Candidate: Patricia Fousek

Retiring here in 2015, Pat is a proud Parker resident, who believes in common sense, working hard, and making things happen. Pat spent her career handling complex legal concepts and cases and will bring that same attention to detail and energy to making Parker a better place to live, work and play!

“I have always considered Florida, especially the Panhandle, my home,” says Pat. She moved here in 1964 after her family (her father was a sergeant in the Air Force) returned to the U.S. from Germany. She attended Callaway and Parker Elementary Schools, went on to Everitt Junior High and graduated from Rutherford High School (Go Rams!). She attended Gulf Coast Community College, now known as Gulf Coast State College, and continued her studies at the University of California in Irvine and Riverside.

Her first job was at the local “five-and-dime”, TG&Y which was located at the corner of Cherry Street and Tyndall Parkway. She recently capped off her career as Director of Legal & Risk Management for a professional association. Her job required her to establish measures and procedures to identify exposure to risk, such as performing assessments, identifying deviations or deficiencies, recommending corrective action, developing specifications on new projects & existing operations, and analyzing contracts.

Pat was also President of her homeowner’s association for 4 years. As president, she oversaw a budget of $1 million dollars, coordinated board meetings, negotiated contracts and managed contractors, with the main goal of safeguarding the personal investments of all HOA members.

The desire to solve problems, no matter how great, will be at the core of Pat’s effort to build a better Parker.

Widowed a few years ago, Pat stays busy by going to city council meetings, taking care of family members and her cats, Stanley and Sheba. She is a certified scuba diver and enjoys needlepointing and gardening.

Pat’s agenda for Parker will be based on the guiding principles of her commitment to public service and ensure the most accountable and responsive government by following these 6 “I’s”. Pat, as mayor, will be…

In-touch with the entire city. Her approach will be hands on, active in the county and community. She looks forward to collaborating with citizens, the city council, school leaders and local business owners.

Her leadership will be Inclusive. Everyone will have a seat at the table, every constituent will be heard, and every employee will be valued.

Informed Decision-Making means decisions will be guided by best practices, facts, and our city’s history.

Improved Transparency – Pat will make upcoming decisions to be considered by city council accessible before the meetings so citizens can come to the meetings just as informed as the elected officials. On a regular basis, Pat will share how Parker is spending your tax dollars, crime reports and code enforcement activities with Parker residents at city council meetings, on the city website and in e-newsletters.

Innovative – utilizing new technologies, new ideas and creative partnerships – she will improve delivery of services and implement more effective solutions to community challenges. She will also seek qualified developers of residential and business properties for Parker to enhance the lives of Parker residents and those service personnel soon to be stationed at Tyndall AFB.

Community Impact – requires measuring every decision by this question: Will it improve the quality of life for the people of Parker?

Pat's premis, that Parker is the Gateway to Tyndall, is not just a mantra, but a promise to residents of Parker and those soon to join the community that Parker will provide all they need and will serve their families well.