Tony Powers has been chosen as the new mayor of Decatur by the city commission, following Patti Garrett’s decision to step down after about ten years in office. According to FOX 5 Atlanta, beginning in 2027, Decatur residents will vote directly for their mayor for the first time, marking a significant change in the city’s electoral process.
Commissioner Lesa Fronk was also elected mayor pro tem in a city where the mayor has traditionally been chosen from among the elected city commissioners representing individual districts. However, a recently approved charter amendment will allow residents to vote directly for mayor starting in 2027. Tony Powers becomes one of the last mayors selected under the longstanding practice of commission appointment.
“Half the people in Decatur never saw my name on a ballot. It's a step towards having better representation,” former Mayor Patti Garrett said in an interview with CBS Atlanta. Garrett, along with several commissioners and residents, advocated for the change, emphasizing that it promotes a more accountable and representative local government.
In Decatur, the mayor’s role remains largely ceremonial, with equal authority shared among the city commissioners, and carries an annual salary of $15,000. Residents expressed mixed reactions to the change: some, like Maria Alvarez, supported the previous system, telling CBS Atlanta, “I feel like it's okay for them to elect a person because they know who best would represent the city.” Others, including Willie Barnes and Sheryl Swenn—who had been unaware of their mayor’s identity—welcomed the shift toward direct elections as a necessary step to strengthen democratic representation.
