After weeks deliberation first-term Avondale Estates Commissioner Brian Fisher has decided to run for re-election November 5. Fisher’s decision comes just days before the August 19-23 qualifying week.
Fisher and Adela Yelton’s are the two commission seats up for re-election, with Yelton declining to run again. As of now Fisher is the only announced commission candidate. In a separate mayoral race incumbent Jonathan Elmore will square off against former City Manager Clai Brown.
“I’ve been up in the air about whether to run again,” said Fisher, who’s now in his second year as Mayor Pro Tem. “Honestly, I thought we’d be further along by now [with certain projects], particularly with building our park (or town green in downtown Avondale). I feel I need to see some projects through to completion. I don’t want to look back 10 years from now and have to admit that we’ve squandered a huge opportunity.”
Fisher believes the most immediate need is not just building the two-acre park but planning and building a commercial sector to front it. He also lists straightening the city’s strange street grid as a priority for the next four years, particularly connecting Parry and Washington Streets.
Fisher also hopes the next four years see the stirring of some type development on the 13 acres formerly home to the Fenner-Dunlop Mill.
Fisher grew up in Honea Path, S.C., and in 1997 graduated from Furman University where he played football. He’s now a senior vice president, commercial banker for SouthCrest Bank, working out of its midtown Atlanta office. He and his wife and three daughters have lived in Avondale for six years, but they’ve been involved with the Museum School just outside the city for the last 10 years.
“For a long time [Avondale’s] reputation among developers is that we were a pain to deal with,” he said. “I also think for a long time the city has struggled to get comfortable with itself and what it wants. But I think that’s changing now, and I want to see it through. I mean, why wouldn’t we want shops and restaurants here, in our city, so we don’t have to get in the car and drive to Decatur?”
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