In less than a week, voters in Brookhaven will whittle down the two dozen candidates on the ballot for the City Council.
The worst-case scenario, in terms of getting the city’s business under way, would have eight candidates competing in a December runoff: two each for the city’s four districts. The best case would have outright winners Tuesday in at least two districts.
If there is a mayoral winner, the lawyer advising Georgia’s newest city said he believes that will be the quorum necessary to start taking action. If that is challenged, it will take at least three candidates to be seated before any votes on a city setup can happen.
Either way, though, attorney Bill Riley is suggesting that all the finalists begin meeting, to start developing a consensus for decisions. The city begins operations on Dec. 17 — just two weeks after the runoff.
“Johns Creek and Sandy Springs had the same short time frame, and bringing everyone in worked well there,” Riley said of the other new cities he has served. “They can participate so they are ready when it’s time to vote.”
It won’t take a vote, but the new city could have a pending bill before a full council is ready. The runoff is estimated to cost about $35,000 — a tab that Brookhaven must pay if there are no other runoffs in the county, said Maxine Daniels, DeKalb County’s elections chief.
The council districts represent the four quadrants of the city, starting in the north area of Murphey Candler/Nancy Creek for District 1 and running south toward Buford Highway in District 4.
Council members from Districts 1 and 3 will serve through 2015, along with the mayor. Those from Districts 2 and 4 will serve through 2013. The job pays $12,000 a year.
CANDIDATE BOXES
CITY COUNCIL – DISTRICT 1
Alan Cole
How long a Brookhaven resident: 39 years
Age: 64
Family: Wife, Marie Montgomery Cole
Education: Bachelor's degree in marketing, University of Florida
Occupation: Retired business owner, commercial demolition and construction companies
Stance on cityhood before vote: Member, Brookhaven Yes, a group that pushed for establishment of the city
Reason for running: Establishing a new city is very much like running a business. It is imperative that a good foundation is established. Creating and running three businesses here in Georgia gives me the business expertise that is needed to hire the initial staff. I also have experience in zoning matters, contract negotiations and personnel issues. If elected, I am committed to devoting my full time to the Brookhaven City Council.
Experience: Former U.S. Army captain; Republican precinct chairman; former sergeant-at-arms, state Republican convention; founding member, Ashford Alliance Neighborhood Association; volunteer, Habitat for Humanity; neighborhood representative, battle over high-tension electrical lines on Ashford Dunwoody Road.
Top priority: Retention of a well-qualified city manager and police chief. Many of the services for the city of Brookhaven can be contracted with third parties; however, the city manager, police chief and clerk of the court must be hired as soon as possible to ensure an orderly transition and operation of the city.
Michelle Conlon
How long a Brookhaven resident: Did not respond
Age: Did not respond
Family: Did not respond
Education: Did not respond
Occupation: Did not respond
Stance on Brookhaven cityhood before incorporation: Did not respond
Reason for running: Did not respond
Experience: Did not respond
Top priority: Did not respond
Kevin Fitzpatrick
Residence: Nancy Creek neighborhood
How long a Brookhaven resident: 27 years
Age: 56
Family: Wife, Patti Pasch; daughters Katie, Maura and Erin Grace
Education: Bachelor's degree, Oglethorpe University; Emory University School of Law; C.E.M., Spring Hill College 2011
Occupation: Attorney
Stance on cityhood before vote: For incorporation
Reason for running: I am running because this is my home and I want to help make it the most livable and desirable community in the metro Atlanta region. This means providing the best public safety, the best parks, the best zoning and the best connections between neighborhoods. It means engaging in communitywide strategic planning to determine the best use of our parks and determining the order of priorities for park improvement. It means establishing a police department based on professional assessments and a nationwide search for a chief of police who has experience in serving a city the size of Brookhaven; is committed to a community-based policing model and possesses the wisdom to create a police department culture that is in the best interests of Brookhaven's residents. It means maintaining the collective discipline to avoid ad hoc decision making; to say no to good ideas in order to produce a balanced budget and a clean, unqualified annual audit.
