DeKalb CEO-elect Lorraine Cochran-Johnson kicked off her listening tour in District 1 at Dunwoody City Hall on Oct. 22 conducting a live interactive poll about what improvements citizens want to see when she takes office.
About 60 people attended the forum either in person or online, according to Pond, the consulting company that is organizing the events, which will travel to each district in the county for the next five days.
The feedback, according to Cochran-Johnson, will be used as she and her team develop the administration’s priorities for her first 100 days in office.
“This data will be used in planning with our transition team as we set our agenda,” she said.
Cochran-Johnson easily beat District 3 Commissioner Larry Johnson in a June runoff to become the county’s first Black female CEO.
Attendees were asked their opinions about a variety of topics ranging from economic development to infrastructure. Using the app Mentimeter, respondents were able to offer their opinions and see in real time responses to questions like, “What areas should be a priority for economic development in DeKalb County?,” “Do you support increased density in your community?,” and “Is urban blight an issue in your community?”
The survey also gathered demographic information. Most of the attendees self-reported that they lived in Dunwoody and owned their own home. The predominant age group of the participants was 45-64 and most had resided in Dunwoody more than 20 years.
When asked what areas the administration should prioritize in the Cochran-Johnson administration, the attendees listed public safety and economic development as top picks. Respondents also indicated they were pleased with DeKalb Fire Rescue services and very dissatisfied with 911 services.
Response times for emergency services has been a concern in Dunwoody, and last year, the city funded an emergency vehicle that circulates the city every day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.. However, money for this amenity, tapped from American Rescue Plan Act funds, will run out at the end of 2025.
The listening tour continues with the following dates and locations with each event starting at 6 p.m.:
- District 2- October 24 at The Outlet Community Church, 3039 Briarcliff Road NE, Atlanta
- District 3- October 23 at Porter Sanford Performing Arts Center, 3181 Rainbow Dr. Decatur
- District 4- Oct. 29 at Decatur United Methodist Church, 300 East Ponce De Leon Avenue
- District 5- Oct. 28 at the Stonecrest Library, 3123 Klondike Road, Stonecrest
