Your Ballot, In Their Words

About this feature (please read)

To help you prepare for Election Day (Tuesday, Nov 4), I invited each City Council candidate to answer the same prompts in writing.

Everyone received the same questions and the same opportunity.

The goal is simple: give you a clear, side-by-side look at who’s running and what they stand for.

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Mr. Michael McNeely, District 2

Who are you?

I am a husband, father, veteran, public safety executive, and community leader with over two decades of experience serving at each level of government. Guided by my faith in God and dedication to service, I believe leadership is about listening, acting with integrity, and putting others first. Throughout my professional career and volunteer service, I have championed accountability, teamwork, and community-driven solutions reflecting a commitment to building partnerships that deliver meaningful results. 

What makes Mableton special?

Mableton is a city on the rise and is now the largest city in Cobb County. Our city is home to great amenities, like the Chattahoochee Riverlands, the historic Mable House, Silver Comet Trail, and Six Flags Over Georgia. However, the city’s industrial corridors and commercial areas present opportunities for smart redevelopment, allowing for underused spaces to turn into centers for business, housing, retail, and services.

What are the most important challenge(s) and opportunities ahead?

Some of the most pressing challenges include improving and maintaining infrastructure, addressing code enforcement, housing quality, and managing growth responsibly. Residents deserve a city government that is responsive, transparent, and focused.

At the same time, with its diverse neighborhoods and strategic location, Mableton is well-positioned for smart redevelopment and sustainable economic growth. By promoting collaboration, investing in public safety and infrastructure, and empowering residents to have a voice in shaping their community, Mableton can grow into a thriving city.

Why are you the best candidate to help achieve those goals?

I am the best candidate to achieve these goals because I have the fundamental knowledge and experience of how government works, established relationships among elected officials, county and city staff, business owners, and non-profit interests, and am forward-thinking, with clear solutions in mind.

To learn more, visit Mr. McNeely's campaign page here.

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Councilwoman Dami Oladapo

Who are you?

I’m Dami Oladapo, a proud Mableton resident, mom of two, and dedicated public servant honored to represent District 2 on the Mableton City Council. Serving as your Councilwoman has been one of the greatest honors of my life. I ran on a promise of honest, and fiscally responsible leadership, and I’ve kept that promise by focusing on transparency, community partnership, and tangible results that move our city forward.

What makes Mableton special?

Mableton is a city unlike any other. It’s where history meets new possibility, a community rich with diversity, culture, and pride. From our long-time residents who’ve carried the city’s legacy to our new families bringing fresh energy and ideas, Mableton embodies what’s best about small-city living: neighbors who truly care, entrepreneurs who create, and families who believe in a brighter future.

We’re also home to some of Georgia’s most unique attractions and assets. This includes Six Flags Over Georgia, the Silver Comet Trail, and a prime location that places us minutes away from major interstates and the world’s busiest airport. These advantages make Mableton not just a great place to live, but a city perfectly positioned for growth, tourism, and investment.

What are the most important challenge(s) and opportunities ahead?

Our key priorities include improving infrastructure and safety, expanding access to essential services like groceries and healthcare (especially in District 2), supporting our youth and seniors, and encouraging responsible development that enhances neighborhoods without raising taxes. Each challenge we face is an opportunity to build a city that works smarter, grows fairly, and serves every resident with dignity.

Why are you the best candidate to help achieve those goals?

I’ve spent the past two years leading with action, compassion, and accountability, ensuring that progress reaches every corner of our community. Some of my proudest accomplishments include:

• Community reinvestment: Donated my entire city salary back into the community to support youth, seniors, and local programs.

• Senior engagement: Hosted city-sponsored Senior Brunches and outreach programs to support with utilities, healthcare expenses, rental assistant and home maintenance, ensuring our seniors feel valued, connected, and supported.

• Youth empowerment: Organized back-to-school drives, free haircuts for students, and teacher appreciation events that strengthen families and schools. Also supported high school students in advancing their education and ensuring our leaders of tomorrow are well equipped.

• Housing access: Partnered with NACA to host a first-time homebuyer workshop, helping residents overcome housing barriers and move toward homeownership.

• Neighborhood improvement: Led and supported citywide cleanups, beautification projects, and supported small business events to foster civic pride and economic growth.

• Resident accessibility: Remained consistently available to constituents, responding quickly to concerns and championing solutions that improve everyday quality of life.

I believe leadership is about service, not status, and my record reflects that. I’m deeply invested in building a Mableton where every resident, every neighborhood, and every family can thrive. With experience, proven results, and a heart for people, I’m ready to continue the work we’ve started together.

To learn more, visit Councilwoman's campaign page here.

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Councilwoman Patricia Auch, District 4

Who are you?

I initially moved to Mableton with my husband in 2014. I graduated cum laude from Judson College in 2007 with dual majors in chemistry and biology. My professional background is in analytical chemistry, quality control, and regulatory affairs in pharmaceuticals.

I have a long history of public service that spans beyond my tenure as a city council member. I have been an avid volunteer, dedicating almost every weekend to serving my community. I was awarded "Volunteer of the Year" by Keep Cobb Beautiful for 2025 and received an award by the same title in 2021 by the civic group "Friends of Mableton".

