 4570 Ashford Dunwoody Road during its Nov. 10 meeting. Any drive-thru in Dunwoody requires a special land-use permit, since the city amended its code in October 2023.
Dunwoody officials questioned whether a double drive-thru fits the site, which shares a congested driveway with a busy hotel. The city also has plans for the Ashford Dunwoody Path to run along the property’s roadway frontage.
Officials granted a rezoning of the property in September, knowing a special land use permit for a drive-thru at the site was in the pipeline.
Residents are split on Raising Cane’s proposal, with some supporting efforts to get a location in Central Perimeter and others pushing back on fast food and detriments to walkability and sustainability.
With an initial public hearing behind them, elected officials are set to vote on the Raising Cane’s drive-thru permit at the Dec. 1 City Council meeting.
PLAN, Page 16
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Perimeter Best Buy reports employee theft
DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody police arrested a 23-year-old Dunwoody man Nov. 6 after his employer, Best Buy, accused him of stealing more than $2,500 through fraudulent transactions.
Officers said the employee was detained in the loss prevention office at the store off Hammond Drive.
The general manager said the employee conducted at least 14 fraudulent transactions since Sept. 28, netting him $2,592. The manager said most of the incidents occurred after a legitimate transaction at the register.
The store alleges the employee would conduct a fictitious return after a legitimate transaction, then grab one of the items listed on the receipt and leave the store with it. Other times he would purchase an item, then fake its return a day later.
Officers said the employee agreed to speak with them after having been read his Miranda rights.
The suspect reportedly said the allegations were true and that he wanted to return all the stolen items and make Best Buy whole again. He also explained some of the methods he used to steal items, which were all documented by Best Buy’s loss prevention team.
Employee thefts are widely considered more common than shoplifting.
Officers said the suspect completed a written statement, admitting to the felony theft and his mistakes.
After obtaining a felony warrant for theft by taking, officers transported the man to DeKalb County Jail.
According to records, he was bonded out of jail Nov. 8.
— Hayden Sumlin Cincinnati man faces charge of damaging bank windows
DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody
Police arrested a 40-year-old Cincinnati man Nov. 4 after he allegedly shattered six windows at the Truist Bank off Perimeter Center West around 10:30 p.m.
An officer said a valet employee at the neighboring business reported the incident after hearing glass shatter, walking over to the bank and seeing a man throw what appeared to be rocks at the window.
Upon arrival, the officer said he found a person matching the suspect’s description sitting on a curb in the bank parking lot and detained him without incident.
The Cincinnati man allegedly told officers that he planned to break the windows so he could gain entry to rest and “hopefully get arrested and go to jail for an extended time.”
Officers said the man displayed signs of mental health issues and paranoia after rambling several times about being followed and trafficked from Ohio.
During a search of the suspect, officers said they found rocks in his front pocket.
Later, the assistant property manager at the bank arrived to secure the business.
Officers said they obtained warrants for felony criminal damage to property and loitering and prowling after transporting the man to DeKalb County Jail.
According to records, the suspect remains in jail as of Nov. 13.
— Hayden Sumlin
Officers arrest young men allegedly breaking into cars
DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody police arrested a 22-year-old Marietta man and an 18-year-old Chamblee man Nov. 7 after they were spotted allegedly pulling on car doors at an apartment complex.
Officers said they located the two suspects at the Hatley Apartments off Perimeter Center North, one sitting inside an Acura MDX and the other walking between vehicles.
Initially, officers said the Marietta man could not explain why he was sitting in the parking lot before later admitting he saw law enforcement and tried to hide.
During a search of the Marietta man, officers said they found two knives, one with a punching tool to break windows, and several credit cards belonging to other people.
Later, he told officers that he had hidden Taurus 9mm pistol underneath the driver’s seat.
He was charged with possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, entering an automobile to commit theft, loitering and possession of tools for commission of a crime.
Records show he has been arrested several times by the Dunwoody Police Department since April 2022.
DeKalb County Jail records show he remains in custody as of Nov. 13.
Officers said the man who reported the incident positively identified the suspects.
The owner of the Acura told police she did not know the suspects or why one was hiding in her car.
While searching the 18-year-old Chamblee man, officers said they found multiple face coverings and a small bag of marijuana.
The Chamblee man had been arrested by Dunwoody police on almost the exact same charges in September 2024.
DeKalb County Jail records show he remains in jail as of Nov. 13.
— Hayden Sumlin
St. Luke’s Presbyterian pastor reflects on 30 years at church
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
DUNWOODY, Ga. — The Rev. Shannon Dill, whose more than 31 years at Saint Luke’s Presbyterian Church in Dunwoody is ending in December, says it’s hard leaving a fantastic congregation.
Her pastoral ministry at Saint Luke’s ends on Christmas Eve. After the holidays, Dill and her husband plan to stick around Dunwoody as retirees and empty nesters.
Dunwoody resident and church member Wayne Radloff, slated as featured speaker at the city’s Veterans Day ceremony, recommended Dill be a part of the celebration.
“For decades, she has been the glue that has held the church together,” Radloff said. “I thought it fitting to ask her to offer the invocation and benediction at the Veterans Day ceremony.”
Appen Media spoke with Dill about her time at the church before the congregation’s ceremonial vote Nov. 9 to bless the next phase of her life. She and her husband have always planned to retire together, and they’re following through.
Dill got her start at Saint Luke’s Presbyterian as the associate pastor of youth ministries, seeing church leadership transitions with two new senior pastors and some new buildings pop up. She joined the ministry at Saint Luke’s in 1994 after some time with a Unitarian church in Decatur.
“I have a passion for youth ministry, but I was also excited to help the church grow,” she said. “And over the years, as needs arose … I would pick up other duties. I feel like what
SAINT LUKE’S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH/PROVIDED
From left, Saint Luke’s Presbyterian Church Senior Pastor the Rev. Dr. David Lower and Associate Pastor the Rev. Shannon Dill, greet guests during a service in Cuba. Set to join her husband in retirement at year’s end, Dill shared her experiences and wisdom after 31 years at St. Luke’s.
I’ve done in that in that time is not only have I evolved as a pastor, but I’ve also helped the church evolve and grow.”
Saint Luke’s Presbyterian built its Christian Education building, Sheppard Hall, in 1995.
“I’ve baptized babies who then grew up, went off to college,” Dill said. “I then officiated their weddings and now have baptized their babies. So, it’s really … it is difficult. You know, ministers typically are supposed to leave a church and not look back, right?”