Experience: Parish Council, Our Lady of the Assumption; member, Oglethorpe University Board of Trustees; pro bono legal services to Oglethorpe, the Gainsborough Pool, the St. Vincent De Paul Society and other nonprofit organizations; member, Board of Theatre Gael; coach, Murphey Candler Girls' Softball Association; past president, St. Thomas More Society; coach, Marist School mock trial team.
Top priority: Having accepted the responsibility for public safety, we must ensure that the new Brookhaven Police Department is established in the most professional manner. I advocate for a community-based police force, where residents and police officers communicate, where the police department dedicates staff to recruiting, training and coordinating with Neighborhood Watch volunteers and where there is a significant increase in patrol car visibility and a decrease in the average police department response time.
Kevin Meaders
How long a Brookhaven resident: 12 years
Age: 41
Family: Wife, Gui
Education: Bachelor's degree, philosophy and political science, Oglethorpe University; law degree, Georgia State University College of Law
Occupation: CEO and founder of Magellan Planning Group Inc.
Actively for or against incorporation before vote: For
Reason for running: As a business owner, homeowner and taxpayer in District 1, I have a vested interest in the future of the new city of Brookhaven. I hope to bring my fiscal and business acumen to work for my fellow citizens and give back to the community that I love so much. I want to ensure that the city is run in a way that makes all of us proud.
Experience: Certified financial planner, attorney, interned under Secretary of State Max Cleland and Gov. Zell Miller; President's Advisory Council of Oglethorpe University; Furkids Advisory Board; Scottish Rite Foundation; Noah's Wish; Atlanta Humane Society.
Top priority: My top priority will be to create an efficient government that operates in a fiscally conservative manner. This begins with spending resources carefully and holding the line on taxes. I am committed to low taxes, a sound fiscal policy and a government responsive to its citizens. The people of Brookhaven will not find a more dedicated guardian of their hard-earned money.
Remaining issues: Hiring competent public safety officials that will protect our communities; developing working relationships with our local school officials; preserving the character and tranquility of our neighborhoods; repairing roads and improving parks; promoting Brookhaven to quality industries looking to relocate; making Brookhaven a great example of good governance; remaining accessible and accountable to you.
Rebecca Chase Williams
Residence: Byrnwyck community
How long a Brookhaven resident: 27 years
Age: 63
Family: Husband, Dick Williams; two daughters, Chase (22) and Clare (20)
Education: Bachelor's degree, University of Illinois
Occupation: Journalist and co-owner Crier Newspapers; retired national news correspondent for ABC News; former owner of Dunwoody Body Works for 20 years
Stance on incorporation before the vote: Board member, Citizens for North DeKalb, which commissioned and funded the city feasibility study. From January to the July vote, covered the "Road to Brookhaven" for The Crier and remained neutral on the issue until the vote.
Reason for running: I have spent two decades actively involved in my community, and years researching and writing about the issues of the new cities. I concluded that no one had worked harder than I had to understand the issues and challenges we will face. I have a proven record of community leadership and have been involved in nearly every issue affecting my district for the last 20 years. I know how to get all the facts, listen to all sides, build consensus and make smart decisions. I'm a fiscal conservative and have pledged to keep taxes low and be a good steward of taxpayer dollars. With a reputation of honesty and integrity, I am dedicated to a city government that is open and accountable to its citizens. As an empty nester, and being semi-retired, I can devote full time to the job of City Council representative.
Experience: President, Byrnwyck Homeowners Association, 10 years; current board member of homeowners association; zoning co-chairwoman, Ashford Alliance; former member, Board of Trustees, St. Martin's Episcopal School; volunteer, All Saints Catholic Church. Served as district appointee to DeKalb County Zoning Appeals Board until campaign began.
Top priority: First, get the budget right, which means confirming the actual revenue and setting a fiscally conservative budget that is balanced and invests wisely. Equally important is to hire the best city manager and police chief, as they will create and supervise the departments. Choosing the right bids from the companies to provide city services is also key to launching a successful city. These are all critical decisions that have to be made as soon as possible. We only get one chance to launch a city, and I am running to make sure we get it right.
