Dunwoody Crier — September 24, 2020 by Appen Media Group

Storm topples tree at busy intersection ► PAGE 2

S e p t e m b e r 2 4 , 2 0 2 0 | T h e C r i e r. n e t | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | S e r v i n g t h e c o m m u n i t y s i n c e 1 9 7 6

Dunwoody becomes draw for urgent care operations By CATHY COBBS newsroom@northfulton.com

something that might draw one to the city,” she said. “First it was banks, then dry cleaners and now urgent cares. DUNWOODY, Ga. — It used to be known Nothing is moving in the direction of making the city a desirable destination.” as “Bankwoody,” but with new construcGaines said she was an enthusiastic tion at the heart of Dunwoody, residents supporter for incorporation of the city may change the city’s unofficial moniker more than 10 years ago. She participatto “Care-woody.” At last count, there are at least a ed in community forums and was optidozen financial institutions in the Dunmistic about the vision that city planwoody Village area — a density that has ners presented about making Dunwoody prompted overseers of a proposed overa vibrant place to live, work and play. “Eleven years later, we are still looking lay district to prohibit future banks from opening within a quarter mile of another. at plans to make the city enticing,” she said. “And putting an urgent care in what Meanwhile, an urgent care medical should be the center of the city is not gofacility is under construction on Chamblee Dunwoody Road within a half mile ing to do anything to make people believe of two others, making a bid to give the that this is a desirable community.” city a new reputation. Dunwoody Communications Director The 4,000-square-foot medical buildJennifer Boettcher said several people have called to ask what is being built at the locaing is being built at 5419 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, across the street from tion, but she hasn’t heard any complaints the Dunwoody Farmhouse. According after they learn about what it is. to Dunwoody Senior Planner Richard Hathcock said the parcel falls within the Hathcock, a permit recently received by Dunwoody Village Overlay, but there are the city called for “an interior fit-up for no provisions in current zoning that would Peachtree Immediate Care.” restrict the number of medical offices. a couple of hundred feet across “In the proposed Dunwoody Village 6 66 66 6 66 Just 6 the street, next to the BP Station and rezoning, there would not be any zoning across from the Dunkin’ Donuts is Piedrestriction for the number of medical offices nor would there be a distance mont Urgent Care by Wellstreet at 1575 restriction similar to banks and financial Mt. Vernon Road, and about two blocks institutions,” he said. in the opposite direction is Dunwoody According to Hathcock, the site is Urgent Care at 1730 Mt. Vernon Road. 22,757 square feet and has been zoned Why Dunwoody needs three urgent for about 20 parking spaces. He said he care facilities within a mile of each was not sure about the completion date other has confounded several residents, for the building. including Dana Gaines, who has lived in @ @ @ @ A phone call to Crim & Associates, @ @ the Wynterhall subdivision for 24 years. 03-06-19_HAbannerBlue.qxp_Layout 1 13/4/19 Page11 03-06-19_HAbannerBlue.qxp_Layout 3/4/1911:16 11:16 AM Page @ @ @“Having which isAMlisted as 11:16 of record three urgent cares within a 03-06-19_HAbannerBlue.qxp_Layout 1 3/4/19 11:16 AM Page 1the company 03-06-19_HAbannerBlue.qxp_Layout 1 3/4/19 AM Page 1 @ stone’s throw of each other is not exactly with the city, was not returned. @ @ @ @

MATT BRUCE/CRIER

Family friend Tanya Brinson lights candles during a vigil service for Crystal Williams and Danyel Sims held Sept. 15 in Dunwoody.

Friends, family hold vigil to honor shooting victims Mother, daughter remembered for kind nature By MATT BRUCE newsroom@appenmediagroup.com

Both were killed the night of Sept. 6 outside the apartment complex’s front entrance. Police say Williams’ ex-boyDUNWOODY, Ga. — A somber tone of friend, 24-year-old Justin Deion Turner, awareness underscored an outpouring ambushed and opened fire on the family. of love for two women gunned down in > Williams’ 18-year-old brother, Mala> a double homicide earlier this chi Williams, was wounded in the hail of > >month. > > Nearly 100 loved ones gathered in > > bullets. >> > front of the Dunwoody Apartments Family members said they staged > > >>Glen > to > the vigil to shed light on the volatility of at dusk Sept. 15 >for a candlelight > > > >vigil her> celebrate the lives> of >Danyel > > and > Sims > 22-year-old daughter> Crystal> Williams. See VIGIL, Page 5 >

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PUBLIC SAFETY

Public safety and public works employees join utility crews to clear the intersection of Chamblee Dunwoody and Mt Vernon roads Sept. 17 after a massive oak toppled into the roadway. The morning event took out traffic lights, directional signs and cut power throughout Dunwoody Village. Clearing debris and restoring power took much of the day.

