Patty Berkovitz, Andy Bauman Will Make District 6 Race Interesting

Sandy Springs environmental advocate Patty Berkovitz says she thought long and hard about her decision to run for the District 6 City Council seat.

“I felt it was important to step in,” Berkovitz told Patch. “I think it’s important for any seat to have heavy debate and that means to have viable candidates run and talk about what’s important for the district.”

District 6 City Councilmember Karen Meinzen McEnerny has decided not to seek re-election. In addition to Berkovitz, Sandy Springs Farmers Market co-founder Andy Bauman announced his run for the seat in June.

Both Berkovitz and Bauman expressed a desire to bring a fresh aspect to City Council.

“I generally find the city is pretty well run but there are things coming in the next four years that are going to impact us for the next 40,” Bauman said. “The City Center is going to [cost] tens of millions of dollars. I support the City Center and and downtown, but I want to get it right.”

Berkovitz, founder of the Watershed Alliance of Sandy Springs, said she considered a City Council run as the city neared incorporation. Instead she decided to be involved from the sidelines, she said. “And I would say the first two years in working with the city - that actually happened - and then it changed. Working with non-profits and other organizations, we no longer have any impact with the city,” she added.

Berkovitz has lived in Sandy Springs since 1964 when her parents built the family home.

“I want to bring balance back to the city, and a voice to this train that is moving forward,” said Berkovitz. “Yes, there are things I want to accomplish but it’s not as important as being a representative of the people.”

Bauman moved to Sandy Springs in 1999 and says community service is pretty much in his DNA. “My grandfather was a village trustee, sort of like a Council member -  in Port Chester, New York, in the ‘30s and '40s. And my father was zoning chairman in Eastchester, New York for at least 15 years,” Bauman said. “It’s just one of those things that’s ingrained in our family.”

As an attorney and businessman, Bauman believes his background would serve him well as a City Council member. "I like to sit down and find out what works really well," he said. 

Bauman added that he wants to be a great example for his two children and instill a spirit of community service. 

All six City Council seats and up for election in November.  Qualifying for all candidates is Aug. 26-30. For Berkovitz and Bauman websites visit pattyforsandysprings.com and andyforcitycouncil.com.