A close look at Warner Robins’ mayor candidates – LaRhonda Patrick

Just as it does every four years, the time for an election for Warner Robins’ mayor has come. And just like every election year before this one, candidates have risen across the city, biding for the responsibility and power that the elected position affords. This year, there are three candidates: incumbent Mayor Randy Toms, current Fort Valley City Attorney LaRhonda Patrick and accountant, Stephen Baughier. In an effort to provide all candidates’ focuses and ideas for growth and change to our readers, The Journal has interviewed each, and is publishing their views in three separate articles.

Patrick is a self-described “Air Force brat,” having moved all across the western world, from Southern California to Portugal, and eventually, when she was 11 years old, to Warner Robins, Georgia, where she’s called home ever since. Patrick graduated from Northside High School, and then went on to receive her bachelor’s degree in Political Science at Georgia State University, and a law degree from North Carolina Central University. Patrick took part in Georgia’s Legislative Internship program, working closely with Georgia’s General Assembly and subsequently take jobs with the Georgia State Senate as an administrative assistant, as a law clerk with the Warner Robins State Court under Judge Jason Ashford, as a defense contractor, as a contracts administrator, as chief compliance officer, and eventually as the City Attorney for Fort Valley.

“I’ve done a lot of different duties,” Patrick said, “which actually helped prepare me for this. I’m not just seeing through one scope, I’m able to operate and understand several different departments because of my professional experience.” Patrick isn’t boasting. She is uniquely equipped with knowledge of multi-million dollar contracts, negotiations, of city law, codes and ordinances and state compliance.

When it comes to Patrick’s platform, she does have her “Big Three” which she named as, “Innovation, Industry, and Involvement.” Patrick hopes use implement energy sustainability programs like solar power incentives and smart city initiatives, she hopes to “invest in our community” with new industry coming to the table and career jobs for the graduated youth, and finally, Patrick wants more community involvement, to “get back to the international city” by continuing to renovate parks and develop community areas.

Aside from her “Big Three,” Patrick explains that her priorities will change with the public’s perception of priority. “People want to see change,” Patrick said. “They don’t care what you do on city council. Most people don’t know, and don’t care, they want to see it.” While her “Big Three” platform doesn’t specifically name crime, Patrick plans to develop programs to assist in a proactive prevention through educating the youth. Additionally, regarding the city’s lawsuits, Patrick says that she intends to bring them to an end through negotiation and conflict resolution, and by being proactive about city insurance concerns. These things fall under the “public’s perception of priority.”

There are several topics that don’t necessarily fall under the Patrick’s “public perception of priority” plan, such as city transparency and blight. However, Patrick still has some responses when asked questions about these topics specifically.

The citizens of Warner Robins have voiced repeatedly a desire for a downtown area for their city, and while the city has just implemented a Downtown Development Authority, progress has been slow in comparison to how long the request has been made. Patrick has some solutions in mind. She says she’ll be working through the city’s authorities and department heads, “to talk about vision and goals and priorities, so that we are on the same page when it comes to developing our city.” Through this team effort, Patrick believes she can help bring a downtown to Warner Robins.

Transparency is highly considered by Warner Robins citizens in regard to their elected officials as well. This matter is addressed on a state level by open-records laws, and on a city level with things such as the new Citizens Advisory Board. Patrick believes the city’s transparency can be further improved. By fully understanding the intent of the Citizens Advisory Board, Patrick believes that the city may “do more with it” through fine tuning the intent of the board, and potentially expand and enhance the board and it’s powers.

For a growing city like Warner Robins, its utilities can be a big point of contention. The bills paid for Warner Robins citizens’ gas, water and sewage all go toward an enterprise fund, money that be used for large city projects. The city’s utilities are always expanding to allow for more constituents, yet at the same time, there have been concerns of gas and water leaks, as well as rising prices. Patrick’s plan is to focus on the resources used by the people. By improving water and sewage to develop infrastructure for the city’s growing population, and regaining managing control of the city’s gas department, Patrick believes utilities will improve as well. “We have to focus on improving our other utilities that are showing deficiencies so that our infrastructure is up to par for our current and growing population.”

Warner Robins, just like any growing city, has a problem with blight, especially within the north and east ends of town. Patrick believes the way to address this is very simply by utilizing code enforcement. “Code enforcement is a tool to help fight against blight. Maybe we need to change some of our ordinances when it comes to code enforcement, but they will be the ones to identify homes that are subject to blight first. We have tools in place to help combat against that.”

Finally, it’s hard to go a day in Warner Robins without seeing or hearing the phrase, “Every day in middle Georgia is armed forces appreciation day.” Robins Air Force Base has been a part of middle Georgia since World War II, and Warner Robins is home to many the people who work there. Patrick says that she thinks we could strengthen that relationship. “We have to reach across the street and build a relationship with Robins Air Force Base and the leadership their. I don’t understand how we are a city that houses the largest employer in the state, and you don’t see that strong relationship between the city and Robins Air Force Base. We have got to get that connected.

“I believe,” Patrick added, “with our city, with the mismanagement that we’ve seen, that it requires a candidate that is highly trained, educated, skilled and experienced with what is required to run a city the size of Warner Robins. I have that experience, and I will be a candidate that is about community, transparency, and legacy. We’re looking forward to the future. It’s time to have elected officials in office who are public servants at heart, and who put people before power.”

Early voting begins Tuesday, October 12, and will continue on weekdays and Saturdays until Friday, October 29. Voting areas will be open every weekday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The final and official Election Day will be November 2.

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