She said those rules are not written for pastors who’ve been a part of a congregation for 31 years.
“I’ve got lots of people in that church who are now almost lifelong friends, and so those relationships will
continue, but in a very different way,” Dill said. “I laughed to our governing body about this, but I said it is maybe hard to believe, but sometimes when I get together with people who are also church members, we don’t even talk about church.”
Shannon Dill and her husband Don have two daughters who grew up in the church, Maddie and Callie.
“[They] were not even blips on the radar, really, when I started at Saint Luke’s,” Dill said, crediting Don, Maddie and Callie for her success. “It's really a gift in ministry to have a family who is so supportive and encouraging, and not just of me, but of the place where I spend a lot of my time and energy.”
Her oldest, Maddie, lives with her husband in Seattle, Wash., while
working for the Gates Foundation. Callie lives in Chicago where she works for the collegiate athletic Big Ten Conference. Both attended the University of Georgia.
“So, you know, assuming that grandchildren will be in our future, you know, not too terribly long away,” Dill said, laughing to herself. “We’ll just see where they are in a couple years after we’ve done a lot of travel and that sort of thing and then make a decision about where we're going to go.”
Saint Luke’s Presbyterian sits on the northwest corner of Mount Vernon and Vermack roads in the heart of Dunwoody’s sprawling neighborhood. It was founded in 1970, the same year the Dunwoody Homeowners Association was created.
“Dunwoody, over 31 years, has really morphed in a good way into a very much more diverse place in a way that seems more exciting and healthier,” Dill said. “Saint Luke’s has had a long-standing partnership with Temple Emanu-El, and now in the last several years, that has also grown to include the Atlantic Institute.”
The Atlantic Institute is an Atlantabased nonprofit focused on interfaith and cross-cultural dialogue.
Saint Luke’s Presbyterian is holding a Friendsgiving Nov. 18, inviting Christian, Jewish and Muslim congregations from all over the city to socialize and be a part of the broader Dunwoody community.
“That is a beautiful new movement,” Dill said. “I would encourage the community to continue to look for those opportunities. I mean, they’re everywhere, if we just pay attention and be a part of, you know, God moving through all of it.”
each number containing 3 clues for the 3 answers on the line. But here’s the catch! The clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually be for the second or third answer in that line.
ON THE MENU
1. Icy coating. Low water mark. Squirrel's favorite snack.
2. Panda's dish. Lackluster. Racetrack shape.
3. Spare tire. Beaver's snack. Mountain peaks.
4. Blue whale's dinner. Crayola color. Hawaiian binge.
5. Hot spot. Horse's meal. Extra-large.
6. Pillow covering. Otter's dish. Wall painting.
7. Victory's margin. Bear's feast. Hurl.
1 African desert. Operatic solo. Supreme god of ancient Greece.
2. Spiraled-horned African antelope. Bunsen burner. To-do
How to Solve: Each line in the puzzle above has three clues and three answers. The last letter in the first answer on each line is the first letter of the second answer, and so on. The connecting letter is outlined, giving you the correct number of letters for each answer (the answers in line 1 are 4, 5 and 5 letters). The clues are numbered 1 through 7, which each number containing 3 clues for the 3 answers on the line. But here’s the catch! The clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually be for the second or third answer in that line. Got it? Good luck!
3. Deep hole. Settee. African howler
4. Sleep interrupter. African dry river bed. Chatty bird
5. Skin disorder. Flu symptom. African river
6. African republic on the Gulf of Guinea. Drink garnish. Small goose.
Doctor-turned-entrepreneur advises seniors how to avoid ER
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dr. Nadia Nabavi, a former Northside Hospital and Grady Healthcare physician, said the top three reasons seniors end up in the emergency room are falls, UTIs and pneumonia.
The North Atlanta chapter of Adult Children of Aging Parents invited Nabavi to host its Nov. 11 program, “From UTIs to Falls: Understanding What Sends Seniors to the Emergency Room,” at Dunwoody United Methodist Church.
Nabavi listed the Big Three causes in order. She said a third of people over age 65 will fall at least once.
“I’m an emergency/EMS physician … that means I’m really good at identifying things that are gonna kill you,” she said. “One thing we saw over and over again was
physician.’”
That realization inspired Nabavi to found Green Dot Health as an alternative to what she sees as a broken healthcare system that saddles seniors with huge hospital bills, sometimes for care they could receive at home.
Green Dot Health’s services include 24/7 access to board-certified ER doctors like Nabavi, at-home lab draws, prescription and imaging coordination, post-visit follow-ups and a straightforward billing process.
Membership to the virtual practice starts at $149 a month, a three-month minimum commitment is required.
“If a bladder infection doesn’t get treated, then that infection can then move up to your kidney,” she said. “Usually the trigger is ‘mom is getting up a lot to the restroom, and she doesn’t normally do that,’ and that may culminate in a fall.”
A few program attendees were in the process of caring for their own aging parent suffering from an infection.
Kelly, a Brookhaven woman, said her 88-year-old mother had been refusing to undergo a procedure to take images of her bladder to diagnose what doctors told her may be a UTI.
So far, medicine hasn’t helped.
there were many calls for seniors, and it wasn’t like our seniors needed the hospital, but they also needed more than just ‘take two aspirin and call your primary care
From Common To Captivating
With an emergency room visit ranging from $1,500-$3,000 and trips to an urgent care exceeding $150, Green Dot Health “fills a gap” in senior healthcare.
Incentives to join
The membership also qualifies for tax-free reimbursement from health and flexible savings accounts, which can be especially useful for Medicare enrollees to offset out-of-pocket costs.
When Nabavi asked the crowd of 30 how many had been to the emergency room in the past year, at least half of the hands went up. More than 800,000 seniors are hospitalized each year.
A urinary tract infection is far more common than pneumonia but much more dangerous for seniors. Falling is the most common, which can occur after a senior develops an infection.
Nabavi said one way caregivers can assess fall risk is to perform a “timed up-and-go test,” having them stand up, walk 10 feet, turn around, stroll back to the chair and sit down. If it takes someone more than 12 seconds, they may be at risk of falling.
Prevention methods include physical and occupational therapy, which can strengthen core and leg muscles while teaching people how to get up after a fall. An occupational therapist can also come into a home and strategize how things like furniture placement and lighting can be improved.
What seniors really want to avoid is falling and breaking their hip, which exacerbates existing ailments and mortality rates.
Nabavi said seniors can meet with a podiatrist to have a doctor look at their feet and suggest optimal footwear. She said checking vision and hearing is important as well.
