My name is Kathaleen Brewer and I am running for election to Fayetteville City Council, Post 2. Early on I was approached to run for mayor by citizens associated with the Grady Avenue apartment debacle and later received emails from people still reeling over the fire department issue.
Like the majority of you, I felt getting involved in politics wasn’t at the top of my list. Then three days before the deadline, I was asked to please re-consider running.
I spent the next day reviewing the council’s 2015 Strategic Plan and looking into Mayor Clifton’s track record, then talked with our ex-mayor. On the last day and at the last hour, Ed Johnson stepped up to the plate.
Knowing full well the responsibility the mayor’s position holds, I felt he was far more qualified for the job since he is better informed on present issues. Therefore, believing in his integrity, I decided it was more important to go after Post 2 (Mickey Edward’s seat).
Referring back to the two main issues that ignited me to consider entering this election, here is a bit more information. The first incident involved a developer trying to rezone 38 acres on Grady Avenue that would allow him to put 400 percent more residents on the property than present zoning allows.
And even though the city’s own Planning and Zoning Department advised the council NOT to allow it, Mickey Edwards and Paul Oddo (siding with Clifton) still voted to rezone the property so 276 apartments, 59 townhouses and 41 “cottages” could be crammed onto 38 acres with an estimated 700 more cars entering the already congested Grady Avenue.
That vote is something all of us protesting citizens that were in the room that night aren’t likely to forget. (Note: A mayor can’t vote unless there is a tie.)
The second incident concerns the same three councilmen going along with Steve Brown’s idea to give away our highly rated and professional fire department to the county.
Hundreds of local voters and citizens representing approximately 20 percent of the total number of people who voted in the previous election took time out of their busy schedule to appear in opposition, some vehemently. I researched the behind-the-scene facts and published a letter to the editor.
Thankfully, the rest of the councilmen defeated the motion since the two afore mentioned agreed with Clifton and despite the uproar, still voted to give it away. For a more in-depth look at my platform and a list of things I would address, you can go to my website (www.KBrewerStudio.com) and click on the election page in the menu.
Finally, I feel it is time for the council to have the benefit of a woman’s perspective. I am known as a doer and visionary after starting the county’s first art center and then turning an empty building downtown into ArtWorks on the Square, which increased exponentially the number of people coming downtown. (If it weren’t for the landlord having to sell it during the recession, we might still be there.)
I also have knowledge of how a city is run since my father was a Fayetteville councilman for many years and I was an art commissioner for another city before moving here.
I have an associate degree in both chemistry and medical transcription and a BS degree from USC (CA) in dental hygiene along with a certificate in gallery management.
While working hard to promote the arts in Fayette County, I was selected for Georgia’s Non-Profit Leadership Program in 2005-2008 and nominated for the Art Leaders of Metropolitan Atlanta two years in a row.
I’ve been a member of the American Business Women’s Association and Coweta-Fayette Business Women’s Association and Georgia Small Business Association, plus the Fayette Chamber of Commerce. I am also a professional artist and screenplay writer who has won prestigious awards and belong to numerous organizations in those fields.
So, if you agree with me and recognize “It’s Time for Kathy,” please mark your calendars and head for the library or the old Fayette High School on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Last year only 400 people voted out of 16,000. So if you want better representation, then mark your calendars and please go the voting polls.
Kathaleen Brewer
Fayetteville, Ga.
