Fred Azbik challenges Ward 3 incumbent

Planning Commission member Fred Azbik has qualified to run for the Ward 3 Place 2 city council seat against incumbent Walter Jones.

Azbik has lived in Homewood for 50 years, where he and wife Diane raised their son and daughter. He works as the director of engineering at Trinity United Methodist Church, a job that he said involved "everything from changing a lightbulb to repairing chillers."

Azbik said he decided to run against Jones because he felt like it's time for a change in representation. At commission meetings, he said he hears concerns from residents about zoning, neighborhood preservation and "a lot of complaints about the way the city is looking.”

"It was just a good feeling. Walter’s been in there 16 years. I have nothing against Walter, I like him. It just seems to be the time," Azbik said.

His main campaign issues include more government communication and transparency, consistency in neighborhood preservation, maintenance of school and city buildings and overall smaller government. Azbik said he also thinks more time needs to be spent on listening to resident feedback on projects, including the opinions of teens and young adults who will be part of Homewood's long-term future.

"In my opinion, some of the ideas, although very good, seem to be on the fast track and are in need of more community input before a decision is reached," Azbik said.

Other projects Azbik would like to see include support for parks and the creation of entertainment areas in the 18th Street and Oak Grove areas to bring people out for music, dining, shopping and other entertainment.

Azbik is working on creating a campaign website and hopes to utilize the NextDoor app. If elected, this would be his first time holding an elected position, though he has also served on the parks and recreation board.