“If there’s something else going on … the fall is actually a symptom of a bigger problem,” Nadavi said. “And that’s sort of our segue into infections.”
Tracking another threat
Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, are more common in women than men due to a variety of anatomical and hormonal factors. Men can get them too.
Growing impatient, Kelly said the program inspired her to keep pushing for answer to her mother’s discomfort, which may involve convincing her to have the procedure.
Preventing pneumonia, or an infection of the lungs, is straightforward. The best was to protect against it is to have seniors routinely vaccinated against the most prolific strain and wear a mask in crowded spaces.
Despite the politicization of vaccines, seniors in the room said they get them after conducting their own cost-benefit analysis.
The North Atlanta chapter of Adult Children of Aging Parents held its Nov. 11 meeting in the Asbury Room at Dunwoody United Methodist.
The nonprofit ACAP has grown from a small program founded in Hickory, North Carolina in 2012 to more than nine locations across the eastern United States.
The state of Georgia has four chapters, one in Cobb and Cherokee counties, another in Forsyth County, a Hall County group and the North Atlanta chapter, which meets on the second Tuesday of each month.
All in-person programming is free.
More informational meetings
ACAP North Atlanta Chapter Coordinator Mary Remmes, a life coach for the adult children of aging parents, said there will not be a meeting in December but programming through March 2026 is ready to go.
Another member of the leadership team, Holly Mitchell, discussed her entrepreneurial venture ChangingSpaces with co-founder Linda Kaplan that helps manage moves for seniors.
“My company can help people do all of these tasks,” Mitchell said. “ChangingSpaces was born to help people move and rightsize and figure out how they’re going to help themselves live easier and simpler and stress-free.”
For more information about the North Atlanta chapter of Adult Children of Aging Parents, visit acapcommunity.org.
For more information about Dr. Nabavi’s business, visit greendothealth.com.
For more information about Mitchel and Kaplan’s business, visit changingspacesatlanta.com.
HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA
Dr. Nadia Nabavi explains how seniors can avoid preventable trips to the emergency room at the North Atlanta chapter of Adult Children of Aging Parents’ Nov. 11 program at Dunwoody United Methodist Church.
TALK BACK TO THE CRIER
Brookhaven’s millage tests Dunwoody promise
When Dunwoody became a city in 2008, voters approved a charter built on two simple principles, local control and fiscal restraint. To guarantee both, we included a millage-rate cap of 3.04 mills in our charter. That cap was more than a number; it was a promise that our city would live within its means and never raise property taxes without going back to the people who pay them.
When the city was founded, the initial millage rate was set at 2.74 mills. Over the years, the council gradually raised it to the current maximum of 3.04 mills allowed by the charter. That cap is now the only thing preventing further property tax increases without legislative or voter approval. It remains one of the most visible symbols of the financial restraint that defined Dunwoody’s founding.
At last year’s council retreat, members even discussed the idea of creating a special tax district for police services. Under Georgia law, any special district that imposes a new millage would require approval by Dunwoody voters, not just a council vote. The fact that this option is being explored makes it even more important for our leaders to be honest and transparent with the community about our financial needs and the tools they are considering to address them.
Talk Back to the Crier
The Crier is committed to its role as Dunwoody’s community thread. As readers have reminded the paper, part of that role means budgeting premium space for letters from residents. Talk Back to the Crier by Sunday night and your note will be on page 3 that week. Email letters to newsroom@appenmedia.com. The Crier won’t publish it without explicitly getting your approval.
Today, that promise is being tested just down the road.
The City of Brookhaven, which incorporated four years after Dunwoody, is now proposing to remove its 3.35-mill charter cap and raise its property-tax rate to 3.54 mills, and to do so without voter approval.
Citing Georgia’s Home Rule Act, Brookhaven’s city attorney says the council has the authority to amend its charter directly, bypassing both the state legislature and the ballot box.
If that interpretation stands, it sets a precedent with far-reaching consequences.
Under Georgia law, a city may use home rule to adjust portions of its charter unless the change affects certain protected powers, including taxation. Most legal experts agree that a millage cap defines a city’s taxing power and therefore cannot be changed
without action by the Georgia General Assembly. That is why Dunwoody’s cap has remained intact since day one. It was written into our charter by state law, and it can only be changed by state law.
Brookhaven’s leaders argue their language is different, that their cap can be lifted by local vote of the council alone. Whether or not that stands up to legal scrutiny, it raises a larger question of public trust. Voters created both cities to escape opaque county governance, to ensure decisions about taxation would be made transparently and with clear consent. Bypassing that consent, even if technically legal, breaks the spirit of the promise that formed our cities in the first place.
It is important to note that this issue applies to property taxes, not to service fees. Dunwoody’s stormwater charge, for
example, is a utility fee, not a tax. It can be increased by the City Council without voter approval if it is done publicly and tied directly to the cost of maintaining and repairing the city’s drainage system. That flexibility exists to keep the system functional, but it also places a higher burden on the city to be open about how those funds are used and why the increase is necessary.
Dunwoody faces its own financial pressures, aging storm-drain systems, rising public-safety costs, and the temptation to increase fees instead of explaining the true need. But fiscal honesty requires more than creative budgeting; it requires the courage to tell residents why more money is needed and the integrity to seek their approval before taking it.
If Brookhaven succeeds in removing its millage cap without legislative or voter oversight, the door will be open for other cities to follow. The question is whether we in Dunwoody will remember the commitment that made cityhood possible, local government that is honest, transparent, and accountable to the people.
If that promise is to mean anything, it must start with keeping our word.
DANNY ROSS Founding member, Dunwoody City Council
Wildcat Creek boardwalk opens vistas at Nature Center
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
DUNWOODY, Ga. — The Dunwoody Nature Center celebrated its new and improved wooden boardwalk along Wildcat Creek Nov. 10.
The upgrades make it easier for visitors of all ages and abilities to explore and enjoy the natural environment, replacing the more than 20-year-old walkway with a new winding boardwalk above the 100-year floodplain.
Dunwoody Nature Center Executive Director Nancy Longacre said the project has been a long time in the making.
“It is incredibly rewarding to see it come to life,” Longacre said. “Today, we celebrate the completion of a truly transformational project, one that honors our commitment to protecting and restoring the natural beauty of Wildcat Creek, while also deepening our connection to the special place.”
The new 600-foot boardwalk is higher, longer and wider than the old one, proving ADA access to playgrounds on the eastern end. Along the boardwalk, there are outdoor classrooms for studying Dunwoody’s aquatic resources, plus seating and observation decks.
