Politics & Government

Meet the Candidates: Post 5 (District 2 At Large)

First in a series of articles profiling the candidates in this year's Dunwoody municipal elections.

Dunwoody’s general election will be held Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011, and four seats on the city council will be open this fall. In their words, candidates will be introducing themselves here at Patch. Today, we profile the candidates running for Post 5 (District 2 At Large), currently held by incumbent Danny Ross, who is not seeking re-election.

*****

Lynn Deutsch

Find out what's happening in Dunwoodywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Age: 46

Neighborhood: North Springs

Find out what's happening in Dunwoodywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Current job/company: Mom/Volunteer/Homemaker (former public policy researcher)

Education:

  • Masters of City Planning, Georgia Tech
  • Graduate Certificate in Gerontology, Georgia State
  • Bachelor of Arts in Government, University of Texas at Austin
  • Bachelor of Science in Journalism, University of Texas at Austin

How long have you lived in Dunwoody: 23 years

Community organizations: I currently serve on the Dunwoody Planning Commission and the Dunwoody Elementary PTO Board. I served for many years on our neighborhood’s Women’s Club Board. I also served on the board of the Dunwoody Homeowners Association. I was the governor’s representative on the Master Teacher and Academic Coach Implementation committee. I have been a member of numerous other state and local committees as well as serving a variety of roles at my children’s schools.

Your platform: To thrive in the future, Dunwoody must be an outstanding place to live for people in all ages and stages of their lives and simultaneously be a great place for businesses to locate. To reach this goal, we must:

  • Be fiscally conservative, spending resources carefully;
  • Solicit and listen to feedback from residents;
  • Have a small and efficient government that works for the good of the community;
  • Maintain neighborhood integrity;
  • Repair roads and improve parks, and;
  • Promote Dunwoody to businesses looking to relocate.

Other than the people, what is the best part of Dunwoody? We have terrific neighborhoods and communities in a great location. We have easy access to a range of shopping, dining, medical care, and transit options.  But most importantly, it is the people that make Dunwoody special.

What are the two biggest issues facing Dunwoody? Traffic - both the number of cars and the behavior of drivers, creates problems in Dunwoody. We must use our public safety and public works resources to address these challenges through road maintenance, education and enforcement.  As the economy improves, Dunwoody will face pressure from developers to permit projects that do not fit our values.  As your council person, I will work to preserve the character of Dunwoody.

What is something people may not know about you?  I love high school and college football. 

*****

Kerry de Vallette

Age: 57

Neighborhood: Dunwoody Club Forest

Family: Married 28 years to Jill Abbott de Vallette, who has been with Delta Air Lines since 1978. Jill is an active volunteer with the Special Olympics and Habitat for Humanity. We have three children, John Abbott, and twins Katherine and Sara. All are graduates of Dunwoody High School. All three attend Georgia Southern University.

Current Job/Company: I run the JKS Abbott Group, an independent sales and marketing firm focused in the healthcare information technology market.

Education: Graduate of the University of Tennessee

How long have you lived in Dunwoody: Since 1983

Community organizations: Joined the Dunwoody Homeowners Association in 1984; served three terms as vice president, 1988, 1989 and 1990. From 1993 to 2006 I served in head coach and assistant coaching positions at Murphey Candler and Morgan Falls youth baseball, softball and football programs. Dunwoody Senior Baseball. Dunwoody High School Baseball. Habitat for Humanity. Boy Scout Troop 623.

Platform: I believe that small government is the best government. And that council members must focus on the principles that propelled Dunwoody into cityhood: keep taxes low, public safety (accomplished with appropriate levels of police staff), roads (pave the worst first) and parks and recreation facilities.

Other than the people, what is the best part of Dunwoody? The energy and power our new city creates. As a city we control our own destiny. That enables Dunwoody to continue to grow, to develop a mix of well-established residential neighborhoods in close proximity to the greatest economic engine in the southeast, the PCID.  

What are the two biggest issues facing Dunwoody? Without a doubt, the proposed park bond referendums are at the top of the list with most everyone I talk with. The second is traffic. And like our residential development and parks development, mitigating traffic issues requires solid planning that addresses our current needs such as key intersection improvements, sidewalks, and bike paths, but also anticipates our future growth! 

What is something people may not know about you? I make the best gumbo in Georgia, bar none!


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here