Pictured are my citizen expectations for city leaders in a changing world, yellowed by time as it was written ten years ago when the metro-Atlanta suburb-city where I live became the newest city in the United States (it’s 10th anniversary is next week). Additionally, I wrote the 2020 Vision below, and everything listed was possible when I proposed it. I did everything within my power to try to bring it to fruition, and I do believe I have planted seeds of change in all these areas — although just a small amount of this has been achieved.
Additional intentional action and leadership is desperately needed to increase resiliency in my city and yours, and there is no more time to spare. If you have any doubt about that, the Fourth National Climate Assessment, released yesterday, makes that abundantly clear. States, cities, and corporations are our only way forward since our federal government continues to fail to act (despite the dire warnings of thirteen federal agencies). If you feel called to public service in 2019, please know that you are needed. Consider a platform that will help increase your community’s resiliency.
2020 Vision for The Newest City in the United States (founded December 1, 2008)
* The City of Dunwoody will be carbon neutral, and will have the largest Zero Waste Zone in the United States.
* The City of Dunwoody will have a LEED Platinum (or comparable)-certified City Hall, and the highest number of LEED (or comparable)-certified buildings in the Southeastern United States.
* Every major artery in the City of Dunwoody will be a Complete Street.
* Every neighborhood in the City of Dunwoody will have a WalkScore of at least 75.
* The City of Dunwoody will have food-producing, usable green space within a half mile of every residence and business.
* The City of Dunwoody will have the largest number of locally-owned-and-operated businesses in the Southeastern United States.
* Every neighborhood lake in the City of Dunwoody will be a toxin-free, food-producing wildlife habitat.
* Every school in the City of Dunwoody, from preschool to college, will have a school garden, a Safe Routes to School program, and a No Idling program.
* No citizen in the City of Dunwoody will be food-insecure.
* The City of Dunwoody will be a designated Tree City USA, Bicycle-Friendly Community, and Atlanta Regional Commission Gold-Level Green Community.
We have no more time to walk in the gutter of failed imagination.
For Small Biz Saturday today, consider tossing some support to an indie author. The instantly-downloadable version of Traveling at the Speed of Bike costs less than a latté, and the print version costs less than a movie. Proceeds from the sale of that book are used to help more people ride bikes. Proceeds from the sale of Food for My Daughters are used to help more people access fresh, healthy food.
Traveling at the Speed of Bike 