Two days after she and husband Gary Garrett celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary, Commissioner Patti Garrett was elected as the third woman mayor in Decatur history.
She was chosen by a unanimous 4-0 count among other commissioners while Fred Boykin, now the board’s most senior member was elected mayor pro tem.
Meanwhile new Commissioners Tony Powers and Brian Smith were sworn in along with Scott Drake who was re-elected in November.
Garrett, 64, and her husband moved to Decatur from Chattanooga 14½ years ago, and she currently teaches nutrition counseling at the Georgia State University Counseling Center.
She joined the city commission in 2010, urged to run for office by former Mayor Bill Floyd. She’s been mayor pro tem the last three years.
“I have the ability to listen,” Garrett told the AJC after Monday’s meeting. “I think I’m pragmatic, and I’m able to look at different perspectives.”
She succeeds Jim Baskett, who retired after three years as mayor and 20 years on the commission. The previous two women mayors were Elizabeth Wilson from 1993 to 1999 and Ann A. Crichton in the late 1970s.
Garrett said the most urgent task facing the commission is pushing both the city and city schools’ homestead exemption plans through the legislature, which begins meeting Jan. 11.
She also pointed out the city “very early on” needs to take the legislature’s pulse on annexation before deciding whether or not to pursue it. Another priority, Garrett said, is taking “the next steps” on the community action plan—accepted by commissioners last month—which addresses diversity issues in culture, race, age, politics and economic resources.
She and Gary have three grown sons and five grandchildren.
About the Author
