Mayor-Elect LaRhonda Patrick prepares to lead Warner Robins

This election year, only one of Houston County’s incorporated cities saw an official election for the position of mayor. Warner Robins incumbent Mayor Randy Toms found himself being challenged by a newcomer to the elected office arena. To most, LaRhonda Patrick’s name was unknown until it surfaced as one of those who would challenge the sitting mayor. It was an election that went into overtime, coming down to a runoff that took place on November 30. Eventually, Patrick would come out on top. It was an end result that even she admits she was not certain would happen.

“When we decided for me to run, I knew I had a chance of winning, but I was never confident I was absolutely going to win,” Patrick shared in a one-on-one candid conversation with The Houston Home Journal. When the mud slinging began, she had no idea how much damage it would do.

“I felt that I was in a really good spot when I knew there was going to be a runoff, but when the dirty politics started, I had no more confidence that I was in a good spot. I knew I had to push as hard as I could to make sure people were not distracted. The picture that he was trying to paint of me was inaccurate, and I had to keep trying to push to make sure that people knew that’s not who I am.”

The run for Warner Robins Mayor was Patrick’s first attempt at becoming an elected political official, and she said her opponent’s misrepresentation of her stance on crucial issues was not something for which she had prepared.

“I wish I would have,” Patrick said, looking back. “I had a feeling that when we got to the runoff that my opponent was going to start running a campaign at that time, because he didn’t really campaign the first time. I was expecting to see ugly behavior the first time, and I didn’t. And when I didn’t, I got too comfortable,” she admitted. “I did not expect him to do what he did.”

Patrick’s campaign team was made up of Republicans and Democrats. It was made up of Whites and Blacks. Because she had that diverse covering, she felt that if he tried to attack her with divisiveness, he’d see that those things wouldn’t work.

“I was wrong,” she said. “When it happened, I’m happy that I didn’t get stressed, but I did get angry. Most people that were already supporting me didn’t believe it, and that gave me comfort, but had I been prepared, had I already understood that he would go that low, I would have gotten in front of it.”

Despite the grittiness of the battle, when the voting public finished voicing their opinions at the polls, it was Patrick that the majority wanted to see in the mayor’s seat come January 1, 2022. The mayor-elect indicated that there is much to be done, and she will hit the ground running.

“I want to have a big meeting with all the department heads,” she said when sharing her first steps as mayor. “From that point, I want to have a meeting with the staff members of each department. We will have it scheduled out for me to have introductory visits to each department. I will have already met the department heads one-on-one prior to my [January 3] swearing in, so the first day, I’ll meet with them as a group, and then go to each department and meet with the staff members just to start bridging gaps and building relationships and so they can see who I am, and I can see who they are. No high stress or anything; just talking.”

This week, Patrick was invited by current government leaders to attend meetings for the opportunity to meet constituents and citizens. She attended Tuesday morning’s Houston County Commissioners meeting with an invitation from Chairman Tommy Stalnaker, and then on Tuesday evening, she made an appearance at Centerville City Council meeting where she had been invited by Mayor John Harley.

“I’ve also gotten invitations to a couple of breakfast and lunch meetings from other officials,” she expressed, remarking that overall, people have been very receptive of her.

One of the first missions that Patrick will make strides to accomplish upon her official placement is to move forward with the plans for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial site in Warner Robins. Throughout her entire campaign, the county’s veterans were some of Patrick’s strongest supporters. She endeavors to ensure that they understand their importance to the city, the county and the country. The issue of the memorial has been left unresolved for several years in Warner Robins, and Patrick said that it’s past time to take action.

“The money has already been set aside from a SPLOST fund. It’s just sitting somewhere. We’re going to be finding out where it is,” she promised.

In doing so, Patrick revealed that she will be forming a committee board for the Vietnam Veterans memorial, and that committee will consist of veterans.

“That will give them the comfort of knowing that it’s not just going to take place, but that they will have a part in it. That’s one of the first things I’m going to do. That will happen in January. The site won’t be built in January,” Patrick clarified, “but people will see that we are actively working toward it, and we will get it done.”

Patrick mentioned that she will also be forming an advisory board as a part of her administration, and she will be introducing that board to the public. To her knowledge, her predecessor did not have one, but Patrick believes the mayor should have advisors, just as leaders of corporations do.

“One thing that’s different about me and the administration we’re going to have now is that we are going to run the city like a business, because that’s what it is,” she explained. “It is a business, and it’s public service. You must have people running the city that understand business and that understand the business of Warner Robins. They also have to understand their specialty. That’s important for any business to survive. That’s enhancement, in my opinion, to our city, to have an administration that leads with an advisory board. I can’t wait to tell everyone who is on my advisory board.”

In addition to that, Patrick said that the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) has a new mentoring program for new mayors wherein they can be mentored by other seasoned mayors.

“Right now, I’m doing some research to see who I’d like to mentor underneath, as far as mayors in our city. I’m excited about that, I really am, to know that I can have someone very strong to help me.”

When she officially takes on her role next month, Patrick will represent many “firsts” as mayor of Warner Robins. At 38 years old, she will be the first person that young to serve in the position. As a woman, she will be the first female to be elected into the position. As an African American woman, she will be the first Black female to ever hold the office.

“It gives me a strong sense of pride to know that I am many firsts,” she said. “It also puts pressure on me to succeed in this role. There are many people who think I can’t do this. There are many people who think I’m not ready. But I’ve been working toward this goal since 2005, so I’m absolutely ready, and I absolutely will do this. I am smart enough. I am capable enough, and I cannot wait to show people that. All those questions are going to start to dwindle away, because I’m not just going to tell you, I’m going to show you that I’m going to do this.”

Patrick said that she is very intentional when it comes to her profession and very intentional when it comes to running this city. Without promised to always stay true to public service, and whether her doubter ever admit it or not, Patrick said they are going to start seeing that in the decisions she makes, she is always going to think of how it’s going to benefit the constituents of Warner Robins.

“They will also see how I will make sure that the public is informed of things and we’re not hiding information from them or intentionally trying to mislead anyone. I think seeing that is going to ring well with a lot of people and make them start trusting me and trusting the administration.”

Patrick expressed words of appreciation to all those who have placed their confidence in her ability to lead the city of Warner Robins and be the one to bring the change that the city needs.

“I want to tell everyone thank you. Thank you for the support. Thank you for entrusting me to help lead our city to a better tomorrow,” she said. “I look forward to the experience and I look forward to seeing what the future holds for the city of Warner Robins. The history of it has already been written, but together, we’re going to write an awesome future. I cannot wait to start putting pen to paper and writing that story.”

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