Metro area police step up security for places of worship ► PAGE 6
October 26, 2023 | AppenMedia.com | An Appen Media Group Publication | Ser ving the community since 1976
‘Diwali in Dunwoody’ festival scheduled for Oct. 29-Nov. 3 DUNWOODY, Ga. — As the South Asian community welcomes the Diwali season and celebrates the Festival of Lights, “Diwali in Dunwoody” is gearing up for a three days of celebration beginning later this month. Create Dunwoody, a nonprofit committed to fostering a thriving arts and culture scene, is leading the collaborative effort to put on the event with community organizations, local business and volunteers. “Diwali in Dunwoody” will feature a variety of events and activities for all ages. The first event, “Rangoli and Diya Art Workshops,” will be at the Spruill Center for the Arts Oct. 29 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Attendees will be offered two educational workshops centered around Indian culture. Participants can learn how to make rangoli, an art form used to welcome prosperity during the Diwali season, or they can decorate clay lamps to signify the triumph of light over darkness. The second event, “The Story of Diwali: Narrated Forrest Walk,” will be Nov. 1 at the Dunwoody Nature Center from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to witness the traditional story of Diwali, followed by a lamp lighting ceremony. The event will be an immersive storytelling
See DIWALI, Page 20
Revenue worries, future spending highlight Dunwoody budget talks By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
PHOTOS BY HAYDEN SUMLIN/ APPEN MEDIA
Above: Dunwoody Finance Director Richard Platto discusses the impacts on the proposed fiscal year 2024 budget Oct. 16 at City Hall. At right: Deputy Chief Mike Carlson speaks to the Dunwoody City Council Oct. 16 about the funding requests made by the Police Department for the proposed 2024 budget..
DUNWOODY, Ga. — At its first of two 2024 budget hearings Oct. 16, the Dunwoody City Council reviewed recommendations calling for $33.3 million in operational spending in the coming year. Budget increases are chiefly targeted for police and parks and recreation. Expenditures for day-to-day government operations represents a decrease of 11 percent from the current year, owing to an infusion of transfer money this year from the sale of property on Shallowford Road, according to Finance Director Richard Platto. Ignoring that 2023 windfall, the actual operating budget for 2024 represents an increase of 9 percent. The $33.3 operating budget does not include major capital expenses, like buildings, large-scale roadwork or other one-time, big-ticket items. It also does not include closed-end funds like stormwater and E911. Taken as a whole, overall spending for all funds is projected at $64.4 million, a decrease of 16 percent from this year. Down to brass tacks During a two-day budget review process last month, the Department
See COUNCIL, Page 20