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Storm damage

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POLICE BLOTTER All crime reports published by Appen Media Group are compiled from public records. Neither the law enforcement agencies nor Appen Media Group implies any guilt by publishing these names. None of the persons listed has been convicted of the alleged crimes.

Police hunt for man involved in alleged assault DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody police responded to an alleged assault at the Dillard’s on Ashford Dunwoody Road on Sept. 8. A 56-year-old Jonesboro woman told officers she encountered a man and woman arguing as she entered the department store. She intervened because she feared for the safety of the young woman as the man yelled at her and tried to take her cell phone, according to an incident report. The report identified the suspect as a 20-year-old Lawrenceville man and the victim as a 21-year-old Colorado woman. The complainant told police when

DUI & Drug arrests Darnez Abrams, 29, of Montgomery, Alabama, was arrested Sept. 8 on Ashford Dunwoody Road for possession of a schedule II drug, shoplifting, possession of a firearm during the commission of certain crimes and abandonment of dangerous drugs. she stepped in to de-escalate the argument, the suspect turned toward her “with extreme rage in his face,” crossed his arm across his body as if reaching for a gun and yelled at her. He then leaned in toward her and said, “Say one more word and I’ll pop you,” according to the police report. The suspect and the 21-year-old victim were staying together at a nearby hotel. The woman switched her room for safety. When officers searched the room, all of the suspect’s possessions were gone. Police issued a warrant for the man’s arrest on charges of simple assault, according to the report.

Gunman injures woman during failed robbery DUNWOODY, Ga. — A resident at an apartment complex on Winters Chapel Road called Dunwoody police on Sept. 9, saying a gunman tried to rob her as she walked her dog with her grandson. The 43-year-old woman said the suspect approached her and her grandson from a breezeway outside her apartment, pulled a gun on her and demanded

money. When she told him she didn’t have any cash on her, the man tried to pull her away from her grandson, possibly dislocating her finger, the report states. He then told the victim to retrieve money from her apartment, but the woman screamed for help and the suspect fled the scene.

Dispute brews at Starbucks over COVID-19 policy ROSWELL, Ga. — Police responded to a Starbucks on Holcomb Bridge Road on Sept. 12 after two customers got into an argument with employees. One of the customers, a 56-year-old man, said his wife required medical attention from burns she suffered when coffee spilled on her hands. Police determined the husband and wife had placed a drive-through coffee order, and when the woman handed the coffee cup to her husband, the lid came off and some of the coffee spilled onto the man’s pants. The woman tried to return the cup to the drive-through attendant, but the cashier refused to take the cup due to Starbucks’ COVID-19 safety policies. The incident triggered an argument and the man pushed the cup out of his wife’s hands, causing the coffee to spill onto the drive-through counter and the side of the Starbucks building, according to the report. The couple pulled into a parking space, and the husband continued the argument inside, but store managers asked him to step outside while they contacted police, the report stated. Officers found no redness, swelling or discoloration on the woman’s hands. Medical personnel treated her with an icepack.

