Remembering Dick Williams

Dick Williams remembered as iconic journalist

Dick Williams and Lori Geary on “The Georgia Gang.” (Special/Lori Geary)

BY AMY WENK

Longtime Atlanta journalist Dick Williams has died.

Williams, 77, died Jan. 20 from congestive heart failure, according to the AJC. He was the retired editor and publisher of the Dunwoody Crier newspaper and former host of “The Georgia Gang” talk show on FOX 5.

Williams had bought the Dunwoody Crier in 1996 and is credited with helping with the creation of the City of Dunwoody. And his wife, the late Rebecca Chase Williams, was considered the “founding mother” of Brookhaven where she served as a mayor and city council member.

Williams had sold the Crier in 2019 to Appen Media Group.

Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch said she knew Williams for more than 20 years.

“While he had a long list of impressive journalistic accomplishments, I hope he will be remembered most for his work in local journalism,” Deutsch said in a statement. “As the host of ‘The Georgia Gang’ and publisher of the Dunwoody Crier, he was the epitome of a hometown journalist. Through his coverage in the Crier, Dick was instrumental in the successful creation of the City of Dunwoody. He built the Crier into a real community newspaper, and his impact is still felt today.”

Brookhaven Mayor John Ernst said Williams was a “tireless watchdog” who held the government accountable.

“His dedication to the ideals of honesty, integrity and service were the foundation upon his life’s work,” Ernst said in a statement to Reporter Newspapers. “In fact, Dick and Rebecca’s expectation that governments could and should do a better job was a catalyst in the creation of Brookhaven itself. Dick’s legacy are those ideals in which this City was founded upon.”

Dunwoody City Councilmember John Heneghan said in a blog post that Williams positively impacted the lives of many citizens.

“He supported community events, influenced politics and helped found a city that improved the quality of life for all involved,” Heneghan said.

He said that outside of work, Williams adored his wife and daughters. Williams sang in the choir at All Saints Catholic Church and was a high school basketball referee for many years.

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr said on Twitter that Williams was a “giant in Atlanta media” and a “founding father of Dunwoody.”

Lori Geary, political reporter and current anchor of “The Georgia Gang,” shared on Facebook her memories of Williams.

“He graciously passed the baton of his beloved ‘Georgia Gang’ to me, and boy were they big shoes to fill,” Geary said. “Dick had a great sense of humor, was a devoted family man to his late wife, Rebecca, and their two daughters and always a consummate professional. Dunwoody wouldn’t be what it is today without Dick Williams.”

FOX 5 investigative reporter Dale Russell said on Twitter that his heart was breaking over the news. “He was an iconic newsman in Atlanta who touched so many lives.”

And Reporter Newspapers columnist and former Crier writer Carol Niemi called Williams one of the last old-time journalists.

“He made me a better writer and taught me everything I needed to know about being a journalist,” Niemi said. “I was honored to have been in his circle. I carry his lessons with me every day of my life.”

MARTA reveals design for new rail cars

BY COLLIN KELLEY

MARTA has unveiled the customer-chosen design for 254 new rail cars coming to the fleet beginning next year.

The reveal was made during its annual State of MARTA event in January. Riders were given the opportunity to vote online to choose the design of the carriages.

According to MARTA, the car interiors will have an open gangway so riders can move freely between cars, forward and inward seating, spacious luggage and bicycle areas, and large, accommodating ADA doorways and spaces.

The new trains, designed and built by Stadler, will also have charging stations for phones and devices, digital system maps and service information, and improved heating, cooling and lighting systems.

The exterior of the car will feature the “minimalist” design with a stripe of MARTA’s colors chosen by customers. The most prominent feature is a lighted “smile” on the front of the train that denotes the color of the rail line – Red, Gold, Green or Blue – so riders will know from a distance that their train is approaching.

The new trains are part of a busy year for MARTA as the transit agency moves to open the city’s first bus rapid transit (BRT) along Hank Aaron Drive from Downtown through Summerhill; introduce high-capacity transit along the Campbellton Corridor and in Clayton County; and station rehabilitation projects at Airport, Indian Creek, and Bankhead rail stations.

But, tragedy hit the transit agency in January when MARTA CEO and General Manager Jeffrey Parker died by suicide, just days after the State of MARTA address.

Parker had been MARTA’s general manager for nearly four years and spent 35 years in the transportation and consulting industry. Tributes and condolences poured

in from leaders across the city, including from DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond.

“Jeff was a thoughtful and dedicated leader and will be missed by all who knew him,” Thurmond said.