Mayor of Johns Creek finds balance in public office

Mike Bodker starts his day like many Johns Creekers; rising early - 5:30 a.m. to be exact - making breakfast and getting the kids off to school. The morning routine sometimes may be monotonous for the mayor of Georgia's 10th largest city, but no day is ever the same.

Dec. 1 marked Johns Creek's second birthday and Bodker's second anniversary of becoming mayor. He has presided over dozens of City Council meetings, approved multiple city ordinances and cut ribbons marking new businesses opening in the city.

But many residents may not know that the mayor of more than 65,000 likes to play golf and Scuba-dive. He also takes his twin children to the movies and is just like many other parents in the city spending time with family.

His duties as a businessman, mayor of Johns Creek and Metro Atlanta Mayors Association (MAMA) chairman keep his schedule busy during the week; he said he plays catch-up on the weekends, spending as much time as possible with his wife and two children. Depending on the weekend, he may have to appear at public events or tend to specific business. He also spends time preparing for City Council meetings.

Bodker's day-job is partner at nexDimension, a corporate performance management and software solutions business. The company recently relocated its offices to Johns Creek.

In his nexDimension office, filled with photo frames holding pictures of his family, Bodker's two Blackberry devices are buzzing every few minutes on his desk. He said he receives about 100 e-mails a day between work and the city.

"There's no manual for being mayor," said Bodker. "It's definitely a balance."

Bodker said one of the successes he'd most proud of is the city becoming just that - a city itself.

"The fact that I believe our reputation is positive is an example for other cities," he said. "We're very well-run and very well put together."

The list of accomplishments is a long one, said Bodker, adding that the police and fire departments are near the top.

"We can see how meaningful they are to the citizens."

The number of traffic-related fatalities in the city is down and Bodker's confident that lives are being saved due to the newly formed public safety departments.

Other endeavors such as the Heart-Ready City program and promoting green space are ranked highly on the list of achievements as well.

But Bodker said his one disappointment to date is the failure to deliver more green space to the city. He noted that a green real estate transaction recently fell through.

"I was very upset," said Bodker. "My hope is that we'll find more land. And, I hope that it's my only major failure."

Looking into the future 5-10 years, Bodker said he hopes to see a successful Johns Creek 911 Center, a "town center," and more green space in the city. And, anticipates a fiscally-sound city.

Bodker said one of Johns Creek's roles as a new city is to show that it was the right thing to do and to demonstrate that cityhood can be accomplished.

"I hold us to a high standard," he said.

"The best part of the job has nothing to do with the description," said Bodker. "It's going to the schools. It's been the most rewarding thing to read to them, provide guidance."

And the most challenging part as mayor is not in the job description either, he said.

"Comforting families of citizens when they've lost a loved one is gut-wrenching, but it's something that you do."

Bodker plans to run for re-election next year but won't start campaigning until summer.

"I'm doing the people's work every day – I shouldn't have to scream it from the rooftops – they should see it for themselves in how well the city is working."

He added that he loves his mayoral duties and doesn't have the desire to aspire to higher political office – yet.

"I won't close the door (to other opportunities) but I just don't see the point in it now. I can't imagine doing anything else but this."
- www.northfulton.com

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