Dunwoody is preparing for budget reductions and here is an excellent place to start: eliminate the department of economic development. Lock. Stock. And Barrel.
Why?
Because it represents a takeover of city government by forces that do not operate in the best interests of the good folk who not only inhabit Dunwoody but those who voted to create a city in the first place.
Who are these invaders?
Businesses. Now before you get wrapped around your axle consider a few things. Dunwoody once had a chamber of commerce. But that changed to a "Perimeter" chamber, coinciding with the ascendancy of the more powerful agency within the city to serve the purpose of a chamber but with greater force and speed. That is why the department of economic development exists and why the previous chamber devolved.
Is it really a problem?
The short answer is yes. In more detail one must consider that capitalism operates with three top priorities: revenue; profits; and the growth of both. "Serving the community," though much touted by their department of economic development, is not even a distant fourth. The harsh truth is that the relationship between business and the community is inherently one of exploitation: of the community by business. For proof one need look no further than the department's recent, willful violation of city ordinances without even presenting the matter to Council-the people's representation. The business-to-neighborhood relationship is inherently adversarial and best managed by an outside chamber of commerce to advance business interests with a city beholding to the community, the residents, the voters, ensuring a means of checks and balances that maintains the integrity of the community as a whole.
In Dunwoody that is NOT what we have. What we have is a one-sided power structure favoring business at the expense of Your Dunwoody. What we have is a government takeover.
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