COMMUNITY

TheCrier.net | Dunwoody Crier | September 24, 2020 | 3

Dunwoody sketches plans for future art, bike routes By CATHY COBBS newsroom@northfulton.com DUNWOODY, Ga. — The Dunwoody City Council got a glimpse into the future during two presentations at its Sep. 14 work session. The first involved art installations that will be colorful, creative and innovative. The second featured ideas to make the city more accessible to cyclists. Todd Bressi, who has been hired by the city to create the City of Dunwoody Art Implementation Plan, presented findings from community engagement meetings that outlined their preferences for city art locations and content. “We heard that people like functional art that is playful and civic, and emphasizes the importance of community and coming together,” Bressi said. “Public art will take emerging City of Dunwoody to the next level, connecting the community and visitors through a colorful, fun and explorable collection of art and gatherings.” Bressi said the overwhelming sentiment for city art is to “change the perception of the city and reflect its growing creative energy — not stodgy, but hip, cool and funky.” Projects could include initiatives that the city commissions on its own, public/ private partnerships and those that are self-generated by the community, Bressi said. Most of those citizens surveyed said projects that were appealing included art with a purpose, like a seating area or bike racks, enhancements to bridges, roads and parks, artwork outside the city’s MARTA station and murals that would be created by the public. He also discussed “game-changer” projects that may take several years to complete and involve multiple partnerships. There was no action taken at the Sep. 14 meeting. The council plans to continue to study the plan and make recommendations at future sessions about specific projects. “It’s very exciting to see where we could go with city art,” said Councilwoman Pam Tallmadge. The council also heard from Dunwoody Public Works Director Michael Smith about the status of bike lanes in the city, and future plans to establish connecting routes throughout town. “The city has made significant advances since 2011, and has, for the most part, connected from east to west on Mt. Vernon Road and north to south on Chamblee-Dunwoody Road,” Smith said. Plans through 2025 are to continue

CITY OF DUNWOODY/SPECIAL

to connect routes from public facilities to others, with the exception of the southeast corner of the city, which has streets that are controlled for the most part by the Georgia Department of Transportation, Smith said. Councilman Tom Lambert urged the council to continue to push connectivity throughout the city, especially in the southeast areas. The council, by a 6-1 vote, also approved the low bid of $279,000 to demolish the former Austin Elementary School on Roberts Drive. The raising will include the gymnasium and the main building, but not the playgrounds. Several council members commented on citizen feedback that the building should have been considered for repurposing as an art center or an educational facility instead of being taken down. “The school was in terrible shape,” said Councilman Jim Riticher. “According to conservative estimates, it would have cost about $16 million to bring it back to minimum standards.” Joe Seconder was the dissenting vote on the demolition contract. In other action, the council: • Welcomed the latest member of the police force, Bailey Johnson, who graduated from the University of North Georgia with a degree in criminal justice. • Approved $184,931 in CARES Act funds to purchase 84 laptops for city employees who are working remotely. • Allowed the sale of a surplus vehicle, a 2012 Chevy Tahoe, to the Pickens County Sheriff’s Department. • The council adjourned to executive session to discuss personnel matters but took no action after returning.

4 | September 24, 2020 | Dunwoody Crier | TheCrier.net

OBITUARIES Georgiana Ridgway Houser turned down the Sunday service for the offer to sing in the heavenly choir (Methodist section). Jan rejoined her devoted husband of 68 years, HOUSER Ivan Eugene Houser, Jr., on Sept. 6, 2020. Also there to greet her were brother Jack Ridgway, mother Eunice (Lucas) and father Sherman. Born in Battleground, IN, Aug. 6, 1923, she departed this life from Dunwoody Place Senior Living in Dunwoody, GA. Jan met Gene during war time at Purdue University where she majored in Home Economics. They graduated, got engaged, then she taught high school in Rossville, IN while Gene served in the Army in Italy. They exchanged daily Vmail, which were delivered in bundles.

COMMUNITY

When a stack arrived, she would assign her class a project so she could read them. When Gene returned they were married in 1946. They settled on the Houser Farm in Farmer City, IL to raise crops, livestock and children. Their personal Baby Boom consisted of David (Alice Coggeshall) of Spruce Pine, NC, Sarah (Charles) Greer of Dunwoody, GA, and John (Cindy Kaliher) of Farmer City, IL. She leaves 7 grandchildren and 10 greatgrandchildren located on two continents. Generations of family gathered “back on the farm.” No matter how many or how little notice, all were welcomed, housed and very well fed. Hospitality extended to foreigners, especially the Houser’s extensive Swiss relations. When Farmer City started a foreign exchange student program, she welcomed a “son” from Norway for the school year. Of course his family eventually visited the farm, and Jan and Gene returned the favor with a visit above the Arctic

