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

Rough Draft, Lauren Kiefer to run for Brookhaven mayor 

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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 November 10, 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

- 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 Runoff

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Natural Resources & the Environment

Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

Public Services

Transportation & Infrastructure