Five Questions with Kevin Fitzpatrick, District 1 City Council Candidate

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

Fitzpatrick: I am willing to face any unwanted scrutiny that I might endure during the course of a political campaign to make sure that the new City of Brookhaven becomes the best it can be. We have the opportunity to have the best public safety, the best parks, the best connectivity between parks and neighborhoods, the best public involvement in strategic planning and the highest level of transparency and accountability. I along with countless other citizens are working hard to ensure that we are doing the best we can for Brookhaven.

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

Fitzpatrick: Having lived in Brookhaven for 27 years, I have had many opportunites to be of service to the community. I was educated in Brookhaven, having graduated from Oglethorpe in 1978. I have served on the OLA Parish Council and was instrumental in the overcoming the challenges to build the new church and parish center. I have served on the Board of Trustees at Oglethorpe University for the past eight years, and have worked together with the other members of the Board, the faculty and administration to correct defthe university's financial course of events. I have served on the Board's Executive and Audit committees, among others. Working together, we have made the difficult decisions that have balanced the university's budget, produced clean and unqualified audits and have postion Oglethorpe for the largest capital campaign in her history. I have provided pro bono legal services to the Gainsborough Pool. I worked with others in the community to achieve traffic calming improvements, resulting in a dramatic decrease in cut-through traffic.  I have coached softball with the Murphey Candler Girls Softball Association.  I am a past president of the Saint Thomas More Society. I am a coach for the Marist High School Mock Trial Team. Finally, this weekend, I completed a 170-mile two-day bike ride to raise funds for the Gerogia Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

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

Fitzpatrick: Having accepted the responsibility to provide public safety, we must carefully review the various models for police departments and select a model and a police chief that will bring the best to Brookhaven. I would advocate for a community based police force, where residents would know the officers on the beart and vice versa, and where the City provides the officers with the resources they need to do the job.

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

Fitzpatrick: Brookhaven's City Charter is not act of seccession from Dekalb County. As our new city rests completely within the County, it is critical that we maintain a heatlhy working relationship with the County. We will have to coordinate with the County on a number of issues, including the transition of public safety responsibilities and the transfer of ownership of Broookhaven's parks to Brookhaven. This begins with clear and concise communications relating to expectations on both sides.

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?

Fitzpatrick: I promise to always serve the residents of the City of Brookhaven with pride, humilty and a great respect for getting the greatest return on their tax-dollar investment. I will be prudent and cautious in all budgetary matters and operate under the strictest code of ethics.