ON THE GREAT LAWN AT BROOK RUN PARK

Circle. Over the years they visited much of Europe, China, Brazil, and Australia. Jan threw herself into church and service groups, serving on committees, leading 4-H, singing in choir, ringing in the bell choir and keeping the Methodist Church kitchen in line. She volunteered with the local ambulance service. She was a skilled seamstress, chef, and teacher. Jan’s life embodied the spirit of “unto the least of these.” Her compassion was nurtured by grief of her mother’s loss when Jan was 15, followed 5 years later with her cherished brother’s war death in the Navy. Care for elderly family members and the deceased landlord’s adult special needs son who “came with” the house was a service she bore without complaint. Our mother kept up her positive attitude and “unconventional” sense of humor in video chats during the pandemic lock-down. She died as she lived, cherishing everyone she met, loving this life and anticipating the next with joy. Due to the pandemic, service plans must be postponed. Condolences may be addressed to: Sarah Greer 1724 Kings Down Circle Dunwoody, GA 30338 “In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memory of Georgiana Houser to Cunningham Children’s Home, 1301 N. Cunningham Avenue, Urbana, IL 61802 or online at www.cunninghamhome.org/ways-give/give-now.”

Ruth Ellen Wilkinson was born in Washington, Iowa on October 21, 1942, and passed away on September 15, 2020. She is predeceased by her parents, Margeret and Omer Wagner. WILKINSON Mrs. Wilkinson is survived by her husband, Roy Wilkinson of Dunwoody, GA. She is survived by her children, Cassandra Kiesey, Teresa Kiesey, and David Kiesey, and her stepsons David (Jan) Wilkinson, and Brent (Kim) Wilkinson. She is also survived by step grandchildren and her brother Ronald Wagner and sister Margorie Goff. Mrs. Wilkinson attended The University of Northern Iowa. She enjoyed playing tennis, reading, baking, gardening, and traveling to the beach. The family would like to thank the caregivers at Ivy Hall Assisted Living for the kind care over the past few months. Memorial contributions may be made to the National Alliance on Mental Illness 5963 Boymel Drive Fairfield OH 45014 or Dunwoody United Methodist Church 1548 Mt. Vernon Road Dunwoody GA 30338. Private service will be held at the convenience of the family.

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Vigil: Continued from Page 1 abusive relationships. “We all know that this is silly, this is insane,” said Shareese Khalfani, Sims’ sister and aunt to the Williams siblings. “It’s something that should’ve never happened. I’m just grateful that everyone here was able to share in at least some parts of their lives, be a part of who they are and shared in the love that they had to offer.” Family and friends swapped fond stories about Sims, a 46-year-old Lawrenceville resident, and Crystal Williams. Loved ones said both had an infectious energy that could dazzle a room. Crystal Williams sported an endearing brand of gutsiness that was steeped in her New York City roots. “If you knew Crystal, you knew that she was not a pushover,” her father Marc Williams told the crowd. “But she was a loving person that always would tell you how she felt. She brought a spark and she liked to have fun.” Sims was remembered as a caring and charismatic, loving woman known for her nurturing spirit. Malachai Williams did not speak at the vigil but he sent his regards through his father, calling his mother and sister the “greatest women he has ever met in his life.” Sims’ motherly love was on display

during the fateful shooting. The police report states Turner used his car to cut off the family’s SUV at the housing complex. Sims, both Williams siblings and an unidentified teen were in the vehicle when Turner pulled Crystal Williams out of the SUV. Turner opened fire after a short argument, witnesses told police. According to family members, Sims jumped in front of Crystal and Malachi Williams, trying to shield her children from the bullets with her own body. Police found eight shell casings in front of the family’s SUV. Crystal Williams died at the scene and Sims died later at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta. Malachi Williams survived. Asia Green, Sims’ sister, said this is not the first time the family has dealt with gun violence, telling the crowd her brother was killed by a family friend 11 years ago. “We already did this before,” she said. “This is devastating, three times now. My sister, my niece, all my family is everything to me. I’m trying to be brave right now, but this took me out.” Suspect has criminal history Dunwoody police arrested Turner on Sept. 7 and he remains in jail facing two counts of murder, three counts of aggravated assault and three counts of possession of a firearm or knife during the commission of a felony. Records show it was not Turner’s first brush with the law. He was arrested April

