2023 Georgia Local Elections

2023 Georgia Local Elections Runoff

Rough Draft, Brookhaven council member John Park to run for mayor

Rough Draft, Brookhaven council member John Park resigns to run for mayor; Jennifer Owens appointed to fill term

John is originally from South Korea. He and his family fled to the United States when he was six. He attended Decatur High School. He has a Bachelor's degree in business administration from Emory University. He lives with his wife, Morgan Harris, near his parents in Brookhaven.

John is a technical consultant for surveillance of nationally notifiable diseases at the CDC and state health agencies. He used to be a contractor for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) at Northrop Grumman, to work on bioterrorism preparation at the CDC, and to work as a technology consultant for IBM.

H.J. "John" Park was a city council member representing District 2. He was first elected in 2014 and was in office for two terms. He resigned from his council seat to run for mayor.

Increased city parks and greenspaces by 25% while on the city council.

Extended Brookhaven's tree ordinance to preserve more old-growth trees

- Increased city parks and greenspaces by 25% while on the city council.
- Extended Brookhaven's tree ordinance to preserve more old-growth trees

Natural Resources & the Environment

Worked to lower Brookhaven homeowners' property taxes.

- Worked to lower Brookhaven homeowners' property taxes.

Housing & Urban Development

Supported supplying the police force with updated technology and equipment.

Focused on maintaining Brookhaven's ranking as the safest city in DeKalb County.

- Supported supplying the police force with updated technology and equipment.
- Focused on maintaining Brookhaven's ranking as the safest city in DeKalb County.

Public Safety

Wants resident engagement in land-use decisions.

Worked to create new zoning laws for smarter development decision-making.

Made sure all city parks had new facilities & features.

- Wants resident engagement in land-use decisions.
- Worked to create new zoning laws for smarter development decision-making.
- Made sure all city parks had new facilities & features.

Public Services

Advocated for improved stormwater infrastructure to prevent flooding.

Worked to have new sidewalks & bike lanes installed across the district.

- Advocated for improved stormwater infrastructure to prevent flooding.
- Worked to have new sidewalks & bike lanes installed across the district.

Transportation & Infrastructure

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H.J. "John" Park

John is originally from South Korea. He and his family fled to the United States when he was six. He attended Decatur High School. He has a bachelor's degree in business administration from Emory University. He lives with his wife, Morgan Harris, near his parents in Brookhaven.

- Supported supplying the police force with cutting edge technology & equipment.
- Focused on maintaining Brookhaven's ranking as the safest city in DeKalb County.

- Worked to lower homeowner's property taxes.

Good job overall, however some of the "On The Issues" points take a very favorable view of the candidate (mirroring his website's language). For example, instead of "Increased city parks..." which implies that he was the sole actor, I would put "Helped increase..." or instead of "Made sure all city parks had new facilities..." you could put: "Supported creation of new facilities..."

Rough Draft, Politcal newcomers Mark Frost and Hilerie Lind enter Brookhaven mayoral race 

LinkedIn

Hilerie has lived in Brookhaven for six years. She has a bachelor's degree in political science and criminal justice from the University of Akron, a master's degree in criminal justice and legal studies from Grand Canyon University, a master's degree in business administration with a focus in human resources from American InterContinental University, and a certificate of business with a focus in women's entrepreneurship from Cornell University.

Hilerie is an advisor for the US Department of Labor. She used to be a public health advisor for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a pathways trainee for the U.S. Department of Transportation, a financial analyst for Premier EZT, and an admissions advisor for the Career Education Corporation.

Hilerie Lind’s campaign for mayor is her first entry into politics.

As of August 28, 2023, Hilerie Lind’s website did not contain information on this issue.

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Hilerie Lind

As of August 28, 2023, Hilerie Lind’s website did not contain information on this issue and Hilerie Lind did not complete our questionnaire.

Rough Draft, Lauren Kiefer to run for Brookhaven mayor 

Lauren is originally from Illinois. She has lived in Georgia for 28 years. She attended the Illinois Institute of Technology and has a law degree from the Chicago-Kent College of Law. She lives with her husband, David Kiefer, and their son, Mark, in the Drew Valley neighborhood of Brookhaven. She also has a grown daughter, Maura.

Lauren is co-founder and chief operating officer of DocAuto, Inc. and interim executive director of the Peachtree Creek Greenway. She used to work for the Cook County State's Attorney's Office and law firms in Illinois and Atlanta.

Lauren Kiefer's campaign for mayor is her first entry into politics.