Longacre said the old boardwalk was “a path to nowhere” and dilapidated from stormwater runoff and erosion.
Work crews stabilized the banks along Wildcat Creek by adding rock along the water’s edge, installing a log vane to channel water toward the center of the stream and improving grading.
They also removed invasive plants from existing wetlands and planted native vegetation to restore the native forested wetland habitat.
At the Nov. 10 ribbon cutting, most of the native vegetation was in infancy, ready to explode in the spring.
TALK BACK TO THE CRIER
The idea for the project came from one of the city’s former stormwater managers, Carl Thomas, who returned to Lowe Engineers as a senior project manager in 2024.
“The plan was just to install the boardwalk,” said Thomas, a certified floodplain manager. “The previous
parks director and I were having a discussion about it and learning a lot about the history of farmland areas that were being impacted by a certain practice.”
Around the turn of the 20th century, Georgia farmers had no heavy machinery and used dynamite to clear
and flatten wooded areas, often all the way up to the edge of local waterways.
Thomas said the practice occurred on the site of the Dunwoody Nature Center more than 100 years ago.
It’s why there are no old growth trees and the land is terraced. Visitors at the city park can still see where farmers placed explosives to flatten the sloped property, slow down water runoff and create more arable land.
“The first aerial images were taken in the late 1930s … this whole area was clear,” Thomas said. “Probably won’t see it in a couple of years once [the vegetation] grows back up. But now that it’s clear, you can actually see these ‘steps’ where the land has been undisturbed since the early 1900s.”
The project took off once Dunwoody staff realized the explosive farming practice was sanctioned by the U.S. government, allowing the city to pursue federal funding.
Thomas said his team has found several similar projects throughout Metro Atlanta.
With the 21st century’s emphasis on sustainability and environmental preservation, there won’t be any sanctioned dynamite explosions near streams anytime soon. In communities where the practice occurred, federal funding may be available to restore the natural habitat.
The project was funded through the city's stormwater reserve and a $600,000 grant from the state’s Environmental Protection Division. The total construction cost was $1.72 million.
“The new boardwalk is elevated above the 100-year floodplain, reconnecting the wetland and stream ecosystems while also providing better access to educational areas at the Nature Center,” Dunwoody Stormwater Engineer Cody Dallas said. “Restoring the wetlands and stabilizing the streambanks improve water quality and increase habitat for wildlife.”
City is right on Kingsley Lake decision
Danny Ross has been a friend for two decades and he and I were colleagues on the inaugural Dunwoody city council. I have enormous respect for what he has accomplished and tremendous appreciation for what he has contributed to our community. That said, I think that his recent letter to The Crier is off base.
In his November 6 letter, “Did we
bring DeKalb back into Dunwoody?”, Danny is critical of the city’s refusal to address stormwater issues associated with the little lake in the Kingsley subdivision.
Back in the bad old days, well connected citizens could get local governments all over the state to ‘help out’ with problems on private property at taxpayer expense. Maybe it was getting the water department
to fix a problem with a water line near the house, or fix a driveway, or re-grade a backyard to fix an erosion issue. In an effort to curtail this lowlevel corruption, the state passed a law prohibiting local governments from making improvements on private property. The lake in the Kingsley subdivision is a private lake. It is owned by the homeowners whose houses back up to the lake. Danny
Ross is one of those homeowners. The city is forbidden by state law from using taxpayer resources to repair or renovate the Kingsley Lake.
I understand Danny’s frustration, but the city is correct in refusing to spend taxpayer funds to address this issue.
ROBERT WITTENSTEIN Founding member, Dunwoody City Council
PHOTOS BY: HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA
City officials tour the boardwalk along Wildcat Creek at the Dunwoody Nature Center during a Nov. 10 ribbon cutting. The project enhanced the natural environment around the stream, repairing damage caused by early farming practices.
Dunwoody Nature Center Board Chair Joanie Dwoskin cuts the ribbon Nov. 10 on the new boardwalk along Wildcat Creek with DNC Executive Director Nancy Longacre and Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch to her right.
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Showroom – Design Center 10591 Old Alabama Rd. Connector Alpharetta, GA
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Central Perimeter cities honor nation’s veterans
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
PERIMETER, Ga. — In Sandy Springs and Dunwoody, hundreds of residents turned out on Veterans Day Nov. 11 to honor the dedication and sacrifice of those who served in the United States military.
In Dunwoody, retired U.S. Navy Capt. Wayne Radloff gave the keynote speech at Brook Run Park centered around this year’s Veterans Day theme, “Service to Our Nation.”
“We are all gathered here today on what will soon be the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month,” Radloff said. “A moment in time when the guns of World War I fell silent in 1918. That day, originally called Armistice Day, has since evolved into what we now proudly call Veterans Day.”
While Memorial Day is one for mourning, Radloff said Veterans Day is to honor and appreciate those who served. He also made sure to remember the veterans who have passed, like former state Sen. Jim Tysinger who fought in the Pacific Theater during World War II, Dunwoody resident Cecil Hannaford who fought at the Battle of the Bulge and many others.
Radloff highlighted the military branches celebrating their 250th anniversary in 2025, including the U.S. Army, Navy and Marine Corps.
“The theme pays tribute to all veterans, regardless of when or where they served, and emphasizes that service to the nation is not confined to one battlefield or one generation,” Radloff said. “There is no mystery behind the endurance of American liberty. It is because in every generation, from the revolutionary period to this very hour, brave Americans have stepped forward and served honorably in the armed forces.”
Radloff and his wife Debbie, who met her husband during her eight years of active duty in the U.S. Navy, celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary next year. Their son, U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Andrew Radloff, is continuing the tradition.
Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch said he is “a tremendous asset,” citing his involvement on city committees and Citizens on Patrol.
“He has quite a record of service in the military, he did great things,” Deutsch said. “But what I know is that he is a fantastic contributor to our community.”
In Sandy Springs, retired U.S. Navy Cmdr. Frank Weisser detailed some of the behind-the-scenes work of Blue Angel Aviators.
Weisser grew up in the city and
Retired U.S. Navy Capt. Wayne Radloff, a longtime Dunwoody resident who served more than 30 years as a flight officer, speaks at Dunwoody’s Veterans Day ceremony Nov. 11 at the Brook Run Park memorial.
graduated from North Springs High School. Mayor Rusty Paul said he watched him grow up at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church.