TheCrier.net | Dunwoody Crier | September 24, 2020 | 5

1 in Stone Mountain and released from the Dekalb County Jail four days later. That arrest was for 13 charges stemming from a January 2018 incident, including aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and fleeing or attempting to elude police officers. Court records show prosecutors disposed of 12 of those charges Aug. 25 before presenting them to a grand jury for indictment. The assault on law enforcement count remained. The gambit of emotions on display during the vigil ranged from appreciation for the two victims, to disbelief and sheer anguish over their loss. Some seethed with anger while others openly bawled, the unhealed wounds of the murders still fresh. According to loved ones, Turner took the deadly action when he learned that Crystal Williams was ending their romantic relationship. Quan Green, one of Crystal Williams’s cousins, warned young women at the vigil to take heed and speak out if they’re in an abusive relationship. “I want to encourage you to get out of the relationship if a man or a woman is abusing you or talking down to you,” she said. “That is not love, and you need to know that. You need to know to love yourself first and foremost.” Domestic violence ravages state The Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence ranks Georgia 10th in the nation for the rate at which women

are killed by men in 2019. A gun’s presence in a volatile relationship drastically increases the risk of homicide by 500 percent, studies show. Firearms have been used in 73 percent of the state’s 1,380 domesticviolence related deaths over the past decade, Georgia Commission on Family Violence statistics show. Green said domestic violence is often a legacy unwittingly passed down through generations so victims don’t even recognize the patterns of abuse in their own lives. “Where the awareness needs to come in at is women being aware that they are being abused,” she said. “They’re in these relationships where men are talking down to them, men are co-opting money from them. And they don’t see that as abuse.” Marc Williams said he and other family members sensed something off-putting about Turner and tried to warn Crystal. “But what are you going to do when a little girl is in love?” he said. Marc Williams took note of two other recent homicide cases involving women killed by their boyfriends. He paused and thought for a few beats when asked what signs family members should look for and what they can do to stave off the kind of tragedy that befell his daughter. “The best I can say is if you see something wrong with the person that your daughter is dating, try to make it clearer for her to understand that she could be a statistic,” he said.

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COMMUNITY

Mayor leads webinar discussing mental health by JEFFREY ALBERTSON newsroom@appenmediagroup.com DUNWOODY, Ga. — The stress and anxiety of daily life has taken a toll during the pandemic. Between concerns of a softening economy, balancing work schedules and child care, metal health experts say there is no shortage of worry. To bring awareness to current challenges, Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch led a virtual conversation, “Strategies For Coping in 2020: Helping Ourselves and Our Children,” on Sept. 16. The prevalence of stress and how to manage the symptoms along with the social and emotional impact of COVID-19 were the focus of the discussion. Two counseling professionals answered questions and shared their experiences with students. Face-to-face counseling at school has been replaced with virtual sessions using enhanced security to prevent cyber intrusion or “Zoom bombing.” Creating a structured schedule, coupled with proper diet, exercise and hydration were mentioned as key elements in combating depression. “For me, in my practice, the majority of kids that I see at both Peachtree Charter Middle School and Dunwoody High School, they’re coming to me for anxiety,” said Dr.

Heather Page, a staff psychologist for Summit Counseling Center. Effects can vary from social nervousness to constant worry. She said some level of anxiety is helpful to prepare for a presentation or a test. “Where the problem comes in at is when your anxiety is so debilitating it keeps you from living a life worth living,” she said. When encountering a friend in difficulty, she said, it would be worthwhile to validate the person’s anxiety, but to remind them of success with prior challenges. “I think in the moment, when you are in the darkness, you cannot see the light,” she said. Strategies to mitigate anxiety include deep breathing for 8 to 10 minutes and guided imagery meditation. The panel suggested that multiple strategies can be considered, such as art or music. Should anxiety overwhelm day-to-day life, that may signal a need to consult a medical professional. Dunwoody High School Head Counselor Alethia Love said children are facing a different environment than they’re used to. “It is very weird to not know when we are going to go back [to school], and I thought we would have some of these answers as we are having board meetings,” she said. Love emphasized the importance of

