The Chamblee Brief - November 2, 2026
By Jimmy Furst
Stay informed. Stay involved.
The Locomotive - One Big Thing
Chamblee Police Chief Michael Dieppa Announces Departure
After three years leading the Chamblee Police Department, Chief Michael Dieppa has announced that he will be stepping down later this year to return to his home state of Florida, where he has been named the next Police Chief for the City of Mount Dora.
Chief Dieppa joined Chamblee in October 2023, and during his tenure, our Police Department has made significant strides in public safety, technology, and community engagement.
Here are just a few of the accomplishments under his leadership:
Crime Reduction: Crime has decreased by double digits in each of his three years as Chief.
Real-Time Crime Center: Opened our state-of-the-art Real-Time Crime Center, giving officers new tools and technology to prevent and respond to crime.
Investments in Officers: Upgraded patrol vehicles and equipment to better support our officers in the field.
Professional Standards: Achieved certification through the Georgia Law Enforcement Certification Program, demonstrating the department's commitment to best practices.
Leadership: Appointed Chamblee's first female Assistant Police Chief, Andrianne Byrd.
Community Engagement: Established the Neighborhood Resource Unit, Citizens Advisory Committee, and Bike Patrol Unit to strengthen relationships between officers and residents.
Inclusive Policing: Designated the department's first LGBTQ+ Liaison and introduced Autism Safety 101 training for officers.
I've said it many times, and I'll say it again: Chamblee is an extremely safe community, and that doesn't happen by accident. It takes dedicated officers, strong leadership, smart investments, and a commitment to building trust with the people we serve.
Chief Dieppa has played an important role in moving our Police Department forward, and I want to personally thank him for his leadership, service, and dedication to Chamblee.
While we will certainly miss him, I'm excited for this next chapter in his career and wish him nothing but success in Mount Dora.
The City will share more information about the leadership transition as it becomes available. In the meantime, our officers will continue doing what they do every day: keeping Chamblee safe.
Left the Station - This Past Week's Events
UGA vs. Florida Watch Party at 3rd Spot
A big thank you to everyone who came out for our UGA vs. Florida Watch Party! It was great seeing so many people come together to cheer on the Dawgs, enjoy some football, and spend time with fellow fans.
We're not done yet! We have one more watch party coming up as we wrap up our season as an official Atlanta Alumni Chapter of the UGA Alumni Association.
At the Station - Ongoing Events in Chamblee
Public Works Employee of the Month: Cornelius Justice
Please join me in congratulating Cornelius Justice, Chamblee's Public Works Employee of the Month for November 2026!
Since joining the Transportation Division as a Laborer II, Cornelius has demonstrated consistent growth, dependability, and a strong commitment to his team.
He has taken the initiative to cross-train in multiple areas, expanding his skills in equipment operation, roadway maintenance, and safety procedures. His willingness to learn and take on new responsibilities has made him a valuable member of the Public Works team.
Cornelius is also known for his positive attitude, professionalism, and willingness to help his fellow crew members. Even during demanding workloads and time-sensitive projects, he remains focused and dependable.
Our Public Works employees do an incredible amount of work behind the scenes to keep Chamblee running smoothly, and their efforts deserve recognition.
Congratulations, Cornelius, and thank you for everything you do for Chamblee!
November/December Signal
The latest issue of Chamblee's Signal Newsletter is here, and there's plenty happening around our city!
Here's what's inside:
🎄 Holiday Hoopla: Holiday cheer takes center stage!
💼 Chamblee Chamber of Commerce: The Chamber is relaunching!
🐄 The Cows Are Coming: Find out what's bringing the cows to Chamblee!
♻️ Public Works: Meet our new Assistant Director of Public Works.
And much more!
🔗 Catch up on the latest Chamblee news here: https://www.chambleega.com/communications/signal.php
November Is Court Amnesty Month
Now is the time to take care of outstanding court matters! The City of Chamblee Municipal Court is offering an amnesty opportunity throughout November. Don't miss your chance to address outstanding citations and get back on track.
November 1-30, 2026
470-395-2335
4445 Buford Hwy NE
Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Chamblee Day of the Dead Altar
The altar is up! You're invited to contribute photos, meaningful items, or nonperishable, sealed food items through November 6. This is a special opportunity to honor loved ones and celebrate their memory together. For questions or to coordinate a drop-off, please contact jduarte@chambleega.gov.
How Does Chamblee Decide Which Roads Get Paved?
One of the questions I hear most often from residents is, "How can I get my road repaved?"
It's a fair question. We all want smooth, safe, and well-maintained roads in our neighborhoods. However, deciding which streets get paved and when is more involved than simply submitting a request.
Road maintenance is an important responsibility of local government, and I want residents to better understand how the process works. This video provides a helpful look at how road paving decisions are made in Chamblee and what residents should know about the process.
Watch the video below to learn more about how Chamblee approaches road repaving.
The latest paving schedule is below. Please note that the schedule is subject to change due to weather conditions.
Chamblee Introduces Curbside Composting
The City of Chamblee is partnering with CompostNow to bring curbside composting to all residents! For just $19 per month (plus a one-time $19 startup fee), you can divert food scraps from the landfill and turn them into nutrient-rich compost.
Why Compost?
Over 50% of what ends up in landfills is organic material that could be composted. In a landfill, that organic waste generates methane, a greenhouse gas 84 times more potent than CO₂. Composting diverts those materials and transforms them into finished compost instead.
When finished compost is added to local soil, it sequesters carbon, improves water retention, reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, and improves the nutrient value of our food.
When we build local compost systems for cycling nutrients back into the soil, we improve the climate resiliency of the community and create equitable opportunities for our local growers who strengthen our food supply chains and provide access to fresh, healthy food.
To learn more about the program and to sign up, click HERE.
Arriving Soon - Upcoming Events in Chamblee
Nov 6: Jimmy's Office Hours
My Friday office hours return this week, November 6!
I'll be at Chamblee City Hall from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with a break for lunch from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
Whether you have a question, a concern, an idea, or just want to stop by and say hello, my door is open. No topic is too big or too small, and no appointment is necessary.
I look forward to seeing you!
November 7: UGA vs. Ole Miss
Join us for our last 3rd Spot Watch Party of the season as an official Atlanta Alumni Chapter: UGA Alumni Association watch party location!
We're excited to have a Tailgate Pre-show from the Chamblee High School Bulldog Band at 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 7, 2026
7:30 p.m.
Downtown Chamblee, 3518 Broad Street
The Caboose
I would love to hear your questions, comments, or concerns.
Email: Jfurst@chambleega.gov
Mobile: 770-901-1121 The legal stuff: The views expressed are those of the author and may not reflect those of the Chamblee City Council. Comments posted in response to a councilmember-initiated communication may be subject to public disclosure under the Open Records Act. If you are a Chamblee resident and would like to discuss city business, please visit chambleega.gov or contact me at the email address above.
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