“He joined the Blue Angels in 2007 and has accumulated more than 5,000 flight hours and nearly 500 carrier landings,” Paul said. “He was deployed to combat three separate times and flew in the front seat as the F-18 pilot for some of the most memorable scenes in ‘Top Gun: Maverick.’”
Weisser said his primary emotion on Veterans Day is gratitude for a variety of reasons, including his chance and privilege to serve his country, the trust he received at a young age and his “brothers and sisters in arms” in the north Arabian Sea and Persian Gulf.
“There’s some really important stuff happening right at this exact moment so that we can be here and celebrate,” Weisser said. “I would just ask you to do what you’re doing and you celebrate the veterans, but most importantly, you look for the ones that are still suffering.”
Weisser’s keynote address weaved through “Top Gun: Maverick” scenes and Blue Angels footage while he explained some of the trust and perspective he gained from the high-
Dunwoody officials and residents gather around the new Veterans Memorial, replacing a decrepit building at the site and connecting to the nearby Vietnam War Memorial, at Brook Run Park Nov. 11. The city contributed just under $500,000 to complete the redesign with $100,000 from the DeKalb County Commission.
risk maneuvers.
Later, the crowd joined the Sandy Springs and Spalding garden clubs to unveil a new Blue Star Memorial
at Veterans Park across Roswell Road from the Performing Arts Center with support from the Garden Club of Georgia and Dogwood District.
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First Santa with Down syndrome continues to inspire holiday cheer
DUNWOODY, Ga. — The Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta announced the return of Bradley Carlisle, the first Santa Claus with Down syndrome, to its Dec. 13 Holiday Party.
Donning his Santa robes, Carlisle made his debut as Mr. Claus at last year’s celebration, touching hearts across the community and inspiring countless families.
Carlisle, 36, lives independently in his own apartment in Dunwoody and embodies the joy, warmth and inclusive spirit of the holiday season.
His portrayal of Santa Claus last year brought an outpouring of emotion from families and
attendees. Many parents were moved to tears seeing a Santa who reflected the beauty and diversity of their own children.
“It was magical,” one parent said after last year’s event. “For our kids to see Santa and realize he looked like them — It meant more than words can express.”
Bradley’s return as Santa this year promises even more joy and connection. His story has become a powerful reminder of the importance of representation and inclusion, showing that everyone deserves to see themselves reflected in beloved traditions.
The Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta Holiday Party will take
place on Saturday, Dec. 13 at Christ Church Presbyterian in midtown Atlanta.
The event will feature festive activities, family fun and the opportunity for children and families to meet Santa Bradley once again.
“We are so proud of Bradley and what his presence as Santa means for our community,” Executive Director Sheryl Arno said. “He shows that joy, kindness and Christmas spirit truly know no limits.”
For more information about the Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta, visit dsaatl.org.
— Hayden Sumlin
Church Presbyterian in Atlanta.
DeKalb County sees record turnout for municipal elections
By ZOE SEILER zoe@appenmedia.com
GREATER DECATUR, Ga. — The DeKalb County Elections Board, at its Nov. 10 meeting, certified the municipal and state Public Service Commission election results. The county saw a high turnout this year.
The board also authorized elections staff to proceed with a recount of the Decatur City Commission District 1 election. The recount concluded on Nov. 13, and Mark Arnold won the race.
The turnout for the elections this year in DeKalb County was about 31 percent. On Election Day, 94,590 voters visited the polls. During early voting, 56,492 voters cast ballots, 1,455 absentee ballots were accepted and there were 112 provisional ballots.
In total, 152,639 ballots were cast in DeKalb County. There are 487,913 active registered voters in the county.
“Early voting turnout was about three times the recent average, and Election Day turnout was double,”
DeKalb Voter Registration and Elections
Executive Director Keisha Smith said.
In 2021, 16,585 ballots were cast during early voting and 46,107 on Election Day, for a total of 71,107 votes. In 2023, 20,243 votes were recorded during early voting, and 48,446 votes were cast on Election Day, totaling 68,689 votes.
Memorial Drive was the most popular location for early voting. On the last day of early voting, 2,552 voters visited the VRE Office to vote, which was the busiest early voting day in DeKalb’s history, including presidential elections.
The turnout on Election Day in Atlanta and Decatur was unusually high.
“2,348 voted at our Neighborhood Church location on Election Day, which is likely the highest turnout in county history, including during presidential elections,” Smith said.
On Election Day, 191 precincts were open and staffed by 1,022 poll workers and equipped with 347 poll pads, 1,276 touchscreens and 167 scanners.
Dunwoody resident Bradley Carlisle is preparing for his second year spreading holiday cheer as Santa at the Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta Dec. 13 Holiday Party at Christ
DEAN HESSE/APPEN MEDIA
DeKalb County voter Rebecca Willis cast her ballot on Election Day, Nov. 4.
DeKalb Schools appoints interim superintendent
By JIM BASS jim@appenmedia.com
DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — The DeKalb County School Board appointed Norman Sauce to be its interim superintendent, effective Nov. 16. Sauce received a oneyear contract.
“The move ensures stable leadership and continuity in the district’s progress,” Board Chair Deirdre Pierce said in a news release from the district. “Over the past month, Dr. Sauce has demonstrated strong leadership, a clear vision for student success, and a commitment to transparency and collaboration.”
Sauce has served as the district’s acting superintendent since Oct. 9, when former superintendent Devon Horton was indicted on criminal charges stemming from his time as superintendent of Evanston-Skokie School District 65 in Illinois.
“Formalizing his role through a
contract provides the consistency needed to maintain momentum on key initiatives, support our schools and staff, and keep the district moving forward together in service of students, families, and staff,” Pierce said.
The decision comes on the same day that Sauce and the board received word of a recommendation to keep Druid Hills High School at its current site and modernize it. The long-awaited decision came during the Nov. 14 board retreat.
According to the news release, the district “fully vetted” Sauce with a full background check, verification of professional credentials, review of credit history, and confirmation of eligibility for the district’s bonding and insurance policies.
Sauce, a native of Long Beach, California, earned a doctorate in education from the University of Southern California in 2009. He also has a master’s degree in education from the University of California,
JIM BASS/APPEN MEDIA
DeKalb County Schools Interim Superintendent Norman Sauce prepares for the Nov. 11 School Board meeting after his predecessor’s indictment on criminal charges last
Los Angeles, and a bachelor’s degree in history from California State University, Long Beach. He moved to Georgia in 2012.