communication with family in normal and high stress situations. By focusing on your household and keeping open dialogue, difficult conversations held later may be easier, she said. “If you are concerned, do not sit on it, if you are wondering, talk to a professional,” Love said. She recommended calling your pediatrician or in extreme situations dialing 911. Deutsch mentioned using the phrase “space and grace” to describe the approach to navigating this challenging time. “I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt, and I think everyone is trying to do the right thing and is doing the best they can,” the mayor said. Dunwoody Communications Director Jennifer Boettcher said the online conversation did not result from any specific event. “We have seen this being discussed in other cities and figured we had some really good experts here,” she said. The session was modeled after a recent conversation held by the Fulton County Mental Health Cooperative. The city of Milton held a similar discussion. Last year, the Dunwoody Police Department completed specialized training as part of the One Mind Campaign to respond to calls for mental health or intellectual disability assistance.

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THE INVESTMENT COACH

OPINION

Taxing wealth creators has consequences The idea of a guaranteed Universal Basic Income provided by the goernment (read “taxpayers”) surfaces periodically. Amounts of $1,000 to $1,500 or more LEWIS J. WALKER, CFP agetmonth bandied about. How would that work in a world where income depends on production to balance the equation? You and I are the only residents of a Potemkin village where the annual cost of living is $18,000. I do not have a source of income. You, however, have created a way to produce and sell something, netting $36,000 after expenses. I need $18,000 to live. Consequently, a 50 percent tax on your total income is proposed so the money I require is

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transferred to me. When half of the fruit of your labor is confiscated, how long will you be motivated to maintain your level of production? This example does not suggest ignoring true need, which is what public support and private charity is for. But when you overly tax wealth creators, you get less wealth to go around. Pre COVID-19, there were over a million small businesses in Georgia, employing 43.1 percent of the workforce. SBA defines a small business as one with 20 to 499 employees. That means that even more breadwinners depend on “mom and pop” operations with less than 20 employees, the small restaurant, corner store, hair salon. As we contemplate recovery, there’s growing concern about Democrat proposals to do away with provisions in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) that strengthened small business owners and entrepreneurs. TCJA lowered the top corporate income tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent. Joe Biden’s plan would raise the top rate to 28 percent. However, many small business owners operate “pass-through entities,” a sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, Sub-S corporation. TCJA allows many taxpayers in such entities a deduction of up to 20 percent of their qualified business income (QBI) and a 20 percent deduction relative to certain real estate and publically traded partnerships. Biden would phase out the deduction for owners with income above $400,000 per year. Even if you think that’s fair, recognize that higher earning owners would

be incentivized to cut or reduce salaries, hire fewer people, substitute technology and machinery for labor. Another zinger for job creation. Currently annual income above $137,000 is not subject to Social Security taxes. Biden seeks a 12.4 percent Social Security tax on employee income above $400,ooo, split 50/50 between employer and employee. Add in a restored top marginal tax rate of 39.6 percent for income over $400,000, and a successful owner is hit with a 52 percent tax rate from the combined income and payroll tax. With the top Georgia income tax rate of 5.75 percent, the marginal bite jumps to a whopping 57.75 percent. Imagine the pain for owners in high tax states like California and New York. We may see more entrepreneurs decamping to states like Florida, Texas, Nevada, South Dakota and Wyoming that have a zero income tax. Georgia take note. TCJA pegged the top capital gains rate at 20 percent on the sale of assets like stocks or business interests held over one year. Biden’s plan would raise capital gains taxes to a top rate of 39.6 percent for those earning $1 million or more. That could put a huge dent in the retirement plans for aging business owners. Even a modestly successful small business could sell for $1 million. Tax planning for business owners will be a booming business for accountants, tax lawyers and astute financial advisers. Some business owners own the real estate that houses the business, usually in a separate entity from the business. Joe wants to eliminate the 1031 exchange rule that allows investors to swap investment properties for another

