Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1458429
Read more stories in our archives at maconmagazine.com. The majority of council members ran for office on the need for an audit, but it hasn't gotten done, so that's something to consider. FUTURE GOALS JG: Do you have a plan for public transit in Warner Robins? Mayor: We must think about our future. Public transit is an issue of concern and a need for many people. I look forward to some kind of public transit for Warner Robins. Some people fear that it will bring bad people to the good side of town. But I can't think of good people and bad people. I have to think of our people and about our whole city. We may need to start out small, but we can grow transit as demand increases. Maybe it's a pick-up service, and my goal is to obtain eco-friendly buses, perhaps, through a grant or program. JG: Warner Robins has so much going for it, but the rub is, there's no downtown — and that was part of your platform heading into the campaign. Mayor: We're interested in creating a downtown in Commercial Circle, at the intersection of Watson Boulevard and Davis Drive, Warner Robins' historic downtown. JG: What are the challenges of re-creating the city's downtown? Mayor: The property is privately owned and the owners must agree to sell. We'll start with Commercial Circle, and if that location doesn't work out, we can choose another area for a city center applying the same concept . We'd start fresh on a large piece of land, preferably one the city already owns. JG: Do you have a dream or signature project? Mayor: I want Warner Robins to finally have a downtown of our own. I learned during the mayor's race that people don't care about what you do behind closed doors. They care about what they can see, so they know you're doing something. I will strive to be the best leader I can be so that our city can be the best it can be. I've faced challenges throughout my legal career, as a working mother and as a female attorney on her own. But I've got tough skin. I am built for this. 'I'VE FACED CHALLENGES THROUGHOUT MY LEGAL CAREER, AS A WORKING MOTHER AND AS A FEMALE ATTORNEY ON HER OWN. BUT I'VE GOT TOUGH SKIN. I AM BUILT FOR THIS.' — WARNER ROBINS MAYOR LARHONDA PATRICK 56 maconmagazine.com | FEBRUARY/MARCH 2022