“I am deeply humbled and honored by the Board of Education’s confidence in appointing me as Interim Superintendent of DCSD,” Sauce said. “I am grateful for
the opportunity to serve our students, families, and staff in this new role. I look forward to continuing the vital work of advancing academic excellence and student success. With the Board’s support and the dedication of our talented educators and staff, we will move forward together, building on the strong momentum already underway across the District.”
Sauce previously served as the principal of Chamblee High School in 2015. Before this, he served as principal of Barnwell Elementary School and assistant principal of Roswell High School in Fulton County.
Sauce left the district to serve as the Griffin-Spalding County School System’s Executive Director of Student Support Services and Executive Director of Elementary Education before returning to the district in 2022. He had previously held the position of Chief of Student Services before becoming superintendent.
DeKalb County Schools extends redistricting timeline
By JIM BASS jim@appenmedia.com
DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — The DeKalb County School District is extending its Student Assignment Plan (SAP) timeline, with the final board decision now set for fall 2026.
Initially seeking final board approval in May and preliminary recommendations in January, Executive Director of Student Assignment Sarita Smith said that the decision to delay came from community feedback encouraging the district to be “thinking through it” more.
The SAP process involves evaluating data, including school capacity, enrollment, and facility conditions, with the goal of redistricting and closing schools to make the district more efficient following a 10-year decline of 10,000 students.
Although not mentioned, the delay could be a result of the district having a new superintendent in charge following the federal indictment and resignation of former superintendent Devon Horton.
The School Board’s Nov. 10 meeting marked acting superintendent Norman Sauce’s first regular meeting at the position. Several speakers during the public comment period gave him words of support while calling for the resignation of board members who had participated in hiring Horton in 2023.
Smith discussed during her presentation that the plan could see potential scenarios and board feedback by March.
According to feedback to the SAP committee, they are pushing to preserve
magnet and gifted programs and want to expand Ashford Park Elementary instead of redistricting its boundaries.
“The most consistent feedback is to keep Ashford Park, Drew Valley, Brookhaven Fields, and surrounding neighborhoods together within the Chamblee cluster,” the Nov. 11 Student Assignment Plan presentation said.
According to the presentation, which is intended to dispel “myths” about the process, recommendations won’t be implemented by fall 2026. SAP isn’t recommending the closure of all magnet schools and programs. The SAP committee comprises members from the DeKalb community.
In other business, the school board:
• In a 4-3 vote, approved a $4 million use of a cooperative agreement with Digital Scoreboard Inc. to replace and install LED
scoreboards into all district gymnasiums and stadiums.
The board was split with board members Whitney McGinniss, Tiffany Hogan and Awet Eyasu arguing that the money being prioritized for the scoreboards could be used for other issues. All three voted against it.
• Approved an $18.5 million contract with Lefko Development, Inc. for installation and upgrades to security vestibules in 25 schools. The contract will be paid for with Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax VI money.
The contract is the second group of security vestibules the school board has approved, with another $17.7 million contract approved in October.
• Heard from several Avondale Estates residents during public comment advocating for Druid Hills High School to relocate
to the current DeKalb School of the Arts site.
The high school is currently facing a significant decision from the board, with three options: modernizing the current DHHS location, relocating to the DSA site and rebuilding, or relocating to Druid Hills Middle School and rebuilding.
A decision was initially set for the Nov. 10 meeting, but it was delayed. To learn more about the discussion, click here.
• Honored former DeKalb Schools Superintendent James R. Hallford, who died Oct. 18. Hallford served the school district in several positions as a teacher, principal and leader and received the title “Mr. DeKalb” from the American Heart Association in 1997.
Hallford’s family was in attendance and accepted a plaque in his honor during the meeting.
• In a 6-1 vote, approved a $12 million contract for auditorium audiovisual equipment installation, related equipment, materials, supplies, and supplemental services district-wide with Atlanta Soundworks, LLC. McGinniss was the lone opposition.
• In a 5-1-1 vote, approved the $8 million use of a cooperative agreement with Genuine Parts Company (NAPA) for the purchase of on-site NAPA parts, supplies and sublet services for DCSD fleets and facilities. McGinniss opposed and Eyasu abstained.
• Approved a $5.8 million contract for district-wide cabling equipment and services with Integrated Communication Networks Inc.
JIM BASS/APPEN MEDIA
DeKalb County School District Vice Chair Allyson Gevertz, attorney Melanie Slaton and Board Chair Deirdre Pierce discuss an item during the Nov. 10 meeting.
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The 1.56-acre site currently has a shuttered drive-thru bank with people seen living on the property.
Pushback on drive-thrus
Because the property owner wanted a rezoning to help attract a tenant regardless of approval for a drive-thru restaurant, a special land use permit was separated from the land-use change.
Earlier this fall, Mayor Lynn Deutsch, the only one to vote against the rezoning, said she would not vote for a drive-thru on the site.
“This should come as no surprise to y’all because as early as 2022 as I met with representatives with Raising Cane’s, I said I didn’t want this, this was not something I could support,” Deutsch told the Raising Cane’s team of engineers, lawyers and operators. “We get one shot at Ashford Dunwoody Road, and we’re going to get it right.”
Matthew Munoz, general manager of the abutting Le Meridien Atlanta Perimeter hotel, said he is concerned about traffic congestion and pedestrian safety around the hotel, which shares an access road with the vacant bank property.
Munoz, who has spoken repeatedly against the drive-thru proposal, said it would jeopardize his business, customers and employees.
City Councilman John Heneghan asked about impacts to neighboring properties, any complaints and whether anything could be done to close the shared hotel access.
“One of the main criteria is, is there an adverse impact to the neighbors?” Heneghan said. “I am hearing from the Le Meridien hotel, and I take that seriously.”
Members of the crowd at the Nov. 10 Dunwoody City Council meeting hold up “Approve” signs during a public hearing for a permit to allow a Rasing Cane’s drive-thru at 4570 Ashford Dunwoody Road. Because it was a first reading, elected officials will not vote on the permit until their Dec. 1 meeting.
In other business, the City Council updated the Homecoming Park master plan to include beach volleyball courts; rezoned a property at 4500 North Shallowford Road to allow for a new veterinary clinic; approved signage at Campus 244; and signed an agreement necessary for Google Fiber installations.
Lawsuit settled quietly
An hour before the official City Council meeting, Dunwoody officials met in special session to discuss and eventually approve a settlement agreement with three businesses operating residential recovery facilities.
The firms seeking licenses to operate drug rehabilitation facilities sued the city, filing an accusation of discrimination with the U.S. Department of Hous-
Matthew Schmitz, in his first full year as Wildcats head coach, said after a whirlwind of a season he is sad to see the senior class bring their high school careers to a close.
ing and Urban Development.