CITY COUNCIL – DISTRICT 2
Jim Eyre
Residence: Ashford Park
How long a Brookhaven resident: 11 years
Age: 54
Family: Son, Patrick
Education: Bachelor's degree, landscape architecture, Ohio State University; master's of business administration, City University of London
Occupation: Owner, J&E Real Estate Investments
Stance on incorporation before vote: Supported right to vote
Reason for running: I am running for the city of Brookhaven City Council District 2 to continue my work in a community I love and understand intimately, to support the issues that I have heard from residents will benefit District 2 and to fight the issues that they have told me will be detrimental to the community. I believe the Brookhaven City Council District 2 seat will allow me an opportunity to continue, on a new level, the community service I have enjoyed for a number of years in Ashford Park and Drew Valley.
Experience: Vice president, Ashford Park Civic Association; board member, Brookhaven Peachtree Community Alliance; district member, DeKalb County Community Council; member, Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church; assistant scoutmaster and merit badge counselor, Boy Scout Troop 21; vice president, instrumental music, Marist School Art Guild; Men's Bible Study member and driving force ministry coordinator, Marist School; master-plan coordinator, Friends of Brookhaven Park.
Top priority: A top priority for me will be managing expectations with respect to what level of services the city of Brookhaven will be able to offer its citizens. The time for making promises is over, and we must now prepare a responsible, fiscally conservative, balanced budget that is the road map for a sustainable future for the city of Brookhaven. We must be realistic with our revenue projections, commit to spend only those monies that are really available to the city and, most importantly, establish sufficient reserve funds to carry the city through the inevitable economic cycles to come.
Larry Hurst
Residence: Drew Valley
How long a Brookhaven resident: 13 years
Age: 47
Family: Wife, Dawne; child, Olivia (2)
Education: Bachelor's degree in business administration, University of Georgia
Occupation: Sales manager, Halco Lubricants
Stance on incorporation before vote: Supporter
Reason for running: Because I don't trust the city not to devolve into just another layer of government that spends too much, taxes too much, borrows too much and intrudes into the lives of its citizens. I do not want to see a city government that begins to see itself as more important than the citizens it's supposed to serve. Who we elect as a City Council and mayor will set the tone for how much the city government will eventually intrude into our lives. I'll push for limits on spending, taxing, borrowing; term limits on elected officials (a maximum of three terms); an extremely tough code of ethics that bans gifts, favors and nepotism. I'll push for privatization of all services the city is not best qualified to perform. I'll require that all city employees' salaries and benefits be posted on the city's website so the citizens of Brookhaven know what they are paying city employees.
Experience: None
Top priority: The recruitment of the best city manager and chief of police we can find. These two positions are the key to how our new city functions going forward. These two individuals will set the tone for the entire government. If we don't hire a good city manager, he/she will not hire qualified people who will actually run the city's day-to-day activities. If we hire the wrong chief of police, he/she will find it difficult to recruit the best cops from surrounding forces. There are plenty of great people who want to work for the city of Brookhaven and help us build a better community to live and work. The only way we can mess this up is for the new city government to hire the wrong managers. My No. 1 priority is to make sure we hire the most qualified individuals we can afford and keep nepotism and favoritism out of the process.
Russell Mitchell
Residence: Drew Valley
How long a Brookhaven resident: 3 years
Age: 30
Family: Wife, Jennifer; a son
Education: Bachelor's degree in finance and a master's of business administration, Columbus State University
Occupation: Financial management
Stance on incorporation before vote: Proponent who served as treasurer for Citizens for North DeKalb and secretary for Brookhaven Yes
Reason for running: I became passionate about incorporation while I was the financial analyst for the city of Dunwoody, where I experienced firsthand the level of service and quality of life a local government could provide. Simply put, I wanted the same for my community. With the success of the incorporation efforts, I was approached by many of my neighbors and friends in the community and encouraged to run for office based on my prior local government experience within a startup city in DeKalb County. Together, with the profound knowledge I gained during the cityhood process and demonstrable commitment to my community, it seemed only natural that I should follow through with my obligations and run for the City Council. I feel I have both the intrinsic and professional capacity to hit the ground running on Day One and to ensure our new city will get off to a great start.
