Setting the Record Straight
Integrity has always been the foundation of my service to Dunwoody. Unfortunately, this campaign season has brought misleading — and in some cases, entirely false — claims about both my record and our city. Our residents deserve better.
​
That’s why I’ve created this page: to correct misinformation with clear facts and to ensure every voter has accurate information to make informed decisions.
​
This page may not capture every rumor or misrepresentation that surfaces, but I will continue to provide the truth as quickly and transparently as possible. And if you ever hear something that doesn’t sound right, please reach out. I’m always happy to answer questions and share the facts directly — because honesty and accountability matter.
False Claim:
Tom is trying to cram density into neighborhoods and wants 10-story apartment buildings towering over single family homes.​
The Truth:
This claim is absolutely false. I have a well-documented record of opposing excessive density and protecting the character of our neighborhoods. In every zoning case, I carefully review each proposal for consistency with our city’s master plan and impact on the surrounding community. When projects have been too dense or incompatible with nearby homes, I’ve voted NO.
Below are just a few examples where I stood firm for responsible development and neighborhood protection:
-
84 Perimeter Center West –Opposed a proposed apartment development inconsistent with community goals.
Read article › -
4891 Ashford Dunwoody Road – Voted NO to a high-density senior housing project.
Read article › -
5308–5328 Roberts Drive – Raised concerns over density and neighborhood impact.
Read article ›
Watch the vote › (vote at 1:30:40 mark)
False Claim:
Tom supported the Dominium project and only changed course after his opponent announced her candidacy.
The Truth:
This claim is entirely false — and misrepresents both my record and the responsibilities of the City Council.
​
As a council member, I never publicly discuss my position on any zoning case before the official hearing. Zoning decisions are quasi-judicial matters — meaning the Mayor and Council act as a judge and jury. If a council member publicly states an opinion in advance, the applicant could legitimately argue that they did not receive a fair hearing. That creates legal risk and exposes the city to potential lawsuits.
​
I take my ethical obligations seriously:
✔ Provide a fair and impartial hearing to applicants
✔ Protect the city from unnecessary legal exposure
✔ Evaluate every zoning case based on facts and community impact
​
My voting record demonstrates a consistent approach — supporting projects that align with our community plans and expectations, and opposing those that do not.
​
The bottom line:
I did not support the Dominium project. And any suggestion that my decisions are influenced by political timing is simply not grounded in reality or record.
False Claim:
Developers wrote the Comprehensive Plan as a concession for the failed Dominium project, and they moved all density to District 3.
The Truth:
This claim is false, misleading, and has no basis in the record.
​
First, the timeline.
Work on Dunwoody’s 2025–2045 Comprehensive Plan began in July 2024 — many months before the Dominium zoning request was ever submitted, discussed, or voted on. The process included:
-
A citizen steering committee
-
Citywide online survey
-
Public workshops and open houses
-
Pop-up engagement events throughout the community
​
The first draft was presented to the steering committee in April 2025 and was unanimously recommended for approval by the Planning Commission on June 18, 2025.
City Council held a public hearing on July 28, 2025, and transmitted the plan — as required by state law — to the Atlanta Regional Commission and Georgia Department of Community Affairs for review.
All of this happened 6+ weeks before the Dominium vote on September 8, 2025.
​
Second, the law and purpose.
Georgia law requires every municipality to maintain a 20-year Comprehensive Plan and update it every five years. This plan was simply Dunwoody’s scheduled update.
​
Third, what a Comprehensive Plan does — and does not — do.
A Comprehensive Plan does not change underlying zoning.
Developers have always been able to propose any project they want — but only zoning law determines what is allowed. That has not changed.
In fact, the newly adopted plan makes our standards more transparent by clearly identifying which projects would require a rezoning or Special Land Use Permit (SLUP). Prior plans did not offer this clarity — making this plan more protective of neighborhoods, not less.
​
Bottom line:
The 2025–2045 Comprehensive Plan was shaped by Dunwoody residents, approved through a transparent public process, and completed long before the Dominium project was considered. Claims suggesting otherwise ignore the record and reality.
