???? Goats eating pie FTW

If it’s about goats, I’m IN Oct. 15— It’s Cathy from Rough Draft with my weekly newsletter on Dunwoody. I spent a long time at Tuesday’s city council meeting listening to presentations about two very important items that will affect the city for decades. Side note: Hardly anyone was there. I guess it’s not as […] The post ???? Goats eating pie FTW appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

Oct 16, 2025 - 08:00

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If it’s about goats, I’m IN

Oct. 15— It’s Cathy from Rough Draft with my weekly newsletter on Dunwoody. I spent a long time at Tuesday’s city council meeting listening to presentations about two very important items that will affect the city for decades. Side note: Hardly anyone was there. I guess it’s not as interesting as senior housing or backyard chickens (from the wayback machine).

In this edition, we discuss the city’s proposed budget and its 2025-2045 comprehensive plan, update you about our upcoming candidate forum, highlight 100 years of excellence, and remind you about an upcoming event involving goats eating pies. So. Very. Excited.

Have a great Wednesday,
Cathy

Dunwoody families: Now is the time to tour Greater Atlanta Christian School and see why your neighbors choose GAC for top-tier academics, Christian faith, and a caring Infant–12th grade community. AM & PM bus routes offer convenience for Dunwoody families. SPONSOR MESSAGE

City council approves comp plan

The Dunwoody City Council at its Oct. 14 meeting held a public hearing and passed another initiative that will have long-term implications for the city – its 20-year comprehensive plan and 2026 budget.

A brief presentation by Allison Stewart-Harris of TSW Design regarding the comprehensive plan outlined several changes involving land use throughout the city, inserting changes that would require a Special Land Use Permit in some of the city’s character areas. Some of the character areas affected by the changes are the Perimeter Core, Georgetown East, Winters Chapel Core, Jett Ferry, and Peachtree Boulevard.

The council also held a public hearing on $70.5 million 2026 budget that focuses on public safety and customer service, while maintaining $22 million in financial reserves.

According to a release from the city, the proposed budget represents a 0.2 percent decrease from the amended FY2025 budget, “reflecting disciplined spending and long-term fiscal stewardship.”

Read about the meeting here.

Hilltop Bottle Shop Satisfies Sandy Springs Community

SPONSORED BY HILLTOP BOTTLE SHOP

Located at 7277 Roswell Road, Hilltop Bottle Shop offers an unmatched selection of curated wines, rare whiskeys, and a wide range of beers—from everyday sips to local favorites.

Guests can shop in-store or online with delivery available. Hilltop also hosts tastings led by knowledgeable beverage partners alongside the Hilltop Staff and features a growing party goods section. Keeping it local, Owner Brian Hicks and partner David Abes of DASH Hospitality Group grew up and live in the Sandy Springs/Dunwoody community.

The team provides quality customer service and options for the entire community.

Local schools shine in state evaluation

Dunwoody’s Austin Elementary School (pictured above), Kittredge Magnet School and DeKalb County Wadsworth Magnet School for High Achievers have been named as 2024 Single Statewide Accountability System Platinum Award in the Highest Performing category by the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement (GOSA).

Three other schools – Vanderlyn, Dunwoody Elementary, and DeKalb Early College Academy – achieved gold status.

The recognition places the three platinum status schools among the top 1 percent of schools in the state for academic achievement.

Read about the honored schools here.

A G.O.A.T. for a goat

Clear your calendar for this one – the first annual goat pumpkin-eating contest at Brook Run Park on Sunday, Nov. 2 at 2 p.m. The contestants are well-known as they are the “employees” from Get Your Goat Rentals – a crew that travels around Dunwoody clearing vegetation from city-owned areas.

This is an audience-participation event and serves a dual purpose. Anyone can bring their carved or uncarved pumpkins to the park, which will be mashed up into a “pumpkin pie” for the contestants. You can pick your favorite goat, watch the competition, and take pictures with the herd after the contest. At Tuesday’s Dunwoody City Council meeting, Stacey Harris said, “This has Dunwoody Parks & Recreation fun written all over it.” Agree.

ICYMI, here is a story I wrote about the goat crew and its mission to save the city from invasive plants.

A love letter to their mother

In recognition of her 100th birthday, Atlanta native Lenda Grace DeBardelaben Holloway enjoyed many special moments – a drop-in party, complete with her favorite chili dogs and fried pies from the Varsity, as well as numerous other honors from around Atlanta and the United States.

Teacher, pilot, mother, ceramist, devoted church member, gardener – Lenda has accomplished so much during her century on earth. Her daughters, LaRee and Laynne, a Dunwoody resident, documented her extraordinary life in this retrospective piece.

Read about her life and many accomplishments here.

Get to know the city council candidates

The Dunwoody Homeowners Association and Rough Draft Atlanta will host an open-to-the-public candidate forum at Stage Door Theatre on Wed. Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. in advance of the Nov. 4 city council election, where three seats will be decided.

All of the candidates running for city council have committed to attend, including District 1’s Catherine Lautenbacher, who is running unopposed. In District 2, incumbent Rob Price will face challenger David Ziskind, and District 3 incumbent Tom Lambert is running against Wendi Taylor. We’re planning on keeping it tight for this forum – aiming for a one-hour civilized exchange.

Read about the forum here

Picture this: Charlie Kirk memorial

On Oct. 14, about 100 people attended a memorial at Brook Run to commemorate Charlie Kirk on what would have been his 32nd birthday.

Kirk, a right-wing activist, entrepreneur, media personality, and co-founder of the conservative organization Turning Point USA, was shot and killed on Sept. 10, while on stage at Utah Valley University speaking in front of about 3,000 people.

The event, themed “Honoring Charlie Kirk and Celebrating Civil Discourse,” featured “prayers, live music, reflection, and keynote speakers highlighting Kirk’s influence and commitment to open dialogue,” according to organizers.

Guests were invited to leave written tributes and messages to be delivered to the Kirk family. Attendees reported a heavy police presence, but there were no issues at the event.

In related news, Kirk was given the Presidential Medal of Honor by President Donald Trump yesterday.