Meet the Candidates: Pat Lockwood

The Nov. 8 election will be a big one for There are seven seats on the council, four of which are up for election.

One seat will be in the mayor's race where Councilman Tim Faricy will oppose longtime Mayor Sue Osborn for the two-year term.

Incumbent Cheryl King, former Department of Public Works director Les Bland, former Fenton Mayor Patricia Lockwood  and newcomer Michael Piacentini will compete for three four-year term council seats.

The seats of King, Faricy and John Rauch will expire. Rauch will not run for re-election. The winners will join Benjamin Smith, Dianne North and Bradley Jacob on the city council.

During the next several days, we will take a detailed look at each candidate. You can read below or watch the attached video from the Meet the Candidates forum held by the Fenton Regional Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday.

Today, we profile former Fenton Mayor Pat Lockwood.

1. What are your work and educational backgrounds?

Presently: Independent Consultant on Municipal Issues.

Former:

• Michigan Department of Transportation-State Transportation Advisor
• Michigan Department of Agriculture-Economic Development & Federal Policy Advisor
•  Acting Racing Commissioner
• Fenton Chamber of Commerce, Executive Director
• Attended University of Detroit
• Flemming Fellow Leadership Graduate, 2001, Washington D.C.

2. How old are you, how long have you lived in Fenton, and who are your family members? I am 66. I have lived in Fenton for 41 years. I'm married to my husband Ron. We have three married children, Heather & Dan Gundry, Brad & Laurie Lockwood, Brooke & Steve Page and 10 grandchildren.

3. What public offices have you held, and how are you involved in the community? Fenton Councilmember, 1987-1988, Mayor, city of Fenton 1988-1999.

Involvement in Community:

• Chairwoman of Fenton Freedom Festival

• Co-Chairwoman Fund Development, Fenton Community & Cultural Center

  Board Member: 

• Fenton Area Public Schools Educational Foundation
• Fenton Community Fund
• Michigan Municipal League & Michigan Municipal Foundation
• Genesee County Land Bank                 

Former Board Member:

• Losee Senior Center
• United Way
• Junior Achievement
• Downtown Development Authority
• Local Development Finance Authority

 4. Why did you decide to run for office? My experience and understanding of the needs of local government and my ability to communicate with residents and businesses on issues impacting our quality of life. Fenton is a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family. I want to do anything that I can to help keep and improve what we have here.  

5. What issues, in your opinion, are big ones for Fenton? Continue to redevelop the Downtown Business District to attract shops, restaurants, cultural events that will complement our historical pride and establish a vibrant community.   

Local Road and Sidewalk repairs in our aging Neighborhoods require constant attention and improvements.

The lack of revenue due to decrease in state revenue sharing and declining property values, and the impact it will have on expected and necessary services to our residents and businesses will prompt us to rethink the way we do business in Fenton, there are opportunities to share services with municipalities and the school district which could create reductions in costs and the continuation of necessary services.