The city updated its ordinance for drug rehabilitation facilities in July 2024 to mandate a mile-long distance requirement between the businesses and a smaller interval between them and schools.
A city spokesperson said the resolution does not involve monetary compensation.
“The city strongly denied any liability or wrongdoing or shortcomings in the ordinance,” the city’s statement says.
“The city spent six months in litigation exploring multiple avenues for a resolution, but none were effective. Due to the inherent risks associated with litigation in federal court, outside counsel has recommended resolving these cases.”
The city declined to answer more
questions about the contents of the resolution and what information residents should know about the three properties.
City Councilman Heneghan posted more information about the resolution on his blog.
Heneghan said the resolution does not impact the special land-use permit process for recovery communities or community residences, but does grant the necessary licenses for businesses to operate at 4609 North Peachtree Road, 4484 North Shallowford Road and 4821 North Peachtree Road.
“Though disappointed in the reversal of a zoning action, this settlement agreement was put forward in the best interest of the city as whole,” Heneghan wrote.
Charles Survilas, but the Wildcats will need to replace their starting running back, multiple receivers and pillars of the line.
However, even with momentum on their side, the Wildcats weren’t able to find the end zone again and were shut out in the second half.
“It’s a group that loves each other and you can see it right now,” he said.
“We faced a pretty dang talented football team, so we’ll be better from it next year.”
Quarterback Jack Quartararo returns next season alongside cornerback Chase Casey and tight end
If Gainesville wins in the second round Nov. 21, they will likely face off against Langston Hughes, who was ranked the No. 17 team in the country by nationalhsfootball.com.
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Attracting birds and pollinators to your winter garden
As temperatures drop and many plants go dormant, it is easy to assume that your garden enters a quiet, lifeless phase. But winter can be a time of surprising vibrancy and ecological value, especially if you intentionally create a haven for birds and pollinators. In Georgia’s relatively mild climate, it’s possible to support local wildlife year-round with just a few strategic choices.
Attracting birds and pollinators to your winter garden doesn’t just benefit the environment, it also adds life, movement and interest to the garden during what might otherwise be a dull season. Here's how to make your outdoor space a welcoming winter habitat.
Why attract wildlife in winter?
Winter is a critical time for many species. Birds and pollinators face food shortages, fewer water sources and the loss of natural habitat due to development and tidy landscaping. By offering food, shelter and water, your garden becomes a vital sanctuary. In return, it’s possible to enjoy bird song, pollinator activity on warmer days and a deeper connection with the natural world.
Plant with purpose: winter food
Native plants are the most important building blocks for supporting Georgia’s wildlife. While flowers may be fewer in winter, native seed heads, berries and evergreen plants offer much-needed sustenance.
Plant winter-blooming flowers
Select plants with blooms or berries in the winter to provide a much-needed food source for pollinators like bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Some non-native winter-blooming options for Atlanta gardens include:
• Camellias: These evergreen shrubs produce vibrant flowers in shades of pink, red and white from fall to spring. They attract hummingbirds, bees and butterflies.
• Hellebores (lenten roses): Evergreen foliage and winter blooms in shades of white, pink and purple make hellebores an excellent choice for attracting early bees and buzz pollinators like bumblebees.
• Juniper: This evergreen shrub provides both nectar for pollinators and berries that feed birds throughout the winter.
Use native plants
Choosing native plants not only supports local wildlife but also helps main-
tain the ecosystem's balance. Native plants have co-evolved with local wildlife, providing the best possible food and habitat. Some Georgia native plants that attract birds and pollinators include:
• Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria): Yaupon supports pollinators and provides year-round shelter and nesting opportunities for small birds, protecting them from predators and harsh weather conditions. Its red berries continue through winter, providing a crucial food source for birds. Robins, mockingbirds, thrashers, wrens and more feed on these berries.
• Blackhaw Viburnum (Viburnum rufidulum): This plant produces clusters of dark blue berries that persist into winter, providing an essential food source for birds when other food is scarce. Mockingbirds, thrashers, catbirds and waxwings are known to feed on these berries.
• Wild Indigo (Baptisia australis): Wild indigo produces seed pods that provide food for goldfinches and pine siskins in winter.
• Partridge Pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata): This legume produces small, peanut-like seeds that are a valuable food source for mourning doves, quails and sparrows. Other plants for winter wildlife
• Add birdhouses or roosting boxes, which offer insulation from the cold and safety from predators.
• Trees and shrubs with dense foliage offer excellent shelter.
• Evergreen shrubs and dense hedges are valuable as natural shelter. It would be beneficial if at least 25 percent of the trees and shrubs in your landscape were evergreen.
Don’t forget the water
Water sources can be scarce in winter, especially when temperatures dip below freezing. Birds and insects need clean, accessible water every day.
As far as water sources go, the vessels should be filled no more than two to three inches deep (while changing the water frequently) and elevated in the middle of an open area to minimize predation by cats and other animals. Here are a few suggestions for adding water to your yard:
• Birdbaths: Use a heated birdbath or add warm water daily to keep it from freezing.
• Shallow dishes with stones: These are ideal for small birds or insects on mild days.
• Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana): With vibrant purple berries, this native shrub is a magnet for cardinals and mockingbirds.
• Hollies (Ilex spp.): Both evergreen and deciduous varieties provide dense cover and berries for food.
• Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana): Offers winter berries loved by cedar waxwings.
• Coneflowers and black-eyed Susans (Echinacea and Rudbeckia): Leave seed heads standing; finches will thank you.
• Goldenrod (Solidago spp.): Even after blooming, goldenrod stems and seeds feed small birds and provide overwintering shelter for beneficial insects.
Provide shelter
Many pollinators, including native bees, overwinter in leaf litter, hollow stems or soil. Don’t over-clean your garden; a bit of wildness is healthy. Resist the urge to rake everything away, especially in naturalized parts of your garden. Here are a few shelter tips:
• Leave brush piles or stacked logs in a corner of the garden, creating ideal nesting sites.
• Avoid cutting back dried perennials and ornamental grasses, which can house overwintering insects and provide cover for birds.
• Dripping water sources: Even a slow-dripping container can attract birds. By incorporating these practices into your Atlanta-area winter garden, you'll create a welcoming haven for birds and pollinators. Enjoy the beauty and satisfaction that comes from supporting local wildlife and preserving biodiversity.
Happy Gardening!
