Warner Robins Mayor Passionate About Progress for People and Leading International City Forward
by Clarence Thomas, Jr. (thomasjr63@gmail.com), MGI Contributor
Following a legislative internship at the Georgia General Assembly as a student in Political Science and Pre-Law at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Mayor LaRhonda Patrick of Warner Robins decided politics would be her platform of progress for people. “I wanted to be a part of that lawmaking process and advocate for people and bills that benefitted the general public,” she shared during a recent conversation.
What began as a heartfelt vision for the future is now being put into practice as the top executive of the City of Warner Robins, the eleventh largest city in Georgia. Although Patrick has only been on the job since January of last year, her tenure has already been marked with the progress promised during her march towards the mayorship. “I felt that some of our lawmakers had forgotten why they were elected to serve, and I believe that to change reality, you’ve got to be willing to be a part of the solution,” Patrick commented.
Today, Patrick’s “Three I’s,” as introduced during her campaign, guide her and serve to measure the progress her administration is making on behalf of Georgia’s International City.
She feels Industry is what the Warner Robins area needs in order to continue to spur the local economy while providing attractive career opportunities for its young professionals.
Innovation is where the greatest stride has already been made through a collaboration with Georgia Institute of Technology and the Partnership for Inclusive Innovation (PIN), resulting in the creation of a “Digital Twin” of Warner Robins. The city’s infrastructure has been converted into a digital format that allows for greater public safety and security that can be mapped and used to better both. It’s an addition to her platform to become a Smart City, says Patrick. Her vision also expands the police department’s footprint at a time when recruitment for public safety is a challenge across the nation.
Additionally, innovation is in motion through ambitious projects such as the development of a city center along with improvements to public spaces shared by the community. Unsightly and vacant buildings that pepper the area will soon make way for the development of mixed-use facilities, providing additional retail and residential housing for residents. Parks, new bike and walking trails, an Amphitheatre, and a brand-new, multi-use recreation center are also in the plans. “It’s exciting! Improving the quality of life here is a big goal. These changes will bring new businesses and residents. Now we can go downtown and enjoy a new way of life,” added Patrick.
Involvement with citizen-driven boards has led to the kind of change the Warner Robins community has been hungering for. Patrick’s promise of transparency during her campaign was real, she insists, and sharing information and working with residents towards a better city is happening. She feels that citizens want to be engaged and have a say in their future. “It’s important for me to be transparent. Involving others is important to making our city what we all want it to be,” she said.
Challenges still exist in Warner Robins, Patrick admits. Crime, an ongoing problem in many cities across America, has spiked but is being addressed. In addition to Smart Policing, a Youth Cadet program has been added to enhance traditional forms of policing. Young people in the program are also being taught life skills and policing from a more humanistic, community-focused perspective, Patrick says.
Mayor Patrick feels the city is winning under her leadership. She cites city leaders working better together, an across-the-board city employee salary increase, property taxes not being raised, and a reduction in lawsuits leveled against city government as proof.
As she sets her sights on a second term, Patrick reflected on overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles including being African-American and female, but, she vows that she is up for what comes with another bid, including arbitrary contenders. “Whoever puts their name on the ballot will have a lot to do, especially since I’ll have a three-year head start. I’m going to give the next race all I have and will use each day of this term earning my next.”
