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A Quick Chat with GP Mayor Kacky

Recently I interviewed Garrett Park Mayor Kacky Chantry, an Army veteran who held a number of leadership positions in the U.S. government. Before becoming mayor, she served two terms on the Town Council. The mayor is an unpaid position and she does it on her own time with support from town staff and council members.

I asked her about the sidewalks being built in Garrett Park. She said that in 2012, the town applied for a state grant via the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program to build new and repair old sidewalks. The plan created some debate and controversy. Residents had concerns including:

• Keeping the park-like setting originally designed for the town (it was established as an arboretum in 1977)

• Keeping families safe from oncoming cars while sidewalk work was being completed

• Kacky also said unfortunately, many residents felt left out of the design phase.

Her campaign slogan was “Community with Unity” and she promised that if elected, she would build the sidewalks. The town is now in the final phase of construction, and Kacky told me, “What a relief.”

On COVID-19: The town is doing “very well,” but she would like to see more masks being worn in town, especially on playgrounds.

On Black Market Bistro: Kacky said the outdoor porch is a small space and didn’t provide adequate social distancing. The town is very close and supportive of Black Market, so the Town Council agreed to barricade the road.

Kai Faucette

Journalist