North Fulton Master Gardeners, Inc. is a Georgia nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose purpose is to educate its members and the public in the areas of horticulture and ecology in order to promote and foster community enrichment. Master Gardener Volunteers are trained and certified by The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. Previous Garden Buzz columns are featured at: https:// appenmedia.com/opinion/columists/ garden buzz/.
About the Author
This Week’s “Garden Buzz” features Amy Magner, a Master Gardener since 2014. As a member of North Fulton Master Gardeners and Sandy Springs resident, she has taught various classes, including cancer wellness, at Farm Chastain. She is also a certified health coach, speaker and creator of the “Changing Aging” program.
AMY MAGNER Guest Columnist
WILL SMITH/ WITH PERMISSION FROM MOUNTAIN EXPRESS Black-throated Blue Warbler rests on a beautyberry.
Why some companies and people fail
RAY APPEN Publisher Emeritus ray@appenmedia.com
In one of Malcolm Gladwell’s books, “Outliers,” the premise is that ultimately, everything and everyone regresses to the mean. In sports, long jumper Bob Beamon is a good example. In the 1968 Olympics he destroyed the existing world record by jumping 29 feet 2 ½” – almost 2 feet more than the existing world record. Beamon’s second longest jump in his career was 27 feet, 4 inches – roughly his mean.
Yes, there are exceptions to the “regress to the mean” rule, but they are few. It is almost like gravity is at work, and no matter how hard someone or something tries to defy it, it never works – because it always works, ultimately.
Business is like that too. Think Intel, GE, Polaroid – or if we want to go way back, The British East India Company. It was founded in 1600 by Queen Elizabeth to expand trade for the crown. It ultimately built its own private army and by the mid18th century acted effectively as a sovereign power – collecting taxes, administering justice and waging war.
However, in 1874, the company was dissolved by the British government because it had become too powerful, too much of a threat and too corrupt. It had its day in the sun but ultimately, it didn’t last. It regressed even past the mean.
Southwest Airlines is a good – but to me, sad – case in point today.
I have been a huge, loyal fan of Southwest Airlines for many years. I recall the day that Gary Kelly (CEO from 2004–2022) announced, at a gathering I attended, the new hub in Atlanta.
“We’ll bring competition; bring down prices; and we’ll introduce you to the Southwest way of flying” – or something along those lines.
Excitement in the air
I think everyone was excited, and many of us welcomed the new upstart airline because we hoped it would give the old guard – Delta – a reason to try a little harder; be a little more customer friendly; and in general, shape up. It did force Delta to work harder on their rates I think, but that’s all it did – but that is another story.
Southwest was different. Bags were free. Check-in was totally different; it worked more like a roundabout than a four-way stop, which was the industry standard at the time – and still is. That is, the Southwest “way” relied on people to do the right thing in terms of check in and seating themselves on their own accord instead of being herded like cattle into paddocks. It gave people standing and respect in a sense. At least that was the way it seemed
to me. And I liked that.
More than anything else though, flying Southwest was fun. From the pilots to the flight attendants, everyone just seemed nice, upbeat, and full of positive energy. When you stepped into that Southwest plane, life lifted a little for everyone, and you were in for a welcome break from the rat race.
So, for the next 20-plus years, I never considered flying on any other airline than Southwest. Then – I want to say around 2022 when Gary Kelly retired – something happened. Granted, a pandemic hit, and granted, Southwest encountered operational failures in their back-end system and near catastrophic plane issues. Nevertheless, Southwest changed; it digressed back toward the mean. They introduced baggage fees. They ended the open seating – the roundabout idea – and started offering premium seating options – basically stratifying the pricing structure and how customers were treated – some better than others. Not that there's anything wrong with that, because that is how the rest of the world works, but it wasn’t how Southwest became the airline that so many of us loved and patronized.
Fast forward. Southwest now, like all the other airlines, nickels and dimes you to death. It’s all about up charges, making that incremental buck – charges for this, upgrades that. Flight attendants move about their jobs robotically, sullen and drained of any energy or that old Southwest vibe. Seeing a smile on a Southwest employee’s face now seems as rare as a white tiger – and laughter, nowhere to be heard.
It’s not like Southwest does a bad job today; they do OK. However, in relative terms, compared to the airline it was before, the one today is simply a pallid imitation – one going through the motions and not really caring all that much – back to the mean.
I still fly Southwest I will admit. Loyalty to something or some idea often endures and doesn’t fade quickly with a few bumps
or occasional turbulence. I still want to smile when I board a Southwest flight. I want Southwest attendants and pilots to still at least act like they are glad to see you and that they find some sort of pride and excitement about their jobs. That is, I want to give them the benefit of the doubt – a pass - with the hopes that something will happen and they will change – change back.
Holding out hope
There are still some companies out there, however, that have maintained that “Southwest vibe” – companies where the employees treat customers like they do care about them, companies with employees that seem like they enjoy coming to work and take pride in who they are and what they do.
Costco.
I am reminded about one company in particular. A new CEO recently was named for the company, but the founder remained at the helm as chairman of the board I believe. One of the first moves the new CEO made was to increase the prices in this company’s trademark food court –their pizza, hotdogs, ice-cream. One giant hot quarter-pound all-beef hotdog and a 20-ounce (free refills) soda, $1.50.
“We’re losing money on that food,” said the new CEO.
“You’ll increase the prices on our food over my dead body,” replied the founder. Some things are far more important than money – like values. Most companies that allow money to become the lowest common dominator – instead of a set of values commonly held, ultimately fail. There is always someone out there willing to sell the product or service cheaper or at a discount.
The same concept holds for countries. Not everything in life is a transaction. When the values fade or disappear, when the “why’s” are forgotten, it is just a matter of time until the arrival back to the mean – or lower.
Some things never change.
In Memoriam
Barbara Anita Pearson
March 29, 1942 – November 7, 2025
Barbara Anita Pearson, 83, of Alpharetta, Georgia, wife of William “Bill”
S. Pearson, Sr., passed away on Friday, November 7, 2025. Born and raised in Greenville, South Carolina, she was the daughter of the late Paul and Sarah Smith. In addition to her husband, Barbara is survived by her son, William “Bill” S.
Pearson, Jr. (Laura), of Sandy Springs, Georgia. Services will be private, and Barbara will be laid to rest in the Chapel of Reflection Mausoleum of Robinson Memorial Gardens, Easley, South Carolina. Visit RobinsonFuneralHomes. com or Robinson Funeral Home & Crematory - Powdersville Road, Easley
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