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  • January 15, 2012

Runoff Election Results - Dunwoody Crier: Local News

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Runoff Election Results

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Posted: Tuesday, December 6, 2011 11:07 pm | Updated: 11:58 am, Tue Dec 20, 2011.

In an avalanche of homeowner sentiment, runoff voters in Dunwoody rejected the candidates most aligned with business interests and the first-ever city council.

While the size of the victory in the runoff for mayor by insurgent Mike Davis over Bob Dallas was startling, Terry Nall's victory over the incumbent at-large councilman, Robert Wittenstein, sent a signal to the council that financial prudence was paramount.

Nall defeated Wittenstein by 65.1 percent to 34.9 percent. Wittenstein was identified with the two parks bond proposals that were defeated almost 2-1 in the November election.

Dunwoody's new mayor is Davis, who defeated Dallas 60 percent to 40 percent, while being outspent 3-1.

"This is a victory for Dunwoody," Davis said. "I'm humbled and appreciative while we take the city in a new direction."

The runoffs and the general election were driven by voters in north Dunwoody, mostly made up of single-family homes. The winners' votes were driven by overwhelming votes in the Austin, All Saints, Kingsley and Dunwoody library precincts.

Those four of the city's 13 polling places amounted to half the city's vote.

In the mayor's race, Dallas was seen as the outsider candidate. His campaign contributions were dominated by contributors from outside Dunwoody, including Atlanta law firms, developers and zoning attorneys. For Davis, some 25 percent of his contributors were from outside Dunwoody.
"That's only because my church is in Sandy Springs," he said.

In his latest financial report, Davis reported no contributions from outside Dunwoody.

Nall's victory over an incumbent was bittersweet, even for him, he said. Wittenstein was an indefatigable campaigner for the creation of the city of Dunwoody, one who appeared at scores of citizens' meetings and outlined the finances of the new city. Those comments proved out as the city was formed and operated at a surplus.

Yet Nall was able to use the two failed bond issues and his own grasp of numbers to steamroller the incumbent. Wittenstein did not carry a single precinct in the runoff.

In the mayor's race, Dallas ran a traditional political campaign, raising more money than his opponent substantially. Much of those funds went to consultants who attacked Davis with negative direct mailings and automated phone calls.

"The outcome says a lot about the way we ran the campaign," said Heyward Wescott, Davis's campaign manager. "I think the negative campaigning backfired. We didn't do one single mailer or automated phone call."

As befits a small city, Dallas' post-election celebration was one storefront down from that of Davis. Dallas walked about 100 feet into the teeth of his opponent's celebration, shook his hand and went back to his own gathering that included former state Rep. Jill Chambers and unsuccessful candidate James Sibold, both of whom opposed the formation of the city of Dunwoody.

 

© 2012 Dunwoody Crier. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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4 comments:

  • Optimist posted at 7:59 pm on Wed, Dec 7, 2011.

    Posts: 1

    Looks like Dunwoody really dodged a bullet by rejecting Dallas. I guess I wasn't paying attention when he got Chamber's and Sibold's support. These two have agendas that do not include the well being of our city. I think if more people had known that he had their support he would have lost by a lot more. Also, I see that it was only in today's paper that we see he was supported by special interests. Zoning attorneys? I would only ask the Crier to get us this kind of information a bit sooner. If you already did, I apologize.
    I must wholehearted agree with Patriot about Mr. Wittenstein. I have been very impressed by his actions on the council. He has shown very disciplined bipartisanship and his logical approach to the city's problems has been outstanding.
    I can only hope that he will run again at the first opportunity.
    Someday the majority of the people of Dunwoody will realize that beautification of the city, open space and parkland, a strong police force and a non-political mayor and city council will dramatically increase the value of their homes and make Dunwoody a wonderful place to live.

     
  • Gary posted at 4:02 pm on Wed, Dec 7, 2011.

    Posts: 1

    I'm so unhappy about the quality of the national political discourse. Issues seem to take second place to personality and smears. I was appalled that smear tactics were used in the election in Dunwoody. I feel Mr. Davis ran a much more positive campaign and his victory reinforces the neighborhood feel of Dunwoody. It is not right to smear neighbors. We have to live pleasantly with each other during nonelection times.

     
  • zhukov posted at 9:21 am on Wed, Dec 7, 2011.

    Posts: 1

    The mayoral result is a big win for the city. Maybe next time we won't be subjected to the professional politicians whose efforts failed so miserably.

     
  • Dunwoody Patriot posted at 6:58 am on Wed, Dec 7, 2011.

    Posts: 1

    The December 6, 2011 election runoff article at 11:07pm, summarized the results of the election. It was late in the night so the article was limited. However, it does not say enough about how the founding people of the City of Dunwoody worked to make Dunwoody what it is today. People like Robert Wittenstien worked tirelessly, passionately, and relentlessly to make Dunwoody better, not merely indefatigable. We are far better off from his efforts than if he had not jumped in and try to make things better. Robert was a visionary with the City of Dunwoody in many ways. He saw possibilities when many did not see the formation of the City as even a remote possibility. He brought clarity and organization to process when others around him were incapable of those thought processes. Robert followed what he believed was best for the City of Dunwoody, and that is better than merely voting on the best way to stay in office. Robert should be congratulated on the body of work he completed. For some of the critics, they will always enjoy the last word from the side line. However, they often do not know what it is like to lead people, work as a team, and "get in the game," other than being a spectator. To Mr. Nall and Mr. Davis, congratulations on your victories and we wish you the best of success in your future endeavors with the City of Dunwoody.