Experience: Treasurer, Citizens for North DeKalb; secretary, Brookhaven Yes; former financial analyst, Dunwoody; manager, community garden
Top priority: I talk about budgeting a lot for a very important reason — it is imperative that we establish a fiscally conservative budget that provides better services while keeping the millage rate low and is truly representative of the fiscal demands necessary of our newly incorporated city. Based on the nature of imperativeness in other startup municipalities in north Fulton County and in Dunwoody, the importance of transitioning DeKalb County codes to Brookhaven codes will be an important initial step in the incorporation process. Finally, hiring experts in municipal law and city governance respective to a seasoned city manager, city clerk, finance director, city attorney and police chief cannot be understated and should be a top priority in the startup effort in the weeks/months ahead.
CITY COUNCIL – DISTRICT 3
Deborah Anthony
Residence: Brookhaven Fields
How long a Brookhaven resident: 17 years
Age: 58
Family: Husband, Mack Anthony
Education: Bachelor's degree and law degree, College of William and Mary
Occupation: Attorney
Stance before incorporation vote: Not a member of any organization but questioned the schedule for incorporation
Reason for running: After living at the same Brookhaven address since 1995, my husband and I have a lot invested in this community and want to see the incorporation prove a success. In my transactional legal practice, I have had the opportunity to work with a number of the new cities and seen what works well and what does not. My commitment and background provide me with the drive necessary to overcome the time constraints facing us and a head start in understanding the legal and policy requirements for the city.
Experience: In-house counsel, Chatham Neighborhoods. Worked with developers, lenders and nonprofits in real estate and corporate legal realm.
Top priority: In the short term, stabilizing the transfer of services and communicating effectively to all residents and business owners how the city will operate. In the first two years following incorporation, my priorities are to lay the groundwork for the implementation of services on a long-term basis by building in flexibility in operations and financial safeguards.
Hope Bawcom
Residence: Club Place
How long a Brookhaven resident: 12 Years
Age: 44
Family: Husband, Aaron
Education: Bachelor's degree in finance, University of Memphis
Occupation: Business owner
Actively for or against incorporation before vote: Not part of either campaign
Reason for running: We need to build this city right. There is a massive amount of work that must be accomplished to start this city well. Other incorporated cities have told us that a big factor in the success of the city will be based on the time commitment of the leadership. I have built businesses from the ground up, so we decided as a family that I would run for the position on the premise that if elected I would leave my business and make the City Council position my full-time job. If we want to get this right, we need to put every bit of our time into it.
Experience: Sales manager, Fortune 500 firm and with high-tech startup firm. Volunteer, Atlanta All Stars. Tutor, area children. Volunteer, Friends of Brookhaven Park.
Top priority: Managing a fiscally responsible budget and laying a strong foundation for the city, thus ensuring we keep as much money as possible in our family budgets. Holding city management to a high standard of doing the hard work of getting great services at the best prices for our tax dollars. Setting up a strong communication system between city leadership, police, public works, vendors, neighborhood leaders and citizens so everyone has full visibility and input into the operations of the city. Expect the police chief to run the finest police organization in the country.
Bates Mattison
Residence: Historic Brookhaven
How long a Brookhaven resident: 17 years
Age: 41
Family: Wife, Stephanie; son, Miles (7); daughter, Kathleen (5)
Education: Dual bachelor's degree in business and German, College of Charleston;master's of business administration, Georgia State University
Occupation: Health care administrator
Stance on Brookhaven cityhood before incorporation: Did not join either campaign
Reason running: To provide the leadership and skills necessary to ensure the success of our new city
Experience: Member, J. Mack Robinson Council of Young Business Leaders; member, College of Charleston Business Club; board member and past president, Brookhaven Fields Civic Association; junior board member, MedShare; founder, Brookhaven Firewood Fundraiser to benefit Ashford Park Elementary; volunteer, Brookhaven Fields, Friends of Briarwood Park, Ashford Park Elementary, Peachtree Road United Methodist Church and Habitat for Humanity.