I am a member of Lions Club International, volunteer with the Georgia Native Plant Society, the Riverside Community Garden, and Keep Cobb Beautiful especially with their adopt-a-mile program. Since being elected to city council in 2023, I have participated in 72 litter cleanups and participated in many more prior to being elected. I also have volunteered with Our Giving Garden, Boy Scouts Troop 22, Friends of Mableton, Silver Comet Races, and other nonprofits and organizations within Mableton. After my first year as councilwoman, I donated half my city council salary to nonprofits serving District 4 at Mableton’s first town hall. 

In addition to demonstrating my commitment to my community outside of city council meetings through my volunteer work, I have demonstrated my commitment inside our city council meetings.  I have attended every single work session and city council meeting in 2024 and 2025 consistently advocating for my district.

One of my notable achievements since serving on the city council is my work with sustainability and local food systems. I successfully implemented a free educational class about backyard chicken keeping, and have supported Mableton's farmers market, local community gardens, and a partnership with Trees Atlanta front yard tree program. I also served on the City of Mableton's Green Team, a committee dedicated to helping Mableton obtain a Green Communities Certification. My efforts to make Mableton a more sustainable city has also led to the compost and recycling drop off program at Mableton's operational building at 6116 Mableton Parkway. 

What makes Mableton special?

Mableton is special by the great potential it holds and the engaged residents within. Mableton has a reputation for being one of the most affordable places to live in the Atlanta metro and is desirable due to its proximity to Atlanta.  I love that Mableton, especially District 4, has a lot of parks, green spaces and amenities like the Silver Comet Trail. I bought my home in Mableton because of the larger lot sizes, which allowed me to partake in hobbies I enjoy like backyard gardening and backyard chicken keeping.  Mableton has so much potential to become even better. I hope as our city grows that we will preserve the charm that made me fall in love with Mableton in the first place, while improving its walkability and bringing in more jobs, retail, amenities and restaurants. 

What are the most important challenge(s) and opportunities ahead?

There will be many challenges and opportunities ahead. The most important opportunity for residents now is involvement in our comprehensive plan. This is going to serve as the roadmap for Mableton’s future. The comprehensive plan will designate future land use, transportation, housing options, and environmental stewardship among other things. 

Why are you the best candidate to help achieve those goals?

I’m the best candidate for District 4 because of my experience, proven leadership, and commitment to serving the community and advocating for the needs of residents. My vision for the future is one that prioritizes transparency, sustainability, community engagement and growth and development of our city that reflects the desires of our citizens.  In my next term, I want to continue the work of optimizing cost effective municipal services while creating a more walkable, cleaner, safer, and more beautiful Mableton.

To learn more, visit Councilwoman Auch's campaign page here.

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Ms. Cassandra Brown, District 4

Who are you?

Hello, I’m Cassandra Brown, a proud U.S. Army veteran, mother, and dedicated community leader. My husband Jeff and I have called Mableton home for the past 23 years, and we truly consider it our forever home.

My commitment to service began after graduating from Tuskegee University when I joined the United States Army. That same spirit of leadership and service has guided my work here in Mableton through active involvement with the Brookmere Homeowners Association, CobbWorks, the Cobb Board of Education Facilities and Technology Committee, and the Mableton Improvement Coalition.

What makes Mableton special?

What makes Mableton truly special is its people. We are a diverse community with an amazing array of people. We are also home to incredible talent. We have artists, entrepreneurs, educators, and professionals in entertainment and business whose skills and creativity could help shape our city’s future. I believe we must do more to tap into that brilliance and invite our residents to help lead the way forward.


And beyond our people, we are blessed with natural beauty. From our parks and green spaces to the Silver Comet trail that we all love, Mableton offers a peaceful landscape. It is especially exciting that our city will be the starting point for the Chattahoochee Riverlands project, which will eventually connect one hundred miles of trail access along the river.

What are the most important challenge(s) and opportunities ahead?

Putting aside the $9.5 million bill that we must pay to Cobb County for police, I believe Mableton’s greatest challenge and greatest opportunity is to grow responsibly while protecting residents from the burden of unnecessary tax burdens.  That means keeping a balanced budget, running a lean and efficient government, and making smart decisions that reflect both fiscal discipline and community priorities.

We can move our city forward without overburdening families by controlling spending and actively pursuing economic development. By attracting new businesses and amenities, we generate local revenue that helps fund services and infrastructure without raising taxes.

Right now, too much of our economic power is flowing out of Mableton to places like Atlanta, Marietta, and Smyrna. It is time to change that. It is time to invest in ourselves, support local enterprise, and build a city where our dollars work for us.

Why are you the best candidate to help achieve those goals?

I am deeply invested in this city I call home, and I want to see it thrive. My commitment is not new. I have been right here with you, standing up for what matters. From advocating for sidewalks on Buckner Road and a stop light at Buckner and Veterans Memorial, to opposing the school bus depot and hotel on Veterans, to demanding upgrades for the girls’ softball fields at Pebblebrook High School, I have consistently shown up and spoken out. Most recently, I have supported residents on Cooper Lake and Volunteer Ridge who are seeking sidewalk connectivity and safer streets.

I have been a voice and a doer for this community, and I am ready to take that advocacy to the next level. With decades of professional experience in leadership, negotiation, and problem-solving, I will be a councilmember who listens to your concerns and acts on your behalf. My pledge is simple: to serve with integrity, to lead with empathy, and to always put the people of District 4 first.

To learn more, visit Ms. Brown's campaign page here.