Statements on Sustainablility on Sustainable Pattie's Blog

Doug Thompson and Heyward Wescott responded to Sustainable Pattie's request for statements on "a wide range of topics relating to sustainability." You can find them here. Doug's also follows:

Thank you for your interest and your concern for a sustainable future for Dunwoody.

I too have a concern for our children’s future for Dunwoody.  After all – how we can meet our current needs while considering the future of our children and our children’s children is at the heart of what it means to create a sustainable city. Here are my platforms regarding triple-bottom line to create a sustainable Dunwoody.


Greenspace and Parks:

My support for Dunwoody greenspaces is unequivocal.

Dunwoody is adding three parks in the Georgetown area.  Children, the elderly and families need places to safely enjoy outdoor spaces that create community; to bring us together as a community, not keep us apart. Greenspaces should be created such that people from all walks of life should be able to utilize and enjoy them. Greenspaces are an economic driver because they boost property values and encourage families to put down roots and invest in a future in Dunwoody. Greenspaces, parks and sidewalks allow us to create opportunities for Dunwoody citizens to be active, to combat the rising public health costs of a sedentary lifestyle such as obesity and cardiovascular disease. As an avid gardener myself, I appreciate the efforts of the community garden to allow our community to grow safe and healthy food while helping our children to be become food literate citizens.


Schools: 

I believe that change should be local. We can, and should be, the best advocates and champions for our children’s education.  We parents, community leaders, and citizens have the ability to work together to build the best school system for our children.


City Infrastructure – zoning, codes & roads:

I believe in investing in our local infrastructure to build a sustainable Dunwoody. Let’s fix and pave our roads – this will provide a solid infrastructure for business and communities to thrive in our city. Let’s maintain reasonable levels of zoning and building codes to protect the character and quality of our single-family residential neighborhoods, one of Dunwoody’s strongest assets. We have a beautiful city – we should do what we can to preserve and enhance it for generations to come.