Sunday, March 27, 2016 | The Newnan Times-Herald — 11E
VISION 2016
CITY BY CITY
ARTS & LEISURE
Brady continues as mayor after 23 years By CELIA SHORTT celia@newnan.com
Twenty-three years ago, Keith Brady ran for mayor of Newnan, and today he’s still going strong. “I thought I could do a better job than the person who was mayor,” Brady said of why he ran. “I saw on the horizon cities need to grow to be a place people could come back to, and I didn’t see it heading in that direction. I never thought I’d be mayor for 23 years and counting.” His desire to run also came out of his realization that some people don’t have a home town. Brady was elected mayor in 1993 and began serving in the role in 1994. When he was campaigning, he said the city of Newnan was small enough that he could knock on every citizen’s door. “I’d get home from work, and Katie and I would go door to door… every night from qualifying to the election,” he said. “It was an eye opening learning experience. It was great, and I’d do it again, but I don’t think I could knock on every door.” Before becoming mayor, Brady worked in downtown Newnan with his father-in-law before starting his realty company. Brady said one reason downtown Newnan has continued to be strong is because the historical district surrounds the downtown area and supports it. Another reason is sustainability and a decision 20 years ago when the downtown churches decided to stay rather than leave. “They could have chosen to go somewhere else,” Brady said. “The city worked with all of them to expand as needed, so they could stay there.” City hall was also faced with the same decision when they needed to move out of the Wadsworth Auditorium. “Were we going to stay downtown and take the easy step and move out?” he said. “We decided we were going to stay downtown. We tore down that hotel and built city hall there … When the county came to us and wanted to build the justice center, we said we’re on board if you build it downtown … Those actions solidified the downtown and surrounding areas because it kept people coming downtown.” Another major element of Newnan’s growth is the quality of life it provides its residents, which is also the most meaningful part of being mayor to Brady. “Everything surrounds that,” he said. “If you don’t have the ability to attract by events, standard of living, amenities, and housing, it’s critically important … We’re 33 minutes from the
The John Wallace murder case was big news when events unfolded in 1948. Since then, the story has inspired books, a movie – and now a play.
FLIES Continued from page 10E
In November of 1993, Keith Brady, right begins his more than 20 year tenure as Newnan’s mayor and celebrates his election with his mom, Carolyn Brady of Marietta, left, and his wife, Katie, of Newnan.
busiest airport in the world. We have a great a school system … It all comes back to liveability and our community. That’s what sustains us.” Brady is quick to point out the good work the city’s staff also does. “Cleatus (city manager) and his staff do a fabulous job,” he said. “When you get up in the morning, and they run the city, you feel pretty good about that.” In terms of how much longer he’ll be mayor of Newnan, Brady said that’s up to the voters and not up to him. But he does plan to run again next year.
You’ve Got a Friend in Newnan.
want to be? Who counts? Who doesn’t? So in ‘Flies at the Well,’ the notes we hit are different, even though the story is much the same.” Music was another important part of the life and culture back in the mid-20th century, and Bishop wants the music featured in “Flies at the Well” to resonate with the audience. “It’s all what I like to call ‘indigenous’ music, and by that I don’t mean Native American,” Bishop stated. “It’s music that is of this place, music that you would have heard in our churches, and fields, on our front porches and roadsides, in our woods and riverbottoms. Black church music and gospel music and hymns are also a big part of this. And, again, we wanted it to be indigenous.” Bishop, with the help of people from the Newnan Theatre Company and his dramaturgs and music collaborators, has put in countless hours of work to complete this undertaking. For more information on “Flies at the Well,” visit www.fliesatthewell.org or look it up on Facebook.
2015 CADILLAC SRX 3.6LV6 Stk #530058, MSRP $38,615
BUYFOR
S33,988*
*Price plus TAVT tax, tag, title, license and Georgia Lemon Law. All rebates applied and retained by dealer. Offer ends 3/31/16.
2015 CADILLAC ATS
SEDAN LUXURY EDITION 2.0L 4-Cylinder Stk #530007, MSRP $44,745
BUYFOR
S38,788*
*Price plus TAVT tax, tag, title, license and Georgia Lemon Law. All rebates applied and retained by dealer. Offer ends 3/31/16.
61 Bullsboro Dr. Newnan, Ga. (770) 251-4311
www.accessunited.com
770-253-3131
695 BULLSBORO DRIVE
Located Off 1-85 South, Exit 47-Newnan