Dunwoody Homeowners Association Hands out 2011 Awards

Sunday, at the Dunwoody Homeowners Association Annual Membership Meeting gave out awards to community volunteers, businesses and organizations.

Citizen of the Year – Pam Tallmadge

Pam Tallmadge was presented with the DHA’s Citizen of the Year award for her work organizing the July 4 Parade for the past several years, for organizing the 2011 Light Up Dunwoody event, as well as her volunteer work with her church and children’s schools.

“As most in this room know, Dunwoody is successful as a community because of its volunteers,” said Bill Grossman. “Pam Tallmadge has surpassed others over the past few years and that’s saying a lot.”

Grossman touted her work with the 4th of July Parade.

“Think about this. Over 2,000 participants, 25,000 spectators depend on Pam and her loyal band of volunteers to put on a parade every July that is as professionally organized as any high ticket show in the region.”

Tallmadge, who works a full-time job on top of all her volunteer work, was gracious.

“I am just so honored. I look around this room and see all these awesome people,” she said. “Thank you all. Because you all help me with everything I do. So it’s not anything I do alone.”

Business of the Year – Dunwoody Chamber of Commerce

The Dunwoody Chamber of Commerce was named the Business of the Year, with past president Bill Grant and current President Don Boyken accepting the award.

He said the chamber helps to bring light to the solid base of the city.

“One of the things that we fail to realize in the City Dunwoody is what an enormous asset we have in the business community,” said Bill Grant. “The prosperity of that community is vital to us, to the things we can do in our city, the programs we can have. Quite frankly, its vital to our tax rolls. Every dollar we don’t get from businesses, we have to get from individuals.”

“The Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to fostering business in Dunwoody and encouraging new businesses in Dunwoody,” Grant added.

Dave Adams Award – City of Dunwoody

City Parks Director Brent Walker accepted the Dave Adams award on behalf of the City of Dunwoody.

The award is named in honor of the memory of Dave Adams, a dedicated supporter. The award’s purpose is to express recognition for service and gratitude for commitment to the mission of the Nature Center. The award winner is selected by the center’s board of directors.

From the Nature Center:

2011 marked the first full year of transition to the city of Dunwoody for the Dunwoody Nature Center since the acquisition of Dunwoody Park from DeKalb County. During the year, the city has worked towards making improvements to the education building and grounds, established a consistent maintenance policy, and provided support and guidance to the Nature Center’s classes, events, and programming. Specific project improvements include building and installing footbridges along trails, re-arranging electrical power so that the nature center can once again offer concerts in the park, and increasing security, surveillance and debris collection around Dunwoody park.

Brent Walker, Parks and Recreation Manager, who accepted the award on behalf of the city said, “The City of Dunwoody’s partnership with the Dunwoody Nature Center is of vital importance to the city. While we can help maintain and improve the buildings and grounds of Dunwoody Park, it is the Nature Center’s programming and community outreach which truly makes it one of the gems of the park system.”

 

Community Service Awards – Ken Wright, Robert Wittenstein and Danny Ross

The DHA honored former Mayor Ken Wright and former city councilmen Robert Wittenstein and Danny Ross for their dedication to community service.

Wright and Wittenstein were on hand to accept the awards Sunday.

"Thanks to those elected three years ago to start up the city and the staff they selected," said Bill Grossman. "We have better and more responsive government with lower taxes than anywhere else in DeKalb County."