that is “like kind,” deferring taxes, and in many cases, creating added retirement income. Proceeds from the real estate sale could also fall under the 52 percent top rate, plus state tax. Lest you think that only tippy-top earners (to quote AOC) will bear the brunt of proposed tax hikes, Washington’s Tax Policy Center estimates that households making about $170,ooo or more (the top 20 percent) will bear about 93 percent of proposed tax hikes, with the top 1 percent (about $422,000 of household income) nearly 75 percent. Joe’s plan caps itemized deductions at 28 percent. Ergo, someone in the 39.6 percent bracket giving a generous contribution to a charity could only take a 28 percent deduction versus 39.6 percent. Charities are justifiably concerned. It’s still guesswork as to who inhabits the Oval Office starting Jan. 20, 2021, or the makeup of Congress. But know that tax hikes have unanticipated consequences likely to bode ill for job creation and opportunities for families and high school, trade school and college graduates. Lewis Walker, CFP®, is a financial life planning strategist at Capital Insight Group; 770-441-3553;lewis@lewwalker. com. Securities & advisory services offered through The Strategic Financial Alliance, Inc. (SFA). Lewis is a registered representative and investment adviser representative of SFA, otherwise unaffiliated with Capital Insight Group. He’s a Gallup Certified Clifton Strengths Coach and Certified Exit Planning Advisor.

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OPINION

TheCrier.net | Dunwoody Crier | September 24, 2020 | 9

PAST TENSE

Chesnuts were last family to live at Donaldson-Bannister Farm Over the past few months, I have shared the history of each family that lived at Donaldson-Bannister Farm except for the final owners, David and Linda Chesnut. This year marks VALERIE the sesquicentennial BIGGERSTAFF of the farm, which is a city of Dunwoody park managed by Dunwoody Preservation Trust. Developer and builder Jim Cowart bought the land and home from Frank Smith in 1975, with plans to develop a neighborhood behind the old home place. In a 2014 interview with Cowart, he told me he was hopeful someone would come along to restore the old home. David and Linda Chesnut heard about the property from an uncle who reminded David, “You always wanted to live in that place.” Chesnut and Cowart talked on the phone and shook hands to seal the deal. There was no contract. Linda and David Chesnut moved into the home with their daughter Caroline

in 1976. They made some changes to the old house and the outbuildings. They added a new section to the back of the barn to give them room to store their tractor, hay and horse feed. They added on to the blacksmith shop. They added fretwork to the side porch by replicating the original fretwork visible in photos from Lois Pattillo Bannister’s ownership. They put an antique wood-burning range behind the kitchen where they believed a similar stove had once sat. The stove is still in the home. Bookshelves were added to the pinepaneled room adjacent to the kitchen, originally built by Lois Pattillo Bannister. Two inside doors were replaced with doors from Linda’s grandmother’s 1915 home, one in the first-floor right bedroom and the other for the first-floor half bath. The Chesnuts installed a pool in the area that was once a boxwood garden installed by Lois Pattillo Bannister. They replaced the original gazebo in this area after a large oak destroyed it in 1975. Linda worked as an interior designer and used the caretaker’s cottage for her office. David was an attorney who became Chairman of MARTA. When the Olympic games came to Atlanta in 1996,

he was chairman of the equine advisory board. The 1998 tornado that struck Dunwoody caused extensive damage to Donaldson-Bannister Farm. A huge pin oak fell across the front of the house, and the upstairs bedroom of Caroline was destroyed. Fortunately, she was not home when it happened. Linda and David Chesnut had to walk across broken glass to get out of their home following the tornado. They did not have any cuts on their feet, a phenomenon which cannot be explained. This is just one of several unusual events that occurred while they lived at Donaldson-Bannister Farm. The Chesnuts restored DonaldsonBannister Farm to its former glory following the 1998 tornado and continued to live there. In 2005, they were ready to sell the farm. Danny and Queenie Ross, co-presidents for Dunwoody Preservation Trust at the time, helped arrange for DeKalb County to buy the home. Greenspace funds were used to make the deal possible. Many people remember the horses and donkeys that the Chesnuts kept at the farm. Children would ask to see and sometimes feed the animals. According

to Linda Chesnut, when school was out for the summer and there were fewer visitors, the donkeys would be on the lookout for the children. Animals returned to the farm this summer as Dunwoody Preservation Trust held Camp Flashback for the third year. You can email Valerie at pasttensedunwoody@gmail.com or visit her website at pasttensega.com.

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10 | September 24, 2020 | Dunwoody Crier | TheCrier.net

10 | Dunwoody Crier | September 24, 2020