Said, "As your mayor, I will continue to protect, improve, and expand our parks and greenspace."

- Said, "As your mayor, I will continue to protect, improve, and expand our parks and greenspace."

As of August 28, 2023, Lauren Kiefer’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Wants to determine why the new public safety building is three years behind and 50% over budget.

- Wants to determine why the new public safety building is three years behind and 50% over budget.

Opposes the no-bid contract given to the architect of the new City Hall.

Wants to deepen Brookhaven's relationship with regional partners

Advocates for public art that is reflective of our diverse population.

- Opposes the no-bid contract given to the architect of the new City Hall.
- Wants to deepen Brookhaven's relationship with regional partners
- Advocates for public art that is reflective of our diverse population.

Lauren Kiefer

As of August 28, 2023, Lauren Kiefer’s website did not contain information on this issue and Lauren Kiefer did not complete our questionnaire.

Lauren is originally from Illinois. She has lived in Georgia for 28 years. She attended the Illinois Institute of Technology and has a law degree from the Chicago-Kent College of Law. She lives with her husband, David Kiefer, and their son, Mark, in the Drew Valley neighborhood of Brookhaven. They also have a grown daughter, Maura.

Lauren is originally from Illinois. She has lived in Georgia for 28 years. She attended the Illinois Institute of Technology and has a law degree from the Chicago-Kent College of Law. She lives with her husband, David Kiefer, and their son Mark. They have a grown daughter, Maura. She lives in the Drew Valley neighborhood of Brookhaven.

Mark was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. He has lived in Georgia for 26 years. He has a bachelor's degree in liberal arts from the University of Northern Colorado. He lives with his wife, Amy. They have three grown daughters and two granddaughters. He has lived in the Ashford Park area of Brookhaven for the last seven years.

Mark founded Frost Automotive Consulting. He used to be the national director of sales - auto dealership security systems at Compass Security Solutions, the chief operating officer at Mike Patton Auto Family, and the vice president of operations at Jim Ellis Automotive Group.

Mark Douglas Frost's campaign for mayor is his first entry into politics.

As of August 28, 2023, Mark Douglas Frost’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Wants to give apartment business owners a tax break in the hope they pass some of the savings along to their renters.

Supports reducing or eliminating property taxes for seniors.

- Wants to give apartment business owners a tax break in the hope they pass some of the savings along to their renters.
- Supports reducing or eliminating property taxes for seniors.

Said, "Any annexation needs to be voted on by Brookhaven residents and the accepted 60% standard of residents agreeing in planned annexation areas needs to be raised to 75%.  "

Plans to combat inflation by pursuing tax relief.

Supports reducing Dekalb County's school tax.

Wants to review plans for the $78 million city hall and find ways to complete the project for less.

- Said, "Any annexation needs to be voted on by Brookhaven residents and the accepted 60% standard of residents agreeing in planned annexation areas needs to be raised to 75%.  "
- Plans to combat inflation by pursuing tax relief.
- Supports reducing Dekalb County's school tax.
- Wants to review plans for the $78 million city hall and find ways to complete the project for less.

Twitter

Mark Douglas Frost

Mark is originally from Portsmouth, New Hampshire. He has lived in Georgia for 26 years. He has a bachelor's degree in liberal arts from the University of Northern Colorado. He lives with his wife, Amy. They have three grown daughters and two granddaughters. He has lived in the Ashford Park area of Brookhaven for the last seven years.

Mark founded Frost Automotive Consulting. He used to be the national director of sales - auto dealership security systems at Compass Security Solutions, the chief operating officer at Mike Patton Auto Family, the vice president of operations - GM brands at Jim Ellis Automotive Group, and a general manager at Jim Ellis Automotive Group.

As of August 28, 2023, Mark Douglas Frost’s website did not contain information on this issue and Mark Douglas Frost did not complete our questionnaire.

- The mayor leads the executive branch of local government, presiding over city council meetings, making sure city departments run smoothly, and providing services to citizens. 
- The mayor runs the city day to day and prepares the budget each year, meaning that they propose how much funding goes to each city department, including the police department, city parks, transportation, and the fire department. 
- The mayor also hires the Police Chief, Fire Chief, and city department heads, such as City Planning, Parks & Recreation, and Transportation. 
- Most Georgia mayors are elected in odd years to four year terms. Elections are nonpartisan. 

Brookhaven Mayor

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Runoff election

Candidates (4)

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Natural Resources & the Environment

Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

Public Services

Transportation & Infrastructure