Putting the ‘artificial’ into intelligence
Feb. 25 — It’s Cathy from Rough Draft with my weekly newsletter on Dunwoody. For everyone worried about AI taking their jobs, consider that it constantly reminds us that it isn’t that smart.
Here’s a great example. On Friday, I got an obviously AI-generated email that read as follows: “Good morning Cathy, I just wanted to reach out because I noticed that your newspaper is located on PO BOX 9001, Atlanta, GA in Atlanta! I’m sure that keeping your office and meeting spaces spotless must be a priority for you and your readers, don’t you think?
“I’m asking because we run a local cleaning business, and we’d love to help you maintain the cleanliness of your workspace, so that you can impress your clients and readers,” the email continues.
I’m dying to call to ask the weekly rate for a 5.5″ x 11″ post office box, but of course, I will insist that their best employee first take a tour of the “workspace.”
And now onto some newsy events before we move on to our recap.
🇮🇳 Create Dunwoody will host its 3rd Annual Holi in Dunwoody on Sat., March 7, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Wildcat Park, 5435 Roberts Drive. The event is free and open to the public.
🍷 Through the Looking Glass, a wine-tasting and silent auction event, will be held Sat., March 21 from 7-9 p.m. at the Donaldson-Bannister Farm. Proceeds benefit the Dunwoody Preservation Trust. Tickets are $75 each.
🚴♀️ The public is invited to weigh in about the Womack Road Sidewalk Project, a proposed six-foot-wide sidewalk along Womack Road from Cambridge Drive to Vermack Road, which will complete the last remaining sidewalk gap on Womack Road. The online survey runs through March 13.
🩸 Speaking of the Donaldson-Bannister Farm, a LifeSouth blood drive will be held there tomorrow from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The event will be located in the gravel lot on the property. The vintage barn and historic farmhouse will be open to tours for all donors.
Have a great Wednesday,
Cathy
Three-hour marathon at city council
💦 This one was a doozy! The Dunwoody City Council’s Feb. 23 marathon meeting may be remembered for what didn’t happen, rather than what did, as several projects and initiatives were delayed or withdrawn.
Nonetheless, the meeting was a colorful one, literally and figuratively, as disgruntled Kingsley subdivision residents, dressed in orange vests, pleaded with the city to help fix its crumbling spillway, which is causing erosion to properties that back up to the lake.
After 30 minutes of public comment dominated by the Kingsley residents, Dunwoody City Manager Eric Linton read a statement that said the property in question is a private entity and that the city is not responsible for repairing the spillway.
In addition, the council had a lively exchange with representatives from Flock Safety about security concerns with its surveillance system and its contract with the city. The council deferred a request to extend the annual contract for 30 days. It’s the second time the council has asked that the matter be delayed.
DeKalb County CEO Releases 2025 Year in Review
SPONSORED BY DEKALB CEO LORAINE COCHRAN-JOHNSON
🏛️ The DeKalb County Office of the CEO has released its 2025 Year in Review report and video, which chronologically reflects the County’s progress, defining moments, and milestones throughout the year.
The report highlights progress across key priority areas. It also underscores the County’s continued commitment to transparency, accountability, and data-driven governance. The Year in Review also features performance metrics, and stories that showcase how County programs and services impact residents across DeKalb’s diverse communities.
👉🏼 View the DeKalb County Office of the CEO’s 2025 Year in Review report and video here.
DHA announces parade theme, grand marshals
🇺🇸 The Dunwoody Homeowners Association announced the theme of its annual Fourth of July Parade and this year’s grand marshals, the Dunwoody Preservation Trust.
The theme for the parade, “Honoring the Past, Marching into the Future,” reflects the 50th year of the parade, and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, said Matt Weber, parade co-chair.
“Thank you so much – we are so honored,” said Kristin Simons, the organization’s executive director, after the announcement. “Rekindling our relationship with the DHA has been a huge blessing.”
🗣️ At the annual meeting, Tim Brown, DHA president, updated the group about significant achievements over the past year. Read about it here.
Dunwoody mourns death of veteran officer
👮🏼♂️ The Dunwoody Police Department on Feb. 23 announced the death of Major William “Rusty” Furman, one of the force’s original officers, after a battle with cancer.
“He served at Marietta and Cobb County Police Departments prior to joining the Dunwoody Police Department, where he completed a decorated 28-year career in law enforcement,” a release from the department said. “He was a leader, mentor, confidante, and friend to everyone he worked with. Most importantly, he was a husband, father, son, and brother to his family.”
At the time of his death, Furman, 51, was in charge of administrative services and criminal investigations. He started at DPD in 2009 as a sergeant and shift supervisor, and in 2015 was promoted to lieutenant, overseeing training, hiring, records management, and community outreach. In 2010, he was named a Public Safety Champion by the DeKalb Police Alliance.
🙁 Read more about his career and legacy here.
What’s it Worth?
SPONSORED BY ATLANTA FINE HOMES SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY
🏝️ Set on its own private island, this Lake Burton estate offers 360-degree views, rustic mountain craftsmanship, expansive flagstone patios, and a two-stall covered boathouse.
❓ Guess the price below!
Time to go fishing
🎣 Lines were out the door at the first All Saints Catholic Church Lenten Fish Fry on Feb. 20, but as usual, the pros at the Knights of Columbus kept it tight. If you missed this week, you have five more chances to line up for good food served with a smile.
P.S. I like to use my alter-ego name (my first pet and the street I grew up on) for my ticket – Flossie Arlington is my nom de plume, BTW. Remember, it’s a Catholic crowd with lots of repeat names like Catherine, Mary, Joan, and Michael, so a name like “Flossie” ensures the dish will be delivered to the right destination.