Top priority: Using my experience and skill set of business operations to ensure effective project management and ability to execute on our council's strategy to ensure the success of the first City Council. I will ensure accountability and fiscal management to provide the best value for the taxpayer's money.
Bridget O’Donnell
Residence: Mabry Road
How long a Brookhaven resident: 13 years
Age: 48
Family: Husband, Jim O'Donnell; daughter, Alex (22); son, Jack (7)
Education: Bachelor's degree, political science, Georgia State University
Occupation: Real estate business owner
Stance on incorporation before vote: Not actively for or against incorporation
Reason for running: I chose to run out of a love for my community. In addition, as a fiscal conservative I am concerned about taxes and want to make sure our taxes remain low and our government is efficient, responsive and accountable.
Experience: Work in commercial real estate entailed dealing with local municipalities and neighborhood organizations regarding zoning and permitting
Top priority: Our top priorities will begin with taking and analyzing the commission's recommendations, including hiring the most competent city manager and hiring a well-qualified police chief to hire the appropriate number of police officers to provide us with a safe community. We will need to set a priority-based budget that will include a reserve for capital expenditures and prioritizes providing outstanding services to the residents of Brookhaven.
Ben Podgor
Residence: Did not respond
How long a Brookhaven resident: 6 years
Age: Did not respond
Family: Adult son, daughter
Education: Did not respond
Occupation: Retired attorney, certified public accountant
Stance on Brookhaven cityhood before incorporation: Did not respond
Reason for running: I am not running. I am making myself available. My background obligates me to do so.
Top priority: Did not respond
Kevin Quirk
How long a Brookhaven resident: 19 years
Age: 50
Family: Wife, three children (18, 14 and 11)
Education: Bachelor's degree, economics, University of Notre Dame; law degree, University of North Carolina
Occupation: Attorney
Stance on incorporation before vote: Not actively involved in either campaign
Reason for running: I want to serve my community by helping to guide the formation of the new city.
Experience: Former board member, Historic Brookhaven Neighborhood Association; member, finance committee, Our Lady of the Assumption Church
Top priority: City services (particularly public safety), zoning and parks. Structurally, we immediately must adopt a code of city ordinances (including the LCI Overlay), hire a highly qualified city manager and implement the means for collecting revenue. Substantively, we must develop a police force with a sufficient number of officers, acquire and maintain our parks, and enforce our zoning ordinances.
Remaining issues: Other issues that we must address include the eventual improvement of our parks, and maintaining and improving the city's roads and drainage systems.
Julia Russo
Residence: Brookhaven Heights
How long a Brookhaven resident: 17 years
Age: 56
Family: Husband, Kent
Education: Bachelor's degree in education and master's of business administration, Florida State University
Occupation: Formerly public affairs, currently real estate professional
Stance on incorporation before vote: Was not active in either campaign
Reason for running: I love Brookhaven. Having lived here for almost two decades, we are embarking on a new chapter in the history of this brand-new startup city. What will it be? How will it work? Well, work is the operative word. I am ready to roll up my sleeves and work very hard to make this city the best it can be. I've got the right mix of talents, experience and community involvement to get the job done. Let's face it. Brookhaven has always been great. Now, it's just going to get better and better.
Experience: Co-founder, Brookhaven Heights Community Association; founding director, Cross Keys Foundation; past director, Brookhaven Rotary; member, Chamblee Business Association; ran staff in government at time of telephone divestiture; handled legislation in four state legislatures for MCI; assistant vice president, external affairs, startup subsidiary of Bell South
Top priority: Safety, which includes three aspects; building a community policing force … and that means encouraging officers to live in the city of Brookhaven; mission critical E911; and traffic calming and safety.
