City of Decatur, City Commission - George Dustenbury

George is originally from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He has a bachelor's degree in English from Cornell University and a law degree from Emory University School of Law. He lives on Wilton Drive with his wife, Courtenay, and their two sons.

George is the Georgia-Alabama state director at The Trust for Public Land. He used to be commissioner of Parks and Recreation for the City of Atlanta, executive director for Park Pride, and legislative director in Washington D.C. and district director in Atlanta for Congressman John Lewis.

George Dustenbury is currently a city commissioner representing district one. He was first elected in 2019 and has been in office for one term.

Decaturish, George Dusenbury, director of the The Trust for Public Land, running for City Commission District 1

Advocated for more greenspace in Decatur.

Wanted to preserve and expand Decatur's tree canopy.

Planned to strengthen Decatur's tree ordinance to protect existing trees and invest in new tree plantings on a large scale.

- Advocated for more greenspace in Decatur.
- Wanted to preserve and expand Decatur's tree canopy.
- Planned to strengthen Decatur's tree ordinance to protect existing trees and invest in new tree plantings on a large scale.

Natural Resources & the Environment

Decaturish, Candidate Q&A – George Dusenbury, Decatur City Commission District 1, Post B

Opposed raising taxes to subsidize affordable housing.

Wanted to require developers to include affordable housing in multi-family developments.

- Opposed raising taxes to subsidize affordable housing.
- Wanted to require developers to include affordable housing in multi-family developments.

Housing & Urban Development

Wanted the city, school system, and parents to increase their investment in education and outreach to reduce drug and alcohol use among minors.

- Supported decriminalizing marijuana use.
- Wanted the city, school system, and parents to increase their investment in education and outreach to reduce drug and alcohol use among minors.

Public Safety

Advocated for pausing large-scale developments to allow Decatur to develop a master plan to integrate traffic, stormwater, parks, parking, and affordable housing.

- Advocated for pausing large-scale developments to allow Decatur to develop a master plan to integrate traffic, stormwater, parks, parking, and affordable housing.

Public Services

Said, "...we must assess how all the development and roadway changes have impacted traffic and fix the problem spots"

Wanted to conduct a traffic assessment and use the results to guide future transportation investments.

Supported  investing in transportation improvements that balance the needs of drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.

- Said, "...we must assess how all the development and roadway changes have impacted traffic and fix the problem spots"
- Wanted to conduct a traffic assessment and use the results to guide future transportation investments.
- Supported  investing in transportation improvements that balance the needs of drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.

Transportation & Infrastructure

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George Dusenbury

George Dustenbury is currently a city commissioner representing District 1. He was first elected in 2019 and has been in office for one term.

- Advocated for pausing large scale developments so that Decatur could develop a master plan to integrate traffic, stormwater, parks, parking, and affordable housing.

- Supported decriminalizing marijuana use.
- Wanted the City, the school system and parents increase their investment in education and outreach to reduce drug and alcohol use among minors.

George is the Georgia-Alabama state director for The Trust for Public Land. He used to be commissioner for Parks and Recreation for the City of Atlanta, executive director for Park Pride, and legislative director in Washington D.C. and district director in Atlanta for Congressman John Lewis.

- City commissioners work together with the rest of the commission to set and implement city policy. 
- The city commission is tasked with ensuring the health, comfort, and safety of residents of the city 
- City commissioners work with the mayor to govern city departments, such as the police department, fire department, transportation department, and parks and recreation department. 
- City commissioners represent either the whole city or residents of a specific district. 
- Most city commissioners in Georgia are elected in odd years to four year terms. Elections are nonpartisan. 