Five Questions With Hope Bawcom, District 3 Candidate

Editor's Note: will take place on Nov. 6, 2012, with runoffs set for for Dec. 4, 2012.

Patch has contacted every candidate for mayor and city council, asking them to participate in our popular 'Five Questions With ...' series. We will publish their answers, unedited, in the order their responses are received, from those who choose to participate.

And now, Five Questions With Hope Bawcom, candidate for city council district 3.

1. In this day and age of intense scrutiny, and especially considering the recent, hotly contested debate and vote over Brookhaven municipalization, why are you running for city council?  

Bawcom: Now that the formation of a new city has been approved it is critical we get this right and I believe that is contingent on the strength of our leadership.

Building a fiscally responsible City using common sense and thoughtful decision making; offering transparency in governance and providing excellent municipal services and quality customer service while bringing our community back together will produce a City that we are all proud to call home.  

I believe in my ability to make this happen and that is why I am running for city council. 

2. What do you think separates your candidacy from the other contenders?

Bawcom: While we are fortunate to have the advantage of how other cities began incorporation the reality is we will be a start-up. Having worked for a high tech start-up company and building a company myself I know firsthand what is required.  

My real world business experience negotiating vendor and outsourcing agreements in excess of $50M and managing revenue greater than $30M while building consensus and solid relationships will positively impact our City.  

Building Brookhaven will require significant time and focus.  If elected this will be my full time job.  

3. With a newly incorporated municipality, is one responsibility (i.e., police, zoning, etc.) more pressing than some of the others?  

Bawcom: With respect to the five services we will be providing and ensuring we are delivering on the covenants of our city charter of offering excellent municipal services, this begins with public safety.  

Getting our police force in place - hired, trained, and equipped for keeping Brookhaven safe is paramount.  Vendor assessment, requirements analysis, selection and negotiations for the remaining services will also need to happen immediately - all of this putting us on the path to building a safe, beautiful, sustainable family oriented community. 

4. Moving forward, what do you envision Brookhaven's relationship with DeKalb County to be?  

Bawcom: We need to continue developing our partnership with DeKalb County.  DeKalb will continue to provide many services to the city of Brookhaven and we need to ensure the interests of Brookhaven are alive and well within the DeKalb County Government.

5. Candidates make promises when running for public office all the time. Can you make just one promise that, with absolute certainty, you will keep?

Bawcom: I object to the idea of governing without listening to the voice of the Constituents. I promise transparency and open honest communication with the citizens of Brookhaven who together we will author and support any agenda that will improve the quality and safety of our community.