Gaye Stathis
Suspended campaign for personal reasons. Has endorsed Kevin Quirk for seat.
Erik Steavens
Residence: Arbors at Brookhaven
How long a Brookhaven resident: Eight years
Age: 41
Family: Wife, Tina; daughter, Lena (7)
Education: Bachelor's and master's degrees in civil engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology
Occupation: Director of fleet relations for RouteMatch Software.
Stance on Brookhaven cityhood before incorporation: Not available
Reason for running: Putting our new government on solid footing so that we have the foundation to provide great services, resolve traffic conflicts in our neighborhoods, provide more opportunities to walk, and improve the quality of our parks and open spaces.
Experience: Member, Arbors at Brookhaven Home Owners; member, Brookhaven Peachtree Community Alliance
Top priority: S.A.F.E.: Safety and security, with a community-oriented police force for Brookhaven; Accessible for open government, ensuring that residents have a voice; Financial sustainability, making sure that we have adequate and stable funding to provide services and maintenance long-term; and Efficient service delivery that provides high-quality services that bring value to residents.
CITY COUNCIL – DISTRICT 4
Joe Gebbia
Residence: Buckhead Valley
How long a Brookhaven resident: 10 years
Age: 61
Family: Wife, Eileen; son (31); daughter (28)
Education: Bachelor's degree, history, Allegheny College; year of study at University of Manchester, England; master's of business administration, Youngstown State University
Occupation: Owner and president, Health Matters Inc.
Stance on incorporation before vote: For cityhood
Reason for running: I am running because I care deeply about our community. I want to utilize my talents to ensure our Brookhaven city government runs efficiently, operates within budget, holds the line on new taxes and effectively provides the highest quality of service to our constituents.
Experience: Balancing multimillion-dollar budgets in business and entrepreneurial background
Top priority: The No. 1 ongoing priority is to be a "true representative of the people." From a policy standpoint, there are two sets of priorities that have to be addressed. First is the immediate decisions needed to get the government up and running: where to locate Town Hall, setting up the mechanisms necessary to receive immediate revenue; and hiring a city manager to be in place on Day One. Second is initiating the process for the most important longer-term issues, the selecting of a chief of police.
Karen Lord
Residence: Buckhead Place neighborhood
How long a Brookhaven resident: 6 years
Age: 30
Family: Single
Education: Bachelor's degree, University of Georgia
Occupation: Sell and provide operating room technical support for orthopaedic implants
Stance on incorporation before vote: Did not take stance, voted against over concerns
Reason for running: I am running to ensure the promises made by Brookhaven Yes are kept. I want our city to start with a foundation of fiscal responsibility. We must be a city that lives within our limited means. We must have a government that is open and transparent and accessible to its citizens. Elected officials should be accessible and held accountable for decisions made. We must improve upon the services that we are taking over from DeKalb County. We need a qualified police force to show presence within our city and provide protection to our citizens.
Experience: Active member, DeKalb County GOP; active member, DeKalb Young Republicans
Top priority: Fiscal responsibility and government transparency
Kerry Witt
Residence: Pine Hills neighborhood
How long a Brookhaven residence: 22 years
Age: 57
Family: Wife, Peggy Witt
Education: Attended Georgia State University and University of Georgia, studying business
Occupation: Own Witt and Associates Inc. real estate firm
Stance on Brookhaven cityhood before incorporation: Member, Brookhaven Yes
Experience: DeKalb County Community Council, member four years and chairman two years; president of Pine Hills Neighborhood Association; member, Pine Hills Zoning Board
Reason for running: I want to ensure it's done right, since we have so many people who were against the city who are now running to be a City Council member or mayor. I lean heavily toward zoning issues because of my experience.
Top priority: I would like to see a very strong police force, and all of us would like to see it run efficiently and for our taxes to be low. It's very important to run the city as efficiently as possible and for there to be more of a police presence on Buford Highway to curtail the petty crimes that occur there. District 4 is the only one without a park, and I am concerned about getting a park set up in our area.
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