False Claim:
The city collects money from residents for stormwater repairs but doesn’t use it for stormwater
The Truth:
The suggestion that these funds are not used appropriately is unfounded and contrary to the city’s code and financial practices.
-
Under City of Dunwoody Code (Article V — Stormwater Utility), all revenues collected through the stormwater utility must be dedicated to that enterprise fund and used specifically for the maintenance and repair of the city’s stormwater system.
-
The city maintains a Stormwater Utility Fund / Enterprise Fund to ensure transparency and legal compliance in how these funds are handled.
-
For example, the city’s latest budget documents show ongoing investment in stormwater infrastructure and backlog maintenance being funded through this dedicated fund.
-
The claim that funds are diverted or used elsewhere is therefore incorrect: doing so would violate city code, expose the city to legal risk, and undermine the trust we’ve built through my record of careful stewardship.
Bottom line:
When you pay a stormwater fee in Dunwoody, you’re paying into a fund that is legally sealed and committed to stormwater repairs and infrastructure. I take this responsibility seriously and will continue to ensure diligent oversight of those funds.
False Claim:
It was an egregious mistake for this City Council to change the city’s stormwater policy
The Truth:
The claim is inaccurate. The policy in question was adopted in April 2017, prior to my election to Council. The version approved at that time was a memorialization of the city's existing policy—which had been in place since Dunwoody's incorporation.
False Claim:
The city has a spending problem and Tom wants to increase your taxes
The Truth:
This claim is inaccurate on multiple fronts:
-
The current millage rate for Dunwoody is 3.04 mills, and at the cap established in the city charter. Any increase above that rate would require a voter referendum, and I have publicly and consistently stated that I support our city charter.
-
More importantly, there is no need to raise taxes. Dunwoody’s finances are the strongest they’ve ever been, due to conservative budgeting and strong fiscal management.
-
Dunwoody has increased the level of services provided to our residents while still maintaining the lowest property tax rate in all of DeKalb County.
Bottom line:
The claim that I want to raise your taxes is false, and the implication that the city lacks fiscal discipline is unsupported. I will continue to safeguard taxpayer dollars and maintain budget transparency and control.
False Claim:
We need to address crime — Dunwoody residents do not feel safe
The Truth:
The data tells a very different story: Dunwoody has never been safer. Based on current 2025 data, the city is on pace for the lowest number of Part 1 crimes (Violent + Property) in our city's history — with the only exception being the COVID quarantine years when crime fell nationwide due to people staying home. This continues a positive trend of steady crime reduction over the last two years.
​
This success belongs to the brave men and women of the Dunwoody Police Department. City Council’s job is to make sure they have every resource necessary to protect our community — and we have delivered:
• Nearly 50% increase in police pay over the past five years to recruit and retain top-tier officers
• Strategic investment in modern policing technology that enhances prevention and rapid response
• Creation of the Real-Time Crime Center, integrating cameras, license plate readers, and intelligence tools into a single command hub
Public safety will always be my highest priority. Our officers are doing exceptional work — and we will continue providing the tools, staffing, and support needed to keep Dunwoody safe today and for years to come.
False Claim:
Tom promotes clear-cutting trees for a $350+ million, 69 miles of 12-foot-wide trails plan.
The Truth:
This claim has no basis in reality.
​
As a charter member and vice-chair of Dunwoody’s Sustainability Commission, I helped create the city’s “No Net Loss of Trees” policy — a commitment to protecting and replacing trees whenever any are removed. I have a proven record of advocating for the protection of Dunwoody’s tree canopy.
​
The $350 million figure is completely fabricated — it appears in no city plan or document. Approval of the city’s Trail Master Plan (2023) did not allocate a single dollar for construction. Any future trail funding must be individually approved by the City Council through the public budgeting and capital improvement plan process.
​
This claim also misrepresents the Trail Master Plan itself. The plan is a long-term vision document that outlines potential connections and multiple design options — not 69 miles of 12-foot-wide trails — and will continue to evolve with public input and available funding.
​
In fact, a significant portion of the plan relies on “Calm Streets” — existing low-traffic roads enhanced with signage, pavement markings, and traffic-calming measures, not new paved trails or clear-cut corridors.